Stitches and Stories

Sockupied!

2012-01-28T11:48:00.003-05:00

Just bought and downloaded the spring Sockupied emag. I can't want to dive into it! But there has been so much going on here and I have so many WIPs it really is quite sad.
I did finish a cute little pony hat and matching scarf for a co-workers little girl, knitted all in pink and white, so cute.

I am now working on socks, a shawl, a cardigan, a languishing mitten, and have this beautiful red variegated yarn just begging me to knit into something cozy and warm.

But, I am also taking two online classes and have to spend as much time studying as possible that cuts into the knitting time, although I have downloaded the lectures that are available in audio so I can listen and knit at the same time.

Plus, the part time bartending gigs are heating up, I worked last weekend, I'm working this weekend and next, I think I have one weekend off and then another event is scheduled. Plus, things continue to be busy at the full time job.

So right now things are crazier than normal around here, so I apologize for the lack of pictures.

But I found a lovely new blog to share:

My Corner of Life is a lovely blog by Christine, stop by and say hello to her. And hey, she is new to spinning to let's cheer her on!

No Fear

2012-01-24T19:22:00.002-05:00

If you are not familiar with Imogen Heap, I highly recommend her music. I just recently discovered it myself and I love it!

I especially love this song. It could really apply to so many things. But I think it is such a beautiful song.

Enjoy!

Minds without Fear

We should never fear the unknown, it is an opportunity. We never fear honesty, for the truth really will set you fear.

Something Fishy

2012-01-03T20:19:00.001-05:00

I delivered a dead fish scarf and hat for a co-workers little boy today. She was very excited.

New Year, Fresh Start

2012-01-01T12:52:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

I'm not one for resolutions, I kinda like myself the way I am and if I need to change something well it's best not to wait until January 1 to take care of such things. I wanted to share with you my feelings on 2011, overall it wasn't a bad year. I mean sure globally things could be better, economy, war, yadda, yadda, yadda. My philosophy is I can only effect change in my corner of the world and if everyone managed their corner of the world all the corners would then add up, and the positive changes would spread and eventually, poof global change.

I do not believe that standing outside a bank building, the capital, the UN and screaming my protest of something will change anything, no one inside of those buildings are going to hear me and even if they did, they aren't listening. So I quietly effect change in my corner of the world and encourage you to do the same. That kind of change will be heard louder than any screams or protest signs ever will. Change by action not by voice.

You can also choose how and where you spend your money either by choosing to shop local or handcrafted or free trade items. You can vote out the people who you think are doing a bad job, vote in people you think will do a better job, you can choose to live green or greener you can volunteer to improve the lives of others.

Just think if everyone did just one of these things in the new year, what kind of changes could we bring about 2012?

"Things that make you say mmmmmmmmm."

1980 Something

2011-12-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

A group of us were having a discussion on G+ the other day, it started with music of the 80s, posting youtube links to our favorite videos/songs and then it went over into fashion. It was so much fun I thought I'd share a little bit of it here.

Do you remember getting home from school to try to catch your favorite video on MTV before your parents got home?

I graduated high school in the mid 80s and some of the songs I remember most are
Mandolin Rain and The Way It Is, by Bruce Hornsby
Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
Our House by Madness
Come on Eilene, by Dexy's Midnight Runners. (Honestly the thing I liked the most about that band was the name!)

Some of the bands that were popular my senior year were Wang Chung, Boy's Don't Cry, Nu Shooz, (love Nu Shooz), and Pet Shop Boys. Really there are too many to name but if you want a good source for remembering some of those songs you thought you had forgotten Ultimate 80s Songs is a great site!

Now about about some of those fashions! Cuff boots were my fav. I wore mine all the time, my favorite look in high school was my high heel cuff boots with my long black wool trench coat. Don't ask.

Of course, there were the parachute pants, okay I admit I had a pair, but only one pair! And of course the Michael Jackson jacket, honestly I never got into that so didn't have one of those. But I did have the bat winged sweaters! And lets not forget the Baja Hoodies! OMG I loved my Baja, wish I still had it! I had my share of sweater dresses and wide colorful belts too! And a pair of checker board vans, I mean who didn't?

So imagine me sporting a hair do similar to the guy from Flock of Seagulls, a screaming yellow bat winged sweater (v in the back of course), stirrup pants and cuff boots! Blue eye shadow, a small seagull drawn on the side of my face with my eyeliner pencil and my twisted bead necklace! You couldn't tell me anything! So that was the look for Friday, Monday was something more like my jeans, vans and baja hoodie, sans the blue eye shadow and drawn on seagull. LOL.

And then lets not forget the arcade, my friends and I spent a small fortune on Pac-man, Space Invaders, and Galaga. I still play a pretty mean game of Galaga.

Top movies of the 80s? Risky Business, for sure. But my fav was 16 Candles, and one quote that seems to get left out of the best movie quotes of the 80s is "They F*&*& forgot my birthday!" classic.

So what are your favorite memories of the 80s? Don't be shy fess up!

Book tree

2011-12-11T09:32:00.002-05:00

What sort of christmas tree does a librarian have? A book tree!

Cool Website for Writers

2011-12-02T21:06:00.002-05:00

I found this website through a google circle today, Enjoy!
The Writers Alleys

I'm a Winner!

2011-11-27T12:52:00.001-05:00

Well I did it! 50,000 words in 30 days, National Novel Writing Month is complete for me!

I actually finished up with 56,402 words, I have to say it was quite an experience and I can't wait until next year.

We return you to your regularly scheduled life.

4 Days 2 Pairs of Socks

2011-11-25T10:28:00.001-05:00

While needing some down time for creative thinking for my Nano writing. I needed something more soothing than the sweater for the KAL. My default knitting is socks.

And so I managed two pairs, both from Wendy's Johnson's Toe Up Socks for Everybody.

Adopt an Indie

2011-11-21T08:11:00.001-05:00

I found this great website through one of my Google Plus circles and wanted to share it with you. It is a great resource for indie writers, if your not a writer check out it find the names of some great indie writers and their work!
Adopt an Indie

Weather or Not

2011-11-17T18:54:00.001-05:00

The beauty after the storm. . .

Sunset

Coming Soon! - WAE Network

2011-10-30T17:48:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon! - WAE Network

In Support of Writing Programs

2011-10-30T17:02:00.001-04:00

Dear All,

If you wouldn't mind taking a few minutes to read my little message below. Any donation amount would be greatly appreciated, especially the Young Writer's Program!

Tranquility

2011-10-30T09:02:00.000-04:00

October 27, 2011 Along the rivers edge

Would Now be an Appropriate Time to Panic?

2011-10-29T20:10:00.003-04:00

There are officially 2 days, 4 hours and 4 minutes (at the time of this writing) until NaNoWriMo starts! (National Novel Writing Month) and I had the crazy idea that it would be brilliant to participate this year! The question now is, who.is.in.charge.of me.!? Who let me think this was a brilliant idea.

I have notes, I have characters I have a plot, without a definite ending but a plot in general. I know how I want it to go, but I want to build some juicy twists and turns to keep any potential reader hooked on the character and the story. That I am having a little problem with, well that and the fact that I have never done anything remotely like this and oh yeah there is the whole 50,000 words in 30 days.

Palms are starting to sweat, I somehow don't think the coffee is going to be necessary. I have already appropriated Mr. Sheep Shack's Mac Book Pro, so that I can write in every possible spare minute of every day.

And of course I still have to knit the three scarves and one pair of socks I have on the needles. One scarf is part of a commission set of two hats and scarves for some little ones.

What knit fish and donkey hats and scarves, socks, lace stole, reversible cabled scarf, prepare for the holidays, write 50,000 words in 30? Sure! No problem. I'll sleep in December!

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

2011-10-22T21:03:00.001-04:00

Well, all the progress with Velvet has suffered a setback. I had to take her to the vet for shots, and while our vet is extremely good and takes excellent care of all our animals. She was not happy about being in the carrier or the car ride. She had gone back to hiding in extreme places and only comes out when we bring her out. Poor thing. And poor Olive is loopy because she had to be spayed and the pain meds are tripping her out. Only Lily is normal this week and she is so happy both cats are quiet and she is the boss of the house again, even if it is temporary.

In knitting news, the cabled scarf is seriously kicking my butt. I don't know why I have done cables before, but I seem to be messing this thing up every time I touch it. So I put it down for a while to concentrate on the sock and start a fish scarf. Hopefully I will have better luck there until the cable mojo returns.

Spent the day out and about so no knitting today as of yet. But it is only 9:00 pm so plenty of time for knitting yet this night.

Well, happy knitting ya'll!

Day 8 - Velvet and a Little Knitting

2011-10-15T07:38:00.000-04:00

Well between Day 3 and today, Velvet has been coming out at night when the other animals are not in her part of the house and eating. Last night we closed off the living room from Lily and Olive and just sat in there with her as she hid behind a book case. We tried tempting her with toys of every shape and color, but it was the wine corks that did it. She finally crept out on her own and started playing with the corks we tossed in her direction. Then she started running from me to Mr. Sheep Shack and back for pets on the head. So hopefully now we will see more her and I get some cute photos to share.

In knitting news, I am in the process of binding off my lace shawl. The problem I have it that you jump from US 7's to 11's for the bind off and the stitches are very tight, it makes things a bit difficult. But I will muddle through.

One More to Go!

2011-10-10T07:25:00.000-04:00

Well dear friends,

I have only one more row to go on the Knitpicks Seasons Summer Shawl. I will be posting before and after blocking picks soon. I have really enjoyed my first lace project, I think I will do a lace stole next. Along with the Serendipity Socks I am currently working on, a cabled scarf for Mr. Sheep Shack and oh yeah, we have what something like 77 shopping/knitting days until Christmas! Yikes!

I had great plans back in August to knit Christmas Stockings for the whole family, hmmmm. Haven't knit one single Christmas Stocking. It's sad really.

Oh and now, commission pieces to do as well. Thank goodness my family actually likes gift cards!

Well back to the needles, happy knitting!

Day Three - Velvet Watch

2011-10-09T18:09:00.005-04:00

Okay, this cat is not overly huge, but she is not petite by any means and I am amazed at the places she can squeeze into to hide. We find her we bring her out set her in our laps and pet her for a few minutes. Surprisingly the basset hound is not a problem. Velvet isn't over thrilled at the basset nose in her face. But the basset just can't wait for Velvet to come down and play.

Olive however, the very petite six month old kitten is the problem. She is having nothing to do with Velvet and does not want Velvet in the house. She makes quite a show of it every time they by chance are near each other.

Today we were outside for several hours working and came in and couldn't find Velvet anywhere. Mr. SheepShack was starting to get pretty worried. We looked under and behind everything in the house. Until, I found her on the table behind his computer. It's funny she hides behind his computer and when cramping herself onto the bookshelves, she lays on his books.

Well, I hope she comes out soon, and knows all is well here. I'm really starting to worry about her not eating.

In the mean time, I think I will show Olive some Simon's Cat movies.

Have you hugged something furry today?

Day Two - Velvet Watch - Updated with Pic.

2011-10-08T08:14:00.001-04:00

If you are on G+ you may realize that we have adopted another kitty. This one is a year old and her humans were splitting up so she needed a home. She is a very pretty black kitty, so we named her Velvet. We not have Black Velvet and Block Olive Dammitcat.

Velvet has let me hold for all of about 5 minute over the past two days. She stays tucked in a book case or behind the entertainment center. She hasn't eaten anything that I can tell.

Last night/early this morning at 2:30 am I found her on the sink in the bathroom, standing on her hind legs front paws on the wall. I don't know if she thought she would be arrested for being in the bathroom or if her new home is making her climb the walls.

Velvet hiding behind the curtains.

Big News from Apple Today, color me unimpressed

2011-10-04T20:53:00.001-04:00

Being a recent convert to Apple, I am always finding ways to sing their praises to anyone who will listen and convert my old Windows friends to the side of good and light. But today, I came home all excited to update my Nano, after today's announcements for updates and the new iPhone.

So I plugged in my Nano with hands shaky with anticipation. I wait impatiently as the download progress bar moves across the top of the screen.

I excitedly eject my Nano and look at the screen......(insert screech car tire sound here) The improved icons are now one icon per screen so I have to scroll for my music, then tap music twice more to get to my playlist?! What gives! I go back I scroll some more check out the new clock faces...okay cute but I don't use the clock so no big deal.

I am momentarily frustrated until I find in settings I can turn off certain icons and restore the icons I do want to the smaller size to I can have four per screen. Whew! That was close! I was about to reset the whole darn thing!

So for me personally, I'm not happy with the update, I don't think it offers much, if you like big icons that take up the whole screen, though this update is for you! Enjoy!

Screen shots of new available icons can be seen here: Apple Nano

Have I Mentioned How Much I love Evernote, Lately?

2011-10-03T07:26:00.001-04:00

Seriously, I love this program. I know I did a brief review of it some time back and I loved it then. At that time I was using a Windows machine and now I have converted whole heartily over to Apple.

With regard to my change over to Apple, I resisted for years despite friends singing the praises of Mac's because well, frankly I didn't understand and Windows was working for me so why change. Then I got the iPad, well I know that is not the same as a desktop or even a laptop, but I love my iPad, I don't leave the house without it so if something like that can be so awesome, how cool must a full fledged desktop be right? Right! We took baby steps though, my hubby bought a Macbook pro and I played with it. Nice, but I wasn't yet sold. And I was working from my Windows laptop just fine at the time. But then I started using Pages on my iPad and I don't care what they say, going from Windows to the Macbook pro and back isn't easy. It can be done sure, but it isn't easy. So when I started having a few issues with the laptop and doing more creative things on the computer I decided to try the iMac. I visited one in the store numerous times and then finally took the plunge. After a few weeks, I am so completely sold on any and everything Apple that I have visions reliving the scene in "Office Space" with the fax machine, with my laptop in the back yard. But, I digress, this post is really about Evernote.

I still in all honesty haven't used all the cool features of Evernote, of course they keep adding stuff all the time. But I loved it when I used Windows and I totally love using it on my Mac. For example, you can have the Evernote icon on your tool bar so that you can clip webpages into your Evernote for future reference, this knitters is really handy when you are searching Ravelry for a pattern. Say you find that perfect lace pattern, its free, (bonus) and it directs you to a blog where the pattern is laid out. There is no "download" button, so you would normally have to go through some sort of right click gyration and copy and paste it. Unless of course you have Evernote, then you simply click the icon in your tool bar, it asks if you want to clip the whole page or a portion and like magic there it is in your Evernote account! I then have it available on my iPad to take with me everywhere. No printing out patterns and wasting ink for the pictures when you just need the text. No printed patterns to get crumpled, creased, ripped or lost in your knitting bag, or left at the coffee shop when you were meeting your knitting friends for a little caffeine in take. And it is in color with the pictures.

Now in fairness this works if you have a windows desktop or laptop and and iPad. Just clip or download your pattern, drag it into the Evernote account, if you download it to your laptop or desktop and sync the account. Make sure you have the Evernote App on your iPad and your all set!

I use Evernote more than any other shared program out there, like dropbox or sugarsync. I totally cannot live without my Evernote, to me it is a must for carrying around my knitting patterns.

Evernote Download

Knit on!

Hat and cowl

2011-09-27T07:44:00.001-04:00

Totally Over Facebook

2011-09-25T18:40:00.000-04:00

Well folks, that's it for me on Facebook these most recent changes are more than I am willing to deal with. Especially the timeline feature and the new sidebar thing that scroll every time anyone does anything. For example, posting items you have read on Facebook without your knowledge or permission.
I refer you to this article:Facebook Privacy Issues.

Also, now the ability for people to tell when you have unfriended them. Chances are if you have unfriended someone, you probably don't care what they think, but it could cause ripples if you have shared friends you are keeping, or if it is someone at work. Or what if you unfriend someone by accident and don't realize it. Then your "friend" will be hurt and upset wondering why you unfriended them.

Another interesting article: FB User Dislikes

It is all just too much for me. I have a rule I do something because it is fun, when it isn't fun anymore, I stop doing it. Facebook is no longer fun. And I am concentrating on G+ and Twitter. Please come join me at either of those sites. If you still enjoy Facebook, good for you, but a personal word of caution, be very careful what you share in your profiles and in your posts. What you listen to and what you watch on Netflix, pretty soon it will be out there for the whole world to know. And personally I don't care if people know my fav Disney movie is the Princess and the Frog, but I should be able to choose to share that information; Facebook should not be sharing it for me.

Happy Knitting ya'll.

Once You Go Mac You Never Go Back

2011-09-18T13:25:00.001-04:00

Dear Reader,

I have been on a short hiatus, due to two events. The first, I was off for several days from work, to relax and enjoy life a bit and then had to go back..... the second, I decided that it was time to stop working on my Windows based laptop and level up to an iMac.... tada....

So the Sheep Shack writing corner is set up and ready for NaNoWriMo in November.
So the heat is on as they say.

In knitting news I finished a slouchy hat and circular scarf from my Malabrigo yarn, finished up those glomits and made progress on my shawl.

The weather here as also turned decidedly fall-like. It as 59 degrees last night and that is a bit cool for us this time of year. So the urge to stay in and knit in the evening is quite strong. Time to turn on the knitting afterburners to prepare for the holidays.

Please don't forget the flood victims in the north east!

Happy Knitting.

Upside down your turning me...

2011-09-09T16:05:00.000-04:00

Hyperdrive

2011-09-08T11:30:00.001-04:00

I just rearranged the furniture and had the pillows all in place and looking pretty and then.....this happened.

Starring Olive Dammitcat

Shawls, hats, mittens, oh my!

2011-09-08T09:58:00.001-04:00

Wanted to share with you a few WIPs today,

first a mitten, the first in the pair completed last night.

This is a mitten pattern of my own design. It has the basic elements of any convertible mitten pattern but I think the process is a bit easier than most. I still need to tweak it though.

Next up the shawl, the shawl has been neglected for a few days while I wrote and knitted the mitten pattern.

Still in blog mode, of course, but it is getting there.

And last but not least, the slouchy hat using the Malabrigo...I plan to finish it today and can't wait for it to get cold enough to wear it!

But so far today I am in cleaning/organizing mode so the knitting will come later. Also, making some beef stew in the slow cooker today. Yummy! Now if I could find the time to made some bread to go with it......

Well Happy Knitting!

Aftermath

2011-09-05T09:30:00.000-04:00

Well we survived Irene with very little physical damage here at the Sheep Shack, no flooding or downed trees in the immediate area. But we did lose power for about 24 hours and Internet for a couple of days. My cell phone only just returned to normal yesterday. But these things are unimportant and material when compared to damage in other areas and the fact that some of my co-workers only just had their power restored this weekend.

Here are a few pictures of the storm from the Sheep Shack window:

Irene moving in

Patio after Irene

Clear skies chasing Irene away

Much knitting was done during the storm, I worked on the shawl, started a hat and some convertible mittens.

I hope everyone reading this a safe and wonderful Labor Day, and if you experienced Irene that you are on the road to recovery, so many places were hit harder than we were and if your are being affected by TS Lee, my thoughts and prayers are with you that you do not suffer damage.

Zen and the Art of Stash Enhancement

2011-08-21T16:35:00.000-04:00

The weather lately as been pretty typical for this area in August, heat (in the 90s), humidity( pushing the index over 100) and haze (added to swamp smoke).

But yesterday, we had a break temps in the 80s a nice breeze, the smoke was being blown in a different direction and made for an all around pleasant day so..... I went yarn shopping! I mean what else does one do on such a gorgeous day?

Okay yarn shopping isn't all I did, but it was a very yummy part of it. We drove up to Knitting Sisters where I indulged in some Malabrigo:

Malabrigo in Nostalgia colorway

And while I was there I noticed that the Sisters have started carrying Namaste bags and accessories, so I added the mini messenger bag to my collection:

We also went over to Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown and enjoyed the breeze off the river.

Something Knitty Going On

2011-08-13T11:18:00.000-04:00

Well I haven't done as posting lately as I would like, but good reasons:

I have a new kitten.
It is very hard to type with said kitten chasing the cursor across the screen
I have been knitting, a shawl, a sock, and baby gifts

Here's the proof.....

Baby all natural gift set

New fun with scrap yarn books

Bellatrix LaStrange socks

Summer Shawl

Olive

Progress made and not made.

2011-08-07T10:46:00.000-04:00

So I have this wonderful shawl I'm doing as a knit a long and haven't touched it in a week, but that is okay. Because I am knitting a super soft natural colored cotton washcloth and towel for a special wee one. I have ordered some lovely handmade soap from August Soap House, Carolyn is a wonderfully charming lady who makes the most deliciously smelling soaps. Pictures will coming soon ans Mr. Sheep Shack tries out his new digital camera.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Happy Knitting!

A New Addition to the Family

2011-08-05T22:09:00.000-04:00

Presenting Miss Olive....

As you can see Lily is not impressed at all....

Major Changes to the Stitches and Stories Group on Ravelry

2011-07-16T09:01:00.000-04:00

Dear Reader,

If you followed my group Stitches and Stories over on Ravelry there have been some changes to the focus of that group. It is now called Spirited Knitters and focuses on fiber arts, wine and spirits. We can talk about your favorite drink recipe or cooking with spirits. Or really anything else that comes to to mind! Your favorite pint, book, yarn. So stop by Spirited Knitters on Ravelry and pull up a chair and lets mix it up!

Cheers!

The Eagle has Landed....

2011-07-16T07:02:00.000-04:00

outside my office window!

Here are a couple of pictures a co-worker was able to snap of a bald eagle hunting in the field behind our office building yesterday. What a treat! I have only seen the eagle out there once before.

Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks Knitting

2011-07-11T21:29:00.000-04:00

I was visiting Knit Purl Gurl's site today, and saw this video, I had to share it:

Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks Knitting

Make sure you head on over to Knit Purl Gurl's site, she is having an awesome give-a-way contest!

Happy Knitting

We've been Slated...

2011-07-07T18:21:00.000-04:00

By "we" I mean all of us who already know how awesome Ravelry is....

Slate Magazine - Ravelry

Preaching to the choir but good article!

What kind of squash is that?

2011-07-06T18:14:00.000-04:00

I think they call that a cotton tail squash.

Look out beach....

2011-07-03T10:05:00.000-04:00

....here they come.

I95 south traffic 7/2/11

Squashed!

2011-06-17T16:24:00.000-04:00

Just a few shots from the garden today:

Howlin' for you

2011-06-15T22:33:00.000-04:00

Love the full moon tonight. Here's a shot from my backyard.

Ever Get the Feeling.....

2011-06-12T11:56:00.001-04:00

...your being watched?

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you" - Joseph Heller

Milk in a Mason Jar

2011-06-09T07:02:00.001-04:00

Now that's fresh, when you get milk that hasn't been commercially bottled! How does one get milk that fresh, well it is very hard these days with everyone watering it down and everything. But apparently Mr. Sheep Shack works with this nice lady, Mary Lovell, who is the goddess of all things yummy! At Easter she sent home chocolaty treats, then she sent me an adorable sheep, for the collection not for eating, and now she has sent home fresh real honest to goodness milk from her family's farm! Oh it has been too long since I have had milk that good. The kind of milk you have to skim the cream off the top. If you've ever had that got of milk you would understand that they stuff they sell in the grocery store is criminal. White water, labeled milk.

So thank you goddess of all things yummy!

A New Little Blog

2011-06-05T08:35:00.000-04:00

Dear Reader,

I want to tell you about a fun new blog; it's a little different though, no knitting, maybe a little gardening, but a whole lot of mixology! Yes, I have launched a second blog to discuss all things related to spirits. Come by and join the fun, we can talk about anything related to home bartending or professional bartending, your fav drink, or bar song, it's pretty much anything goes. Think of it as your online pub!

Not to worry though, Stitches and Stories is not going anywhere, we will still be here for all your non-alcohol related topics.

Visit me at Laugh Love Drink

Re-purposing in the Garden

2011-06-04T18:39:00.000-04:00

So to me the thing about urban gardening is one, to grow fresh food yourself that is healthier than what you can buy at the store. And two, be self sufficient but not strain the environment around you, so we re-purpose items to be used in the garden year after year. Our latest project is rain barrels made from three olive barrels and one soda barrel.

We recently had new gutters installed on the house and purchased the larger size downspouts and then had them cut to accommodate the rain barrels. The barrels were purchased at an military surplus supply store and the faucets and related hardware was purchased at Lowes for less than $5 per barrel. We bought a length of 3/4 inch white hose when we then cut into smaller lengths to connect the barrels. These are located at the end of our garden so that we can easily water with them.

The next thing we did this year to make better use of our garden space was to plant potatoes in tubs and buckets. Mr. Sheep Shack drilled holes in the bottoms to allow for proper drainage and I painted some 5 gal. buckets that had once held laundry detergent when they were new. It seems to be working nicely.

This year I am trying my had with a fruit tree, we purchased a tangelo tree and placed it on the patio where it will get lots of sun, we put it in a pot so that we can bring it indoors in the colder months.

Mr. Sheep Shack is out now looking for a lime tree and I have some mint growing as well, not reason why a bartender can't grow some of her own ingredients as well. Nothing like a freshly made drink!

Enjoy!

Inspiration

2011-06-01T18:59:00.001-04:00

Inspiring, Inspiration, no matter how you say it, it all boils down to one person, Ernestine Shepherd. If are like me and really need/want to be in better shape but have given yourself every excuse in the world not to, read this story and tell me your are not inspired.

Ernestine Shepherd 74 yr. old body builder

I came home from work today and lifted weights and got on my elliptical machine!

The Urban Farmer

2011-05-28T09:53:00.000-04:00

Dear Reader,

There has not been much progress in the way of knitting in the past week. Oh there are projects on the needles but they seem to be in that black hole of knitting where you knit and knit and it seems like you haven't made any progress at all. But, progress is being made in the garden!

The garden is taking off nicely, the tomatoes are doing the best so far, but the zucchini, squash, beans and peas all have blooms! In an effect to get everything pollinated I have several pots of flowers and bee balm in and around the garden; I am hoping to make it "the" place for bees this summer.

Zucchini

Pots with bee balm and pineapple sage

tomatoes and beans

More tomatoes

marigolds to keep away the bunnies

English Lavender

With all the flowers in the veggie patch, the jasmine up against the house and the English lavender, the yard smells so good. I just love sitting out there and breathing it all in.

Just So Much Fun Stuff Happening

2011-05-22T08:29:00.001-04:00

It is hard to know where to begin. Well, first let me begin with the one thing I didn't think was fun......was anyone else disappointed with the update from Angry Birds Rio? I mean it was a little weak right?

Okay now to the fun stuff, so I'm totally hooked, sucked in, and can't live without J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I am very fortunate that my local library carries them all as epubs, but even epubs have a waiting list and I really really need to read book 9, Lover Unleashed but there is a short wait list of 8 people so I am totally stuck with trying to find something else in the mean time, but not really wanting too, because I need book 9! Okay I will try to stay calm. But, the books are so good you get drawn into the lives of the characters quite easily. So I will have to go to my FictFact list and see whats next with some of my other favorite authors and find something good to read. (sigh)

My knitting has been all over the place lately, I've go two different pairs of socks on the needles that I feel like I have been knitting forever, I'm a miserable failure at KALs, because I set my sweater vest aside to do some knitting for a friend and so I still need to finish that, my KAL pals have theirs finished and have worn them at least twice already, so sad really. But, I did get a baby jacket done for a friend's soon to be born granddaughter and made a baby snuggle sack to go with it as a surprise. And then felt like a needed just a bit of mindless knitting so I whipped up a washcloth in unbleached cotton last night. Then worked on one of the socks. I'm just about ready to turn the heel and head up the leg!

We worked in the garden a bit yesterday too, that is looking wonderful, I just need more bees to come and visit my squash plants! They are starting to bloom and in years past with a lack of bees, I have gotten no actual squash. I bought all kinds of flowers to put around the garden and a humming bird feeder hoping the bees would be attracted to the sweetness. I have flowering jasmine everywhere, but I haven't seen very many bees. We do not use pesticides and like in our yard, so come one over bees, there a flower party happening here!

Yesterday we went out lunch after working in the garden to a new restaurant called the Quarterdeck, we had the crab cake and I also had the she-crab soup, it was wonderful! And the service was excellent! I mean really excellent!

Today, I will be working in the garden a little more and hopefully doing a little more knitting. It is such a beautiful day, the only thing is that we can still smell the smoke from the wild fires down in NC. I'm surprised because it there is very little breeze and no clouds to hold the smoke down close to the ground. I hope they are able to get that contained soon.

Happy knitting!

Suburban Gardening May Edition

2011-05-15T09:29:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers and fellow gardeners,
We finally had some rain last night, not that it rained for very long but, it was a good old fashion give the garden a drink soaker. So this morning I went out to make sure all we well and none of the plants had suffered a beat down.

A few of the 26 tomato plants thriving

A small rose

The jasmine smells so good!

A few roses from the garden out front

The compost we made all winter and added to the garden before planting is really helping the plants to grow and be happy. The natural manure makes them happy too.

We have tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, peas and pole beans. I'm hoping for a great crop this year, especially since we trade veggies with friends for things like fresh farm eggs. Yummo!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

The Birds are Coming and the Androids are invading!

2011-05-07T10:22:00.000-04:00

Okay so not a great Orson Wells title...but unlike Mr. Wells story this one is actually true! No need to run screaming into the streets though, these little birdies will be landing on your iPad, iPhone and Android devices. Yes, the May update for Angry Birds Rio is coming out next week. So for all of us who have been waiting weeks and weeks will finally get a chance to get to the next level. Word has it that the Amazon App store will be the first place to down load the app. No word on the Android market place or iTunes. So keep an eye for brightly colored birds heading your way!

In other techie news, I finally got a smart phone. I resisted for a while because I have my iPad and I can do all things with that, except talk of course. And I had an inexpensive Straight Talk phone to solve that problem. But, things change and I needed to be able to access my google calendar and other accounts more easily. I got an Android phone. Now, I still haven't put a ton of apps on it, although I do have my Android version of Angry Birds Rio, but so far I like the phone. It is much easier to use than the last one if you want to hit the social networks, the phone capability is okay and I've not had any problems with coverage, but to me it is a mobile social device first and a phone second as far as it's layout and functionality. Now personally I totally despise on screen keypads. I don't use it much on the iPad unless I absolutely have to, I have a blue tooth keyboard. So the phone I bought is a Samsung Intercept, for the sole reason that it has a slide out keypad. Although I still have to use the on screen one to dial the phone, which is okay but not a huge fan of that, I get that it has to be on screen but it is a bit cumbersome in my opinion. I'm used to one hand dialing and that doesn't work so well with this phone. I have to hold it in one hand and dial with the other. But there are bigger problems in life, I suppose. I also went with the Virgin Mobile plan, because I get the same functionality and again so far no problems with coverage area, than I would with one of the "big boys" like Verizon or Sprint, but I'm not getting nickel and dimed to death over data services or paying extra for 4G which isn't even in my area yet, so the heck with that. My advise don't shun the perceived "smaller companies" for your cell service, they usually piggy back on the coverage area of the larger companies and you pay less for the plans. Even when I had Straight Talk I never had a problem with the coverage area. The phone choices were limited as far as a smart phone option and the customer service while always nice was somewhat incompetent, I had things like my auto bill pay "accidentally" removed from my account and my service got shut off, when I called they were so nice and apologized for the error and got me back up and running in a matter of minutes, but I don't need that sort of headache. I need to know that what I am paying for is going to work when I need it. Especially since I do not have a land line and this phone is my main source of contact for many people trying to reach me. So far I'm totally pleased with Virgin Mobile I haven't had to call customer service for any reason since setting up the account and that is the way it should be. So overall, the Android phone is not bad. I like that I can sync my multiple Google accounts. The marketplace purchases aren't as smooth as iTunes and what is up with having to have a "top up" account for ringtones when you have a credit card associated with the account? Seems like they could stream line things a bit. But, this is the price you pay when you choose not to go with the iPhone.

You can read more in Android News and find out about a new 8.99 millimeter thin phone and the latest on the Android Tablet.

Now back to your regularly scheduled knitting.

Cuteness!

2011-04-29T10:08:00.000-04:00

Mr. Sheep Shack mentioned to a few of his co-workers that I collect sheep, I mean what is a sheep shack without a few sheep right?
So the next day I receive this......

One of his co-workers sent this to me! Wasn't that so sweet! Thank you Mary Lovell you are too kind!

Getting the Garden Started

2011-04-24T09:06:00.000-04:00

Well, we are out of danger of any more frosts, so it was time to get the garden started. I am still waiting for some items from the seed company, which are way late, but I now have tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and bell pepper plants in the ground. Still need to plant the beans and the cucumbers.

They are small and a little hard to see in these pictures. But they are basking in the early morning sun.

This year after having added a second composter last year, we had enough compost to spread over the garden as well as in the two raised beds along with some organic fertilizer.

We are trying some of that black paper to keep the weeds down this year, I haven't used it before so I am interested to see how it works.

I have some collard plants that have gone to seed and planned to use them as green fertilizer but they are attracting so many bees, I have left them alone. We never seem to have enough bees, so I do what I can to entice them to our garden. I wonder if you can see this little fellow working really hard this morning.

Can you believe April is almost over!

2011-04-23T11:15:00.000-04:00

Now I know I have been in a time warp the past two weeks working 8-5 every day and taking class from 6-10 every night. And I have been lucky to remember my own name, much less the day of the week, but seriously what happened to April?!

I've been taking classes to become a bartender, and the classes totally rock. We had so much fun it was crazy! And Terry the owner/instructor and Hawk, also and instructor are just the coolest people on the planet! Now only are they walking encyclopedias of drink, history and knowledge but they have a great sense of humor and just so much fun! You have to check them out at The Academy of Bartending.

Here are Lisa and I graduating last night. Lisa is so funny and sweet. She is getting ready to take NYC by storm so look out!

We have had a couple of cool days for spring with rain and it felt a bit like March, maybe that is why I can't believe April is almost over, but the rain clouds have parted this morning the sun is starting to come out and everything is greening up.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled knitting.....

Busier than one armed shearer at at shearing contest....

2011-04-16T17:45:00.002-04:00

Okay I made that up, but one armed paper hanger just didn't work for me.

So this week has been a tad busy and I am just now sitting down at my laptop for the first time in five days!

I'm still working that sweater vest, it is endless apparently. And a new sock as part of a KAL with the Tuesday knitting group. But I wanted to share a few more pictures from last weekend with you.

Here are some wonderful examples of the architecture on the island.

What a wonderful bookstore!

The bookstore was so charming, the owners were awesome, so friendly and fun! They have a knitting night and a board game night!

How cold is the ocean Anna?

Really cold!

This is the library, you know I had to get a picture of the library!

I didn't see any sheep on the island. We did see the wild ponies, but they were too far away to get a picture such a beautiful place and so many good places to enjoy seafood. I think my two favorites were AJ's, Brandon our server was too funny! And Bill's Seafood. Bill's had some really awesome oysters and the best crab soup. Although the crab soup at AJ's was perfectly wonderful! Not sure I'd want to be there when the island was overrun with tourist, it was really nice to be there as businesses were opening up and the crowds were still small. But it is worth the drive just for the yarn shop! Carodan Farms, the folks there are so friendly and knowledgeable! I'd drive the 2 1/2 hours just to shop there.

Well this week promises to be a repeat of last week, so in case I do not get to get back to the laptop again, have a great week and I'll talk to you again soon!

What does a Soxperience look like?

2011-04-10T18:11:00.000-04:00

Like this......

The first toe "cuppage" of the night!

Whose that walking in the right side of this pic...? Why that's Wendy Johnson!!!!

Day 2: Awesome!

2011-04-09T20:42:00.000-04:00

Day two of Soxperience 2011 was incredible, I have knitted a fair share of heels and toes, but I learned so much today, I can't wait to knit my next sock! Wendy is such a patient teacher, which is great for those of us, like me just learning Judy's Magic Cast-on. But now i have the hang of it and on my way.

After class today, Anna and I explored the island a little more, went to the beach and saw the ponies out on Assateague Wild Life Refuge. So much fun! We didn't have any rain today but it was a little chilly. According to Anna the water is quite cold!

(I will be able to upload pictures once I get home.)

Tonight we have homework, to turn the heel and be prepared to do the color work on our mini sock! That is the best kind of homework.

Tonight we all went to dinner at a local restaurant together, and had some wonderful seafood and wonderful conversations!

Time to go do my homework! More tomorrow!

Greetings from Soxperience 2011

2011-04-08T21:25:00.001-04:00

Hello from Soxperience 2011 here in Chincoteague, VA. Met Wendy Johnson tonight in our first class and she is even sweeter and more charming in person than on her blog if that is even possible! Tonight we discussed how to measure for the proper fit of your sock. She has all sorts of great ideas for customizing your sock to fit you regardless of size and shape of your foot. I learned so much just in this first hour. Tomorrow we start again at 9 a.m. and will knit to fit and also do a color work mini sock! Can't wait! Sadly it is raining here and has been for several hours. Tomorrow is supposed to be dry and 55 degrees so there is hope for some outdoor exploring of the island. Stay tuned!

Time to Start in the Garden

2011-04-03T19:56:00.002-04:00

Well April is upon us and the weather is starting to warm a little, I think the threat of a hard frost is over and I have ordered my seeds.

Today we spent a little time tilling and working in some compost that we created over the winter.

Lily enjoying recently turned earth.

Mr. Sheep Shack hard at work with the electric cultivator.

Future Potato rows

Another potato row

Lily protecting the old bean patch.

We did some cleaning up of the garden spaces, tilled up the soil add organic compost, from our barrel composter. We collect compost in our kitchen, coffee grounds, egg shells, and vegetable matter.

The garden this year will consist of potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, red, yellow and green bell peppers, black zucchini, crookneck squash, pole beans, egg plant, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, beets, peas, cherry tomatoes, carrots and radishes.

Looking forward to a wonderful garden season! Can't wait, a friends chickens are already laying again and I normally trade veggies for fresh eggs each week.

I hope if you are planting a garden of any kind this year, you have much success!

Blame it on Rio

2011-03-27T22:21:00.002-04:00

Dear Reader,
This notice is coming to you later than I would have liked but you still have time....Angry Birds Rio is free today. So go to your App Store and down load today. The regular price is $2.99.

A Little of This and a Little of That

2011-03-27T11:51:00.002-04:00

A little of this or a little of that: You can get with this or you can get with that okay so maybe they weren't thinking of knitting when they made this video even though the band is Black Sheep.

So today have a little of this and that to share, a little knitting and a little techie stuff too.

It is cold and rainy here, there was even snow in the area, though I haven't seen any and it is 35 degrees so just freezing rain, little happy ice pellets bouncing around out there. yuk. But the silver lining to all those clouds out there is that it is a perfect day for knitting, blogging, fantasy sports and games, right?

I'm making progress on the KAL sweater vest, although I believe I am lagging behind the rest of the knitters, but I have the back complete and am working on the front. The back is in stockinette stitch the front is in a traveling vine stitch. A band of ribbing will be added to the neck and sleeves, when all is done.

There is also a plain vanilla toe up sock in progress.

On to techie stuff: Now many of us got happy with the Angry Birds game and it seems to have lost some of it's exciting, but before you delete from you phone or iPad, they came out with updates in the past week to add levels, so take heart not all is lost. For the Angry Birds HD, it added level 14 within chapter 5 of the saga. It isn't the most challenging level, but it is fun. And for Angry Birds Seasons lovers, a St. Paddy's day level was added. (Added a little sooner). The latest game to knock Angry Birds out of this top download spot is Tiny Wings. It is a cute game, adorable little bird with you guessed it...tiny wings, so he needs your help to fly. While it lacks the excitements and satisfaction of destroying things you get from Angry Birds, it can help pass the time if your stuck in line somewhere. And of course, Angry Birds HD is free for Android phone users. Speaking of Android phones, if your a Trekki, the Tricorder app is a must. Lots of fun with a GPS function, and other fun features, like acoustic and magnetic readouts. Just plain fun. There is a Captains Log app for the iPhone4, that allows social networking of your log as well as a private log.

Once last image before I close for today.

Recent Super Moon, color me unimpressed. I've seen more impressive Harvest Moons. I guess with all the hype I expected more. Still pretty but not "super".

A "Super" Week

2011-03-19T18:41:00.001-04:00

Well it has certainly been an interesting and full week. Starting with last Sunday. It was the annual Stash Swap at Knitting Sisters and I took three bags of stash.

Some of it was some very unattractive gold acrylic, it did not find a home at the swap with another knitter but it did find a new exciting home. Knitting Sisters supports local area schools and groups that teach knitting and other crafts to children, so it found a home with a worthwhile group.

Then Lily is feeling more active with this unusually warm weather we are having and treed a raccoon at 7:00 in the morning, alerting the entire neighborhood to her triumph.

Yesterday, I had a fabulous day, it was nearly 80 and I was able to leave work early to meet some fellow knitters for lunch along the York River at The Riverwalk Restaurant. Anna, Cathy, Julie and I had a wonderful time, knitting, and chatting. After lunch Anna and I had time to sit outside along the banks of the river and enjoy the sun while we continued knitting on our KAL Sweater.

Tonight is the Super Moon, here is a little info: Super Moon NASA

I am going to try and get some pictures tonight and will share them if they turn out. In the mean time here is a new series I like to call Scenes from a Car Window, enjoy.

So much to say, so much to say....

2011-03-11T08:21:00.000-05:00

...it is hard to know where to begin. Things have been a little crazy around here the past couple of weeks. We got our car back from the repair shop after a wee little accident (not our fault) and so far the insurance has been great and paid everything. I even had a nice rental care for a week. I really hated to give it back to tell you the truth.

  I got my seed catalog in the mail for the spring garden so it is time to order seeds and plants and get things started. I am going to buy some seed potatoes locally and get them in the ground next week. We started those too late last year.

  Today is iPad 2 day! So Mr. Sheep Shack will be ordering his new iPad today. Very exciting.

  I am in a total knitting mood and worked on my KAL sweater vest last night because I am lagging behind in the group and need to catch up. The rest of the group is ready to start their armhole decreases and I'm only half way there. You may remember that I have had a bit of a falling out with this project and it spend several days in time out in the knitting basket. I worked on socks yesterday as well.

And this weekend I am going to a stash swap! Woot! That is going to be so much fun! It is being hosted by the very awesome ladies at Knitting Sisters in Williamsburg. The cover charge goes to charity and then you are on your own to buy/sell/trade your stash. Going to be so much fun! And my pal Jennifer will be there too, so a good time will certainly be had by all!

So I am in the beginnings of a three day weekend and there is just no telling what will happen this weekend so stay tuned!

Moving at the Speed of Light

2011-03-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you've heard by now the iPad 2's will be out on March 11th, only six more days! And while I still love my iPad one and not going to rush out to replace it, if you don't have an iPad yet and are thinking of getting one, hang on! They're almost here.

The new iPad 2 will be sport a thinner sleeker design just in time for summer! Plus front and rear facing cameras and for those really productive types, HDMI out. Well you can use the HDMI for a lot of things, but you can use for presentations which is awesome, no more lugging around that laptop to meetings.

I used to use my laptop daily but since I had an iPad I turn it on about once a week. I do just about everything with it and the iPad 2 will make that even easier. Mr. Sheep Shack is planning on buying one so once we have it in hand I can give you a review.

You want to know what of the coolest features or add on for the iPad 2? The cover! Check it out!

iPad Smart Cover

What isn't moving at the speed of light is my knitting. I've been busy playing Puppet Master on the iPad and finally finishing up the Angry Birds game that my knitting is suffering big time. I need to start organizing my time better between my high tech and low tech fun.

Tell me what you do with your iPad......

Once you go Mac you never go back......

2011-02-26T20:07:00.000-05:00

Today the new Macbook Pro's came out and we drove over to the Apple Store in Norfolk and bought one. Now, we have never had an Apple computer before, only recently having purchased the iPad and a year ago the iPod Touches and a Nano. So today after enjoy our other Apple products so much we decided to buy a Macbook.

Words can barely describe how excited I am and now impressed I am with this laptop even though is is only a few hours old and still the baby in the technology nursery here in the Sheep Shack. The graphics are beautiful, I think that is probably and understatement and something everyone already knows even if you have never used a Mac you know they have awesome graphics, well its totally true. I wasn't sure how I would like something that doesn't use folders the way a Windows computer does, not I can't believe how archaic Windows and folders feel to me. Everything being at the bottom of the screen in the "dock" is so convenient. Easy to find and makes computing a joy.

We also got a great deal, with software and a printer, we purchased iWorks and it is normally $79, we received $30 off and then they had an HP all in one printer, copier, scanner for $99 with a $99 rebate, so free printer, that is wireless! So very happy happy people here in the Sheep Shack tonight.

My blog has never looked better than on the Macbook screen!

I still have my Windows laptop that I will continue to use as this Macbook really belongs to the hubby, but I think it won't be long before there is another one here.

If you are considering a Macbook, I would encouraging to not think about it another minute, run to the nearest Apple Store and if there isn't one near you, order it from where ever you need to order from but get yourself a Mac.

If you do have an Apple store with in any driving distance it is worth the trip. They staff is awesome, we had a young man named Tim who sold us our Macbook and helped us set everything up in the store before we left so when I came home all I had to do was turn it on and start blogging! Apple support is the best!

Have a Mac'rific weekend!

Step Away from the iPad....

2011-02-19T15:20:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I put down the iPad for a little while and actually did some knitting. And I have a few more details to share with you about my latest project. This is the Ladder Rib Vest from the November issue of Creative knitting. It is a KAL project for my knitting group at work. This is my Ladder Rib Vest 5.0 because I have frogged it 4 times! We all thought it would be great to knit it in the round to avoid seaming later since none of us are big fans of seaming. So we did a swatch and adjusted the patter to accommodate knitting on circs. After adjusting for the addition stitches required for seaming we came up with our cast on number, based on the size vest we were knitting. For my project that was 216 stitches. Let me just say right now, I am an experience in the round knitter, I knit socks constantly I have knit sweaters, hats, mittens in the round. But for some reason, this particular project kept twisting now matter what I did to prevent it. After casting on and frogging 216 stitches 4 times, I decided it was time to follow the pattern and change to straights, I'll just have to deal with the seaming when I get to that point. And I have seamed projects before and they turned out just fine, it is just not my favorite thing to do.

So here is my vest in progress, size 8 needles and a yummy yarn from Knit Picks in colorway....wait for it.....Twilight. You knew that was coming didn't you? LOL. I just couldn't resist it when I saw it in the catalog. It is a lovely color!

P P P Pages...

2011-02-16T19:20:00.001-05:00

Okay if you aren't familiar with David Bowie, that title probably has little meaning for you..... But what it does me for everyone it the Pages program for the iPad.

I purchased it last night and I am so glad I did! I had been trying, and I stress trying to us PlainText, because it is Dropbox compatible, but that is the only thing it is compatible with. I couldn't get any documents no matter what format I saved them in to import from Dropbox. So I gave up. I went back to the App Store and investigated all the options and decided that the $9.99 price tag for Pages was worth it. And so far I am very pleased.

I've never been a big fan of Google Docs. I found it to be too limited. The Google Docs app is limited in that you can only edit your documents online. My specific requirements needed to allow for on and offline editing. I've mentioned my frustration with PlainText so that was out. So that sort of put me off the free text apps, so I started looking at the paid only apps for reliable options.

IA Writer comes highly recommended by the likes of Stephen Fry, and I love Stephen Fry and do not believe he would endorse anything not worthy of his time. IA Writer is Dropbox and iTunes file sharing compatible. But, I couldn't see where you could add pictures, and that is a feature I wanted to have. But, if you want basic text/document editing this program is currently on sale for $.99, can't beat the price.

So many of the other programs were "note taking" program not intended for serious document writing and many were handwriting based and not keyboard. But if that is your thing, there are some pretty good ones out there.

But, I went with Pages, for a couple of reasons, one, while not Dropbox compatible yet, it is compatible with iTunes file sharing and you don't have to change your Word document to something else like .txt. Pages allows you to work on line or off and also allows you to import pictures. It has your major editing features, like Bold, Underline, Italics, etc. And you have your on screen keyboard or your wireless keyboard to suit your personal needs. I use a wireless keyboard myself. I also went with Pages for the support, I don't want to have my documents on a program that one day is no longer supported and I'm sure Apple with keep their products up to date.

So if you want something a little more advanced that IA Writer I recommend Pages, if basic text and document editing and creating is all you need for on the go, writing the next great novel, then for the price, IA Writer is the app for you.

Enjoy!

Knitting Minus One Thumb

2011-02-12T11:38:00.000-05:00

You know it is nearly impossible to knit with one's thumb in a splint. Not really sure what the trouble is with the thumb, it is swollen, painful, all in the second joint. So the doctors solution at this point is to immobilize it and use anti-inflammatory meds. Seems like a completely logical solution UNLESS YOU ARE A KNITTER, hey doc, seriously I have things to do!
I have a KAL for a sweater vest with my knitting group at work, I've been struggling with a Glomit pattern for longer than it should take to knit the entire pair, and a pair of socks on size 1 needles. And a big clunky plastic thumb splint. Seriously, modern medicine needs some advances when it comes to the fiber arts related fields, we need something a little more pliable and little more craft friendly here people.
I find that the splint does not make my thumb feel better, it fact it feels worse, so today we try a different splint instead of the plastic kind your thumb slides into, we will try the traditional metal stick taped to the thumb and see if that helps.

Alas, I did manage to finish my Van Dyke socks before all this thumb drama started. I'm very pleased with how they turned out.

So knitting will be slow here this week, what is everyone else working on?

And I hope everyone's snow is melting! We got more snow here this week but only an inch or two and only the snow in the shady spots are left. And the bulbs I planted in December are starting to poke their little green heads up out of the ground! I want to tell them go back where it is warm, it is too cold up here!

eBook Reader Apps for iPad and Other Mobile Devices

2011-02-06T13:56:00.001-05:00

We cover a lot of topics here related to the "stitches" portion of the blog, but I want to to cover a topic for the "stories" side of the blog. Besides the "stories" portion being related to my name, it is also related to my love of books new, old, paper and electronic. I love the smell of books, libraries, and used book stores! But, reading an ebook is about the most convenient way to enjoy your favorite subject, novel or author I can think of. And there are plenty of eReaders out there, we have discussed some here and they have their pros and cons, but lets address the devices that can do more then one thing, the iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch and Android devices. This is for the multi-tasking, want just one device to rule them all, superfreaks out there and you know who you are.
*A personal note, I love my iPad and wouldn't trade it for anything*

The eReader apps I currently have on my iPad and have used are: iBooks, nook, Kindle, Bluefire Reader, Borders, Overdrive and Kobo.

Bluefire Reader, is pretty easy to use, my major concern with this app is the bookmark feature I'm still undecided on if I like it or not. Page turning is simple using the touch screen, just touch the edge of the page and the page turns. This is indicative of the iPad's technology. Touch the bottom of the screen and a menu comes up for Bluefire, you can go back to your library, see the contents page, insert a bookmark, search or change the font settings. When you select the font settings option, you have two buttons for the font "smaller" and "larger" tap either once to see a change in the font size preview, if that change was not significant enough for you tap the button again until you have your desired size. You can also adjust the brightness of the screen, adjust how you want you pages to turn, flip, slide, fade or cut. You can have the page numbers show on screen and there is a night mode as well. In night mode you have a black background with white lettering, and in day mode you have a white background with black lettering. The bookmark feature allows you to make notes within the bookmark. I would use this feature more for a non-fiction book perhaps a book with knitting patterns or a book on history rather than a novel. But it is there if you need it. For reading a novel I find it a bit clunky. Also, it does not appear that Bluefire is currently available for Droid users, it is available for iPad and iPhone though. It is not my favorite eReader app, but it is not the worst either.
Borders app, the Borders app is very easy to use, nothing complicated and nothing flashy. My major concern with this app is that once you have the settings menu up on your screen to you cannot tap the bottom of the screen to hide it at will. It will go away on it's own after a few minutes, but I find it distracting while it is there. With that being said, the settings are easy to use and adjust. At the top you have buttons for contents, overview and annotations, which is very handy. The bookmark feature is simple and easy to use, just tap the upper right hand corner and it dog ears the page for you in red. There is a progress bar at the bottom to let you know how far along you are in each chapter. In the font settings you can change the font style as well as, the font size. Changing the font size is as simple as sliding the bar to one end or the other for small or larger. There is also a setting to adjust the brightness and for day or night reading. Other settings include, Borders styling, page transition, either fade or curl, and text alignment. The Borders app on its main page gives you options to view, what you are currently read, your library and connecting to the store. Within the library you can view "All", "Books" or "PDFs", you can also have the bookshelf viewing mode, a list mode with icon of the book and you can browse by title. You can also change the style of your bookshelf, to Modern, Gothic, Wood and other choices, in this mode you can also change your bookmarks style from the default read tab to leather, a tassel or even a monkey or a trout just for fun. The Borders app is available for Android, Blackberry, both Mac and Windows PCs, iPad, iTouch and iPhones.
iBooks: is the least customizable of the programs, which if having a trout for a bookmark isn't a big deal for you, then the iBooks app will work just fine. iBooks looks most like a book by having two pages on the screen at a time, rather than just the document style of the other programs by having one page on the screen at a time. The bookshelf is not customizable, but it is very functional and you can have the bookshelf style or the list style, you also have the option of going to the iBook store from your bookshelf. If you choose list style then you can organize by title, category or author, you may also choose your collections, either books, or PDFs. You can edit and add new collections for your bookshelf as well. When you book is open, you have your setting options at the top of the page, you can adjust the brightness using a slide bar. Under the font settings you again have two button like the Bluefire app and you just top them until you read the desired font size, you can also choose your font style. You may choose the look of your pages by turning sepia on or off. Sepia gives it an antique look as opposed to the stark white background. You may search within the book and you can bookmark your page. Once you have all your settings to your liking just tap the top of the page to hide your settings menu. Overall, this is one of my favorites for its uncomplicated ease of use. iBooks being an Apple product, is obviously available for iPad, iPhone and iTouch.
Kindle app: The Kindle app gives you some settings options on the main page, but it is under the "i" icon in the lower right hand corner from there you can choose settings and turn on or off, the basic reading mode, popular highlights and annotations. Also on the main screen you can choose the bookshelf or list modes for your books. Once a book is open you can tap the bottom of your screen for settings within the book. There is a progress bar at the bottom to let you know where you are in the book and you can use the bar to go back or skip ahead. There is a search feature, for the text or you can choose Google or Wikipedia, you can also go to the cover, table of contents, the beginning of the book, a specific location or page number within the book to your personal notes or marks in the book and popular highlights. On the font icon you can choose your font size from six sizes and you can choose your page background, white, black or sepia. You can adjust the brightness and either single column display or double column display. Tap the upper right hand corner for your bookmark and upper left hand corner to return home. Kindle apps are available for your iPad, iPhone, Windows PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android and Windows 7 phone. Making it the most widely available reading app so far.
Nook app: I find that I enjoy the Nook app more than I enjoy my Nook. That maybe be because I have a first generation Nook and maybe I would feel differently if I had a color Nook, but I digress. The nook app's main page allows you to have the bookshelf style or the list style. Normally, I prefer the bookshelf style on my other apps but with the Nook, I prefer the list style of display because it gives me some good information. I get my bookshelf on the left hand side but to the right whatever book I have chose or is bookmarked to be read is displayed with the book cover and a brief synopsis. I can to directly to the table of contents, to my bookmark or to notes and highlights. I can move to archive or I can remove it from my iPad (which does not remove it from my Barnes and Noble account and can be retrieved later) you can also select more books by the author. Once you have opened your book, you tap the bottom of the screen for your settings menu to appear. There is a status bar to tell you where you are in the book by page number. By selecting the font icon, you can turn publisher settings on or off, choose from six font sizes, adjust the justification, choose font style and select color themes for your text, page, highlights and links. You have the standard white, sepia and black, but it is adjustable within those choices by a color wheel. Very nice if you like to really customize your book. Under the brightness tab you can obviously adjust the brightness but also the margin settings. You can search within the book. and the information icon gives you information about the book you are reading. The Nook is different in that you tap the lower right hand corner to bookmark the page. By changing the orientation of your iPad you can have either single column or double column for reading. The Nook app is available for iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Windows PC, Mac and there is even a kids Nook app for the iPad which has a Read to Me function that reads the book to your child.
Kobo app: The Kobo reader is very much like the Borders app in its functionality. The bookmarks options are the same the bookshelf is very much the same with news, magazines and documents as options in addition to your books. But Kobo has some added fun features as well for example there is the Reading Life book cover. Where all the covers of the books from your personal bookshelf are in a collage as a book cover and it even tracks the number of hours you have read your current book. A total number of pages and gives you little awards that you can then share with your friends on Facebook. You receive awards for various fun things like the Kill the Commute award for reading five times between 7 and 9am or the Happy Hour award for reading five times between 6 and 8pm. and many many more. You can also share your awards with your reading friends on Facebook. There is also a stats page for books in progress, books in your library, books completed and reading times. The settings icon in your Reading Life lets you turn notifications on and off. Once your book is open the settings are identical to the Borders app. The Kobo app is available for the iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm Pre, iPad, Mac and PC.
Overdrive app: The Overdrive app is design for the smaller devices like iPhone and not for the iPad so like many other such apps you have to enlarge to 2x and it loses a little clarity. It does still have all the normal reader app features, like the status bar at the bottom of the page for each chapter, brightness, font size selection; again you have the two buttons and you tap them until you receive the desired size. And your standard bookmark ribbon in the upper right hand corner. The settings bar will disappear on its own after just a few seconds. Page turning is the typical tap of the page margin. The app does not respond to the gyroscope in the iPad so turning it to landscape will not adjust your page view. The Overdrive website claims it is available for iPad but in the Apple app store there is only the iPhone version, which works as discussed above. It is also available for Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, a host of smart phone devices, mp3 players (too many to mention), the Nook, Kobo and Sony readers, Mac and Windows PCs.

For the most fun, Kobo wins high marks, but for ease of use iBook gets high marks as well. Borders and the Kobo app get the highest marks for my personal preference. I want a little bit of customization but I don't need to redesign the whole book experience. Overdrive gets the lowest marks for not being available in a true iPad version, and advertising it on their website as such.

Enjoy a good read this weekend.

Nook vs. Kobo

2011-01-30T12:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,
I have spoken here before regarding the iPad and Nook as well as here; mostly I've discussed how to download items or what programs can help you download books. But today, I have a different type of review. Today we will talk about the functionality of the device or apps themselves, once you have your book downloaded to them.
I have had my Nook or over a year now and it is a first generation Nook, it has had many software upgrades offered by Barnes and Noble and I actually had it replaced due to a stress fracture on one of the page turning buttons. (The new color ones, use the touch screen technology to avoid this problem in the future), my DH just bought a Kobo reader from Borders. It is a little smaller than the Nook which is a plus for him. He prefers the smaller size.

First, the Nook vs. Kobo, again I am using a first generation Nook, not the new color, but I think that is a fairer comparison with the Kobo.

The Nook: I have the 3G/WiFi version. I love it. I personally think the 3G is worth it if you are truly going to download books on a regular basis and don't want to worry about where you are and can you get WiFi. While more and more places have WiFi not every places does and many times it is very very slow. So spring for the 3G especially if this is going to be your only eReader device. The contrast on the screen is great for reading in sunlight, but you need a book light for reading in bed at night. I mentioned the size, the Nook is about 8 inches by 5 inches and the 3G is about 12 oz. The WiFi only version is a bit lighter. Same size though. You have your touch screen at the bottom in color for navigation. Which I still find a little clunky. Especially as they add new features and try to find a place to categorize them in the existing folders on the devise.
For example, the latest upgrade allows you to create shelves, handy, you can organize your books so you are not scrolling through pages trying to find that book you want to read. But shelving the books is a little funky. You have to use the up and down arrows on the touch screen which means you have to then scroll forward to the next screen and select shelve. Then scroll back, use the up and down arrows to select and other book, scroll forward to shelve that book. I find it all just a little too much scrolling and clicking and a little awkward.
You can have different color back panels and there is a wide array of color cases. My blogless friend Anna, knitted some cute jammies for her Nook.

You also use the touch screen navigation at the bottom to add a bookmark, although provided you do not change to a different book and are only reading one book at a time, the Nook will automatically take you to the last page you read when you come back to it. You can also use the same navigation to select different font sizes.

Nook has buttons on both the left and right hand sides for page turning and the latest upgrades allows for on screen page turning too.

You can use the "lend me" feature with the Nook to share books with your friend accept ePub format as well as the B&N books you download. If you hook it up to your laptop or PC you can add PDF's as well, which I have used in the past to take my knitting patterns along with me.

And if you connect to the B&N store wireless while shopping in store with your Nook you will receive, free downloads and coupons that change weekly. Just show the coupon code to the cashier or in the cafe to receive your discount. You need a Barnes and Noble account to sync your ebook purchases with you Nook.

The Kobo:

The Kobo, is sold by Borders and comes in three color choices, black, white and lavendar. It is slightly smaller than the Nook at 7.2 inches x 4. 7 inches the screen is 6 inches, it uses the same technology on its screen as the Nook, in that it is great for reading outdoors in sunlight but is not backlit and requires a book light if your reading in low light situations. The navigation still uses buttons, but it is one four way button in the lower right hand corner, which is very easy to use if you are right handed, no so much if you are left handed. The Kobo, does boast some serious battery life and can support ePub formats, so you are free to get your downloads from just about anywhere, including borders. Borders, also has special offers on ebooks pretty regularly, in the past two months they have had $5 ebooks and $4 ebook sales. Kobo also supports magazines and newspapers like the Nook. The Kobo is WiFi only but is preloaded with software so that you can organize and transfer files with your PC. You need a Borders account to sync your Borders purchases with your Kobo. The Kobo has five font sizes to choose from to make reading a little easier.

My husband really enjoys his Kobo.

The price:
Kobo, WiFi only $139
Nook, WiFi version $149; 3G & WiFi $199; Color WiFi only $249

You can read more about the Nook at Barnes & Noble

You can read more about the Kobo at Borders

Of Things to Come.....

2011-01-29T10:32:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far, and for those of you who recently got more snow, you have my sympathies, but there is always a silver lining, perhaps more snow is giving you more knitting, spinning, weaving time.

We thankfully, do not have any snow, but it is still cold so I am inside today doing some around the house necessities and downloading more knitting related apps to review for you.

I also plan to cast on a neck tie for DH, later this afternoon, so please stayed tuned there is more to come....

It's all about the sox

2011-01-27T19:48:00.001-05:00

Have younsigned up for sox experience 2011 yet? Soxexperinxe 2011 is held on Chincoteague Island. I cant't wait! It is also the weekend of the Daffodil Festival so there are going to be so many fun things to see and do.

Sox Experience 2011

You don't want to miss out!

Row Counters, there's an App for That.

2011-01-23T10:05:00.000-05:00

We have all used various methods of stitch or row counting, tick marks on a piece of paper, the little round ones that fit on our needle so we don't lose them but somehow we do. Square ones that look a little like a pedometer that are digital. But now there's an app for that too!

It is call KnitCounter by Cordless Dog and it is for iPhone and iPad, there is a lite (free) version, and a paid version for $3.99, I went for the lite version and it works just fine. The cool thing is that you can have multiple counters set up for different projects. You have your row repeats, your pattern repeats and even a frog counter. There are also increase and decrease alerts, as well as provide project information. Now the different between th lite and the paid version is that the lite only allow you to input one project at a time, while the paid version allows you to have multiple projects at the same time.

You can read more about the Knitcounter Here.

Another product from Cordless Dog is the Convert Knit, it is a small app that provides conversion information for needle size, gauge, unit conversion and my favorite, yarn weight conversion. The conversion are for US, UK, Japan, and metric. And you can read more about this fun little app at the Cordless Dog website. here

Both apps are for iPhone and iPad, I have not been able to find it for the Droid. But, hopefully that will be along soon.

In knitting news that directly involves fiber, I managed to finish two hats yesterday, so I now have two hat and scarf sets plus one extra hat to be shipped out to family and have cast on a new hat for a co-worker, I hope to have that one finished today. It is my first attempt at a newsboy style hat with a brim so wish me luck.

Mamma's Got a Brand New Bag!

2011-01-20T19:28:00.000-05:00

Thank you to Janet a member of Ravelry Group Nameste Love I purchased a Zuma bag from her and it arrived today, with a surprise inside!

Not only did I receive the beautiful Zuma bag in saddle, but two skeins of Nature's Palette fingering weight, colorway Light Teal! Wow wonderful is that?!

You can read more about Janet at her blog.

Thank you again Janet for a wonderful bag and yarn!

Socks! Socks and More Socks!

2011-01-18T20:03:00.000-05:00

Okay socks in the rough but still. I have been knitting a lot lately and my sock yarn stash was starting to show hints of depleting. I needed to refresh my stash. First I went on Saturday to a store I hadn't visited in a long time, but couldn't find anything I liked. (insert look of horror) so waited until Monday and headed to a place I knew I would find what I wanted...Knitting Sisters in Williamsburg. Also so worth the trip. I miss the days when I used to work nearby and could run over on my lunch break, (sniff, sniff).
So I bought few things..., first up, Sockotta Limited in color 9841 by Plymouth Yarn, which reminded me of dreamsicles and because I am dreaming of warm spring days I thought this was perfect! and Sockotta Limited in color 9846, which is a nice mix of browns, greens and blues. Both yarns are 40% superwash wool, 45% cotton and 15% nylon. Then there is the Ja Woll in flaming red. I also purchased an spare cable for my Denise Needles and a french knitter for making cords. But I have a non yarn project in mind for the french knitter, more on that later.

And I just heard today that Sox Experience 2011 is coming! Woot! And Virginia's own Wendy Johnson will be there.

Can't Wait!

What's in the Box?

2011-01-17T11:09:00.000-05:00

Answer: Anything you want, because it is the coolest box ever! What do you do if you are creating a new knitting pattern and you want to have someone review it or you are collaborating with a friend, you spend time emailing the thing back and forth? Now save time and see changes instantly with Dropbox!

Dropbox, is a very cool program that allows you share your files with your knitting and non-knitting friends as well as access them anywhere. It is a cloud program, so you will need 3G or WiFi if your on the go.

Here are the various functions of Dropbox, you can:

Sync your files online, so if you have a dropbox app on your mobile device and your PC, it will sync your files to all your devices. So no matter where you are or what device you are using you are up to date. A cool feature, is that if it is a file that is a work in progress it will only save the parts that have been updated. What does that mean, efficiency, so you aren't sitting around waiting for it to save entire files over again, it just saves the parts that have updated. Saves you time and possibly batter life, if your mobile.
You can share files with friends, co-workers, whomever you want. Dropbox has public and private file folders and you can designate who has access to which public folders, making collaboration a breeze. You can also use it to share photos.
Your files are backed up online automatically, you done have to worry about running a back up program. You can also restore previous versions if you accidentally delete something up to 30 days. How cool is that!?
Your files are stored on secure servers and transmitted over secure and encrypted channels. Only those people you designate (if any other than yourself) have access to the files and you can change whose permissions at anytime. The public folders are only public to those people, it does not mean public in the sense that they are searchable by anyone outside your group.
Dropbox has an app for iPad, iPod, Android and Blackberry, you can sync from your mobile device, upload mobile pictures, download files for offline viewing and so much more.

There are two versions of Dropbox the free and the paid. The free allows you 2GB of online storage and the paid version give you 50 GB for $9.99 a month or 100 GB for $19.99 a month. It also works with PC's, Mac and Linux computers. Also, you get extra free storage if you invite friends to use Dropbox and they create an account.

I give it two needles up for ease of use and accessibility. To learn more visit Dropbox.com.

Halfway to an FO....

2011-01-16T10:50:00.000-05:00

I finished sock one last night of the VanDyke sock from Wendy Johnson's Toe Up Socks. I used Paton's Kroy Socks FX yarn in Clover Colors, colorway. I adjusted to pattern to fit me, sizing for the foot straight from the pattern fits me, but I needed to increase some stitches for the leg portion, which I did, two stitches at a time evenly spaced on every other row until I had the required number of stitches. Also, the instructions are for double pointed needles (4) I used the magic loop method so had to adjust accordingly but it wasn't hard to do, if you are using magic loop, just keep in mind that needles 1 and 2 are your front needle and needles 3 and 4 are your back needle. No worries. I also used the Turkish Cast On which is my favorite all time toe up cast on. And I used JSSBO for the bind off at the cuff. If you haven't tried this bind off I highly recommend it, see Cat Bordhi's instructional video Here. I used my favorite US 3 bamboo needles, which are available in the Store by the way. I love these needles because the cable is always supple and the needles fit my hand perfectly. The cable length is 19.5.

Over all I am pleased with the sock even though I think it was a bit fiddley. And I am looking forward to casting on it's mate today.

Feeling Bookish

2011-01-15T09:26:00.000-05:00

We haven't had a good book chat in a while and I feel that I am neglecting the "Stories" side of the blog, also, I do not have a picture ready yet of my latest knitting.

I have recently finished Covet, by J.R.Ward. This is my first time ready J.R. Ward and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Check out her webpage. Branching out in my fiction reading to things other than vampires, these fallen angels are just as captivating! Be warned if are sensitive to language, the book is PG 13. However, I couldn't put it down. I downloaded it from my local library and put it on my iPad using Overdrive (see previous post on Overdrive here.

Now the authors website had a great description of the book, it is a story of fallen angels and how they are here among us to help those who are at a cross roads in their life. The main character Jim, nearly killed in an accident and in exchange for being sent back to his life he must help someone else. He is sent two fallen angels to help him. But things go south pretty quickly and Jim finds that helping his new friend (Vin) isn't so easy after all, his friend is arrested for beating his ex-girlfriend (who by the way is one bad @#$ demon herself) and a single mother (Marie-Terese) on the run for her mafia boyfriend has turned to prostitution and is in need of turning her life around as well. Jim has to help them both see that they belong together while trying to rid Vin of his demon ex-girlfriend. I don't want to give it all away, but it is quite good and I can't wait to read the next in the Fallen Angel series.

An Update to the Evernote post

2011-01-12T18:10:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,
Thank you all so very much for all your comments and inquiries. I received a comment today from Ron Toledo Marketing Guru at Evernote (insert your best stoked expression here). And he had an excellent tip that I hadn't tried yet on Evernote, but a must use! So I am posting his comment here for you. Also, I've had a couple of people ask, and yes, there is an Evernote app for the Droid, so everyone, get out there and get your Evernote! I don't know how I would live without mine now!

Here is the original Evernote post: Evernote, a Must for Knitters

Here is Ron's comment, I can't thank you enough for stopping by and giving us this tip!

"Hello Milly,

This is Ron from Evernote. I just came across your post and wanted to drop by and say thanks for sharing with your readers, we really appreciate all the support. When i was reading your uses one feature that i thought you might be interested in was our web clipper. We have web clippers that go in your browser and allow you to clip portions (or all ) of the web pages you come across. The best part is we automatically pull out the title, the original url, and all of the links are preserved. For more information and to download the one that's suited for your browser you can go to http://www.evernote.com/about/download/web_clipper If you have any other questions please let me know."

When Sheep go bad....Firesheep

2011-01-11T19:56:00.001-05:00

Dear Reader,
I try to mix up the posts here with some knitting related content and then some technology knitting related content, but today I have some information for knitters, crocheters, weavers and all manner of fiber artists and muggles alike. It's the kind of sheep you don't want, it's Firesheep and it is out there, everywhere and trust me the bad guys know about it. I googled this after a conversation with DH and found blog posts, articles and general discussions on the web about this program.

I defer to the experts, but basically it is a program that will allow someone to hijack a page you have logged into, in a wifi hot spot. For example, lets say you are in a local coffee shop with free wifi, or the mall, or a popular bookstore, and you sit down with your coffee and decide to see what your friends on Facebook are doing, you log in and your password is encrypted and protected, but nothing else is. Some one with Firesheep sitting near you in the same coffee shop will see when you have logged onto Facebook and can then hijack your account and post things on your wall as if it were you and your friends would never know it wasn't you. Here is how is works as explained in an article found at PC World Magazine on-line by Sharon Machlis of Computerworld,

"All I had to do was download and install the add-on, open the Firesheep sidebar and click "Start Capturing." When her account appeared on the list, I double-clicked on it. Once I made sure that I wasn't logged into the same site myself with my own account, her account appeared in my browser.

Happily, I couldn't change her account information without knowing her password. But I could see all her friends, read her private messages and even issue a status update that went to all her friends."

Firesheep is a Firefox add-on and has been loaded hundreds of thousands of times already, so what can we do to protect ourselves? I found another great article at Computerworld by Gregg Keizer,

"The best defense, said Chet Wisniewski, a senior security adviser at antivirus vendor Sophos, is to use a VPN (virtual private network) when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks at an airport or coffee shop, for example.

While many business workers use a VPN to connect to their office network while they're on the road, consumers typically lack that secure "tunnel" to the Internet.

"But there are some VPN services that you can subscribe to for $5 to $10 month that will prevent someone running Firesheep from 'sidejacking' your sessions," Wisniewski said.

"A VPN encrypts all traffic between a computer -- a laptop at the airport gate, for instance -- and the Internet in general, including the sites vulnerable to Firesheep hijacking. "It's as good a solution as there is," Wisniewski said, "and no different, really, than using encrypted Wi-Fi."

The only other alternative would be to avoid open wifi spots, and that just seems like overkill. My personal advice, is if you want to use social networking sites and they are fun. And you use open wifi hotspots, because who isn't on the go, then be extremely careful what personal info you put on your profile pages, while the bad guys can still post messages that aren't from you at least they won't be able to access or gain personal information.

Happy Fiber Everything!

Evernote, a Must for Knitters

2011-01-09T10:56:00.000-05:00

I first heard about this handy little program from the DH who uses it for work related reasons, he carries his iPod Touch with him and is able to use it to look up or make notes for himself. I then read about it over on Blossom Merz Blog about how he uses it for inventory, patterns and the like and thought I really need to check this out. (Blossom Merz is a hand weaver, so you can already see the many benefits to all fiber artists). So I downloaded Evernote, which is free by the way, we like free! Although a premium version is available. You install it like you would any other new program, by clicking run the first time you click the icon after you download it. And then click save, when it asks you to. That's it. Nothing more complicated than that. Once you are all downloaded and installed you need to set up an account again, very simple, just a user name and password. Than then you are in business. Now the way it works is that you can copy and paste items you find on the net into Evernote. You then "sync" the program and that way no matter what devise or computer you are on later you can retrieve that note. Let me give you an example:

I downloaded and installed Evernote on my laptop and my iPad. I then went in search of a Tam pattern on Ravelry. I found one I liked but it was not a Ravelry download, the free pattern was linked to the knitters blog. Okay no problem I just highlighted the pattern, copied it, opened my Evernote program, clicked "File", "New Note" and then pasted into the blank space provided. Then I went up to the top and clicked "sync". So now, I can open my Evernote app on my iPad and the pattern will be there and I can use it to knit my project at home and on the go.

I have just started using this program so I am sure I have not explored all the things it can do just yet, but what I have used so far is very handy and I wanted to share it with you.

Pros: You can copy and paste text from any site, there are a couple of ways you can do this, as is the example above, when you need a free pattern from Ravelry that is on a personal website or blog you just highlight copy and paste. (Please remember to respect individual copyright). Also, if you are on your computer or laptop and use Firefox or Chrome as your browser there is an add-on you can download that is very useful in capturing pages or articles from news sites etc. You can also write your own notes into the program. A shopping list, other important information you might want or need later. You can add tags to help make items more searchable, but Evernote will organize and index your notes for you and make them searchable, so the tags are an added bonus in the ability to search for something you may have saved. The possibilities are endless. You an be as creative as you want with Evernote, or as my DH, use it for business purposes, you can even plan a trip with it.
They also work with Twitter so you can save your favorite tweets if you like. I like that feature for saving sales and notes from my favorite yarn suppliers and stores.

Cons: You need to be connected to the Internet with both your computer and your mobile devise right after you sync. So lets say I find a great pattern on Ravelry I want to use, I'm on my laptop so I capture it into Evernote. Later I will want to use it on my iPad while knitting in public somewhere. You must open the note in Evernote once while online, to be able to open it again when you are off-line. Evernote is a cloud program and so internet connection is a must. But like I said if you have opened that particular note at least once while online, you will be able to open it again offline. So the con is not so much of the Evernote program itself, but the availability of web access in certain places. So just be mindful of where you are and if there is wi fi available. If you have an mobile device with 3G then you should have no problems.
I realize most places do have open wi fi, but not everywhere, for example the local sports park, where a there are lots of soccer fields and ball fields, does not have wi fi, so if a soccer mom wanted to knit using a pattern on Evernote while waiting for practice to end, she would need to have opened the pattern in a wi fi environment first.

Anyway, there is more great information on the Evernote site itself, so go check them out.

A Little Movie Fun

2011-01-08T19:23:00.000-05:00

Based on actual tragic events.
Blogless Anna

Kick It!

2011-01-07T17:11:00.001-05:00

Not only is that the opening lyric for the classic Beastie Boys tune "Fight for your Right to Party" but it is my new way of spinning and plying!

Meet my new Little Meggie:

It is mahogany wood and so beautiful. The camera started to protest after these two shots the rest didn't come out, so I apologize for the lighting.

The folks over at Heavenly Handspinning are wonderful, not only do they make beautiful spindles that are truly pieces of functional art, but also shipped it out right away, I got my spindle in a matter of days after placing my order.

I was looking for another wheel, but I wanted something more portable than my Ashford Kiwi, but I also had limitations on how large a ball I could ply so I also was looking for a new kit for my Kiwi that would allow for more yardage. Then I found this little beauty, totally portable, and no plying limitations. I can't wait to finish spinning some roving and try this little baby out!

I've also started a new pair of sock for me. I am knitting the Van Dyke socks from Wendy Johnson's Book, Socks from the Toe Up and I am using Patons Kroy sock yarn in Clover Colors. There is an errata for this pattern so if you are going to knit it, make sure you check Wendy's site first. It is a minor one, but important. I am loving the pattern and the yarn. Also the pattern is written for 4 double points so if you are using magic loop as I am, you will need to make the appropriate adjustments

I hope everyone has a wonderful fiberlicious weekend planned. Stayed tuned more knitting tech updates coming!

Low Tech Gadgets

2011-01-02T11:26:00.001-05:00

have been talking a lot lately about high tech gadgets and knitting, today I thought we would talk about some very helpful low tech gadgets.

First, a Yarn Drum, by Art Bin, very helping when working with two colors (I haven't tried it with more yet) But it does have the potential to manage up to four balls of yarn. It is a very handy item with a pocket in front for notions and a zippered pocket that attaches on the side. I got this one for Christmas and I gave several as gifts.

Next is a needle case from my dear blogless friend Anna, it has compartments for circulars as well as other notions, (notice the adorable sheep stitch markers), there is also room for straights. Very handy indeed as my inventory of circs was getting out of control and I needed something to manage them all a little better.

And lastly, I finally finished my boot socks. I started them before Christmas and had to set them aside in order to get all the gifts knitted. They are my final FO of 2010. and I am very happy with them. They are knitted on size US 4, in Lorna's Lace Storm. They are knitted toe up with a Turkish cast on (My favorite for toe up socks) and knitted in a spiral rib pattern found in Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Socks book. The pattern is easy to memorize and allows for quick knitting. I bound off with JSSBO, that was my first time using JSSBO and I love it. So will be using that again soon.

However, I do not have any knitting plans today. I am going to bring out my neglected spinning wheel and show her some love. I have some roving I dyed months and months ago that needs to be spun up into something soft and yummy.

Fiber love from the Sheep Shack.

Getting into Overdrive at your local library

2010-12-31T19:07:00.003-05:00

Well, Christmas is in the rear view mirror and the New Year is here, I bet many of you have some cool gadgets to play with this year. If you got an ereader for Christmas you may want to check with your local library, many use a program called Overdrive where you can check out books onto your ereader from their Overdrive catalog. I have done this several times with my Nook and while it is not the most intuitive program it is doable. I have some tips below to help you get reading for free (and who doesn't like free) from your local library.

Download and install Adobe Digital Editions to your computer, PC, Mac or laptop. It is important to have your Nook plugged into your computer via your USB cable while downloading so that the software will install simultaneously on both the Nook and your computer. On the right hand side of the screen you will see "Download Now" Once you click on the download button it will lead you through the rest of the process for downloading and installing the software. The steps are the same for PC and Mac users. (insert your favorite smiley face here).
Once the software is installed you will need an Adobe ID, don't panic, this is very easy to do if you don't have one already. All you need is a valid email address, then click on the link for "Get an Adobe ID online".
Now here is a nice feature, Adobe Digital Editions should automatically recognize your digital reader and ask you if you would like to authenticate your device. Naturally you do. If for some reason it does not automatically recognize your reader, just close and reopen the program (Adobe Digital Editions).
Now we are ready for the fun part, you will want to access your Library's Overdrive site. Sign into your library account. Search the Overdrive catalog and place items into your cart. Now if you are like and like to browse here is a helpful reminder items will only stay in your cart for a certain number of minutes, so don't browse too long before checking out your selections. Once the item is checked out it should be available for download. When your computer prompts you for which program to use to open the ebook, make sure you choose Adobe Digital Editions. The library book will download to your computer, then you simply transfer the book to your Nook, by dragging and dropping it into your Nook icon on the left hand side of the program.
On the Nook these items will appear in your "My Documents" tab. If you do not see your library book, clink "Check for new items" and it should appear then. You can also return the book early if you finish it to opening the Adobe Digital Editions program on your computer and click on the drop down arrow on the left hand side and selecting "return the checked out item"

There you have it in five easy steps you can get free books from your local library (provided they have the Overdrive program) onto your Nook or other device that will recognize the epub or pdf format. This does not work however for the Kindle. At least not at this time.

A couple of helpful links can be found here at Slide Share (for PC users).

For Mac users, Slide Share (Mac Version).

~ the Tech Savvy Knitter

Ice, Ice, Baby, please go....

2010-12-29T18:16:00.001-05:00

More Snow..

2010-12-26T17:07:00.000-05:00

At 4:30 I measured 9 inches of snow on the patio, the most snow we have had in 21 years!

My Jasmine Vine

There's a car under there somewhere

And it is still snow, and I am still knitting!

White (day after) Christmas

2010-12-26T10:44:00.001-05:00

White Christmas

2010-12-25T23:48:00.001-05:00

I can't remember the last time we had a snow for christmas, we are getting snow tonight. They say we will be snowed in tomorrow. I can't believe it. I will believe it when I see it. The day has been wonderful already. Filled with knitting and audio books.

I am attempting to knit a stocking for next year and the pattern is giving me a fit. This is my third attempt, if I don't get it this time I am going to try a different pattern. This one is making me crazy!

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Nook, iPad, Nano, Knitting and more.....

2010-12-24T12:49:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to All! It is Christmas Eve, hopefully everyone is ready, but I'm sure there are a few last minute gifts to buy.

As always electronics are hot items, here is my take on some of them.

The Barnes and Noble Nook, I have one of the original devices with WiFi and 3G. I have not yet used the color Nook yet. First, the pros, I like the newsprint style screen, it makes it very easy to read outside by the pool, beach or park. The buttons for turning the pages are easy to use, and it is light weight and easy to carry. Mine fits nicely in the side pocket of my Namaste Knitting bag. Searching for new books to download is also very user friendly and purchasing is a breeze once you have your Barnes and Noble account set up. Of course when you take your Nook into Barnes and Noble there are always coupons and free downloads of the week to try. You just show your Nook to the cashier for the coupon code and you are on your way. Customer service is top notch, I had a problem with my nooks and within 3 business days I had a replacement Nook and the return shipping code. No hassles. Also the Nook will accept other formats, I load pdf's of my knitting patterns on it to make them more portable.

The Cons, my nook received a stress fraction at the button I used most for page turning, but as stated above, the customer service people were excellent and replaced my Nook hassle free. It was a reconditioned Nook but I found no issues with it, it was like new and I have not had any further problems. Also the new color Nook resolves this problem by having a touch screen to allow you to turn pages without the button as well as the software upgrade to the existing models of the Nook.
The web browsing on the Nook, is not worth your time, at least not on the pre-color models, the navigation is done through the 2 inch screen at the bottom and is more frustrating than anything. It is not worth the time or effort, if you want to web browse I suggest another device. Things like games on the Nook seem pointless to me, since they are very limited in type and quality of the graphics.

Overall impression of the Nook, it is great if all you want to do is read a book, nothing else. If your expectations are simple then the Nook is a great device. I can also see it as an excellent device for school children and young people.

The iPad, I have a new model 32g iPad purchased at the Apple Store. The Pros, I will try to limit my thoughts here, but I must say that I love my iPad. I used it constantly and find it hard to remember life without it. First, if your a reader, you can download the Nook, Kindle, Blue Fire and other reader apps to your iPad, thus not limiting you to one source for your ebooks. I also have a reader app Good Reader, that also you to highlight and mark up pdf files, I have found this invaluable for my knitting patterns. The iPad is easy to use, everything is done by touch, no buttons to push or break. Of course, you have access to the App Store, with a host of products for productivity. The graphics are typical Apple, excellent! This is not a review of the various apps, available because some are clearly better than others. There has been some question as to the portability of the iPad, my rule of thumb is that if it fits in my purse it is portable, and my iPad fits in my purse.
The iPad is also great for those who are not computer savvy, you don't have to strong keyboarding skills to be effective on the iPad in fact it is great for people who only type with two or three fingers. I do pretty much anything on my iPad that I do on my laptop. I also like the screen size of the iPad, it makes it easier to see recipes and knitting patterns without having to enlarge the font or pictures. I would not enjoy a 7" iPad. Again, customer service with the iPad is terrific and with all Apple products I would imagine. I purchased mine at my local Apple Store and the process was very painless and the staff very friendly. My iPad account was active, and set up before I left the store.

The Cons, the cons are that it is a bit heavier than the Nook, and if you carry yours in your purse as I do, you will notice the difference in weight. The button on the side that used to control the internal gyroscope as changed in the last upgrade, to turn it on or off now is a four step process. I find that very unfortunate. The reason to turn it off is if you are reading a book if you tilt your iPad too far it will turn the page for you and you may not want this. It was nice before when you could just press the button on the side to control this feature. The lack of flash capability is some what disappointing, although many sites are moving away from using flash, there are still plenty out there that do, but if you are away that your iPad will not support flash before you go looking for a certain site, it can be handled, if you can find the information from another source rather than a flash site.

Overall impressions, I love my iPad and frankly it has replaced my Nook as far as reading books, the larger screen the ability to turn my book to portrait or landscape mode is a plus for me and the ability to have a variety of eReader formats and sources for ebooks is a huge plus for me. The touch screen makes this device easy for anyone to use and I would highly recommend it for someone perhaps a senior citizen with prior limited computer experience. I believe they will find it easy for them to use and allow them access to their email and information sources they may have previously shied away from.

The Nano, the new 6th generation Nano, is one of my favorite new devices. The Pros, The size is awesome, you can take it anywhere and there are a number of wrist bands and cases to make it even easier. I have the 16G model and it has replaced my iPod Touch as my music device I use daily. I plug it into my car, my speakers at work and also use it with my earbuds. The graphics on the screen are great for the size. The Cons, the size is a trade off for capacity, 16G is the largest offered. For me the 8G just wasn't enough space as I found with my 8G iPod Touch. Also, the charging devices are not interchangeable between the Touch and the Nano, so if you are adding one of these devices to your collection be prepared to add new support devices as well. This is also true for non-Apple accessory products, for example I have an adapter for my car that allows me to play my music through the car stereo speakers; with the Touch that adapter also acts as a charger while playing the music, but not with the Nano, again, the small size has it's trade offs.

Overall impressions, if you are a runner, walker or active person you will want this new Nano, the size is perfect, it is light weight and much easier to use while exerising than its longer counterparts with arm bands etc.

If you have an iPad or iTouch, keep on the look out for new knitting related apps. As I mentioned I love Good Reader for my iPad, allowing me to read and mark up my knitting patterns that I have downloaded in pdf. Also Vogue Knitting has an app for both the iPad and the iTouch, that allows you have have a portable inventory of your stash and needles, plus a very nice stitch dictionary!

And there you have it, my little take on technology and knitting apps.

Now go have some fiber fun!

Moose Tracks

2010-12-19T16:41:00.000-05:00

We have had two snow falls already this month here. Snow doesn't fall that often here and almost never in the month of December. Snow is more likely after January, so this year has been usually cold and wintry. It comes with mixed emotions, since we do not get snow that often when it does fall it is quite exciting and even the most mature person has the urge to run out and play in the snow. On the other had, trying to commute to and from work in it, jades my opinion of snow very quickly.

But, one of the fun things about snow is that it allows you to see things in a different light, you can see the tracks of animals normally hidden in the leaves or grass like these......

Moose Tracks?

Okay so they aren't moose tracks, but of a more lovable creature....

Lily

The wintry weather has added to the Holiday spirit and even our Tuesday Knitting Circle had an impromptu party, with our dear friend Jennifer surprising us all with these awesome knitty gifts!

Pencils, note cards, note book and note pad all with a cable pattern! How clever!

Well all the packages have been sent, all the cards mailed, time to relax and knit without a deadline! Whew!

A Holiday in Lights

2010-12-08T20:09:00.000-05:00

As there are only 17 days left until Christmas, the spirit of the season is everywhere. Especially at this house in my neighborhood!

And my Christmas knitting is done, represented here are scarves, hats, pedicure socks and soap sock.

Let the Fun Begin!

2010-11-28T11:41:00.000-05:00

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, those of us who are excited for Christmas can really let our hair down. Christmas music is playing on the radio, Christmas festivities are starting up, such as Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. We went to Williamsburg and did a little shopping in support of Saturday for Small Business day and I bought these cute little guys at Scotland House Ltd. Then we stopped by Shirley's Pewter Shop to purchase our annual pewter ornament for the Christmas tree. And also added a couple of books for holiday reading.

Have you ever seen anything cuter! And this cute little game of Sheep Tic Tac Toe

I have my Christmas decorations up and bringing cheer to the house. This year we have two trees, this is the first time I have used two trees, but the arrangement of our house prevents us from being able to show off the family tree, so I bought a small tree to put in the hubby's office window so that it can be seen from the street.

My trees usually have themes, the small tree is decorated with ornaments that once belonged to my grandmother and mother. The family tree is decorated with Santa's and in red and silver.

Small Tree:

Santa on family tree:

Special Santa's Helper:

The knitting continues in earnest.

Post Thanksgiving Wishes

2010-11-27T11:54:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone in the U.S. enjoyed their holiday and were able to spend it with someone they love. We had a fabulous holiday, first we had a wonderful meal prepared by many hands with my great aunt, aunt and cousins. We always have a wonderful time and we are fortunate to have many wonderful cooks in the family. Then after dinner is play time for young and old alike.

Then on Friday we drove a few hours to see my BIL and SIL. We hadn't seen my BIL in some years and it was so great to be able to see them both. We had a wonderful visit.

Today we are home and ready to join the holiday shopping craze! LOL. Let the games begin!

I am half a pedi-sock away from having two pair completed, I should have that done by tomorrow. Because tomorrow I do not plan to leave my house and get some serious knitting done.

28 days until Christmas, I can hear those knitting needles clicking away out there!

Seriously?

2010-11-19T20:10:00.000-05:00

Is is really only 36 days until Christmas, listen I need more time people. I have four hat and scarf sets done, I need two more and two pairs of socks, and I have one of two pair of pedi socks I need on the needles! And there is Thanksgiving yet to deal with!

I did accomplish a little holiday shopping tonight so I feel better about that, but still. Okay, enough blogging. More knitting.

Sometimes a simple image is all you need.

2010-11-11T08:11:00.000-05:00

Just a couple of blue jays that stopped long enough for a photo op. while gather what they needed before a storm rolled in.

It's nearly here!

2010-11-06T09:38:00.000-04:00

Thanksgiving you ask? Yes, Thanksgiving in the U.S. is nearly here, but what I am referring to is Christmas! Only 49 more days and to some that may seem like plenty of time, but when to a knitter....,that is the blink of an eye! I have five more gifts to make! Five! I'm knitting as fast as I can, but things like work and life are getting in the way!
Not to mention the fact that I love Christmas and love to decorate and I used to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to put up all the lights and the tree, but in recent years that hasn't been enough time. I mean after cooking for Thanksgiving visiting family and friends and taking in some of the holiday festivities, it would suddenly be Christmas and not so much as an ornament would be hung in my house, so this year I have a plan!

Yes, a plan. I am going to start decorating this weekend. I have the decorations out of the attic and the tree will come down tonight. I have been playing Christmas music this morning to put me in the right frame of mind. See I personally used to hate to see Christmas items in the stores and on display before Thanksgiving and especially before Halloween, but if I am going to get it done, I have to start now. So here we go!!!!!!!

So many things to share

2010-10-30T10:50:00.002-04:00

With only 56 days until Christmas, the knitting needles are smoking! Here is a finished reversible hat and scarf set recently completed.

And a scarf in progress:

In the recent purchases department, there is my new Nameste Lugana bag, love it! And purchased it at a great store, www.hipmountainmama.com Hip Mountain Mama , highly recommend the site especially if you have little ones. They are fast and courteous. My bag arrived wonderfully packaged and quickly!

And we also recently replaced our old, ugly, clunky sliding patio doors for some nice new french doors here in the Sheep Shack! I love them!

Now just need to repaint the Sheep Shack and it will feel all new and pretty.

Well the needles await!

Rain on the River

2010-10-20T18:19:00.004-04:00

It was a little overcast and rainy here this afternoon. It reminded me of days on the water when it was raining and I wanted to share some pictures. It was a great day for vampires no sun!

It was also a good day for the Coasties.

I have just two more color stripes to do on a scarf tonight and that will be finished and I will start the matching hat. (That will be Christmas gift no. 2) making progress!

The yellow cardi was finished on time and worked very well with the navy blue dress!
I now have a pair of socks on the needles for moi, in a broad spiral rib pattern with Lorna's Lace Seaport colorway. Yummy!

Puzzled?

2010-10-10T11:15:00.002-04:00

Okay, I have a deadline of Wednesday the 13th for the cardi I am working on and by deadline, I mean I need to wear it on the 13th. I picked up the stitches along the front edge to add the ribbing trim as required and didn't like it. So ribbed it back and started over.

I had all of Saturday to work on it and again I have time uninterrupted time to work on it. So would you like to see what I got accomplished?

That's right, I finished a puzzle. I couldn't help myself. Fall and winter always give me the urge to work puzzles and a friend and I swapped puzzles last week and that is what I have been doing with my time. Puzzles are addicted I always have to find that next piece!

So today, no puzzles! Just laundry and knitting!

Proof of Knitting

2010-10-03T15:02:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted any pictures recently and some might think I haven't been knitting much. The problem is I seem to be knitting and knitting and never getting anything finished. But, there is progress being made on the cardi I need by the 13th.

And of course, Lily is there to offer moral support.

Okay maybe not.