tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70504922024-03-13T12:04:39.612-07:00Knit Along the Wayknitting and snapping along life's adventuresMandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-86337366430844203082009-08-25T09:27:00.000-07:002009-08-26T15:48:07.979-07:00Achoo!So I have to tell you this story.<br /><br />(As an aside, I keep composing blog posts in my head which never make it to pixel form because of the craziness of life... I have so many pictures and stories to share!!! Even some about knitting!!!)<br /><br />Piper and I headed up to Eric's this weekend to visit and attend a wedding reception for a couple that got married in Ohio, but live in Cali. The party was at a good friend's house that is in Three Rivers. In Three Rivers, there are burn regulations that require the tall grass to be cut around the house, but on the outskirts of the property there is lots of dry tall grass.<br /><br />Back to the party, there were a couple of dogs there that Piper was desperately trying to make friends with... she was so cute. Emma, an Australia Shepard, was telling her to back off... but Piper just like LET'S PLAY!!! WEEEE! Actually, she was minding Emma pretty well. Anyway, I was enjoying the food and drink and chatting with the grown ups and always keeping an eye on Piper. She went down to play with some girls on the swing in the tall grass. Suddenly, she was sneezing herself silly! Propelling herself backwards in circles she was sneezing so violently... So I ran down and picked up her little sneezing butt and took her to the bathroom. I had a sinking feeling I knew what it was... a freaking FOXTAIL. One of those pokey annoying things that gets stuck in your sock when you take a hike... Like this:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3857278639/" title="DSC_0087 by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/3857278639_59e77bc887.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="DSC_0087" /></a><br /></div>Google "foxtail dog" and you will find horror stories about how foxtails are really invasive sneaky things that have barbs like a fishhook and thusly move in one direction... IN. So if a dog gets one in it's eye, or ear, or NOSE... it could definitely go to it's brain or lung within 10mins and terrible things will happen. Ok... not really 10min but that's what I assumed.<br /><br />So back to sneezing Piper... I set her on the bathroom counter and looked her over. The whole right side of her face was squinched up and her eye was watering sad little tears. I looked up her nose, but have you ever looked up a puppy nose?? You can't really see much, especially if they keep sneezing in your face. Then I noticed she was sneezing BLOOD. UGGGGH. This is not good. Not good at all. By this time she was starting to calm down and I checked out her watery eye... it looked fine. So I carried her out to consult the other dog owners at the party. Should I rush her to the emergency vet an hour away? Or can I wait until Monday to take her to her regular vet. Everyone said it was probably ok to wait... the foxtails don't really move at the speed of light to the brain and lungs. I tried to settle her down as much as possible and she seemed to be ok except for occassional bursts of sneezies. She was actually acting very normal on Saturday and even Monday morning, but still the sneezing... so I took her to the vet. They kept her for an hour and sedated her for a good look up her nose. This is what they found.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3859388304/" title="DSC_0002 by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/3859388304_d0debb3fbd.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0002" /></a><br /></div>Holy cow that thing is HUGE. It's 3.5 cm long. Just imagine having that up YOUR nose. Poor thing. She was really disoriented last night... searching and searching for something she couldn't find. Maybe she missed the smell of foxtail in her nose? Or maybe she was just excited to not have a horrible pokey tickely thing up her nose as she sniffed around? Who knows... OY! What will it be next???<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3858067428/" title="DSC_0078 by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3858067428_689ab74ee5.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="DSC_0078" /></a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-75333531555476759052009-07-24T20:12:00.000-07:002009-07-24T20:15:30.917-07:00Yikes!I ran out of space on my computer!!! I have a 150GB hard drive and it's completely full... mostly of photos. I can't even upload the latest Piper photos!<br /><br />This calls for a run to BestBuy. I already have a 500GB backup drive, but I need double backup in order to feel safe enough to actually delete things from my hard drive. Scary. Hopefully I have more cute pup photos by the end of the weekend! She's getting so big!Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-34053551584547053532009-07-20T08:37:00.000-07:002009-07-20T08:44:25.183-07:00Puppy Love.Piper is continuing to adjust to her new life and routines... She can be a whiney little baby, but she sure is cute. Here are some more photos. Click on any of them to go to my flickr where there are even MORE puppy pics. Enjoy. :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3739508420/" title="Food time! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3739508420_9251be9000.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Food time!" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3739509890/" title="Nom. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2571/3739509890_2f3826e904_b.jpg" width="680" height="1024" alt="Nom." /></a></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3738718321/" title="Half-off. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3738718321_365e1a81cc.jpg" alt="Half-off." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3739512782/" title="Mid-yawn. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3739512782_a4c34b411c.jpg" alt="Mid-yawn." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3738720781/" title="Orange Flower Girl by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3738720781_ce82e82e85.jpg" alt="Orange Flower Girl" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /></div><br />P.S. She has to wear a cone now because her spay incision is swollen and not healing as quickly as we'd like. Poor girl. Hopefully it can come off soon.Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-55747498602241119992009-07-15T08:40:00.000-07:002009-07-15T08:51:54.549-07:00Meet Piper.Well! I've decided on a name. Meet <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Piper</span>! Thanks for the suggestions everyone!<br /><br />She is so freakin' cute. There is definitely lab in her... she already fetches purple squeeky whales and brings them back! It's amazing what those instincts do. Let's watch her in action:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=9ea0416ca9&photo_id=3723323851&hd_default=false"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=9ea0416ca9&photo_id=3723323851&hd_default=false" height="225" width="400"></embed></object><br /></div><br />She is so clumsy right now! But extremely enthusiastic, leaping and bounding across the yard. Here are some more snaps from yesterday. Have a great day!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3724070980/" title="Ehn? by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3724070980_3e3b2c737b.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Ehn?" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3724069228/" title="Do I have to get up? by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3724069228_12456658fc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Do I have to get up?" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3723262013/" title="Aaahh! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/3723262013_cb44df3994.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Aaahh!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3723259359/" title="Shadows. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3723259359_fd09349b65.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Shadows." /></a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-38096021308292560492009-07-14T07:42:00.000-07:002009-07-14T07:48:03.828-07:00Uh-oh.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3719953417/" title="Pupperoni. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3719953417_cb51af20e4.jpg" alt="Pupperoni." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /></div><br />I might have more inspiration to blog because I have a super cute puppy to photograph. Uhoh... I smell trouble.<br /><br />She's a lab mix. The best guess is that the mix is weimaraner. A labmaraner! She still needs a name. Front-runners are JoJo, Josie, Lily, Misty. I'm open to suggestions... suggest away!Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-7752899512281974522009-05-19T22:39:00.000-07:002009-05-19T22:43:14.380-07:00Eep.Work is sucking my will to live. I'm still knitting. And weaving! But blogging and photography are suffering. I'm sorry. Truly, I am. But something has to give. Hopefully, I can motivate myself to post here more often, but I can't promise anything. Keep on, keeping on! Sometimes it is only the knitting that keeps me sane...Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-27712844369500082212009-03-29T13:01:00.000-07:002009-03-29T13:59:48.482-07:00AlhambraI have a new favorite yarn: <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/pages/yarn/sock.html">Malabrigo Sock</a>. It's soft, versatile, squooshy, washable, and comes in an amazingly gorgeous array of colors. I recently finished knitting <a href="http://knitspot.com/?p=598">Alhambra</a> out of Malabrigo Sock in Archangel. It was a great pairing of pattern and yarn. The pattern was dynamic, yet easy to memorize and really played-up the colors in the yarn. I may have taken <s>too many</s> a lot of pictures of this lovely scarf using my new lens (35mm Nikon DX F1.8). :D<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3396380182/" title="DSC_0003.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3396380182_0e3c5e4f5d.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="DSC_0003.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3396380546/" title="DSC_0004.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3396380546_cf1c350ced.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0004.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3396381312/" title="DSC_0006.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3396381312_fb422eef21.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="DSC_0006.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3396381752/" title="DSC_0010.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3396381752_72ea12ca06.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="DSC_0010.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3395569827/" title="DSC_0013.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3395569827_234ffc8f72.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0013.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div>Also, I've been busy casting-on for a couple new projects. I fell in love with the Whisper Cardigan in the most recent Interweave Knits so I acquired some lovely green Malabrigo Lace in Verde Esparanza (Green Hope). It's striping on the sleeve which is an unexpected development. I'm pretty sure I like it though.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3395572667/" title="DSC_0051.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3395572667_107551543e.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0051.jpg" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And a guess green is TEH color right now because I'm also making another slouchy hat for Paul in Juniper Heather in Knitpicks Shadow (double stranded). Huh. Go green!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3395572875/" title="DSC_0052.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3395572875_c14b570d48.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0052.jpg" /></a><br /></div>Happy knitting everyone!<br /></div></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-62450815077976851972009-02-28T20:01:00.000-08:002009-02-28T20:37:49.046-08:00Yarn Dyeing!Today I went to a (highly anticipated) yarn dyeing class at the Stitch Cafe! It was some serious fun. I used Sterling yarn as my base which has 2% silver in it so it has these awesome sparkly bits that glitter in the light. I wussed out and chose a safe color to dye: purple & pink. BUT! I'd like to think it's a very complex semi-solid dye job. Anyway, I story of dye is best told in photos.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3317433055/" title="The Four Hues. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3317433055_24be50fef8.jpg" alt="The Four Hues." height="333" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">The colors I mixed: Greypurple, Pinkpurple, Rosepink, Fushia.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3317432913/" title="Halfway Done. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3317432913_ebfc210b8e.jpg" alt="Halfway Done." height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Halfway through dyeing the second side.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3318258692/" title="Heated Once. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3318258692_2fcedd4984.jpg" alt="Heated Once." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">After the first cook.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3317433713/" title="Caught Purple Handed! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3317433713_4df5114128.jpg" alt="Caught Purple Handed!" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Gloria's hands... no gloves for her!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3318259370/" title="I Want a Utility Sink. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3318259370_31ed422ec5.jpg" alt="I Want a Utility Sink." height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I heart utility sinks. I want one. No... I <span style="font-weight: bold;">need</span> one.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3318259690/" title="Pretty Splatters. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/3318259690_5148a3b5e8_b.jpg" alt="Pretty Splatters." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">The doodle pad.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3317435259/" title="Jaqueline Rinses My Yarn! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3317435259_ab189e054c_b.jpg" alt="Jaqueline Rinses My Yarn!" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Rinsing. Not much bleeding! Sweet.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3317435477/" title="Drying in the Sun. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3317435477_901b861af4.jpg" alt="Drying in the Sun." height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Drying in the sun.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/sets/72157614587820642/show/">**View the whole slide show from the day HERE!**</a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-55701076811471782372009-02-27T06:43:00.000-08:002009-02-27T06:53:50.461-08:00Malibrigo Madness.Recently it's been all Malbrigo yarn around here. I've been stashing Malbrigo for awhile now. I just love love love how soft and squooshy the yarn is... plus the colors are fabulous. And I just got my grubby mitts on some Malbrigo sock in Archangel. Goooooorgeouuuuus.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3283225883/" title="DSC_0117.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3283225883_5f9eee8057.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0117.jpg" /></a><br /></div>I couldn't resist! I cast-on for an Alhambra scarf with haste! Then, after I finished my spiral boot socks*, I cast-on for a Merino Malbrigo hat. I started with the Koolhaas pattern, but the skein of Cuarzo I have is too varigated and it obscured all those lovely cables. So I switched to Felicity.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3312753065/" title="DSC_0021.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3312753065_e5b68861f5.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0021.jpg" /></a><br /></div>I love it! The colors pooled so perfectly for the first part of the hat. It almost looks like stripes, but it's actually a lazy spiral. Awesome!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3312752965/" title="DSC_0013.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3312752965_63a20e0051.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0013.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3313580744/" title="DSC_0012.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3313580744_21c6ff0686.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0012.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3312752877/" title="DSC_0019.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3486/3312752877_b86b9a0a46.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0019.jpg" /></a><br /></div>It was a super quick knit too... only a couple evenings of knitting. Highly recommended. Happy knitting!<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Spiral Boot Socks are having a few slouching problems currently. Tsk tsk. Bad posture never flattered anyone. Unfortunately, when I blocked them, they grew a bit. So I have to buy some Rainbow Elastic to remedy the problem. I'll take some pics when they are completely finished.</span>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-39767175331540021932009-02-10T07:58:00.000-08:002009-02-10T08:14:34.038-08:00Trying something new.I'm going to try something different. I started a new blog on Wordpress. I've been thinking about switching Knit Along the Way from Blogger to Wordpress for awhile. The main thing that's holding me back is template flexibility. Blogger is way more customizable (for free anyway). I like to post large photos and I've, so far, been unable to change the column or photo sizes in the Wordpress templates. I have to do a little more research. For the time being, I'm going to try out Wordpress with a photoblog. Without further ado, go check out my new blog... <a href="http://manda365.wordpress.com/">Let Me Show You a Story: a year in photos</a>.<br /><br />Also, I added a Flickr badge down at the bottom of the page. My sister mentioned that she missed that from my old blog layout. Stay tuned for some knitting. :)Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-74883096534078678982009-01-29T22:19:00.000-08:002009-01-29T22:34:30.998-08:00Finished Lady.I finished something big and fabulous: my Lady Eleanor stole. I love her and I've worn her pretty much every day since I finished her. She was blocked during the inauguration of President Obama.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3237694011/" title="DSC_0112.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3237694011_80d2b970c1.jpg" alt="DSC_0112.jpg" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3238533928/" title="DSC_0118.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3238533928_c1eb63e996.jpg" alt="DSC_0118.jpg" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /></div>I loved knitting this stole. The silk garden was lovely as ever. Despite all the knots and veggie matter that I had to pluck from the strands, this yarn is pretty awesome. The colors in the colorway are so pretty. I love all of them. And entrelac is so addicting! The squares just speed by, especially when you get the hang of knitting backwards. The fringe took two nights to finish... don't underestimate the fringe! It really makes the shawl. Ok... I had Eric take some shots while we were visiting Ruby, Alice, and Tom last weekend. Enjoy.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3238533684/" title="DSC_0132.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3238533684_18bf4e0cb7_b.jpg" alt="DSC_0132.jpg" height="453" width="680" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3237693331/" title="DSC_0135.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3237693331_22f6584420_b.jpg" alt="DSC_0135.jpg" height="453" width="680" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3238533186/" title="DSC_0139.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3238533186_8e16d18af0_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="DSC_0139.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3238532076/" title="DSC_0153.jpg by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3238532076_25787f9e5a_b.jpg" alt="DSC_0153.jpg" height="453" width="680" /></a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-59117876371939419942009-01-06T22:47:00.000-08:002009-01-06T23:02:09.721-08:00Here's a Story...Well! The holidays are over. I'm a little slow getting back into the routine, but it's hard to come back to reality after such a long vacation. Christmas Gift Knitting this year was a big hit! I managed to take a series of photos of the WIP/FOs before I left for the East Coast.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3175568715/" title="Christmas Knits 2008! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3175568715_60d5806aa4_o.jpg" alt="Christmas Knits 2008!" height="556" width="680" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Quite Brady-esque, dontcha think?</span></span><br /></div>As you can see from the mosaic, I got quite a lot done before leaving on a jet plane, but I still had plenty to finish. There was still 80% of a hat (on US3 needles *eep*), 1 Fetching mitt, and a full pair of man mittens to knit. Not to mention the earrings I wanted to add to the cowl gifts. So did I get everything finished in time??? Oh! the suspense...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3176410910/" title="Gifted Knits 2008! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3176410910_94e940a4f9_o.jpg" alt="Gifted Knits 2008!" height="556" width="680" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Yay! Happy, warm people all around!</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I did it!!! I managed to finish everything. PHEW! I've gotta cut back on my gift recipients next year, or start even earlier. It was so fun to see everyone enjoy their gifts! It was really hard this year because I really wanted to keep the majority of the things I knit. The navy/yellow/purple hat for my sister, the squooshy oatmeal hat for brother-in-law, the Fetching mitts, the earrings! It's very satisfying to share my work though. I might even be able to whip up a pattern for the nautical hat I made my sister. It'll be more like a recipe than a pattern though... We'll see.<br /><br />I have lots more photos to share from my vacation. I'll post more later after I have the energy to process them.<br /><br />Ok, now back to selfish knitting... Lady Eleanor, here I come!<br /></div></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-45402061980367738722008-12-17T09:10:00.000-08:002008-12-18T07:46:09.582-08:00Beep.Hi. I can't come to the blog right now. I'm too busy knitting. If you'd like to leave your name, number, and some brief encouragement that all the unknit yarn in the picture below will get knit in the appropriate time frame, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Which will probably be next year. Have a great day!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3117179861/" title="Christmas Knitting. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3117179861_7438170dc9_b.jpg" alt="Christmas Knitting." height="453" width="680" /></a></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-42133931985611332562008-12-09T07:37:00.000-08:002008-12-09T08:16:09.338-08:00Awesomely Random.1. Sorry I haven't blogged in a while! I needed a break. But I'm back! Here's some complete randomness to get caught-up.<br />2. First (second?), I must say, migraines completely suck.<br />3. The trip to ski in Salt Lake City over Thanksgiving was AWESOME. I got to knit a bunch AND hang out with my brother. Lets see what the two combined look like:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3095771276/" title="Jason Snuggles with Lady Eleanor. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/3095771276_f8d5e73489_b.jpg" alt="Jason Snuggles with Lady Eleanor." height="453" width="680" /></a><br /></div>4. It's really darn windy out here... *wince* That can only mean one thing: <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red flag</span> conditions... freakin' fire season.<br />5. I started a few more Christmas gift designs. Here are the sneak peeks:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3094932821/" title="Kaylee's Mod Hat. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/3094932821_e9a41c6873_b.jpg" alt="Kaylee's Mod Hat." height="1024" width="680" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3094931097/" title="Paul's Hat swatch. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/3094931097_52f177f7d6_b.jpg" alt="Paul's Hat swatch." height="453" width="680" /></a><br /></div>6. I bought a new car! Go, economy, go! She is the cutest car ever! And now, I have to think of a name. Because a car this cute, definitely requires a name.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3095855260/" title="New Honda Fit. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/3095855260_2d8f413e7d_o.jpg" alt="New Honda Fit." height="229" width="680" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">7. I had to re-pot Ophelia the Orchid. She was in a mixed arrangement with... SOIL. *gasp* This could not stand if Ophelia was to live so she moved to a new home:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3095868136/" title="'Phelia's Re-Potting. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3095868136_52213532eb_o.jpg" alt="'Phelia's Re-Potting." height="615" width="615" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">8. Last, but not least, <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/2008/12/08/returning-to-the-loom">I won</a> <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/2008/12/02/guilty-pleasures">Lolly's little contest</a> about guilty pleasures! How exciting! Thank you so much <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/">Lolly</a>!<br /></div></div></div></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-14664137026327694392008-11-30T13:45:00.000-08:002008-11-30T13:45:01.008-08:00Last Day of November...<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3020851771/" title="Desk Flowers. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/3020851771_50c18a7772_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Desk Flowers." /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">30 Days Of Blogging. Check!<br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-69599928929865639652008-11-29T13:40:00.000-08:002008-11-29T13:40:00.623-08:00Pittsburgh Zoo.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2828113756/" title="Grrrr. Rocky the Kodiak. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2828113756_8f2b600f78_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Grrrr. Rocky the Kodiak." /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2828114846/" title="Tasty Leaf. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2828114846_1de0a409a6_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Tasty Leaf." /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2827287557/" title="Baby Elephant!!! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2827287557_c88c5900c1_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Baby Elephant!!!" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2828136604/" title="Yellow Tentacles. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2828136604_cfeb350857_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Yellow Tentacles." /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2828078002/" title="Hanging Out. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2828078002_bf4b384dd4_b.jpg" width="453" height="680" alt="Hanging Out." /></a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-79810484691837807952008-11-28T13:34:00.000-08:002008-11-28T13:34:00.571-08:00Flashback to Utah.These are photos from the roadtrip Eric and I took to Utah in April. That was a fun trip. Hopefully, I'm hitting the Utah slopes today, like in the third photo!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2405229292/" title="IMG_0956.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2054/2405229292_be9f79b9f3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0956.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2404409123/" title="IMG_0995.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2404409123_6fd6b3cf7b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0995.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2404420201/" title="IMG_1045.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2404420201_ec450473d0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1045.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2404348109/" title="DSC_0110.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/2404348109_0ddb3fc8c6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0110.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2405197734/" title="DSC_0042.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2405197734_87dddbafae.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0042.JPG" /></a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-82562469627154281452008-11-27T13:26:00.000-08:002008-11-27T13:26:00.765-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">HAPPY THANKSGIVING.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2920636617/" title="Droplets. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2920636617_cb852666f6_b.jpg" alt="Droplets." width="680" height="453" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am thankful for so many things...<br />Now it's time to eat turkey!<br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-2871075304673308902008-11-25T21:22:00.000-08:002008-11-26T13:26:06.843-08:00So close!!!I realized last night that my month of consistent blogging is in major peril. So far this month, I've blogged for 25 days straight (!?!?) which is quite a feat for me. I have NEVER, in my four years of blogging, been a regular blogger. But I have to admit... this blogging thing? It's pretty fun. I actually have plenty to say and even if I don't, I have manymanymany photos to throw up on this little corner of the interwebs.<br /><br />But I'm going on vacation starting this evening. Eric and I are driving up to Utah to ski and I'm not sure I'm going to have internet access. So I must coast out of my month of blogging. I will be scheduling some photos to go up, but it feels like cheating to just schedule photo posts for the last 5 days of the month. Oh well. Hopefully, I'll stick with blogging at a more regular pace than once a month. :) Have an awesome holiday weekend! See ya in December!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3060781307/" title="Desert Flower. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3060781307_0e238f519e_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Desert Flower." /></a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-46889820545606848992008-11-25T00:42:00.000-08:002008-11-25T07:54:28.746-08:00Hijack.I'm hijacking my own blog to show my sister some yarn color combos. Regular posting will resume tomorrow. :) Ok... in no particular order.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Option 1: Pros = all the same yarn / Cons = purple color is so-so<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3059146376/" title="Option 1. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/3059146376_dc39abf5c3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Option 1." /></a><br />Option 2: Pros = nice color combo / Cons = all different yarns<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3059145450/" title="Option 2. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/3059145450_4a75cdd061.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Option 2." /></a><br />Option 3: Pros = all the same yarn, bright purple / Cons = navy is not very dark<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3058310893/" title="Option 3. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/3058310893_17eb67be93.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Option 3." /></a><br />Option 4: Pros = cheapest / Cons = not so sure about the purple<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3058307485/" title="Option 4. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/3058307485_861b289b01.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Option 4." /></a><br />What do you think Kaylee?<br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-16713095466835997082008-11-24T22:14:00.000-08:002008-11-24T22:32:45.725-08:00Knitters in the Wild.<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend at JTree was fun. I allowed myself a weekend of selfish knitting and I restarted my Lady Eleanor stole. I've heard it said by others, but it's true... Entrelac is really addicting. Especially with Noro yarn. It's great incentive to knit the next square and see what color comes up next! One more square... just one more...<br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3057470245/" title="Lady Eleanor Restarted. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3057470245_13267c1f6c_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Lady Eleanor Restarted." /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Restarted with 55 sts on US8s. Puuuuurfect.</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3057470497/" title="Girls Knitting in the Wild. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/3057470497_783ccbb756_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Girls Knitting in the Wild." /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:85%;" >Knitting with some cool chicks: Jenna, me, & Elaine.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3058307098/" title="Joshua Tree Sunset. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3058307098_6009bc3a2b_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Joshua Tree Sunset." /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Beautiful sunset.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't actually do any rock climbing on belay, but the company and the landscape were well worth the trip. I have many more photos, so I'll post some more later. Good night!<br /></div></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-18422239618862075892008-11-23T08:13:00.000-08:002008-11-24T22:36:03.124-08:00On Top of the World.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2833728859/" title="IMG_3875.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2833728859_6419bd4be7_b.jpg" alt="IMG_3875.JPG" height="510" width="680" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:85%;" >White Chief Peak 11,159ft Sep 2008. </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2734998831/" title="IMG_3602.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2734998831_4e2066c0fb_b.jpg" alt="IMG_3602.JPG" height="510" width="680" /></a> <br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Alta Peak 11,204ft Aug 2008. </span></span><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/2694387075/" title="DSC_0373.JPG by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2694387075_ebd848f528_b.jpg" alt="DSC_0373.JPG" height="453" width="680" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Moro Rock July 2008.<br />.......<br />Some photos of high places. I'll be back from Joshua Tree tomorrow! Hopefully I'll have some sweet photos.<br /></span></span></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-39093640807808839392008-11-22T08:10:00.000-08:002008-11-22T08:10:01.309-08:00More Orchid Photos.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3047670620/" title="Orchid Blooms & Buds. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/3047670620_7c2bae10e6_b.jpg" alt="Orchid Blooms & Buds." height="453" width="680" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3047670532/" title="Another Bloom! by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/3047670532_e68a32212a_b.jpg" alt="Another Bloom!" height="453" width="680" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Sorry. Can't help it. She's photogenic.</span></span><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-56843265071237564962008-11-21T15:16:00.000-08:002008-11-21T15:20:26.778-08:00J Tree.I'm off to Joshua Tree this weekend to camp, rock climb, and photograph the wild landscape. I might even fit in some knitting! See ya Monday. Here are some pics from last year.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3049176748/" title="Joshua Tree. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/3049176748_264cee20fc_b.jpg" width="510" height="680" alt="Joshua Tree." /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3048336515/" title="Rock Group. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/3048336515_7778b95e56_b.jpg" width="680" height="510" alt="Rock Group." /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3048337005/" title="Climbing. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3048337005_d77731be0e_b.jpg" width="510" height="680" alt="Climbing." /></a><br /></div>Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050492.post-73668438793465724432008-11-20T22:06:00.000-08:002008-11-20T23:12:08.875-08:00Be Careful What You Wish For.I cracked! I couldn't take all the gift knitting... so far I've finished a pair of socks, a hat, 2.5 washcloths. That's pretty good progress, right? I deserve a little knitting love, too? Right?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3046835947/" title="Stole Beginnings. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/3046835947_b7f740e330_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Stole Beginnings." /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Whoops.</span></span><br /></div>So I started Lady Eleanor. All that pretty Noro was calling my name in it's silky, multi-hued voice. I would like large-ish squares for my stole, so I changed the pattern to 11 stitch squares on US7s, instead of 8 stitch squares. I cast-on for the recommended 7 triangles for the setup tier and happily knit away. I had great fun figuring out the entrelac and knitting backwards. Watching the pretty colors shift... While I was knitting I thought to myself, this is a bit too tight of a gauge... I wish it were a bit more drapey. But I was halfway into the 1st tier!! No way was I starting over. HA! I should know better than to <span style="font-weight: bold;">think</span> wishful thoughts. Even worse, I mentioned it to Gina at work today, warning that she might want to start her stole on US8s. Well, the knitting gods heard me. As I finished the 1st tier, I realized that the thing was a bit wiiiiide.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaebner/3046835789/" title="Too Wide. by manda.ebner, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/3046835789_89b2a187e6_b.jpg" width="680" height="453" alt="Too Wide." /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">30" wide is 6" too wide... I should have only done 5 set-up triangles (55sts).</span></span><br /></div>I guess I <span style="font-weight: bold;">will</span> get to knit it on US8s. That's what I get for wishful thinking. And cheating on my gift knits. Sigh.Mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698050137081682179noreply@blogger.com2