KnittyD is...

on vacation...

More to follow when I actually FEEL like typing...

My 600th post...and I've got CRABS!

No...not those kind of crabs! SICKOS!!!

These...





The Liebman's head down to Havre de Grace a few times each season to Price's for yummy crabs (covered in Old Bay of course), crab cakes, cream of crab soup and crab ice cream (just kidding). It was awesome...more photos...







And the best thing...this place has my FAVORITE beer from Scotland...

It was one happy, yummy day! Thanks Liebmans!!!

Trish got married!!!

My old and dear friend Trish recently eloped to Banff with her beau Arthur. In a lovely ceremony (I assume), they said their "I do's." It was perfect for these two love birds to be alone, on a mountain side, pledging their devotion to each other. The only thing that was missing, their friends and family.

So, last night, Trish's parents through a ROCKIN' party for the newlyweds. It was small, intimate and totally focused on celebrating Trish and Arthur (ie NOT the dress, flowers, photography, dj, favors etc.).

Congrats my friends! It was truly AWESOME to be part of the celebration of your marriage.

Welcome to the World Alex!!

Last night, I met my new BFF, Alexander Rana Mutreja; son of Carolyn and Ranu and little brother to Justin.

Alex looks identical to Justin in infancy...he loves his Auntie Bach

And his Auntie Trish:

And his Aunt Header...who hoped that baby Alex would coax little baby Klusimpson out of the womb...
He is lovely and amazing! My uterus is twitching...there it stopped!

The Party's Over

YEAH! We survived and had an awesome party...despite having to BBQ in the rain...

Thanks to Glen for trying (in vain) to keep me dry

Mike manned the charcoal grill and dealt with the suicidal hotdogs that chose to roll off the grill, rather than be eaten by hungry party goers.

Alan and Mike brave the elements

The food was great...I've never seen so many middle aged people fawn over a chocolate fountain so ferociously. We also had gorgeous fruit baskets from Edible Arrangements.

Here are more random party photos

Of course, little Petey's eyes are closed...

Juliana and Me! She has a white girl-fro!

So, yeah it is over and was a raging success. I am now retiring from my brief career as party planner extraordinaire.

In other Cape Cod news...it's humid, moist, wet, close...NASTY!

I often find myself wanting to retreat to the confines of the Captain's quarters where I am sleeping and pumping the A/C. Today, I napped with 5 beagles and sadly watch my Roger lose to Nadal in 5 stunning sets in the Wimbeldon final.

Heading home Tuesday...and will be back to Cape Cod in two and half weeks...hopefully it won't be so humid.

One week...

...since I last blogged and SOOOOO much has been going on!

Last Saturday, I made a skirt...a whole skirt. And, it fits (kinda...it's too big and I need to move the "button hole" that I wrap it through) But, I love it and it is gorgeous and comfy and I feel very accomplished. I'm planning on wearing it for my parents party next weekend.

Sunday, I went to the Phillies game with Car, Ranu, Trish, Arthur and Heather. We sat in the FRONT ROW on top of the Phillies dugout. Sure, we lost...but they were the most amazing seats EVER. I will post photos in a bit...but let's just say, I was able to do some quality stalking of Patty and Jason.

Monday Gus passed his therapy dog test! Congrats to Gussy! You are a ROCK STAR!

Last night, I finished the tote bags for mom, Ali, Grandma and Jenni. Then decided I needed to make a little girl bag for Juliana...which I'll work on tonight.

Now I'm getting geared up for Cape Cod next week and THE PARTY!!! Yeah!

Congrats to Trish and Arthur on their wedding! Can't wait to see the photos
Still no babies to brag about.

Shiba Date

Last night, I went over to my work pal Kathy's for sewing and Shibas. Shibas are Shiba Inu's; and Kathy has two of them. They are very special little doggies...

Meet Yoshi:

ans Tsuki :

Oh psycho eyes

They are very cute and fluffy and hairy. Their shedding reminded me of the way Maxie used to shed.

Sew, Kathy taught me how to make a zippered bag last night. Zippers are hard. I guess that with practice they get easier...and I did feel accomplished to have actually got the damn thing together. It matches my tote bag too!

Yeah for me! Will need guidance to make another FOR SURE!

This morning there was a cute little kitten in the office...hopefully today he will get a home. Meet Frankie

And a couple of days ago, Jacob and Julie came over to meet the beagles.


Isn't he handsome! We had a good time

I've also been knitting a lot...working feverishly on the February Lady Sweater.

Ode to the Seam Ripper

Since I've been sewing...all of about three weeks now, I have developed a close, personal relationship with the seam ripper. I encourage all new sewers to do the same, as this odd looking little device really is the most wonderful thing in the world of sewing. We don't have its equivalent in knitting...sure we frog things like mad, but there is something about actually DESTROYING the stitches that you have screwed up that is strangely therapeutic.

Last night I made two more pillows and I LOVE THEM! They were super easy. I used the "envelope pillow" pattern from S.E.W. Everything Workshop (a great book for beginners recommended to me by sewing com-patriot Kathy. I'm obsessed with them because I can actually follow the pattern and make something UNSUPERVISED. Very exciting.

Next up, a wrap skirt???

Tonight though, I'm knitting...laying in front of the air conditioner, watching the Phillies and knitting...

Please let this be the last day of the heat wave.

Sew Super--The Tote Bag

Trish and I completed, rather successfully, our beginning sewing class today.

Besides having to battle the crowds and closed streets thanks to the "UDUNDE" festival, we tolerated the heat, downed a couple of massive iced coffees and ROCKED IT OUT.

Not only did we complete our class project, a lined tote bag, but we came back to my "sewing/knitting/scrapping studio" and each made ANOTHER bag...Trish's for her sister and mine for momala.

Here is the fruit of our labor:

Yeah, we are taking orders...

Finn says goodnight...

HEAT WAVE!

It's official...Philly is headed for our first heat wave of the summer starting tomorrow. I've already made plans to spend the day in Carolyn's pool. Sunday will be spent at Spool (for my second beginning sewing class) and then in the air conditioning in my hobby space.

I've become a little obsessed with sewing, though officially I don't really get it. Some of the terms in the patterns are completely incomprehensible. And the dexterity required for certain things is beyond the managability of my fat fingers...but I press on. Press...get it.

Anyway, this morning I was watching "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on ESPN2. Now I have a big crush on Mike Greenberg...and this morning, is was solidified when he said this about my Phillies, "that team has a lot of heart...they are fun to watch." Thanks Mike. I love you. The Phillies get VERY little press on ESPN (its all Yankees, Red Sox and recently the Cubs), so I am touched.

Susan and I went to the "businessperson's special" yesterday and saw Cole Hamels pitch a gem of a three hitter and Ken Griffey Jr miss his 600th home run by about 2 feet. There were crab fries, Bull's BBQ and ice cream...it was awesome to play hookie.

Going to see "Sex and the City" later with El...then watch the Phillies take on the Braves while I sit in front of the air conditioner.

Stay cool!

Sand and Sewing

Today is my last day of vacation of the Cape...driving back to Philly does not count as vacation.

I took Finney to the beach yesterday. He is so shy around other (stranger) dogs. It is so strange since he is so active and playful with the rest of the pack here.

It was VERY windy at the beach. The sand was whipping around...so we didn't stay long. I snapped a few good shots...

The wind was really blowing those monster ears!


Dad and I also went to Sundae School for our inaugural Coffee Oreo Frozen Yogurt Hot Fudge Sundaes





YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

And, I've finished sewing 6 (yes SIX) pillows for my couch at home.

Mom decided that putting zippers in was the way to go (no hand stitching...I couldn't agree more...but I'm not ready for the zipper foot...so I let her handle that). The pillows are cute and fun and I feel like I've gotten some of the basics down (like putting the RIGHT sides together and sewing on the wrong side).

Another thing I don't love...ironing. Guess that is going to have to change since you have to press EVERYTHING...

God I look so serious sitting behind that sewing machine...

So today...packing...knitting...reading...sleeping...beagles...for one more day