Tips for taking your knitting travelling

I receive the Knitting Daily newsletter (subscribe at http://www.knittingdaily.com/) and a recent newsletter contained these great tips for taking your knitting (and I'm sure, crochet, too) travelling!

This is a summarized version ... if you'd like full version, visit Knitting Daily here. (you may need to login to view)

1. Pick easy projects. "Easy" here is a relative term ... be honest with yourself about your skill level and choose projects that you can knit without having to give a lot of attention.

2. Pick small-ish projects. The smaller the project, the easier it will be to knit while you're traveling.

3. Choose your tools wisely. Socks are my number one project for knitting on the go ... for longer travel, I usually opt for Magic-Loop — nothing like making friends with everyone on an airplane as you attempt to chase down a dropped dpn.

4. Organize everything. ... whatever you use, make sure it has some sort of closure. Placing your knitting projects in bags also protects them from getting roughed up in transit.

5. Keep a notebook handy.Having your notebook and pen or pencil nearby ensures that you can make a quick note of your stopping point, or jot down any modifications you make on the go.

6.  Most importantly, relax!

Coupon Code - 20% off my Etsy Shops!!!

That's right!

on May 30, 2011 ONLY, use the Coupon Code

REJUVENATION20

to save 20% off your purchase price

in any of my 3 Etsy Shops!!

ennadoolf

PatternsAndSuch

VintageAndSuch

 

This is to celebrate the Etsy-versary of Patterns And Such.

Simply type the coupon code at checkout and your total will be automatically reduced.

Shop Grand Rejuvenation!!

May 30th! Mark that Date!

I’m working towards a GRAND REJUVENATION of my PatternsAndSuch shop for May 30th - my Etsy-versary - and I plan to have LOTS of new patterns (and such)!!

Check my blog for an exclusive coupon code valid at ALL my Etsy shops on May 30th only!!

Please share this news – the more new people to follow my blog, the better the discount in the coupon code!!

And, if that's not enticing enough, I’ve added a new CLEARANCE section to my PatternsAndSuch shop!!!

Check it out!

Who's Filming A Movie Outside My House?

Got home today and as I was gathering my things, I watched 3 vehicles turn onto my street ... very slowly.  Hm, my radar was immediately active!  I noticed all 3 vehicles had U.S. licence plates.  Hm, were they lost?

The vehicles pulled over and parked a few doors down.  Two men crossed the street to throw trash into the trash can at the bus stop (thank you, Strangers for keeping our city clean!). As they crossed back, I asked them if they needed directions.  They said no, and I noticed one carrying a movie camera!!

So of course I had to take photos to show everyone what was happening!  The gentleman in the suit walked down the driveway of a nearby church .. and they filmed him. 

Nothing too exciting, no car chase, no "fight", no real "action" at all.

But still!  A movie!  Being filmed near my house!!

Don't Let the Rain Get You Down!

Don't let the rain get you down!

Have an awesome day!

Don't Waste Water, We Need It - Perspective of a Brownie

A Brownie in the US Girl Scouts created this website.

Don't Waste Water We Need It!

She completed the Wow! Wonders of Water Journey portion of her Brownie Program.

Please visit and leave her a comment.

How long should this scarf be?

Hi everyone!

So far, this scarf is approx. 10"x68" (25.5cm x 173cm)- how long should I make it???

(I put blue paper under it to show the lace pattern.)

Please leave a comment with your suggestions! 

 

How close am I to being finished??

 

I look forward to hearing from you!!

The Great Ride - 30 Years

I am participating in Great Ride 'n' Stride in Oxford County to support the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society.

This is my 30th year taking part!

 

Last year I learned London would no longer be hosting this event, so I'm heading to Thamesford this year! Thamesford is where the Great Ride originated! So it feels right to be there for my 30th year.

The money raised from this event helps fund leading-edge cancer research that is improving cancer treatments, preventing cancer and saving lives; provide reliable and up-to-date information on cancer, risk reduction and treatment; offer vital community-based support services for people living with cancer and their families; and advocate for healthy public policies.

The weather doesn't look like it's going to cooperate though - calling for, ugh, snow!  And I'm recuperating from a terrible cold, so I may have to postpone my ride and complete it next weekend.  I will be completing a 20km ride this year.  Years ago the London ride was 20km and when the route was moved from the streets to the bike paths, it was reduced to 10km; later it was reduced to 5kms when it was moved to Springbank Park - I was thrilled to discover that Thamesford still has a 20km route so whether I ride on Sunday or next weekend, that's what I'll be tackling this year!!

Hope it's good weather!!

Great Ride - my 30th!

I am participating in Great Ride 'n' Stride in Oxford County to support the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society.

This is my 30th year taking part!

Last year I learned London would no longer be hosting this event, so I'm heading to Thamesford this year! Thamesford is where the Great Ride originated! So it feels right to be there for my 30th year.

The money raised from this event helps fund leading-edge cancer research that is improving cancer treatments, preventing cancer and saving lives; provide reliable and up-to-date information on cancer, risk reduction and treatment; offer vital community-based support services for people living with cancer and their families; and advocate for healthy public policies.

Please pledge me and help me reach my fundraising goal!
Click the BLUE "SUPPORT ANNE" and complete your pledge now.
Every pledge takes us one step further in the fight against cancer. Online pledging is secure and it saves the Canadian Cancer Society money by reducing administrative costs.

Thanks for your support!

8:30 Mar.26 - Earth Hour

Saturday March 26 at 8:30 p.m.

Turn off your lights for Earth Hour.

Let's be good to our earth.

Flowers for Spring

Flowers for Spring

I was inspired when I found The Sisterhood of the Flower group on facebook ...

... and then found the tutorial at Dawn's blog - though we've changed it up a bit and instead of making a fabric-covered button we make a tiny yoyo and a button. 

Oh, and use dental floss - it's so much stronger!

They are rather addictive and fun so I'll enjoy them now and then as a break from knitting and crochet! 

I don't think I'll be making them for my etsy shop but they're still a fun little thing to work on every now and then.

Aw, my Poor Magnolia!!!

Darn those critters!

I think it might have been bunnies.

The snow melted and look at my Magnolia!!!

I am not so sure it will survive this. 

I'm so bummed.

I'm not much of a gardener so when I have a beautiful plant/bush/tree, I really treasure it. 

And we'd never had to do anything to protect our Magnolia before so finding that something had chewed all round the trunk is pretty sad.

Here are some blooms to remember .. and hope for a miracle that the Magnolia survives.

 

Thankfully I do have my photos ... I have more available in my etsy shop ~ ennadoolf ~ to keep my flowers year 'round.

Spring Ahead!

Ack!  We're going to lose an hour's sleep tonight! 

At least it means Spring is on its way!

So, before you go to bed, or as soon as you get up - remember to set your clocks ahead!!

Tips When Visiting the Dominican Republic

I received these recently and thought I'd share. If you have any tips you'd like to share, please leave a comment!

And if you've travelled to the Dominican and are wishing you were back on vacation, you need one of my Caribbean Memories dishcloths to remind you of your vacation while back at home!

TIPS:

Bring pen in carry-on to fill out customs/tourist info on the plane

 

All visitors Must get a Mandatory $10 US cash only Tourist Card Upon Arrival.

All visitors Must pay $20 US per person when leaving the Dominican Republic.

Make a couple of photocopies of the identification page of your passport. Leave one photocopy at home and take one with you, but keep it in an separate place to your passport.

The resort will keep a copy of your hotel confirmation (attached to your e-ticket, so be sure to print a copy for them)

Take a travel mug with stainless steel inside & lid - this will keep your drinks extra cold and also keep sand and bugs out of it.

Pack a swim suit and flip flops in your carry on. When you arrive at the resort your room may not be ready.

Clothes pins to hang your swim suit.

Watch as your luggage is put on your bus, get on the bus and relax and see the countryside on the way to your resort and watch to be sure your luggage is taken off the bus!

Men be sure to bring one pair slacks for a la carte restaurants

Bring $1 US dollar bills for tips (such as for maids, person who fills the fridge in your room, bartenders, waiters, bell hops etc.)

US funds widely accepted at hotel or when out shopping. If you are planning any souvenirs US dollars are accepted by everyone

There is lots of food at the resort. There is always a restaurant open somewhere and usually room service but if you crave snacks like potato chips, etc. you may want to bring some along.

Voltage the same as North America so no adaptor necessary

Bringing a floatie for the pool might be fun - and you can leave it behind for others to enjoy after you leave.

There are lots of activities at all resorts to keep you busy, but if you like, bring a book or magazine - or your knitting!  :)

My First Official Crochet Project

 My first official crochet project!

This is my first “real” project after learning to crochet a few weeks ago.

Since I need to make 2, I thought I’d work on both at the same time just to make sure they turn out the same.

I am using the recommended hook size and some yarn from my stash that is just a worsted weight or so. I wanted to see the size I would make with these since my gauge is not very good, etc.

For my first project, it’s not too bad. I know it is full of mistakes but I just kept going as I’m not good enough yet to recognize errors or fix them. I did not use a contrasting colour for the loop to minimize anyone noticing the errors. :) hehe

For the next pair I will go to a smaller hook and/or a lighter weight of yarn to make the smaller pair that I was asked to make.

Here is the pattern for these Mary Jane Slippers.

I really enjoyed this pattern and have switched to a smaller hook - 4.5 mm - and a smaller yarn and have started the next pair ... one at a time this time!

Visit me on Ravelry to watch my progress.

I may also post updates on my facebook page.