THANK YOU SP!!! My SP is awesome. I really can't believe that this showed up on my doorstep today. Along with it came a note suggesting that this isn't my "real gift" from my SP. WHAT THE HECK? Are you kidding? I'd be perfectly happy if this is all I get. Oh, the power of the blog. Does anyone out there want to send me a double stroller? :) That's my next immediate need (beside another WIP--see next pic).  

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/thank-you-sp-my-sp-is-awesome.html

Here's FO #8 posing along with my chocolate. I absolutely loved knitting this (until I had to switch to dpns--it got a little too awkward). I couldn't wait to open the chocolate. Notice there's a bite missing on one already. Mmmm. 

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/heres-fo-8-posing-along-with-my.html

Here's the inside of the cap. Notice the chocolate is now gone. Mmmm. Since I've taken the pictures, I've eaten 5 pieces and 1 lollipop. I'm on a sugar high! THANK YOU SO MUCH, SP!!!!! 

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/heres-inside-of-cap.html

Scarves, shawls, socks, and sweaters (oh my)

The Crafty Conservative

I want to knit knit knit. But, what the heck do I do with some of this stuff when I'm done? I'm not the shawl-wearing type but I'm drawn to them! Do I become a shawl-wearer? What exactly IS the shawl-wearing type and why am I not one of them? How do I join the club?

Also, how many scarves can one person have? I have two but I only wear one. I'm thinking of frogging the other and making one that I'll like a little more. I know of some people that have five or more. I'm sure there are some knit enthusiasts that have even more than that. Can I justify having that many scarves and/or shawls?

Is my fashion going to be predicated by what I can knit for myself?

Scarves, shawls, socks, and sweaters (oh my)

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/scarves-shawls-socks-and-sweaters-oh.html

My new love...

The Crafty Conservative

I started making a stocking cap with a norwegian motif for my FIL. He wears caps every day and if I'm not mistaken, in the winter, he often sleeps in them. This blog entry isn't about whether or not my FIL is normal, although sometimes I seriously question whether or not that is the case. It's about how much I love knitting this cap.

I've never done a project that required color changes mid-row. This is my first one. I was worried about how to carry the yarn along the back (piece of cake!) and how it would look (almost as beautiful as the front!). I was worried about reading the chart (no problemo!) and my color selection (navy and cream). I'm worrying no longer! The hat is turning out to be absolutely gorgeous (pics to come) and I'm really enjoying the process of two color knitting. I've already started to think about tackling fair isle. It seems not so scary now.

My new love...

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/my-new-love.html

A Girl with the Pearl Earrings

The Crafty Conservative

Sugar Daddy doesn't read this blog. He knows nothing of my goal to wear jewelry. I did share Melessa's necklace story with him a few days ago, though. This morning when he came back from the airport, he said, "Hmmm. Pearl earrings. Inspired by Melessa?". I just smiled.

A Girl with the Pearl Earrings

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/girl-with-pearl-earrings.html

Dressing Up

The Crafty Conservative

Melessa at But I digress wrote a fabulous post about a necklace. I've known her for over ten years now (get outta here! How can that be?) and I know her family. I don't know if that made it more meaningful to me, or not, but I am so proud of you, girl!

Melessa's necklace post, along with sitting next to a fabulously dressed girl at church yesterday made me contemplate my own "fashion". I must use this term very lightly as what I wear could not truly be considered fashion. I dress up just enough not to get in trouble at work (even though we don't have a dress code...we're supposed to look a little professional for the students). If I didn't have to get dressed for my job, I doubt I would get dressed at all. As soon as SD gets a job and we move, I'll be a full-time SAHM. I can really see myself "letting myself go" (more than I have already). This is very scary to me. So, I'm going to do something about it.

I have lots of great jewelry. Okay, not great. But, okay. I'm going to wear it. I'm going to wear some piece of jewelry everyday. Jewelry doesn't go with sweats so I'll avoid those. I always feel better about myself when I look good. And, gosh darn it, I usually get more done, too. There you have it. I thank you, Melessa. I thank you, fashionable lady at church. I think my husband will thank you, too.

Dressing Up

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/dressing-up.html

Sweater Vest Update

The Crafty Conservative

Sugar Daddy leaves this afternoon for his first scheduled interview. It's at the University of Texas-Arlington. Out of the schools that he applied to, it's one of the lowest ranked. But, it's in a great location for us. We love the Dallas area and it's close to home (Oklahoma)...but not too close. I'm really hoping that when it comes down to accepting an offer, it will be an easy decision.

We checked the weather forecast for Arlington and it should be around 70 degrees while he is there. So, I gave up working like a maniac on the sweater vest. I could have finished if knitting was all I did last night. I have to finish the edging around the last armhole and sew on the buttons. It could also use a good blocking. So, by the time SD comes home from his interview, it should be good to go.

His next interview isn't scheduled until March 8th. That's the one at the State University of New York-Stony Brook. The dilemma with that one: it's a higher ranked university with a very serious cost of living issue. We'd have to make double whatever we get paid in Arlington to be able to have the same lifestyle. I seriously doubt that would happen. I also know the decision won't come down to just rank and cost of living either. He could only get one offer. That would make it easy. Or no offer at all. Although, I doubt that. SD is a genius with awesome research ideas and multiple funding opportunities (so he says...ha ha). He will also want to feel comfortable with the department. That's how we ended up here for grad school instead of MIT or Georgia Tech (both higher-ranked for his program). He loved his professor, we loved the area, and the price was right.

Considering the fact that I have no idea where we'll be living after this summer, I'm doing quite well. I was much more nervous about the grad school move. But, I think that was because I was trying to find my very first teaching job and was in a time crunch for a decision. This move, I can just go with the flow. I'm not going to work. I just want to find a good area to raise our kids (by then it will be PLURAL!!! YEAH!).

Sweater Vest Update

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/sweater-vest-update.html

This post brought to you by the letter "Y" and the number "7"

The Crafty Conservative

Frog is busy watching Sesame Street. He loves that show. He has one SS DVD that he likes so sometimes when the actual TV show is on he tries to use the DVD player to skip to his favorite songs. He only gets a little upset when that doesn't work during live TV. He has also started eating saltine crackers like the Cookie Monster complete with 'yum yum yum yum yum'. Cute, but messy.

FYI: if you thought it was impossible to win Spider Solitaire at the difficult setting (4 suits), it's not! I've won more than once now. Oh, my life is complete. Now if only I can get to the top levels of Pinball.

This post brought to you by the letter "Y" and the number "7"

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/this-post-brought-to-you-by-letter-y.html

Ode to Diet Cherry Coke

The Crafty Conservative

Is it wrong that I love Diet Cherry Coke so much that I'm willing to blog about it? Probably. Most people know me as the queen of Diet Pepsi. That's my drink of choice. However, Pepsi has yet to come out with a diet cherry version. Until it does (I will willingly switch back to my first love, Pepsi), I'm forced to become a Coke drinker. I won't feel guilty about it, either. Should I write to Pepsi and tell them of my moral dilemma? If only they came up with their own...

In the meantime, I'll drink Diet Cherry Coke. Mmmmm. Or I should say, more appropriately, ahhhhhh.

*note to my SP* Are you in an area that has See's Candies? They want to charge me an insane amount ($12!!!) to ship a $13 box of chocolates. It's not even warm weather (at least not here). This is just a tiny plea if you are where they sell it. If you're not, then don't even think about getting me some. Heck, even if you are, you don't have to think about getting me some. Who am I to tell you what to send? But, I know I appreciate some feedback from my SPal-ee every now and then. I'm in love with Nuts & Chews (milk chocolate krispys and milk chocolate molasses chips are great, too!). I don't even want a whole box. That's just a little too decadant for me. Just a few pieces to get me through. I don't consider myself a chocoholic or anything, but I haven't been able to get the desire for this candy out of my head for weeks! When she was alive, my grandma used to buy us some every year for Valentine's Day (we used to live in CA). Maybe that's why I've been thinking I need some. That's it.

Ode to Diet Cherry Coke

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/ode-to-diet-cherry-coke.html

Surprises

The Crafty Conservative

I hate surprises. Wait...maybe I just don't have patience. I hate waiting for surprises. If you send me a wrapped present for Christmas and it arrives on December 1st, it will be opened on December 1st. Why wait? That's my motto. That's a big contrast to what SD has been growing up with. His dad's motto: "Delay gratification". What the heck for? I'm just as excited about my presents when I open them as I would be on the actual date. I just have more time to enjoy them if I open them early.

SD had something up his sleeve for Valentine's Day. He's been working on it for weeks. Did I mention I hate surprises? So, I've been snooping around. SD thinks that this is wrong. He wants me to just leave it alone and enjoy the *in my mind* potentially very embarrassing surprise that he is cooking up. Hello? I hate surprises.

SD had some accomplices. They kept calling and talking cryptically. One actually stopped by to drop off something that SD immediately hid. He's not too smooth, though. I know where he hid it and right after he left the house I promptly began to snoop. I found lyrics and music to Chris de Burgh's "mega" hit, "The Lady in Red". I had just purchased some lovely new red silky pj's for V-day (which I had already shown SD...because I can't wait, EVER!) and I thought that he had told his accomplices and that's what this was about. He assured me this was not the case. I later found out that it really wasn't. Good boy.

Hmmm...Lady in Red lyrics and music, at least 3 other accomplices. One hour "meeting" at the church with these accomplices. Barbershop quartet? Could that be it? I told SD that's what I thought. He denied it. But, he's as bad at lying as I am at not snooping.

Yesterday morning, SD spilled the beans. He figured I knew enough of the "surprise" anyway (I did, although they really were only hunches). His "group" was going to serenade the four wives with an arrangement of "The Lady in Red". He would need to be gone for an hour to be able to make it to all of the different houses. I told him I hate surprises and why was he doing this to me? He said it wasn't his idea but it sounded like fun and why am I such a spoil sport?

At 8:10pm last night, they arrived at the house. They began to sing. I didn't wear red. It was actually really good. They put a lot of work into it. SD did the 4 part arrangement himself (he has a real talent for that). Frog was dancing and clapping. I was cracking up at Frog's dancing (pelvic thrusts and bum wiggling...er, I don't know where he learned that). The song ended, quick kiss, quick goodbye, they were off to the next victim's house. I truly was impressed and I can honestly say that it wouldn't have been any better had I been truly surprised. So, really, what's the point of waiting?

*I'd like to remind everyone that my 30th birthday is April 11th. You should know that it's okay to send gifts at any time between now and then.* :)

Surprises

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/surprises.html

And the winner is...

The Crafty Conservative

Leslie!!! Leslie picked the name that SD and I decided was the best for our family. What's the name? Eva. Okay, technically, her choice was Ava. But, we're gonna go with the Spanish spelling and pronounciation. It's biblical (which SD and I love) and has an hispanic quality which we were going for. We haven't chosen a middle name yet but I'm pretty sure Eva is a definite keeper for the first name. If it's a boy? Joshua Charles.

Honorable mention: Tiffany for reminding me about Christany Ann.

The names that made the cut: Eva, Elisabeth, Grace, Elena, Olivia, Lily, and Lucy.

Thanks to all for the entries. We had 35 names to choose from. A package will be on its way to Leslie soon (email me your mailing address at sra_nelson (at) yahoo (dot) com). She can look forward to a journal and 2 skeins of mohair.

And the winner is...

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/and-winner-is.html

Here's our little Frog on his birthday. This is before he got down and dirty in his cake but I chose this pic because it shows the plate I made for him. I made it last year for his 1st birthday. He'll get to use it every year for his cake. It's a tradition I'm glad I started and one that I will continue with the rest of the kids as they come.  

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/heres-our-little-frog-on-his-birthday.html

Here's a picture of the booga bag that I mentioned in some earlier posts. I really like the way it turned out. I made it with Noro Kureyon #102.  

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/heres-picture-of-booga-bag-that-i.html

FO #7 This is the "Airy Scarf" from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. It's not blocked or anything in this picture. But, it does look really nice in person.  

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/fo-7-this-is-airy-scarf-from-last.html

Don't mind me...just a general update.

The Crafty Conservative

You have one more day to enter the Name the Baby contest! Go here for all the details. Things are coming along with the baby preparations. We paid the money and we should be okay to make it through the month. Now all we have to do is wait and see what happens. I spoke with the birthmother yesterday and she is anxious to deliver. I assured her that we are too!

I've been itching to start a new project but I'm having a hard time being inspired. I don't have anything in mind. I'd love to knit a baby dress but I don't even know if this baby is going to be a girl. So, I'm going to reserve casting on until after the birth.

I have a deadline now to finish the "I'm going to be a professor" sweater vest. SD's first on-site interview is at SUNY-Stony Brook on March 8th. I know, I know. Our baby is due March 3rd. I'm going to be alone with a newborn and the Frog. But, I'm tough. Plus, these interviews are so important! We really want a job. However, I don't know much about life on the north shore of Long Island, New York. I do know it's expensive. But, wherever we go we'll have a cost of living increase, I'm sure. Maybe not Fayetteville, Arkansas.

I have lots of pics to post but we haven't gotten around to uploading them to the computer. Laziness. Chock it up to all-out laziness. That's been my only excuse these days. Oh, and that I haven't been able to breathe out of both nostrils for a couple of weeks and I've been living on cough drops just so I can talk. Other than that, I'm just lazy.

Don't mind me...just a general update.

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/dont-mind-mejust-general-update.html

I WON I WON I WON!!!

The Crafty Conservative

If you haven't heard about "Knitters Without Borders", where have you been? Oh my! Stephanie, aka Yarn Harlot has been giving away stuff for days to those of us that donated to Doctors Without Borders. I gave. I received. I am the new proud owner of a needle case (which I have been wanting and needing). The gallon ziploc bag I've been using is about to be retired! You can check out a pic of them here.

I'm the luckiest girl alive.

I WON I WON I WON!!!

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/i-won-i-won-i-won.html

We interrupt this "adoption" blog for some knitting...

The Crafty Conservative

For the contest, go here.

I was sick most of the weekend and after I got over my feelings of intense slothfullness, I decided to do some knitting. I'm almost to the neck shaping on the back of Sugar Daddy's "I'm gonna be a professor" sweater vest. I'm using Cascade 220. I love it. It's knitting up rather nicely. The worst thing is the guage...7 rows per inch! Ouch! I think it ends up being around 24-25" long. That's a lot of rows. Oh well. It is going to be a most excellent sweater vest.

HELP!!! I've been desperately trying to find a pattern for a Harry Potter sweater. You know, the ones Mrs. Weasley makes for all her kids and Harry? There was a Weasley-a-long but I haven't been able to find any place that carries the pattern anymore. There aren't any on eBay. What can I do? I want to make these for my 10 and 11 year old brothers for Christmas. I guess I could just make a raglan sweater and make my own chart for the letter. I want to make an "S" and a "J". Any suggestions?

I'm starting to get a box together to send to my Secret Pal. For obvious reasons, I can't let you know what I'm sending. BUT...it's really hard for me not to want to keep all of the goodies for myself.

I'm missing our local SnB meeting AGAIN! I'm really starting to get upset. I was out of town for two, sick for one, and now I have a committment at school to keep me from tonight's. We're celebrating World Languages Week this week and there is a big production tonight called "One Community, Many Cultures". In this town, it's really true. I love living in a community with a university. There is going to be lots of food and my students came up with a "dramatic interpretation" of the song "Escapar" by Enrique Iglesias. Should be fabulous! So, I guess it is a good cause as to why I'm missing SnB again, but only the birth of our baby can keep me from the next one!

We interrupt this "adoption" blog for some knitting...

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/we-interrupt-this-adoption-blog-for.html

Money money money money....MONEY!

The Crafty Conservative

Unfortunately, this is what we need to continue with our adoption plans. For the contest...go here.

This is not a plea for money. You don't have to feel sorry for me or try and send me any (I will accept Hershey's Nuggets milk chocolate w/ almonds and toffee---ha ha). That's not what this post is about. It's just a little mini-rant about what I'm dealing with at the moment.

SD is getting his PhD at Purdue. They pay us surprisingly well. I teach part-time (as does SD). We're not going to starve and I'll still be able to buy some yarn here and there (whew!). But, now that we have a birthmother, we have to pay a lot of things up front which means large lump sums all in one month. OUCH! If it were spread out over 2-3 months we would barely be able to "feel the pinch". Compared to the Frog's adoption, this one is a BARGAIN! Alas...I need to send $1500 out to random people (lawyers, agencies, etc...) TODAY. Looks like I'll be going back to the credit cards we haven't been using for over a year (in our effort to get rid of debt).

I must admit...this is all TOTALLY worth it. I'll just consider it my "hospital bill".

Money money money money....MONEY!

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/money-money-money-moneymoney.html

NAME THE BABY...a contest

The Crafty Conservative

Why is it that my Sugar Daddy won't agree to any girl names that I suggest? It's not that he won't agree to use any, it's that he won't come up with any of his own. I don't think he should be allowed to veto until he has at least put 2 names into the mix. Oh well. I've decided to do a contest on my blog. Here are the rules...

1. We only want girl names (we've decided on a boy name and any other suggestions may cause another war).

2. Please use the comments (make sure I know how to get a hold of you) or email me at sra_nelson at yahoo dot com. Subject line should be "Name the Baby".

3. The winner will be determined by me and Sugar Daddy. If we agree that the name should be "in the running", you win. I must tell you, SD is VERY PICKY!!!

4. Enter as many names as you'd like (up to 10).

5. The name cannot end with an "N" or an "N" sound (like Caroline or Susan).

6. The contest will end on Feb. 11th. The winner will be announced on my blog (and I'll notify the winner by email) on Feb. 12th.

7. What will you win? You'll just have to trust me that the prize is worth it! It will be!

Good luck!

NAME THE BABY...a contest

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/02/name-babya-contest.html