Quickly...

... popping in!
I have a deadline looming so I am doing all I can to avoid distractions by anything bright and shiny. But.....

Knitting Daily's Wednesday mailing included not only a free pattern from Simple Style for the beautiful Twisted-V Pullover designed by Alice Halbeisen....

but also the first photograph I have seen of the design I contributed to Ann Budd's latest production!
The Stay-Put Wrap is pretty close to being an instant gratification project. Knit on 10us/6mm needles in yummy Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes, it is a low stress, almost mindless knitting project that creates an "impact garment" that goes with jeans and a T--- my choice--- or that LBD.
Even though Amazon has April as the publishing date it has arrived wonderfully early and is available now!!!!
I am really pleased with how the final project looks in print. I appreciate the “serenity” of the model… ahhhhh... simple... style...

Two more...

... for Kiva!
Oikhol,from Tajikstan, will be using her loan to purchase farming tools and fertilizer. Her bio shares, "working in fields brings her a lot of satisfaction" Can't you tell by her smile?


In the Ukraine, Oksana has plans to open a forth vending stall at her local market. Her wares are animal feed and accessories! Now that's diversification!!!

Pretty Thursday...

... thing!
I found knitalatte on Etsy and just had to share.....

Update...

... on Ebay!!
If you have had the time to visit my Ebay sellers site you may have noted that I am investing 10% of the proceeds of each sale into Kiva-- loans that change lives. Well, thanks to some crazy shopping by some fabulous yarnies, Anacleta-- a 3o year old Guatemalan weaver and single mother of two-- is one step closer to having a better life.
Click on the picture to find out more...

This is not good....

... this site could be a giant time and money suck for me!!!

Spoonflower.... how did I ever not come across you until just last week!!!???!!!
Imagine... designing your own fabric lounging in the garden... sipping on rhubarb spritzers... doodling on a laptop... no fuss... no mess... I call that Nirvana and a dream of a summer!

Oh, here's a small glimpse of "the book" progress...
This week it is about loving the Granny Square...
and Frog Tree Alpaca...
but not at the same time.
Believe me, it pains me more than you can imagine not being able to show you all the stuff that is being swatched and stitched and charted and planned for "Book 2010".

If you don't know about Frog Tree... you should!
Not only do Tricia and Chet offer fantastic quality natural fiber yarns in beautiful colours at a reasonable cost--- they do it working with not-for-profit spinners in South America with "funds from our project used to support worthy educational causes".
This is the new direction in knitting that makes my heart sing...

Help me...

... help you... help me!

Spring cleaning has begun in my studio and I am being merciless!!!
Starting today I will be having all sorts of "treasures" to spark creativity available for purchase on Ebay.
Yarns, buttons, books, patterns, fabrics, findings.... gawd only knows what I will be digging up!!

If you visit my Ebay merchant area , mags-kandis-stash, you will find that I am starting with only a sampling of my "collection" of Mission Falls 1824 Wool. I'll be adding more and different items as I sift through the archaeological dig of a studio space I occupy...
Happy shopping and knitting!

And the winner is...

... labibliotecaria !
Thank you... thank you... thank you to all of you for leaving your comments for a chance to win some luscious buttons!!
It was lovelier than I anticipated reading the wonderful button reflections you had!! It all boiled down to buttons old and new bring us joy and so they should!

Happy Groundhog Day!