Birthday Club

May is my birthday month. And this year marks one of those significant milestones in life (but I’m not telling which, lol). To celebrate with you, I am starting a Birthday Club at the Jackie E-S / HeartStrings Fan Group on Ravelry.

HeartStrings pattern #A70 Knitted RibbonsJust be sure to have your birthday (month and day) entered into your Ravelry profile. Even if your birthday is not in May, enter it now if you have not already done so. That way you won’t forget when your birthday month comes up.

Continue to actively participate in the group throughout the year. Then sometime during your birthday month I will send a gift coupon for a HeartStrings pattern of your choice. Of course, we want to hear which one you decide on – do share!

Also, let your friends know about joining HeartStrings Fan Group on Ravelry. The more the merrier at the birthday party!

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2nd Sock Syndrome – Not Really

I had a very nice comment from a reader who had seen the photo of my Country Girl Socks made in Sour Ball Sock-Ease. Of course, it is always a thrill hearing from knitters (or even others just inspired by the beauty of knitted art) taking the time to write me with kudos.

Anyway, the gist of the comment was about the inspiration to the person new to sock knitting. I am always happy to be an enabler to new sock knitters! She said:

I loved your socks. Your photos are beautifully done, and the time you took to photography them with the white back drop etc. sets them apart. Your work is beautiful, and its nice to see such lovely work photographed so well.

I am new to sock knitting, my 17 year old daughter (whom I taught to knit) and my other daughter who is 20 both knit circles around me, and I am thrilled to see them do so well with knitting. My 17 yr. old is a sock queen and knit monkeys, a pair at a time on magic loop. She inspires me!

Thanks for the look at your beautiful socks.

How can I not be pumped up about that? It really makes the day.

And … This reminded me that I still had this sock!

Originally I had made the single sock just so I had a model to photograph for a special edition pattern for Lion Brand (i.e. a republication of the original pattern Country Girl Socks I published in 1997 where the model is made in hand spun yarn). Although I’ve knitted other models in commercially available solid colored yarns, and once in a multi-color, I’ve also liked the way this design had worked up in the Sour Ball multi-color (Lion Brand had me test their new Sock-Ease yarn before it was available to the general public, so this was a bit over 3 years ago!).

Since I no longer need to keep this sock pristine for exhibit and photography purposes, I am planning to work up the 2nd sock and use the pair for ME. Yes, something for myself! What do you think the chances of me matching gauge/size of something I made 3 years ago? Oh well, my feet are not quite the same size either, lol.

Country Girl Socks in Lion Brand Sock Ease, color Sour Ball

p.s. I do appreciate anyone taking time to seed me constructive comments as well — I know that the reality of things is that I am not perfect nor can please all of the people all of the time, but I do listen and do what I can to address concerns if you have them. But hopefully we can all knit happy!

 

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Hand-mashed potatoes

Does anyone do hand-mashed potatoes anymore?  There is an incredible textural substance and appeal for me in something like this — especially when the potato skins are left on (attributing that to making it a healthier dish for all those carbs I am going to enjoy). Besides, pounding that manual potato masher down into the pot really drives off any frustrations and stress from the day, lol.

There are no photos tonight because I am typing as I eat. Some garam marsale (Indian spice mixture), cayenne, shopped banana pepper (from the garden) along with the usual ground sea salt and black peppercorns make the taste buds perk up, too. Wish you were here to enjoy some with me!

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