viva las vegas

We're back from our Vegas trip! We went out there for a couple of days while my mom attended a hair show. We played a little bit of roulette and blackjack; my stepdad and Tony learned how to play "Let it Ride". We ate dinner at Roy's (Hawaiian fusion cuisine) one night and had some of the BEST fish ever! Got to see the "Ka" Cirque de Soleil show at the MGM Grand hotel which was simply amazing. Ate dinner at The Social House at our hotel (Treasure Island) and sat at a table next to an Ultimate Fighting Championship guy, Tito Ortiz (we didn't know who he was but the waiter told us). Funny enough, his entourage consisted of a dozen VERY good looking (i.e. fake boobies and big muscles) people so I said that it was probably a group of porn stars and Tony thought they were wrestlers. We were close! Tito's girlfriend is porn star Jenna Jameson - go figure! Anyway, we had a great time in Vegas. Didn't quite hit the jackpot but didn't lose the shirts off our backs either. It was fun hanging out with mom & Mike, plus we both got haircuts from mom in their bathroom at the Bellagio! :)

Oh and we saw Elvis. Listening to an iPod. Only in Vegas.

One thing that eight hours of flying time is good for is knitting. Alas, my new project -- a pullover type of shawl knitted on circular needles. I'm using this really pretty Noro yarn called Silk Garden in color #243 and 36" size 10 circular needles. I didn't have the pattern to start it with, so I cast on something like 220 stitches. My friend Jill and I are doing this at the same time. At first, we both cast on what seemed like very few stitches (i.e. it wouldn't fit around our shoulders) which is why I started over. We just got the book back in stock at the shop and I looked up the pattern. Turns out that you're only supposed to cast on 158 stitches, so mine may be a little loose. Oh well! The striping is turning out really neat - can't wait to see what it will look like in the end. Check back in about 6 months - hopefully I'll have it done by then -- LOL!

K2 P2

K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2 P2 K2

Alas, the fiancee's long awaited scarf is now FINISHED!!!!

[insert HUGE sigh of relief]

Yes, thank goodness I finally got the friggin' thing done. Enough with the K2 P2 ribbing. Man, that was kind of tough. But worth it I think. He likes it. That's all that matters, right?

It came out skinnier than I had hoped for, but I guess that happens when you rib. And why does it look shiny greaty in this photo? I used the Lion Cashmere Blend yarn in black and charcoal and it is really soft. Cast on 42 stitches on size 5 double pointed needles (it was all I had on hand at the time). About a gazillion stitches later -- voila! A 4 foot, 4 inch scarf. Them are some seriously small stitches. Yes, definitely bigger needles next time.

Now on to the next project! :)

so much to do ...

The new year brings so many things to my "to do" list. Or, I should say, there are so many things I have discovered lately that I have that "I totally HAVE to do this!" attitude. So many knitting projects, card ideas, things to check out ... the list goes on and on.

Plus, I've been on this lovely drug called Prednisone lately. One of the side effects is hyperactivity.

And boy, let me tell ya ... I've been running on fumes this past week without sleep! I think I've averaged 4 hours a night. Seriously. I get a rush at 11 pm to wanna stay up and work work work. I gotta move move move. Then 3 am comes around and I crash crash crash. Freaky.

So tomorrow is the day that I take the very last pill and I'm a teensy bit afraid what I'm going to be like tomorrow night. I think I might pass out at like seven or something really early like that.

And on that note, let's just say that I'm glad I've managed to get a TON of things done in the past week thanks to el drug, including a special request of 45 bridal shower invitations. Almost done knitting the fiancee's long awaited winter scarf. [Yes, I know it's winter now. Yes, I know I should be working on that instead of my blog right now.] Updated my MySpace layout and photo. Designed a bunch of cards. And don't forget - I updated my blog! LOL

Also wanted to send a shout out to a couple of customers real quick. You all should check out Marissa's blog - she and her husband do restaurant reviews like yours truly. And hello to Cathie - hopefully you've found this page via my website.

Oh and a special CONGRATS goes out to my friend Susan and her hubby Eric -- she's prego! Yay!!!

And last - but most certainly not least - a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish out to my friend Renee who's birthday is this Sunday. Oh and to my future mother-in-law who's birthday is on the 24th. Oh and to you too, Norma. :-)

Now where is that darn scarf I need to finish ...

new valentine stamps

First, thanks to everyone that took the time to vote in the A Muse reader gallery contest. I won 2nd place! I was so tickled to read that the owner's mom really liked the card!

Speaking of A Muse ... we received their new line of Valentine stamps the other day and I managed to whip up these three cards. I really like the monster duo, as strange as they may seem!

So many more ideas swimming around in my head!

Oh and GO PATRIOTS!!!