EOM

"EOM" is the abbreviation my company uses for "End of the Month". This month has been a weird one weather-, work-, and other- wise. On one hand I'm glad it's over. On the other hand, I wish I had enjoyed May more - it has always been one of my favorite months.

In 29 days, I'm on "Family Vacation" with the CatMan, my parents, siblings, and their children. Today I nicknamed it the "Chicken Vacation" because I plan on marinating and baking myself. It's good to have a plan, eh? I scored a bathing suit on loan (I really don't want to spend $100.00 on something I'll wear for a week and then never again) and all I have left to do is rent the car and burn a few more CDs for the trip.

I also have to plan the trip's knitting bag - the drive will be 14 hours each way (done over the course of 2 days). In addition, my nieces have politely suggested THIS would be the time to teach them to knit. Maybe I'll need a "knitting suitcase"...

Oh the indignity of it all

I just figured out why the June/July Opal sock yarn appealed to me:

Queen Cashew was not as flattered as I thought she'd be.

Here's some progress on my Hip2BSquared Tote. The front panel is made up of 12 mitered squares. I soaked, then blocked this section to get a true read for the panel that will act as the sides and bottom of the bag. This section is measuring at 12" x 15" and I'm gauging the side panel to be about 8". I think these measurements will give me a useful but not unwieldy tote.

The CatMan and I are attempting to enjoy the long weekend - last night we cooked out with friends, tonight is the roast beef dinner fundraiser for a local fire department, and tomorrow might be lunch at the Shed if the weather holds out. Enjoy the holiday!

Just around the corner

Our colors for the next two months are red, black, and metallics.

I've decided on Oat Couture's Tee in some Classic Silk (cotton/silk/nylon blend)

(this is the very cool flooring in my kitchen - see what I mean about its most excellent camo abilities?)

And socks for June/July will be fun golden and black tiger stripes - did you really expect me to do true metallics?

Orange you glad I'm done?

I know I am!

Before:

Scary, huh? The wallpaper is a lovely little vinyl number in yellow, olive, and orange floral stripes. The flooring was the whole mustard spectrum - brown, yellow, and Dijon. Hello 70's! Where is that Seals and Croft album anyway?

Today:

Wall color: Exciting Orange by Sherwin Williams. Trim: Popcorn White by Glidden. Mmmm..soft orange (think cantaloupe in the AM light, adobe in the PM light) with french vanilla trim. The flooring is a wonderful cathair/food/mud concealing linoleum that resembles slate. I love my kitchen now!

Linked up to join The Nester's Paint Party!

Next up? Repainting the entire upstairs (did I tell you about the cobalt blue trim??)

Been Eyre and done that!

Here's a long view of March/April Project Spectrum's Eyre Stole.

Project specs: 8 skeins of Frog Tree Alpaca knit on #6 Inox needles, using FTA's Cape Cod Shell scarf pattern, (doubled pattern repeats for width and lengthened to 5.5 feet). Color #009, a soft dove grey. J. (the landlady) came out to ask me why I was taking pictures of my laundry.

Here's the completed Sock-It-To-Me set. I opted to do baby socks instead of the hat. As of now, baby Micah has still not made an appearance. Whew, I just made that deadline!

Project specs: Plymouth Sockotta in color #6673 on #1 and #2 needles ; sweater pattern is from here.

Here is the Mali newborn hospital knitting. I ended up with 11 hats and 4 sets of booties. I'm also glad to have used up bits and pieces hanging around.

In kitchen news, most of the main painting is finished and the trim is primed. I have a few touchups and the final trim painting to finish. I decided to reprime in white and went down a few tones in the main color. I am very very happy with the results (and will post a before and after pic when I'm done!)

And now for intermission

(And no this doesn't mean anything - I just really like the lyrics and the video. )