piggy's pen

Sunflower Shrug

2011-08-25T18:58:00.000-05:00

I've had a lot of interest in this new pattern!!!!

I did this for Red Barn Yarn some time ago and Catherine (my pattern angel!!!) had it sized and tech edited for me and it's now available at the stores that sell her yarn. And trust me.... her yarn is AWESOME!!! Her colors have just a little bit of change, almost like shadows and it's sooooo soft!!! I love working with both her and her yarn!!!! I've got another shawl that I'm working on a pattern that I will probably put in my Ravelry Store hopefully by next month and I'm planning on using her sock sparkle yarn (to die for!!! merino, silk, nylon and silver!!!!!!). I've picked out the color, now I've got to get the yarn!!! LOL!!!

Our knitter's guild is having a big blow out at the new Tom Green County Library Oct 1. And we're having our knitting on display for the entire month of Oct in glass cases in the library lobby!!! Knitting as an Art is going to be a lot of work, but it's such a great chance to show off our talents!!!!!

I've got another PI sweater on the design board, this time with cables!! It's going to be a real sweater, without holes....LOL!!

This is my "Cabin in the Woods". I wish it showed the color better... it's a pumpkin color and is just sooo much fun!!! I'm hoping to have this on in the store by next month!!!

I guess I'd better get off the computer and back to the needles!!!!!!!

:D Carla

New Patterns Up!!!!

2011-08-08T11:11:00.000-05:00

I've added 3.... Yes, 3 new patterns to my Ravelry store....
This Little Piggy Knits Designs

I've added the Piggy's Pie Sweater:

Katy's Prayer Shawl Pattern:

And My Progressive Lace Scarf:

Since I'm not exactly a computer whiz it's pretty well taken me all morning to add these and I'm proud of myself!!!!! LOL!!!

On my needles right now I've got Fair Isle patterns. I'm trying to teach my old brain a new way of thinking.... we'll see!!!!! I've got a great vest pattern and a pair of knee socks that won't fit me...... ahhhhh well, to go with the body, the calves have to be fat too..... how strange would it look it they weren't????

The DD is back in Germany!!!! She's still trying to get over Jet lag, or maybe that's an excuse to sleep??? She's spending time with her favorite thing.... my SIL!!!! LOL!!!!

I've got 2 cones of cobweb on it's way to make a wedding ring shawl and hope to have it done by the time we have our big blow-out in Oct!! The Concho Valley Knitters Guild is having a display at the new San Angelo library for the month of Oct. and we're having a big public event on Oct 1!!!!! Cross your fingers!!!

Back to the needles!!! :D CArla

Stuck on Sweaters

2011-07-13T10:24:00.000-05:00

I'm stuck on sweaters right now!! My DD's celtic knot round sweater is finished!!

And Yes, that's a kitchen chair it's on. DD is still in bed asleep and you know the saying, "Let sleeping Bears Lay"!!! Well it goes for cranky DD's too!!!! LOL!!!! And yes, that's a nail holding it together... I couldn't find a shawl pin.... So what ever works in a pinch!!!

Next in line is another Piggy's Pie Sweater done for a lady from the LYS for her DD:

This is it laying out to block in my floor!!

And this is it finished up and on the chair!! (Gertrude, my maniquin that I usually take pics on is on loan to the LYS to display a Piggy's Pie Sweater there!!) This is a small size and I hope to never see/work with Panda Silk again!!!! It literally eats my hands up!! I'm pretty sure I've got a Bamboo allergy or an allergy to something that is used in this yarn to process the Bamboo.

I've also been playing with the Tour de Fleece on the Corgi Hill Farm group on Ravelry and spinning away on the great fiber I got from them!!! This is awesome fiber!!!!

This is about 30 yards that I worked up from a sample that was included in my order!!!! It said Polwart on the tag, and it was sooooo fun!!

This is the start on 100 gms of shetland. I've got 100 gms of grey, brown, cream, and black to work up!!! I have about 50 gms done so far!!! I have high hopes of this being a small shawl.....

This is the start on a batt of Camel/Tussah that I'm soooooo hoping will be a shawl!!! I've got 2 batts, so I'm planning on plying them together when I get both done!! The color is "Underwater" and is beyond Awesome!!!!!! All from Corgi Hill Farm and her service is beyond awesome!!!!!

And for some non-fiber content!!! We loaded up on the the 4th and went to DeLeon Tx and met with my #2 son, Kenny for a visit!!! This is the group of us, DD, DS#2, Me and DH!!!!

And yes, it was sunny and yes, it was hotter than Hades itself!!!!!!! So on that note I'll ask everyone to Pray For Rain for Texas before our state dries up and blows away!!!!

:D Carla

I am alive, just a BAD Blogger!!!!

2011-06-29T12:33:00.000-05:00

I know it's been forever since I updated!!! I'm a really BAD BLOGGER... no bisquit!!! I do have several fairly good excuses!!! I've been trying to find out how to add several more hours to the day since 24 just doesn't seem to cut it!!! If anyone out there has any way to do this, Please share it!!!! LOL!!!

I have been knitting like a fool!!! Especially during April and May. I do sample/test knitting for yarn companies/designers and they go into overdrive just before TNNA!!! I'm sure not complaining, just ubber busy!!!!! I love working for these folks and they're great!!!

I've also been designing and teaching classes from my designs. The one I've just about got ready to go live with is my Piggy's Pie Sweater

The ladies in my class are really having fun with this one and 2 of them already have yarn picked out for a 2nd!!! Of course they haven't been working on the border long..... it's a BIG border!!! They're going to post to Ravely soon!!

I've also got a shawl pattern in testing. Celtic Fay is going to be the next in line!!

This was designed especially for my swap partner (whose great pic is shown here!!!) and is being knit right now by a Great Knitter!!!! Thanks Susan!!! She's sent me emails with great corrections and suggestions!!! It's going to be a piece of cake to get the pattern right with her help!!!

I've got a sweater on the needles right now for my DD to wear to a wedding. I'm using some of the pattern from above and doing a round sweater..... This is the middle and hopefully it will be finished soon!!!!

It's a great yarn that our LYS is handleing now.... Ella Rae Lace and it's just perfect for this!!! The colors in this pic aren't the greatest.... It's really prettier up close and personal!!!

I'm also working on a top-down sweater for the DD... it's done in Ty-Dy Sock Dots from Knit One Crochet Two and I LOVE that yarn!!!!

It fit me so I put in a band and when I tried it on here..... no way. Go figure.... I'm 5'2" and she's almost 6'...... why wouldn't it fit right??? Can you say DUH!!!!! So back to the drawing board for this one!!

I've also been trying my hand at spindle spinning and as you can see from these.... it's not going great, but it is soooooo going!!!

None of those balls are anywhere near as big as they look!!! LOL!!!

Our Knitter's Guild Monday night was a hoot!!! I got nailed by my Bestest Friend!!! She is a really wonderful workaholic!!! She made these for my piggy collection!!!!

Yes that's me.... looking like an idiot.... but is was REALLY FUN!!!!!!!! Love you, Connie!!!!

And DD is spending a month here with us. Her husband, my favorite SIL, had to go back to Germany, but she's staying until Aug 3!!! She's not much of a morning person....

But she does improve later in the day!!! She's been going to all my knitting groups and just hanging out. Of course she spending a LOT of time on the internet with her hubby!!!! Skype is great for them!!!!

I've got a lot going on and am just loving it all!!! DH is still driving a truck and at least he's here in TX right now!!! That means that he gets to stop by home more often, sometimes just long enough for a meal and a shower and then back on the road.... at least he gets to come home!!!! I love that man more every day..... I've soooooo got a winner!!!!!

I'll try to be a much better blogger now!!! I'll keep the next one short!!!!!
:D Carla

Puzzle!!!

2011-03-22T17:58:00.000-05:00

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm addicted to jig-saw puzzles!!! I found this site and I'm having fun!!!! I thought that I would share it!!!! Have fun!!!!
:D Carla

Catching Up!!

2011-02-02T10:01:00.001-06:00

Well, we had a great class!!!! It was small, but we had a load of fun!! I told these ladies that I wanted them to take 2 words from this class..... I Can!!! Before the 2 hours were over they both said exactly that.... I Can do this!!!! I was sooooo proud of them!!! And even though they had doubts that the pattern was actually simple, they finally decided that I was right!!! I can't wait to see what they finish up with!!!!

I also added the pattern for this scarf to the class as an extra!! It's basically the same pattern as the shawl and it will give them something different to play with!! It's a great little scarf made out of Artyarns Mohair, Silk and Glitter. I wish my picture was good enough to show the tiny little glitter in this yarn!! It's sooooo pretty!!! And I couldn't believe how soft this yarn is!!! It's drapey and really soft!!

This is the other thing that I've been working on. It's a prayer shawl for a lady that has lost her Mom. I hope that it brings her some comfort in the days to come. Right now the loss is fresh and there's things that are keeping her running and keep her from thinking about missing her Mom, this is for later when the time comes that there's nothing to keep her spirits up. The times when everyone has gone home and all the arrangements have been made and there's nothing but her and her thoughts. That's when loss gets really real and hard to deal with. I know, I still have days when I want to pick up the phone and call my Mom.

I've got to get back to the real world now and get to knitting!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D Carla

Shawl Class

2011-01-28T16:24:00.001-06:00

This is the simple shawl that I’m going to be teaching a class on at our new LYS!! I think that it’s going to go well!! This yarn is wonderful….. cashmere and silk!!!! Talk about softer than soft!! I couldn’t believe how easy it was to work with!! One skein of Superior by Filatura Di Crosa….. 70% Cashmere and 30% Silk!!! I’ve never worked with anything so soft and easy to knit with!!1 328 yards of lucious in only 25gms!!!!! It’s more of a shawlette than a real shawl, but it’s soooo much fun and sooooo easy!!!

Carla

Can you believe it's 2011?????

2011-01-08T10:19:00.001-06:00

2011_01060002
Originally uploaded by thislittlepiggyknits

I know I've been silent for a loooooong time. I'm trying to make my New Year a much better year for blogging!!!
I'm working on a PI type sweater I'm calling Dragon Scales..... I'm to the point of doing the front border now and will be adding the sleeves next week!!!!! I've also got a triangle shawl on the needles in 2 colors of sock yarn, a dark green and a dark blue. I'm using the Peacock Feathers patter because these colors are just too perfect for that!! They look like the colors you would find in a real peacock tail!!
Around the house the DH has a new job and is gone most of the time. He's driving long haul truck now and is all over the map!! If we get lucky he gets to come home once a month for 2 or 3 days!! It's hard on him, but it means loads of knitting time for me...... amazing how much more time you have on your hands if there's no one around but you and the dogs!!!
There's a new yarn store in San Angleo. Chandler's Cottage. I'm working on a triangle shawl class for them. I'm also meeting with a friend to knit on our TKGA Master's class once a week there. I'm also going to go to a "Fiber Arts" group today and see about knitting with them once in a while.
So much for my extremely boring life!!!!
:D Carla

It's a Go!!!!

2010-09-01T08:58:00.002-05:00

2010_07070009
Originally uploaded by thislittlepiggyknits
I've finally got up enough nerve (and had enough test knit) to post this pattern for sale!!!! I now have a Ravelry Store!!!!
This Little Piggy Knits Ravelry Store
I've only got one pattern for sale right now and this is it!!! I've also got my freebie prayer shawl as a Ravelry download now!! Life is sooooo much simpler when you finally figure it out!!!!
On the homefront I'm trying to get 2 other patterns ready for test knitting. One is for a triangle scrap shawl and one is just an easy scarf/stole. I'm also working on getting a pattern done for the PI sweater. Add that to 2 sweaters test knitting, a sample shawl, 3 afghans and 3 commissions shawls and I think I can stay busy??????? LOL!!!
:D Carla

Good Bye My Friend

2010-08-20T09:06:00.001-05:00

scan0001
Originally uploaded by thislittlepiggyknits

Tommie James went to see God yesterday. She is at peace and I know where she is is a wonderful, happy place. My saddness is for her husband and the people that she touched that will forever hold her in their hearts and miss her. She was a bit of a nut!! She had a wonderful laugh and even liked my coffee (I make coffee flavored water)!! We shared some really wonderful times and some really sad ones. I know that she is with God and with the ones that have passed before her. I hope that Uncle Ralph and MeMaw haven't made the coffee!! I will miss you my friend.
Carla

Prize time!!

2010-08-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

I've got prizes in!! I got this from the Implausible Yarn blog!!! She had a birthday drawing for her birthday!!! It's 450 yards of lucious sock weight from Dream in Color!!!!

This came in from Jimmy Bean wool for prizes for Seasons of Lace. I won 3 separate prizes and it added up to 1700+ yards of baby alpaca!!!!!

Whoo Hooo!!!!

:D Carla

2010_08040002

2010-08-04T16:24:00.001-05:00

2010_08040002
Originally uploaded by thislittlepiggyknits

I got this for winning 3 different prizes on Seasons of Lace!!! It's from Jimmy Bean wools and is 1700+ yards of baby alpaca wonderful!!!!!

The New Dr. Seuss (Political commentary contained)

2010-07-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

A new, updated, Dr. Seuss book:

I do not like this Uncle Sam,

I do not like his health care scam.

I do not like these dirty crooks,

or how they lie and cook the books.

I do not like when Congress steals,

I do not like their secret deals.

I do not like this speaker, Nan ,

I do not like this 'YES WE CAN.'

I do not like this spending spree,

I'm smart, I know that nothing's free.

I do not like your smug replies,

when I complain about your lies.

I do not like this kind of hope.

I do not like it, nope, nope, nope!

This was posted on one of my favorite blogs, Bev's Journeyings and I couldn't help helping myself!! Sorry, Bev, couldn't resist!!!!
:D Carla

Catching Up

2010-07-28T17:10:00.000-05:00

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PI Sweater Long Way

PI Sweater Short Way

Just a few pictures of what I've been up to!! As you can tell I'm still stuck on the PI!! This center has got me addicted and I mean badly!! I seem to want to add it to everything that I knit nowdays!!! The top photo is a baby blanket that I've done for a friend of the DH's at church. Hope she likes it!!

I've also managed to snag some prizes from Seasons of Lace this spring!! I can't wait to see what they look like, up close and personal!!! I've got stitch markers that are on a necklace coming from Prolonged Sunlight and can't wait to see them!!!
And I've got yarn coming from Jimmy Beans Wool!!!!! How cool is all of that!!!!

I've been doing some samples for the LYS, Wool and Cotton Shop and have been giving classes there!!! The PI Sweater is for there and it's going to be in pattern form soon!! It's a pretty cool place to hang out!!! LOL!!!!

:D Carla

Playing with PI

2010-06-15T18:56:00.000-05:00

This was the original try at Me-Maw's Garden!! It was a smaller than what I really wanted, I didn't have enough to finish all the repeats of the final increase. I also used a crochet edging on this version.

This was the final version. It's enormous!! I used 1500 beads on the final pattern and a knit on edge. Then i just started playing around. This one is 42 inches across and lots of fun!!

And this one was just pure fun!!

As you can see they all are PI shawls and they all have the same central motif... Just goes to show where you can go when you just go crazy!!!! LOL!!

:D Carla

I've got a pattern on Ravelry!!!!

2010-06-01T14:59:00.000-05:00

I finally got a pattern up and posted on Ravelry!! It's just for a block for an afghan, but I'm thrilled!!!! It's already been faved!!! If you're as addicted to Ravelry as I am you understand what I just said!!

My DD and SIL got me a charting software for a late Mom's day and I'm having FUN!!! I'm working my way up to my shawl patterns, but when I can get them as polished as I want them, I'm going to start selling them on Ravelry!!! The software can be found here:
http://www.intwinedstudio.com/
It is really awesome!! And the designer is on Ravelry and answers questions!!!! I'm in heaven!!! I was not born in the computer generation and most of this is gibberish to me....... I can even get this to work!!!!
I'm working on finishing a display shawl for the class I'm going to be teaching at my LYS this summer on Pi Shawls. It's called "Me-Maws Garden" after my Mom who could make a stick bloom!!!!!

This is the first one I did while I was working on the pattern. It has a simple crochet border and , even though you can't see them in the pic over 1500 beads on the last pattern. The one I'm working on now will be a little bigger (this one is 48 inches across) and will have a knit on border and is in a wonderful color called "surf" with green beads!! I'm going to be offering this one in my Etsy store as soon as I can get some better pics!! This is one of the patterns that I'm trying to learn enough to get it ready to sell. It would help if DD and SIL we're in Germany, since they're my computer go-to people!!!! I'm really lost without them. LOL!!!

Now it's back to work for me!!!!!!

My Etsy is Up!!! and a sale!!

2010-05-14T11:43:00.000-05:00

I finally got my Etsy shop up and running!! I'm having a 25% off sale today to celebrate!!! I've only got shawls and stoles up right now, but more is coming!!!!
I've been knitting as fast as I can and trying to keep up with everything!! I'm trying to raise funds to buy some software that I need to get my patterns into print and then my shop will not only have the prototypes of my shawls/stoles/scarfs it will also have to patterns!!!! I can't wait!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Thislittlepiggyknits

Long Time Gone!!

2010-03-18T18:37:00.000-05:00

I know.... it's been forever since I've updated. You have my "I"M SORRY!!!" Maybe if I have to hollar it I'll do better this time!!!!

I blame my Mother, isn't that what you're supposed to do??? I really do blame her though. I was as usual a pile of depressed lump during the holidays. Not that she made our holidays bad..... on no, that's when she really shined. She could cook like nobody else, if you like comfort food (and all 280 lbs of me loves comfort food!!) She really made it all about family and love. She's been gone now for years, but every year starting at Thanksgiving and ending after my birthday in Feb it's all downhill for me. I miss her, even if I do believe that her ghost is still moving with me and my daughter. Lucky for me she's in Germany right now with Heather!! LOL!! Seriously, we have loads of strange things that go on when we're together, DD and me, and we put the blame squarely on her!!

Lucky for me I get tons of knitting done when I'm having a pity party!!!!

This was finished in March out of some really

wonderful color-changing cotton!! I don't have the Etsy store where I can find it right now, but will get that here soon.

This is a pi shawl that I did with some great merino/silk for fun and for a class that I'm going to be teaching when I can get my patterns ready. The strange things around the bottom edge are supposed to be fish...... Tropical Fish!!

This is my Moss Green Shawl that I did for the Ravelympics. Its a really fun construction. It starts with an 8 repeat of the border, pick up the body and then worn a semi-circular shawl with the border knitted on!! It's from Heritage Knits and was fun!!

These are some of the reasons that my time is no longer mine!! There's really 6 of these little devils!! They are a handful and I can't seem to stay away from the window watching them terrorize each other!! Then there's the feeding/watering every time they scratch on the front door!!! Too funny!!

this is my Mum shawl from Susan Pandorf. It's really got a much longer name and if you think I can spell that, you don't know me!!! LOL!!! I'm going to take better pictures soon so that the beads will show up. It's got a ton of them!!!

This is the SIL's Christmas sweater. I didn't realize until I put it on the stand to take pictures that it was Freddy's!!! (Nightmare on Elm Street) He loves it and sent me pictures where he's acting like Freddy in it!! He's a hoot to say the least and I love the big, tall, skinny fellow!!! I made my DD sweaters too, but they got off to Germany without me taking good pictures of them.

I guess that since I'm having fits with trying to get this done (and not rambling all over the page) I'd better go and finish fixing supper. I've having my Mom's Heart Attack green beans (green beans with onions fried in bacon grease and bacon) and DH should be home soon. I've got some more shawls done that I need to take pictures of that you can really see!!!

I will try to do better. I will try to do better. I will try to do better!!!!!

Kelly's blanket

2009-10-21T12:55:00.000-05:00

Kelly's blanket is finally a FO!!! It measures 54 inches across and IMHO is gorgeous!! Now I have to let loose and let her have it!! My favorite part of it is the celtic knots in the corners and even if they don't show well there's cables on each side of the section!! I'm really pleased with the way it turned out!! Hope she will be too!!

2009-10-12T10:45:00.002-05:00

The Might Be Cables Scarf (the rest of the pattern is in the previous post!!)

Might Be Cables Scarf:

Size 8 needles

model was worked with Patons Classic Wool

205m/223 yds 100g/3.5 oz

1.5 skeins

CO 49 stitches

Knit the first 8 rows

The note on the pattern should read starting on Row 9 and all odd rows of pattern

Knit in pattern until desired length (model was 44 inches)

Knit 8 rows

Bind off

ENJOY!!!!

Taking the same pattern as the scarf I did a matching hat!!

And a pair of socks are on the needles to match!!

My Might be Cables Scarf

2009-10-11T11:19:00.003-05:00

I've got a scarf pattern written up and am trying to figure out how to share it!!! Please have patience and as soon as I can master this @#!!**&^ computer I'll be sharing it with you!!!!!

This is what I'm trying to work with!!!! ARGHHHH!!!!!

:( Carla

Wait, just a minute!!! I clicked on the picture and it came up large and printable!!!! Whoo Hooo!!! Please let me know if this works!!!! I'll add a picture as soom as my camera batteries charge!!!

John's Un-Harry Potter Sweater

2009-10-04T16:49:00.000-05:00

My DD and SIL have moved to Germany!! He's a Sargent now in the Army and they're stationed there for 3 years. I got a call the other day for "emergency sweaters!!" Seems that even though the kids knew for awhile that they were going, they didn't find any cold weather clothes!! So I start off on a plain percentage sweater for my 6' 3" SIL to make sure of the fit before I get "creative"!! I'm working away and can't help myself..... I keep thinking about the sweaters Mrs. Weasley makes in the Harry Potter stories!! I want to put a great big J in the middle of the chest!!!!! Now you need to know that my DD is an absolute Potter fan, but my SIL can't stand him!!!! I resist the urge as long as I can and decide I've got to do something!! I've got a great book by Elsebeth Lavold, "Viking Patterns for Knitting" that has a section on Runes. I get to her alphabet and find the closest thing I can to his initial and added it to the front where the big J should've been!!! LOL!!! That's why it's his Un-Harry Potter sweater!!! I really like the way it turned out!! It's the letter "h" from her runes which (if I understand the chart) is the G sound and since the last name is G.... it's there!!!! I'm hoping that he likes it and will leave explaining all the twists and turns to the SIL!!! LOL LOve you John!!!

ARGHHHH!!!

2009-09-23T15:36:00.002-05:00

Trying hard to update, but since the last update Windows won't let me open the picture downloader to add pics!!!!! I'm soooooooo upset!!!! I'll keep trying.... until then....

The piggy has moved once more!! I should've known not to even unpack at the last place. I work at a psyche hospital and my first clue should've been when the landperson said " oh, you work at ...... I've been a patient there!!" Bells and whistles should've gone off in my head and I should've just called Budget and rented a truck right then!!!! She had a big problem with my dogs and I had a big problem with her being a nut job!!! And I don't mean that in a good way either!!!!

We've moved into another trailer, but twice the size of the one we were in!! My sewing room has doubled in size and my computer is set up right in front of the window!! It's on the edge of the edge of a small town called Grape Creek (small enough that our electric is listed as Carlsbad and our mailing address is San Angelo!!). We've got goats across the street and jackasses 3 houses down and horses next door. The bestest part is we've got a great herd of llamas where I turn to come to the house. I love looking at these great animals (but know enough not to get too close, spitters they are!!! LOL!!). After we've been here awhile longer I'm going to see if I can get to know the owners!! Maybe they'll let me grab some scraps!!!! LOL!!!!

The DD is now in Germany!! She posts loads of pictures on her facebook!! I'm sooooo glad that she and her DH decided to do this.... they're young and only have doggies, no kids yet. It's the perfect time to see the sights and have fun!!! I'm driving her car for the next 3 years. I'm not really sure that she didn't buy it for me..... who buys a brand new car, knowing they can't take it with them unless they have other things in mind????? I've put my loving Taurus in the yard. I'm not about to give it up all the way!!! I paid $450 for it 6 years ago (1988 Taurus, in rough shape) and it's given me it's heart for all 6 years!! I have kept a great mechanic in Pepsi's for those 6 years and he tells me over and over to dig a hole and drive it into it!! Then he works miracles and gets it running again!!! LOL!!

Seasons of Lace is again going and I've got bunches on the needles... and would share with you if I could get this stupid thing going!!! The kids (DD and SIL) now need the wool sweaters and socks and afghans that they didn't need here in TX!! So between them and an outbreak of need for prayer shawls where I work (there's been 3 family deaths in the last 2 months!!) I'm staying busy, busy!!

Hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to post my pics later this week and I'll be back!!!!!

:D Carla

Catching Up!!

2009-06-20T06:27:00.004-05:00

It's been a hot time around the old pig pen lately!!! Literaly!! Our Air Conditioner went out and here in Texas it's noooooo time to do with out AC!!! It was 99F in our living room!!! I didn't dare turn on the computer for fear it would melt!!!! LOL!! We have now got it fixed and hope it will make the rest of the summer!!

I've gone back to work full time...... ARGHHHHH!!! It's not a hard job, just trying to get in knitting time and sleep (I work 11pm to 7am) and the new puppy on top of that!! Trying to get anything finished is turning into a hard job!!! Speaking of the new puppy.... Here's Jr!! He's sleeping under the table that I use for my computer. He's growing like a weed and is spoiled rotten!!! LOL!!!

I've also gotten addicted to Facebook!! Not the main part but an application called Farm Town!!!If you're on Facebook go by Supersow's Farm!!! There's a story behind this addiction!! I can't grow anything in real life..... not even ivy!!! Everything turns brown and dies!!! My Mom used to send me plants and on the card would put "See how long it takes you to kill this one!!" Now on Farm Town everything lives.... it blooms.... it bears fruit and veggies and flowers!!!! I know it's only digital, I know it's not real..... but it LIVES!!!! LOL!!! I'm afraid I spend waaaaay too much time there!!!

I've been doing some test knitting and have really been having a good time doing that. I have done 2 socks and am still working on a shawl. I'm having hades itself with the shawl and I don't think it's anything to do with the pattern.... I'm a chart person and this pattern is done row by row. It's not something that I can't do, it's something that I'm having real problems with. This is a new thing for me.... most of the time I can fairly fly through lace!! It's really teaching me humility!!!! I'm looking forward to getting into some more of the lace work. I do a chart and then go back and work on the row by row again!! I'm thinking really hard about going to the frog pond once more and restarting in some cashmere..... maybe a really great yarn will keep me at it!!!!

Last, but now least, Happy Father's Day to the Old Man!!! I'm hoping that he goes and plays golf tomorrow, or does something else fun!!! He sometimes deserves it!!! I guess he puts up with me, so that counts!!!! LOL!!!

Happy Father's Day Old Man!!!!!

:D Carla

And The WINNERS ARE!!!!

2009-06-01T18:10:00.002-05:00

The winner of the knitting book, "A Passion for Cables" IS:
(Drum Roll :D )

Neejess!!!!

The winner of the crochet book, "From Needles to Hook" IS:
(another Drum Roll :D )

Bambie!!!!

Thank you all for leaving the great comments!!! I've soooooo enjoyed this that I'm planning on doing it again soon!!!!

And Shaggy Jr says Thanks too!!!!!

:D Carla

I'm Back!! and A Give Away!!!!!!

2009-05-27T17:00:00.003-05:00

I'm Back!!!! Many, many "I'm sorrys" for being gone sooooo long!!!! To make it up to you here's a giveaway!!!!!

For the Crocheters among us..... this book. It has tons of information about how to change any knitted pattern into crochet!! Just leave me a comment and put Crochet as the first word!!! (Make sure I have either your Ravelry name or your email!!)

This is for the Knitters among us!! Just leave a comment with Knitter as the first word!!!

On June 1 I'll draw (yes, the old fashioned way, I put the numbers on paper and put them in a bowl and let the DH draw!!!!) and let some lucky persons know that their book will be on it's way!!!

This is my new computer, sewing room. It's supposed to be a bedroom (it would make a good closet!!!)!! It gives me plenty of room for just getting away and working (yeah, right, crusing Ravelry, playing games, reading emails, reading blogs!! LOL!!!) Working is going to be high on my to do list though!!! I've got some designs rattling around in my head right now!!! I will be finishing the pillow ghan, too!!! I'm again sorry about being sooooo slow!!!

This was the view from our front porch the other night. It's not a blue moon, but I enjoyed it!! The porch is a good place to escape to. (as long as you have at least one dryer sheet in your pocket to get the mosquitos to leave you alone!!! Here in Texas they tend to be large and vicious!!!!)

Last, but definately not least!!! This is why I'm not getting a whole lot done!!! You remember that I had to put my old dog, Shaggy, to sleep in Feb?? Well my DD's border collie had been spending some time with us just before that and I got a phone call in March!!! Meet Shaggy Jr!!!! The old boy had one last fling and here is Shaggy's son!!! He's his Daddy made over and quiet a handful!!!! We're having a bit of an issue with potty training..... or at least I am!!! He's not having a bit of trouble... he just goes when and where he wants to!!! ARGHHHHH!!!! I don't know which one of us is being house broken, but we're certainlly working hard at it!!! LOL!!!

Again I'm sorry I've been away soooooooo long!!!

:D CArla

Moving!!

2009-03-05T13:14:00.004-06:00

The Piggy is moving into a new Pen!! That being said..... this is my house right now!!

ARGHHHHHHH!!! So the Piggy will be offline for about 2 weeks waiting on internet!!

I'll send pics of the new place sooooooon as possible!!

:D Carla

Good-Bye Old Fat Dog

2009-02-26T10:56:00.002-06:00

I had our old dog put down today. He was 11 yrs old and his health had been going down hill rapidly. He was a funny old dog and kept us both company and gave us unconditional love even when we didn't deserve it!! I just couldn't see him hurting and not being able to breathe. I wanted him to go and see God while he could still get a little enjoyment out of his life. He would perk up for a little while and then he'd sleep for days and cry when he tried to walk.

This is DH and Shaggy on the couch. I don't know which one needs a nap more??

This was his favorite place. On a stool in front of a window where he could look out and bark at anyone that dared to walk by!! He had to be lifted on and off of the stool lately, but he still loved it there!!

And sound asleep on a pillow on the couch. Good-bye by dear, dear friend. I hope that you can run and play now and are really happy!! We'll always love and remember you.

:( Carla

Just for Fun

2009-02-19T07:06:00.001-06:00

You'll see a little addition on the sidebar!! It's a knitting meter from:

http://knitmeter.com/

It's sooooo much fun to actually see the total miles knitted!! This is for the last 2 days!!! I'm loving it!!

:D Carla

Birthdays, you gotta have them!!

2009-02-17T06:37:00.004-06:00

I just finished mine yesterday!! The wonderful friends I've met on Ravelry made it one to remember!!!

This cake is from Sadie (sitnknit). She's having internet problems and emailed this one to me!!! Don't you love cakes that will never go stale and have absolutely NO calories to feel guilty about!!!! She's a one of a kind lady and I'm lucky to get to call her my friend!!!

These two are from cspooks!!! A moderator on the Luau Lounge on Ravelry!! That's a really great place to just hang around!!! I'm mainly a lurker, but I have loads of fun doing just that!!! My Ravelry name is thispiggyknits and the piggy cake is actually eating the cake in the original!!!! Now how she knew that I was a Trekkie from the 60's I don't know!!!! I can say I LOVE them both!!

These wonderful cupcakes are from guppygirl!! Again NO calories!!! I couldn't have picked better sweets!!!! LOL!!

Add to these multiple Happy Birthdays from Ravelry friends and it made for a really special day!!

And to top it all, my number 3 son actually called on my birthday!!!! I was sooooo glad that I was sitting down!! He never remembers!! On the other hand, my DD forgot!!! Now he's finally one up on her!! LOL!! She's number 4 in the children order and they have this competition going since just about the day she was born!!! LOL!!

On the knitting front, I'm still working on my blocks!! So it may be next week for the rest of the pictures. :( I have had a real problem staying focused on this one. I think that next one I'll mix up the blocks and do a really complicated pattern selection!! I just got in all the Great American Afghan series and may use blocks from them...... back to knitting plain squares!! I wanted this one to be simple to follow to make it easy for even a beginner to be able to have a great afghan!!

I'm also getting to do a test knit on a new shawl pattern!! Glorious lace!!!! My addiction!!!! LOL!!

:D Carla

Delay on Pillow-ghan pattern

2009-02-11T12:15:00.001-06:00

Just a quick note to let you know the pattern will be next week instead of this one. You can thank the tooth fairy...... I had 2 abcessed teeth pulled and can't focus enough to finish up my blocks. Sorry!!!
:( Carla

Pillow-Ghan

2009-02-05T08:00:00.002-06:00

I've been working on getting this ready!! This will be for a pillow-ghan. An afghan that folds into itself to make a pillow when not in use as a blanket!! It's a really easy, fun gift that I use frequently!! The squares are 16.5" by 18.5" and you'll need 13 of them. This is one of my squares.

Pattern:

Size 9 needles

Worsted weight yarn..

(I'm using):

I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby

Each square takes almost 4 ozs. (my scales aren't the best)

CO 65 stitches

Rows 1-6: Knit

Row 7 (wrong side): *K3, p1, repeat from * across ending with a K3

Row 8 (and all right side rows: K across

Row 9; repeat row 7

Row 11: K1, p1, *K3, p1, repeat from * across ending with a K1

Row 13: repeat row 11

Rows 15 - 92: Repeat rows 7 - 14 9 more times. Then repeat rows 7 - 10 once more.

Rows 93 - 98: Knit

Bind off loosely

This is the texture, sorry about the lousy picture!!

You'll need 3 strips of 4 squares each!!

I'll post pictures of how to put these together to make the pillow-ghan as soon as I finish my squares!! I went ahead and posted this much to let you get started!! Remember 13 squares!!

And I'll post the rest next week!! Have fun!!

:D Carla

finished!! and ramblings!!

2009-01-30T10:11:00.004-06:00

First a little bit about the weather!! Texas is a one of a kind state when it comes to weather!! Cold/hot/whatever.... if you don't like the weather, just stick around for a couple of days and it'll change!! The last couple of week have seen 82 for a high and 28 for a high!! This is the 28 day!!
You know the wonderful thing about looking out and seeing your car covered in ice???? Knowing that you don't have to take off your flannel PJ's and get dressed and go scrape it off!!
Now for the finished!!! Laminaria is blocking as I type!! It's smaller than I had hoped, but still a fairly good size. I'm hoping that the lady it's for is smaller than me!! (that doesn't take much!!) I really enjoyed this pattern and plan on using the stars over and over again!! I loved the way they look!!
This is the star pattern..... but what's that??? A black hole??? I'm really hoping that the non-knitting lady this is going to doesn't mind a black hole in her stars!!! And no, I can't figure out what I did wrong!!! I didn't even see this until blocking!!

This is clue 1 & 2 of Lady Jane. That's the newest KAL from Knitting Delight Yahoo group!! http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Knitting-Delight/
This is a great group.... the only down side is that most of the posts are in German. The designer does all her posts in both German and English and the patterns are in charts!!! It's really fun!! This is the 3rd shawl I've done of hers and I've loved them all!! (did I mention the posts are in German because it's a German group?? DUh!!)

I've rattled on enough and I just got in some silk cobweb that is just calling my name, loudly!! Silk.... cobweb.... have I lost my mind?!?!? Well, yes!! This is from Colormart http://www.colourmart.com/eng and it's the first, but not the last time I've used them!! I also got some samples of their to die for cashmere!!! Oh, My!!! So, I've got to get back to fondling yarn and knitting!!!

Soon as I can get my squares done I'm going to be putting a pattern here for a pillowghan with pictures showing construction/folding. I'll be working on that soon!!

:D Carla

Just for Fun

2009-01-24T15:39:00.001-06:00

Your Word is "Peace"

You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of.
Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you.

While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life.
You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

What's" Your Word?

This came from a great blog!! Knitting in the Shadows:
http://shadowdancer.typepad.com/blog/

:D CArla

FO Afghan and casting on another shawl!!

2009-01-21T12:26:00.004-06:00

It's a finished project!!! I just got finished casting off 688 stitches and spread this out on my queen sized bed!! Sorry about the poor pics..... I'll never make a photographer!! It turned out 66 inches across and semi-square since I rounded off the corners. I like it... but I might have a little bias going on!! LOL!!

I really wish this blue was as pretty in the picture as it is in real life.

Now I get to use this to die for cashmere yarn that I got from The Knitting Goddess!!!

www.theknittinggoddess.co.uk

It's been a long time coming and it's definately worth the wait!!! For anyone wanting yarn I recommend this shop!! She had all kinds of problems getting my yarn to me and was wonderful through it all!! My first order's mailing wrapper was sent back to her with no yarn!! She pm'd me as soon as she got it. I picked out more yarn and she had to pm me that some of it wasn't available!! After this she offered to specially dye a skien just for me in a color that I had told her I wanted to know when she dyed it again!! Can you say customer service!!!! I'm definately going to use her again!!

This is for the Seasons of Lace Winter KAL for the Laminaria! I can't wait to cast on!!!

So.... back to knitting!!!
:D Carla

No, I'm not dead!! Just my camera!!

2009-01-20T13:45:00.005-06:00

Hi again!! I'm really not amongst the dead, just have had a dead camera for months now!! :( I've been dying to get back to taking pictures and sharing!! I've started on a pillow-ghan that I'm going to be sharing the pattern step by step in pictures!! I've got a good bit more knitting to do before that happens, so bear with me!!

Since I've been gone I've got quiet a few projects finished, so here comes bunches of pictures!!!

This monster is what I'm working on right now!! I sent DH to Michaels to buy yarn for a contest on Lion Brand website for Vanna's choice yarn. I told him how many and left the colors up to him!! He brought home yellow, green and blue. My thoughts went to sunshine, trees, water!! Pictures of the Oregon coast popped into my head. This is the celtic knot that I used for the sun and the trees and the start of the water. It's now up to over 600 stiches per row, so it's going to be awhile before it's a FO!! (there a lot more "water" done)

This is an "experiment". I had some Red Heart designer sport left from making a friend a sweater for Christmas and just wanted to play. This is what came out. I've got plans to do this in lace weight and it's probably going to be posted on this blog when I can tweak the pattern. It went to Canada as a prayer shawl!!

This is my Autumn in New York from Bad Cat Designs

http://badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/
I love this pattern and it's soooo easy to follow!! She's one talented Kitty!!!! She's got a new pattern out right now, Ojo de Dios, that I'm stalking yarn shops for!! She just took it to TNNA for Jade Sapphire and it hasn't hit the market yet, but it's on her blog!! This one went out as a prayer shawl too!! I think that Ojo de Dios would be a perfect prawer shawl.... what better than "Eye of God" for a name for a prayer shawl!!??!!

A sweater for the DD for her Christmas.... Looks like she's having fun, huh?? This was a test knit and as soon as the designer gives the O.K. I'll give all the details!!

A pair of socks for ME!! This is Aquarius, I got the pattern on Ravelry and can't remember the rest!! I also got the wonderful yarn from DebInAtlanta on Ravelry as a Random Act of Kindness!!!! I've lost the label, but this yarn is absolutely to die for!! It's really a lot more of a turquiose than the picture and is soooo soft!!

This is a Schoolhouse press KAL, the Pansy Shawl. I did my thing and modified the pattern to suit me and added beads on the wings!! It went out for an exchange on Ravelry!!

This one was for a KAL prize!! I had fun with it!! It was the Autumn Glory Shawl pattern that I got from Kay Meadors/ Natural State Knits http://naturalstateknitter.blogspot.com/ I also have a pi version called Autumn Leaf Pi Shawl that's about to become a WIP from her!!

Now I've got to get back to the "Water"!! I only have another week to finish that.

I also have a wonder pi.... Orkeny Pi from Elizabeth Lovick http://www.northernlace.co.uk/ on the needles and it's going great. I'm already up to the 3rd increase pattern!!

I have just downloaded a wonderful oval pi from the EZasPi yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EZasPi/?yguid=316812197

I've wanted to do a oval tablecloth and I think this is the perfect start!!! Whoo Hoo!! It's going on the needles soon too!! (can you tell I have knitting ADHD??)

I'm also in 5 KAL's, so I guess I've rambled on long enough!!!

I need to stop here and say a Texas size THANK YOU!!!! to my wonderful SIL who fixed my camera!!!! I don't know what I'd do without his computer skills!! Oh, yeah, I'd go and buy another camera and listen to the DH moan and groan about budgets!! LOL!! John is wonderful and I have to give my DD credit for her excellent taste in husbands!!!!

Welcome Home John!!

:D Carla

A few FO's

2008-10-16T04:06:00.004-05:00

Thought I'd just share a few FO's!!

This is a shawl I did for Mary White. She's a very talented designer you can find at: http://customaryevents.blogspot.com/

This is a shawl version of her Valentine Tablecloth. Of course that's DD doing the modeling. You'll recall that I've mentioned that DD is 5 ft 10 inches, so this shawl is huge!! I did it in JaggerSpun Maine Line 2/8 and size 5 needles. I think the next time I do the full version I'll just use lace weight and 3's!! 78 inches across is a little big for me. LOL!!

The really great thing about this pattern is that Mary gives you several places that you can go straight to the bind off, so you can do just about any size you want.

This is that afghan that I was doing for a friend of mine. I ended up using about 3500 yards of Debbie Bliss yarn. I really dislike her yarns (personal opinion) they split like crazy. I guess it could be too that I like to use

needles with points that you could easily use for a murder weapon!! LOL!! The pointey (is that a word??) the better!! I'm just really glad that it's finished!! That's a California King size bed that it's spread out on!!

And (not really a FO) I won!!! I was involved in the Seasons of Lace:

http://seasonsoflace.acolorfulyarn.com/page/2/

I won for most yards knit!! I ended up knitting 11,855 yards in 3 months!! How, you ask...... you should see my house and the DH has been eating TV dinners!! LOL!! This is the prize I got from The Loopy Ewe:

http://www.theloopyewe.com/ I love this site!! The hardest thing about ordering from them is making up my mind!!!

Got to go!! Time to make the DH's breakfast..... trying to make up for the 3 months of neglect!!!!

:D Carla

Yes, I'm a horrible blogger!!

2008-09-25T03:17:00.006-05:00

I know it's been forever since I dropped in!! I've been using both hands to knit just as fast as I can!! I've been in the Seasons of Lace Summer and managed to knit up 11,855 yards of yarn!! In 3 months!!

Now I've got myself into more knitting than should be possible! I'm in the Hogwarts House Cup on Ravelry with 4 classes that I now have 6 days to finish!! I've got a PIF to finish that I'm hoping will be well liked and used!! I'm in 6 KAL's that have either started or will start soon!! And last, but certainly not least, (drumroll) I'm doing a test knit for a wonderful sweater!! As soon as I can I'll post pictures of it here!!

I've sent off shawls to several folks:

This one is headed across the pond to Bea in UK. Hopefully it will arrive before she reads this!!

This one went to Sadie in California. She likes it best!!

I've also sent the Sheep Shawl from fibertrends to Susan in Martha's Vineyard, but I can't find pictures of it right now.

This is my medal from the Welcome Mat paralympics from Bea!! Thanks Bea!!

This is my Pearled Romance from Knitting Delight. It's going to a good home as a birthday present this weekend.
So, I'm back to work!! Or play, whichever way I'm looking at it for now!!
:D Carla

Pay it Forward

2008-07-17T22:12:00.002-05:00

Another of my friend from the Welcome Wagon on Ravelry has joined this. She posted on her blog about it and I was one of the lucky first 3 to answer her. Thanks Bea!! I was lazy and just did a cut and paste (I'm really proud of myself for learning how to do that!!) and here's the rules for this!!

Let me tell you about it, these are the instructions: "It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

I will now Pay It Forward to you THREE, I wonder who you will be?! Please, be a PIF! You will enjoy it just as much as we do!"

And, remember...you have 6 months to get your gifts done! Come on, you know you would love to be one of my angels. Then, one day, but you don't know when....you will get a gift that I have made especially for YOU!

Please remember, you don't have to knit or crochet to participate, anyone who can make a nice handmade gift is welcome to join :)

Again a big Thanks to Bea!!! She's great!!

:D Carla

More Fun

2008-07-16T17:05:00.001-05:00

Your result for Which Chess Piece are You Test?...

The Queen's Knight

Congrats! Only 4-5% of the population score this!

The Queen’s Knight is armed with rose-colored glasses. The mundane comes to life and nature becomes expressive of spirit. The interesting thing about this Knight is the ability to switch from fantasy to reality. There are exceptions to the rule, but this is the type that may have had imaginary friends as a youngster. Their stuffed animals also were great companions. The Queen’s Knight will see the good in almost anyone or anything – but their depth of emotion can remain hidden even from themselves. Circumstances tend to reveal sudden responses.

Not all life is rosy and this Knight is not exempt from disappointment or frustration with humanity. They may feel incompetence when dealing with their own ethical values. Things aren’t simply white black, but a grand battle of Good versus Evil. Evil must be reckoned with but Good shall eventually win. It is not that they fight evil, but that they fight for the essence of moral good. Doing something good is quite satisfactory for them and indeed increases their happiness. It is when something is not reciprocated to them that they are saddened and disappointed by others. They learn that others aren’t as self-sacrificing.

The Queen's Knight is dominated by an inner world of intense feeling and deeply rooted ethics. They seek to form their life based on their views. They are highly curious of those around them so are readily accepting of others unless their values are being threatened. They promote insight and understanding amongst others and contribute well thought ideas. They however can be a bit too idealistic.

Take Which Chess Piece are You Test? at HelloQuizzy

Fun

2008-07-16T16:54:00.002-05:00

Your result for The Sorting Hat Test...

GRYFFINDOR!

You scored 20% Slytherin, 20% Ravenclaw, 68% Gryffindor, and 32% Hufflepuff!

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart.

Gryffindors are known for their courage, audacity, and devotion to what is good and honest.

Take The Sorting Hat Test at HelloQuizzy

Riddle Me This

2008-07-12T21:45:00.002-05:00

As anyone who knows me knows..... I spend way too much time on Ravelry. I've made some really great friends and learned a ton of new stuff there!! That being said, I have a really great friend that included me in a riddle tonight:

"Why can't you tell a pig a secret?"

Now, I seem to remember this same riddle going around when I was in grade school and we won't even think about saying how long ago that was!! LOL!! I still couldn't remember the answer!! Now, I'm a BIG pig person and I really love them, especially the "for real" pigs. Not the pot bellied kind, the kind that ends up over 500 lbs. I used to raise pigs in a previous life (when I was in my 20's) and we had one that I had bottle raised that thought it was a dog and could open our back door and come in the house and make itself at home. She lived with the dogs and never set foot in the actual pig pens. I had city cousins over once and when that 750 lb sow walked into the kitchen I thought they were going to have a stroke!! LOL!!

I still couldn't remember the answer!!

On a knitting front..... I've got 4 shawls on the needles and 2 more to start. I'm on the 4th clue of the Goddess Knits Ann. Shawl and have just printed up her new one the MS9!! I have Jeanie Townsend's Ivy Leaf Shawl almost finished to send to a really special lady for a prayer shawl. I have the Mystic Meadows on the needles, but I think that's headed for the frog pond and I've got the Spring Mystery Stole from Goddess Knits going great!!
I'm working on my second 1000 yards for the Seasons of Lace competition.

And I still couldn't think of the answer.

Answer: "Because he'll SQUEAL!!!" ROFLMAO!!!!!

O.K. I've never really grown beyond grade school!!! Thanks so much to Sadie (sitnknit on Ravelry) for that one!!!
:D Carla

Couldn't help myself!!

2008-07-08T16:25:00.001-05:00

Don't ask me why, but this has always been one of my favorite sayings!! I didn't think anyone else was crazy enough to use it!!! LOL!!
:D Carla
more cat pictures

Progress Update

2008-07-06T18:56:00.006-05:00

I've been knitting lace like there's no tomorrow!! I've been trying to get the Spring Mystery Stole to suit me. I started with green and that just didn't work for me. Then I went to a blue fingering, nope. The DH told me that one was wrong (and I hate it when he's right!!) LOL! Then a blue lace weight that just didn't have the look I wanted. Then I bought some Knit Picks Shadow from a lady on Ravelry. Redwood Forest with green beads!! Wonderful!! Reminds me of green buds on the trees when spring arrives, perfect for a Spring Stole!!

I had read so much about this being too short that I went ahead and did a repeat of clue 1 to add length. I think it's going to be perfect (at least in length!! LOL!!)

I'm not much of a photographer. Wish my Dad was around, he was a pro!!

I've also got the Ann. Mystery Shawl going from Goddess Knits. Also a stash buster sale from Ravelry. Lace weight wool in "Lettuce" and that's just what it look like!! A head of wilted lettuce!!!

I'm still working away on the afghan for my friend. I've designed this thing in strips working different cable/lace patterns on the strips. I've also cabled downt the sides of the strips that will mate up and make a cable at the join, if all works like I want it to. We'll see!! If it works out I'm going to post the pattern here. No picture just yet..... I want to get a little bit put together first and see where it's going.

I took time to knit the Rattlesnake Creek socks for the Sock Pentathon. I managed to come in at number 10!!! These are wonderful socks, but heavy cables!! I had one of my senior moments and instead of doing 1 1/2 repeats of the cable pattern I did the whole 2 that the pattern called for. DUH!! But they were fun.

I've also got the Mystic Meadows on the needles. I don't know if I like this one well enough to finish it, or if I'll hit the frog pond once more. I love the yarn I'm using...... I'm just not crazy about the pattern. I may just wait for her Mystic Earth

And of course my helper has been helping me pin thing out for pics!!

:D Carla

Making a list!!

2008-06-19T09:48:00.002-05:00

I'm getting ready for the Summer of Lace!! I've got 6 shawls on my list to do!! Let's see how many I can make it through!!
1. Mystery Shawl #9 from Goddess Knits
2. Pearled Romance from Knitting Delight Yahoo group
3. Mystic Meadows from Anna Dalvi
4. Anniversity Mystery Shawl from Goddess Knits
5. Casablanca KAL on Yahoo groups
6. Lyra by Herbert Neibling
I guess you'll notice that I must be out of my mind to try and get through all of these!!! Two have beads worked in, 3 are stoles, 2 are round and all of them are calling my name!!! The challenge doesn't start until the 21st and I'm itching to start!!!!
I've promised myself to finish an afghan before the 21st, so I'd better get off this computer and get some work done!!!
:D Carla

Have fun, bow-wow!!

2008-06-18T21:49:00.000-05:00

fun

2008-06-08T16:51:00.000-05:00

Your Personality IsIdealist (NF)

You are a passionate, caring, and unique person.
You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals.

You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily.
Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings.

You seek out other empathetic people to befriend.
Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships.

In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily.

At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career.

With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone.

As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style.

On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

http://www.blogthings.com/threequestionpersonalitytest/">The Three Question Personality Test

Finally, pics!!

2008-06-05T14:22:00.004-05:00

Finally, after over a year, I've got good pics of Heather's wedding dress!! I knit the lace for this and did the design to show our heritage. The side border of the train is Celtic knots (Irish great- grandfathers) and the central motif is a Cherokee Star (Cherokee great-grandmoms). I did a 4foot by 8 foot sheet of basic fill lace and my BFF, Connie, did a cut and sew to do the sleeves and bodice. Connie also did the sewing for the satin underdress. She's awsome!! This was a big challenge and I loved every minute. That being said, if I ever do it again it will be in a size 2, not a 2X!!! LOL!!

:D Carla

And the Winner Is!!

2008-06-04T23:08:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry this has taken so long. JustBec from Normal, IL is the proud winner of the shawl!! She said she's waiting for a special occasion.... but she might just have to wear it to work!! I'm so glad that she likes it, as you can see!! Congratulations Becky!!!!

:D Carla

2008-06-03T15:50:00.004-05:00

Whoo-Hoo I've been tagged!!! I love these things!! They not only give me something to talk about they make me think!! I was tagged by a good friend from Ravelry, Fibroknits!!

1. What were you doing 10 years ago (1998)?
I was living in Merkel, TX and doing hospice care with my Mom while she died of cancer. It was a hard year.

2. 5 Things on todays "to do" lis:
Answer these questions
Work on the sweater I'm knitting for KnitOnTheNet
Do my Ravelry thang.... Addresses for RAK and The Welcome Wagon for the letter N
Cook lunch and clean up
Take a nap (very important!! LOL!!)

3. Things I'd do if I were a billionaire:
First get a money management team that I could trust. Go shopping for yarn/needles/patterns (bunches of all). Set up trust funds for my grandkids. Buy a travel-trailer (one of the big bus type) and have it retro-fitted to match my 1960's style. Set up trust funds for some of the charity org. for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

4. 3 Bad Habits
I could make a sailor blush with my cussing
I eat when I'm depressed... not when I'm hungry
I don't always finish what I start

5. 5 Places I've lived
Olden, Texas (where I was raised)
Alpine, Texas
Odessa, Texas
Marfa, Texas
Merkel, Texas
(I've lived out of Texas for 6 months total in 56 years.... 3months in Los Angeles, CA and 3 months in Tampa Bay, FL.... that was enough!! LOL!!)

6. 5 jobs I've had
waitress
nurse aide (before they were certified)
dishwasher
motel maid
LVN/RN

7. 5 people I'm tagging:

http://influentialsocks.blogspot.com
http://www.knittingpassion.com
http://justmejeanie.blogspot.com
http://radarkaty.blogspot.com
http://blessedby3jdcs.blogspot.com

:D Carla

This is the Imbolc Shawl!!!

2008-05-10T15:49:00.003-05:00

This is it!!! This is the Imbolc Shawl from GoddessKnits http://www.bopeepswoolshop.com/zencart/

(.

I can't say enough about Renee's patterns. They are not only beautiful, they're easy to follow and a good size!! I can't thank her enough for giving me permission to use this pattern for my raffle!! Remember, you've got until May 20 to enter and by May 21st we'll know where this beauty (I know, don't break your arm patting yourself on the back!! LOL!!) will be going!!
:D Carla

Child of the 60's!!

2008-05-07T18:42:00.000-05:00

You are a Hippie

You are a total hippie. While you may not wear birks or smell of incense, you have the soul of a hippie.

You don't trust authority, and you do as you please. You're willing to take a stand, even when what you believe isn't popular.

You like to experiment with ideas, lifestyles, and different subcultures.

You always gravitate toward what's radical and subversive. Normal, mainstream culture doesn't really resonate with you.

Are You a Hippie?

There's worse thing to be!!! Growing up in the 60's had it's real moments!!
:D

RAFFLE

2008-05-04T00:24:00.002-05:00

I'm having a Raffle. As you know I'm big into Ravelry. We have a group there called RAK (Random Acts of Kindness). This group was started by a 17 year old named Joy (madametj on Ravelry). This wonderful young lady is trying to raise money to go on a mission trip to Chile this summer. I'm trying to help out by offering a knitted lace shawl. For every $1.00 put in Joy's pay-pal account between now and May 20th you'll get one chance to get this shawl for yourself!!!!
Rules:
1. email me at thislittlepiggyknits@gmail.com for the paypal address for Joy
2. Joy will let me know when it's posted and I'll put one entry in for every dollar you send.
3. One May 21st I'll have my DD draw out a winner for the shawl!!

This shawl is going to Jagger Maine Line wool yarn in a beautiful Capri Green color. I'm using a pattern that Goddess Knits has been kind enough to let me use for this called Imbolc. This was her Mystery Shawl #7 and was named after one of the four principal festivals of the Irish calendar. It is truly a beautiful shawl.
I will post pictures soon and hope you will help me to help this great person!!

better late than never!!

2008-04-11T12:28:00.004-05:00

We've only been married 16 years this Sept. and I finally have my wedding ring. I guess that some things are just worth waiting for!! I have a passion for Black Hills Gold and look what my DH has done!!!! I couldn't have asked for more! Like I've said before.... gotta love him!!

Have I ever mentioned (Rant)

2008-04-02T22:28:00.002-05:00

see more loldogs ask - i can has hotdog?

Have I ever mentioned how very much I HATE Vista.....Talk about a pain in a place that I can so locate!! Everything that I try to do seems to be Vista incompatible....I think life is vista incompatible!!!! I have spent most of the day trying to load a program for cross-stitch patterns (I use them for intarsia knitting and tunisun crochet) and when I finally gave up the ghost and called help..."We're sorry, that's not compatible with Vista." I should've known..... O.K. I feel better now... LOL!

typing test for the piggy

2008-03-31T22:11:00.001-05:00

58 words

Speed test

Ok, so it's not knitting, but I did do it with my hands!! LOL!!

Have to smile!!

2008-03-27T17:04:00.001-05:00

see more crazy cat pics

Just had to put this up. This site is toooooooooooo funny!!

Almost there!!

2008-03-25T18:22:00.004-05:00

It's almost a FO!!!!! Just have to finish the edging and block it. Of course them comes the hard part....writing the pattern out! I can't wait to see what happens when I get this blocked! This is for a contest at Little Knits http://www.littleknits.com/index.php
so wish me luck!!

Puffy!!!

2008-03-18T15:21:00.004-05:00

This wet and cold day got really bright when my DH ran out into the rain to get the mail! I got a puffy from my dishcloth partner that was awsome to say the least!! Talk about a treasure chest!! Wrapped in green fleece and wonderful! Two great dishcloths, on lace and one an illusion bunny, soap in a soap bag to match, a bunny pez, a cow pie (my DD says that we can't get those in Texas because we know what a real cow pie is!! LOL!!)a whole bunch of Easter/spring stickers and last but definately not least, a great button to go with my piggy collection!!

Talk about turning rain into sunshine!!! Thanks so much solmama who sent sunshine all the way from WI!!!!

Favorite Color Swap

2008-03-15T16:03:00.002-05:00

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors? Green, Blue, Teal

2. What crafts do you really enjoy? I knit, crochet, and do just about anything else needle related.

3. What products do you really covet? Things to do with lace knitting, yarn, needles, patterns, ect.

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? I'm addicted to Ravelry and to internet KAL's. I like to watch DVD's of old TV programs like Babylon 5 and Dark Shadows.

5. Is there anything you collect? Pigs, any kind or shape

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? I'm an Aqurius and a Dragon

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells? Vanilla. Allergic to strong smells

…types of music and/or bands? 50 and 60's rock and roll and country

…authors? Dean Koonz and Stephen King

…animals? pigs, and can tolerate dogs and cats

…places to shop? Wal Mart and Hobby Lobby

…season? Fall

…yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies? Way to long a list!

…candies or goodies? Chocolate

8. Do you have any wish lists? not really

9. Are you allergic to anything? Strong smell will start me sneezing and eye watering.

10. Do you have any pets? What are they? 2 dogs and 3 cats that tolerate me only because I feed them.

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. Also, if you have a Ravelry ID, please include it here.I'm open to most anything. I'm thispiggyknits on Ravelry.

I'm really looking forward to this!! It's going to be fun!!

Baby Blanket

2008-03-10T17:54:00.003-05:00

Corner to Corner Baby Blanket

Size: 23 inches square
Materials:Size G crochet hook
Sirdar Snuggly double knitting yarn (50 gms / approx 191 yards) 4 skeins( Blanket in photo used approx. 100 gms of dusty pink, 50 gms of blue and 50 gms of light pink)Yarn
NeedleNote: this blanket is perfect for using up scraps of yarn and size can be changed easily by adding more rows of increases and decreases
Pattern:
Row 1: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and each remaining ch (DC cluster made), ch 6, turn
Row 2: dc in 4th ch from hook and next 2 ch, sl st in ch 3 of 1st DC cluster, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp as slSt, ch 6, turn
Rows 3 – 34: (increase rows) dc in 4th ch from hook and next 2 ch, (sl st in ch 3 sp of next cluster, ch 3, inSame ch 3 sp as sl st work 3 dc) across. At end of row 34 do not ch 6, just turn.
Rows 35 – 67: (decrease rows) sl st across dc to ch 3 sp, *ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, sl st in next ch 3 sp,repeat from * across
At end of row 67 begin edging.
Edge:
Ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc in same ch 3 sp, **skip next row end, *3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in end of next row, skip nextRow end. Repeat from * to next corner. Work 10 dc in corner.Repeat from ** 3 more times.
Join to beginning ch 3.
Break off and weave in yarn ends
Enjoy your new Baby Blanket!!!!!
Colors for blanket in picture: 6 rows light pink, 3 rows blue, 8 rows dusky pink, 4 rows blue, 5 rows light pink, 3 rows blue, 9 rows dusky pink, 3 rows blue, 5 rows light pink, 4 rows blue, 8 rows dusky pink, 3 rows blue, 6 rows light pink. Edging light pink
Abbreviations:
Ch- chain
dc- double crochet
sl st- slip stitch
sp- space

This Lil Piggy Knits

Catch Up

2008-03-08T15:06:00.003-06:00

I've been busy as usual... Not that that's anything new or different! I got a belated birthday gift from a really great friend. A swift!! Not only a swift, but a giant swift!! The yarn that's on it is a stash reduction thanks to Fleegle!!!!! It's from Laughing Rat and is going to live the rest of it's life as socks! Probably 2 pairs before it's over!! I love it! I've joined another sock KAL (yes, that makes 3 socks,2 dishcloths and 4 shawls). I've got a great pair on the needles for it. I guess I just can't get enough punishment!

Ravelry has been keeping me busy too. I can't help myself, I'm so addicted it's sad!! I've gone lace yarn crazy and I keep finding great people that want to reduce their stash!!!! I'm also envolved with a RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) group that Rocks!!! I would've missed so much without Ravelry (but I would've got much more knitting done!!) Don't take me wrong RAVELRY ROCKS!!!!

Got to get back to all those KAL's........not that I'm not already behind!! LOL!!

Have a Great Day!!! :D

Ravelry

2008-03-01T20:43:00.002-06:00

Hi,
Has anyone but me noticed that since joining Ravelry their knitting production has dropped?? It seems like I got twice as much done before Ravelry (BR) as I'm getting done with Ravelry (WR). Is there really that much of a time warp WR?? Do I need to get the DH to take the computer to work with him so that I have to get my needles clicking??? (I'd have to hurt him if he tried....) Is there a happy medium of BR time and WR time?? Am I wasting good knitting time writing this??? (Duh, yes). Just my thoughts as I look at the clock and it's been 2 hours since I logged onto Ravelry and my big butt hasn't left this chair!! GadZooks!!!!

:D Carla

Bunny Egg Dishcloth

2008-03-01T12:09:00.002-06:00

BUNNY EGG DISHCLOTH

Materials:

Size 3 needles
Dishcloth cotton worsted weight approx 1 1/2 oz.

Guage:
In Garter St:
15 Stitches to 4 inches
32 rows to 4 inches

Pattern:

CO 18 st
1: k across
2: k1- kfb (knit in front and back of next st increasing 1 st) k across to last 2 st - kfb in next st- k last stitch
3-16: Repeat rows 1 - 2
18- 20: k across
21: k13 - p8 -k13
22: k across
23: k12 -p10 -k12
24: k across
25: k11 -p12 -k11
26-32: repeat rows 24 -25 ending with row 24
33: k12 -p10 -k12
34: k across
35: k13 -p8 -k13
36: k across
37: k14 -p2 -k2 -p2 -k14
38: k across
39: k13 -p3 -k2 -p3 -k13
40- 46: Repeat rows 38- 39 ending with a row 38
47: k14 -p2 -k2 -p2 -k14
48: k1 -k2tog -k across to last 3 st -k2 tog -k1
49: k14 -p1 -k2 -p1 -k14
50: k1 -k2tog -k across to last 3 st -k2tog -k1
51: k across
52 -57: Repeat rows 50 -51
58: k1 -k2tog -k3 -k2tog -k6 -k2tog -k3 -k2tog -k1
59: k across
60: k1 -k2tog -k to last 3 st -k2tog -k1
61: k across
62: k1 -(k2tog -k2)twice -k2tog -k1
63: k across
64: k1 -(k2tog -k2)twice -k2tog -k1
65; bind off in knit
Weave in ends and enjoy your dishcloth!!

There's a little bunny's head in the middle of the egg, it doesn't show up very well in the picture, but does show in "real life" I'll never be a professional photographer!! LOL!!

It's a Start!!!!

2008-02-27T21:56:00.006-06:00

It's a start... My "Butterflies in the Garden" Shawl is now done in pencil and started in yarn!! I've just about got the "trees" done and start on my fence next. I've got this picture of a fairytale garden in my mind and we'll see what it translates into. Of course in any good fairytale you have to go thru the woods to find the garden....thus starting with trees and a fence.

OK, so I'm a little off, and live in my own little world....it could be a whole lot worse world!! LOL!! This is how you think after having grand-daughters for the weekend. They are great kids and I'm always so glad when it's time for them to get here and so very glad when it's time for them to go home!! (Granny Carla really needs a nap!!!!!) I really think that God gave the energy to the wrong people. We have to chase after them and amuse them, we need their unlimited energy reserves!!! LOL!! Granny loves these two!

Got to get back to the fence!! LOL

Dirt Storm

2008-02-26T18:38:00.005-06:00

Hi,
We're still digging out from the dust storm (more like dirt) yesterday. Everything today has a dusty smell and just feels gritty. Luckily, they usually only last a day at a time!! A cold front moved in and the wind was gusting up to 48 mph. And no, our sky usually isn't brown, and that is the sun!!

On a high note I've got my lace weight in to start my "Butterflies in the Garden" shawl entry for the contest that LittleKnits is sponsoring!! I thought about a garden when I saw the colors in this yarn. They're like the colors in the Iris flowers I love, purples, greens, just beautiful. The name of the yarn is Trenna and it's 50% merino wool and 50% silk and is absolutely wonderful!! I know that winding the ball doesn't count as a start, but.......

I finished the husband's Wallaby last night and now he has a sweater to wear when he goes for his early morning golf games. Or will have for awhile longer this year!! LOL. It was supposed to be for his birthday on the 12th, but better late than never. DD bought the yarn and I did the knitting. It's a Hobby Lobby yarn "I Love This Yarn" and that's really the name. It's really soft and worked up well, which is a lot more than I can say for most of their store brands!!

Well, back to my pencil and pad and getting a pattern knocked out for this shawl!!!

finished baby blanket --Revolution

2008-02-25T18:24:00.002-06:00

Finished baby blanket turned out 30 inches across and was a blast to work on!!!

Carla

Revolution

2008-02-22T14:54:00.003-06:00

Hi, Found this pattern on Ravelry and couldn't figure it out on my own. Had to buy it. It's knit in almost one piece and is an amazing pattern!! Talk about fun.....almost mindless knitting after you get started. It's at: http://www.woollythoughts.com/afghans/index.html
and there's all kinds of ways to move the pattern around and change the look. They even give you "coloring sheets" that you can play with and see what your colors would look like. Had to share the fun!!
:) Carla

DH--Gotta love him!!

2008-02-21T21:42:00.004-06:00

I'm running behind, as usual, but I just couldn't resist putting this in!! Gotta love him! Should really add that this is caused by working 60 hours a week so that his wife can stay at home and play!! Like I said, Gotta love hime!!!!

:) Carla

2008-02-18T20:29:00.001-06:00

Cables and Lace Scarf
Size: 7 inches X 50 inches
Materials:
Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino (125m / 50g) 2 skiens
Size 5 needles
Yarn needle
Pattern:
CO 33 st
Rows 1-6: knit across
7: k5, p2, LC (Lace Cable-slip 3rd st on left needle over 1st and 2nd st, - work k1, yo, k1 over these two st ) p2, k2, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k2, p2, LC, p2, k5
8: (all even rows) k7, p3, k2, p9, k2, p3, k7
9: k5, p2, k3, p2, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, p2, k3, p2, k5
11: k5, p2, LC, p2, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k1, p2, LC, p2, k5
13: k5, p2, k3, p2, k2, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k2, p2, k3, p2, k5
15: k5, p2, LC, p2, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, p2, LC, p2, k5
17: k5, p2, k3, p2, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k1, p2, k3, p2, k5
19: k5, p2, LC, p2, k2, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k2, p2, LC, p2, k5
Cable and Lace Scarf
Page 2
21: k5, p2, k3, p2, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, p2, k3, p2, k5
Repeat rows 11 – 21 until piece measures 49 inches from cast on edge
Knit 6 rows and bind off
Enjoy your new scarf!!
Abbreviations:
k- knit
p- purl
LC- lace cable stitch
yo- yarn over
ssk- slip 2 stitches to right needle and back to left turning twist on stitches, then knit these two stitches together
k2tog- knit two stitches together
k3tog- knit three stitches together
This Little Piggy Knits

Finally!!!!

2008-02-18T20:14:00.003-06:00

Husband finally came through and bought me a digital camera! I'm now driving the whole family crazy!!! (including the dogs and cats). I've been busy this last month and haven't really slowed down. Husband asked me to make a shawl for his cousin's SO(significant other) and that took awhile, but here it is! I want to publish the pattern, and will get to that soon. I think that it turned out well, and she was excited about it. He doesn't ask for much (he knows that it's going to cost him!!)....

I've also been making dishcloths for the exchanges that i'm in and have spent more time than I should've on Ravelry. Talk about an addiction. That place is really bad!!!! I go 2 or 3 times a day (or more) and belong to too many groups. The one group that I've really been active in lately is the Random Acts of Kindness group. I think that it's about the best one available (personal opinion). I really enjoy cyber-meeting everyone and have even found someone that shares my love of pigs!!!!

I'm going to try and get that scarf pattern on tonite!!! Wish us (DD and myself) luck!!!!

Carla

fun

2008-02-13T21:15:00.001-06:00

a href="http://www.the-n.com/games/quiz/3321">

catching up??

2008-01-24T15:37:00.001-06:00

Hi, just a note to keep in touch. I'm trying to figure out how to put my first free pattern here on my site. Hopefully my DD will be able to help me do this sometimes next week. It's for a scarf that I made out of some really neat yarn from a friend's stash. It's a combo of my two favorite things, lace and cables. Wish me luck!
Carla

Happy New Year & FO!!!

2008-01-02T18:47:00.000-06:00

Whoo-Ho!! Jan 2 and the first FO of the year is done and already sniched by DD!! I made a wonderful pair of fingerless mittens from Knitty 2006 called Fetching. http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTfetching.html Still don't have a camera up and running, but will post pictures ASAP. I had them done on Jan 1 and my DD had them before midnight!!! LOL. Just wonderful having her back home. (now when is SIL coming home!?!?!?) Gotta love her.

On the needles:
pair of soft slouch socks
Spring Shawl Surpice yahoo KAL
Ample Knitters KAL sweater
my 2nd MS6 shawl
dishcloth for my exchange partner
dark green socks for SIL

Let me see, can I say too many KALs?? Yes I can!!
Hope that 2008 finds you and yours in wonderfully high cotton!!!!

Hi Yall

2007-12-30T15:18:00.000-06:00

Just a note to say Hi and get this off the ground. I'm a 55 yr old retired housewife with 4 grown kids and 6 grands. I stay busy with knitting mania. DH works 60 hours a week to let me stay home and bless him!! That leaves me plenty of time for knitting, crochet, plastic canvas(a dollhouse for grands) and internet. In the picture is my DH, myself, my one and only DD and her wonderful husband. (SIL is in Iraq right now so prayers are gratefully accepted.) The lace on her wedding dress is all hand knitted by this piggy and will post more pics when I can figure out how. LOL I may be computer literate, but friendly is another subject!!!

I'm going to get back to WIPS now. I'm in the Mystery Shawl 6 group and want to have that finished before more start. I've turned into a KAL slut. Every one that winks at me I join!! LOL I'm signed up for 4 more shawls, 2 socks, and a weekly dishcloth exchange!! Trust me, Ravelry is not my friend!!! It is a terrible enabler!!!

Bye for now!!