1,000,000 Giraffes....

One Million Giraffes by 2011.... That is what is being collected over at the One Million Giraffes website. It started as a bet that turned into a big deal. Check it out here! Currently they have collected 465,758 and need 534,242 in just 373 days before 2011.

GASP.... OHHHHH MY Dear Santa.......

I have been such a good girl this year Santa... (to purchase please visit http://atwestend.com/recycledgiraffe.aspx) Hint Hint Hint.....

Woodsmoke Cuffs Growing

So the cuffs of my two at a time on two circulars are growing. I am getting closer to the two inches needed so that I can start the pattern repeats.

My head is spinning because I just found a few giraffe goodies! First there is Mybootee Knits Giraffe Pattern.

How cute is that guy?

Next up is another knitter who loves giraffes too. Meet Knitting Giraffe.

Oh stay tuned for a blog contest in the near future. I have some goodies I intend to give away!

Lace Giraffe

Heather is a wonderful enabler. She had a copy of Victorian Lace Today with her over the weekend. Amazon.com is a wonderful thing because a copy was ordered for me on Saturday and it arrived today!


Flipping through and reading the first few pages I found this! OMG I realize this is an example photo in the book of Victorian lace but I have to somehow learn enough about creating lace to recreate this pattern. I have to have that knitted lace giraffe!

San Diego Surprises

So our friends Molly and Dave are in San Diego for Christmas visiting her Mom and Step-Dad. Today I got an awesome text from Molly with this picture attached!


Wooooooohoooooo Thanks for the giraffes!

Tis the season....

The weekend started out with this very cute picture of my boys cuddling on the couch.

Yesterday we had a couple of friends over for some appetizers and dessert. I decided to pull out Grammy's china and dress the table in a lace tablecloth made by my Mom's hands. It was stunning if I say so myself.

The Rubber Tree has been loaded down with gifts. Who knew that a Blue Spruce isn't needed to get the Christmas Mojo working? Perhaps a Palm Tree next year?

After "dinner" conversation.

Now I can give details on two items knitted for Christmas gifts since the recipients have received them. Below is the Pastaza Skull Cap by Angelika Burles. I knit this using Mission Falls Super Wash yarn that is so soft and yummy. Stephen seemed to really enjoy the skull cap which is very rewarding for me as a knitter. I would much rather make things for those who truly appreciate the work that goes into making a hand knitted item. Sure it is easy to go to the store and buy a skull cap. It would probably be much cheaper between not only the monetary investment and the hours of time to create the piece. He did say he would much rather receive a hand made item than a store bought one.


It is funny... Back during the summer I made these fingerless mitts. Arla tried them on when they were finished without knowing they would eventually be hers for Christmas. She was excited to receive them. She is also wearing the Friendship Scarf I made for her last year's Christmas gift. The mitts are Fingerless Mitts by Ann Budd from the Weekend Knitting and were knit using Mission Falls Super Wash yarn.


Ohhhhh and I received this cutie from Arla. I am going to find a cute hook to hang her from that will display her with the rest of my collection in our office. She is currently hanging from one of the spice drying rods in the kitchen. So frigging cute.

So this was the Clapotis as of yesterday morning. I have actually cranked out a bunch more on it today so the picture is a bit dated. I should have this finished soon and I can't wait to block and wear it. Very exciting knit!

Giraffes & Rachel

So recently I was tooling around Rachel's Facebook and found the picture above. I freaked out. Those that don't know me very well may not know that I love giraffes. I think they are the most incredible creatures. Anyway I asked Rachel if that was her in the picture as a child and this is what she had to say:

it was taken at this wildlife place in lake erie! i can tell you a great story to go with it too, well in my eyes- not sure if you'll find it that funny.... but my best friends birthday is august 6 and that's always during 'lake erie week' and so for her birthday we went to this animal place and they sold carrots but they were super expensive so we went to the nearest grocery and bought them out of carrots like a BUNCH and it was so fun and everything, but then ever since then she talks about it as the birthday that she only got carrots. haha, she uses that excuse whenever she wants anything! it stirs up guilt in her mom, it's so funny... so she got a super graduation present, in honor of the birthday she only got carrots....... :)

Thanks for letting me share this story and picture Rachel!