{Coolest Flickr Set Ever}

I found it you guys!  I don't know if you remember when I put out the question to everyone about "that site that has cool old photos whose copyright has run out."  And here it is!

The U.S. National Archives Flickr Page

They have 236 pages of old photos from all of US History and they're all free to use!  So so cool.

A couple of awesome examples of WW2 Women hard at work!

I love that site!

Other than that, it's my Birthday today!! Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeeee!! I'm currently being spoiled rotten by my Mister, and then I have my last final exam in just a couple of days, so you probably won't hear from me until the end of the week.  Talk to ya soon!!

{What's Your Favorite Sock Yarn?}

I've knit a grand total of two pairs of socks in my life so far.  Remember these?

They are so so soft and warm and comfy.  They were made from a recycled Good Will sweater that was a wool and angora combo but unfortunately, they're just not holding up.


Exhibit A:

I've got some leather soles that I saved off an older pair of bought mukluks so I think I'll sew those on so these socks can live another season. hehe  But!  I would like to know folks... what's your favorite sock yarn?  I plan on making some fluffy winter house socks like this as Christmas gifts this year and less than one year's wear is not good enough!

Thanks!

{Alright. It has to be said.}

 I really dislike Word Verification. There. I said it.  It's not that I dislike the people who use Word Verification for posts on their blogs - they are super nice people, I'm sure!  I just really hate typing those stupid non-words, and I hate to admit it but sometimes? I just don't bother commenting.  I too fear spam on my blog but I just use the moderation option instead.     Makes me sound like a lazy bum doesn't it? lol

Alright, that's my two cents for today.  What's your opinion?

{Clue #57....}

Clue #57 that it's almost Finals Week:

       There is nothing but cereal bowls, spoons and coffee cups in the dishwasher.  And it hasn't been run in 3 days.

Bonus Clue: 

       Your hubby took peanut butter and jelly to work for dinner. *cringe!*  Sorry baby!


I finally cooked tonight for the first time this week and it was actually pretty tasty.  I barbecued some chicken with my new VERY favorite  Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime.  I don't usually use pre-made spices, but Mrs. Dash is salt free and SUPER tasty.  Tonight was the first night on chicken and it was way good, but you've never experienced this stuff until you eat it on shrimp.  Oh. my. god. SO GOOD.

Unfortunately, it might be the last time I cook this week too.  4 more days of class before my finals.  EEP!

{Knitting Podcasts?}

I know I've probably mentioned this before, but I drive about an hour to and from school every day.  And since radio commercial pretty much drive me bonkers and I can't handle the silence, I listen to podcasts on my iPod!  I have a couple of favourites, like Stuff You Should Know, and Hardcore History, but I have been desperately wanting a crafty goodness podcast to indulge in on my way to school.

But I've had a serious problem with the few that I've downloaded and tried.  They ALL sound like the host is reading from a script word for word and I just can't take it.  All the dramatic pauses for effect that you do when you're reading, the formal style of talking and the asking questions to the listeners when really you're in a room by yourself talking to a microphone.  It just all sounds so forced and formal and awkward to me.  I haven't even been able to finish an entire episode of the three that I've tried.

All my favourite blogs are super casual and super informative and I guess I like my podcasts the same way.  Have you had any luck with knitting or crafting podcasts?

{Favorite Yarns} - KnitCroBlo7

This post marks the end of Knit and Crochet Blog Week, the brain child of Eskimmi from Eskimmi Knits.  Thank you so much for doing all the coordinating! It has been so much fun and I feel so connected to the online community. :)

So... my favorite yarns.  Going through my stash it was hard to pick a couple that are my favorite! That seems to be a common problem for the knitters I've been reading. hehe All these yarns I'm going to show you were gifts from my very generous friend Hope.  I love all the yarn she gave me so much I want to knit with it all at the same time!!  This summer is going to be knitting extravaganza because all this pesky school work will be out of my way. hehehe :)

Aran Silky Merino from Sundara Yarns

The purple shades in this yarn are just too gorgeous for words and it's got such a beautiful sheen to the yarn!  I also adore that this is an aran weight, which will make such a great quick project! I can't wait to get started on the top that I have picked out for this yarn, Damariscotta. (rav link)  Someone has actually already knit it in this yarn and it looks so pretty!  I can just press this one against my face and sigh contentedly.

Two Four Silk by Handmaiden Fine Yarn

This yarn makes my heart stop when I look at it, it's so beautiful.  The colours are gradual change and I can not WAIT to knit with it.  I'm thinking maybe a scarf that I can drape around my neck and show off!  It's not as soft as the one above, but I have a feeling it might end up being sturdier.  The best part? It's a Canadian yarn dyed in Nova Scotia and I love to support my country's entrepreneurs when I can. :)  You guys should check out her site (the link below the pic) because pretty much everything she does looks amazing.

Does it need an introduction? ;)

Before Malabrigo I never knew wool could feel so good. Seriously. Like a cloud. I'm knitting with the fingering weight right now for my Haruni Shawl.  Both of them are just so gorgeous in their semi-solids! I love their subtle colour changes.  The Haruni (which will hopefully be finished soon so I can show you some pics) is a pretty shade of greyish-purple.  This is the first lace yarn I've ever owned too and even with the fingering I"m so amazed at how long the skein is lasting.  I think I'm going to finish the entire shawl with one skein!!  It just keeps going!  I definitely see why people say that you get more for your money when you go with the lighter weights of yarn.  I certainly hope to work with more Malabrigo in the future!

{Visit a Past FO} - knitcroblo6

Yes, I know I skipped day 5 as yesterday was CRAZY at school so I didn't get a chance.  But I'm back for day 6 and I'm ready to talk about a past FO, and actually, one that kinda relates to why I didn't get to post yesterday.

My Traveling Woman Shawl was shown in an art exhibit yesterday!  How cool is that?  My project group at school was putting on Girl-Positive event and the other group members thought my shawl was so cool that they wanted to display it right beside the other art pieces!

I wear this around campus when it gets chilly and I always get a ton of compliments.  This lace knitting is a ton of work, but dang does it look impressive when you're done. hehe