Dog Tired.

As in, tired as Puddles on a hot day.

One would think that after a three day weekend I would be refreshed and ready to face work again. But no. The gazillion emails that awaited me this morning was a harbinger of the day I was to have. I'm really a bit too tired to post tonight, but I wanted to blog all weekend and promised myself a few minutes to reflect at the end of the day. As I stared at my computer, too tired, I thought I'd peek at some old blog posts I'd written....so I looked at all the May posts from a few years ago, then another May, the last May. And I can sum them all up by telling you that May usually kicks my butt at work. End of the school year, new schedules,etc. Well, this May is still kicking.....

There has been some knitting though. I made some nice progress on one of my new designs that I'm working on for TNNA. Poor lighting tonight doesn't do this gorgeous yarn from Knitted Wit justice.





I do love when the transition to the edging actually works!

I'll be working on this all week to finish it and get started on my other TNNA design. Nothing like a deadline to get the knitting mojo going.

Now, a few new things I've been meaning to mention....

1. I don't like the new flickr layout. What the heck?!

2. I just signed up for Audible.com.  We'll see how this whole audiobook thing goes. I'll be honest, I don't know if I'll be able to to concentrate on an audiobook.  I loved Harry Potter on the audiobooks, but that was because I had already read the books and if my mind wandered, I wasn't completely lost. But, I've been having some long drives lately and I need to try something to entertain me on them. First book I'm trying is The Chaperone.  Elizabeth McGovern narrates it, so I figured I couldn't go wrong with listening to Cora Crawley :)

3. Did you see the new Signature needles?? Interesting......

4. I will continue to gush and gush about Anne Hanson's clubs (I've only signed up for the e-book versions) because they are so much more than a pattern. This month's Bare Naked Knitspot chapter included two awesome patterns (here and here) as well as a wealth of yarn information and Anne's own process as a designer. That is where I feel like I'm learning so much just reading the pages and pages of information (I think the ebook is well over 100 pages now).  Anyways, this last month's yarn and pattern I LOVED because it reminded me of my Irish Dancing Days!  Check out Ghillie, the new yarn from Knitspot, and named after the Highland Dancing (or in my case, Irish Dancing) shoes.  In addition to my Slip Jig sock pattern, I've thought about having a Treble Jig pattern and a Hornpipe pattern someday.  This would be the perfect yarn for that.

5. I'm still obsessed with DavidsTea, particularly their ice teas for summer!

6. I miss knit nite. I've gone just once this entire year?!?!?! I'm really really hoping to get to go next week, since this week didn't happen. Again.

7. Not new, but a reminder that there are just a few days left to use the Mad May coupon. Receive 20% off most IGK patterns in my ravelry shop when you use the coupon code: madmay  Good through the end of the month.

Anything new for you guys? I'd love to hear :)

I really hope this week starts looking up....

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

52 Weeks of Happy (18/52)

It has been a hard week here as a dear friend and coworker lost her father suddenly this past weekend. But I think it is when things like this happen that we really need to remember the blessings, love and happy things that fill our lives.

• happy doggies who seem to always take over a certain little someone's spot as soon as she leaves

• evening walks at 8pm and the sun is still out

• realizing you work with an amazing group of people who are there for each other in good times and bad

• getting back on track with the healthy eating plan and feeling good!

•  3-day weekends!!!

I'd love to hear what has made you guys happy this week?  How about plans for the holiday weekend?  For me, I'm down to the wire on some deadlines for TNNA that is just around the corner. I'm really hoping to power through my knitting to-do list this weekend. Wish me luck!!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

52 Weeks of Happy (17/52)

• time to actually sit and swatch for a new design

• going to the farmer's market and eating well all week

• watching Lil' Snow light up while enjoying a local children's theater performance of Wizard of Oz

• casting on a new shawl design with Knitted Wit's lovely Cashy Lite (love!)

This is such a busy time of year at work with the end of the school year that I'm trying to focus on the happy and not some of the day to day stress.  I hope you are doing that too. You know I love to hear about your happy this week....share away in the comments :)

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Mad May special coupon code has been extended....check here for details!

Mad May!

Are you guys celebrating all things Madelinetosh this month? I finished my San Mateo scarf last week but I still haven't blocked it. Today I thought what the heck.  It may not be as drapey and dreamy in the pictures, but I could always show you some unblocked pictures. So here goes.



Then I worried about who was around to model it and almost didn't take pictures. Then I remembered Britney S. Pierce (what, you don't name your dress forms?!). She came through with the modeling :)





Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light, colorway Nightbloom. I can't wait to block this because I know the drape will be amazing.

I'm still trying to decide if I have time to cast on one more Mad May project. I have some Pashmina Worsted in this same colorway.....hmmmm.....

Oh, and since my Mad May coupon code has been going well (thanks for spreading the word! We've had more people join the IGK Ravelry group this month!!), I've decided to extend it for the rest of the month!  Receive 20% off any IGK pattern that is $6.00 or less (excludes some collections) from my ravelry store with the coupon code: madmay 

Some perfect patterns would be.....



Summer Wind, designed for MadMay a few years ago in Tosh Merino Light



Naylor Street for that single skein of Tosh Vintage you have in your stash



Raindrops on Roses, in Tosh Sock

Whether or not you are participating in Mad May, I'd love to hear what you have on your needles.  I'll be back to show you the pretty yarn I'm using for my next design.

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

52 Weeks of Happy (16/52)

• a lovely day in the city today taking mom to see the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit

• an almost perfect cafe au lait

• an awesome gift for teacher/staff appreciation week

• Pa and Lil guy....too cute!

• this lovely blogpost from Anzula

Hope you all had a great weekend! Can't wait to hear what made you happy this week.

Happy knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing a very happy mother's day to all of the women who love and take care of the special children in their lives....from moms to aunties to grandmas to friends. 









Lil' Snowboarder surprised me at dinner Friday night by having the waiter bring me a happy mother's day dessert! She was so proud of herself....she had told me she was going to ask the waiter to bring daddy a special treat but she wanted to ask him herself.  I had no clue!  Such a sweet little girl. 





I love her so much :)



Lil' Snowboarder and I made granola this week for gifts.  Delish!



But I needed an extra mother's day gift for someone this year....



I knit a wee Naylor Street hat for my sister who is expecting this November!! So excited for her and my brother-in-law! I can't wait to be an auntie again!!



Congrats Sis!



And happy mother's day to all of you who have furry little ones too!! These are my two babies and I love them to bits!!

Wishing you all a lovely day!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Take me out to the ballgame...

We had a great time watching Lil' Guy play baseball last weekend! That kid sure loves to play. And because this auntie can't get enough of lil' guy here's a gazillion pictures from last weekend.  I promise some knitting at the end of the post :)




He even blows bubbles while he hits.


See.






Score!!





I can't take credit for any of these awesome pictures. I'm so so glad my sister-in-law has taken up photography! Aren't these great pictures?


Pa and Lil' Guy!

Now for the knitting.  I finished my Mad May San Mateo scarf. I just need to block it. Saloni from my LYS, Nine Rubies, finished hers and it is so dreamy!!  Remember, San Mateo is on sale for $5.00 through May 15 (extended to match the Mad May sale!). 

And I finished a gift knit that I've been promising since last summer....oops.... a baby SF Giants Naylor St. hat!I even used some stash yarn, Plucky Knitter Primo fingering held doubled! Yay!



Lil' Snowboarder saw this and asked why I wasn't knitting something for her?  I joked I'd add her to the list, and she just gave me that look.  Someone wants SF giants fingerless gloves I think....

Hope you guys are having a great weekend! I've even got a post planned for tomorrow!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

52 Weeks of Happy (15/52)

• Lil Snowboarder's awesome Show Choir Spring Concert performance this week made me burst with pride! The entire choir did an amazing job and I was so proud of Lil' Snow!! 

• Celebrating with friends the debut of a new yarn and more importantly a new venture, A Verb for Keeping Warm Pioneer

• On a not so fun Thursday, this box from DavidsTea showed up and brightened my day.  My local store is out of their seasonal PomTango and it is my new favorite tea. I had to order more before it is discontinued......ack....

• Despite choosing the hottest weekend of the year it seems, we had a fabulous time watching Little Guy's baseball game!! He went 4 for 4 with 3 base hits and a double, all from pitches (e.g., not off a tee).  

• The doggies did not love the heat at the baseball game, but I do think Puddles loved being at the park for that long!

• More happy.... I finished my Mad May San Mateo infinity today! Yay!  And I walked for an hour too...trying to get back into shape!

• And tonight I will watch my favorite shows....Game of Thrones, Mad Men, The Bletchly Circle (new on PBS...really like it!)...and then catch up more tomorrow on Call the Midwife, Mr. Selfridge. Oh, and I watched the first three episodes of Rectify today.  That's a good one too!

Can't wait to hear about the happy in your week!  Here's to another week filled with happy ahead :)
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

The Blogging To-Do List

My to-do lists have been a bit overwhelming lately. I finally have lots to blog about, but no time to do it!  So, as a quick saying hi post, I thought I might as well make my blogging to-do list to give you a peek at more to come in the next week or so.

1) Finish sharing some fun pictures from my trip to New Orleans last week. Like how much I love the vibrant and charming aspects of the city.  This building just made me smile :)



2) I released my new design, San Mateo, this week. I promise to tell you all about it but for now you should know that it is on sale for $5.00 through May 13, 2013 and even more on sale if you read #3. There is more info on Ravelry until I have time for a proper post.





3) Mad May!! It is Madelinetosh May over on Ravelry and to celebrate I'm offering 20% off all of my IGK patterns that are $6.00 or less through May 15, 2013 when you enter the code: madmay    

I'm starting Mad May off right with hopefully finishing this version of San Mateo this weekend.



Wait, I just told you about my Mad May special, so I think I can cross that off the list :)  Check.

4) I can't wait to tell you about my awesome afternoon yesterday helping A Verb for Keeping Warm celebrate the debut of their new yarn, Pioneer.



I'm casting on as soon as I finish that scarf above. Who cares if it has been 90 degrees here this week. Give me the sheepy wool!!



And yes, that is my dear friend Debbi in that picture.  More to come :)

5) New books to share. Fun tv shows. Other fun stuff. My happy post.

Hopefully I'll catch up soon.  In the meantime, what have you guys been up to? I'd love to hear! Oh, and thank goodness tomorrow is Friday, right?!?!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits