Beautiful Things and Surprises Revealed

Happy Spring Wednesday Everyone!

Sunday afternoon there was an estate auction two houses down on our street.  The neighborhood was a bustle of cars, people walking, a din of chatter and auctioneer sounds.  We picked up a few goodies and Jeff shuttled back and forth between the auction and our house depending on what they were selling at the moment.  For a while I sat on the porch swing knitting while Emeline and Lila Pearl played on the porch and ran about in the grass.  It was a beautiful sunny day - perfect for the auction.

Emeline was down in the grass picking dandelions and wandered over to the driveway.  She stopped in the middle of the driveway and stared for a moment at the garage.  Then she said, "Mommy..... Mommy!  Come see this!  Mommy.  You have to see this beautiful thing."

For a few days every spring our driveway is covered with a halo of bring pink blossoms - the red bud trees are stunning.  I actually hate those trees the rest of the year because every single tiny pink blossom produces what seems like approximately one hundred wafer thin seed pods that litter our driveway and patio later in the year then crack open and release four or five small disc-like seeds which get stuck on your shoes, feet, etc, and get tracked through the house.  Think cat hair.  These seeds and pods haunt you like cat hair.  The cat can be dead and gone for twenty five years but you still find their hairs around the house - even when you move to a different house.  Yes - the seed pods are like that.  The only thing that keeps me from cutting our red bud trees down is the picture above.  When they are in bloom I would like to set up a tent at the end of our driveway and stay out there until they're gone because it is a beautiful sight to see.  And I'd still be nearby to a bathroom.  I was happy to know Emeline notices these beautiful things in our world without being prompted.

It's always a fun and unexpected surprise when someone who I don't know ads me to their "Friends" on Ravelry.  I always wonder why in the world they want me for a Friend if they don't know me.  A few days ago I received a notice that Cedric added me to his Friends.  When I get a new request I always add that person to my Friends, then click on their picture to read their profile so I can learn more about them.  Cedric is a 74yo man.  He has been knitting for over 70 years.  And lives in the Shetland Islands.  This is all very interesting to me.  Even more, he's all of this - lives in this place - and has a computer and is using Ravelry.  And he has less than 40 people (at the time of this writing) on his list of Friends.  I am so honored that Cedric added me to his Friends.  Hmm.  His birthday is November 9th.  Maybe he wants to participate in the Ravelry Scorpio Birthday Swap this year!?  You never know.  I could ask him. 

Although I haven't been posting a whole lot, I am getting caught up on Bloglines.  Why oh why do I love to read so many blogs?  I'm keeping the number down - less than 200 unread posts now when it was over 2000!  And I'm happy to say I did read - a bit of skimming might have happened - but I didn't just wipe it all out and start anew.  I'm not commenting much (who has time? actually I would have time but my ancient computer doesn't like to leave comments - that will all change when we get our Economic Stimulus Check next month!) but I'm reading reading reading!  :)

SURPRISE TIME!

So the surprises.  I have three surprises right now.  I'm keeping one as secret a while longer.  The other two are ready for a Reveal!  Yay!

Surprise #1:  I told you I've been writing a sock pattern to be released with a kit.  Here's a little more information about it.  I've got my fingers crossed that you'll LOVE this!

Introducing Pink Ribbon Socks!

These are not the final pattern photos - I'll probably try to get the giant sack of yarn stash out of the way for the final photo shoot.  heh

The kit concept began with this colorway - called Pink Ribbon.  After I dyed it and I saw this yarn I was instantly inspired.  The pattern came together quickly in my head and with some research, lots of swatching, and diligent knitting, my idea became an actual knitted item (even a pair!).  Now the pattern is on paper, has been charted and is on its way to my test knitters!  Wow!  The original pair of Pink Ribbon Socks fit my daughter Katie perfectly (and it was her turn in the family sock knitting queue).  She wore them for the first time to school yesterday.  For some reason that made me nervous.  hehe

The Pink Ribbon Sock Kit is a limited edition and will soon have a web page with instructions for preordering.  The kit will cost $40 plus shipping, international orders will be accepted, and $20 of every purchase will be donated to the national Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation!

The Pink Ribbon Lace pattern begins at the top with a cable twist and goes down each side of the leg, seperating at the gusset, carrying the ribbons to meet in the front and back.  The Pink Ribbon Lace pattern continues down the front of the foot and at the heel concludes with a cable twist.  The foot and leg can be adjusted in length by adding or subtracting repeats from the pattern, or adding stockinette at the end of the foot.

Complete instructions are given in the pattern for heel flap construction, turning the heel, and completing the toe.  Alternate toe construction can be substituted for what is given in the pattern.

There will be 100 kits available, and each will come with the pattern, hand numbered, in a sheet protector along with 100g of the exclusive Sugar Bunny Boulevard Pink Ribbon colorway and the receipt confirming your donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation. 

If there is an overwhelming response to the kits there may be a second limited edition release later this summer in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.  At this time I haven't found a way to release the pattern for sale on its own so that the money can bypass me and be donated directly to Susan G Komen with an automatic download.  If anyone has ideas for this please let me know.

Surprise #2:

If you can stand it, I do have one more surprise.

Sugar Bunny Boulevard yarn and stich markers will soon be for sale at The Loopy Ewe.

I think that sentence stands alone.  If you're reading this you probably have a clue.

Had enough surprises?  Okay, then I think I'm done for now.  And next time I promise to show and tell about my Wee Tiny Sock Swap experience of 2008!  Yay!  I really love WTS.

Have a super wonderful rest of your week - enjoy the beauty of spring all around you - unless you're cussing about snow still falling - but still there must be some beautiful things to be appreciating, right?  Like you could pretend that you live in Australia and it's supposed to be getting cold and starting winter now?  :D

Take care of every little thing and I'll see you back here next time or maybe in your blog comments!

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Comments

[adrienne]

Crazy! That's awesome :)

[J. Denae]

Love that sock... I will be ordering a kit!

[Wool Winder]

You did a wonderful job designing this sock! Great attention to detail. I predict it's going to be a hit. Congratulations on the stitch marker deal too. Get ready to be very busy.

[margene]

You are moving into the big time, grrlfriend. The sock is darling! May the kit be a big success!

[Carolec]

My kit came today - I can't wait to get started!

[monica]

Beautiful sock!! And so are the redbud trees. I miss those trees.

[Pamela]

Laura, the socks you designed are gorgeous! Super job,I hope they sell a million. God Bless, Pam

[Amy Artisan]

What lovely pink things all around! Laura, that sock yarn & pattern is gorgeous. Just this week I have been setting up a blog for a friend's mother who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (in fact, she's in your neck of the woods). Given the pink ribbon connections in my life I can't wait to order the kit! :)

[Pat]

Laura, the pink ribbon sock is wonderful- let me know as soon as it's available. I've got to make those socks! Blessings upon you, my friend!

[Pat K]

What fantastic news! Congratulations!

[Jessica from KIP]

I love the loopy ewe! Thats soo awesome!!

[paula]

I love the pink ribbon socks/ How would they look in Apple Blossom? Yes, I love redbuds. We have both those and red maple seed flying things all over. Spring has sprung

[Susie]

See? It was just a matter of time, right? Congratulations!

~Hugs~

[Miss Scarlett]

Oh! I love the sock kit. If I can get it together I will order a kit -- my brother is getting married in 2 weeks (YAY!) and so things are tight - but this is such a worthy cause!

Congrats on the Loopy Ewe. Lady be prepared to be buuuusssyy!!

Yay for Emmeline finding beauty all around her - it's no surprise to us (readers) since her loved ones are skilled at finding the beauty in the fabric of daily life. :-)

Hugs.

[dirty sue]

red bud trees are my very favorite so i'm w/ you in the pitched tent.

it's a beautiful sock pattern and bless you for your work for worthwhile organizations. you are "good people."

[Bev]

Love the sock! Congrats on The Loopy Ewe! Sheri is such a wonderful person.

[Janette]

Wow! That's awesome!!

Funny, I was just thinking about the yarn I bought from you. I think it was the "carnival" colorway...the pinks, blues and whites. I originally bought it to make socks for Peanut & I for Walk America. Yeah, that's Sunday. Won't happen for this year, but maybe '09.

[Elizabeth]

Oh I love that sock and cannot wait for the kit! Good on ya! :)

[Vera]

Very lovely socks. I'm looking forward to seeing your yarns and things at The Loopy Ewe.

[Norma]

SOOOO pretty. I'm such a schlump knitter nowadays that I really SHOULDN'T, but I would love to be on the express lane for getting one of these kits!

[Abigail]

Excellent socks. Perfect in every way.

[KT]

Awesome socks! You are so very clever. Congrats on the loopy ewe, too.

[Joni]

I like the socks, too! You're knitting me a pair, right? Ha! :o)

Hey, did you see that CBS is in Greensburg all week for their Early Show??

[polly]

I would love a kit, must set my auto reminder to make sure that I don't forget.

btw, Have you tried justgiving.com or is there an equivalent US one?

[jessie]

What a great pattern. I love the heel. Is the pattern ever going to be available alone?

[Robin]

Congratulations on the LOOPY EWE. I love that store. I loved the pattern that you designed it is truly beautiful.

[Kim]

I am getting caught up in blogland after a mini vacation and I just wanted to tell you how much I love your sock pattern...it's lovely!