the craziness of life

The whole "ten hours of classes while working part time with three Border Collies and oh yeah writing knitting patterns" thing is keeping me busy. Really busy. So the blog seems to be the first thing to fall by the wayside... I'm not getting graded on it, it doesn't need attention and training and the whole pattern thing does generate a little income, too.

But anyways. It's been cold here. Almost the beginning of April and we've had all of two days in that got out of the 40's. Sigh. At least we've had some clear sunshine even though it's still cold. I'm getting Kenzi out and focusing on focus. She's making baby steps. We're currently working on directional send outs. She's got the basic concept down, now just need to focus on specifics.

I worked short searches with both Kipp and Kenzi tonight. Kipp has started to dink around just a bit while he's supposed to be searching. So a couple times now, I've put him up as soon as he starts thinking about something besides searching then got Kenzi out and worked her. I love sibling rivalry. Tonight I sent him out and he was hot!! Searched great, went in fast and started barking as he skidded to a stop. Just what I want!

My Missy girl had a birthday last Monday - she turned 12!! Oh my! She still hides her age pretty well in between those longer naps. She still loves her sheep chores and loves her ball. It makes me smile to watch her enjoy life!

On the knitting front I'm working on two more patterns for Knit Picks - whew! I like the challenge, but I'm ready to knit something without thinking about writing down the pattern when I'm done with the current pair of socks!

Hooray for Chuckit toys!

This morning FedEx delivered a box from Canine Hardware . It was the prize for winning the February photo contest and contained an awesome assortment of Chuckit toys. A ball launcher, seven different balls, a bumper for water fetch games and another of the favorite flying squirrels. We're going to have lots of fun with these - Thank you Canine Hardware!!

It's been a great week!!! First of all it's Spring Break so I've got a much appreciated break from school. Then my first pattern - Winding Road Socks - went up on the Knit Picks website Woo-Hoo!! that same day I received and email from KP saying that they were interested in another pattern idea of mine :D . Finally I got an email from Canine Hardware saying that my picture of Kipp was the February winner in their monthly photo contest. We're getting a box of Chuck-it toys in the mail as a prize - yay!!!

I'm back!

February was a busy month! Lots of writing for school and since I'm actually getting graded for that it took priority over blogging...

In knitting news, I've been working on a sock pattern for the KnitPicks IDP program :D The sample and pattern have been returned to KP and and now I'm impatiently waiting to hear if I get the final approval! And I'm currently working on a second pattern and sample for KP - a scarf this time around! And have more ideas floating around in my head. I'm really excited about this opportunity - doing something I love and getting paid for it!

On the dog front, I finally got Kenzi's pulling harness. I've done just a bit of foundation work with her and she's done really well. I figured she'd be up to the challenge! So I'll continue to do foundation work with her and plan on getting to the actual skijor part next winter. I tried Kipp out in harness but his response was "what in the world are you doing to me?!?!" I may be able to get him into the idea, or I may just work with Kenzi.

Just had a great weekend with fellow knitters/dog lovers! Talking, snacking, knitting, oohing and ahhing over each others projects. It was lovely! I took Kenzi along and she mooched snuggles and pets from everyone. Silly dog was so excited with everyone that she just couldn't settle down and go to sleep until I finally headed off to bed with her in the wee hours of the morning.

In other news, I've got the first sock finished for the KP Independent designers project. One sock to go. Hopefully I'll make lots of headway on it while cheering on the Packers in the Super Bowl tonight!

It's been a bit of a roller coaster week, good things, great things, scary things, frustrating things have all happened. But tonight, all is good. It it freezing cold and snowing outside and I'm curled up with my knitting and Kipp (who is an incredibly good snuggle dog). The other two pups are contentedly curled up for the night in their cozy corners. This all makes me smile.

Got an email from KnitPicks last night - they are interested in using my sock pattern in their Independent designers program - woohoo!!!!

They'll be sending me yarn support from their new Chroma line to knit the socks with - I can't wait to use it! Now to actually write down the pattern...

In other news, I finished the rough draft of a scarf pattern this morning and emailed it to some test knitters. I'm hoping to get the final pattern finished this weekend and submit that idea to KP as well. Then next week I'll be able to focus on the socks/pattern.