There are some weeks when time just seems to fly by and I kind of wonder where it went.  Andy and I have been working out in the yard and garden almost every night this week.  We have been debating on what to do with the flower garden that quickly became a jungle last year.  It's nearly impossible for me to work on it in the warmer months when the bee's are out.  I'm extremely allergic to bee stings as well as several other biting and stinging insects which makes gardening a bit tricky.  We have decided to take out most of the flowering plants and just leave a few of our favorites.  One of my personal favorites is our Columbine.  It never fails to produce beautiful flowers and has made a few babies.  We are also keeping all of our herb plants since we both enjoy cooking with them. I'm hoping by the end of next week that the garden looks good enough to take some full pictures of to post here.

I'm so excited to announce that Candy Necklace is now available on Ravelry!  It's a really fun and easy pattern.  If you have wanted to try knitting lace or get started in shawl knitting, this patten is a great way to start.  It's both charted and written and comes with diagrams and a schematic.  A HUGE thank you goes out to Beth, Linda and Debbie for test knitting.

Linda's Candy Necklace in 

Bohemia Fibers Barefoot Bohemian SockWoodlands

 Beth's Candy Necklace
 Sorry, I can't remember the yarn she used.  I think it's a Rowan Cotton.  It was quite lovely when  saw it in   person.








The original Candy Necklace in Cephalopod Bugga Mantis Shrimp



 I've started a page on Facebook for Lara Smoot Designs. I will be posting specials, coupons and other goodies (like free pattern give aways!) on there from time to time.  I hope you will come find me there.  I would love to see what you are making!







PS We went fishing last Sunday.  So far this year I have caught the most fish!  I caught one tiny bass, about the size of my hand.  So small that Andy had to remove the hook so I wouldn't get stuck in the finger.

Balls!

Balls of yarn that is.  What were you thinking?  For Christmas Andy got me one of the best gifts ever.  A lot of women like jewelry and perfume or dainty little things which are all fine.  I'm not saying I don't like those things, because really, you can never go wrong giving me something sparkly. I'm like a magpie that way.  This year though, he really outdid himself.  I've been bitching and moaning mentioning that my rotor cuff bothers me when I have to wind a bunch of skeins with the behemoth of a jumbo winder that we have.  Andy's been really good about it because he will wind the yarn for me when he is home.  Well on Christmas morning I was never more surprised when he gave me this:

 

 

Yes knitters, there is a Santa!  And I just happen to be married to him. 

 

I've been having way too much fun with this.  First I organized all of my little balls of leftover fingering weight yarn.  Before they were rewound into tidy little cakes of yarn, I couldn't get the drawer they are kept in closed.  It's so much better now!  Yes, I know.  I'm starting to get all Martha Stewart about this. Although, I think she would have nice neat little labels on each one and perhaps organize them by color or brand.

 

 

Yarn Glamour Shots

 

Before:

 

During:

 

After:



 

The yarn is Cephalopod Bugga in Mantis Shrimp.  I used it in my latest design, Candy Necklace.  It's a one skein or less spring scarf worked in fingering or light sport weight yarn.  I'm looking for test knitters for this pattern.  If you are interested please leave a comment here on my blog or PM me on Ravelry - SpinningLara

 

 

As soon as Andy and I can get our schedules coordinated I will have much better pictures of Candy Necklace.  The self portrait cell phone pictures were a little too uncoordinated looking to post!