Clever Roue's KnitCents

Ep 83- Lambs are here!

2012-01-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
-Amazon
-Audible
-Bar-Maids
~Contests:
I announced the January winner (listen to find out!) and the Feb contest is to make a handmade Valentine for your sweetie, a friend, or yourself, and ONLY use things you already have! No purchase necessary! AND you MUST post photos either on Ravelry or send them to me in an email!!
~Sweater Forecast
Since I will be in the Monterey area of CA next week for the EcoFarm conference, the weather there will be in the mid 60s and sunny!
~Projects
Finished all the Cassidy pieces, started new Daybreak, starting a sweater for our new nephew Krishna Aaron, and a handspun hat for Genevieve Knitmore!
~Sustainable Knowledge
We had 2 new baby lambs born today! Our first lambs for the season! I got to be the first one to see and hold them, I got to learn to milk a sheep and how to tube feed a lamb! It was thrilling and makes me want sheep even more now!
~Events: Madrona!
There will be a podcaster meetup on Saturday of Madrona! Please come say hello! In the rotunda outside the market after the classes are over in the afternoon!
~Sales!
WoolieEwe is clearing out their inventory!
WhiteIris is an indie dyer in my local area!
ClockworkCrow is a beautiful jewelry maker and has EXCELLENT customer service!
~Tip of the Week:
Keep batteries and blankets handy! Hear all about my adventures in the snow and without power!
~How I Saved the Week:
I finally bought one of my favorite movies, in a 2pack with one of Aaron's favorite movies, for the same price as one of them! YAY! Also, the local work clothes store is not going to carry women's Carrharts anymore so I got 3 pairs for the price of 1! YAY!
Granola Bar Recipe
~Contact Info:
Email me! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Peanut Butter Cup (of cocoa!)

2012-01-16T21:58:00.001-08:00

Today at work, Amanda had Reese's cups on her desk. My resolve was strong and I did not eat ALL OF THEM (or any, for that matter.) As a reward, I am now drinking sugar free hot cocoa with peanut butter mixed into it, and it is AMAZING! So amazing, I felt I should share!

Recipe: (thanks to Meghan for the base recipe)
1c. milk (or milk like product- soy, almond, coconut etc)
1-2 T baking cocoa (powder)
dash of salt
dash of vanilla
1/4 tsp hot water
1/2 tsp agave nectar or honey
1 T unsweetened peanut butter

Heat milk. Mix cocoa, salt, vanilla, water and agave together until it forms a syrup. Add to milk. Stir peanut butter into hot milk. Enjoy the most delicious and decadent hot cocoa you've ever had, guilt free!

Ep 82- Officially A Grown Up

2012-01-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Amazon
Audible
Bar-Maids
~Sweater Forecast:
SNOW!!!!
~Crafting:

Cassidy is SO CLOSE TO BEING DONE! Also I made Aaron a rad workout sweatband!
I bound off the Earth and Sky shawl as a tiny little one, and will probably use the leftovers to make another Daybreak...
~Sustainable Knowledge:
People of earth burn 80 million barrels of oil a day! If you stacked those barrels, it would reach to the moon and back 2,000 times!!! Do your part to reduce that number!
~Sales:
Patternworks has a great bargain bin, and also a Test Drive program! Pretty cool!
Craftsy is a daily deals kind of site that is specific to crafters!!
Amazon has the Kindle Owner's Lending Library for Kindle owners who are also Prime members!
~Tip of the Week:
Used is awesome! I got a cookbook on Amazon used for $1.99! (Actually I got 3 of them!) I also got some great new clothes at the thrift shop in town!! YAY!
~How I Saved:
Cookbook on the cheap, thrift shopping, free nail polish from Zoya, school books on Kindle!
~ Worth It:
Sweet and Sugar Free by Karen Burkie
I got my copy for $1.99, 200 recipes! All sweetened only with fruit or fruit juice! The 2 recipes I've made so far have been great! I LOVE IT! I can have my cake and be sugar free at the same time!

WORTH IT!

~Contact Me!

Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com

Twitter: Roue0824

Ravelry: Roue

Stick around till the very end! I stuck a funny story on the end of the show!

Episode 81- Giving Up

2012-01-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Amazon
Audible
~Contest:
Winners = ShielaOKeefe and BindeeJ! Congrats! Get in touch with me for your prize!
January Contest: Give up. I'm giving up sugar AND shampoo and conditioner! What are you giving up for 2012?
~Sweater Forecast:
Warm and drizzly. I WANT SNOW! WHERE IS MY WINTER?!
~Craftyness:
Cassidy is coming along NICELY! Almost done with the back, both sleeves, one front done! Hats for Hannah and Leighton
~100MilestoCamp
8.34 to date! Paper Chain!
~Events:
Madrona is coming up in February! I'll be there!
~Sales!!
Deramores
Calendar Of Hope
~Tip of the Week
Join co-ops and member owned stores! (REI)
~How I Saved the Week
Running shoes at REI, saved $25 because of dividend
~Worth It
How and Why: A DIY Guide
$14 by Microcosm Publishing
Bicycles, Home and gardening sections are great. Homeschooling, musical instruments sections are okay, Everything Else isn't really very inclusive.
Overall, I might pay the $11 (low end of sliding scale) but probably not all $14.
~Contact Info:
Ravelry: Roue
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Twitter: Roue0824
Facebook: KnitCents Podcast

Ep 80- Mitten Gestures

2011-12-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
A BIG thank you to Kathy, who taught me how to process rabbits this weekend! Thank you Kathy!!!
~Sponsors
-Audible
-Bar-Maids
-Amazon
~Sweater Forecast
COLD! PUT ON A SWEATER!
~Craftiness
Nothing new, but Cassidy hasn't been cooperating. Total user error though, because I didn't RTFM. (Read the F*ing Manual) all the way through before I started knitting it... My fault.
Mitten Gestures: Just listen haha
~Free Entertainment
Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell
~Sustainable Knowledge
Sheep101
~Sales
Etsy Shops today from my friends!
-MicheleStitches is selling amazing project bags, beautiful hair sticks and lovely little stitch markers! Great prices, beautiful workmanship!
-Unwind Yarn Co has beautiful dyed batts, roving, handspun yarn and all kinds of other goodies! Great prices, beautiful stuff!!
~Tip of the Week
Go see your friends!
~How I Saved the Week
Stay out of the stores! Remove yourself from temptation to buy little knicknacks and impulse buys at the checkout line. Make a list, and DON'T STRAY FROM THE LIST!
~Worth It!
KnitPicks Capra DK yarn
123 yds, 85% merino, 15% cashmere $6.49 ($.05 a yard)
LOVE IT!!!!
WORTH IT!
~Contact me!
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Facebook: KnitCents
Happy happy week!!

Ep 79- It's beginning to look a lot like Middle Earth

2011-12-04T22:22:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors
-Bar-Maids
-Audible
-Amazon
~Contest
Do something nice!
~Sweater forecast
Clear and COLD! BRR!
~ Knitting
Finished my honeymoon socks, started Aaron's!
~Free Entertainment
Amazon is giving away a free Christmas song every day in December until Christmas!
Amazon Christmas Mp3s!
~Sustainable Knowledge
Vanillin (artificial vanilla flavor) is derived from paper processing leftovers
Artificial grape flavor is produced 10x more quantity than real grape flavor
Benzaldehyde (cherry flavor) is preferred in flavor 2x over real cherry flavor
~Events
Madrona!
~Sales
-Kaleidoscope Yarns has a great sale section!
- Webs has an AWESOME closeout section!
~Tip of the Week
Don't lose your keys. You'll spend hours trying to find them, and you'll end up deciding that you need one of those key beepers because the keys are lost EVERY DAY. (I haven't actually bought the key beeper but I probably should...)
~DIY
Make Lembas Bread
~Worth It!
The Knitter's Book of Socks

20 patterns, all lovely plus MORE INFO YOU COULD EVER NEED TO KNOW about making the best socks ever!
TOTALLY WORTH IT!
~Contact Info
Email me! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Like me on Facebook: KnitCents Podcast

Ep 78- Thankful for YOU!

2011-11-27T11:58:00.001-08:00

~Listen HERE!
~Sponsors:
- Audible
- Bar-Maids
~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Contests:
Winner announced (finally) for October Contest
Nov/Dec contest announced!
Do something nice for someone that doesn't cost anything other than time, and then head to the Ravelry group to let us know!!
~Crafting:
Cassidy is coming along- both sleeves are done and the L front is almost done! The goal is to finish by Madrona!
Made a cool hat for my dad for his birthday! I had to chart out the pattern myself, (first time doing that) but the design is the blueprint symbol for insulation! My dad is an insulation contractor so he'll think its cool!

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I'm also working on the Evenstar Hat in Knit Picks Capra DK in the Hunter green color.
~Free Entertainment:
Radiolab
~Sustainable Knowledge
I learned how to slaughter and butcher turkeys this past weekend!
~Events:
I'll be at Madrona!!
~Sales!
-Unwind Yarn Co: 15% off your purchase using the coupon code BFCM2011 at checkout
- Bar Maids are doing a Cyber Monday sale! I don't know what it is yet, but it's supposed to be good!
- Amazon always has awesome deals!Amazon
~Tip of the Week:
Evernote! IT IS AMAZING!
~How I've spent the month!
Rambly bumbly goodness about what I've been up to the past month away from the mic!
~ Worth It!
Free Will (and other compulsions) by J. Daniel Sawyer
$4.95 for the eBook from Amazon (and many other retailers of eBooks)

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD! It is the sequel to Predestination and other games of chance, and they are both excellent! It doesn't matter what genre of book you like, this will appeal to you!! I'll be writing a full review soon, but I wanted to share!!
WORTH IT!!!
~Contact Me!
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Happy Holidays folks!

Free Will (And Other Compulsions)

2011-11-22T12:43:00.001-08:00

I just finished reading Free Will (And Other Compulsions) by J. Daniel Sawyer. This is the sequel to Predestination (And Other Games of Chance), which I listened to through Podiobooks.com and fell in love. Dan writes to an intelligent audience without sounding arrogant or pretentious. The story is compelling, interesting and thoughtful, and provokes internal reflection, but is also easy to read. There were several times this book provoked an outward reaction ("WHAT THE WHAT??!!?!" or "Dan you are a TWISTED MAN!!" or "OMFG I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS!"). The character development is very strong, and the skill with which Dan knits the varying stories together is phenomenal. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in science fiction, drama, adventure, fantasy, reality, political intrigue, crime syndicates or romance. Somehow, J. Daniel Sawyer has pulled it all off. I couldn't recommend this book any more! It is at the top of my "Best Fiction I read in 2011" list, and if you read it, you will understand why!

Ep 76- 2 Out of 3 Aint Bad

2011-10-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

Listen Here!!
~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
-Audible: Download a FREE audiobook of your choice by following the link!
-Bar-Maids: Follow the link (and your nose) to their site where you can check out all their amazing skin care products and scents!
~Contest:
September winner announced, you'll have to listen to find out!
October Contest:
Pumpkin! Share your favorite use for pumpkin!!!
~Sweater Forecast:
Mid 50s, low 40s. LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS!!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:
Finished knitting the Age of Kreplits and Rainbows Shawl in about 4 days! YAY for instant gratification!! I did it as a SAL/KAL with Amy Toadyjoe of the Outlier Podcast! See hers here!
Also, I started spinning for Aaron's sweater! I'm using a modified long draw to keep the yarn lofty, but make it a little denser so that is shows off the cables in the pattern! I'm so excited!
~Sustainable Knowledge
The US spends less on food and more on medicine than any other country in the world. On average, Americans spend about 10% of their income on food, while on average Europeans spend about 30%!
~Sales!
- RoyalYarns has TONS of yarns, books, and accessories on sale! Scroll to the bottom side bar and check out the "sort by price" category!
- Sears has chest freezers on sale! Buy in bulk, stock up for the winter!
~Tip of the Week:
Know where your food comes from! Go visit a farm or farmer's market and meet some farmers!! Buy directly from them so that there is less markup for the "middle man" and the farmer gets a higher percentage of what they worked so hard to grow!
~ Worth It!
Continuous Cables by Melissa Leapman

Things I love: I love the tutorials on cabling with and without a cable needle, I love the design workshop tutorials, I love the chart reading tutorials!! I also love the stitch dictionary! I am not excited about the patterns so much. I encourage you to check out the book from your local library!!
~Contact Me!
Email: Cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review on iTunes, or feel free to donate!! You guys rock!
Use your KnitCents!

Ep 75- Back to School!

2011-09-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Listen Here!!
~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
-Audible: The internet's leading provider in spoken word entertainment! Download a free audiobook of your choice by following the link!
- Bar-Maids: The most amazing eco-friendly skin care products!!
~Contest:
Autumn tools! Check out the Ravelry group page to vote on your favorite!
~Sweater Forecast:
If you are in my neck of the woods this week, you get to experience ALL THE WEATHER! Sun, rain, clouds, temps in the low 40s up to the high 70s! LAYERS ARE AWESOME!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:

Finished the Fake Isle hat that I started for my friend, I finished knitting the Megaman hat for my other friend's son, and ripped out the 198 yds of Heaven shawl because it was too involved for my brain at the time. Instead, I CO the Age of Brass and Steam shawl, and knit the whole thing in a week! (that's a big deal!) I also finished Aaron's socks! I'm a KNITTING MACHINE!

As for spinning, if you follow me on Twitter then you already know that I got my new spinning wheel! Her name is Louise, named for her previous owner and she and I are getting along VERY WELL!

We have already spun together 4oz of Sunset Fibers BFL in the colorway Serendipity, into sportish weight singles that I am currently knitting into the Boneyard Shawl. We are also now spinning together some Woolgatherings 70/30 BFL/Seacell in the colorway (named by Amy Toadyjoe and I) Kreplit Rainbow. (If you are unfamiliar with the term kreplit or the kreplit theory, please refer to episode 7 of the Outlier Podcast. Amy does a good job explaining it.)

~Sustainable Knowledge! New Segment!

I'm back in school! I'm studying sustainable agriculture, so I've decided that each episode, I'll share a little tidbit about what I've learned that week! Did you know that it takes 55x more water to grow 500 calories of edible beef than it does to grow 500 calories of edible potatoes? Interesting right?

~Events! OFFF Recap!

Thursday night I jumped on a Greyhound bus and went to Idaho! I got to Amy's house at about 10am Friday morning, and when she got done with work, we jumped in her car and drove across Oregon! We landed in Gresham at the KnitWits house around 7pm on Friday, where we had some snacks, drank wine on the porch with the chickens in the yard, and the kids running around, laughing and having a great time! It was all VERY idyllic! We drove down to Rimky Korsakoffeehouse for desserts and it was excellent! Saturday, we went to the festival after the delicious quiche breakfast that Carin made, had the meet at greet at the Bar Maids booth and then wandered around for a while! We did some shopping, some eating, some laying around in the sun knitting and spinning and just having a good time together! Then we went to Dar Essalam which is the best restaurant I've ever been to. That's all. Go there. Eat. You'll love it. Sunday, we packed up and went home! I don't feel like I got to spend nearly enough time with my friends, but I am glad I got to spend some! Can't wait to see you all again soon!

~Sales!

-Knitpicks is having their book sale again! All their books are 40% off! A great time to stock up!

-Office supply stores are practically GIVING AWAY school supplies! Since it's been a while since school started, they are ALL ON SALE!

~Tip of the Week:

Don't forget your public library! You can now download kindle books, ebooks, audiobooks and then of course go get traditional books! Just another way that libraries are a limitless resource for you!

~Worth It!

Knitting Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec

20 projects, retail price is $19.99! EVERYTHING is adorable! I love this book! I don't normally knit toys but I want to knit ALL THE THINGS in this book! The technical descriptions of knitting techniques are well done, the design your own toy workshop is great and the patterns are all awesome!!! If you have any interest in cute things or knitted toys, this book is totally WORTH IT!
~Contact Me!
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review on iTunes!

Ep 74- A Serious Case

2011-09-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible.com- The internet's leading provider in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment!
Bar-Maids- Makers of AMAZING eco-friendly skin care products!
~Contest:
Head over to the Ravelry group and tell me what your favorite tool is in the autumn for saving money!!
~Sweater Forecast
With the exception of Sunday the 11th, it seems the autumn weather I've been waiting for is coming! Dropping from the mid-90s today down to the mid 60s!
~Knitting:
Aaron's socks, CO Fake Isle Hat for a friend out of Patons Classic wool and Lion Brand Amazing, CO MegaMan hat for a friend's son, CO 198 yds of Heaven by Chrissy Verity with some Lisa Souza, CO swatch for Stilwell by Jared Flood.
Spinning:
Finished the rainbow sherbet yarn I'd been working on for Hannah and Leighton. 468 yds of Sport weight! SOOOOOO SOFT!
~Events:
OFFF- I'll be there! Will you? There will be at Meet and Greet with many other podcasters on Saturday from 12-1 in the Bar Maids booth! See you there!
~ Sales:
Cardoan Farm has several great items in their sale section!
Interweave is having their Stashbust sale! Patterns, ebooks and books are hugely discounted!
~Tip of the week:
Go find Oversized and Underpriced produce! I got a HUGE ZUCCHINI that I turned into 20 cups of shredded zucchini! That is enough for 40 small loaves of zucchini bread! Guess what we'll be eating a lot of this winter?!
~ How I Saved the Week:
You guys know I love the Kindle that Aaron got me for my birthday! As of today, it has paid for itself! I got the Kindle With Special Offers, which is a lower price because it offers coupons and discounts for the owner. Between coupons I have used and savings from the kindle price being lower than the paperback for my school books, we have saved the price of what the Kindle originally cost us! In only 2 months!! HOORAY!

~Worth It!
Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting by Lorna Miser

Retail: $24.99 24 patterns
I like this book. However, I don't actually really like most of the patterns. I LOVE a few patterns, but I really dislike some of them. Some just felt contrived, which is disappointing, but the few patterns I really like make up for the ones I didn't like!! Overall, I urge you to check it out for yourself. I'm pretty torn on this one. I don't think that I would have purchased it for myself, though since I got it as a gift, I'm glad to have it!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave iTunes reviews! I haven't gotten a new one and they make me happy!
You guys are awesome!

Ep 73- Honeymoon!

2011-09-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
Thanks to Laurie for the magazine and Isabella for the birthday Pina Colada!
Sponsors:
Bar-Maids
Audible
~Contests:
-If you stayed through the ENTIRE No Fiber Diet, please PM me on Ravelry!!
- September: What is the #1 item you use in the autumn to save money!! For me, its hot tea!
Leave your answer on the Ravelry Group page!
~Sweater Forecast:
Highs in the mid 80s but lows in the mid 40s! Its perfect!! Sweaters in the mornings and evening, bare feet in the day!
~Knitting:
Not much to report, I did finish my Kindle sweater!
I took way too much knitting with me on my honeymoon! I hardly got anything done, though here is a picture of me knitting on Diamond Head!

~Events:

September 23-25 Oregon Flock and Fiber Fest OFFF! There WILL be a podcaster meetup in the Bar Maids booth! I'm thinking lunch time on Saturday, and there will be better details to come! Also, if you are coming in from out of town, the Guesthouse Inn or Comfort Inn has been kind enough to offer a discounted group rate if you sign up with the coupon code Podcast. 5-10$ off your room depending on the size!

~Sales!

-Gritty Knits is having a 25% off sale on all their Handspun to make room for new inventory!

-Green Sheep Shop is also having a huge sale with great prices on tons of different yarn ooptions!
- Do you know about the Amazon Daily Deal and Lightning Deal?
~Tip of the Week
Plan ahead to go with the flow! If you'll be traveling, take some time ahead of the trip to read reviews, so that when you are wandering around and see a familiar name, you know whether it will be worth the stop! Also, if you add bookmarks in your phone or write down places you want to eat, you will never be disappointed and won't be stranded getting hungry and cranky while you decide what to do!
~ How We Saved the Honeymoon!
We stayed in a condo so we had a kitchen. We bought groceries and ate in 2 meals a day so that the meal we ate out was really nice and we were able to afford to spend a little more than we normally would and get something really good! We also found group discounts and we DID NOT buy the rental car insurance because our personal car insurance transferred to our rental car!
~ Worth It!

If you are on Oahu, it is worth it to check out Aloha Yarn! I had a nice visit, and really enjoyed the shop! This is what I bought! If you are on the island, or want a nice shop online to order from, I give Aloha Yarn a thumbs up!
~Contact Info:
Email me! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Thank you a ton for listening!!

Ep 72- The Perfect Wedding

2011-08-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sweater Forecast:
  Except Monday (rainy) the rest of the week looks like mid 70's and sunny!! Hooray!
~ Craftyness:
Knitting-
  Kindle Cozy! I got a kindle from Aaron for my birthday and I'm making a cozy with the leftover yarn from my sweater!
  Vanilla Socks for Aaron out of some gray striping Regia!
  WestKnits Mystery KAL
  Out of Bungalow Buns Superwash Sock in Golden Fields, KnitPicks Stroll in Grasshopper and Abstract Fibers Colorwork in Orange.
Spinning-
Sunset Fibers Merino for Hannah and Leighton
I've been given the okay from Aaron to buy my new wheel! I would love to get a used Schacht Matchless Double Treadle! If you have one or know someone who would like to sell theirs, please let me know!!! I am going to spin for this sweater for Aaron! If you have a copy of Vogue Knitting Winter 2009-2010 that you would be willing to sell me, let me know!! :)
Ok I'm done begging for stuff!
~Free Entertainment
Trader Tales by Nathan Lowell
~Sales!!!
Kindle With Special Offers
Kindle, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Pearl Display - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers

AWESOME!! Cheaper than normal kindle, offers coupons on screen savers but TOTALLY unaffected while reading! I LOVE IT!
~Wedding!
I jabbered about the wedding for a while, there is now way I can remember everything I talked about! You'll just have to listen!
~ Contact Info
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Song at the end:
Swept Away by The Avett Brothers

Thank you all for all your well wishes and congratulations for my recent marriage! I am the happiest girl alive to have a wonderful husband and such wonderful friends and listeners as you!

If you didn't see them on Ravelry, here are a few photos from the wedding! More to come!

Ep 71- Aaaaaaaaaand DONE!

2011-07-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~ Sponsors:
Audible and Bar-Maids
~ Sweater Forecast:
Mid 70s first part of the week, low 60 and rain for later part!
~Knitting/ Spinning:
The wedding shawl is DONE!!!!!!!!

It is currently blocking!! OMG YAY! The BFF socks are coming along, and so has my Tour de Fleece spinning! (except for today) I've spun every day! And I've still got time today!! Finally, I will be casting on another Daybreak Shawl, this one for Amy! She is making one, and we are going to trade!

~Free Entertainment:

The Complete Guide to Everything Podcast! Thanks for the recommendation Jackie! You are awesome!

~Garden:

OMG I caged my tomatoes! YUM!

~ Sales:

Knitpicks is having their book sale! Books are 40% off!!!

Also, JoAnn has all their summer stuff (like lawn chairs, beach towels etc) on sale for 75% off! Summer has barely started and they are already selling it off!!

~How I Saved the Week:

Bartering for my hairstyling for the wedding and haircuts for Aaron! My stylist is a new spinner and a knitter so I am trading fiber and spinning lessons!! Yay!

~ DIY

Mustard Trout

1 1/2 T whole grain mustard

2 T olive oil

1 T lemon juice

3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

4 fresh basil leaves, shredded

salt and pepper to taste

mix the ingredients, then use to marinate some fish. I used 2 filets about the size of the palm of my hand each. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 20 mins. Wrap in foil topped with an onion slice, cook over bbq for 10 mins (skin side down) and serve with rice and salad with honey mustard dressing! YUM! Sauce would also be tasty on chicken or mushrooms!

~Worth It!

How To Make Soap Without Burning Your Face Off by Raleigh Briggs, Microcosm Publishing

$3.00, 12 pages, all hand written and illustrated! Once again, this is amazingly beautiful and really full of useful information! A total of 8 recipes (2 basic with 6 add ons), all the processes and safety info you need and step by step instructions! For $3, you really can't beat it! Totally worth it!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Leave a donation or an iTunes review!

Ep 70- BSG2011 Recap

2011-07-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible and BarMaids!
~Contest Winners:
You'll have to listen to see if you won!
~July contest:
None this month. Sorry
~Sweater Forecast:
No need! It's finally summer here!
~ Knitting:
Only 3 repeats left on my wedding shawl! I might make it a little bigger if I have time! Also knitted 1.5 socks while at Black Sheep!
~Spinning:
OMG Tour de Fleece! My goal, spin 15 mins a day! So far, so good!
~ BSG 2011 Recap:
Thursday we drove down and had dinner at Poppi's Anatolia
Friday we went to breakfast at Off the Waffle, went to the festival, ate on site, did the meet and greet, and then ate dinner at The Pizza Research Institute!
Saturyday, we had more waffles, then went to the Eugene Saturday Market! We had so much fun, we didn't even get to BSG that day! We did however, eat at an amazing gluten free deli called New Dawn Bakery! Then dinner at Marche, which was amazing once again!
Sunday we had breakfast at Studio One Cafe which had an awesome eggs beni menu, stopped by BSG for a little while, said our goodbyes :( and headed home! Overall, a TOTAL BLAST!
~ Sales!
Jo-Ann's 4th of July Sale!
Premier Yarns is having a 4th of July Sale as well! Use the coupon code JULY4 at checkout to receive 10% off your order!
~Tip of the Week:
Trade in to trade up! Target now has Electronic trade ins! Trade in your old stuff to get $$on giftcards to spend at Target!
~How I Saved the Week:
Upgraded my phone! My contract with AT&T is up in a few days and I wanted an iPhone4! Found a refurbished one through the AT&T website for $100 with my new contract AND I will be trading my old one in at Target for $70 on a Target gift card! New phone for about $30! PS if you want to Facetime with me, let me know!
~ Worth It!
Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills by Raleigh Briggs

Retail: $7 (sliding scale- isn't that awesome?!)
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!! Not only is it absolutely beautiful because it is all hand written and illustrated, but it is FULL of useful information on maintaining a healthy, eco friendly household ! I am SO happy to have this book as a resource, and I hope you will add it to your collection!!!
100% WORTH IT!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Ep 69- Bonkers

2011-06-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
  - Audible: Follow the link to get a free 2 week trial and a FREE audiobook of your choice!
  - Bar Maids: Check out their full line of eco-friendly skin care products!!
Charity Project: Please check out Nicole's t-shirts and her wish to help a great cause!
~Sweater Forecast:
Looks beautiful! Keep a sweater around for the evenings!
~Knitting:
Sweater is finished and blocking! Wedding shawl is more than half way done, sock is almost done! WOOHOO!
~ Garden:
OMG I planted things! SSUUPPEERRYYAAYY!
~Sales:
  - Tour de Fleece stock up at Unwind! Use the Coupon code TDF2011 for 15% off your order!
  - Still a few days to take advantage of Interweave's Hurt Book Sale! 50-80% off!
  -Buy.com is a cool site with weekly deals, free shipping and a 45 day return policy!
~Tip of the Week:
If you don't like it now, you won't like it in 10 rows, or 6 months. We are relocating our wedding! I should have seen the warning signs that our location was not good, but it took me until now, 7 weeks away from the wedding! Don't worry though, it's all going to work out!
~ DIY:
Father's Day present for my dad, stolen idea from one of my genius listeners! Cookie of the Month club! I made him a batch of cookies and will make him a batch every month for a year! He's a great dad all year long and he deserves to be rewarded all year long!
~ Worth It:
Anti Bride Wedding books. They've saved my sanity these past few days! OMG!
Worth It for all 3!!!
If you or anyone you know is getting married, these books are totally 100% worth it!

~Contact Info:
Please get in touch!!
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review on iTunes or a donation!!!
I love you guys! Thanks for all your support!!!

A fabulous message

2011-06-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

My friend Nicole is selling these awesome t-shirts to raise money in honor of her younger brother. This is a fabulous cause, and a reminder to hold your loved ones close. Please check out the flyer to read their story. Nicole has a Paypal account for this, if you want to order one, send her your payment along with the style, color and size you'd like! The shirts come in a women's V-neck style, sizes XS-4XL in green, pink, red and gray. There are also men's and women's crew-neck style shirts that comes in the same sizing option as well as youth sizes, and in just about any color you would like, so long as it isn't too dark as they are only printing black ink. The shirts are $20 which will include shipping. If you choose to donate more, the extra will all be donated to Childhaven.

Email me: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Paypal for Nicole: ndiaz112401 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Ep 68-Pop! (filter) Makes the World Go 'Round!

2011-06-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~ Sponsors:
   -Audible: Follow the link to the Summer Reading Sale!!! Sign up for a FREE 2 week trial, get a FREE audiobook download of your choice and take advantage of the summer reading sale!
   - Bar Maids: Check out their entire eco-friendly skin care line! I love my Lo-Lo Bar!
~ Sweater Forecast:
Keep your sweater handy, even if you don't think you'll need it!
~ Knitting:
Wedding shawl is making steady progress, I'm quite sure I'll be able to finish it by the wedding! I'm almost done with my sweater!! OMG I cut the steeks at work on Tuesday and am halfway done with the 2nd button band! SUPERYAY! I'll totally finish it in time for Black Sheep!
~Sales!
   - Interweave's Hurt Book Sale! Their biggest sale of the year, with over 250 titles to choose from! 50-80 % off!
   - Little Knits Summer Sale! 20-86% off and FREE SHIPPING!
   - Amazon Listerine Sale O.o silly thing, but still a sale!
~Tip of the Week:
Set up automatic payments! A lot of places will give you a discount if you sign up! You'll also never have to worry about forgetting a bill, just make sure you don't forget that your money is leaving your checking account and accidentally overdraw! Oops!
~ How I Saved the Week:
I helped Lorrina make awesome wedding announcements for her wedding, and in exchange, she gave me some postcard stamps! Also, I got a pop filter for my new mic for FREE! I had some credit card reward points that were about to expire so I got an amazon gift card with it and bought a pop filter!
~Worth It!
The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl McPhee
Retail $12.95 US
AMAZING, and very clever! I've read this book over and over and it never ceases to make me laugh! If you want to have a good light read with lots of laughs, this book is TOTALLY WORTH IT!

~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave an iTunes review or make a donation to the show!!

Ep 67- Up to my Eyeballs

2011-06-02T22:29:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible: Follow the link for a FREE 2 week trial and a FREE audiobook of your choice!!
Bar-Maids: Check out their fabulous, eco friendly line of AMAZING skin care products!
~Contests:
May winner announced! Listen to find out!
June: Wedding Help!! I need your help! Post your ideas on the Ravelry Thread to enter! A randomly selected entrant will win a $25 gift certificate to Bar- Maids! If I pick your entry to use for my wedding, you might win a copy of A Knitting Wrapsody by Kristin Omdahl!
A Knitting Wrapsody: Innovative Designs to Wrap, Drape, and Tie

Finally, help provide a scholarship for my awesome friend Amanda so she can go to Costume College.

Donate to the podcast during June and specify you want to help with her scholarship and you'll be entered into a raffle! Possible prizes: Your choice of 6oz of babydoll southdown fiber from Kellane Farm, some KnitPicks yarn or a jar of Laura's Organics hand lotion! Who knows, maybe I'll pick more than one winner!
~ Sweater Forecast:
SUNNY AND WARM! No sweaters here!
~Knitting:
Wedding shawl is coming along nicely, have 4 repeats of chart B done! Frogged the whole thing last Tuesday, so spending lots of time on it! Also, sweater is almost done! A few more inches on 2nd sleeve, ribbing on bottom, cut steek and knit button bands! Hopefully done in time for Black Sheep!
~ Sales:
   - Little Knits has Louisa Harding 100% Mulberry Silk for only $6.40 a skein! That's a STEAL!
   - KnitPicks is having their summer sale! Up to 35% off specific colors!
   - WeddingThings has great little favors and gifts with NO minimum purchase quantity!
~ Tip of the Week:
Friends and Family discounts! We got a great deal on the materials needed to build our new bed because our friend works at a local hardware store!
~ How We Saved the Week:
Bed supplies, and wedding makeup! I'm having my makeup done, then buying the makeup that looks good, and having my sister do my makeup for the wedding! I'll get a great look AND get to keep the makeup! Terra Firma Cosmetics is doing the makeup and providing the cosmetics! Crafted locally and made with natural products in the little town my mom grew up in!
~Worth It:
How To Shop For Free by Kathy Spencer
Check out the Website, but overall, this book will be totally worth it if you do the work!

~Contact:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave iTunes reviews! They make me exceedingly happy!!!
Also, donations are greatly appreciated!! If you want to support Amanda's scholarship, please specify! If you want an awesome KnitCents button, leave your address!!

Ep 66- Missed you!

2011-05-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible: Click the link for a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook download!
Bar-Maids: OMG Check out the NEW Lo-Lo Bar with Zinc Oxide and Hempseed Oil!
~Sweater Forecast:
Its iffy- sometimes rain, sometimes beautiful sunny 70 degree!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:
Nothing new, but lots of progress!
~ Free Entertainment:
The KnitKnacks Podcast!
~ Garden Update!
We planted things! Carrots, radishes, endives and cucumbers!
~ Sales!
Knitting-Loop Shipping from the UK on yarns for less than $1 per skein!!!
Abundant Yarns Stash sale! save $$ on yarns you know and love!
RetailMeNot Search for online coupon codes for 90,000 stores!
~Events:
I'll be at Black Sheep Gathering, will you? Weekend of June 24-26! Eugene OR! Be there, or be missing out!
~ Tip of the Week:
Think outside the box!
We used some Vistaprint business cards to make the drink tickets for our wedding! They were free!! We only paid for the shipping!
~How We Saved the Week:
We bought some awesome All-In-One invitations for the wedding through
www.costco.com! They are awesome, they'll save us money on postage and they are super adorable!!!!! Plus, postcard return means less envelopes and paper waste!
~ Worth It!
New Lo-Lo Bar! OMG! AMAZING! I didn't think the LoLo bar could get any better but the Bar Maids have outdone themselves! Wowza!!! GO GET ONE (or 5)!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Twitter: Roue0824
Ravelry: Roue
Please leave me a review on iTunes OR send me a donation! Any donation of $5 or more will earn you an awesome KnitCents button!

Ep 64- I Love Oly!

2011-04-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
  - Audible: Follow the link for a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook download of your choice!
  -Bar-Maids: Check out their entire line of eco-friendly skin care products!
~Contest:
Save the Planet! Go to the Ravelry Group and enter in the contest!
~ Sweater Forecast:
Mid 40s to mid 50s and rainy this week!
~Knitting:
Nothing new, though I'm getting close to finishing my Daybreak! If you go to Ravelry and use the code Camp KIP, you can get $2 off the Daybreak pattern by Stephen West! Thanks Stephen!
~Free Entertainment:
Down From Ten by J. Daniel Sawer! AMAZING! Not family friendly but really really good! I loved it!
Also, on iTunes, YogAmazing has a free video called Yoga for Butt and Thighs! Work on that Yoga Booty!!
~ Sales!
One more week with our coupon code in Dana's shop! Use the code KNITCENTSAPRIL for 10% off your purchase!
Olympia Sellers!
  -Deandail sells beautiful hand dyed roving and handmade goodness! Beautiful complementary colors and small quantities of different types of fiber so you can try it all!
  -Beautiful Yarn upcycles yarn! This is a great way to save the planet because you are recycling something that may have gone to waste!
  -NW Bridal has lovely little bouquet sparklies and hair pretties! I kind of want to order some for the wedding...
~Tip of the Week:
Go do fun things in your town! We have ArtsWalk and The Procession of the Species here, what fun things do you have?
~How I Saved the Week:
Aaron and I had a cheap date night! We made nachos, drank champagne and watched cartoons! It was fabulous!
~ Worth It!
The Knitting Way by Linda Skolnik and Janice MacDaniels
Retail : $16.99
Kind of hippie, crunchy guide to spiritual enlightenment and self discovery. If you think this is for you, check it out. If you are rolling your eyes, pass it by.
~Contact Info:
Email me! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please donate or leave me an iTunes review! I love you guys!

Ep 63- Yoga Booty

2011-04-17T22:04:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro / Thanks!
~Sponsors:
  -Audible: Click the link for a free 2 week trial and 1 free audiobook download of your choice!
  - Bar-Maids: Check out all the fabulous scents and get your Lo-Lo On!
~Sweater Forecast:
OMG It's going to be warm!!
~Knitting:
Daybreak by Stephen West- CampKIP KAL! If you want the coupon code for the pattern, go listen to Miss Kalendar's latest episode!
Handspun sweater- Separated off for the sleeves and getting ready to start waist shaping!
Fru Socks- Finished the first one, cast on the second!
~Events:
The next one I'll be at is the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene OR from June 23-26!
This weekend I went to the Shepherd's Extravaganza at the Puyallup Spring Fair! What fun!
~ Free Entertainment:
I've been listening to Predestination and other Games of Chance, part of the Antithesis Progression series by J. Daniel Sawyer. Fantastic book, but NOT a family friendly listen!
Also, I posted the first AudioYoga today! Join me and get the Yoga booty of your dreams!
~Sales!
  -Webs is having their 37th anniversary sale! Cascade 220 for only $4.95 a skein!
  - KnitPicks has the "Learn to Knit Kit" on sale for $10! If you bought the kit, you'd have just enough yarn to make yourself an awesome yoga mat bag!
  -We can't go to yoga with dry crackly feet, so check out the Bar-Maids new product, O' For Feet Sake! Only $9.99! A great deal!
~Tip of the Week:
Use the internet! Sometimes I forget about the vast amount of info at my fingertips! Use the internet and find tons of free information! Want to workout with me? Michele (with 1 L) told me about BodyRock.tv for great fitness workouts and they are all free! Want to learn a new knitting technique? Check out knitting help! And of course, if you have a question, head over to Ravelry and ask your questions there!!
~ How I Saved the Week:
Giving up fiddle lessons for a while. The lessons weren't too expensive, but I wasn't playing often enough to justify paying to rent the fiddle.
~Worth It!
Wai Lana Yoga Mat
Amazon has some colors for $18! I paid $40 for mine and would do it again in a second! They are a fabulous mat, latex free and really grippy without feeling sticky!! I love mine, and you should try it out if you don't have a mat already!
~Contact Info:
Email Me! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Twitter: Roue0824
Ravelry: Roue
Please leave a donation or an iTunes review if you enjoy the show!!

Thanks for listening!

Ep 62- CampKIP Recap

2011-04-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible- Click the link for a free 2 week trial and audiobook download of your choice!
Bar-Maids- Making socially and eco-friendly skin care products for everyone!
~Contest:
Save the Planet! Either make a post in the Ravelry Group or send me an email telling me what change you are making to your routine to become more eco-friendly and green!!
~Sweater Forecast:
Windy, rainy and high 40s all week. After the 80 degree weather at CampKIP I'll be surely needing my sweater!
~Knitting/ Spinning:
Finished first ball of handspun sweater yarn, and just spliced in the second ball! Got about 90% of my knitting done this weekend either in airports or on airplanes!!
Finished the first Fru Sock, and spun about 1oz of Crown Mountain fiber!
~ Free Entertainment:
Finish HoG if you haven't already! Also, I will be adding Bonus Episodes to the podcast feed with audio yoga classes!! I'll probably d 3 different ones over the course of the next couple months, so if you want to try yoga, you don't have to pay a bunch of money to do it!! Watch for those soon!
~ Sales!!!
  -Dana has updated her shop! Don't forget the coupon code KnitCentsApril for 10% off anything in her shop!
  - Turtle Purl Yarns donated a full skein of sock yarn to everyone at CampKIP!! BEAUTIFUL Softshell Turtle toes (merino, nylon and cashmere) for $24!! She also has BFL for $14 / 4 oz!
  -Sunset Fibers donated fiber samplers to everyone at CampKIP! If you want to experience some of the CampKIP goody bag or you fell in love with your sample, she sells handdyed corriedale for $14 for 4oz!
  -Sunflower Yarns has an awesome sale section!!!!! Also put in yarn samples into the CampKIP goody bags!!
  -Friends in Fiber donated NaturOli Soap nuts to the goody bags! I'm so excited to try them out!!
~CampKIP Recap:
You'll just have to listen to the podcast for this one.
~How NOT to Save the Week:
Don't leave your ID at home when you fly and then have to have someone overnight it to you!! ACK!
~Worth It!
Tastefully Cedar Creek Cookbook
$15 plus shipping, 227 recipes and tons of helpful hints and tips!! TOTALLY Worth IT!!
My favorite foods we ate were the gooie butter cake, the cream puff cake, the Moroccan rice, and the Italian Parmesan salad dressing!
To Order: visit the website, or send a check or money order for $20 per copy ($15 for the book and $5 for shipping and handling per copy) to:
Cedar Creek Conference Center
1401 Olive St
New Haven, MO 63068
and tell them where you like them to send your copy!!
~Contact Info:
Email me! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Ep 61- On the list

2011-04-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

~Welcome!
~Sponsors:
- Audible: Click the link for a free audiobook download of your choice!
- Bar-Maids: Check out all their awesome scents at www.bar-maids.com
~Contest: Save the Planet and tell us about it in the KnitCents Ravelry Group!
~Sweater Forecast:
Oly: Rainy, 40s. STL: 60's THUNDER!!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:
Working on my Fru socks, and finished all the yarn spinning!! 1496 yds of sport/dk weight!
AND I got a SWEET knitting tattoo!

~Free Entertainment:
House of Grey eps 36-39. I dare you to not finish the whole thing. Its that good.
~ Sales:
Don't forget Dana has given us the coupon code KNITCENTSAPRIL in her Etsy Shop!! 10% off your purchase!
-KnitPicks has the Gallatin sweater kit for 29.99! That's 40 % off!
~Kadyellebee has amazing knitted garments and patterns for your instant handknit needs!
~Tip of the week:
Make lists and use them!
~ How I Saved the Week:
I used some store credit to buy CampKIP goodies instead of spending real $$!
~Review:
Stick Blenders. Get one. I love mine.
~Contact:
Email me!! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Ep 60- Independent Women

2011-03-27T22:34:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
- Audible: Click the link for a 2 week free trial and audiobook download of your choice!
- Bar-Maids: Eco friendly skin care products for crafters!
~Contest!
Listen to the show to find out who the winner of the March contest was!!
April Contest: Save the planet!
Let me know what you're doing to save the planet! Whether it's starting a compost or planting a tree, if we can improve sustainability, we will save money and save the planet!
~Sweater Forecast:
Nothing new, 50s and rainy.
~Knitting/ Spinning:
I finished both the baby sweaters just in time! Koryn Lee and Layla Ashlea were born yesterday and I finished the sweaters yesterday!! I also finished spinning the singles for my sweaters and I plied the first colorway!! SUPER PRETTY! Then while chatting with Dana, I cast on a pair of Top Down Toe Up Vanilla with a Twist socks!
~ Free Entertainment:
If you are joining in on the PAL, we are going to listen through ep 35 this week!
~ Sales:
Sunset Fibers: Linda is amazing, she's got great prices and AWESOME fibers and colors!! Tell her you heard about her shop from me!
Unwind Yarn Co: Dana is fabulous, and she has beautiful colorways that aren't the same you see everywhere else!! For KnitCents listeners, enter the coupon code KNITCENTSAPRIL for 10% off your entire purchase!!!
Wolfe Farms: Dawn makes amazing soaps and lotions! I love her soap and so does Aaron! She has great scents and, unlike other natural soaps, her soap doesn't leave you feeling sticky!
Tell these fabulous folks you heard about their shops from me!!
~ Tip of the week:
Shop at your local shops and farmers markets!! Support independent businesses!
~ How we saved the week:
Make people laugh and they'll give you deals and jobs! Aaron got a new job because the people at the pizza shop we like think we are funny!
~Worth It:
Sockupied Spring 2011
Sells for $14.97 21 pages, 5 patterns.
This magazine is PACKED full of information, video tutorials, interactive ads and articles and even a coloring page!! Check it out! Totally worth it!
~Contact Info:
Email me: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review, or to get an awesome button, click that awesome button!!

Ep 59- Give When You Can

2011-03-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

~Welcome, Intro, Thanks!
~Sponsors:
  - Audible: Click the link for a free 2 week trial AND a free audiobook download of your choice!
  - Bar Maids: Check out all their tasty scents and support an awesome small US business!
~Knitting/ Spinning:
Almost done with baby sweater #2 for cousin's twins! Doing a cute heart lace pattern around the bottom edge! Also finished spinning the second 8oz for my next HS sweater! Will start final 8oz tonight and totally will finish by CampKIP!
~ Free Entertainment:
Caithness Craft Collective- An awesome podcast from a Scottish knitter! Louise is charming and fabulous! Check it out!
~ Tip of the Week:
Give when you can. If you can't afford to give money, give time. Volunteer at a local shelter, teach less privileged children a craft or read in senior centers! Or of course, KNIT!
  -The Head to Toe Project
  - The Linus Project
  - The Mother Bear Project
~Sales! (Kind of)
  GoodStuff is donating $5 for EVERY pattern sold through April 7 to Japan Earthquake Relief! (Link to Ravelry, be sure you're signed in)
  Fiddle Knits Designs is donating 50% of pattern sales through March to Japan Earthquake Relief!
  OlgaJazzy is donating 85% of pattern sales to Japan Earthquake Relief through March 28!
  The Red Cross
  World Vision
~How I Saved the Week:
Pedicures at home with a friend instead of going out!!
~Worth It!
Alt Fiber by Shannon Okey
Retail $19.95, 25 patterns, 115 pages
I REALLY like the beginning section of this book! I love the section about natural dyes, and I like that she covered more types of fiber than No Sheep For You did. As far as patterns go, I don't think I would buy the book if it were just for the patterns, but I would definitely consider it for the info about natural dyes!! Give it a look!!
~Contact Info:
Email me!! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Thank you all so much for being the best listeners on the internet!! Want a button? Click that button!!

Ep 58- Daylight $avings

2011-03-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
Sponsors:
Audible: Click the link to get a FREE audiobook download with a FREE 2 week trial!
Bar-Maids: Check them out for awesome eco-friendly skin care products!
~Knitting:
Finished another blanket square, started second baby sweater and finished raglan increases!
~Spinning:
Finished the first 4oz of the second color! Trying to finish all spinning by CampKIP (ONLY 3 WEEKS AWAY!!!)
~Free Entertainment:
House of Grey Eps 22-27
~ Sales:
Webs has tons of cotton yarn and blends in their closeout!
Paradise Fibers has 1 lb cones of cotton weaving yarn for $11.95! 6550 yards! WOOHOO!
Elsewhere
Punchbowl has awesome free party planning tools, including save the dates, invitations, vendor lists and more!
~Tip of the Week:
Just because something is free doesn't mean it is tacky!
~How we saved the week:
I cried and got our car repair cut in half... oops!
Also, instead of getting my wedding ring reset in white gold, (would cost $1400) we are getting it plated with rhodium so it looks like white gold but only cost $80! I WIN!
~Worth It!
No Sheep for You by Amy R Singer
Retail: $22.95 Published by Interweave Press, 20 patterns
First 30 pages is all about different fibers, how they work, what they're from and so on. Then the patterns are all designed so highlight the benefits on these fibers! Drapey silk, comfy cotton and lustrous bamboo! This book is so awesome that I bought a copy (used from Barnes and Noble) while I was writing the review! Overall: TOTALLY WORTH IT!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Thank you all!!!

Ep 57- Support Systems

2011-03-14T11:44:00.001-07:00

Sorry guys, I just couldn't get myself to do shownotes this week. Got super caught up in wedding things!!!

Ep 56- The NO Fiber Diet

2011-02-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~ Sponsors:
Bar-Maids makes awesome, eco friendly skin care products!!
Audible! Download a Free Audiobook, or sign up and get your Membership for half price for 3 months! Click either link below!!!

~Contests:
February Contest Winner is AlyshaTree! Congrats!!
March Contest: The No Fiber Diet- I'm going on a yarn/ fiber diet until my birthday! I know, it's totally crazy since CampKIP, Black Sheep Gathering AND Sock Summit are all before then, but since we are saving money for the wedding, It's something that needs to be done! I would love company! Head over to the Ravelry Group and post photos of your stash and tell us how long you're going to diet to join in the contest!! If you go all the way until August with me, (ending on August 24, my birthday!!) we will have a special contest prize for you to qualify to win!!
~Sweater Forecast
Cold, wet, snow, rain, bleh. That's what the forecast says.
~ Knitting, Spinning and Weaving!
Monkey socks are almost done! One more repeat of pattern, then the toe! I'm planning on warping my loom this afternoon, and starting spinning the second color for my next handspun sweater!!
~Free Entertainment:
The House of Grey by Collin Earl, chapters 10-15!
~Sales!
The South Sound Yarn Crawl
Abstract Fiber, knotty skeins and sales!
Sale.com highlights sales at major shops and retail stores!
~Tip of the Week
Quick Trip! Use limited parking time to keep your trips quick and impulse buys low!
~How Lorrina Saved the Week
One of my bridesmaids found her bridesmaid's dress for 50% off because I didn't put too many constraints on her!! Yay for both of us!
~DIY:
Bacon, Feta, Tomato muffins
Ingredients:
2-3 slices of smoked bacon
2 c all purpose flour
2 T sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
4 T unsalted butter, melted
1 c milk
2 T sour cream or plain yogurt
1 small tomato, cut into small cubes
about 1/3 c crumbled feta cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 C)
Grease 9 standard muffin cups with butter or butter flavored cooking spray. Fill the unused cups 1/3 full of water to prevent warping.

In a frying pan, cook the bacon until crisp. Allow to cool and drain on paper towel, then crumble.

In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, milk and sour cream until blended. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just evenly moistened. Batter will be thick, like dough. Stir in the bacon crumbles.

Spoon batter into cups, so that cup is 1/3 full. Take 1-2 pieces of tomato and small amount of feta and press into the center of muffin. Then add more batter until top of muffin is about level with top of pan. Bake until golden, dry and springy, about 20-25 minutes.
Serve warm. Refrigerate any muffins you aren't using right away.
Enjoy!
~Worth It!
Odd Ball Knitting by Barbara Albright
Retail $19.95 US, $27.95 CA. 30 patterns, 120 pages
Pros:
Color photos
Lots of designs
Most projects use lots of small amounts of same yarn
Good tutorial to figure out how much yardage you have
Patterns are easy to sub yarn
Cons:
A lot of big projects with small amounts of yarn in different colors
Most projects look kind of tacky, I wouldn't knit anything from this book.
Overall: I'm glad I got it from the library, wouldn't buy it
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave an iTunes review, or feel free to donate!!

Ep 55- Best Christmas Ever

2011-02-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

~Welcome, Intro, Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible- Get a free 2 week trail and a free audiobook download of your choice!
Bar-Maids- Get some awesome, eco-friendly skin care products!
~ Sweater Forecast:
Snow!! Get out your wool!
~ Madrona Wrap-up
AWESOME!!!!! I loved every minute of it!!!
~Knitting and Spinning:
I finished my Wren! I LOVE IT!

I've also been working on the Monkey Socks for my sister's birthday!

Spinning: I started spinning up 8oz of Crown Mountain Farms SW Merino in the "Time Waits for No One" colorway! I LOVE IT!

~Free Entertainment:

House Of Grey: Eps 4-9 this week!!

~No Sales this week, since Madrona section took up a lot of time!

~Tip of the Week:

Pack a snack! Bring your own snacks so you don't get caught hungry and willing to pay anything for food!

~ How I Saved the Week:

I got a Shutterfly coupon for $20 off any purchase of $20 or more! I also got 50 free prints for signing up with shutterfly so I got my sister a birthday present and 54 prints of photos I love for the cost of shipping!! WOHOOO!

~Worth It!

If you EVER get a chance to take a class with either Judith McKenzie McCuin or Jared Flood, DO IT! They were both TOTALLY worth it!! DO IT DO IT DO IT!

Look! It's me and Jared and Judith!! (And my awesome Wren shawl still on the needles!)

~Contact:

Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

Ep 54- PALing Around

2011-02-13T12:41:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
   -Audible- get a free 2 week trial and audiobook download of your choice by clicking the link!
   - Bar- Maids- Awesome, eco-friendly skin care products!
~ Contest:
  Cheap Date:
Post on the Ravelry group your idea for the best cheap date under $5!
~ Sweater Forecast
Mid 40s to low 50s and rainy. Don't trust it though, last week said the same thing at it is BEAUTIFUL out!
~ Knitting:
Still working on Wren, Monkeys and Feb Baby Sweater!
~Spinning:
Finished the first 8 oz! Yay!
~ Events:
Madrona!!!! Next week! I'll be there a lot, come find me! Saturday there will be a meet and greet outside the market place from 4:45-5:45! Come say hello and get a hug and a button!
~ Free Entertainment:
HappyCrafter207 Podcast by Lori! Super fun, check it out!
PodiobookAlong or PAL:
The House of Grey by Collin Earl
This week: Episodes 1-3!
I've also been listening to Daughter of the Sun by Lonnie Ezell which is pretty good!
~ Sales!
  -Sunset Fibers has awesome deals on their roving (which is fabulous) and they have 200 yard skeins of BEAUTIFUL yarn for only $10!! Tell Linda I sent you!
  - Juliasyarn is having a Valentine's sale! Loads of stuff up to 77%off!! WOOOO!
  -Teleflora has deals! $10 off Valentine's flowers!
~Tip of the Week
Daily Owl: Sort of like Groupon and Living Social but for large nation brands! Half off gift cards to loads of places like The Gap and Olive Garden! I head about Daily Owl from Lord_Voldemort7 on Twitter!
~ How (Dana) Saved the Week!
Borders has calendars for $1! All of them! My friend bough 6 calendars, spent $6 and change and saved $86 and change!! Go DANA!
~ Worth It!
Lion Brand Sock Ease
100gm, 438 yds, 75/25% Wool/ Nylon
STRONG! Feels like Regia, comes in lots of colors, you'll never walk a hole in these!! LOVE IT! WORTH IT!
~Contact:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Want a shiny KnitCents button? Click that shiny Donate button!

Ep 53- Get Your Groupon!

2011-02-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible- Get a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook download of your choice!
Bar-Maids- Fabulous, eco friendly beauty and skin care products!
~Sweater Forecast:
Rainy and mid 40s to 50s. Nothing super interesting.
~Knitting:
SUPER KALer!
Knitting with the KnitWits: February Baby Sweater (or Baby sweater on 2 needles by EZ from The Knitter's Almanac)
Knitting with Shilo of Spin Control: Monkey Socks by Cookie A.
Knitting with Kristine of Yarnings: Wren Shawl by Kristine Beeson
~Events!
Madrona!! Meet and Greet on Saturday from 4:45-5:45!! Location TBA!
CampKIP! SO EXCITED!!!
Amy aka ToadyJoe on Ravelry has some mini-classes for sale!! PM her if you want it!
Thurs AM- A: KnitRX
Thurs AM- B: Aching Hands and Wrists
Thurs PM- Don't Despair, Repair
Friday AM- Double Knitting
~Free Entertainment:
Check out the PAL (Or Podiobook-Along) thread in the Ravelry group! We will pick a book by next week and we will listen to something awesome together!
~Tip of the Week!
-Groupon and Living Social
Websites that allow you to purchase AMAZING deals on local things!!
~Sales!
KnitPicks Kit Sale!
Check out your local Groupon or Living Social site!
~Worth It!
SWTC's Tofutsies
wool, soysilk, cotton and chitin
100 g, 464 yds
I like it!! Retail from SWTC is $16.75 but I've seen it for much less in shops!
Not as stretchy as wool but still good with a stretchy pattern! Dyed so that there is no pooling and doesn't overwhelm the pattern! Pretty colors! Chitin is natural antimicrobial and antibacterial to fend off stinky feet! One con, kind of splitty. Otherwise, worth it!
~Contact:
Email! cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Want a pretty button? Click that pretty button down there!!

Ep 52- Ooh Baby!

2011-01-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

~Welcome! / Intro/ Thanks! The baby is here!!

Isn't she cute? Leighton Jean, born January 24 at 1:50am

Weight: 6lbs 15oz, length 18.5 inches

Mom and baby are both super healthy and wonderful!!

~Sponsors: Audible- Click the link to get a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook of your choice!

Bar- Maids has wonderful eco-friendly skin care products that are perfect for your knitting bag!

~Contest:

January Contest Winner: Puffygriffinclaw

February Contest: Cheap Date- Tell me what awesome date night you can come up with for $5 or less! Similar to last year's cheap date, but last year it was $10! This year, only $5! Show me what you've got! Participation contest, the winner will receive Lo-Lo Body scrub, Lo-Lo Lips and Cuticle Intensive all from Bar-Maids! Lucky ducky!!

~Quick update:

If you love the Crooked Row podcast with Kim, her RSS feed has changed!! You can now find her at http://thecrookedrow.libsyn.com/rss and on itunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-crooked-row/id415565111 ! Thanks KIM!

~Sweater Forecast:

Not super cold here this week, and it doesn't look like rain! Forecast is showing between high 40s and low 50s in the day time, and low 30s to high 20s in the night. Cardi in the day, warm clothes at night seems best!

~ Knitting:

I finished all the little bits for the baby sweater! Sister loved it and baby was born just 3 days after I finished it! I'm pretty sure she was waiting until she knew there was a snuggly warm sweater ready for her! I also finished the snake socks! I knitted almost an entire sock the day my sister was in active labor while I was walking the halls of the hospital with her! I also knitted a little baby pair to match!

~Spinning:

I spun up a couple more ounces of that same corriedale while I was waiting for the phone call to GO to the hospital with my sister!

~ Free Entertainment:

I just finished listening to the Trader Tales Series by Nathan Lowell on Podiobooks! It was AMAZING! I listened to it with a friend, and had so much fun that I think we should have a podiobook listen-a-long! I'll open a thread on Ravelry to see what you think!!

~Sales!

Knitting Warehouse has Bernat Softee Baby for only $3.59 a ball! (reg $4.99)

Little Knits has Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino for only $3.25 a ball (reg $9.99!!!)

Target is having their Baby Sale! Loads of awesome deals on baby items!!

~ Tip of the Week:

Did you know you can rent baby stuff? I knew you could rent breast pumps from the hospitals (great deal if you only want to pump for a short time, but less expensive to buy if you'll be pumping for more than 6 months or with more than 1 child) but you can also rent car seats, high chairs, pack and plays, bathtubs and toys! Like the pumps, if you plan to use these items for more than a short period of time, it is less expensive to just buy it, but if you are travelling or something, airlines charge up to $50 each way to transport a car seat or stroller, ($100 round trip) OR you could rent a car set for a week for only $40! Awesome!

~ How I Saved the Week:

I maintained my steadfast resolve not to buy everything in sight for my little niece by knitting for her instead!

~ Worth It!

Caron Simply Soft yarn

Retails different prices depending on the color style, but a 6oz skein of regular, or brights is about $5 for 314 yds. Soft, machine wash and dry, shiny and good drape! It is my go to yarn if I'm knitting for a baby whose parents have wool sensitivity! It isn't squeaky like other 100% acryllic yarns, and it lasts well through washes! Overall, Worth It!

~Contact Info:

email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

Want an awesome KnitCents Button? Just click that fancy button down there and donate at least $5!

Ep 51- Cashmere and Spice

2011-01-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

~Welcome!!
This episode is sponsored by Audible. Click the link to get a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook of your choice
and
Bar-Maids. Their moisturizing lotion bars are the best in the biz!
~ Contest:
Make something for yourself!! Be selfish a bit this month!
~ Sweater Forecast:
You barely need one. 50s and rainy, but not cold!
~ Knitting:

I finished the knitting on the baby sweater! Now I need to sew on the buttons and do the Knitmore Girl's couture ribbon tutorial and couture button tutorial!
I've also made a great deal of progress on the Slytherin Socks! HPKCHC FTW!
~Free Entertainment:
Owner's Share by Nathan Lowell
This American Life on WBEZ Chicago
~Sales!
-Joann Fabrics is having their winter warmup! Huge sales on everything! Also, they have a new app! You can now save their coupons into your phone wallet to use at the store, separately from the mailers!
- Yubina has cashmere yarns at awesome prices!! Check them out!
- Everywhere, stores are clearing out their winter items to make room for spring items! Snatch up those warm clothes at HUGE savings! Stock up for next year (or use now if it's still cold where you are!)
~Tip of the Week:
Cost vs Convenience. Convenient items (especially food) are very expensive. Bulk items are cheap! You can buy your bulk items, and spend a little bit of time making them convenient! For example, instead of buying the single serve, 1oz cheese bites, buy the 2lb block of cheese, spend a little time with a knife and a kitchen scale and portion out your cheese into 1oz bites. Save them in an air tight container in your fridge, and then when you need a snack to go, grab a couple, stuff them into a smaller, reusable container and toss it into your bag! Not only are you saving money, but you are throwing MUCH less trash into our landfills!
~ How I Saved the Week:
Instead of spending $7 an ounce on tiny little jars of spices at my local grocery store, I went to my FAVORITE little local spice shop! There, I buy the spices, not the container, and get them for SO MUCH LESS! Instead of spending about $14 on one ounce each of paprika and ground mustard, I spent $12.95 on one ounce each of paprika, ground mustard, crushed red peppers, spiced gourmet pepper, jasmine tea and raspberry leaf tea! I WIN!
If you don't have a local spice shop, check out mine! Buck's Fifth Avenue in Olympia WA does phone, website and email orders! They have amazing spices, and FABULOUS prices! The prices aren't listed on the website because they change frequently (down in price as often as up!) and the owner, Anne, is really nice! Tell her I sent you!
~ Worth It!
Lion Brand Superwash Merino Cashmere
40g, 87 yds, worsted weight.
72% SW merino, 15% nylon, 13% cashmere
$7.99/ball
I just can't decide if this yarn is worth it. It feels very nice, and I'm really glad to see the value companies creating more luxury yarns, but I know that I can get a ball of KnitPicks Capra (I'll do a full review later) for the same price, but get a 50g ball with 127 yds! (DK weight). I know it's only a difference of 10g, but that's 10g! I'd love to know what you all think!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Guess what?! I finally ordered buttons again!! If you'd like one, all you have to do is click that shiny little button below and donate $5 or more!!!

Episode 50- Double Up!

2011-01-09T20:14:00.000-08:00

~Welcome!!
~Sponsors:
  Audible: Click the link for a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook download of your choice!
  Bar-Maids: Lovely solid lotion bars, cuticle creams and lotions! Perfect for knitting!
~ Sweater Forecast:
SNOW! It is supposed to snow a lot this week! Get out the woolens!
~ Knitting:
Baby sweater is coming along! Dr says she would be surprised if baby isn't here in the next few days!! EEP!
Slytherin Socks are looking pretty awesome!
Cashmere hat for Leighton is coming along as well!
~Spinning: None
~Sewing:
Sewed myself a pretty green skirt to match my Gwen Slouch! I actually finished while I was recording the episode!
~ Free Entertainment:
Yogpod: A goofy podcast where a couple of Brits make fun of random things, talk a little about video games and are just generally goofy. Not a family show, but worth a listen!
~Events:
Madrona Fiber Arts retreat: Mini-Class list is posted! Awesome (and very inexpensive) way to try out some new techniques with amazing teachers!!! I'll be there!
CampKIP: Only a few spots left! Listen to the latest update from Jackie to hear all the latest info!!
~Sales:
  -Kellane Farm has some lovely looking fiber! So soft and smooshable and only $3 an ounce!
  - Digital Scale on eBay only $6.95 with free economy shipping!!
  - Wolfe Farms has awesome and yummy sounding herbal soaps and lotions! The "To Hatch a Peach" scent is on sale 25% off right now, and Dawn (knittinwolf on Ravelry) is offering a free 1 ounce trial to try out her products!!!
~Tip of the Week:
Double up on coupons! If your local store has a sale or a store coupon for something, use a manufacturer coupon on top of it to get it for super cheap or even free!! It's totally legit and can save you tons of $$!
~ How I Saved the Week:
I'm going back to school! I needed to request a transcript from the massage school I went to, and instead of requesting one online for $25, I gave the owner a call! She agreed to give me a copy!!
~ Worth It:
KnitPicks Zephyr Acrylic needles
Pros:
Just like all KnitPicks needles, the joins are smooth on the cables, the tips are nice and pointy, and these specifically are MUCH less expensive than the wood or metal.
Cons: The clear needles are really distracting because you can see the backs of the stitches through the needles which makes it hard to count stitches and is just generally distracting. Also, they are squeaky! Just like acrylic yarn has a squeaky characteristic, these needles, when I used them with wool were also squeaky!
Overall: These needles are not for me. If you don't mind the squeakiness of acrylic yarn, you won't mind these needles, and for the price, they can't be beat. However, if you don't like squeaky yarn, you won't like these needles.
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Use your KnitCents!

Ep 49- New year, New Goals!

2011-01-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

~Welcome!
This week's episode is sponsored by:
Audible: Visit the link for a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook download of your choice!
and
Bar Maids! They are donating a complete sampler pack of all their products! Visit their site to see all their wonderful products!
~Contest:
Selfish Knitter! Knit something for yourself after the craziness of the holidays and holiday crafting! Show off pictures in the Ravelry Group to enter!
~Sweater Forecast:
Cold and rainy. Not much different than the usual.
~ Knitting: I finished Aaron's socks in time for new years! I spent new year's day casting on a new sweater for Leighton! Then, Hannah (my sister) asked if I would knit Leighton a hat to wear home from the hospital so I made one out of some pink handspun! I will also be knitting some socks this month, all will be projects in the HPKCHC!
~Spinning:
Still working on the Sunset Fibers fiber that I got last year and this year fro Christmas!
~Events:
Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat February 17-20! I'll be there!
CampKIP April 6-9! I'll be there too!
~Sales!
   -Cherry Tree Hill- All yarns, fibers, and patterns are 50% off until Thursday jan 6 at 9am EST!
   - DoodleBugYarn is offering ALL their worsted weight yarns for 25% off through the month of January!
   - Elsewhere: Take advantage of the New Years Resolution sales! Gym memberships, books, and organization tools are all on sale everywhere!!
~Tip of the Week:
Set attainable goals! When you reach them, you will feel good about it!
~ How I Saved the Week:
We made an awesome blanket fort for our New Years Eve, and then I made butter! I didn't have any, needed some but have a food processor and I had some whipping cream so I made butter!
Whipping Cream + Food Processor + Time = butter and buttermilk! Yum!!!
~Worth It:
Side by Side on Fixed Circular Knitting Needles
Clover Bamboo
Knitpicks Harmony Wood

Clover does better with:
Price
tip length (16" only)
overall comfort (16")
wood flexibility

KnitPicks does better with:
Join from needle tip to cable
Cable flexibility
Tip pointiness
Style
Size range

Overall, I prefer the Clover needles if I need to knit on 16", and Knitpicks for the rest!
Overall though both are worth the money!
~Contact:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Song of the year:
All I Want is You by Barry Louis Polisar

Ep 48- Prize winners

2011-01-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Listen to the episode to find out if you were a winner!!

Ep 47- Regift, Refund, Repurpose

2010-12-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Thank you!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Visit the link for a free 2 week trial and audiobook download of your choice!
~Sweater Forecast:
Cold and rain through Tuesday, then possible snow Wednesday through Friday!
~ Knitting:
Aaron's socks are almost done! Eep! Planning to cast on 4 baby sweaters New Year's Day!
(Links go to Ravelry, sign up if you aren't already a member)
For Leighton: the Easy Baby Cardigan by Diane Soucy in Lime Green
For Twin baby A: Baby Sweater on 2 needles by Elizabeth Zimmerman in bright aqua blue
For Twin baby B: Lillie Baby Cardigan by Laura Edwards
For Arya: Helena Sweater by Allison Green Will
Goal: Finish all 4 sweaters by end of April!
~Spinning:
I got fiber for Christmas!! I have 24 oz of fiber in all corresponding colorways for my next handspun sweater!! Got lots of spinning to do over the next 2 days!
~Sales!!!
After Christmas sales/ end of year sales!!
-Webs is having their year end blowout! from 12/22- 1/2 save up to 75% off certain yarns!!
- Joann Fabrics is having a year end sale! Every skein of yarn in store and online is on sale!
~Tip of the Week:
If you got a holiday gift that doesn't suit you, feel free to practice one of the following options. I give you permission.
Regift: Just be POSITIVE that the person you gift it to and the original gifter are NOT in the same social circle.
Refund: If you know where the gift came from but you don't want to ask the original gifter for the receipt, you can often return it (as long as it is UNOPENED) for a store credit without a receipt. They will usually give you the lowest price that item was in the past 90 days, and you can usually only do this once or twice a year at major stores. Be sure to bring your ID, so they can keep track of how often you do refunds without receipts!
Repurpose: There is no need to save your Christmas cards after Christmas, but you can cut them up and make gift tags for next year out of them! Thanks for the tip knitting group!
~ How I Saved the Week:
I made 16 batches of shortbread for all my family members in ONE DAY! I'm pretty proud of it!
Chocolate Shortbread Recipe:
1/4 c butter, softened
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c flour
1/4 c powdered sugar
1 to 2 T baking cocoa

Cream butter in a mixing bowl. Add vanilla and mix well.
Combine flour, sugar and cocoa separately; add to creamed mixture. Beat until dough holds together, about 3 mins.
Pat into a 9x4inch rectangle. Cut into 2-in by 1-1/2-in strips. Prick with a fork. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees F for 20-25 mins or until firm. Cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheets, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy alongside some delicious hot cocoa, coffee or tea. Yield: 1 dozen.

~ Worth It:
The Taste of Home Chocolate Lover's Cookbook
A compilation of hundreds of recipes using chocolate as the major ingredient! YUM!
You can order through Amazon (most expensive) or order through mail by sending $15.99 plus $3.95 shipping for one book, or $4.50 for 2 or more books, with item number 32496 to:
Country Store Suite 5610
PO Box 990
Greendale WI 53129-0990.
Or visit their website!
I've made several recipes out of this book! If you or someone you know loves chocolate, this book is TOTALLY WORTH IT!!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Have an awesome week everyone!!

Ep 46- Greensleeves

2010-12-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!!
  This episode is brought to you by Audible! Visit Audiblepodcast.com/knitcents for a free 2 week trial and free audiobook download of your choice!!
~Contest:
How have you used your KnitCents?
Post in the Ravelry thread to enter!!
~ Sweater forecast:
Cold, windy, rainy. Maybe a little snow tomorrow, so wear ALL your knits!
~ Knitting:
Just a little bit on Aaron's sock. Almost to the heel.
~Spinning:
Finished the first 4oz of the Sunset Fibers corriedale, colorway C-13-08 for my next handspun sweater!!
~Baking:
Triple Chocolate Quick Bread!
Ingredients
1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
2/3 c packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1-1/2 cups applesauce (unsweetened is best)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2-1/2 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips
-For the glaze
1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips
1 T butter or margarine
2 to 3 T half and half cream
1/2 c confectioner's (powdered) sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and melted chocolate; mix well. Add applesauce and vanilla. Set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter (batter will be super fluffy and light) into four greased 5-1/2-in x 3-in x 2-in loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 35- 40 mins or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
   For glaze, melt chocolate chips and butter in a saucepan; stir in cream. Remove from heat; stir in sugar, vanilla and salt. Drizzle over bread. (For drizzling, I spoon the warm glaze into a sandwich bag, and cut the tip of a corner off the bottom to use as a piping bag!)
Yield: 4 mini loaves!
ENJOY!
~Free Entertainment:
Podiobooks has 3 Christmas stories!! Search the word Christmas in the search bar!!
~ ~~Sales~~ Last minute, handmade gift ideas!
-Triple chocolate quick bread: Takes about an hour (not including cooling and glazing time) and makes 4 loaves!
- Homemade cocoa!
   5 c nonfat powdered milk
   1 c unsweetened baking cocoa
   1 c sugar
optional:
   5 T cinnamon
   12-15 crushed candy canes
   extra cocoa for a darker chocolate flavor
Combine ingredients in a large zipper plastic bag, shake and distribute evenly among pretty cellophane bags with a ribbon and serving suggestions!
Total time: about 20 minutes, total cost for more than 20 servings (if you make all the flavors) less than $30.
- Sewn coffee cup cozy
Use a small amount of fleece or flannel, sew a seam and you're done! Fleece works well because it keeps the heat in the cup, and is a little bit stretchy so it will fit around many different cups!! Total cost, less than $1, total time: varying depending on sewing skill, but less than 20 minutes.
~ Tip of the week:
Enjoy the season! I see too many people stress about buying or making the perfect gift, making 30 dozen kinds of cookies, volunteering too much time to the point that they don't enjoy the beautiful Christmas season! Relax and spend time with friends and family!
~How I Saved the Week
OMG Amazon has flea medicine for cats for $27 for a 3 month treatment!! That's compared to the $21 for 1 month from my vet's office!!!!
~ Worth It:
The Princess Bride (book) by William Goldman
$8.95 new on Amazon
This book is hilarious, romantic and wonderful! This is an awesome gift for an individual, or a couple! This is one of mine and Aaron's favorite books to read aloud to each other, and we have gifted it to other couples with the same instruction!
Before you read the book, read the Wikipedia article about the Author and The Book!
It makes the story way funnier!!
Totally WORTH IT!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Episode 45- Cotton is absorbent

2010-12-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

Hey! Sorry I didn't get around to posting these until now! Here are the main points:
~Free Entertainment:
Audiblepodcast.com/knitcents Free 2 week trial, and lots of freebies including free Christmas stories!!
Free Target Holiday Album!
~Sales!
KnitPicks has swifts on sale (really nice ones) for $50 through Jan. 3!!
All the other sales I talked about are over now...
~Tip of the Week:
Check your online wish lists often, prices change!! Something you didn't think you could afford before may have dropped in price to a reasonable range!!
~How I Saved the Week:
I bought Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day from Amazon for $14 including tax!! This is a $30 hardcover retail, and I've wanted it for a long time! WOOHOO!
~Worth It:
KnitPicks Comfy
Comes in lots of colors and weights, great to weave with, great cotton/acryllic blend would be great for anyone with wool allergies, doesn't hurt my hands like most cotton!!
Yay! Worth it!

Ep 44- Trials and Timers

2010-12-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~This podcast is sponsored by Audible.com! Click here to sign up for a free 2 week trial and download a free audiobook of your choice!
~Contest:
Visit the Ravelry group, email me or leave a comment on the shownotes page telling me what you've learned from the Knitcents Podcast or another listener, and tell us a story of how you've used it!!
~ Sweater Forecast:
Mid to low 40's with rain this week! Another week of light sweaters and cardigans!
~ Knitting:
I finished the Tappan Zee and I totally rock it with all its little quirks!

I also am almost done with the handspun baby hat for Leighton!

~Spinning!

Spun the first 2.5 oz for my next hs cardigan!! Super pretty!

~Weaving:

I also finished weaving 5 little wash cloths/ burp cloths for Leighton! yay for finishing things!

~Free Entertainment:

Just One More Row Podcast with Brittany and Dana! I love it! Check it out!

~ Camp KIP:

An awesome knitting retreat hosted by Jackie of KIPing it Real! Visit her Ravelry group for more details!! I'll be there if I can raise enough money to get there!!

~Sales!!!

Free Trials that are awesome!

- AudiblePodcast.com/KnitCents Sign up for a free 2 week trial, download a free audiobook and audible will donate $$ to the podcast which I can use to go to CampKIP! Its an awesome way you can donate $$ for me to go to CampKIP without actually spending any $$ yourself!!

- Netflix free one week trial! You can choose to only have instant watch now, and there are so many amazing things on here!!!

- Gym trials! Go to gyms in your area and try them out by signing up for free trials!

- FreeCreditReport.com allows you to view your credit report for free once a year! Just don't do it too often!

- Amazon Prime offers a free 1 month trial of Prime! Free 2 day shipping on all your holiday gifts!!

~Tip of the Week:

Set a timer! When you sign up for a free trial where you have to provide your credit card number, set a timer or reminder to remind yourself to cancel the trial before they charge your card! If you decide to keep it, then ignore the reminder, but if you don't want to be charged, make sure to use the reminder!! Its a good idea to set the reminder for one day before the trial will end so you don't get charged because you're too late!

~How I Saved the Week:

I used functional gifts as decorations for the baby shower! (of course I forgot to take a picture) but I bought a baby bathtub (inflatable ducky) and used it as a punch bowl! I made awesome bubble bath punch in it and it was super cute! not only did I get a super cute decoration for the shower, but it is something that my sister will be able to use to bathe her baby in!

~DIY:

Bubble bath punch! 1 carton of light colored sherbet (I use lime) and 3 2-L bottles of clear, caffeine free soda! Scoop the sherbet into the punch bowl (or baby bathtub) and dump the soda on top! The bubbles foam up to big fluffy bubbles and it looks like bubble bath!! Also, it is super delicious!

~ Worth It!

The Intentional Spinner by Judith MacKenzie McCuin

Retail: 26.95 150 pages, published by Interweave Press

My thoughts: This book is amazing. JMM definitely demonstrates her vast depth, breadth and wealth of knowledge about spinning and fiber in this book! From the science of the fiber to the way it takes dye, to many techniques for spinning, plying and making art yarns! There are 4 projects to spin for, and great instructions for caring for your handspun and handmade items!! Overall, I would say this would be an awesome "Only" book for a spinner, meaning if you only had one spinning book, this would be a great one!! This would be a little overwhelming for a brand new spinner, but with a little help from a friend could be the perfect spinning guide! Totally worth it!

~Contact Info:

Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

Please leave a review on iTunes if you like the show!!

Ep 43- Podcast-tacular

2010-11-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~This week's show is sponsored by Audible! Click here to try their service free for 2 weeks and download a free audiobook of your choice!
~November Contest Winner:
CuteKnitter aka Jasmin! She suggested giving the gift of time to family and friends! Awesome! She will receive 8oz of undyed corriedale roving and 2 sets of awesome stitch markers from NeoTigress on Etsty!
~December Podcast-tacular!!!
December 30 will mark the one year anniversary of the KnitCents Podcast! To celebrate, I want you to tell me what you've learned and how you've used your KnitCents over the past year! Leave a comment in the thread on the Ravelry Group page, or send me an email! Winners will be chosen on December 30 with a special anniversary episode!

~Prizes:
- 8oz of undyed corriedale roving and 2 sets of stitch markers from NeoTigress on Etsy!
- Victoria Mitt Kit from SarahMontie with pattern and orange yarn shown!
- Single pattern PDF download of winner's choice from SarahMontie!
- 3 balls of CityTweed from KnitPicks in Lemon Curd colorway!
- 3 pattern PDF downloads of winner's choice from FiddleKnits Designs!
- 2 Fiber to Go cups- 50/50 Merino/ Bamboo from Sunset Fibers (blue and purple)!
- 2 Fiber sampler cups from Sunset Fibers! (total is 1/4 oz of each of: corriedale, medium coopworth, silk noil, loose alpaca, honey tussah silk, llama, superwash merino, angora, bleached tussah silk, and 80/20 alpaca/silk)
- 1 skein of KnitPicks Capra (85/25 Merino/ Cashmere) in Fairy Tale colorway and a KnitPicks Options Interchangeable nickel plated needle kit!
*All prizes have been donated to the podcast! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the show!!!
~Sweater Forecast:
This week, it is forecasted to be in the low to mid 40's with drizzle. I'm thinking light sweaters and cardigans, and definitely some mitts! Heavy wool pullovers aren't quite necessary this week!
~ Knitting:

I finished the Robot Hat! Aaron loves it! It turned out awesome and I'm super excited to start another colorwork project! Aaron wore the hat for about 24 hours straight, including wearing it to bed! I'm glad he loves it so much, and all of it is handspun except for the little green eyes! I'm going to change the eyes to red, so the robots look like the cylons from Battlestar Galactica. (awesome show, available on Netflix Watch it now!)
Tappan Zee disaster/ awesomeness:
My Tappan Zee is crooked. That's really all there is to say. I don't know what went wrong, it was definitely my problem, and not a pattern problem! But I'm going to rock it anyways!

Also, even though the picture shows up right side up on my computer, it keeps showing up upside down everywhere else. Blergh. FInally, I'm almost done with the handspun hat for little baby Leighton! It is going to be so soft and warm and I'm knitting it so that hopefully it fits her for a long time!

No new spinning, but I may start a new spinning project this afternoon!

~Free Entertainment:

iTunes Single of the Week! Free song every week! Check it out in the iTunes Store!

~Sales!!!

-Cyber Monday: Sort of like black friday but for the online deals! Its awesome, check it out!

- Amazon Mom: Sign up for free if you are the caretaker of a baby and get a free year of Amazon Prime! Other awesome services include extra awesome deals and automatic diaper delivery!

- Howtoshopforfree.net is an awesome site! The writer of the site tells you how to double up on coupons and sales, gives seminars on saving money and wrote a book which is going to be released on Wednesday, December 1! Check it out!

~Tip of the Week:

Quality vs. Quantity: We decided to change our cat's diet so she will be more healthy! The food is a lot more expensive, but she eats a LOT less of it (enough less that it will be a net gain for sure)! Also she is more active, which will help her be more healthy, which will hopefully mean less trips to the vet! Spend a little more to get a LOT more in return!

~How I Saved the Week:

Aaron and I, after a glorious victory over the Thanksgiving turkey we cooked! We spent about $10 to host an awesome thanksgiving dinner with our friends! Turkey was less than $5, potatoes were about $1.50, green beans were about $.50 a can (2 cans), cranberries were about $2 and everything else we already had on hand! Friends brought rolls, stuffing and pie, and we had a fabulous evening with lots of food and even more leftovers!

~Worth It:

No review this week, because the episode was getting long! Next week for sure!

~Contact Info:

Email me: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes!

Have a happy week everyone!

Ep 42- Thankful

2010-11-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~ Sponsor:
   - NeoTigress on Etsy is donating 8 oz of undyed corriedale fiber and 2 sets of beautiful stitch markers to our contest winner this month!
   - To enter the contest, before 8pm PST, go to the Ravelry group page and share an idea for a handmade holiday gift!
~ Sweater Forecast:
It is SNOWING! There is about an inch of snow on the ground!!!
  (Music played- A Snowflake Fell (and it felt like a kiss) by Glasvegas. (One of my favorite holiday songs)
~Knitting:
I got a ton done on my handspun Tappan Zee Cardigan this week! It's almost done! I also cast on a baby hat for Leighton (my niece- due in January) out of the leftover cormo from my HSTZ!
~Spinning:
Spun about 6 oz of Jacob fiber, 5 oz in dark gray and 1 oz in light gray to make a colorwork hat for Aaron with some awesome robots on it!
~Weaving:
  Warped the loom to weave some burp cloths and wash cloths for Leighton as well! Warp: White Lion Brand Wool Ease (75/25 wool/ acryllic) Weft: KnitPicks Comfy (75/25 cotton/ acryllic) and I've been practicing with some different patterns in the woven fabric! So fun!
~Free Entertainment:
-Yarns from the Garden with Cindy aka KigeliaKitten
- Clothed in the Lamb with Janeen
Both on iTunes!
~ Chicken Update
The chickens have stopped pulling out their feathers! Yay!
~ Thankful:
I am thankful for you! I know it seems cheesy but the comments, messages and love you all send me makes me so happy and I am thankful to have gotten to meet some of you, and hope to meet many more! Thank you!
~Sales!
-Follow Webs Yarn store @websyarnstore on Twitter to get Steve's deal of the day!
- Black Friday shopping this weekend! Good luck on getting good deals!
~Tip of the Week:
Also regarding Black Friday, my tip for saving money during the day after Thanksgiving: Stay home, sleep in, and shop online if you need to shop! Most stores have awesome deals online just like they do in stores the day after thanksgiving! If you do go out, please be safe! No deal is worth your safety! Also if you do go out, stop by Costco! They give away a free cookbook every year the day after Thanksgiving!
~How I Saved the Week:
2 things! I redeemed some of my credit card reward points! (I totally forgot I had them!) and I used a coupon at WinCo foods to get bacon, eggs, PopTarts, english muffins and orange juice all FREE!
~Worth It!
Weaving Made Easy by Liz Gipson
Retail: $24.95
If you only learn how to warp a rigid heddle loom from this book, it is worth every cent! The instructions for this tedious part of weaving are amazing! There are also 17 projects you can use for your woven fabric and lots of photo instructions! I borrowed this book from a friend, then bought it because the warping section was amazing! If you want to learn to weave on a rigid heddle loom, this is the only book you need!
WORTH IT!
~Contact Info:
Email me!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Also, at Madrona I will be taking the "Batts, Roving and Top" class with Judith McKenzie McCuin Saturday morning, and the Advanced Cabling class with Jared Flood Saturday afternoon! See you there!

Thank you all, and Happy Thanksgiving to all my US listeners!

Ep 40- Have your soup and eat it too!

2010-11-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

I just realized I had 2 episode 39s! Oops! Technically this is episode 41!
~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
This week's show is brought to you by Audible! Get a free audiobook and sign up for a free trial here!
Congratulations to Ravelry for having 1,000,000 users!! I'm so glad to be a part of it!
~Contest:
Prize was generously donated by Neotigress on Etsy! She is donating 8oz of pindrafted corriedale roving and 2 sets of stitch markers!
To enter, go to the KnitCents group page on Ravelry and share an idea for a handmade holiday gift that is fast, easy and inexpensive! The thread will be open until next Sunday, the 21st, and then we will vote until Sunday the 28th when I will reveal the winner!
~Sweater Forecast:
Mid 40s to low 50s and RAIN! Definitely sweater weather! I think it will be sweater weather for a while! :)
~ Knitting:

I finished the Baby Cabled Raglan Cardi which turned out lovely! I'm really pleased with it and I think my sis will be too! I've also been working on my Tappan Zee, which is coming along nicely! (though the photo is a bit blurry)

~Spinning:

Haven't done a ton but just a bit on the Jacob fiber and some of the blues colors in the Sunset Fibers wool I started a couple of weeks ago!

~ Free Entertainment:

Pandora A free streaming radio site that plays music you like!

~ Chicken update:

My chickens think it is a fun game to pull out all of Eva's feathers. Help!

~ Sales!

- JimmyBeansWool has lots of cotton yarns for around 40% off! They also have a few colors of Cascade Venezia for 49% off, and they have Debbie Bliss Pure Silk for 50% off!

- LittleKnits has Seta Bella, a 100% silk yarn for 70% off! They also have Andes hand dyed for 70% off! Only $30 for a bag of 10 skeins, each skein is 100g and about 220 yards! That's a whole sweater's worth of yarn!

-Elsewhere: Turkeys! We got a 17 pound turkey for under $5 at our grocery store the other day, and I know the other stores around have the same deal!

~Tip of the Week:

Its easier to add a little or upgrade than it is to make new! I had friends over for soup last night and when I worried there wouldn't be enough soup, I just added more potatoes and more broth and we had tons of leftovers! I also have an apron that's seen better days, but instead of getting rid of it, I'm just going to clean it really well and replace the lace edging and it will be good as new!

~ How I Saved the Week:

I doubled up on coupons! I was bra shopping at Kohl's and I had a coupon for "$10 off a purchase of $20 or more" so I found a bra that was on sale for $22, used that coupon, then used the "15% off your entire purchase" coupon! I ended up getting a $40 bra for only $12 after tax! I WIN!

~Worth It!

Shepherd Baby Wool 4 ply

Discontinued but lots of people have it stashed for sale or trade on Ravelry for good prices!

50g, 180 yds 100% wool, machine washable, air dry.

I really liked knitting with this yarn! It wasn't splitty, there were no knots and it is super soft! Now that I've washed it, its even softer! If you can find some, its worth it!

~Contact info:

Email me!

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes! You guys rock!

Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

2010-10-31T20:14:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Muffins:
-Cut 1 pie pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds.
-Roast at 350 face down in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes until very tender. Allow to cool.
-Scoop out flesh and then stir well to blend.
-Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle.
-Butter or oil muffin pan if not nonstick.
-Meanwhile, whisk together 1¼ cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup oats, 2 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp baking soda, 1 heaping tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground allspice, ¼ tsp ground cloves and ½ tsp salt in a large bowl.
-In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 stick melted butter, ¾ c. brown sugar, 1½-2 cups pumpkin puree, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla.
-Add to dry ingredients and stir until just combined, then stir in ½ cup cranberries and 2 TBS pumpkin seeds or walnuts.
-Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until a wooden pick comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
-Cool slightly on a rack.

Halloween Pics!

2010-10-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

The whole gang! (I'm in the back behind Luigi)

Zoe from the Firefly TV series

Princess Leia and Obi Wan Kenobi. (She MADE those costumes!)

Sarah Palin posing with some of the Rebel Force!

Jordan (the flower) and her dog Cedar (the bumblebee)

Me, Jordan and Cedar

When video game characters have to get day jobs (pt 1)

When video game characters have to get day jobs (pt 2)

Cheshire Cat

When video game character have to get day jobs (pt 3)

Hope everyone has an awesome Halloween!

Ep 39- Sharing is Caring

2010-10-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro (Sorry about the neighbor's dog barking in the background!!!)
~Audible is still supporting the show! Click here for your free audiobook download!
~Contest Sponsor
-Paula of the Knitting Pipeline Podcast is donating a Longaberger basket!
- Share a recipe for a hot drink in the Ravelry thread! Vote for entries once I've locked the thread!
~ Sweater forecast:
Cold and rainy means sweaters all week! :D
~ Knitting:
Finished the practice wedding shawl, and got a pretty wedding dress! I gave the practice shawl to my mom, and asked her to wear it for the wedding so we can kind of match and she loved it! Worked a bit each on the baby sweater, socks and am currently swatching for the Cassidy cardigan for the Knitmore KAL!
~Spinning:
Finished the spinning for the Tappan Zee cardigan! Yarn is now drying after being set last night! Can't wait to start knitting it!
~ Free Entertainment:
Yarnings Podcast with my awesome friend Kristine (with a K) is a new show!! She is fantastic, give her a listen!
~ Sales!
- JoAnn Fabrics is having an online sale through the end of October where ALL their yarn is 25% off!
- Shipwreck Beads is having a sale through the end of October on over 7300 different beads including seed beads and some Swarovsky Crystals!
~Tip of the Week:
Sharing is Caring- My mom and I are sharing a set of crochet hooks because I wanted the tiny ones and not the bigger ones, and she wanted to bigger ones and not the tiny ones so we shared
~ How I Saved the Week:
The wedding dress I picked out (Alfred Angelo Style 2100 if you want to check it out) is awesome! The dress on the rack fit me perfectly, there was NOTHING wrong with it, the color is perfect so we got the one off the rack! Because a few people have tried it on, we got a 15% discount on it! Yay!
~ Worth It!
Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool
Retail: $9.99 8 oz, 465 yards of heavy worsted/ aran weight 100% wool with lanolin
I LOVE IT! Softens a ton when you wash it, I've never found a knot (I've knit with this a lot). Takes dye really well, and most importantly, it is such an awesome value! Its a really good workhorse yarn and I love it!
~Contact Info:
Email me!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Ep 38- Lifelines

2010-10-24T18:14:00.001-07:00

Sorry I didn't post shownotes, I probably didn't talk about anything interesting anyway...

Ep. 37- Discriminating Customer

2010-10-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Show Sponsors:
This week's show is sponsored by Audible! Download a free audiobook of your choice and get a free 2 week trial by clicking here!
  And, Paula of the Knitting Pipeline Podcast has donated a Longaberger basket to this month's contest winner!
~Contest:
Visit the Ravelry group page and share your favorite hot drink recipe!
~Sweater forecast:
In the PNW this week, mostly sunny with a high chance of sweaters in the mornings and evenings!
~ Knitting:
  SO MUCH KNITTING! Still working on Baby Cabled Raglan Cardigan for sis's baby, finished the fingerless mitts I started 2 weeks ago, cast on a baby hat and still knitting on the Bumbling Smooshy socks! Going to cast on soon for the Flicka Hat from the Knitter's Book of Wool, using some Abstract Fiber Colorwork and the Falling Stars Cardigan from KnitPicks!
~ Spinning:
  Almost done with the BFL for the Handspun Tappan Zee! I love BFL!! Already done with Cormo, next up is SW Merino! Yay! Also, yesterday I worked at the Schaefer Meadows Fiber Festival in the Sunset Fibers booth, and in exchange for me working, Linda gave me a Jenkins Turkish Delight spindle! I also got a pound of Jacob fiber which I am planning to spin and knit for Aaron! He wants fingerless mitts and a headband... :/
~ Free Entertainment:
Chrissy the Great has rejoined the podcaster community! She took about 6 months off, and has just posted episode 63 last night of the Manic Purl Podcast!
~Sales!
   - KnitPicks Kit Sale! The Falling Stars Kit is only $26!! That's 17 balls of yarn!
   - JoAnn Fabrics is having their Columbus Day Sale!
   - Little Knits has some awesome deals too!!!
~ Tip of the Week!
If you have a bad experience at a shop or store, let the owner or manager know. If you continue to have that bad experience, don't go back!
~ How I Saved:
I got some sock yarn from JoAnn for Buy one get one half off (total: $7.50) instead of buy 2 for $9 because I paid attention to the ad!
~Worth It!
Clover 9" bamboo circular needles. Retail: $14.99
The needle tips are only about 1 1/2 inch, I had to hold my needles differently which affected my gauge, and my hand cramped up! I would never recommend these to anyone and I will probably take them back and get my money back. Terrible, not worth it at all, even half price!

Ep. 36- Laugh until you cry

2010-10-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro
~Last month's contest winner:
TeamMom aka Tera! Congrats!
~October Contest:
Share a recipe for delicious hot drinks! It will help warm the chill out of your bones faster than turning on the heater!
   Contest prize: A Longaberger basket donated by Paula of the Knitting Pipeline Podcast!
~Sweater Forecast: A new segment, where I tell you if its sweater weather or not! This week: No.
~ Knitting:
Finished the first of the cabled wristers, and started a Cabled Raglan Baby Sweater for my sister's little girl! I also bought an awesome button for it! Yay!
I published the TDTU pattern! Search TDTU on Ravelry to find it!
~Spinning:
I've actually been doing some! I'm going to spin 3 different colors together and knit the Tappan Zee!
~Free Entertainment:
Knit Knit Cafe with Abby and Ben- Super fun!
The Knit Wits with Carin and Rick- hilarious!!!
~ Garden:
We canned 7 jars of salsa using tomatoes from our garden!
~ Sales!
   - KnitPicks book sale! All books are 40% off!
   - Webs Grampa's Garage Sale! Tons of yarn for over 50% off!
   - Madrona published the Overview! Lots of free events and demos! Come to the PNW!
~Tip of the Week:
Laugh until it hurts! I've noticed that I am less inclined to make an impulse purchase if I'm feeling really good, so do something that makes you really happy and laugh until you cry!
~How I Saved the Week:
  I made salsa instead of buying it, made muffins and tea instead of going out to a coffee shop and used free yarn to make a cute sweater!
~ Worth It!
The Expectant Knitter by Marie Connolly
Retail: $27.50, 30 patterns
Pros:
I like the patterns, lots of top down seamless stuff, lots of really practical baby things and the patterns are well written and the photos are lovely.
HOWEVER: The author inserts MEDICAL ADVICE into the book, which is absolutely inappropriate. If it was just a book of patterns, it would totally be worth it, but as it is, I would not buy it. A library book for sure.
~Contact Info:
Email!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824

Ep. 35- OFFF Recap

2010-10-03T14:05:00.001-07:00

I pretty much just talked about lots of food! Sorry for lack of notes!

TDTU Sock Pattern!

2010-10-03T10:40:00.001-07:00

I hope you all enjoy it! Let me know if you have any questions about the pattern and I will be happy to help!

Thank you to all my test knitters, this pattern would have been a big pile of mess without you!
Click here to view PDF

Ep. 34- Be Well to Knit Well

2010-09-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
  Shout out to Meghan- get well and feel better!
~Sponsor:
Bar Maids! They are donating their Travel Pack! Includes a LoLo to go bar, LoLo Lips and the Cuticle Intensive!
~Contest:
Post your best recipes for apples on the Ravelry Page! If you aren't on Ravelry, you can email it to me and I will post it for you!
~Knitting and Weaving:
  Simple knitted bodice is so close! I have just about 14 more rows of neckband stitches and I will be done! (Then of course I need to weave in ends and block, but that barely counts- it will be done by OFFF!)
  The socks I started last week are going well!
~ OFFF Details!
  I will be there from Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th! Saturday, Erin from the Anatomy of Knitting Podcast and I will be at the Bar Maids booth from 12-1 on Saturday for a meet and greet! Come see us and get some hugs and buttons!
~Sales:
   - Fabric.com 30% clearance coupon code: Clear910. Also, notions and patterns are 20% off until tomorrow (Monday the 20th) so check that out! Finally, check out the clearance section where they have 20-30% clearance!
   - ParadiseFibers.net has a moving sale closeout! Awesome deals on name brand yarns and free shipping over $100.
   - wow-coupons.com has awesome links to grocery, retail and manufacturer coupons for almost anything you could need!
~Tip of the Week:
   Stay healthy! Cold and flu remedies, medicine and doctor visits are expensive! I've found that when I'm sick and cranky, I will pay almost any amount of money to feel better, and that is not a good state to be in. Wash your hands, don't touch your face, get some exercise, eat healthy food and get plenty of rest to stay healthy! If you use up all your leave time being sick, then you won't be able to use it to do fun things like go to fiber festivals!
~ How I Saved the Week:
I bought a cone of yarn (about 2 pounds) to warp my loom with for only about $18! Over 5,000 yards of a beautiful steel gray color that goes really well with a lot of other yarns I have!
~Worth It!
The Knitter's Gift, edited by Bernadette Murphy
Retail: $12.95, 38 stories, 9 patterns.
I really like this book when it is cold and gloomy and I want to read stories about knitting! The stories are inspiring and touching! I don't know if I would recommend purchasing this book, I probably wouldn't have bought it for myself but it was a gift. Definitely a library read though!!
~Contact Info:
Email Me!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes or click that fancy button!

~

Ep. 33- You Know It's Autumn When...

2010-09-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro / Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible is giving my lovely listeners (that's you!) a free audiobook and a free 2 week trial! Check it out for a free download!
-September's Prize donation has come from Bar Maids! Yes, the lovely ladies are back and are donating their LoLo Travel Pack! This includes a Lo-Lo to go bar, (small and fits well inside a knitting bag) a Lo-Lo Lips (amazing chapstick) and their new product, the Cuticle Intesnsive! (So nice and smells great!) If you want to win, send me a recipe for apples! Visit the Ravelry Group and enter your best apple recipe! I love apples and I want your recipes!
~Contest Winners from last month:
Listen to hear if you've won!
~ Knitting and Weaving!!

I've finished Aaron's cabled socks and he is thoroughly enjoying them! I've also started a new pair for myself out of some Dream in Color Smooshy that I picked up at Little Knits a few months ago on sale! Yay! I've done a bit of work on my simple knitted bodice, and I've also been weaving on my new loom! I love it! It is super duper fun and really easy! YaY!
~Free Entertainment:
I've been listening to The Well Knitted Life on the Knitmores' suggestion, and I am enjoying it! Sadly, this segment might disappear because I am no longer allowed to listen to headphones at work, and since this was 90% of my listening time, I'm going to have a hard time keeping up with all my favorite podcasts as it is! I hope you'll all share your new free entertainment you find on the Ravelry group!
~Garden:
We harvested almost 48 pounds of green tomatoes! Kim from the Crooked Row podcast mentioned that if your tomatoes get too much water, they will split and rot. It rains a lot here and we didn't want that to happen so we picked them! We are storing them in paper bags and cardboard boxes and they are starting to ripen off the vine! We will definitely be canning and freezing loads of tomatoes!

~Sales:

I was a little bit lazy, I really wanted to talk to you guys but I didn't feel like doing homework so the big sales I've noticed in stores are summer stuff and Halloween! Go get stuff!

~ Tip of the Week:

Priorities: Save FOR something. Whether it is the down payment on a house or a new ball of cashmere, if you have a specific goal you are saving for, it will be a lot easier to pass up those impulse buys because you know it will negatively affect your ability to buy something you really want!

~ DIY:

Apples in the fire! Core out your favorite variety of apple (I like fuji and pink lady), wrap it partly in aluminum foil, fill the cored out space with a little butter and loads of sugar and cinnamon (or cloves, orange peel, ginger, whatever you think would be tasty) and wrap it up in the foil. Either throw the apple into a fire for 20 minutes or bake it at 350 for about 45 minutes! A tasty, inexpensive and (mostly) healthy snack or dessert!

~Worth It!

- Natural Alternatives for You and Your Home by Casey Kellar.

Retail: $24.99, I got it on Amazon for $18! Use a coupon!

Awesome book on making natural household products like body washes, face creams, cough drops and flea treatments! I love this book and I can't wait to tell you more about the awesome things I make out of it!

Totally worth it!

Ep. 32- Self Preservation

2010-08-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank you!
   I had an awesome birthday! Thanks for all the birthday messages!
~Sponsors/ Contests!
Check them all out in previous posts from this month!
   Visit audiblepodcast.com/knitcents to download a free audiobook of your choice and sign up for a free 2 week trial!
~Knitting/ Spinning:
I've been working on my Simple Knitted Bodice again! I'm almost finished with the first sleeve, and the second one won't take long either! (since is short sleeved!) I've also almost finished Aaron's first TDTU sock! Haven't done any spinning :( I did however, buy a Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom with some birthday money!
~Free Entertainment:
NPR Sunday Puzzle! Check it out on iTunes!
~Garden Update:
   Tomatoes are still going crazy, and I got some canning supplies for my birthday so we are going to make dilly beans and pickles this week! Yay!
~Sales!
-Joann has a really amazing deal on fine crochet thread!! 1.19 for a spool of of 400 yards of fine crochet thread! Great to use as a lifeline!
-CrystalCreekFibers has awesome prices on fibers, including 4oz of hand dyed mulberry silk top for only $17!
  - Lion Brand Yarn Co. has Schacht Cricket looms on sale, 15% off! I got mine there!
~Tip of the Week:
  Self Preservation! Can, freeze, dry or pickle fresh foods now! Buy them fresh in bulk and preserve them to have all year! Bulk foods are way cheaper, and they are even more of a steal when they are in season!!!
~ How I Saved the Week:
   - Everything I bought with my birthday money was on sale except for a skein of yarn and a couple sets of needle tips! I win! Also, I bought some gross yogurt (because I wasn't at my favorite grocery store and the terrible store I was at didn't have ANY good yogurt!!) so I made frozen fruit yogurt popsicles out of them!!
~Worth It!
Put 'Em Up! by Sherri Brooks Vinton
  $19.95 retail, 300 pages!
This book is amazing! It teaches you really easily how to preserve your own food without using special equipment! Dry foods in your oven or air dry, freeze, can in a large soup pot and pickle using vinegar! The book is laid out by main ingredient, so if you find yourself saying "what am I ever going to do with x pounds of x?" you can flip to that section! I made dilly beans and pickles, and also some bruiseberry vinegar!!
SO WORTH IT!!!
~Contact Info:
Email ME!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Leave a review on iTunes or click that fancypants button over there!

Episode 31- Warning, No Whining!

2010-08-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank you!
   -Sorry last week's episode was so whiney! This one is way better!
This week's episode is brought to you by Audible! Visit audiblepodcast.com/knitcents for a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook download of your choice!
~ Sponsor:
Sunset Fibers is offering 4oz of fiber or 200 yds of yarn in the colorway of your choice to the winner of this month's contest! Check out all the details at the Ravelry Group page!
~ Knitting:
  I've finished the pattern prototype for the vanilla TDTU sock pattern! It is being test knit and I hope to have the finished product done by the end of September! I've been working on Aaron's cabled sock, but haven't gotten much done because I've been working on wedding plans a lot! Not much spinning either.
~ Garden Update:
Tomatoes! Mmmmmmmmmm
~ Sales:
   -Webs is having their summer sale with bargains of up to 70% off!
   - Knitpicks is getting rid of lots of summer colors at 25% off, and they have loads of kits for 15-33% off!
   - Amazon has tons of canning supplies for amazing prices! Check them out if you are going to be doing as much canning as I will be!
~Tip of the Week
Ship packages online! If you have the weight of your package, you can visit USPS.com and save up to 15% on shipping!!
~ How I Saved the Week:
Costco! I got almost all my party goodies there for super cheap!
~ DIY:
Preserving Carrots and squashes. Carrots: peel, slice and blanch the carrots, then freeze them for up to 9 months! Blanching is where you heat the food in boiling water for a short amount of time, then immediately dunk them into ice water for the same amount of time!
Squashes: Grate and store in the freezer in quantities perfect for zucchini bread! Yum!
~ Worth It:
Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss
$19.95 144 pages, 16 patterns
Pros:
Patterns are well written and easy to read
Beautiful photos of all the patterns
Patterns are progressive in terms of skill
Technique pages are very good with easy to understand pictures.
Cons:
None of the sweaters are seamless! What the heck?
Yarn is all Debbie Bliss- do a little research to sub yarn!
Overall Worth it!
~Contact Info:
Email Me!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review on iTunes or click that shiny button below!!!

Episode 30- Its too darn hot!

2010-08-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

This episode was very bad and I was super whiney and the music was too loud. Feel free to skip it if you'd like. If you want the info though, there it is:
Sales:
c-cerpets.com Super cute knit hand puppet patterns! Use coupon code :Rav for 25% off!
Flocks of Yarn is going out of business. :( But they've got good sales going on because of it!
Sears is having their summer appliance sale, which includes air conditioners!!!

Episode 29- I tried to be lazy...

2010-08-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

~Welcome, Intro, Thank yous
~Sponsors/ Contests:
Check out last week's shownotes, there are a LOT!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:
I've got 5 repeats of chart B on Brandywine, and I still love it! I've also finished the first top down toe up sock and I'm almost done with the foot of the second one! I also started a new pair for Aaron, using some JoAnn Sensations Bamboo and Ewe yarn. This ball seems a little slubby and has some weird bits of unspun sections that I am not a big fan of. Hopefully it was just a little at the beginning of the ball... I've worked a little on spinning that cormo, but not much on that front.
~Free Entertainment:
I'm still listening to the Quarter Share series by Nathan Lowell. (See last 2 or 3 episode notes) I've finished all but the final book, and I'm 2/3 through that one! There is also a spin off type book from the same universe but about a different character that is queued up on my ipod for the next one!
~Garden Update:
We harvested a ton of stuff and made some AMAZING veggie lasagna from our garden and CSA this week! I'm quite sure I've gained 15 pounds!
~ Sales!
   -Hairball Yarn is offering free shipping in the US!
   - WhitKnits is offering 15% off all their sock yarns and summer yarns during the month of August!
   -Woot is a website that highlights a deal every day! Sometimes there are useless deals but sometimes the deals are really quite amazing!
~Tip of the Week:
Take advantage of free things! Free isn't always a scam, sometimes its an advertisement, but you can also request free samples of products through their websites, take advantage of free trials of things like magazine and movie subscriptions (like Netflix, the best $9 a month I spend) and loads of other things! Be creative!
~ How I Saved the Week: Aaron really likes these sandwiches they make at our local grocery store, but one sandwich is about $7, so instead I decided we will make our own! I made some delicious foccacia bread and we made up yummy sandwiches! The bread recipe is from the Williams Sonoma Bread Cookbook. Its a recipe for Onion Foccacia, but instead of onion I use 3-4 cloves of pressed garlic and about a teaspoon of fresh chopped rosemary! So yummy!
~ Worth It:
Knit Ponchos, Wraps and Scarves by Jane Davis
Retails at $21.99, 128 pages, 44 patterns
Pros:
-Teaches a lot of techniques: lace, cables, beads, fringes
- Lots of yarn options: says "use x amount of yardage in sport weight yarn of x fiber content" instead of specific yarn. Gives readers permission to choose their own yarn a little easier.
- Beautiful color photos of every project
- Full range of skill levels
-Instructions are easy to follow
- Patterns are charted and written out line by line
- Diagrams used to teach techniques are easy to see and follow
Cons:
- Some patterns use really crazy novelty yarns which makes the design hard to see
- A lot of the patterns use Super Bulky yarn, which isn't my style. Nothing wrong with it, just not for me
Overall: Worth it!!
~Contact Info
Email Me!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review on iTunes or click that lovely button designed by Kristine below!

New Donate Button!

2010-08-03T22:19:00.001-07:00

Episode 28- Secrets and Surprises

2010-08-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro:
  Thanks to all who've been in contact this week, and a BIG thanks to the person who made my very first podcast donation! The buttons are on their way, should be here this week! If you want one, send a $5 donation to the podcast and include your name and address and I'll send you a button!
~Housekeeping:
Erica of the Fiddleknits Podcast and Fiddleknits designs has teamed up with Kim Werker to help raise $2,500 for Pancreatic Cancer research! She is donating 50% of all her pattern sales to this cause until September 11! To help, she is starting up 2 new KALs! One for her Pretty Polly sweater, and one for her Frosting Shawlette! Both are super cute! Check out her Ravelry Group for more information!
~August Sponsor:
Sunset Fibers is donating either 4oz of beautiful fiber, or 200 yards of yarn in the colorway of your choice, to the winner of the August contest! ALSO, for ALL of the KnitCents listeners, she is offering a special deal for August! Visit her website, and she will give you 10% off your purchases during the month of August if you mention the KnitCents Podcast during checkout! How do you win?
~August Contest:
August is my birthday month and I want to plan a party! Go over to the Ravelry Group and post your best tip for saving money while planning a party! I'll choose the tip I found most useful while planning my party and that person will win a prize from Sunset Fibers!
~Surprise #1:
Neotigress on Etsy has donated 4oz of undyed roving and 2 sets of beautiful stitch markers to the winner of our second contest! How to enter: Dye some yarn or fiber using kool-aid, food coloring or some other inexpensive and easily obtainable method and post photos on the Ravelry Group! You can post photos until August 18, and then we will vote for our favorite until August 22!
~Surprise #2:
Twilight Knits is donating a skein of yarn and a set of pattern keepers in the color and design of your choice to the winner of the third contest! How to enter: Take a single skein of yarn and use ALL OF IT! You must knit, crochet or otherwise craft and use every last bit! You must prove to me that you won't waste the beautiful prize! Whoever can get the closest to using the entire skein, without going over will win! Every item made must be useful (swatches don't count) but they don't have to be knitted! Snips of yarn after weaving in ends and whatnot must be counted toward your final yardage count! Post photos of the finished items and leftover bits, and a description of the projects and your final yardage count onto the thread in the Ravelry group to enter! If there is a tie, then we will use a random number generator to decide the winner! Entries may be posted until August 22.
~Surprise #3:
I am donating a book from my personal library! Knit Ponchos, Wraps and Scarves by Jane Davis. How to enter: Knit a poncho, wrap or scarf and post photos in the Ravelry group! Fall is just around the corner, and you don't want to be caught without something warm to wrap up in! This contest will run all the way through the month of August, and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator!
**You may enter in any or all of the contests, but you may only win once! Let me know if you guys have any questions, and have fun!
~Knitting/ Spinning:
I've almost finished the super secret project for my friend, but she knows she's getting a cabled headband and a pair of handwarmers! I've knitted a few rows on Brandywine, and I've been spinning a little on the cormo! Not much is new in the section!
~ Free Entertainment:
I've made my way through the first 3 podiobooks in the Quarter Share series by Nathan Lowell and I'm still enjoying them thoroughly!
~ Garden Update: I have little bell peppers the size of ping pong balls, I have half a bajillion cucumbers, and the beans are starting to bean!
~ Sales!
  -Webs is having their summer weaving yarn sale!
  - KnitPicks is having a 25% off certain colorways sale! They are making room for fall colorways!
  Elsewhere, storage containers and other organizational tools are on super sale, along with SCHOOL SUPPLIES! Yay! Get deals on this stuff pretty much anywhere you find these things!
~Tip of the Week:
Find out the secrets of your town! For example, my town has an abandoned blueberry field. It doesn't cost anything to go there, but you may need to bring a clipper and some rubber boots! Learn what kind of fun secrets your town holds!
~ I'm going to save the week by picking LOADS of free blueberries at the blueberry bog!
~ Worth IT!
KnitPicks Chart Keeper $9.99 each, $1.99 for replacement magnets
This is a magnetic board that folds up like a notebook! You can keep track of your pattern without losing your place! My favorite part is that it folds up pretty small so it fits in a purse or knitting bag really easily!
**Totally WORTH IT!
~Contact Info
Email me
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Toue0824
If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on iTunes! If you are REALLY enjoying the show AND you want a sweet button (once they arrive) click that shiny button below and leave a donation of $5 or more! Make sure to leave your name and address so I can send you a button!

~Final Surprise:
You thought I forgot didn't you. FiberFrosting, aka Naomi has won the July Contest! Congrats!

Episode 27- A Daily Dose

2010-08-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank Yous!
   The buttons have been ordered! If you want one, make a $5 donation to the podcast and I'll send you a button!

~Sponsor: Trickle Creek Farm and Fiber is donating a bar of goat's milk soap and some bubblin' bath salts to our lucky winner!
~Contest: Participate in the Tour de Sheep and post photos on the Ravelry Group!
~Knitting/ Spinning: I've been knitting the Brandywine (which I LOVE) and I've also been knitting a super secret project for my friend's birthday! I've also finished the first of the top down-toe up socks! I talked a bit about how I did it!
~Free Entertainment: I've been listening to Podiobooks, I've finished the Heaven series by Mur Lafferty and started the Quarter Share series by Nathan Lowell. Both really good!
~Garden Update: Had a bit of a setback- aphid infestation in some cabbages and lettuces, but we got them out and got some ladybugs. Peas are yummy and cayenne peppers, and carrots and onions are almost ready to pull! Eating lots of kale and blackberries and raspberries!
~Sales:
  -Twilight Knits on Etsy: Free shipping sale!
  - JAHtsemer on Etsy: Fiber Lottery! Grab bags are 50% off!
  - TexasGirlDesigns on Etsy: has lavender sachets on sale- 3 for $12!
~Tip of the Week: Submitted by a listener, Read the fine print! She was able to get free parking in her city because she drives a hybrid, and also was able to get tomatoes at 4# for 3.99 as opposed to 1# for 3.99 because she got them in a box instead of a bag!
~How I Saved the Week: We didn't do anything that cost any money! We made meals at home and had fun making meals together! As a birthday gift for someone, we made a pan of brownies instead of buying a gift!
~Worth IT!
Polworth from Sunset Fibers- $18 for 4oz- spun on my wheel
Super soft, easy to spin and the colors look amazing!
Merino, bamboo and silk blend from Sunset Fibers- spun on a spindle
Oh my gosh, spins like a dream! $9 for 4oz
Cormo from Rainbow Yarns NW $20 for 4oz
OMG Cormo is my new favorite!
**Overall: All 3 totally worth it!
~Contact Info:
Email me!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Feel Free to leave a review on iTunes, and if you really love the show and want an awesome button, send a $5 donation to the podcast! You can search me via my email on PayPal, or click the button below!

Episode 26- Its All About Etsy!

2010-07-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

~ Intro/ Welcome/ Thank You!
Check out the new banner! Thanks Kristine! Buttons coming soon!
~ Sponsor:
Trickle Creek Farm and Fiber is donating some of their wonderful goat's milk soap and some bubblin' bath salts! They also have angora fiber for spinning! Check them out!
~ Contest:
Come play with us in le Tour de Sheep! Post progress photos on the Ravelry page and be entered to win!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:

Still working on the "Top down- Toe Up socks" and I LOVE IT! This might be the new standard for sock knitting for me. I ripped out the Brandywine that I started last week and restarted it with some yarn that is behaving much better. I'm also working on a SUPER SECRET project for someone who listens to this podcast. As for spinning, I've finished all the polwarth and its awesome! Little bits of barber poleyness, and some bits of solid colors! I think it will make something super squishy and nice! I've got 3 bobbins full of 2 ply, but no clue on the yardage yet! I think this will make me very happy to knit with come wintery cold time! I also started spinning some cormo that I got from SpinPygora at Black Sheep! CORMO IS THE BEST! It is spinning up so fine and nice! I think I'm going for a 3 ply sock weight! We'll see what happens!

~Free Entertainment: I've been watching a lot of free Pokemon. Don't make fun.

~Sales!!

-NeoTigress on Etsy has undyed corriedale top and MEGA CUTE stitch markers for sale in her shop! If you use the coupon code "KnitCents" in the checkout message box, she will give you free shipping on your first order! Also, after you've bought 4 pounds of fiber from her, she will send you your 5th pound free! Awesome deals, especially if you like dyeing your own fiber!

-Old Sheep on Etsy is having a Buy 3 get 1 free sale in their shop! They have lovely handdyed batts for sale, and everything is included in the sale! Check it out!

- AJoyfulGirlHandmade on Etsy sells SUPER RAD market bags and knitting project bags! She's got several knitting project bags on sale in her shop right now for less than $6! That is an awesome deal! (this is Shilo from the Spin Control Podcast's shop- if you don't already listen to her show you should!)

~Tip of the Week:

Listen to lots of podcasts! I learn so much from listening to people talk all week! The reason we podcast is because we have a lot to say, and most of it is pretty smart! (I'm of course talking about other people, we all know my rambling isn't always the smartest thing) Haha! Anyways, I think that the global knowledge pool is growing every day because of awesome podcasters!

~How I Saved the Week:

I took short lunches all week instead of using up my paid time off for my Drs appt, and I taught my parents how to use PayPal in exchange for some fiber! Yay!

~Review:

The Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman

$7.95 (less if you get it used!)

Elizabeth Zimmerman is a genius. I think I raved about her a couple episodes ago, but when I bought this book, I read it from cover to cover because she is such a genius. Her logical way of thinking about knitting really shines in this book, and because the book is small and portable, you can take her genius in your knitting bag all year long! Overall: WORTH IT!

~Contact Info

Email Me!

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on iTunes or click that fancy button!

Episode 25- Chickens and Chocolate

2010-07-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank yous!
~ Sponsor:
Trickle Creek Farm and Fiber is donating a bar of their soothing goat's milk soap and some of their bubblin' bath salts! So wonderful!
~Contest:
Come play with us in le Tour de Sheep! Post photos in the Ravelry Group so help inspire us to spin and knit from our stash!
~Knitting/ Spinning:

Its been super hot so the Simple Knitted Bodice has been put on hold for a while. I did finish my Vanilla Regia Socks which turned out pretty awesome! I also started a pair of toe up socks using some Pico Accuardi Sock that was gifted to me (thank you!) and they are going super fast! I'm really enjoying how the colors are pooling!

I just started that sock last night and did all the toe increases. The rest has been knitted in the car on the way back and forth to Seattle and while I was at the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon! I didn't think there was such a thing as too much chocolate, but I was proven wrong. But it was so much fun! I also got asked questions about my knitting while I was taking a chocolate break! Yay for KIPing!

Finally, last night I started knitting the Brandywine Shawl by Rosemary Hill! I'm knitting it out of KnitPicks Shadow Laceweight (which runs $2.99 for 440 yards! Awesome!) I've knitted the first 30 rows and I really like that the pattern is charted and written line by line. I think it will help me improve my lace skills.

As for spinning, I've been working on some 50/50 baby camel/ tussah silk on my Akha spindle, some merino/bamboo/silk blend on another spindle and some Polwarth on my wheel! Yay for le Tour de Sheep!

~Free Entertainment:

Crooked Row: by Kim, an awesome new podcast about knitting and gardening! Kim is going to be a huge asset to the knitting and gardening community!

Knitting Pipeline by Paula: Paula is a knitter and a bagpiper and she talks about how those 2 things affect her life! Her voice is soothing and her music is really lovely! Check out both of these shows on iTunes!

~Garden Update:

The garden is doing super well, and I thought I'd share a little about my chickens!

I have 2, a Barred Plymouth Rock (the black and white one) and a Gold Laced Wyandotte (the gold and black one). They are super fun! They live in my backyard and they have an indoor and an outdoor coop that is connected by the little trap door you can see in the above photo. The outdoor coop is where they hang out during the day (if we aren't home) so they can roll around in the dirt and be cool. The outdoor coop is connected to the indoor coop by a sweet trapdoor. The

indoor coop is actually my childhood playhouse that we converted into a coop! Inside there is a nest for their eggs, and their perch that they sleep on. The trapdoor closes to keep any predators out! The usually wander in there when it gets dark and go to sleep!

They are super adorable and fun, and fresh eggs are so delicious! The are super inexpensive to keep, about $15 every 3 months. A 50lb bag of feed is around $10 and lasts about 3 months, and a bag of the pine shavings on the floor of the inside coop lasts about 3 months and is around $5. Sometimes we trade the eggs for other produce and the chickens eat the bugs out of the garden! The only downside is that the poo attracts flies (even when Aaron is awesome and cleans it up every day) so we have to be sure to wash everything in the garden super well! But we'd probably do that anyway, so we love having our chickens around to make us breakfast! I know a lot about chickens, so if you guys have any questions about keeping them in your yard or anything like that, I'd love to answer them! I think everyone should have chickens because they are rad!

~Sales: (/ Tip of the Week/ How I Saved the Week!)

- WEBS is having an awesome sale on silk laceweight cones! Only $37.49 for 2450 yards! That's a lot of shawls!

- Amazon has a Polaroid 10Mp digital camera for $70 because it is orange. The silver one (that is exactly the same) is $150! I bought my mom the orange one for her birthday because she wanted a new camera and this one was a great price!

Tip: Be open minded about colors as long as it won't affect the performance! Sometimes things cost less just because the color isn't popular!

How I Saved: I got my mom an awesome gift for a little bit of money because I used my KnitCents!

~Worth It!

The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting by Nicki Trench

I picked this up at JoAnn for $5, but Amazon has it for $.99!! The patterns aren't great, there are probably only 2 that I would actually knit, but the techniques pages are really well done! The pictures are really well done and the descriptions make a lot of sense. The book is aimed at young girls (like teenagers) and while I probably wouldn't wear a lot of things from the book now, I would have worn everything in this book (at the same time) when I was about 15! If you have a young lady in your life that is interested in learning to knit, for $.99-$5, this book is TOTALLY WORTH IT!

~Contact Info

Email me!

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

Please leave a review on iTunes or click that fancypants button below!

Episode 24- Le Tour de Sheep

2010-07-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I want to get the shownotes for ep 25 done, and ep 24 wasn't that awesome anyway (sorry) so I'm just going to post important links!
Sponsor: Trickle Creek Rabbittry is donating a bar of their goat's milk soap and some of their bubblin' bath salts! Check out their site, then email them at tricklecreek(at)comcast(dot)net!
Contest: Play with us in the Tour de Fleece (or Tour de Sheep, as Aaron keeps calling it!) Then post pictures in the Rav group!
Free Entertainment: Check out me being interviewed by Susan in the latest episode of Knitajourney Podcast!
Sales: Four Seasons Knitting is closing so everything is on sale!
Check out the Ravelry Group: Yarn Sales!
Borders Marketplace has tons of new and used books up to 90% off!
Tip of the Week: Keep track of your shopping trip while you are shopping with the use of paper and calculator or a sweet iPhone app! You'll know exactly how much you owe when you get to the counter and it'll be easier to stick to your budget!
How I Saved the Week:
I bought the wedding planning books I've been wanting for super cheap on Amazon! Yay!
Worth It!
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman.
This woman was a complete genius. Every knitter should be required to read this book because it will make you a better knitter. Enough Said.
WORTH IT!

Black Sheep, White Sheep!

2010-06-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank Yous!
~ Sponsor:
Bar-Maids are donating an "I Deserve This!" package in the scent of your choice to the lucky winner this month!
~ Contest:
Cold Sheep! Kick a bad habit or start a good one! Find something that will help you save money, and do it! Then, tell us all about it!
~ Knitting:
  -Finished the Father's Day socks just in time!
  - Still working on the sweater! Almost done, but I keep deciding I want it to be longer because I like long tunic style tops!
  - Still working on the Regia vanilla socks!
  - Wedding Shawl: The current wedding shawl will be a practice shawl, because I've decided (with some help) to knit my wedding shawl out of cashmere and lace!
~Spinning:
  - Almost done with all the merino/tencel that I got at Madrona, I think it will grow up to be a Citron shawl!
  -Finished the first 4oz of the Polwarth I started from Sunset Fibers, now just 8oz to go!
  - Started some camel/silk at BSG too!
~Events/ BSG Recap!
  There was so much awesomeness at BSG that you'll just have to listen to find it all out! I can't express the awesome in words typed out!
  I will be at Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (OFFF) during September 24-25!
~Free Entertainment!
I've been listening to SassyPantsKnitter by SillyFru, and I LOVE it! I've also been listening to The Prince of Hazel and Oak by John Lenahan. It is the podiobook sequel to Shadowmagic! I accidentally said it was by Nathan Lowell in the episode, but it's actually John Lenahan! OOPS! It is also awesome!
~ The Garden:
  Has exploded! It is huge! WEEEEE!
~ Sales!
Just one:
Discount Book Sale has awesome deals if you aren't a member, and even more awesome deals if you are! If you decide to join, make sure you will really save because the membership is $20 a month!
~Tip of the Week
   Set a budget and rules and tell everyone about them! They will either help you, or they will try to get you to spend more than your budget and if that happens, then it will be a fun game of trying to not spend money just to prove it to them that you can stick to your budget!
~How I saved the week!
We went to see the Karate Kid last night, and we used some free movie tickets we had earned from using our free Regal Crown club card! It pays to join goofy free clubs!
~DIY:
  Fruitfly trap: We've been having a lot of trouble with fruitflies this week, so we set a trap. They really like smelly food, so we set out a jar with about 1 inch of apple cider vinegar, and some chopped bananas. We put it under our kitchen fan, so they would either get sucked up into the fan and out of the house, or they will fly down into the vinegar and drown! Muahahahaha!
~ Tour de Fleece:
If you want to spin for the Tour de Fleece, I'm co-capitaining Team Sasquatch! Come join us! There will be a kick-off chat in the group at 8:30 am on July 3, so come join Team Sasquatch!
~ Worth It!
2 at a Time Socks by Melissa Morgan Oakes
Retail Price: $16.95 17 patterns
Pros:
- If I wanted to do magic loop and 2 at a time, this book tells you exactly how to do it with step by step instructions that are very clear.
- All the patterns are fun and beautiful
- Patterns are clearly written and charted
- Lovely pictures of each sock
- There are lots of yarn options
Cons:
- Patterns don't translate well to DPNs
- Some pictures the yarn is a little too busy for the stitch pattern, making the pattern hard to see.
- The charted patterns aren't also written out line by line.
**Overall: Worth it if you want to do magic loop, not worth it if you're stubborn like me and just want to knit the patterns using DPNs.
Mini review: Lantern Moon Sheep Tape Measure. ADORABLE!

~Contact Info
Email me!
Ravelry: Roue
Ravelry Group: KnitCents
Twitter: Roue0824
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Episode 22- Quick and Dirty

2010-06-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

(Sorry it took me so long to post this!)
~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks
~ June Sponsor: Bar Maids are donating their "I deserve this!" package in the winner's choice of scents!
~Contest: Cold Sheep! Kick a bad habit or start a good one and tell us all about it, and if you have any special tips to go along with it!
~Event: Black Sheep Gathering
~Knitting: I've been super stressed out so I've been knitting A LOT! I am not going to be able to finish the sweater because I'm trying really hard to finish the socks for my dad in time for Father's Day! Also, got a little done on the wedding shawl!
~Spinning: No spinning actually done, but I bought an ounce of organic cotton and an ounce of hemp fiber to see how they spin up!
~Garden update:
   There are a bajillion strawberry flowers, the peas are climbing and we have broccoli and cauliflower florets!!
~Sales! (which are not any good anymore, but the sites may have some other good sales!)
   - Simply Sock Yarn
   -Claudia Handpaints for 40% off plus loads of other goodies for up to 60% off!
   - JoAnn is having their annual Firefly Frenzy sale!
  Elsewhere:
   - Since Father's day is coming up, lots of hardware stores are having great sales on power tools!
~ Tip of the week: Get a rain barrel! You put it under your drain spout, and it collects the rain which you can then use to water your garden! Make sure you have some kind of netting so mosquitos don't get in, but its great because it also keeps the rain away from the foundation of your house!
~ Worth it!
Greetings from Knit Cafe by Suzan Mischer and Victoria Pearson
This book is awesome! It is filled with awesome patterns for gorgeous stuff! Also, it has loads of fun little extras, like knitting quizzes to throw at your knitting group, recipes, and playlists that are extra awesome for knitting! The patterns are well written and the projects are super well photographed, and there is something in here for EVERYONE! From yoga mat bags to red carpet gowns, saddle blankets and laptop cases to messenger bags and yarmulkes. If you want a great book that will let you expand your range of techniques and projects, this book is it!
Overall: Worth it!

Episode 21- Cold Sheep!

2010-06-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro
~May Contest- LAL
  Sponsor: Laura's Organics- donated a jar of her hand cream!
  Winner: AbsinthAnnie!
~June Sponsor:
  Bar-Maids! They are donating an "I deserve this!" package to our winner!
~June Contest:
Cold Sheep. Either break a bad habit, or start a new one! Then tell us all about it and how it's going! Bonus points if it is something that will make you more healthy and save you money!
~Events:
  I will be at the Black Sheep Gathering during the weekend of June 18-20! I'll be doing a meet and greet at the Bar-Maids booth with Erin from The Anatomy of Knitting Podcast from 12-1 on Saturday! Come see us! I am also going to be at the Ravelry meetup on Saturday at 4, and I'll be playing Black Sheep Bingo all weekend! Let me know if you'll be there so we can meet up!
~Knitting and Spinning

I've made a bit of progress on the sweater, and a bit on the Regia socks. I frogged the toe up socks while recording and I'm going to knit them up top down really quick before Father's day so I can get them done in time. I'll try toe up again another time with NOT black sock yarn!

No spinning this week. :(

~Garden Update:

The garden is doing awesome! I'll be slug-proofing it and building ladders for the peas and beans later today! (PS >this is what I look like if you want to find me at BSG!)

~Sales!!

- Yarn Barn has some awesome deals and discounts on discontinued yarn, and they have a weekly special! Check back every Monday for the deal!

- Knitting- Warehouse also has really great deals, especially on Lion Brand and Berrocco yarns!

Elsewhere:

- Puritan's Pride has an amazing selection of high quality vitamins and supplements and right now they are running a special: buy 1 get 1 free or buy 2 get 3 free!

~Tip of the Week:

From Harriet- When doing the long tail cast on, wrap your yarn around the needle as many times as you need stitches, then start there! Then you won't run out of yarn or have a super extra way too long tail at the end!

~ How I Saved the Week:

I went to Kohl's and cashed in on their awesome Memorial Day sale! I had a giftcard, and I bought 6 shirts, a skirt and a dress for under $90 (about $30 was on the giftcard) and saved $159!!! I WIN!

~ DIY:

Slug repellers: Take a small cup or can (the size of a tuna can) and dig it into the ground and fill it with beer. (So the top is ground level) Then, to keep other critters out of the beer, cover it with another can with a hole cut in so slugs can still crawl in. The slugs will crawl in and fall into the beer and happily drown!

~Worth It!

Knit Socks by Betsy Lee McCarthy

$14.95 for 15 patterns.

Pros:

- Best vanilla sock pattern ever in my opinion!

- Patterns use lots of different weights of yarn so you could easily sub!

- Patterns in all sizes!

- Lots of little tips and tricks hidden in the book!

- Description of kitchener stitch and how to use DPNs are the best I've ever seen!

-Good skill progression through the book

- Patterns are all cute, lots of different styles.

- Patterns are written line by line, so easy and great for beginners!

- Pictures show really well the techniques you'll need!

Overall: WORTH IT!

~Contact Info:

Email me!

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes or click that happy little button below!

Use your KnitCents!

Episode 20- Summer Is Coming!

2010-05-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

~Intro/ Welcome/ Thank you!
~ Sponsor: Laura's Organics has donated a jar of her Hand Cream! SO WONDERFUL!
~Contest: LAL! Last week to teach yourself something new that will help save you some money! Share info by leaving a comment, posting on the Ravelry Thread or send me an email!
~ EVENT: I'm going to the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene OR! June 18-20th, I'll be there! I'll be doing a meetup including loads of hugs and high-fives on Saturday from 12-1 with Erin from The Anatomy of Knitting Podcast! Info on where we will be next week! If you'll be there, let me know so we can meet!
~ Knitting: My sweater is almost done! I'm just doing the bottom of the body now, and the sleeves are only elbow length and they are already halfway done (because of the raglan) so I'm almost done! Yay!
  Regia socks: FInished the first one, haven't cast on the second one yet.
  Toe Up Socks: I need to rip back and try a different heel. I don't like the way the W&T short row heel turned out.
~Spinning: Not much, just a little on the merino/tencel on my spindle!
~Sales!
Yarnish sales
  -Fabric.com actually sells yarn! They have good prices, but really good deals on buttons and of course fabric! Also, free shipping on orders over $35!
  -DBNY has AMAZING prices by the bag! Bags that would normally cost $110 only cost $40! Check it out!
Elsewhereish
-Check out all the post Memorial Day sales! A lot of places will stock up, and then keep the inventory on sale to make room for other stuff!
~Garden Update:
My seeds are sprouting and they are getting really big! Beans and peas are almost 2" already! Yay!
~Tip of the week: Use your email! Or set up a spare email to give out to mailing lists and websites. They will send you coupons, advanced notice of sales and they will let you know when they are running contests! Its free and easy, just take a few minutes to go through it and you'll find lots of great stuff!
~How I Saved the Week: Clearance racks and secondhand stores! I bought a $3 sweater vest from the little boy's section at Target and I totally rock it!
~DIY:
Best BBQ Burgers EVER!!!
1 lb of ground beef or turkey (if you use turkey, also add about 2 T of flour to the mix)
1/2 c. of bread crumbs (I like the Progresso Italian crumbs)
1 egg
1 T of Worchestershire sauce OR 1 tsp of liquid smoke
1/2 c. of your favorite cheese, shredded
3-4 crimini mushrooms, chopped finely
about 2 T of ketchup
garlic salt, black pepper to taste
Rolls or buns
your favorite burger toppings

Mix all ingredients but toppings and buns in a large bowl and mix with your hands! Mix it all together really well! Divide evenly (4-6 patties depending on size) and press into patties. Cook until done all the way through, then serve on the roll with your favorite toppings! Enjoy! YUM!
~Worth It!
Start Spinning by Maggie Casey
Retail $21.95 115 pages
Maggie does an amazing job explaining each piece of spinning so you understand it before you start doing it! She explains all the different skills and teaches really well to all learning styles. Each technique is accompanied by a full color photo showing exactly how it should be done!
OVERALL: WORTH IT!
~Contact Info:
Email me!
Twitter: Roue0824
Ravelry: Roue
If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes or click that shiny button below!
Thank you for listening!!

Episode 19- Productive Week

2010-05-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank yous!
~ Sponsor: Laura's Organics Check out all her info and email her if you'd like to order! She has donated a jar of her amazing Hand Cream to the contest this month!
~Contest: LAL! Learn something new that will help you save money and tell us all about it! Either leave a comment, send me an email, or post your info on the Ravelry Group page!
~Knitting: Working on the chevron lace pattern on my Simple Knitted Bodice, going much faster now that its joined in the round!
  Finished the first toe and foot of toe up sock!
  Turned heel and started gusset decreases on Regia stripes vanilla sock!
~Spinning: Still spinning polwarth! Its awesome and its taking a long time to spin!
~Free Entertainment: The Anatomy of Knitting Podcast by Erin! Check it out, its awesome!
~The Garden: Everything is planted and netted and there's still a little room!
~Sales:
  Yarnish sales:
   - Webs: Yarn.com has tons of mill ends and closeouts for 40-60% off!
   - Simply Sock Yarn has an awesome clearance section! Cascade Sassy Stripes is regularly %6.75, but now only $2.70!
  Elsewhere:
   -Zenni Optical is an awesome site where you can order glasses! As little as 9$ (plus shipping) will get you a new pair of glasses! Cute frames, and the extras aren't terribly expensive either!
~Tip of the week: Get Medieval! Decide if there are things that you can do without electricity, and do it by hand! Line dry, use a countertop clothes spinner, or let your hair air dry! It'll save a little more energy!
~How I Saved the Week:
I finally joined our local CSA! I can't wait for more fruits and veggies than I could ever eat! YUM!
~Worth It!
  The Knitter's Book of Wool by Clara Parks
Retail: $30 (amazon has it for $20)
First section: Anatomy of wool
2nd section: Explanation of how wool becomes yarn (spinning) and how different wools take dye
3rd section: Explanation of breeds of sheep and categories they fit into.
4th section: Explanation of blending fibers for different purposes.
5th section: PATTERNS! :)
I want to make everything in the book, and I feel it is very valuable to know the different breeds and how their wool is different! Overall: WORTH IT!
~Contact Info:
Email me!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review on iTunes or feel free to click that shiny button below!

Episode 18- Green Thumb

2010-05-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank yous!
~ Sponsor:
Laura's Organics! She is donating a jar of her wonderful hand cream to the lucky winner of this month's contest! If you want to get any of this amazing product, email her at laurasorganics@gmail.com
~ Contest:
LAL- Learn something new, and share all about it! Tell us about it on the Ravelry Group, send me an email, or leave a comment with a link to your blog!
~ Knitting:
I've finished the raglan increases on the Simple Knitted Bodice, and have joined it in the round! Just about to start the lace repeats!
- I've also finished the toe increases for the first toe up sock!
- Finally, I've started another top down vanilla sock out of some Regia that I got from Little Knits for only $3.50 a ball!
~ Spinning:
Haven't done too much, but I did get about an ounce done of the Polwortth from Sunset Fibers!
~ Free Entertainment:
I've finished catching up with all the episodes of the Knitajourney Podcast! Now is a great time to catch up if you haven't heard the show, because Susan is taking the month of May off, for vacation and gardening!

~ New segment: My Garden!
- I've finished assembling the raised bed, got dirt, planted seeds and planted flowers! I also bought some plants, and traded some eggs from my chickens for more vegetable plants! Yay for bartering!
~Sales!
-Yarn
   - PurlSoho has a few things each week, for 40% off! Check them out!
   - JimmyBeansWool also has a LOT of items, sale priced from 30-50% off! Yarn, accessories and books!
-Elsewhere
   -Freebies4mom is an awesome blog, where the writer links to, and gives instructions on how to get free and discounted stuff! She links to manufacturer coupons, rebates and deals! Its way awesome!
~ Tip of the Week:
Step back and breathe. Don't shop when you are frustrated or angry, because you will possibly spend more than necessary. Anger or frustration makes it harder to think about ways to save money, and can cloud judgment on whether you should be buying!
~ How I Saved the Week:
I traded eggs for plants, and I also made some yummy foccacia bread instead of buying it!
~DIY:
Garbage Bag Potatoes
~ Worth It!
The Kitchen Garden by Alan Buckingham
Retail: $22.95
Pros:
- Monthly Calendar: Tells you everything you need to be doing each month to have a successful garden all year long!
- Plant Index: Tells you everything you need to know about about how, when and where to plant each plant! It also has lots of info about common pests, and diseases, as well as ways to help fix it!
- Gives lots of advice for different types of the same kind of plant. ie: Purple cabbage needs more light than white cabbage!
- Huge plant pest and disease index, with symptoms and remedies!
Cons:
- The only con I could find was that it doesn't have zoning information. I would like to be able to look in the book and know what plants will and will not work in my area.
**Overall: WORTH IT!

~Contact Info:
Leave a comment here on the shownotes page
Ravelry: Roue
Email me!
Twitter: Roue0824