Another FO SLIPPERS!

Last June my SIL asked me to make her live-in BF slippers. I thought it a good opportunity to use some LOPI that I bought years ago at a sale. Stitches From the Heart, a charity LYS gets yarn donations that can't always be used for baby garments so they sell them at CHEAP rates. My yarn was a dollar a skein.

I originally bought it to play around with Kool-Aid dyeing. These slippers were a great opportunity to get rid of all my failed experiments.

I dyed the yarn in red with parts over dyed in a darker crimson.



Then I forgot about it. But completing the afghan inspired me to picked them back up and finish them.

Have you ever felted LOPI? It is the fuzziest of the wools! Also, it took forever to shrink all the way down. I cranked up the water temp, but I couldn't bring it down its last 2 inches until instead of normal detergent I added Borax and the last bit of shrinkage happened in the dryer. I know people talk about the easy-peasyness of felting, but I ALWAYS struggle with it. I have yet to have a pleasant experience doing it. I am happy with the results, but the over dyeing was too subtle and loss in the felting. But at least it is done and out of my life.


And I am getting stuff too! Another great package from Sibille!


She sent me delectable Euro candy, including what I am assuming are vegetarian gummy bears. She knows that I can't read German, so it could be extra meaty meat gummy bears and only she would know. She also sent a gingerbread Santa (I love Gingerbread!) Also included is this pretty yarn I can't wait to use. I haven't seen yarn with gold color flecks in it. How are those flecks done?? But the true treasures of the box...


Aren't these socks wonderful?? If I remember correctly the patterns are from Favorite Socks. Am I glad I got her that book! She says she doesnt want Cat Bordhi's new book, but I think might have to send that one to her too... ;) Thank you Sibille! My feet have never felt so stylish and happy!

Christmas at Las Vegas Square

Recently a new outdoor mall opened in Vegas on S. Las Vegas Blvd at the 15 and 215. The mall reminds me of a small town, or should I say, the set of a movie of a small town. I expected the Gilmore Girls to pop out at any moment. They have parking lots, a garage, but for the lazy person in us, also available are metered parking along the "streets" of the inside of the mall. And it wouldn't be Vegas without the valet option.

Not all the shops are open yet, but some that are Apple, Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic, Guitar Center, and Claim Jumper. They also have RAVE movie theater.

Ofcourse right now I love it because it's now 5000 degrees out. Come summer, it will be dead to me.

If you are into Norman Rockwell, through the holidays, they have statures recreating 6 of his magazine covers scattered throughout the mall.

A few days ago, Santa was seeing the doggies. I thought the combo of new mall and Vegas not being the friendliest dog town, it wouldn't be that crowded, but it was packed with pooches! And most of them were dressed. We got there at 6pm and left at 8pm- and there was a still a line.



I was in sweats and having a terrier out dress me was quite embarrassing.

More dogs in clothes:



dog in a kilt



the other bully there



the pony there.



Figured out that mom and dad took her to see Santa on pet night (but look at the fab dog sweater behind her!)



Lil' Dolce & Gabana



Dog in fur...and fur




Dogs that should have called each other before showing up.


Santa's lil' doppelgangers:




Please don't make go over there dressed like this!



I saw someone holding their German Sheppard in this exact same pose!



These evil little girls wanted to be wheeled over and see Toonsters. Once there they stood and started jeering her. They hissed and called her fat and Toonsters just looked at them like what's your damage?



Waiting patiently with her list.


The photo people did a great job. Instead of herding the animals through, they let one into the building at a time and shut the door behind. They also stayed until they got a good shot, so the line was slow moving, but looking at the dogs was fun. Oh, and Toonsters, she got it on the first shot, thank you very much.