Constantinople The Owl:)

Constantinople, has the owl constellation on his tummy and inside it too!
There are some gold bubbles that can be seen through his window-like front.
Georgie made C out of Triton, a reduction glass from Double Helix, and it has turned shades of blue as well as breaking into iridescent streaky cream striations (let's call them space clouds) . His ears are Mystic Grey, a translucent grey glass and his eyes are wonderful multi-hued nebulae.
I won this gorgeous blown glass owl from a blog giveaway at The Glass Owl November 22 2009.
I finally picked out my beads and accessories and made this wonderful and very special necklace:)
Thankyou Georgie for your generous gift it means so much to me:)
A little about the artist:
All beads are made by Georgie with enthusiasm and care in her home studio in Melbourne, Australia from Moretti/Effetre, Vetrofond, German and/or American glasses.

This was my entery comment that was picked:
My grandmother collected owls and when she passed away I got to pick out a white owl statue I keep it in my china hutch.
I found a story about owls:
The Owl was associated with the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. Soldiers have held the Owl as a special bird because it stays awake at night, which is the hardest time for soldiers to stay awake.
Some Native Americans see the Owl as the symbol of the soul.
I like this as my hubby is Airforce and our youngest daughter age 3 is Athena.
If I won the owl I would go to my local bead shop and make a necklace to wear:)
The owl reminds me of my grandmother she was always looking out for me ((((Hugs))))Darcy

~*Winners Of My 2 Year Blogiversary*~

1.Bubbleknits for her follower entry-The Mermaid Shawl Ebook
2.Aunt Kathy for her entry for blogging the giveaway-Phat Fiber Mug
3.Knitnut,Karen for her follower entry-Andrea Dogwood Blossom Wrap Pattern
4.Turtle for her comment entry-Lana Lynn The Lace Making Lamb
5.Marissa for her follower entry-The Drop Spindle Kit
6.Amybel for her comment entry- All Sterling Silver Butterfly Cable Needle Necklace
7. Vickie for most entries-The Wee Spring Sock I knit.
Ladies please email me with your full names and mailing addresses so that I can give them to the contributors so that they can send out your prizes and congratulations:)


~*From Kathleen Valentine*~


The Mermaid Shawl & other Beauties: Shawls, Cocoons and Wraps
by Kathleen Valentine Why do what has already been done? More than a book of patterns, The Mermaid Shawl & other Beauties, is designed to help knitters create their own works of knitted lace art.
The featured shawl was introduced in 2005 on Kathleen Valentine’s blog and subsequently described in a knit-along but throughout the knit-along Valentine encouraged knitters to make different choices to make their shawl unique to them. Now, using the same principles, she offers techniques, diagrams, charts and tips that offer knitters the opportunity to make choices and decisions that will make each shawl their own unique creation. The book contains instruction for three versatile shawl styles, how to turn a rectangular shawl into a cocoon, a chapter on knitting on the bias, and an original short-story, The Mermaid Shawl*, inspired by the featured shawl.



~*Phat Fiber*~


Phat Award Mug
Measures 3.75" tall, 3" diameter
Dishwasher and microwave safe



~*Sandra Singh*~



Andrea Dogwood Blossom Wrap Pattern
One skein is all it takes to knit Catherine Devine's beautiful Dogwood Blossom Wrap.
Pattern has both written instructions and chart and knit on US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles. Finished Measurements: Approximately 18" x 66" (46cm x 168cm)
Pattern only is being contributed by Sandra



~*My Fair Bag Lady*~




Lana Lynn is not about to endure a bikini wax to get into her new summer number nope.
She heard that she could make major cash on Etsy by selling hand-made items.
Her little metal crochet hook is busy now, and she's stripping down to her little sexy legs in the process.
Her wool is raveling toward her little project right off her leg.
I guess we will find out what she has underneath all that wool pretty soon won't we? Lana is a little sweety, and as you can see from her booty shot she has a little fluffy tail.
She's . . . well let's just say, "Rubenesque" in her endowments.
Oh Lana, Ewe's not fat, Ewe's fluffy!
Lana is made of sheep wool with enhancements of mohair, and llama wool.
She was hand formed and needle felted over a LONG . .Long . . long time.
Her little expressive lipsticked pout sits below her little soft nose and her expressive eyes with eyelashes.
A little flower sits over one ear.
Such a vixen! Lana, you go girl! Work it!



~*Extreme Spinning*~




4+ oz of hand dyed fibers that are joined together with a lovely 1.6 oz top whorl spindle.
The fibers that are in this kit are 1 oz Organic Merino Top in Lucky Leprechaun, 1 oz Icelandic/Angora Roving in Sprites, 2 oz BFL undyed, and a bonus of 1/2 oz merino/bamboo pin roving to get you started spinning easily.
The Spindle is a simple, handmade spindle that is a perfect weight for beginning spinners.
Cj feels for herself, that a top whorl works better for her when using a spindle.
This 1.8 oz is a great starting weight and the bottom of the spindle is pointed.
This makes for good supported spindling in a 9 inch length and 2.5 inch whorl.
You can even hold it between your thighs to get the feel when you're starting.
Cj uses this spindle when spinning in the car as it can touch the seat and not stop moving because of the point.
This spindle has been set-up with a leader and she has started spinning the pin roving.
The pin roving requires no drafting and will allow you to get a feel for your spindle while not worrying about this.
The bag is cotton muslin.


~*Leslie Wind & Darcy*~



Leslie Wind and I are also giving away an all sterling silver butterfly cable needle necklace.
The Cable Needle Necklace works for needle sizes #2 and bigger due to it's unique shape.
This elegant necklace doubles as a multi-purpose tool for knitters.
Watch Darcy's instructional video's in her side bar to see how to use one:)



~*Darcy*~



I knit this lovely wee spring sock on size #0 needles and I'm going to give it to the person with the most entries.

~*These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things*~ And A Giveaway

My 2 year Blogaversary is April 14th 2009.

To celebrate with me, some of my friends who's shops are favorites of mine are contributing to the giveaway:)
There are 6 ways to enter.
You can pick and choose how many you want to do.
There are 7 prizes so that means there will be 7 winners!!!!!

So to enter...

1) head over to each of the contributors shops and browse around, come back here and leave a comment letting me know what a few of your favorites things are from each shop... Easy right!


2) Subscribe to my blog (in my side bar) click on/Follow my blog to find out how to follow me, then leave me a comment saying you did.(if you are already a follower you will automatically get an entry:)

3) Leave a comment telling me what keeps you coming back to read a blog.

4) Blog about the giveaway with a link to this post.
Return to my blog and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.

5) grab my button and add it to your blogs side bar and leave a comment telling me you did.

6) For every person that leaves a comment saying they came from your blog you get another entry.(only one comment per friend)
This will help better your chances for the Bonus Prize!!

Please leave me a way to contact you in your comment. (it can be your Ravelry Id or email)

Deadline April 14th 2009 at midnight.


These are the 7 prizes:


~*From Kathleen Valentine*~


The Mermaid Shawl & other Beauties: Shawls, Cocoons and Wraps
by Kathleen Valentine Why do what has already been done? More than a book of patterns, The Mermaid Shawl & other Beauties, is designed to help knitters create their own works of knitted lace art.
The featured shawl was introduced in 2005 on Kathleen Valentine’s blog and subsequently described in a knit-along but throughout the knit-along Valentine encouraged knitters to make different choices to make their shawl unique to them. Now, using the same principles, she offers techniques, diagrams, charts and tips that offer knitters the opportunity to make choices and decisions that will make each shawl their own unique creation. The book contains instruction for three versatile shawl styles, how to turn a rectangular shawl into a cocoon, a chapter on knitting on the bias, and an original short-story, The Mermaid Shawl*, inspired by the featured shawl.



~*Phat Fiber*~


Phat Award Mug
Measures 3.75" tall, 3" diameter
Dishwasher and microwave safe



~*Sandra Singh*~



Andrea Dogwood Blossom Wrap Pattern
One skein is all it takes to knit Catherine Devine's beautiful Dogwood Blossom Wrap.
Pattern has both written instructions and chart and knit on US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles. Finished Measurements: Approximately 18" x 66" (46cm x 168cm)
Pattern only is being contributed by Sandra



~*My Fair Bag Lady*~




Lana Lynn is not about to endure a bikini wax to get into her new summer number nope.
She heard that she could make major cash on Etsy by selling hand-made items.
Her little metal crochet hook is busy now, and she's stripping down to her little sexy legs in the process.
Her wool is raveling toward her little project right off her leg.
I guess we will find out what she has underneath all that wool pretty soon won't we? Lana is a little sweety, and as you can see from her booty shot she has a little fluffy tail.
She's . . . well let's just say, "Rubenesque" in her endowments.
Oh Lana, Ewe's not fat, Ewe's fluffy!
Lana is made of sheep wool with enhancements of mohair, and llama wool.
She was hand formed and needle felted over a LONG . .Long . . long time.
Her little expressive lipsticked pout sits below her little soft nose and her expressive eyes with eyelashes.
A little flower sits over one ear.
Such a vixen! Lana, you go girl! Work it!



~*Extreme Spinning*~




4+ oz of hand dyed fibers that are joined together with a lovely 1.6 oz top whorl spindle.
The fibers that are in this kit are 1 oz Organic Merino Top in Lucky Leprechaun, 1 oz Icelandic/Angora Roving in Sprites, 2 oz BFL undyed, and a bonus of 1/2 oz merino/bamboo pin roving to get you started spinning easily.
The Spindle is a simple, handmade spindle that is a perfect weight for beginning spinners.
Cj feels for herself, that a top whorl works better for her when using a spindle.
This 1.8 oz is a great starting weight and the bottom of the spindle is pointed.
This makes for good supported spindling in a 9 inch length and 2.5 inch whorl.
You can even hold it between your thighs to get the feel when you're starting.
Cj uses this spindle when spinning in the car as it can touch the seat and not stop moving because of the point.
This spindle has been set-up with a leader and she has started spinning the pin roving.
The pin roving requires no drafting and will allow you to get a feel for your spindle while not worrying about this.
The bag is cotton muslin.


~*Leslie Wind & Darcy*~



Leslie Wind and I are also giving away an all sterling silver butterfly cable needle necklace.
The Cable Needle Necklace works for needle sizes #2 and bigger due to it's unique shape.
This elegant necklace doubles as a multi-purpose tool for knitters.
Watch Darcy's instructional video's in her side bar to see how to use one:)


Bonus Prize!!!


~*Darcy*~



I knit this lovely wee spring sock on size #0 needles and I'm going to give it to the person with the most entries.
For every person that leaves a comment saying they came from your blog you get another entry.(only one comment per friend)
This will help better your chances for the Bonus Prize!!

may the person who wants it the most win!!!!

Winners Of The Butterfly Cable Needle Necklace & Matching Bracelet & Yarn Needle Giveaway

I drew the names for the winners of the giveaway
The Winners Are:
Trudy she won the Butterfly Cable Needle Necklace and Matching Bracelet
CornalsDaughter won The Yarn Needle please contact me with your information. I would like to say Thankyou to all who participated in the giveaway:)Hugs Darcy

Introducing New Designs From Leslie Wind And A Drawing!!!!

Matching All Sterling Silver Butterfly Bracelet

Now Available For Purchase On the Website In My Sidebar

With the popularity of the Butterfly Cable Needle Necklace, Darcy and I thought this bracelet would be the natural next step. It can adorn a wrist and corral your stitch markers at the same time. The standard size measures about 7", but send a wrist measurement and we will add a 1/2 " and make one to order. If this is a gift, there is plenty of room inside for a message.




All Sterling, and also Mixed Bronze and Sterling Yarn Needles

Now Available For Purchase On the Website In My SideBar

In wanting to make a gift for a special knitting friend, Leslie came up with the idea of these needles. The thicker one is suitable for working on items made with larger knitting needles or crochet hooks. It ranges in length from 2"- 2 1/2". The lighter weight needle runs about 2". Please specify all sterling or mixed bronze and sterling when ordering.


So to celebrate the newest additions to our collection we are having a drawing for the butterfly set and a drawing for One Yarn Needle that means there will be 2 winners:)
The Winners Are:
Trudy she won the Butterfly Cable Needle Necklace and Matching Bracelet
CornalsDaughter won The Yarn Needle please contact me with your information I would like to say Thankyou to all who participated in the giveaway:)
There are 5 ways to enter. You can pick and choose how many you want to do so only 5 entries per person.

1. Leave a comment telling me what keeps you coming back to read a blog.

2.Blog about and link back to the drawing leaving a comment saying you have done so.

3. If one person says they heard about the drawing from your blog.(Even if more than one person comments that they came from your blog it still only counts as 1 entry)

4. post a comment saying what you think of the instructional video's on how to use the cable needle necklace that are in my side bar.

(please Double Click on the center of the video's to enlarge the video for clearer viewing)

5. Leave a comment on one of the cable needle necklace instructional video's posted on "youtube" and rate it.
You can do this by Double Clicking on the center of the video's in my sidebar it will take you to the youtube page where you can leave your comment and click on the red stars that rates it. if you dont have a youtube account you will need to sign up for a free one to leave a comment and rating.

You can enter in any of the 5 ways or all of them.

Deadline is December 15th at Midnight

Darcy Wearing Leslie Wind's Cable Needle Necklace

Click On Photo For A Full Screen View

I had several people ask to see a picture of me wearing the cable needle necklace.I had my hubby knakedknitter take a picture. The leather cord is 40" but I adjusted it to 36" in the picture.For larger busted women I recommend at time of purchase to ask for a longer adjustable cord for your necklace.If you have any questions please ask:)Hugs Darcy

Spin•Off Fall 2008 Issue Is Here!!!

Leslie and I are happy to announce that our cable needle necklace has been chosen by Interweave Press for their "Get This!"section of the Spin•Off Fall 2008 Issue.They said, "Leslie Wind's Cable Needle Necklace does double duty as both a knitting tool and a beautiful piece of jewelry.The curved end of the necklace pendant functions as a cable needle, keeping those pesky cables firmly under control while knitting.The tapered metal end can also be used to hold stitch markers, a row counter, or other small knitting notions firmly within reach.The pendants are made from silver, bronze, or gold, and custom orders are available."

Cable Needle Necklace Promotional Giveaway!!!

Leslie Wind's Cable Needle Necklaces are now available to purchase in my side bar:)

For a limited time only with the purchase of a butterfly or heart cable needle necklace (Only)

you will get a complimentary Tack Sheep included with your order shipped within the united states for $40
36" leather cord included

Leslie Wind cuts out free hand each sterling silver tack sheep and each is unique.Wear it on your collar,hat or favorite knitting bag. Retail value: $20
they are shipped priority mail.
The Cable Needle Necklace works for needle sizes #2 and bigger due to it's unique shape. For sizes #0 , #1 needle sizes please make note of that in your order.36" leather cord included

Cable Needle Necklace Testimonial:)

Leslie Wind's Cable Needle Necklaces are now available to purchase in my side bar:)

Here is Alice Jean/LizzieW's testimonial
of how the cable needle necklace works:)

"Some time ago Darcy send me this parcel. The Silky Malabrigo party pink was sent with a purpose, Darcy asked me if I'd test a pattern she designed. As there was some cabling in the pattern, a cable needle would be helpful. So she and Leslie Wind decided to send me also a set of two necklace cable needles to test as well. They are just beautiful!
Testing is what I did. I started with the cable needle to make the Snowflake, an excellent pattern to try cables.
I am pretty pleased to work with this kind of cable needle. As I was used to the type with two open ends, I had to figure out a bit how this one worked, but it is really easy peasy. You just have to work always from the left to the right. And because of its weight the stitches stay on this needle.There are some very clear video's on this blog for using the cable needle necklace to do cabling.

About Necklace Cable Needles and Knotty Fingerless Mitts

My second project was the fingerless mitts, the pattern to be tested.
This is a fun pattern to knit, easily done as they are knitted both at once and only approximately 30 grams of yarn is needed.
The is the best part: one size fits all!"

More Pictures From World Wide Knit In Public Day

Knit In Public Day & My Life with toddlers

Yesterday the knotty knitters gathered to knit in public it was fun:)Carol showed everyone her gorgeous slow bee mystery shawl she is knitting,Dawn was knitting the easy flame scarf in saphire green lace malabrigo she is almost done and it is so lovely:) and Dolores,Jackie and I were knitting umbilical cord hats for the coveted yarn’s newborn hat contest I have already finished one umbilical cord hat and it is a really easy quick pattern from stitch 'n bitch handbook. This sunday when we have our potluck at my house I will collect jackie and doloreses hats and monday june 23rd send off all of our hats to coveted yarns.All hats will be donated to the Beverly Hospital to be given to newborns.Carol,Dolores,Jackie picked up from me their cable needle necklaces they purchased and we posed for a picture wearing them if interested in purchasing one just email me at darcyknittingdiva@gmail.com I will have a video up next week of me demonstrating how to use one:)a collaberation between me and jackie my Videographer and friend. Maureen thankyou so much for saying such sweet things when you left your comment for the drawing:) I needed that today my hubby has been gone tdy for a longtime and wont be back till june 25th and today my 3 yr old put microwave popcorn in the microwave and turned it on for 30 minutes I thought the house was on fire everything is okay now just need to clean out my microwave and the house smells like smoke needless to say it scared the h e double hockey sticks out of me.I have decided to unplug the microwave unless in use if anyone has any advice on how to get the brown staining out of my microwave please share it.The 2 little girls in the tye dye shirts in the photos are my little toddlers Alora and Athena and the one wearing glassess is doloreses daughter kimmy and her friend Ally is the one with her mouth full of food such a cute photo;)Hugs Darcy

200th Post Blog Party Drawing

Summer Block Party (Come To My Blog Party!!!)

To celebrate my 200th post I will have a Drawing.
There are 3 ways to enter. You can pick and choose how many you want to do so only 3 entries per person.

1. Leave a comment telling me what keeps you coming back to read a blog.

2.Blog about and link back to the drawing.

3. If one person says they heard about the drawing from your blog.(Even if more than one person comments that they came from your blog it still only counts as 1 entry)
I will choose 3 random winners 2 week from now. Deadline to enter is June 26th at midnight.
Winners Are: JennaZ won leslie wind's Shawl Pin
Kimbo won LizzieW's custom dyed yarn
Katnmouse won Fyrestorm Creations BBQ Stitch Markers
Erin blog is Molasses and Mohair she won Malabrigo Lace from Sandrasingh
Jennifer won the Cable Needle Necklace From Leslie Wind
I need all winners to contact me at darcyknittingdiva@gmail.com
please send me your full names and addresses

These are the prizes:

1st prize:
Artist Leslie Wind
Leslie has generously donated 1 Large Filigree Stick Pin. Leslie Wind’s Shawl pins have been featured in Vogue knitting Magazine twice. This shawl pin is a variation of one of the ones featured in Vogue Knitting Magazine spring/summer 2008.
This pin measures aprox. 1 3/4 " with the stick measuring aprox 3 1/4". For added security make sure the twist at the top of the stick is placed inside the design. By weaving a lightweight scarf through the design it may also be worn as a slide.
Available in sterling only.

2nd prize:
Lizzie’s Wonderland


LizzieW Has generously donated 2 skeins as a prize for the drawing of her custom hand dyed yarn.
The one in front is Fiona sock yarn, sports weight
375m/ 100g.
The other in back is Pumpkin Pie in Shetland Aran weight. 167m/ 100g

You can contact her on ravelry and here is a link to see her colorways lizzie's rainbow
If interested in placing orders for her custom hand dyed yarns.

3rd Prize:

FyrestormCreations


Fyrestorm Creations has generously donated a Set of 6 Hand Sculpted Knit Stitch Markers Bar-B-QUE BBQ
These stitch markers should fit needles up to size 15.

You'll receive the 6 markers you see in the picture as well as the pin to attach them easily to either your knitting itself or your knitting bag to keep them within easy reach.

This set includes:

2 Burgers
2 Hotdogs
2 Smiley Watermelon

Each bead is hand sculpted with polymer clay so there will be some variation in the beads

4th prize:
sandrasingh

Sandra has generously donated
1 skein of emerald blue lace malabrigo for the drawing.
Malabrigo Lace Baby Merino
Fiber Content: Baby Merino Wool
Ball Weight: 50 Grams
Yardage: 470 Yards
Yarn Weight: Lace
Texture: Plied
Gauge: 6-8 sts=1"
Needle Size: 0-4 US (2.25-3.5mm)
Care: Hand Wash & Dry Flat

5th prize:
LESLIE WIND
Cable Needle Necklace
by Leslie Wind.
Winner's Choice
The needle part is bronze it is equivalent to a size 2 needle with a sterling silver butterfly at the top.
This elegant necklace doubles as a multi-purpose tool for knitters.
See cable needle post below to see what it can do:)

Cable Needle Necklace

Designer Leslie Wind my lovely new friend asked me to test her cable needle necklace.She sent me one the needle part is bronze it is equivalent to a size 2 needle with a sterling silver butterfly at the top with a leather cord long enough to still use it while on the cord:)I instantly knew just the pattern to test it. The snowflake dishcloth.I have knit the snowflake before it took 4 days last december.This time with Leslies cable necklace I cut my knitting time in half just 2 days to knit the snowflake dishcloth:)The weight of the bronze cable needle held the stitches down and out of my way so that I could easily knit the stitches on my needles then knit the stitches off the cable needle.The cable necklace speeded up the whole process not only did it work as a cable needle but also as a holder for my row counter it fit snug enough not to come off unless gently tugged upon but also loosely enough that my toddler Athena could sit on my lap and spin the row counter with her finger which she enjoyed doing:)The butterflys wings gave me a great place to park my stitch markers.Iam confident I will never lose my cable needle,row counter or stitch markers again;)Leslie engraved to Darcy love leslie on the back it is a beautiful necklace and a great knitting tool.Leslie will be shipping me a collection of different cable necklaces to have with me at world wide knit in public day june 14th at 11am at Carl's Jr resteraunt 0n ave S in Palmdale,Ca and you can also email me at darcyknittingdiva@gmail.com if you would like to order one you can also order them in my sidebar.They will be $40 plus shipping and can be made to order and engraved upon request for gifting to someone special.Cable on:) this is my 199th post the next one will be my 200th post with great drawings for fantastic prizes so be watching for it!!!