Autism Awareness Scarf KAL!

**Don't forget to enter the Oriri Draco Designs Yarn Giveaway. Contest ends 4/13! Click HERE for details.**


I've created an Autism Awareness KAL on Ravelry. You don't have to have someone on the Autism Spectrum in your life to participate. Please check it out! The more, the merrier!


My son was diagnosed with moderate to severe Asperger's Syndrome in 2003. Our lives changed dramatically. But even with the challenges we face, Brian is the sweetest, most loving child I've ever met. I'm so proud to be his mommy. :)

Autism Awareness Scarf KAL!

Oriri Draco Design Giveaway!

Abby from Oriri Draco Design is sponsoring a fabulous yarn giveaway! She has graciously agreed to giveaway two gorgeous yarns to one lucky winner!


Okay contestants - let's see what you'll be playing for:One hank of Sea Squish Lace, 115g/4oz, approximately 700 yards of 60% SeaCell, 40% Silk lace weight handpainted in the colorway Amaranth. Retail value is $37.50.

AND

One hank of Koi, 220 yards, 115g/4oz, 100% bamboo sport weight yarn, hand painted in the colorway Mercury. Retail value is $22.00.

That's a prize package totalling $59.50!

What must I do to win these fabulous yarns?! 'So glad you asked. Here's the skinny: (The comments on this blog are moderated. Please allow 24 hours for your comment to appear.)

• The giveaway is open March 30th - April 13th, 2009
• The winner will be chosen via random number generator and announced on April 14th
• You must provide an email address or your profile must link to your email in order to be eligible. If I cannot contact you to tell you that you've won, I will pick another winner.
• You must visit Oriri Draco Design's online shop & peruse her fabulous fibers. Come back to KnitPurlGurl and leave a comment to let me know what your fave yarn and colorway is.

You want extra entries you say? You've got it! Be sure to leave each entry in a separate comment so that the random number generator counts each entry! Here's what you've gotta do for some extra entries:

• Become a follower of KnitPurlGurl and leave a comment that you have for an extra entry. Already a follower? No problem. Just leave me a comment that you are already a follower of my blog.
• Visit Oriri Draco Design's Blog and leave a comment there. Come on back to KnitPurlGurl and let me know that you left some bloggy love for an additional entry.
• Follow Oriri Draco Design on Twitter. Come back to KnitPurlGurl and leave the link for yet another entry.
• Blog all about it! Write up a blurb about the giveaway on your blog linking back to my blog. Come back to KnitPurlGurl and leave a comment with the link for another fantastic entry!
  

*** Do you have your own business or know of someone who does? Why not sponsor a giveaway on KnitPurlGurl and drive traffic to your site?! Contact me at knitpurlgurl[at]gmail[dot]com for details!!***

Good luck, yarnies! Go spread the word.

Toodles,

Oriri Draco Design Giveaway!

We Have a Winner...

Here for the 5MFM UBP? Check out my Welcome Post HERE.

The winner of the Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Giveaway, as determined by random number 204, is...

Reluctant Housewife!

Congrats on your prize! Thank you to everyone who participated and especially to the Knit Witch for sponsoring this terrific giveaway! Be sure to stop back next week to check out my next awesome giveaway sponsored by Oriri Draco Designs!!

We Have a Winner...

Ultimate Blog Party 2009 is Here! Welcome!!

A warm welcome to any first-time readers of KnitPurlGurl. KnitPurlGurl is one of three blogs I host. Yes, I have multiple-personality-blog-disorder (MPBD). On this blog, I like to focus on my crafty pursuits - from knitting to crochet to home decor crafts to all things Mod Podge. You'll find this blog is a glimpse into my ADD crafting.

A few fun facts about me:

• I married my HS sweetheart and we've been together for a total of 19 years, 12 of which we've been married
• I have 2 kiddos: a boy and a girl
• My son has Asperger's Syndrome
• We just picked up and moved the fam to PA for their autism services. I also quit my job teaching Medical Assisting to become a SAHM - LOTS of changes
• I love me my crafts! I have to create something every day.
• I'm going to be the dreaded 35 this year!!
• I started blogging as a way to connect to other moms. I wasn't prepared for the the feeling of isolation that occurred when we moved to a new state and I quit working.
• My vices are pistachio ice cream, Starbucks coffee, anything chocolate, shopping for craft supplies, and bubble baths!
  

If you'd like to get a feel for who I am, please take a peek at some of my recent posts:

• Knit Slut
• A Few Signs That You May Be Knitting Obsessed
• Yarn Pusher
• This One Time.. at PGH Knit & Crochet Festival
• Long Time, No Blog

So, make yourselves at home. Kick off your shoes and get comfy. Help yourselves to some snacks and be sure to enter some giveaways while you're here!

• Lauren's Lovelies Butterfly-Inspired Giveaway - Ends 3/23
  
• Blog Makeover by Design by Cece Giveaway - Ends 3/25
  
• Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Yarn & Yarn Bowl Giveaway-Ends 3/23

And if you're interested in my other blogs, feel free to give 'em a look-see:

• Scrap Paper Scissors - A digital scrapbooking blog
• Mommatudes - a mommy blog

For the 5MFM UBP Prizes:

There are so many cool prizes to be won at this year’s Ultimate Blog Party, but my top three picks would be:

• #58 - The Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer from Moms Who Think
• #109 - Stampin' Up Prize Package from Pensive Me
• #19 - $50 Gift Card to Target from Shoot Me Now
  

And if my top three picks are already chosen, I’d love any of the following (in order of preference):

21, 17, 20, 38, 56 or anything that my 4 year old daughter or I would enjoy :)
Enjoy the party!!! Toodles,

Ultimate Blog Party 2009 is Here! Welcome!!

Getting my Learn On..

Don't forget to enter the Lauren's Lovelies Butterfly-Inspired Necklace Giveaway and the Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Giveway - both giveaways end 3/23. Also don't forget to enter the Blog Makeover by Design by Cece giveaway- ends 3/25.


I've taken a detour down crochet lane for a little while.. And it's been fun. I have oodles of things going on in my head life right now. So crochet has kinda been a Godsend. It's quick, cute, and caters to my ADD. Here is the latest project I'm working on. This is the Teddy Bear Bag by Amy Gaines. I've modified the bag a tad. I made it smaller, for one. I also wanted the ears to be a tad smaller. I wasn't diggin' the bigger ears. Also, having made the cupcake drawstring bag and learning rather quickly that 4 year olds will remove the drawstrings 800 times and repeatedly ask you to replace said drawstrings, I opted for a handle. In this case, since the bag is small, I went with a wristlet-type handle that is knit. I made an i-cord. I used magic loop to knit it in the round for a more flat, finished looking handle. I also opted to nix the flowers as I think I like my bear a little more rustic looking.

I learned alot from this project. I had never sewn anything together before. (That's not entirely true. Mrs. Baughman, if you're reading this - you scared the crap outta me in Home-Ec and I was scared to touch a sewing machine and successfully avoided one for nearly 20 years. I sewed my puffy sleeve to my locker-project in Home-Ec and was told that sewing wasn't for me. In my defense.. it was the 80's and big, puffy, pirate sleeves were in style. Plus, I think the massive size of my hair may have temporarily damaged my brain during that time. I'm just saying..)
So I actually had to watch several videos on sewing crocheted seams together and sewing crocheted pieces together. Also, having been the child of an undomestic goddess, I never did learn to hand sew (or even machine sew for that matter.. Please refer to above sewing horror story.). So sewing the pieces was a challenge. Then I had to learn to embroider on top of it! Oh yes. It was a barrel of laughs let me tell you. So I watched countless You Tube videos ('cause I am written instruction challenged - I have to SEE it done or it makes no sense to me whatsoever) on satin stitch and blanket stitch. My first attempt was.. well hideous amateur. It left ALOT to be desired. Behold my mediocrity:

So sad. You just wanna put it out of it's misery, don't you? Be honest. It's okay. I was so appalled at how horrible I made it look, that I couldn't bear to leave it that way. I ripped it out and tried again. So the pic at the top of the blog was my second attempt. It's not perfect, but at least it doesn't look like my 4 year old stitched the face. (Now it looks as if at least my 13 year old stitched it.)

So to recap, I've learned to seam crocheted pieces; sew crocheted pieces together; and to perform a few simple embroidery stitches. Now I don't feel so badly for neglecting my umpteen knitting projects. I learned some new skills, so it's all good.

Once I get my safety eyes in the mail, I will call this project done! Now sadly, I must put down my hook and pick up my knitting needles for a bit. I really must work on some of my knitting projects which have gone from optimistic 'Works in Progress' to the terminal 'UnFinished Objects.'

Hang on Entrelac Market Squares Bag, mommy's coming...

Getting my Learn On..

Sweet as a Cupcake

Don't forget to enter the Lauren's Lovelies Butterfly-Inspired Necklace Giveaway and the Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Giveway - both giveaways end 3/23. Also don't forget to enter the Blog Makeover by Design by Cece giveaway- ends 3/25.


I can't express how impressed I am with crochet! Don't get me wrong, knitting will always be my first love. But recently, I have become smitten with amigurumi. So I decided to give it a go. However, I was having a hard time with losing stitches. I worked and reworked my base circle. I read tutorial after tutorial. I asked questions on Ravelry and Knitting Help. I was just about to give up when I found these amazing amigurumi video tutorials from Hook and Needles! Just watching where she put her stitch marker (believe it or not) made all of the difference for me. I know, I know. Right now you're saying, "Seriously?" But really after watching the video, it all sort of fell into place.

So the very first thing I made was this Cupcake Purse by Amy Gaines. It's crocheted up in durable Red Heart Soft Yarn (cake part is in 'Honey' and the frosting in 'Grape' colorways) that I got from Michaels on sale 2 for $5 ( which was already in my stash)! I didn't add the beads on the end since I made this for my 4 year old and she still puts everything in her mouth. She loves it! Of course, after having it for 2 minutes, she managed to remove both drawstrings. When I went to put them back in, she said, "Um, that's okay. I think I want it to be a bowl." Oh well. She likes it and that's all that matters, I suppose. At least I took a pic before she disassembled it.

Now that I actually created something in the same way as amigurumi, I think I may actually try a stuffed animal next. I'm thinking a turtle or something uncomplicated.

Toodles!

Sweet as a Cupcake

Design by Cece Blog Makeover Giveaway!!

Don't forget to enter the Lauren's Lovelies Butterfly-Inspired Necklace Giveaway and the Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Giveway! Both giveaways end March 23rd!


Does your blog need a bit of updating? Are you stuck in a rut? Would you like a professional blog designer to design a blog just for you? Then hoof it over to Mommatudes and enter to win a blog makeover today!!

Design by Cece Blog Makeover Giveaway!!

Stash Diving

Don't forget to enter the Lauren's Lovelies Butterfly-Inspired Necklace Giveaway and the Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Giveway! Both giveaways end March 23rd!


So upon reviewing what I have thusfar spent this year (2009) on yarn (yes, I am a giant goober who has a spreadsheet), I have come to the conclusion that I will need to stop with stash enhancement efforts {GASP} and start stash-diving. I have plenty of yarn to keep me occupied for a while. And in this uncertain economic climate, I don't think it wise to keep on spending money on yarn (gorgeous, yummy yarn, albeit). So I am making a vow to not purchase any yarn for the next month and use what I've already got. And then, I am putting myself on a monthly budget. - A VERY TIGHT montly budget. In the last three months, I've purchased alot of yarn (still have some on the way from Knitch.com) and I can't in good conscience continue to indulge myself when we're trying to pinch pennies. I've even put my fused glass classes on hold! (I know - but I have to get serious about curbing my spending.) I want to focus on being less wasteful - from decreasing spending to using what I've already got. It won't be easy, but I think it's really necessary in today's economic climate to focus on decreasing waste and debt. I know it is in my household. Plus hubby is not as thrilled with my stash enhancement efforts as I am. Although he does agree that if it makes me happy, I should never stop knitting or crocheting or crafting for that matter. He's such a keeper!

On my Mommatudes Blog, I blogged about our family outline to reduce waste, eliminate debt, and live well for less. If you're a frugal person, please visit my Mommatudes blog post and leave a comment on what steps you've taken to be frugal!

Are all of you yarnies experiencing the financial crunch? What are you doing to keep the needles/hooks going without your expenses soaring?

Stash Diving

Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Giveaway!!

Be sure to pop on over to Mommatudes and enter the Lauren's Lovelies Butterfly Necklace Giveaway!

Okay, here it is.. a giveaway I know many of you have been waiting for!!! If you've never been to the Knit Witch's website - shame on you! Her website if filled to the brim with amazing knitting and crochet videos in addition to her wicked wares which include: yarn bowls, spindle bowls, hand dyed yarns, roving, fiber clubs, lotions and potions, and other functional pottery pieces. She even offers lessons! This woman does it all and does it well! Brittany, when I grow up, I SO want to be you!

Here's what the generous Ms. Brittany (AKA the Knit Witch) is giving away:

1 skein Spica sport weight sock yarn (yellow)
100% superwash merino
Approx. 110g/4oz
Approx. 307m/366yds
Retail value - $18.00

1 skein Starry Night fingering weight sock yarn (blue and yellow)
100% superwash merino
Approx. 110g/4oz
Approx. 500m/550yds
Retail value - $18.00

Yarn Bowl #412
Retail value - $30.00

And 2 Knit Witch pens!!!

So here's the scoop on the giveaway: (All comments on this blog are moderated. So please allow up to 24 hours for your comment to post to the blog. Thank you)

• The contest is open from March 9th - March 23rd. The winner will be chosen via random number generator and announced on March 24th.
• Pop on over to the Knit Witch's Website and take a peek at her delicious items. Come back to KnitPurlGurl and comment on which item is your favorite.
• Be sure that either your profile links to your email address or that you leave an email address in your comment. If I cannot contact you, another winner will be chosen.

Want additional entries? (Make sure that each and every comment is separate so that the random number generator counts all of your entries.):

• Visit the Knit Witch's blog and leave her a comment. Who doesn't like a little bloggy love? Come back and post that you have for another entry.
  
• Become a follower of the Knit Witch's blog, come back and post that you have for an additional entry.
• Become a follower of MY blog (KnitPurlGurl) and post that you have or comment if you are already a follower for yet another entry!
• Blog all about the contest. Come back to KnitPurlGurl and provide a link to your post for another entry!

*** Do you have your own business or know of someone who does? Why not sponsor a giveaway on KnitPurlGurl and drive traffic to your site?! Contact me at knitpurlgurl[at]gmail[dot]com for details!!***

Knit Witch Wicked-Fun Giveaway!!

Stash 'N Stuff

First off.. I HAVE to brag about my Tapestry Beret! This is my first non-rectangular crochet project and it does have a few mistakes but you really can't tell. I used the Simple Beret Pattern written by Suzanne M. Barrow and crocheted it up in Rowan Tapestry, Country colorway. I think it turned out really cute. I crocheted 2 flowers and sewed them onto the beret for a little extra embellishment. I think I'll keep this beret since it was a real learning experience. But since I have 1.75 skeins of this yarn left, I'm going to crochet one up for my grandma (who is undergoing chemotherapy). The best part of this project - it was SO quick!! I whipped it up in an afternoon.
UPDATE: Hat looks completely hideous on me. I look like I'm channeling the '80s or that I, myself, am 80. Gave hat to grandma who gushed over it. She didn't even notice the teeny mistakes. :)

Now, onto the stash enhancement pics:

I picked up this gorgeous yarn from a WEBS' sale. My camera just does not do this Cascade 220 Superwash Paints yarn in Cherry Pie colorway any justice. I have no idea what I'll knit with it - but the price was unbelievable and the colorway is to die for. It has a slight varigation to it that makes it sublime! I also got several hanks of the Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton in Wasabi (SO AMAZING)!

Next up.. I ordered these colorful fabric strips in Spring theme from the awesome Heather Knitz. (I love supporting Etsy shops as often as possible and hers is not only terrific on it's own merit, but she's a terrific seller with unparalleled customer service.) Then I went to Michaels and picked up this Vanna's Choice in Kelly Green colorway. I'm going to take what I learned from the PGH Knit & Crochet festival and knit up a rag rug using the yarn and fabric strips. What an absolutely adorable spring rug this is going to make!!

I picked up these cuties from Knit One North (one of my LYS) during my weekly therapy session with Karen. Pictured on top is Sublime Soya Cotton DK in Pomegranate. I am not sure what I will use this yarn for but I couldn't resist the silky feel of this cotton. Pictured bottom is the amazing Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn in Orange, Red, Pink, and Green colorway. I have it on reserve for the Swallowtail Shawl that Karen has convinced me that I CAN knit. (We'll see.. she has more confidence in me than I do!) Again, my camera just does not do this Noro justice. It's absolutely gorgeous!!

And last but certainly NOT least, I ordered these lovelies from one of my new favorite hand-dyed yarn shops: Creatively Dyed Yarn. From top to bottom: Tradewinds in Sour Orange colorway; Woodbrook in Sweet Gum colorway; and Calypso in Tea Leaf colorway. Her yarns are to die for!! And you've gotta love that she handpaints each yarn individually! I am planning socks for the Calypso and the Tradewinds but have no idea what I'll do with the Woodbrook... YET.

So as you can see, I've been hoarding all of this yarnie goodness so that I could post it all in one post. (Actually, I've been so terribly busy that I haven't had a chance to keep up with updating my stash. So you kinda got everything all at once!)

Off to knit! Toodles!

Stash 'N Stuff

Knit-Slut

So, in the past I've been kinda a project whore. I have 8 projects OTNs and wander from project to project. I'm trying to mend my meandering ways. I've set a goal for myself to actually finish the projects I'm currently working on (GASP!) and to not start a new project until I start to complete some of these other projects (EGADS!). I must admit that I am attracted to the thrill of the hunt: finding a pattern; picking out yarn for the pattern; casting on the pattern for the first time... It's been a struggle my entire knitting life to be monogamous to just one project. But on the other hand.. while it's fun and exciting to try out new patterns and yarns; to hold a project in your hands for the first time and experience the rush of endorphins... it's also lonely. Sure my friends aren't living in the fast lane of yarn shops and pattern after pattern, but they are cuddling up with one project and seeing it through to beautiful completion. Will I ever NOT be a knit slut? I don't know. A part of me WANTS to knit mates for my socks. But a part of me is saying, you know you wanna cast on that sexy little sweetheart of a sock. Look at the way that Kaffe Fassett sock yarn looks at you. There are so many projects and yarns in the sea - why just settle for one? Perhaps I'm just afraid of commitment. I could see myself with just one project.

I'm holding to my promise.. for now. And even though it doesn't make for sexy blog talk, I'm still knitting and crocheting the projects I started last year. Maybe it's time to join a 12-step: Knit-Addicts or Yarnaholics Anonymous.

Knit-Slut

And the winner is...

The winner of the Wonderful WEBS giveaway (as determined by random number generator) is Penny. Congrats, Penny! Kathy will mail out your prize shortly. Thank you to all who participated. A huge thanks goes out to Kathy Elkins of WEBS who generously sponsored the giveaway!! Stay tuned for the March giveaway. The Knit Witch is sponsoring a wickedly delicious giveaway. The contest starts next week - so be sure to check back!

And the winner is...

A few signs that you may be knitting-obsessed

1. You've contemplated naming your children and/or pets any of the following: Knit, Purl, Frog, Rowan, Malabrigo, Cascade, McPhee, Addi, Dolores, Bob, Freckle Girl, Lime, Violet..
2. When hugging your SO, you quickly take a 'hands' measurement of the width of his/her shoulders so you know how wide to make his/her sweater
3. You have more pictures of your FOs than of your children
4. A co-worker sees a picture of your family on your desk and comments, "How adorable." And you say, "Thanks. I knit that sweater with Noro and I just love how it worked up."
5. You judge your friends by whether or not they are 'sock-worthy'
6. When you walk into your LYS, they all know your name (Like Norm from Cheers)
7. Your personalized credit card has a picture of your knitting on it
8. You've friended Franklin Habit, Vickie Howell, Eunny Jang... on Facebook
9. You've also friended them on Twitter
10. You're in line at the bank and it's finally your turn. You signal to the bank teller that you'll be with her in a minute once you finish the row
11. Your friends and family have started calling you 'Crazy Yarn Lady' behind your back
12. You know they call you this behind your back and love it!
13. You friends have closets lined with couture and your closet is full of yarn
14. Your friend shows off her latest Kate Spade handbag and you show off your new Namaste bag
15. Your daughter needs to have her hair put up for her ballet recital and you can't find any combs or clips. You put her hair up using DPNs and stress to her that she can't lose them!
16. You belong to 25+ Ravelry groups
17. You try to recruit everyone you meet to come over to the dark side
18. You read about it; blog about it; talk about it; and tweet about it
19. You're being treated for knitting elbow
20. Your hubby suggests you buy "something sexy for tonight." You buy a gorgeous silk-cashmere blend yarn and CO right away.
21. You have Knitty Gritty, Knit & Crochet Today, and Knitting Daily on season pass on your TiVo
22. As you're watching movies, you're reverse-engineering all of the knitwear you see on the screen
23. You're in an airport and spot both Brad Pitt and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. You can only stalk one of them for their autograph. You choose the Harlot because she may be able to help you with your gusset problem.
24. You think there should be PSAs about the dangers of moths
25. You absolutely believe that if world leaders and heads of state would all knit, the world would be a peaceful and better place
26. You think World Wide Knit in Public Day should be a holiday
27. You've started decorating your house with your knitting supplies and yarn because you no longer have any place to stash it.
28. Your hubby turns to you and asks you what 'stash' means. You slap him Dynasty-style and tell him that if you have to tell him then he obviously doesn't know you at all.
29. You find yourself wanting to fondle complete strangers' sweaters
30. You have 10 knitting Podcasts on your iPod at any given time
31. You feel so badly for your newly sheared sheep that you knit them sweaters
32. You whole-heartedly believe that an Alpaca would make a terrific house pet
33. You research available treatments for second sock syndrome
34. You frequently quote The Yarn Harlot
35. 3/4 of your friends knit
36. You feel as though you've won the lottery when someone comments on your FO in Ravelry
37. You feel like a total rock star if more than 5 people visit your knitting blog in a day
38. You've knit your hubby a wallet-cosy
39. You husband whispers knitting patterns in your ear in place of sweet nothings
40. You think that knitting is a privilege, not a right
41. You're convinced that God WANTS you to knit in church
42. You know when your 'knitterversary' is
43. The kids have no clean clothes. There's no food in the pantry. AND you haven't seen the living room floor in a month. But you've finished your sweater!! (And a few little sweaters for the dust bunnies that have taken up residence under your furniture.)
44. You dream about laying in a bed of wool (think 'American Beauty')
45. You haven't bought yarn in a month and your LYS, credit card company, and bank all call to see if you're okay.
46. You knit presents based on how much you like the recipient: Scarf= I tolerate you. Socks = you're a pretty good friend Lace = I trust you with my life
47. Your Christmas wishlist looks like the menu bar of WEBS
48. You've made a blanket out of your gauge swatches
49. You absolutely will NOT pay $80 for a sweater that you can make yourself for $200
50. You get regular manicures.. not for vanity's sake but because your nails are snagging your yarn.
51. Not only do you count sheep at night.. you count skeins
52. Your psychologist keeps saying, "I think you're knitting-obsessed."
53. You're a firm believer that yarn is the universal language
54. You're less interested in who will star in "Friday Night Knitting Club" and more interested in what yarns will be featured.
55. You've knit a sweater for your child's guinea pig
56. You know the entire history of Aran knitting.. American History, not so much
57. You have a bumper sticker that reads, "A skein is a terrible thing to waste."
58. You secretly wish there were knitting soap operas
59. Everytime you see a celeb knitting in a pic OR a movie or commercial depicting someone knitting, you post it on your blog and/or Facebook.
60. While shopping in the produce isle, you wonder if Malabrigo makes sock yarns in all of those colors
61. More people know your Ravelry name than your real name
62. You go out to eat at a Chinese restaurant and procede to rip your napkin into strips and knit with your chop sticks
63. You've switched from paper books to audio books so that reading doesn't impede progress of your socks
64. You have your LYS on speed dial
65. You switch your college major to Bachelor of Fine Arts in hopes you'll get to knit more
66. You find ways to incorporate knitting into your lesson plans (teachers)
67. Your Weight Watchers Leader checks your daily planner to see what might be derailing your weight loss and sees that you've assigned 10 activity points to knitting..

A few signs that you may be knitting-obsessed

Rock on with your bad self

So I was tagged by the uber-cool Lola of Fight of Flight to be a part of the Rock Star Club (Ah, shucks..)

Here's the deal:

1) Go to Wikipedia and hit the random link on the left sidebar, under the navigation heading. The first article you get is the name of your band.

2) Go to the website The Quotations Page. The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your album.

3) Go to Flicker's Randomizer feature. The third picture, no matter what it is, is your album cover.

4) Use Photoshop or another photo editing software to create your album cover.

5) Post your album cover on your blog, along with this text. Be sure to nominate at least 5 friends (by leaving comments on their blogs with a link to your post), and tag me, KnitPurlGurl, by leaving a comment so that I can see what you've created.

Here's my album cover:

I was only supposed to use the last 4-5 words, but it sounded way cooler with the last phrase of the quote. (The quote is.. "It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required." Sir Winston Churchill) And the name of my band is the name of an actual person:

John Gregory Collinge (born 10 May 1939) is a former president of the New Zealand National Party, from 1989 to 1994. He was then appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1994 to 1997.

He was born in Hastings, and graduated (LLB) from the University of Auckland in 1962.

Now you've done learned something today!! (Those of you in rural OH - you know you've said this before. Don't deny it!!)

Here's my list of Rock Stars:
The Pink Toque
The King & I
Bloggin' It From the 'Burbs
Just a Girl
My Chichuahua Bites
Pink Vanilla Cupcakes
Sweet Digi Scraps
Here a Scrap, There a Scrap
Good Mourning Glory

Yes I listed more than 5 - that's SO rock star of me! I'm off to trash hotel rooms, refuse autographs, and book an interview with Barbara Walters..

Rock on with your bad self