17 Mayıs 2012 Perşembe

Wicked Tickets for the GershwinTheatre in New York City 11/2009 through 12/2010

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Theater audiences are raving this year about a wonderful new musical "Wicked".

"If I could pick where I had to die, It would be at a performance of Wicked. If I could pick the last words that I heard, It would be the last note of the song "Defying Gravity." This show is utterly amazing!"

"Wicked is a musical that does best what musicals are supposed to do: transport the audience beyond the world they know."

Looking for sold out Wicked tickets?  You can buy great seats, even in the front row, for Wicked in Philadelphia from 1/6/2010 through 1/24/2010 at the Academy of Music, by clicking here.

13 Mayıs 2012 Pazar

Hollywood Reporter - Shakira to Sign $30 Million Deal With Live Nation, Sony

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image oflivenation - Shakira to Sign $30 Million Deal With Live Nation, Sony

Shakira to Sign $30 Million Deal With Live Nation, Sony

Shakira is taking cues from Madonna and Jay-Z: she'll forgo standard music-industry convention and issue her records through Live Nation and her former label, Sony,

According to THR sources, the mega-concert promoter is nearing a projected $30 million-deal with Sony to release Shakira's next three albums, thereby giving Live Nation a cut of the profits from sponsorships, merchandising and music recordings. The companies will divide the sales, with Sony as distributor.

The New York Post first reported the news Monday morning.

VIDEO: Shakira Dances, Bathes in 'Addicted to You'

In 2008, Shakira left Sony's Epic label to sign a 10-year deal with Live Nation, numbered at between $70 million and $100 million.

Last December, Live Nation's chief executive, Michael Rapino, brokered an estimated $30 million deal with Universal Music Group to record and distribute Madonna's new album, MDNA.

Shakira, the multi-platinum songstress behind such hits as "Hips Don't Lie," released her latest music video for the single "Addicted to You" last week; in April, she took home four trophies at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in Miami. Among the honors were Song Artist of the Year, Female; Albums Artist of the Year, Female; Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Solo; and Social Artist of the Year.


 

 

 

 

Slouchy Socks…like we used to wear in the 80's

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NotesThese remind me of the slouchy socks I used to wear in the 80’s. They slouch nicely and the bottom incorporates a reverse stockinette so you are walking on the smooth side making it even more comfy!I did adjust the needle size a little since I thought the foot was too large in circumference.To make them a little more special, my 17 year old son helped me by knitting the little bags in the matching yarn. We rolled the socks and put them in the bags to make a really special sock gift! Who knew I’d be trading knitting tips with my son??? He is a great knitter, fast and very neat consistent stitches. The nice part is it used the left over yarn. Since my family knits as well, I sent the tiny amount of leftover yarn in the bags for possible repair work in the future.

Project info

Slouchy Socks…like we used to wear in the 80's
Dance All Night Slouch Socks by Erica Jackofsky (Fiddle Knits)
Knitting
Woman's Size 7
Needle and yarn

US 6 - 4.0 mmUS 7 - 4.5 mmUS 8 - 5.0 mm

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Solid
2 skeins = 450.0 yards (411.5m)
811 Lincoln Park Zoo
Pink
Patricia's Yarns in Hoboken, New Jersey

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Solid
2 skeins = 450.0 yards (411.5m)
809 Midway
Blue-green
Patricia's Yarns in Hoboken, New Jersey

Josh's Birthday Scarf and Hat...

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This year for Josh's birthday I decided to knit him something special.  Actually, I decided on four items, a scarf, a hat, a neck-tie and socks.  Since the neck-tie and socks are being made out of a light fingering weight yarn, they are going to take a while to complete so I put my efforts in completing the scarf and hat set for his actual birthday.

Josh picked out the yarn himself when he took me to Vogue Knitting Live!  After looking through every booth of yarn, he decided on a Robin Turner Gourmet Yarns in Llama and Silk.  It is a buttery soft yarn that slides easily on the needles and creates well define stitches.  I enjoyed working with this yarn very much and would like to use it for another project.  I especially like the slight sheen it gives when knitted up.

The Finished Product!



Project info

Josh's Birthday Scarf and Hat
Lauren Scarf by Lion Brand Yarn
Needle and yarn

US 9 - 5.5 mm

Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers Silky llama
22 Brown
Brown
Great Balls of Yarn! in West Palm Beach, Florida

Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers Silky llama
19 Black
Black
Great Balls of Yarn! in West Palm Beach, Florida
Notes
Bubble Scarf pattern from Lion Brand.It knits up quickly and is an easy pattern to follow. Being as it is knitted length-wise, it might be easier to place scraps of yarn to separate the pattern repeat if you have difficulty following patterns over 200+ stitches.I used a Llama and Silk yarn mix which made for a buttery soft scarf with a slight sheen and well defined stitches.Circular Needles 9/5.5mm @ 40” long.The Hat…The hat was an invention of mine for the most part. I used the pattern on the scarf to add accent rows to match the scarf as well as additional patterns in rows to add interest.



Knitting Sample Sock by Magic Loop Method Tutorial

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By Lynne Ray-Rule
Below is a tutorial on how to knit a sock using the Magic Loop Method.  This is a small mini-sock that could be used as an ornemant or decoration.  Knitting your first sock in mini form is a good way to get started so you can become familiar with the procedure.  It doesn't matter whether you are knitting a mini sock for a key chain or knitting a gigantic Christmas Stocking, you knit the same parts on each sock. 
The picture below has the anatomy of the sock listed clearly so you are able to follow where you are knitting on your sock with the picture.
Have Fun!!!

Measurements:     Cuff to Sole - 3.5" Toe to Heel - 4.25"
Yarn:     1oz/25 grams of Light Worsted or Worsted Weight - 3 or 4
Needle:     US 1 / 2.5mm - 40" circular needle
Gauge:     Approximately 4 sts per inch and 7 rows per inch
(This is the only time I will say this...in this case, the gauge isn't particularly important since the sock will be for decoration so no size is needed.)

Pattern:
*Casting-On and joining...
___ Cast-On 25 stitches (Only 24 are needed but we use one to anchor the join and make it more secure.)
Cast-On Stitches
___ Move the stitches to the middle of the cable and divide them so 13 stitches are on the side with the
short tail and 12 stitches are on the side with the working yarn strand.
Pull Cable Through Stitches.
___ Pull the cable through the divided stitches and move each set of stitches to the end of the needles.
Push Stitches onto Needles
___ Join the two sides by moving the last stitch on the front needle with the working yarn strand to the back needle (the side with the 13 stitches). Using another needle or anything with a tapered end helps moving the stitch over.
Moving 1st St to Back Needle
___ On the back needle where you just moved the last stitch with the working yarn...Knit the first two stitches together using both the working yarn strand and the yarn tail. This secures the join tightly.
Place 1st St on Back Needle.
Knit 'Moved' St and 1st St of Back Needle Together.
___ Move the stitch you just made back over to the front needle. This will now give you 12 stitches on both the front and back needles.
Move Joined Sts over to Front Needle giving 12 Sts on Front and Back Needle.
*Now we are ready to begin knitting...

*Cuff...
___ Knit 1, Purl 1 - for 6 rows. This is called a Ribbing.
       R1: ___ R2: ___ R3: ___ R4: ___ R5: ___ R6: ___
Knitted Cuff.
*Leg...
___ Knit for 12 rows. Knitting every row in a the round is called a Stockinette Stitch.
       R1: ___ R2: ___ R3: ___ R4: ___   R5: ___    R6: ___
       R7: ___ R8: ___ R9: ___ R10: ___ R11: ___  R12: ___

*Heel Flap...
*Begin to work the heel flap on the 12 stitches on the front needle. Work these stitches in the Stockinette Stitch in rows which is back and forth, knitting the right side rows and purling the wrong side rows.
*The heel flap will be worked back and forth instead of in the round.
*Leave the 12 stitches on the back needle, the Instep, to be picked-up later.

___ R1:   Sl 1, Purl to end.
___ R2:   Sl 1, Knit to end.
___ R3:   Sl 1, Purl to end.
___ R4:   Sl 1, Knit to end.
___ R5:   Sl 1, Purl to end.
___ R6:   Sl 1, Knit to end.
___ R7:   Sl 1, Purl to end.
Heel Flap and Turned Heel with PM at Center.
*Turn Heel...
This is when we do what is called 'Turning the Heel', knitting it so it will cup around the heel.

___ R1:   Knit 8 sts, SKP (Sl 1, K1, psso), turn - (2 sts remaining)
___ R2:   Sl 1, Purl 4, P2tog, turn - (2 sts remaining)
___ R3:   Sl 1, Knit 4, SKP, turn - (1 st remaining)
___ R4:   Sl 1, Purl 4, P2tog, turn - (1 sts remaining)
___ R5:   Sl 1, Knit 4, SKP, turn - (0 sts remaining)
___ R6:   Sl 1, Purl 4, P2tog, turn - (0 sts remaining)

You should have a total of 6 heel stitches on the needle after turning the heel.

*Shape the Gusset...
___    Knit 3 stitches, Place Marker (PM), Knit 3 more heel stitches.
___    Slide heel stitches down onto the cable so the needle is free.
Knitting into Slipped Sts to Pick-Up Flap Sts.
___    Pick-up 6 stitches along the first side of the heel flap.  Make sure you pick-up stitches using the slipped stitches along the side.
___    Place marker.
___    Slide flap stitches along with PM down the cable needles to the heel stitches leaving the working needle free again.
Knitted Heel and Pick-Up Left Side Flap Stitches.
___    Knit across the 12 instep stitches.  Place marker and slide onto cable leaving working needle free again
___    Pick-up 6 stitches along the second side of the heel flap the same way as the first making sure you pick-up stitches using the slipped stitches along the side.
All Stitches Picked-Up.
___    Knit 3 of the heel stitches, to the PM and remove the heel PM.

Cable pulled through Instep Stitches.
___    Find the center of the 12 Instep stitches and pull the cable through leaving 12 on each side. Continue to pull cable so you have:
                                                        3 heel sts on each side, 6 heel flaps sts & 6 Instep sts.
*Gusset...
*Foundation Round: Knit 1 round all the way around.
Make sure you knit into the back of the loop of the stitches you picked up on the flaps so it will turn the  
stitch in the correct direction.

*Back Needle: Knit 3 heel stitches normally, Knit 6 flap stitches in the back loop, Knit 6 instep stitches
normally.
*Front Needle: Knit 6 instep stitches normally, Knit 6 flap stitches in the back loop, Knit 3 heel stitches normally.
This is only for this one foundation row, after this, knit all stitches normally.
Knitting into Back Loop of Picked-Up Stitches.
*   R1: Knit 1 even round.
*   R2: Knit to 3 sts before PM, K2tog, K1, slip PM, Knit 6 instep sts ...
     Knit 6 instep sts, slip PM, K1, SSK, Knit to end
              (Alternate these two rounds until there are 12 stitches on both needles.)

R1: ___ R2: ___
R1: ___ R2: ___
R1: ___ R2: ___
Set-up for Foot - Side View.
*Foot...
* When measuring the foot you would normally take the measurement of the person's foot you are knitting the socks for and subtract the given measurement of the toe. This would give you the measurement of the length of the foot you need to knit before starting the toe decrease.
* The heel of the sock will be the beginning of the round. You can place a pin on the heel to remind if you.

___ Knit 6 rounds.
       R1: ___ R2: ___ R3: ___ R4: ___ R5: ___ R6: _

*Toe...
* Back Needle:
   Knit to last 3 sts before PM, K2tog, K1 Slide PM, K1, SSK, Knit to end
   Front Needle:
   Knit to 3 sts before PM, K2tog, K1 Slide PM, K1, SSK, Knit to end
* Knit even round.
              (Alternate two rounds until 8 stitches remain.)
     R1: ___ R1: ___ R1: ___ R1: ___
     R2: ___ R2: ___ R2: ___ R2: ___
After Toe Reduction - Ready for Closure.
*Finishing...
Yarn Pulled Through remaining Stitches.
*Cut off yarn 6” from sock, pull through remaining stitches and weave ends in.
Finished!!!


(SSK – slip 1 sts as if to knit, slip the next sts as if to knit onto the right needle, put the left needle through the front of both sts and knit on the right handle needle.)


Magic Loop Sock Tutorial Kit!

Once more unto the breach…

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100 year old Farm Sink, Butcher Block, Picture
Window and Sky Light...washing dishes was
almost fun...
The boys just returned from a harrowing journey trudging through mountains of the remains of the last renters at our house in Sussex. Our move to the city was necessary for so many reasons but we had the complication of a partially remodeled home in the country. Due to the cancer treatment which prohibits me from being near any chemicals and the fact that the neurological disease I was dealing with made it impossible for me to be near any loud noises like hammering, we had to stop the remodel when I became ill. Our only option was to move first and finish the remodel afterward which left us in the precarious position of having two housing payments for nearly a year, not something easy for anyone.

After an absolutely beautiful remodel by my husband and our son following my carefully laid design, our house was ready to rent. It sported brand new wood flooring, 60" wainscoting, a vaulted wooden ceiling in the kitchen with a sky light which allows morning light to filter in through the many trees on the property and a huge picture window which looks out to an open yard area surround by a forest, butcher block cabinet tops, a 36" commercial gas stove and a 100 year old dairy sink which was reconditioned along with a 4' old-fashion claw-foot soaking tub in the 'girls' bathroom. It was stunning.

Antique 4 Foot Claw-Foot Deep Soaking Tub...
You can only imagine our horror to arrive at the house after our renters took off without paying for three months of rent due only days before we were going to have to call in help to remove them and finding a house full of trash, old furniture and many, well, how do we say 'odd' things. It took a 15' U-Haul truck and our trailer packed so full that Josh had to leave the boys at the house cleaning to take it to the dump because there was so much it flowed into the cab and there was no room to take help to unload it all. It is hard to even go into to all the things we found missing and wrong in the house from the floors being destroyed which we will have to refinish, the wainscoting being carved into, the heating registers being moved, the stove being broken and our working air conditioners being spread throughout the yard in a thousand pieces. We still can't figure that one out. It was a nightmare. The good news is we can manage most of the repairs on our own. They also left without filling the fuel or propane tanks which means we are out those very expensive items. Any deposits were used up months ago so we have learned some very valuable lessons through this disastrous ordeal.

Picture window with customized cabinets, just my size...
God protected the main portion of our investment and with a little blood, sweat and tears, we will recover the house to its original condition. We will have to proceed with legal action to recover our money because we simply can't afford to be out this level of income but we are believing God will restore to us what is rightfully ours. We would rather not go this route but the house is a business now and we have to treat it as such. Josh and I are trying to help Benjamin detach a little since he put in so much work there and the wood working is mostly because of Benjamin's talent of being able to see the cuts and know how to make things look so nice. Josh stepped back and let him go when we saw the wood crafter begin to emerge in our son. He even confided to his sister once, it wasn't really work when he got to work with wood so the damage to his investment was hard for him to bear…not to mention, this weekend was his birthday.

Taddington and Me holding down the Fort...
Our pastor's sermon last week was timely, as only God can do. Sometimes we look at things that are hard and say, 'God can't be in this', yet, how often do we see the saints of old having things 'easy'. I've been reading a book, 'Broken Dreams, Shattered Lives' by Dan Hurst which has had a strong impact on me. In one section it talks about making decisions out of fear. When we rented the house the first time we made the decision of the renters out of fear and, if I am honest, didn't look at everything as closely as would have been wise. All the background and credit checks cleared but there were other issues that, if we had not been operating in fear, we would have probably realized and made a different decision that would have saved us money, time and a great deal of work. Operating and making decisions in fear will always lead you to a wrong decision.

Looking back at my life as a child, I was raised in a household of fear. There was fear over leaving the house, fear over answering the front door, fear over someone who sneezed in the car, fear over shaking hands, fear over people in general and it hampered our lives and our family's ministry. When I grew-up and started a home of my own, I took this fear with me. I was blessed to have a husband who didn't fear and began to slowly work me out of some of my issues and then, slowly, God has even recently been dealing with some of the deeper roots of those fears, tearing them out and replacing them with truth.

My Precious Husband...
I can't say I will never operating in fear again but I can say from now on, I will recognize it and be able to bring it under the blood before it overtakes me. I can say that as I study the Bible and glean from those Words I will learn to rest more and more in the arms of our Father and less and less in the circumstances. As the old song goes, 'Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand, but I know who hold tomorrow and I know who holds my hand'. I may still be in pain tomorrow, we may still be struggling to build our business tomorrow, our dreams may not be realized tomorrow and I may still be unable to walk tomorrow but I know God will be there to lead and guild us in His path for our lives and in that, there is no fear, there is only rest in Him.


May God Bless and Keep You in His Grace,
Lynne

Chinook Scarf by Ali Green

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I am busy preparing for the inaugural meeting of the GTT Knitting Circle this weekend.  A room full of excited knitters...this is going to be so much fun!  The menu has been set, we have spent the month preparing many of the ladies' projects (and our son's) and now, we are just anxiously waiting for the day.

Finished Chinook in Drops Cotton Viscose - Greyish Pink 03 
I was assisting one of our new knitters in selecting her first project but made a small mistake of just clicking on the easy patterns and using those instead of really detailing out the pattern first.  As it would be, the pattern that was chosen was a little more challenging that I would normally use for someone new to the world of knitting but I think the young lady will manage well.  I did decide, since it had some interesting stitch combinations, I would go through the pattern first to make sure I could be an effective help.  Once I started working through the pattern, I found it was really fun.  The pattern emerges right away so you see progress quickly which is always good for the new knitter.  Since I love detailed patterns with lots of yarn overs, increases, decreases and an occasional slip stitch i-cord edging, this pattern has been fun for me and yet surprisingly simple.  Bravo Ms. Green!

The Chinook Scarf is knitted in two sections each using one ball of Drops Cotton Viscose (my favorite yarn of all time), however, I am knitting my test scarf in Drops Muskat since that is what I had on hand.  It will make a stiffer scarf but that's okay, I'm sure it will come in handy this summer.

Chinook Scarf in progress using Muskat Greyish Green Yarn.
Lace is always disappointing as it is being knitted.  It clings together and appears to be nothing more than a tangled mess of loosely structured stitches but once it is blocked, a miracle occurs and you end up with this beautiful creation that makes it worth all the effort.  I'm looking forward to seeing the end result and posting it for you all to see!!!

Knit on...