Happy Holidays from NYC...

Merry Christmas! And if you celebrated Hanukkah I hope that it was special as well. We've been busy during this trip to NYC, about 2 weeks ago we went ice skating in Bryant Park, lots of fun and I'm happy to say no one fell despite not having ice skated in almost five years.

This is our view for our window, we're not very high up but it certainly is pretty at night.And DH decided to get a little artistic!It snowed 10" here last weekend and I've reconfirmed my beliefs about winter. Eskimos have many words for snow, Tunics not as many. Myself, two, pretty snow like in this picture above....and dangerous snow which I didn't want to photograph, but have to walk through everyday! Luckily I don't drive here and for this I'm very thankful.

We went to the NY Botanical Gardens last weekend to see their annual Holiday Train Show. These two shots are from the gardens, I love the splashes of red on the stark trees.

I was very impressed with the train show, it was thoughtfully planned with these miniature replicas of famous buildings throughout NYC and the five boroughs and the way they landscaped to scale was wonderful. Reminded me of when I used to play with my doll house outside and would trim the grass to be the front lawn, only 10Xs more elaborate! The show easily appeals to men and women across generations with the miniatures, flora and fauna and of course the trains.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim

The trains are why we went, DH was deprived a train set when he was young though promised one if he received good grades...I'll save that story for another post.

We hope you enjoy these videos as much as DH enjoyed making them.

No Santa, but one of Santa's little helpers was on hand!

On Wednesday our cousins came into the city from Washington DC and we all went to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. None of us had seen the show before and we were all really impressed. I lost count of their costume changes and the choreography was flawless.

Today its a movie and dinner in China Town.

Rhinebeck Part 3: The After Party

A week or so ago I realized I never finished blogging about Rhinebeck, I made it up to highlighting what DH enjoyed the most and forgot to talk about the the second most important event, the Ravelry After Party! I was one of the sponsors this year and donated a Tangled Vine Socks Kit for the raffle.

One thing I forgot to do is write down the names of all the lovely knitters I met during the evening, if you see yourself in one of these photos please tell us who you are!

These two knitters knew each other only on Ravelry and planned to meet for the first time at the Fest. Turned out neither one was an axe murderer!

Here I am leaving the stage after I was announced as one of the sponsors. DH didn't get a shot of me on the stage. If anyone has a shot of me up there please email it to me.
Knitwear abounds as it was a bit nippy that night, but despite the cold I was impressed with the large crowd that turned out.

And this is Ysolda in a Bob costume, she's next to the prize table and you can just make out my TVS Kit behind her.

And I would love to hear from the knitter who won my Kit as a prize, did you get a chance to knit the socks yet?

Big City Lights

A few years ago when we got our dog Toffee our neighbors, the ones with the very sweet little girl and three big rambunctious dogs, informed us we were no longer childless, we were now the proud parents of a child with four paws, floppy ears, a wet nose and a tail. We laughed. 4 dog beds later, one for upstairs, the car and 2 different rooms of the house (she prefers to sleep in our bed though) we have to agree. So like all good parents at Christmas time we took Toffee to see Santa and the holiday decorations.

Its snowing Texas sized snow flakes at Saks!

Upon arriving at Rockefeller Center we were immediately told by the smiling NYC police officer that, "No dogs are allowed on the promenade or by the tree even if you're carrying her." What!? She's not a dog and how do you expect us to get a decent shot of her by those angels unless we're right next to them? Go figure. Did I mention during my last visit to NYC, when we tried to take Toffee to the new park, the Highline? The Highline was built on top of obsolete elevated railroad tracks over on the west side near the Hudson River and it took us a very long subway ride with a transfer involved to get there. No dogs allowed in Highline Park.
Anyway...Toffee had a fantastic time and had her very first picture taken with Santa.
And we managed to get a shot of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree sans Toffee. On one of our visits here a few years ago we made it in time to see this tree be lit up. It was right after 9/11 and the place was swarming with cops. DH put the camera on timer and sat it on a ledge so we could have a romantic shot in front of the tree, you should have seen how fast a policeman reacted the moment he witnessed us walking away from the camera.
We hope to get over to see the Rockettes during this trip, neither one of us have seen them. My mom just told me how when she was a little girl and used to take trips into NYC she remembered going out to see a movie and the Rockettes performed right after the film ended.

Does Toffee look a little scared in this shot? Perhaps because we're standing in the middle of the street with a whole line of cars heading toward us!

And we may have left Texas but we can't seem to get away from those pesky deer!

Recently on a chilly day in the Texas Hill Country I stepped outside into the waning light for a video shoot with my lovely neighbor Jen McGahan, of Charting Dreams, and her beautiful daughter Katie. Jen is of the opinion that I need a video of my Sandrasingh.com Exclusive collection featuring not only the patterns being modeled but of me doing some of this modeling and the narration. Though I love the idea of a video montage I'm not so convinced I should be in it, being somewhat camera shy. Not shy enough to pose for stills, which I've done plenty, but the idea of facing the camera and talking is very daunting. I think I need a Sandrasingh.com spokesperson for this role.

Katie studies ballet both at her middle school and through private lessons. We filmed the adorable Katie dancing in the hat, scarf and mittens set Isabella by Kirsten Kapur of "Through The Loops" and the Tangled Vine Socks by Chrissy Gardiner of "Gardiner Yarn Works" and even of Jen and I wearing the Desert Rose shawl by Renee Leverington of "Goddess Knits." And yes I did get filmed talking about all three patterns. The footage is now in the capable hands of Sam Maropis, Jen's Charting Dreams business partner. Sam is doing the editing and we'll see if anything is usable, I get final veto power!

Charting Dreams was founded by Jen and Sam to specifically address the needs of entrepreneurs starting businesses during these tough economic times. Individually they're very business savvy and together they're a powerful wealth of information and resources, they've given me ideas to improve my website and have even implemented some of them for me.

Jen who is practical, but with an eye toward possibility, brings her business and marketing expertise to her clients through her writing and creative marketing background. Jen helps small business owners, such as myself, organize their thoughts and find customers. Jen has written press releases for my website which have brought new customers to my door.

Sam's professional business resume is strong and varied, read about his accomplishments on the Charting Dreams' website. For my business Sam has given me many viable suggestions to improve my listings in search engines and he connected me with a very competent web designer. Sam and Jen are currently writing their first book as well as launching their new careers as business coaches.

Jen and I have been neighbors for a few years and have enjoyed doing what neighbor's do best, helping each other out, spending time with each other's families, or more specifically eating, drinking and shooting off fireworks! Now I'm very happy to add something new to this list, the opportunity to have worked with her, and Sam, professionally.

Party On!

I love blogging and though I very rarely get to blog about myself I like doing it from time to time and I've had a few requests lately. Yesterday was the perfect opportunity, the Monday Knitting Class Gals' annual holiday party took place and I remembered to bring my camera!

We like to get together and celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and each other by eating, laughing, gossiping, eating and even doing a little knitting.

Nita, center, is known for her sparkling out look on life, belly & tap dancing and laughter, she's also been with the class the longest. Bren, right, is also a scrap booker and gifted us all with darling handmade notebooks, thanks Bren! And Lori is on the left and like me she's a "class hopper."
We love Carroll, front, wind her up and she just won't stop, and that's Deb behind her our teacher and hostess.
And thanks to Nina and Pat we even got a little serious knitting done!

On the right is our wonderful hostess and knitting teacher Deb Marvin (remember her name some day she'll be a renown photographer). And to the left is Deb's friend Cele.

And our special host Murray...
...and hostess Penny Lane!

Landscape Collection

Wrap yourself in the colors and textures of the landscape with Ilga Leja's new designs.

Add the color of berries to your wardrobe with Ilga's delightful cropped vest Berry Hill. Its slightly asymmetrical front closure adds further allure.

Worked in one piece from the top down, it requires no seaming. Try it on as you knit it and adjust the length as you go. When you are done, just sew on the buttons and wear!

Even if you don’t live near a mountain range, you can evoke the mood of the landscape with the Distant Hills felted tote bag.

Worked in the round from the base up, its features include an inside pocket and long, doubled handles that form part of the bag’s hilly motif. The stranded sections tend to tighten the fabric, resulting in the bag’s vessel-like shape.

Wrap the countryside around yourself in colors of the field and forest with Ilga's multi-directional shawl, Field and Forest. It makes the most of a handpainted yarn, especially when paired with a coordinating solid color.

Worked in several sections, each one added seamlessly to the one before, this piece is easily adapted to any size.

Walking the moors requires a jacket that hugs the body and enfolds the neck like Ilga's close-fitting sweater Moorland. Ilga uses a wide rib stitch pattern which travels into the wide, ribbed collar. Wear the collar buttoned or unbuttoned for two different looks.

All of Ilga Leja's patterns are sold as PDF downloads that are emailed to you after purchase, this means no shipping fees! Visit Ilga Leja to see all of her Collections.

Ilga is hosting the International Year of the Scarf, travel the world of knitting in 2010 and explore the endless possibilities of the knitted scarf.

Sandrasingh.com December 2009 Newsletter

All I want for Christmas is a Huge Year End Clearance Sale from Sandrasingh.com! Yarn, knitting handbags, tools, magazines, books & patterns are 10-45% Off, all items are in stock and will be shipped same day or next day. Sale ends Saturday December 12th.

Gift Shipping (or emailing for PDF patterns) is available with a personalized note from you! Simply write your Greeting in the Comments Box during checkout along with the recipient's name and shipping address (or email address). Call or email to order Gift Certificates.

Shipping: US & Canadian shipping is a Flat $6.99 and Free for orders of $100 or more. International orders are given USPS shipping options during check out and if the actual cost of shipping is less you'll be reimbursed for the difference. There are no shipping fees for patterns sold as PDF Downloads, they are emailed to you.

In This Issue: Deck The Halls / Save On Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks / 10% Off Jordana Paige Knitting Handbags / Yarn & Patterns Sales / Stock Up on Your Favorite Knitting Magazines /

Deck The Halls
Knit some holiday cheer! In November I introduced Annie's Woolens stocking designs for family and pets, these Kits are ready to be shipped and there's still time to create one. Or make the mood festive with Lisa Ellis Designs' Old Fashioned Stockings, Gardiner Yarn Works' Glendalough or Telemark or with Pick Up Sticks Poinsettia Wreath. And once you knit your stocking make sure to fill it with goodies that a knitter will love!

Save On Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks
Stock up on the right tools or give as stocking stuffers to fellow knitters, Susan Bates Silverado knitting needles and Clover Crochet Hooks are 25% Off and Namaste Knitting Needles are 40% Off.

10% Off Jordana Paige Knitting Handbags
Stylish and practical Jordana Paige's knitting handbags, Bella, Rio and the Knitter's Satchel are roomy and have plenty of pockets to safely store your tools.

Yarn & Pattern Sales
Malabrigo Yarn -15% Off
Cherry Tree Hill - 30-40% Off and Patterns are only $2.99
Karabella Yarns - 30-40% Off and Patterns are only $5.25
Berroco Yarns - 10-40% Off and Pattern Booklets are On Sale too!
LANG Yarns - 45% Off and Fatto A Mano Books are only $8.75
Lorna's Laces Grace - 40% Off and Patterns $4.25
Cascade Yarns - 10% Off
Margaret Stove Artisan Lace - 30% Off
Red Heart Baby Ecno - 10% Off
Schaefer Anne and Lola - 20% Off
Wendy Velvet Touch - 10% Off
Serendipitous Ewe custom dyed Fate Fingering - 10% Off

Save on these patterns too...Fiddlesticks, Dolce Handknits, The Alpaca Yarn Company and Stitch Diva.

Stock Up on Your Favorite Knitting Magazines
Have your favorite magazines on hand for constant inspiration, 10-45% Off!

Interweave Knits	Vogue Knitting
Knitsimple	Knit 'N Style
Knitscene	Knitting Books

Warm holiday wishes from Sandrasingh.com to you and your family. Call or email with any questions or to place an order, I'm always happy to help with any of your fiber arts needs.