Hello there....A few months ago you had posted about not being able to find regular lego sets (ones not tied to a theme). I happened to be in Toys R Us over the weekend....and found a box of regular legos of various sizes with NO THEME! It came in a bright yellow storage box. They also had Duplo blocks like this to.

Thanks, Dar. Yes, of course there are lots of general lego sets. We have several. What I was saying is that there aren't many good sets anymore where you get an instruction book with step-by-step instructions to make several different things (vehicles or structures) with the pieces in that set. The big general sets are great for creative building, but they don't have any instructions (my boys LOVE following the instructions - in fact it teaches them how to build complex structures when they get out the general set later). And most of the themed sets are only meant to have you build one thing (a specific Star Wars ship or a Harry Potter scene, etc.). But Lego has just come out with some new Creator sets. These are more of the type of sets that I was looking for and my boys love building and rebuilding.

I miss the regular LEGO sets without the special parts too. :)

I love the colors of yarn you dyed up! And the card from the boys is just perfect! :) Happy belated mother's day to you! :)

[looking forward to seeing the design projects, too! :) ]

Oh, good - I want to hear what you think of that book!

As for the dyed yarn - maybe you can make a felted-something with it? A purse to match your socks?

That was a fun read!

That card is just soooo adorable. Enjoy reading the book :)

I appreciate your 'dying' blogging. It has inspired me. Thanks for the nudge to try something new.

Great book choice by the kids! Your yarn looks great, too. I need to practice some solids... I have enough yarn for a sweater...

Do your boys like the knitted skull on the book's cover?

I agree about the Lego. My boys just got a new regular set. All it had with it is the cardboard picture strapped to the outside of the tub. There were no instructions inside, so I had to help them figure it out. I wish they divided the tubs into sections, too. One of the sets I had when I was little (tomboy!) had a flap on top that lifted up, was covered with pictures inside and out, and had all kinds of sections for wheels, windows, people, etc. The box is gone, but the boys have a lot of the pieces still! My nephew lost some of them over the years.

I checked the Lego Canada shop - no Spongebob yet! They are soooo excited to get it. Will have to keep an eye on the site for it!

hhmmm, bulky yarn in several colors..? speaks of felted bag to me! those colors are so bright and happy.

Dear Alison, I know you are a very busy lady but I wonder if you could spare a couple of moments for one of your most devoted readers (I check your blog a couple of times a day!).

A while back you mentioned a way of testing mystery yarns to see whether they were wool or acryllic. I have a cone of blue yarn and I haven't a clue what it is. I just tried burning it with a match. It smells horrid, like burning hair, the end has all gooed up like plastic but it did burn a bit - does this mean it is a blend? Or is it more likely to be straight acryllic? I'm just about to put some pics on my blog- if you have a moment and can advise me, I'll be even more devoted!
Love Helen x

Awwww.that card just says it all. it's perfect.

I just finished this book and it was great! It got to be a "can't put it down" read. The knitting info was very accurate. I think she is going to do a sequel.