Happy New Year

It is 10pm on December 31.  I am not out with friends.  I don't have an adult beverage in front of me.  My chore tonight is to get ready to go.

There were some mail orders that came in late this afternoon that are now packed and my dad will take them to the post office on Tuesday. There is a load of laundry in the dryer.  I am finishing up a few orders to suppliers.  A skein of Saki from Prism (the colour is Portofino) needs to be wound.  I will be starting an easy scarf-Hitchhiker.  For some reason I can't take a project on a trip that has already been started.  Maybe this is just an excuse to start something new.  :)

Then I need to get some sleep.  We will hit the road running when we land in Vegas at noon tomorrow.

I don't have any pictures of my current knitting but here are some projects that I completed during the year.

Poppy
Knit in Rowan Colourscape Chunky

This was my Olympic knitting. I started at the beginning of opening ceremonies and was finished before the end of closing ceremonies.

Malthese Shawl
A Christel Seyfarth kit

This is one of my favourite projects.  It was knit in the round and I had to cut it before adding the border.

It was so much fun that I will be knitting another kit in the new year!!

Churchmouse Linen Stitch Scarf
Knit in 2 balls of Mini Mochi from Crystal Palace

Have a Happy New Year!! All the best to you and your family for 2011.

Lots to do

I really meant to do a post yesterday but stuff happens.  Cathy spent the afternoon with me.  We moved yarns around trying to get the store in order for next week.  After work it was to the spa-lip and eyebrows need to be waxed before my trip.  Then my nails had to be done.  I brought home dinner and then Beth and I headed out for last minute errands.  Beth needed a book for the trip so we went to Chapters. Never a quick or cheap trip.  Then the drug store to pick up prescriptions and the other necessities.  Again, not a cheap or quick trip.

I have no knitting to report.  The store has been crazy busy-there are absolutely no complaints coming from me about this-which means no time to knit during the day.

I updated my iPad last night and my twitter feed looks really cool now.

A neat thing that I can do on my iPad is take a screen shot. I emailed it to my computer and here is what it looks like.

Ms. Canada Post came yesterday with the new yarns and patterns from Spud & Chloe. There is a box packed for Lynda so that she can knit the Valentine Cardigan in Orangutan.  I am going to try and get the yarns and patterns on the website right away but I'm not sure there will be time before I go.

Just two more sleeps until Vegas.  The 'to do' list is growing in my head. I should consider writing it all down so that I don't forget!!  The hardest part is thinking about clothes.  For Vegas they can be casual but then I need dressier clothes including sweaters for the trade show. This takes up a lot of room and there are those darn restrictions on luggage now. I will definitely need to limit the number of shoes.

Special Visitor

All I can say is thank goodness I live in Southern Ontario.  That is a lot of snow on the East Coast.  Mom and dad talked to their neighbours in Myrtle Beach and they had snow there.  Not a lot but more than we got.

Yesterday morning the store was busy when a special visitor walked in. Wannietta drove down to see me. Actually she wanted some yarn but I am going with she missed me.  She is looking great and of course she had on a great hand knit hat. In her knitting bag was a scarf that she knit for the store.

Molly
Classic Elite Liberty Wool
4 balls-sample in 7898 Blue Twilight

Now she is working on a cardigan for the store.  Elisabeth in Liberty Wool from Classic Elite.

I have made some progress on Wild Saffron. The rows are taking a long time but I have 211 stitches on the needles so it is to be expected. I keep telling myself that the sleeves are part of the body so when I am done the front I am ready to sew together.

Here is a close up of the knitting. I took some pictures of the whole front but they didn't do the colour or my knitting justice.

Boxing Week Starts Today

It is 1am Monday morning and I can't sleep.  Why not start a post??

Namaste posted pictures on their blog for a new product coming soon.  I will be seeing these in 2 weeks and they should be in the store by the end of January.

Bitty Bag
Available in 6 colours
Red
Eggplant
Hollywood Pink
Peacock
Lime
Black

The Bitty bag features a rear exterior zipper pocket for easy access to your cell phone, keys, etc. The interior lining is clear coated canvas with our newest signature “Lola” print.  The bag has an adjustable strap, strong magnetic closures, and the interior features 1 zipper pocket, 2 open top pockets, and 2 elastics on either end.  The elastics are multi-purpose; they can be used to store a sippy cup or small bottle or water bottle upright, to keep a skein of yarn in its place, or for a securing your Buddy case.

The Circular Needle Case is going to be available in pink.  On their blog the girls at Namaste wrote

Next up for 2011 is the Namaste Circular Case in light pink!  We continue to donate 10% of all proceeds from the sale of light pink Namaste products to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and thought this would be a great way to increase our donation to this worthy cause.

Another reason for my not going to bed yet-I am writing a newsletter letting you know some of the yarns that I am going to have on sale for Boxing Week.  This should have been done last week but a few things got in the way.  :)

Here is a link to the newsletter in case you don't receive it.

Lazy boxing day

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas.

Christmas day was busy (30 for dinner) but great. Beth and I finally kicked everyone out at 11 and went upstairs to rest on the couch.  I fell asleep and woke up at 5am-moved to my bed and slept until 10.  We finished the rest of the dishes this morning.  I love my wine glasses but they have to be washed by hand.  I don't wash anything but those glasses by hand.  If it doesn't go in the dishwasher it doesn't come into my house.  :)

I am now spending the day on the couch knitting. The ruffles scarf was finished Friday night but I forgot to take a picture of it before I gave it away yesterday.  Today I brought out Wild Saffron.  The back is done and I have about 20 rows to finish on the front.  It is time to get it done so that I can start wearing it.

Just before closing on Friday afternoon Mr. UPS came in with 2 boxes from Berroco.  All the new Berroco books for spring are here including Norah Gaughan Volume 8.

There are 12 patterns in the book calling for Pure Pima and Linsey (new yarn-64% cotton, 36% linen).  The new yarns should be arriving mid-January.

Also in the box were 4 new colours of Berroco Sox along with a book of children's sweaters knit in Sox.

It's time to get back to my knitting.  Have a good afternoon and don't forget that the store will be open again tomorrow.  There will be a few yarns on sale - just working out which ones I want to clear out.

Merry Christmas

I hope Santa was good to everyone.

Beth and I are busy in the kitchen and guests should be arriving any minute so there isn't time to write a lot.

Have a great day!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Will I get it done?

There wasn't much time to knit yesterday.  I did get another scarf started in Ondas.  Now there is a rush to get this done for Christmas day.

I started a post last night when the door bell rang.  Our friend John came over with his three daughters.  Beth and I consider them our children so it is always fun when they visit.  Of course we decided to play XBox. Okay, they played and I watched.  I am not sure that my chiropractor would like me to be jumping around with the kids.

Beth bought a new sports game that has a section called 'Party Games'. They divided into two teams and went head to head.

John is trying kick a ball.

Here is what the bowling looked like on the TV.

Throwing a discus. On the left there is a faint green circle. You are standing in front of the TV and must move your arm over the circle to pick up the discus and then throw it.

The girls had a small problem-they all had on skinny jeans.  Not the best attire to be jumping around in. They are going to be spending Christmas day with us and have already planned on better XBox attire.

I am going to hit Publish now because I need to get working on my scarf if it is going to be done in time.

Have a great Christmas Eve!!!

To Do

Somedays facebook wants to make me tear my hair out.  I tried to upload pictures of Aldred (both of them) so you have to put them in an album.  I can never figure out how to add a caption.  I finally figured it out after the pictures were posted.  Do you think I will remember the next time I need to add a picture?  Not likely.

I received a newsletter from madelinetosh today announcing a new yarn.  tosh merino dk.

From Amy

Start out this year with our warm Tosh Merino DK wool in a rich medieval red, aptly named Byzantine.

You have asked for a sweater weight version of Tosh Merino Light and we are so glad to say it is finally here.  We are proud to announce our Tosh Merino DK yarn line!  A  single-ply, 100% superwash merino wool, available in all of our luscious glazed colorways with a generous 225 yards per skein. A sweater weight version of Tosh Merino Light, Tosh Merino DK soaks up the dye and takes on color with just as much depth and brillance you have come to expect with its lighter weight cousin.

I have emailed in an order and fingers crossed it won't take too long to get the yarn.

Saturday is a big day around our house.  Christmas dinner for many, many people.  We don't have a final count yet but there will be lots. Beth and I have lists for the grocery store as well as the chores that still need to be done.  One of those was for my dad.

He came after work last night to hang my wall hanging (Kaffe Fassett fabric quilted by Jane) over my bed.  It looks amazing.  This got me thinking about my stash of Kaffe Fassett fabric.  I really need to do something with it.  Maybe Jane has some ideas.

What do you think?

Last night I was busy writing emails and working on my Camp brochure when I decided that I wanted to change my blog.  This was the first layout I tried and after trying others I came back to it.  Definitely bright and cheery for dreary winter days.

Did anyone stay up last night?  I was having a hard time sleeping so I hauled my butt out of bed at 2:45.  The sky was very clear and I watched the moon until about 3:20.  Very cool!!

Last week I showed some new patterns coming from Spud & Chloe including the Valentine Cardigan designed by Laura Chau (cosmicpluto).  I really like the looks of this cardigan and will definitely be making it for myself.

Why I am showing you this again?

-Now I have pictures of the new colours that will be arriving very soon in the store-maybe next week?
-I didn't have any pictures for todays post and this is definitely something nice to look at

The cardigan is knit in Fine (sock weight) which is a blend of 80% wool and 20% silk.  There are five new colours coming.

7820 Wildberries

7819 Orangutan

7818 Greenbean

7817 Goldfish

7816 Dragonfly

I can't wait to see these in real life.  Picking a colour is going to be tough!!

Ruffles

There was no post yesterday because I was very busy going between knitting and working on the computer while watching football.  I finished the Ondas scarf for my chiropractor.

We still have some Ondas in stock and you still have time to get a scarf or two knit before Christmas.

It hit me that the brochure for Knitting Camp 2011 hasn't been finished. Finished-it hasn't even been started.  I decided that the brochure needed to be totally revamped.  In the past I would cut and paste into the previous years brochure but a lot of time yesterday was spent formatting.  Word:mac 2011 is a great program and the best part are the available fonts.  I fell in love with Tekton pro and have used it for the whole brochure.  This might seem like something that a person really doesn't need to get excited about but the finished product is going to look amazing!!

The finale of Survivor last night went just the way I had hoped.  When Jeff was reading the results I was so afraid that Chase had won.  Fabio played the game great and had Sash and Chase scrambling at the end.  I think it could have been one of the best final three yet.

I just spoke with madelinetosh and they are dying some yarn for me this week and it will be mailed before Christmas.  The order will include DK, sock, merino and tart pashmina.

Last week we went through some trying times with Canada Post.  Parcels were shipped on Tuesday and should have arrived at their destinations in one or two days.  These parcels just arrived at the sorting plant in Mississauga this morning.  What is going on??  Ms. Canada Post who was in this morning told me that they are so backed up in Toronto that mail trucks (huge transports) are sitting for three days before they can get into the dock. This doesn't make me happy and customers are extremely upset but at least now I know what is going on.

I think that Beth and I need to go out and do some Christmas shopping tonight.  Wish us luck!!

Aldred part two

This morning I finished casting off Aldred.  All ends have been sewn in (before Wannietta and/or Rhonda make a comment) and I am wearing it. Love it!!  Want another.  Which colour will I take home?

I made a few modifications to the pattern.  I wanted my tails longer so I did 36 repeats, not 32.  When I was doing the short rows it says to work 3 more stitches than the row before and turn-I did 4.

This morning dad came to hang our pictures in the dining room. We will be adding more pictures in the spring and we were worried that the new ones might not be exactly the same size.  To balance that out we hung them all at different heights.

Jane and her family just left after Christmas dinner.  The food was good and the company was great.

Last year Jane made me a Kaffe Fassett afghan to hang on the wall.  This year she quilted me a wall hanging in Kaffe Fassett fabric.  It is the perfect size to hang over my bed. Another job for dad this week.  :)

Spring??

It is snowing again this morning.  I have had just about enough of winter. Okay, we barely have any snow on the ground so I shouldn't complain.  I just talked with the ladies at Blue Sky Alpacas (they are located in Minnesota) and they have 34" of snow on the ground.  That is serious snow.

Why was I talking to Blue Sky?  There are new patterns and yarns and I just ordered them.  They should be here the beginning of January.  Because it is dreary out today I am going to share happy, pretty pictures with you to cheer you up.

I added in the pictures, cutting and pasting descriptions from the Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud & Chloe websites.  Now I can't add to the bottom of my post and have it display in the proper font.  I guess that means that this post is done for today.  :)  I'm going to try and finish Aldred this afternoon.  6 more rows (long rows) to go.

Kaw Valley Wrap NEW!
Designed by Elinor Brown

Description
This light and airy wrap features an engaging charted lace pattern with
a knitted-on edging.

Experience Level
Intermediate

Materials
• Blue Sky Alpaca Silk (50g/146 yds): 7 hanks
• Size 7 (4.5 mm) 32" circular needle,
or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size US G/6 (4 mm) crochet hook for provisional cast on
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Tapestry needle
Photo Shown: Plume #103

 Cecily's Silk Cardigan NEW!

Designed by Cecily Glowik MacDonald

Description
This light and pretty cardigan features top down construction with handy pockets and an easy lace edging.

Experience Level
Intermediate

Materials
• Blue Sky Alpaca Silk (50 g/146 yds):
4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7) hanks
• Size 4 (3.5 mm) 29" circular needle,
or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 3 (3.25 mm) 16" circular needle,
or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers
• Large stitch holders or waste yarn
• Tapestry needle
• Two 5/8" buttons
• Size F/5 (3.75 mm) crochet hook
Photo Shown: Amethyst #129

Valentine Cardi NEW! #9809

Designed by Laura Chau

Love the look of fingering weight sweaters but fear the time commitment? This pretty cardigan with its easy lace pattern uses as little as four hanks, so you’ll be done
in no time!

Experience Level

Intermediate

Materials

• Spud & Chloë Fine (65 g/248 yds): 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) hanks
• Size 5 (3.75 mm) 32" or longer circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle
• Six 5⁄8" buttons

Sizes

• XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X)
• Instructions are for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements

• Bust: 32½ (36½, 40½, 44½, 48½, 52½)"
• Length: 20 (20½, 21, 21¼, 21½, 22)"
• Sleeve Length: 9½" from underarm to cuff for all sizes

Polly Pullover NEW! #9213

Designed by Merri Fromm

With easy top down construction and simple waist-shaping darts, this quick knit is a great first sweater pattern! 

Experience Level

Advanced Beginner

Materials

• Spud & Chloë Outer (100g/60yds): 5 (6, 7, 8) hanks
• Size 11 (8mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Size 11 (8mm) 16" circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Size 13 (9mm) double pointed needles, or 2 sizes larger than size
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Tapestry needle

Sizes

• XS (S M, L)
• Instructions are for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements

• Bust: 31 (34, 37, 40)"
• Length along Center Front: 21½ (22, 23½, 25)"

Finally arrived

I learned something new today.  A customer needed to catch the bus outside the store but we had no clue what time it came.  She told me to go to maps.google.ca.  Then choose 'get directions' and put in 'needle emporium' under A and your address under B.  At the top you can choose a car, bus, man walking or a bike.  If you choose the bus you will see the bus routes and times.  Very cool.  Much easier than trying to go to the HSR website and figuring it out.

This post had been started when I received a few boxes.  Ms. Canada Post with two and Mr. Canpar with one.  I had to stop everything and blog about the box of Katia Triana and Ondas.  We have been waiting for these yarns for months.

Now I can back to business.  What else did we receive today? Two very special sets of needles (one rosewood and one ebony) from Lantern Moon.  These sets were ordered in October and I didn't think they were ever going to get here.

Lantern Moon ebony needles are my needle of choice right now.  I'm liking them even better than my addis.  (I can't believe I just wrote that)

Zip Compact Case - Interchangeable Needle Set with Case

Ebony or rosewood needles with detachable brass connections in a silk zip compact case.
Sizes 4 -11 with 4 cords;
Cord lengths 17”, 26”, 32” & 40”

I can not take one of these home!!!  Why do you ask? Because there are four different colours in the store and I like them all.  If I take one then I will end up with four.

Knit Out Box

A pretty silk alternative to keep yarn tangle-free and clean. Keyhole opening feeds yarn easily. Silk button closures with easy to carry handle. Floral taffeta in purple or orchid with contrasting lining.

5” square

I started this post early today and then thought I could have it posted before leaving the store.  It was a good thought.

After work I had another appointment with my chiropractor.  I love that woman!!  She has me feeling much better already.  Then dinner out.  Mom, dad, their friend Ken, Ken's son, wife and their 11 children plus Beth and I. Yes, I wrote 11 children.  6 children are adopted and then 5 of their own. The children range in age from 6 months-16 and are extremely well behaved, polite children.  We had a great time (it was quite loud at times) and the staff at Boston Pizza was great.

The parcels that need to go in the mail tomorrow are done and now it is time to relax for an hour before bed.  Tonight I will be working on Aldred.

Surprise

I just unpacked a box containing Katia Ondas and Triana.  These yarns have been very popular.  Every day knitters from all over Canada are calling looking for them.  It has been impossible to get-I have been waiting since October to get stock for the store.

Triana

Jane and I have knit scarves in this yarn.  There is still time to get one or two knit before Christmas.

In Triana we received colour 47 (turquoise).

Ondas

In Ondas we received three colours.

This is colour 74-the colour of the pictured scarf.

Colour 73-turquoise and green

Colour 71-beige and brown

The next shipment of this yarn will be arriving in the store at the beginning of January.

ABCs

At a very young age we learn the alphabet.  It is like second nature until we actually need to put something in alphabetical order.  That was my job this morning.  Bearfoot from Mountain Colors is on the website but it needed to be reordered.  It started in alphabetical order and then new colours were added.  We had to add them at the end so then there was no order.  Korey likes things in numerical order but I wanted it done alphabetically (a very long word to keep typing).  Now it is sorted correctly and the quantities are updated.  We are short on some colours and I will be ordering them right away.

I love Bearfoot and sent some Ladyslipper to Lynda to make me a scarf.  She is knitting Amalia from Purl Diving.

It has arrived.  See the garments from Cherished-Kim Hargreaves latest book.

I am very mad at myself right now. We just sent out a newsletter with our hours over the holidays.  There is a spelling mistake.  I spelled December wrong.  How did I miss it?  How did Beth miss it?  There are some very bad words swimming around my head right now!!

After work I am running to have my nails done (they have been neglected badly and look terrible) and then dad is coming to hang pictures in our dining room.

Then Survivor.  Who will go tonight??

What a lot of snow

The TV has been on CNN all morning.  They keep talking about Sarnia and all the drivers who were stuck on the road.  What a mess!!  Helicopters coming in to rescue motorists.  It makes me think that I need to go and get some supplies for my car.  Water, food, cell phone charger, blanket, boots, mittens, scarf, hat, shovel, ... I might need to get a bigger car.  :)

Yesterday was spent running around which meant that last night was spent doing paper work.  I did get a few rows knit on Tudor Grace before heading to bed.

The pattern is very easy (six row repeat) and I am enjoying knitting it.  There are a few skeins of Prism Saki in my bedroom that will look great in this pattern.

The Flamenco scarf is growing as well.  I am using it to show customers how to knit with the yarn. They think that it is going to be hard and then when we demonstrate it they can't believe how easy it is.

Here is a link to a YouTube video from Trendsetter on knitting with ruffling yarns.

I'm still thinking about being stuck in my car.  Bathroom??  I can't drive from here to the border (one hour) without having to stop.

Another shipment of shawl pins from Romi arrived this morning.  There is an assortment of pins in sterling silver, nickel and copper.

This hand wrought copper shawl pin is an elegant squared kilt-style pin for your most delicate handwork, but is sturdy enough for heavier knits as well, with no sharp edges to snag or pull. Body of pin is approx. 2.625 in. in length. 

We also received the kilt pin in silver and nickel.

Precious in sterling silver, a scroll adorns this triangular shawl pin and makes it a lovely ornament for your creations. It is feather light, but incredibly sturdy, with no sharp edges to snag or pull. The stick is curved so that it stays put when fixed in place (pat. pending). Body of pin is approx. 1.75 in. in diameter. 

Now I need to go through the box and decide which ones I want.  What is going to look good on Tudor Grace? 

Shepherd Sock

I am going to start off with the official stuff first.

I have been running around today-bank, post office, Christmas shopping... Jane is working in the store today.  It is her last day of working before she leaves for Florida.  You will be seeing me on Mondays until March.

She unpacked 3 boxes from Lorna's Laces containing Shepherd Sock in 50gram skeins. Lorna's has switched to 100gram skeins but I need them in 50grams for the Linen Stitch Scarf.

The ladies at Lorna's Laces are amazing and agreed to special dye me skeins so that we can make up kits.

I know what I am doing tomorrow-find somewhere to put the yarn and start making up some kits.

Beth and I got the deal of the century last night. TNNA (the trade show for yarn shops) is coming up at the beginning of January.  We need to be in Long Beach, California on January 6. There is really no sense flying directly to California so we are going to Vegas first for a few days.  We will fly from Vegas into the airport in Long Beach.  This could be the smallest airport I have ever been in.  The luggage carousels are outside!!  Our tickets from Vegas to Long Beach were $19 before tax.  Yes, $19 for a plane ticket.  I couldn't hit the purchase button fast enough.  I don't know how Jet Blue can do it for that price.  There is no fee for baggage and they are going to give us soft drinks and snacks.  Wish we could get these kind of deals on Air Canada.

Beth has started a love affair with The Shopping Channel.  Nothing has been purchased yet but that almost changed last night with a Nescafe Dolce Gusto Circolo.  It will take me too long to type in an explanation so here it is from theshoppingchannel.com

The Nescafe® Dolce Gusto™ Circolo by Krups is a single-cup coffee and beverage system designed with a professional 15 bar pressure comparable to coffee shop machines, guaranteeing a perfect cup and fine milk froth every time. An innovative capsule system makes it easy to use with no mess to clean up. In seconds you can enjoy a delicious drink however you like it, with no fuss at all. Exclusive Thermoblock technology heats the water fresh every time, eliminating the stale taste you find in standard coffee machines. Personalize your coffee strength as well as your milk with the custom control lever when preparing both hot and cold beverages. This machine's modern, sleek design was a Canadian Grand Prix Winner for Best Design at the 2010 International Forum of Design. 

I have a Tassimo but find that the beverages are never hot enough.  Also, the new machine lets you make cold drinks as well.  Does anyone have a Dolce Gusto Circolo??  Heard anything about it??

Ondas, Triana and Frill Seeker

Many of you are waiting on these yarns.  I just talked with my suppliers and the news isn't looking good

Ondas and Triana
A shipment arrived in Montreal but five boxes were missing.  The shipment can not be released until these boxes are found.

Frill Seeker
We have three new colours in stock but the original colours will not be arriving until January.

I am as anxious as you (probably more) for the yarns to arrive.  As soon as I have more information I will definitely post it for you.

Scarves times two

On the 'to do list' for today was making lasagna.  Next Saturday Jane and her family are coming for Christmas dinner.  No there won't be turkey.  Beth and I are having 30 for dinner on Christmas day and I can't face turkey two weeks in a row.  Normally we have dinner at Jane's but her family hasn't seen her amazing Kaffe Fassett afghan hanging on the wall.  Now you are wondering why make the lasagna today.  It takes a while to make and this is a busy week.  There is no time on Saturday because I am in the store until 4. It also tastes better if it is made ahead of time and frozen for a few days.

Here is a bit of my knitting.  Aldred is progressing. This was my knitting while watching football downstairs today.

Then there is that skein of tosh Pashmina.  What to knit?  I decided on Tudor Grace from Anne Hanson.

The pattern asks for sock yarn so I am only doing four repeats and went up needle size to 4mm.

This was my upstairs knitting today.

I have decided that the pashmina shouldn't be sold in the store so I am going to bring it all home with me.  :)  It feels great when knitting with it.

Now my decision is what to knit while watching the finale of The Amazing Race.  Normally going into the final there is one team that I want to win.  I like all three teams but I am slightly favouring one of the all girl teams.