Another Holiday Has Come...

The aftermath, the carnage, Oh it was pretty gruesome! Christams this year seem to go on for days. This was probably just my imagination (that and having to stay home with the kids those few days after Christmas), but now I am almost (choke) looking forward to returning to work on Wednesday.

It was a full holiday season with 2 Christmas pagents for the Kids ( one each), plus parties for friends and family, plus working full time leading up to the day and trying like the dickens NOT to be sick(again) for Christmas. There were football games to go to(I just had to scream and holler for my team...to the point of losing my voice carrying-on such). It was all great fun, until the 2 days before Christmas when the cold hit hard. At least I was slightly better then my husband, who got hit hard with it shortly after me. I was able to cook the Christmas dinner for the family, and try to generally help the kids to enjoy the holiday. In the end it was a good thing I was off for the 3 days after Christmas, to stay home and try and shake the bug.

During all this time at home, I haven't done much on the craft front. My COS shawl is still sitting half way through clue 4(I ended one ball of yarn, and haven't dug the second ball out of the stash pile...). The Daffodil is still sitting around the same place I left it earlier this year. I am just about to embark on several KALs that are scheduled to start at the New Year, but I am wondering if that's a good idea.....


Here is clue one from the Mystery Shawl #6, this group started to work on it back at the beginning of December, and I am only this far along (not bad I guess considering I only started it after Christmas)...

Ok, I have to go, with everyone home, they wait until I get on the computer to decide they need it too. Ugh.

I will try agian later to post more news of what's been going on.

Hope your holidays were Merry.

Let Me See Clue #3

Clue two down, six more to go! I finished the second clue today,and will start on clue 3 this evening when I get home. I really like this pattern. It isn't difficult, especially when you get the design started. Then it kind of falls into place as you knit each row.

Several people that have completed their stole have made comment about the size ( in all fairness, the designer did warn about trying to meet gauge, as it was going to be pretty large). I am only a quarter of the way through and it is already 18" Long- before blocking. At this rate, I can see this blocking to 96"(or more). That's quite large. We'll see.

I haven't started the MysteryShawl #6 yet. I was thinking of knitting it in a soft grey yarn I bought on-line, but when i saw it was named "Snowflakes", I wasn't keen on the idea of a grey trianglar shawl. I was OK with a square shawl, but soon realized I don't have enough yarn for that project. I am back to looking for yarn for the project. I need to get a jump on it, as clue 1 went out last weekend, and I don't want to get too far behind.

Not much to show for it

I go away for a week and a half on vaction, and this is all the knitting I have to show for it. I was actually hoping to get quite a bit more done during our time away, but I made the mistake of picking up a book I was wanting to read. I couldn't put it down until I finished.
But who could knit with this to look at?


This was the view during our rain forest hike. We walked around for 3 hours- beautiful, lush scenery, wildlife abound - including the mositoes. Everyone in our group had their own personal cloud of the little pests (yuck).






While we were in Costa Rica, my DD1 had her 8th Bday. This was actually taken on her special day, which we spent in Puerto Viejo, shopping and hanging at the sports bar(the guys needed their football fix).






Here's one of the highlites of the trip - the Zip Line Experince. Here you see them getting the gear on- harnesses and safety lines.



















That platform sure looks way up there! I don't have a problem with heights, but the ladders was steeper then they look. We'd climb up to the platform top, they'd hook us up to the cables and away we'd go.







It was great fun to go flying through the air on these cables. I would like to try this again on a more advanced cable run (I heard such tales of more challanging set ups). I was able to pretty much control my positioning without getting turned around, or getting my fingers smashed, or knocking the guides off the platforms...I think that's pretty darn good.

From San Jose to San Jose

What a great vacation we had in Costa Rica!!! We flew out of San Jose CA, to San Jose CR. This picture above is the view from our window/deck at the first location we stayed at in Corcovado. This is on the upper Northwestern region, Pacific coast. This was an amazing view. It isn't quite beach front(although you can see the ocean in the background), but all the "wild life" visable from this vantage point is amazing. There were a few times we watched the monkeys travel through the trees you see out there (jumping from the tree tops to the next tree tops). Also there were many a times the Tucans were right outside on the trees (once not more then 10 ft away).

The weather was great. We feared it would be wetter( and it was some what wetter on the Carribean side), but aside from a brief afternoon shower the first day, it pretty much only rained at night when you weren't likely to be up anyway. It was hot and humid all the time (even at night), but by the end of the week, you don't notice it as much. The downside of the weather was the lack of ability to dry anything. We'd go swimming one day, any everything would remain damp for ages. We even had the laundry done while we were there, and the clothes were pretty much dry, but still a lingering sense of dampness (sweat like).

All-in-all, we'd like to go back again sometime, maybe to the volcanic region (I was really hoping we would make it there this time, but not a chance. Our tour co-ordinator had us all pretty busy throughout the trip). The people were very helpful and friendly, and patient with us silly tourists.

The food was great. We ate from the high end restaurants and roadside cafes, and always the food was good! The funniest part was that we ended up eating italian a couple of times ( I love italian, but the kids aren't nearly as excited by it as I am, so we don't eat it as often as I want. Who would have thought we'd have to go to Costa Rica for me to gedt good Italian food!). My younger DD loves beans and rice, so she was a happy camper. In general we were all very happy and well fed during our trip.


One thing I liked about the trip was how at the first place we stayed, they had no electricity, so the girls were waking and sleeping with the sun. Towards the end of the week, it was not uncommon for the girls to fall asleep while we were out to dinner. Here you can kind of see not only one but both DDs fell asleep at the restaurant. It wasn't terribly late in the evening, but the day was full of fun in the sun.

I have more pictures from the trip, will try to post a few of the more exciting times to share.

Picking Up The Pieces

Remember this?

I finally picked this back up to finish it. I was trying to see what the daffodil looked like here. I like the pattern and am anxious to see this done. I really like daffodils, ever since I went to Connecticut in the early spring several years ago. The daffodils and the crocus were just popping up through the snow.

My problem now is I'm not sure I have enough string to finish this project. i never think to check the requirement when it comes to doilies, I just plow ahead(besides, I usually don't knit to gauge anyway). I used this color because I liked it, but also because I thought I had plenty with 2 complete ball of the stuff. I will have to dig deep in my stash to see if I can find anymore. I'm not at a stand still, but I can see the cardboard tube the ball is wound on. I'm just getting nervous.

This is not the first time I've had this happen. A few years ago I started a doily in a royal blue color. It was looking real nice when suddenly I found I was out of string. I looked all over, but couldn't find anything to use for the outer rim. I just put it aside for the time being. I think it's still just sitting on the needle, waiting to be completed.

Happy Halloween

Happy Belated Halloween. This is DD2 in the middle in the flying Unicorn costume. She loved this costume we found at a fund raiser - $5.00. It was pink and a horsey. I wasn't going to go wrong with this one!

DD1 wanted something more Renaissance like - her school didn't do Halloween, but rather Cultureal Day. They were encouraging kids to wear costumes that reflected their heritage. We were trying something Historical (I'm sure there's a little english in us. Her coloriung is more of the Germasn heritage showing through).

On a day like to day...

how can anyone want to be inside...sitting behind a desk...waiting for the phone to ring?

This it the view outside the window that is behind me. It's a beautiful day today(now that the morning fog/haze has burned off). In the lull after Halloween, and the gearing up for our trip over Thanksgiving week, my mind has left on it's own mini vacation. I find it so hard to concentrate on anything right now.

Hopefully this too will pass and i can get back to work on things.

Lookie, Lookie

It's here, it's here!

My beautiful prize from The Vicious Chicken . It came so much faster then I expected. It was sitting there waiting for me to come home from work ( along with 2 very excited girls, wanting to rip it open and see what kind of things a vcicoius chiken would send).

DD#2 was so upset when I made her wait until this morning to open the package ( well I had to take a picture of it, but it was too dark last night to get a good picture - see above). So this morning we took it to school with us, and snapped the picture while dropping her off. Here you can see her excitedly holding the package. Soon after the shot was snapped, she tore into the package to see the cup inside. While it was true I was pretty happy with the cup, she was far more interested in the monkey magnet. I convinced her to put it down with the cup and treats so I could get a pic of it( sorry it's not the best pic, but does show the booty), but that was the last I saw of it. She wouldn't give it up, but instead kept it to show all her friends at school. I only hope it comes home with her as well.

THANK VC, I LOVE IT!

Who's Up For Shots?

Since we are planning to travel to Costa Rica next month, we needed to see about shots/vaccines for the trip. I took the girls to the pediatrician, and found DDs both needed 2 shots and some oral medicines for the trip. While waiting for the doctor to come into the room, the girls were jumping off the furniture, singing and dancing, demanding they get their shots (secretly I was amused and figured they had forgotten what it was like to get those nasty things). When the nurse came in with the tray of shots, suddenly it wasn't so funny anymore.

The older daughter went first, and panicked a little when discovered it really did involve a needle. Thank goodness the nurse was quick, and did both shots with a minimum of fuss. She was able to give the shots, then slap a band aid on before DD1 was able to make too much drama about her experience.

DD2, now a little apprehensive, took her shots with a little more fuss (but not too much wiggling, so she must have known it would hurt more if she did), but all in all was good. The nurse, again ever efficient, was able to give DD2 the shots, but unfortunately it bled a little. The site of the blood on her sister's arm had DD1 freaking out some. Honestly it was such a small amount, but older sister, already panicked by her shots, was now really panicked that her sister was bleeding (who in turn began to panic herself). The nurse put a band aid on it, and that should have been the end of it, but older sister kept carrying on about how her sister was bleeding.

Let's hope when she grows up, she doesn't pick a career where blood in involved. i somehow think she won't do well. The young girl, I sometimes think she should be a < hren="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(1986_film)"> dentist<\a>. She does seem to enjoy the pain (inflicting, not receiving).

Costa Rica, Here We Come

We are planning a family vacation in Costa Rica this Thanksgiving. DD2 will also have her birthday #8 while we're there. I am so busy scrambling for needed shots/vcacinations, appropriate clothing (long sleeves and loose/comfortable long pants), haven't been able to knit much.

Actually, I think it's more of a stalled-out on the knitting. I don't know quite what to pick-up and tackle. Part of my problem is I know I want to take something with me to work on, but not sure what, so I'm kind of languishing in nothing. But I miss the knitting.

I did work on the monkey some, I have the body/face mostly done, but need to make the arms and ears. My DDs like it and keep asking when it will be done. DH just kind of laughs at it (it is funny looking without ears, arms or eyes). I tried to take a picture, but it turned out funny. I will try again this afternoon.

First There Was This

Here is the start of something beautiful!

Funny Girl

DD2: Mommy, take a picture of my feet.
Me: Why?
DD2: It would be funny!


Me: Ok, here's a picture of your feet. Can we finish getting dressed now?
DD2: Mommy, take another picture of my feet.


Me: Here's another picture of your feet. Can you put your shoes on? We have to finish dressing for school.
DD2: Mommy, take another picture of my feet.
Me: No, we have enough pictures of your feet. Come on, we need to get moving for school. No, no, no, don't play with the camera, it's not a toy.



Gotta love the innocense of youth.

Although my knitting has slowed down quite a bit, I am making some progress. On daffodils, this has stalled out, but I am trying to pick up the pieces and get it moving along again. I am on row 109 of 168. It looks like to real hard part is past, and now it's a matter of helping it grow outwards. I will just have to be careful not to work hours on end on this just to finish, as I do think this is the one that was bothering my shoulder.

I had started the Secret of the chrysopolis, got as far as row 72 when I ran out of yarn on thie first ball I had. I have found another ball of yarn, so will resume work on this( i hope to post a picture of clue 1 completed soon). The group in onto clue 2 already, so if I don't get a move on, I will fall too far behind to keep up with everyone ( I knnow this is really a work at your own pace, but I was hoping to knit this in a timely fashion, and work on each clue when published).I love the pattern so far. It is very pretty.

The Secret of The Stole has started last Friday, and I haven't begun that yet. I was looking at the olive green superwash wool I had, and was thinking this would be a lovely color to use for it. I have spun up and plied 2oz., which should be enough to get started. It's been good to get back to the spinning again. I forget how fun and relaxing it is to spin. I am bringing my spindle with me more for those few moments I can catch between activities to get some spinning done.

And the worst part is now I am thinking of monkeys. Too much time at Monkee Maker, and The Vicious Chicken . I see that monkey and want one too......

Where have I been?

I know what your thinking- This doen't look like knitting. You're right. It's not. I have been knitting like a MadMan on the Daffodil design, but not without it's repercussions. I now have a pain in my shoulder. It started Monday, and it slowed me down quite a bit. At first I thought it was just that I slept wrong, but realized it was late in the afternoon, after a morning of intense knitting.I tried to back off on Tuesday ( it just about killed me NOT to knit all day), and my shoulder felt so much better. I am trying to knit in moderation, and this seems to help. but my progress has slowed so much.

This spinning is my attempt to distract me from the knitting. The movements are very different, but the hands are still busy, so I don't miss the knitting as much. This is some superwash wool I got off Ebay, and am thinking of using it for the stole in the KAL Secret-of-the-Stole. The color is quite nice, kind of a lt. olive. I have a pound of this fiber, not quite enough for a sweater as it is, would need to mix with something else if I'm going to use it for a sweater. But, now that I think about it, I also have a pound of this stuff in a sage green. I might be able to blend these 2 together for a noce color..... I will have to dig out that bag and see what happens.

SSSsssshhhhhhhhh....It's A secret

Finally this has started! I was so trying to not get caught in the excitement, but I couldn't help myself. Against my better judgement, I worked up a swatch last weekend for this KAL, using laceweight yarn I found in the thrift store. You might recognize the stuff from the Victorian Lace Sock. I was really wanting something in Pine green, but sine the budget is a little tight, I figure I better see if I have something in my stash, then dye-it. I will try my hands at dying this once completed. I know, I say that everytime I knit something in the plain vanilla color, but this time I really mean it! The pattern is pretty, so I am excited to jump in (I'm already on row 10, and the evening is young).

8...9...10..."One-teen"...

I love this, my DD2 was counting horses in her coloring book and when she came to eleven, she said "...One-teen, Two-teen, Three-teen..." I know I should have corrected this, but it was too cute to mess with.

OK, now I am feeling the pressure. My job has changed at work, so I now answer the main phone. I'm feeling very chained-dwon as it was made very clear the phone MUST be monitored at all times. It is not suppse to go into the automated system at any time during the normal work day. One time, about a month ago I was put in charge of the phone ( I can answer the phone, how hard can that be...), but missed a call. I never heard the phone ring, but I sure heard the CEO when he talked at me about it later (it was him calling in). Since then I haven't been exactly chummy with the phone( I'll add at thi point this isn't a desktop phone, it's a wireless portable phone, that allows you to answer the main line remotely, and transfer calls to employees at the building). The button pushing can be a little complicated. Anyway, I am beginning to really dislike the phone. On the other hand, I am learning everyone's extension like I never knew before...

OTN: Daffodils is coming along. I am on row 83, not quite as fast as I would have liked, but still, it growing. If I can keep this pace up, I will be done with this section by the end of the week ( as hoped, to only begin section F next week). I am panicing a little, I fear I won't get it done by the wedding (which now that I think about it, I don't realy know when it is for sure, only that it's in October some time). If I miss the date a little, it probably won't matter much. I know they are going away on a honeymoon, so I can always give it to them when they come back. Still, I am pushing to get this done. I will probably put GALKAL away for now so I can concentrate on this and maybe one or both of the secret stole projects I signed up for. Both of the projects are with Germany knitting groups, so I am struggling a little with the language, but still am excited to try it this way. the patterns will be charted so that won't be a problem (both groups havepeople who speak both languages that can help if there's a problem, so I'm not worried there either). I am excited about them both- altrhough when I joined both groups, I really thought I would be done with thias Shawl by now...bummer I'm not. I have to say clue 4 really take the wind out of my sails...it went on forever.

I haven't even started into Halloween yet. For DD2 , she'll either be a tiger, or a pegasus ( assuming her school allows these characters.. they are funny about what they like and dislike). DD1 wants to be a princess, but I will have to check with the school. For some reason, I recall this being on the list of unacceptable. I can't think of why, I think it had something to do with "Fairies", "Magical", "Scarry", Anti-Halloween Christian thinking. I will have to look into this so I can get a move on. I don't want to be up the night before, sewing her costume(besides, If I let it go too long, all the good fabric will be gone).I know I said I don't want to be sewing it the night before, but I probably will be anyway.

I better get a move on, lots to do, so little time...

Happy Friday

How can you be sad when you see this face sitting on your desk each day...especially when it's Friday.

Well I managed to meet one of my goals- I was able to complete section D on Daffodils, and have started into section E. It's coming along fabulously. It certainly is yellow.

On the GAL KAL,well, at least I have the weekend to work on it. I have finally completed clue 4 and jumped into clue 5 last night. this clue is a little more difficult, I had to knit each side of the square at least twice on the first row of this clue. The design changes, so you have to really make sure you didn't drop/miss a stitch from the row before. I know that sounds silly, and you're probably think 'Duh", but wait- it's harder to tell because the previous design was something like a 11 st repeat, but this new design is more like an 8 or 9 st repeat. So things didn't always match up. The good news was once you had the base row done, things progressed nicely. I will tackle this and see if I can't finish this clue before the end of the weekend. It will sort of keep me on track. Clue 6 is also only 34 rows, so If I run a little short this week, I will definitely try to catch up next week. It's so nice to see progress and to finally finish clue 4 ( it really did seem to take forever. I know several others from the KAL said something along these lines, but where this might have happened in the past, I didn't always agree with the complaint. This time I agree with the complaint).

I'm Knitting As Fast As I Can

Maybe, just maybe, I over estimated my ability to knit as much as I hoped.....

On the Daffodil Design, I am able to keep up with my projected section this week- I'm on row 67 of 72. I have made marvelous progress. I just need to keep plugging away. It's kind of like when I'm cycling up hill, I don't look at the top of the hill, I just put my head down and peddle, peddle, peddle. I get to the top soon enough ( or die trying...).

The color is really beginning to grow on me(or maybe my brain is just so excited that this really bright color is getting used and removed from the stash box...ya'think?).

As for the GALKAL- I was hoping to finish clue 5 by the end of this week- and I still have time, but I don't think I'll make this goal. All I had to do was finish clue 4 last weekend, but failed to do so. I can't tell you what I did instead ( sometimes the days run together), but I am on the last 2 rows of clue 4, haven't even started clue 5 and it's hump day. I will try, but doubt I'll make it. I would have to average something like 9 rows a day to meet this goal. Well, I guess it's link riding a bike uphill, don't look at the top, just peddle, peddle, peddle.

As for the mystery Shawl, I guess this one is really out of the question at this point. I so want to finish this GALKAL, and need to finish the Daffodill if I'm going to give as it's intended gift. So far, it looks pretty, and someday I'll have to try it.

For now, I will just put my head down and spin.

I'm Pacing Myself

Ok, so I figure I have to do a section/clue a week on my projects so I've got my work cutout for me.

Daffodils- This week I need to finish section D- 20 rows. No problem...except I'm not sure what I did with my book. I had it Friday at work, and thought I put it in my box of stuff to bring home, but I couldn't find it. I will look more tonight when I get home. I'm not as worried about this, I'm pretty sure I have my 4 rows of section D done for today.

GALKAL - the Galvestan Shawl. I am trying to finish clue 4 ( 6 rows to go), then I need to finish clue 5 by the end of this week. No problem, this clue is only 34 rows. 34 divided by 5 days- that's almost 5 rows a day. I can do this at night while watching TV with DD2.

Mystery Shawl 5- The first clue was given on Saturday. I was hoping to join in this one. I can jump in if I get my daily clotment done, but I won't push as hard on this project. Clue one is 60 rows, in a triangle styled shawl. This would go quickly. I am still thinking about whether I want to join the Halloween Shawl project or not. I wouldn't really get to work on it this month, it would definitly have to wait until I'm done with daffodils, before I could jump on that one!

I think when I break it down to these little goals, it's lots more do-able. Daffodils will continue to be worked on at work during slow times. GALKAL will be done mostly at home, as it's getting pretty big ( even if it's worked in the round on circular needles, it's still getting kind of big to travel with. And the MSG-5, well we'll see. I much prefer the square shawl to the Triangle, and I need to make up my mind on this one.

I only hope it's not too much for my hands to handle. That's a lot of knitting. I don't want to work my hands into soreness, it's just no fun ( not to mention the slow-down it causes).

Got lots of knitting to do.

Finally, Friday!

Wow, It seem to take forever to reach the end of this section. Here we are as far as section C. I started on 4 dpns and moved to 6 when things started to get kind of cramped. Now, I'm thinking I will try to move to a circular, as this would make things a little easier (well, less prickly anyway).

This is fun to knit, though. I like to watch the flower unfold as the project grows. I try not to look at the whole picture yet, it's a little daunting. but, if I look at one section at a time, I feel like I can do this.

Hump Day

Wow, still tired from last weekend. Raise early, Up late... long days. This morning was difficult to get up. Yesterday, DH stayed home to rest up. My DD2 was having a bad day, I hope it's just that she's tired(It's so hard to tell sometimes whats at the root of all their troubles). I am trying to spend more time with her, especially in the evenings. i know sometimes she feels lonely in the evenings when DD1 is playing computer games with Daddy.

Well, I finished part B (rows 17-32)on "Daffodil", started on 4 dpns, but now have switched to 7 needles. I will start on part C (rows 33-50)soon. Still look at the color and just think "Wow, that's bright!!"

On the GAL Shawl I am slowly making my way through clue 4. I am on row 36 of 68.

Springtime in September

This is the dioly I am kicking around for a co-worker. I'm still not sure about the color. I was disuccsing this with DH, and he was amused when I showed him a picture of the pattern with the daffodils."I'm sure someone will love the yellow doily with the daffodils, you should go ahead and make it". Not exactly a glowing endorsement, but I guess I'll give it a try.

On the Galveston Shawl, I found a smaller partial ball of yarn, and was able to complete row 29 (of 68) before running out of yarn again. Irolled up another ball on Sunday, but wasn't able to sit and knit. I will resume tonight and plug along. I feel like I'm making progress and just want to finish this out. I have several new KALs starting later this month, so I better get busy and finish this one to be better prepared for the other projects.

Friday Finishings

Ok, I won't really finish today, I'm only really into clue 4. I am almost done with row 16 of 68), but ran out of yarn until I go home an get another ball. This is an easy knit, just goes round, and round, and round.

I am also looking at starting another doily (oh, not another project!) for a co-worker getting married next month. I was thinking it would be a little something for the couple. I was looking at some yellow crochet thread I have. I was thinking about doing the "Daffodil" design from Marianne Kinzel's Second Book of Modern Knitting. A few years back I went to Connecticut in early spring, and just loved to see the daffodils popping up in the snow. Such brilliant yellow flowers. This crocheting thread reminds me of it... but as I look at it, it does seem a bit bright...I will think on it. The book says it would be Tea Cloth size, roughly 38" across. I would knit this on size 00 needles, so it make turn out a little smaller. I was considering using white thread, but I am drawn to the yellow. maybe I can play with this a little this weekend and come to a better decision.

Too Much To Do, So Little Time

The problem with being so craft minded- you think about crafts all day. You dream about crafts at night. There is so much you want to do but you can't find enough time to scratch the surface before your mind spirals off in a new direction. there is so much I want to try but between family, home and work, there just isn't enough time.

As I surf around the internet, it's amazing what ideas are out there. So many sewing ideas- it makes me want to go back to the fabric stores again... the yarns out there, makes me want to knit... the patterns out there, makes me want to knit... the wool out there, well you get the idea.

I guess I'm just restless for something new...I must have attention-span issues. I can start a thousand ( at least a few dozen) projects, but the key is just finishing one.....I can dream, right?

More Doily Madness

See I said I had finished...and I did. This is the eight-pointed Star doily I've been working on for the last 2 weeks - Not that it's been that hard to knit, but rather it's too easy sometimes to put it down ( something about bad eyes/bad lighting and very fine needles..).

This isn't really how I typically block doilies, this was mostly so I could see what I had when it was done (I knew the bamboo skewers would come in handy for something).

I like this doily, simple, uncomplicated. A little tedious on the longer outer edges.

** I did 2 rounds of crocheted loops to use a bit more of the string. I couldn't bring myself to throw away the few extra yards of string, but had no problem throwing away the few extra feet of string once I finished the second round. I think it looks nice with the 2.

Tough Tuesday

I know it'sTuesday, but it sure feels like Monday...of course a 3-day weekend only adds to the effect.

Not nearly as much "ME" time as I would have liked, but I guess that's to be expected. I got to do lots of laundry, some house work ,and some dishes (Oh Joy!). I need to get into my sewing room, and to finish some knitting projects, but this will have to wait for another time.

Finally, a picture taken. I've had this sitting on the wires for 2 weeks, while I try to get the picture before moving on to the next clue. I was kind of waiting for the longer needle that was being used for another sahwl too, but mostly waiting for the pix. This is the Galveston Shawl, started a few months ago, but progress has been up and down. I want to get this done off the needles.

I also finished the eight-pointed star, but DD1 ran away with it to give Bunny a cape. I have no way of knowing where it's at. I do want to find it and try blocking for photos, just so I can close the book on this. I guess it's time to go pick-up their room.

I've Got Nothing...

The Friday before Labor day weekend, happening to co-incide with month end closing...leaves my brain mush. I am pre-occuppied with knitting project and physical inventory( I have to check everything before posting to make sure I didn't miss something).

I am working on asmall stuffed lamb for DD2. I found a pattern somewhere as a guide line to start, but now that I have make the legs and have started into the body, I want to rip it our some and try one more time. It looks great ( I wish I had a photo to show, but I guess this is really a secret still until I have something a little more concrete), I am using some dk rose ( DARK) New Zealand wool I bought for felting purses, and I am combining it with some Eye-lash type novelty yarn I received from a friend ( a partial skein, I hope I have enough..). I was going to knit it up on big needles, then felt down, but this great w/o the felting, so I ripped out the one leg I had done and started again with smaller needles. This looks even better. Instead of knitting the 2 legs as seperate pieces that would be sewn to the side of the body, I knitted them up and just contiuned onto the body with no break. But now he looks a little fat in the hips ( and not in a good way). I will look at it some more before really deciding. I think what I will do is just stop where I'm at on the legs/body, and more on the arms and head. I am mostly worried about running out of the eye-lash yarn before getting these done.

Once this critter is done, I will try to make a little bunny for DD1 using the same base pattern (apparently my love for each child is measured by just how much effort I put into the toys for the kids). I have one more ball of the eye-lash yarn, this time in a tan taht I think will work real good.

Oh I am so looking forward to this weekend. Iknow, I know, it means lots of "Honey-Do" projects (clean the garge, get new phones, do laundry, do the yard, check the kids bicycles...) but the weather has been hot, the homelife caotic as we start the new school year, I just want a day or 2 to kind of unwind a little. Knitsome, maybe even get into my sewing room (ok the last is much more a wishful thought).

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend.

More of the Madness

Here's my (one of many) current project(s). This is another one of those "only at work" projects. I am currently on row 43, and hope to finish this soon (only 61 rows total in the pattern). They had quite a few doily patterns here but I didn't see any pictures, so I decided to start working them slowly, one-by-one.

This scarf is a little something I am working on for me. Last year I realized that I (Me), someone who has knitted for years...had no scarf for the colder winter months. This is kind of funny considering just how much knitting I do... only most of it is for other people. I saw the unspun fiber on ebay, and thought it wuld be very pretty to make a scarf with. When I received the box in the mail, I was a little dismayed to see it wasn't as red as the picture I saw on ebay ( I know colors can vary from monitor-to-monitor, but still I was hoping). I spun it up into a simple 2 ply fingerweight piece. It's a blend of Alpaca/Silk/Wool. Pretty stuff. I was wanting to make a simple moebius, so I wrote up a simple pattern, knowing whatever design I use will have to be reversible. I already used up the first ball of the yarn, now need to dig out the rest of it from my stash to finish this up. I'll need this for September 10th - San Francisco 49ers home opener. I know it's only September, but I think Mark Twain said it best "The coldest winter I ever saw was Summer in San Francisco.." or something like that. It can be very cold at some of those home games ( this is an eveing game on Monady Night Football. I'm excited just typing about the game ( don't ask me who they're playing - don't know/don't care. It'll be a fun game!).

Doily Madness

Isn't this pretty? I finished this long ago, but finding the space and the time to block is so difficult. I found this pattern in a Anna Mag from Germany. As I recall it was simple to knit. Blocking was a little difficult, as I couldn't seem to pull the doily out far enough to get rid of the lettuce edge. Finally managed to get it looking pretty good.

These last 3 photos are of all the same doilies, but I was trying to get a good picture that would show the detail a little. The 2 smaller light pink doilies was just using up scrap string left over from some other project...this was some string I received from my Mom last year. She works at a daycare center and they were throwing this and sveral other away. I had already used some on other small projects, but still have quite a bit to go. I am trying to build up my stock of doilies again. the girls love to give these as small gifts for their teachers, and with school resuming, I better jump on it for the holidays.

The middle sized one ( the dk pink one) really needs to be re-blocked. I ran out of pins, But I think I will re-block as a octogon on blocking wires. looking at the picture, you can kind of see what it would look like that way. This doily was knit on 00 or 000 needles, and the string was size 30, so it's pretty fine and hard to see. It really needs to be stretched better to open it up.

Now if only I could find time and space for the shawls I finished and haven't blocked.

Who knew...?

Who knew Cotati was so big on accordian music? This was quite to hotbed of the accordian world!

This was a fun little festival. Lots of Sun, some great food, and lots and lots of accordians (with and without players). It was a little over priced for what you had, but it was labeled as a fundraiser for the youth groupd in the area....and the music was unbelieveable. This is not the drinking the blues sort of music. This is celebration music. You couldn't help but tap your feet and hum along.

And then there's Sunday at the S.F. Rene Faire in Golden Gate Park.


This is DD1 ( with Bunny), after a day of running around the faire. She got her face painted when we first got there, and she managed to not mess it up too much. She had a great time. The other DD....#2- well we'll just say it wasn't exactly her day.


Here I am with her after a meltdown. Big sister was trying to comfort her, but I'm not sure it helped. DD2 wanted some prize at the games booth, then cried when she didn't get it. To her defense, the Lady running the games booth wasn't very helpful either. She was more intereded in something she was trying to do then taking our money or showing the girls how to do it (DD2 is only 4yrs., she hadn't been around much to understand how the game was played). Then as we were leaving she decided she had to get her face painted ( when she was very addiment earlier not to have it done). It didn't help taht we had bought lots of school supplies for Big Sister, but she didn't get school supplies.

What's Wrong?

How about I forgot to load the picture!!! Old ageBlondness is catching up to me.

In the meantime, isn't this a great picture of the 2dd's and the youth group going to Raging Waters? A fun time was had by all...and a few sunburns too!

What's wrong with this picture?

What's wrong with those toes? It looks like I forgot to wash my feet this morning, or maybe out stomping the grapes this last weekend. Alas, it is the remnants of a spranged ankle. Last wednesday I sprung my ankle while not watching what I was doing. It swelled pretty severe, and hurt something fierce. Now, although the swelling has gone down, the color is scarry and fascinating..purples, blues, black, greens...wow, all the colors.

OTN- haven't beeen as busy knitting as you would think with a "keep off you feet" type of injury. Some work on the I Love Gansey, but not much. I mostly dug out my sewing room this last weekend, so I could sew more. Unfortunately this room has become the "I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-it, so-I-will put-it-there"room. Very cluttered. I took several boxes out to the garage, so of course I now have to clean the garage. Lots of clutter. Need to start throwing things away, or helping them find a new home.

Still struggling on the Mystery Shawl3(Midsummer). I'm on row 147. Plugging along. Someday I'll be done, but for now I am just plgging along.

Brief Interruption

This morning I got up with the intention of working on the pattern you see...a wedding dress for my nephew's bride-to-be, but was sidetracked with this little bit of wool. I have 1 ounce that I carded, spun and plied. Since it's only 1 ounce, it's not much to do anything with, but I have an idea....

But now that this piece is done, I better get back to what I started to work on before I was lead astray by the fiber.

Sock-it To Me

I started the new sock project for the six sox group, with something from my stash (not pictured here). It was nice little number- striped yarn in navy, and greens. After getting about 3" or so into it, I decided it was way too busy for the detailed design to really show up. I've had this yarn for awhile, but I remembered it as being more faded, but the colors, while nice combo, just don't work for this sock. I was thinking about the denim blue superwash I have to spin up, and thinking this would look real good in this pattern, if I can get it even and thin enough.

When this didn't work, I headed to the next project- Modified Orbits Socks. This might not have been the best choice in yarn (again), but (again) it was sitting in my stash, so I plowed through. The pattern as posted wasn't quite working for me, so I had to change it a little, but for the most part I tried to stay close to the original pattern.

Done!

Ok, So at last I've finished the Victorian Lace Socks. I tried to get a good picture, but again, I failed. Same sock, 2 different looks. The color is really somewhere bewtween these 2 pics. Nice pattern, we'll see how they wear before I make another pair.

Kind of fun making the sock blockers from coat hangers. I made them from some hangers I had at home, but after I bent the hangers, I found they were on the small side. Well, for blocking socks, I guess the size isn't as important, besides, I knew these were on the smaller size as far a coat hangers go. I had bought them cheap for another craft project. I might try these again with "normal hanger"(whatever that means).

Didn't get nearly as much done on my other projects, I spent most of the weekend making the drapes for the window ( I forgot to get before pictures, so the impact of the after isn't as transforming as could be. I did take on another small project which did cut into my knitting time anyway. I am making this sweater/shrug for DD1 in a heavier varigated yarn I bought a long time ago. The color seemed like it would work with a skirt I am sewing for her, and wanted a little something for her to keep warm in the mornings - It's the middle of summer, and she's not warm enough during our walk to school in the mornings. What did Mark Twain say....somelike" the coldest winter I ever saw was summer in San Francisco...". Well, we're not exactly in S.F., but pretty dare close ( at least close enough for the morning fog before it burns off). When she's tried it on a few times, she's said it's really warm. Because it really only covers her arms, I'm hoping it's not too warm for her. If this works out, I'll make her another in Navy that she can wear at school this year. She goes to a private school, where uniforms are required. Although they aren't very strict rules (or so we hope), they do limit her tops to Blue,Green and Khaki, and bottoms to Blue and Khaki. Last year she seem to often be cold in the mornings, and lot of the day while in the classroom.

Well, obviously DD2 is something of a ham. She sure loves to get her picture taken. Whenever I have the camer out, she wants her picture taken. I don't always, but I do try to do it more often. I am terrible about taking pictures of the girls, and want to get better. I don't have lots of pictures of myself as a kid to show my daugthers, and almost nothing of my husband. It's fun to show them pictures of them as smaller kids and babies, and tell them the story about what we were doing when we took the picture. Someday I'll actuaaly get the pictures into a photo album...someday. For now, I just continue to collect them. With smiles like this, no need to worry about cloudy days. She knows how to bring the sunshine.