L's Fiber Adventures

First FO of 2012

2012-01-12T21:56:00.003-05:00

A week ago tomorrow Jim and I flew out to Washington state to visit with Ri. We then took Ri with us and went down to Oregon to visit M and B and their little one, JP. JP is nine months old yesterday and I haven't meet him in person until this past Saturday. It was good to visit a couple of our children in their own environments and to get out of town for a few days.

The first project into my carry-on was this scarf which I had started in November, then put aside until Christmas knitting was over with. I was determined to finish it and give it to one of the kids. Ri called dibs, so he got it. The pattern is the one row scarf pattern by the Yarn Harlot. I completed the scarf about an hour before dropping Ri off at the Ferry so he could complete his trip home.

Ri and M have put in requests for socks sometime this year. Don't know when that will be done, but it might just be Christmas 2012.

Well, off to get some more knitting and spinning done before returning to work next Monday.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Finished Damson

2011-12-03T20:55:00.002-05:00

While on the trip to England I bought the book Whimsical Little Knits 2. There were a number of patterns that I really wanted to make. When L told me she was ready to quit working, I thought of making the Damson for her. I had some hand spun fiber that had been sitting in the stash for a while and I thought it would work up well in this pattern. I also thought it would look good on L.

I knit the Damson during my vacation time in July and then it sat, waiting to be blocked.

In October L was kind enough to take pictures for Jim and I. That gave me the perfect opportunity to present the shawl to her. I think she looks really good in the shawl and she will stay nice and toasty this winter.

I am definitely going to make this shawl again. I really like the construction of it and it's not like I don't have enough yarn sitting around around here. Who knows, maybe it will be a jumping off point and I will come up with something totally different.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Socktober

2011-10-31T09:36:00.005-04:00

During the month of October, well I actually started the pink pair the end of September, I knit two pair of socks.
The pink pair is for a friend who we had asked to take some portraits for us. She appreciates handknit!

The brown striped pair I made for her husband. The last time I gave socks to L, her husband said he wished for a pair. I thought it wasn't fair to give L another pair without a pair for M also. I hope they fit and he gets much joy and warmth from wearing them.

The pink pair is Brown Sheep Wildfoote in the Acappella color. The brown pair is Austermann Step with Aloe in Coal(460). Both pair were knit toe up with a regular heel flap. The actual knitting time took about two weeks, but I had to wait until the photo shoot last Monday to present the socks to L. I also knit a shawl for L as an extra gift. Next time pictures of her in the shawl.

I am busily knitting away on Christmas projects and the spinning has not been left behind this time. I am spending about 20 minutes each day spinning. I even did some wool dyeing last Monday and have been spinning that up with a project in mind.

The end of this week my mom and aunt are coming to DC for a visit. They have both been to DC before, in fact my aunt lived here for a year, but they haven't been here since we moved here. It will be fun to show them our place. With that said, I have a lot to get ready for them.

Happy knitting and spinning.

What Happened the Year I was Born

2011-09-20T06:49:00.003-04:00

I couldn't pass up doing this week's Ten on Tuesday and discovering what the headlines were in 1962. I definitely don't remember what happened then, but I have heard about some of them. Let's see what they were:

Polaroid introduces color film prints which develop in 60 seconds. Does anyone remember Polaroid?
90% of Americans own a television set; ABC begins broadcasting in color.
The World's Fair is held in Seattle.
Maury Wills breaks Ty Cobb's single season stolen base record.
Industrial robots introduced to perform repetitive manufacturing tasks.
Lt. Col. John H. Glenn, Jr. becomes first American to achieve earth orbit; his Mercury 6 mission is followed by two other Mercury flights.
Telstar becomes the first communications satellite intended for regular service; relays television signals between North America and Europe.
Blowin’ in the Wind, Go Away Little Girl, Days of Wine and Roses, The Loco-Motion, Sherry, Monster Mash, Big Girls Don’t Cry where all released.
I’ve Got a Secret, Beverly Hillbillies, Route 66, The Flinstones, and the Price is Right were all broadcast.
And finally, Marilyn Monroe dies of barbituate overdose at the age of 36.

What happened the year you were born?

Happy knitting and spinning.

Well Traveled Shawl

2011-08-30T06:46:00.002-04:00

I started this shawl on the trip to England in April and completed it once I was home in VA. It's been in the car as the commuter project. Long rows of purl stitches makes the four minute light cycles go faster. It's finally blocked and has now been gifted to a friend. Hope she'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

The hurricane didn't affect us very much. We were lucky and just had rain and wind. We still have electricity, water and our lives are normal (as close to normal as normal can be). There are others in our area who didn't fair as well. Our prayers are with them.

One of the kids is here for a short visit. She will spend the next year in Spain on a study abroad program. Now off to get her up to head downtown.

Happy knitting and spinning.

What I've Been up to This Past Summer

2011-08-25T07:59:00.004-04:00

This past summer has been a busy one.
There has been visits with most of the grandsons.

Getting to see the youngest one for the first time.

There has also been knitting............... Mittens for the donation box and some shawls.

There was also a tie-dying evening which resulted in about 13 shirts getting a little bit of color. This was done with Corb. Some fun time with him before he heads back to be nearer his brothers in another month or so.

Now that summer is over, I might get back on the blogging bandwagon. Happy knitting and spinning.

England the King Richard Edition

2011-05-30T06:26:00.002-04:00

My sister is fascinated by King Richard so we spent some time at Bosworth Field on our first Sunday in England. We took the tour and learned more about the War of the Roses.

The next day we spent some time in Leicester. The first stop we made was at the Guildhall which was right next door to the Leicester Cathedral. Leicester Cathedral is where King Richard is said to be entombed. The Cathedral is really beautiful and the stain-glass is really stunning.

We then spent some time at the Jewry Wall. This is the remains of a Roman bathhouse. If you look at the picture below you can see the St. Martin's cathedral behind the wall and see that the bricks from the wall were used to construct the cathedral. They blend together very well.

The last bit of time spent in Leicester was spent wandering the castle gardens. It was very peaceful there and the flowers were all out.

I had not had much interest in King Richard, but doing the tours on Sunday and Monday made me want to do some reading. Who knows when it will be done, but it could happen.

England 5

2011-05-26T07:04:00.002-04:00

Floating down the canal we also saw some swans. There were actually two swan couples with females sitting on the nests. I thought I had missed the picture of the first nest, but it turned out that I got it okay. Not very well framed, but okay from a moving boat.

The second picture is of our boat coming out of Saddington tunnel. The tunnel is 808 meters long, that's a little over half a mile. The first time through Aunt G steered and the second time through Mom did the steering. Mom said that was a good time for her at the tiller. She could bounce off the walls without worrying about hitting another boat or running aground.

Happy knitting and spinning.

England 4

2011-05-23T08:27:00.002-04:00

We saw a LOT of ducklings with mommas and poppas. They were swimming all around in the canal. There were a number of times when the babies got separated while the boat went past. That means there was a lot of quacking until they could be reunited.

I took quite a few pictures of the bridges as we passed under them. If you enlarge this picture you will see the front of the boat at the bottom in the middle. I loved seeing all the moss and weeds growing out of the mortar of the bridges. We went under about twenty bridges and they fascinated me every time.

Happy knitting and spinning.

England 3

2011-05-20T06:59:00.003-04:00

One of the first fun sights were these two sheep. They were munching on the May trees along the tow path. On an aside thought, we thought the May trees were spirea, because the blooms and scent were very familiar. The next thing you knew those two were running towards us and then ducking into their pasture through a hole in the fencing/shrubbery.

I think one of the most enjoyable things for me on this trip was the abundance of sheep here along the canal. I took MANY pictures of the sheep and the wool along the way. After all, what better for a spinner than to be around all that wool. I wonder what breed these two were? They almost look like Suffolk, but I'm not sure.

Happy knitting and spinning.

England 2

2011-05-19T07:10:00.004-04:00

We are off!!!!! My sister, B, at the tiller with my aunt standing watch. B's first move was to steer us into some willows. Luckily the gentleman giving her steering lessons was still on board and got us out of said willows. All of us had the chance to spend some time steering the boat during our week on the canal. There wasn't enough room for all four of us to be up where the tiller was, but we took turns being outside and spending some time down below.

Last night at knit night someone asked what the inside of the boat looked like. The first one is looking up three steps heading out of the living quarters and the second shot is from the same spot looking into the living space. This is the kitchen area. See it is almost like a camp trailer.
There were quite a few boats that we saw in our travels that you could tell were used quite frequently. In fact, we spent a little travel time with a couple who are out on their boat every long weekend they can get.

Whenever we would tell someone (a cab driver, a tour guide, a store clerk, or someone we met at church) that we were on the long-boats, they always said they so wanted to do that. We got a ride back to the boat one Sunday night after some sightseeing and gave a tour of the boat to the two women who graciously picked us up from said sightseeing and took us back to the boat.

The link for the tiller talks about canal boating, maybe something I should have read before going on this trip.

Check in tomorrow to see what picture I put up. Happy knitting and spinning.

Things I've Never Done

2011-05-18T07:22:00.002-04:00

I have never flown over any ocean before, but at the end of last month I was able to spend some time in England with my mom, her sister (my aunt) and one of my sisters. I have never spent any length of time on a boat especially one that you sleep on, but got the chance to do this also. I also had never ridden on a train, but got the chance to do that two times while there.

Now that I finally have the pictures off the camera, I can share some of the fun things we saw and did. The first picture is the narrow long-boat where we spent the first seven days of our trip. This boat worked out really well for us. It is made for six people, but with there only being four of us it gave us all a little room and not too crowded. This boat reminded me a lot of a camp trailer and the times my parents used to take us camping while we were growing up. We started from Market Harborough and meandered down the canal for a few days and then returned. We then spent the next four days in and around London. I won't show you all the pictures--I took 636!!--but a few of my favorites will work there way onto here.

I did take some knitting along and will show you at the end of this narration what I worked on. It's now almost done. I'm working on the bind off.

Happy knitting and spinning.

I'm Not Lost Yet

2011-03-25T07:28:00.004-04:00

It has been way too long since posting here. I really should get my act together and make a posting schedule.

I have been busy knitting, spinning, visiting with friends, visiting some museums and just relaxing, well besides doing my day job. About ten days ago, I went into DC. I haven't been there in about six months and thought I should go. I really wanted to see the Coral Reef before the display was taken down. This is only one of the many pictures I took that day. I have a few friends who crocheted some items to include here and thought I should see it completed. While I was there I met Jennifer Lindsay, who was the program coordinator for this project. It was interesting to talk with her and find out some of what was involved with this project. She said that Nature's Yarns had an outstanding representation in the reef.

I also went to the Renwick Gallery where I looked at some paintings, fiber arts pieces, and took a nap in the room where they have their video loop going. Yes, it had been a long day and it was after lunch with my husband. I was tired and full! Next time I go downtown, I probably shouldn't wait six months to go.

I have also been doing some knitting. We have two new grand-babies due soon. There has been baby knitting going on. But I also had the chance to make a wonderful scarf for my friend Vicky. I really enjoyed this project. It is Brooke's Column of Leaves (Ravelry link). The charts were easy to read and the knitting moved along really easily. I spun the yarn from some Polworth roving I got from Misty Mountain Farm when I went there with Sue some time this past early fall. I think I need to make me one of these scarfs, it's not like I don't have the yarn sitting around here to do so.

Soon I will be able to show what I have been making for the babies, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for the new baby's parents. When the packages are in the possession of the parents, I'll post pictures.

Happy knitting and spinning!

Ten Non-Knitting Blogs

2011-02-15T06:47:00.003-05:00

Today's topic is 10 Favorite Non-Knitting Blogs. This is one I can do even if I might not have ten.

Buffaloz Photography Tips. I really like learning how to improve my photography, even if it feels like it isn't helping.
What's a Hot Dish. This is my sister's food blog. She tells the best stories and has some pretty good recipes too.
The Nesting Place. She has some wonderful home decorating ideas.
Kerrific Online. It's my daughter-in-laws new place.
Photos By Lisa. I really like her pictures and she is a wonderful person.
Picture Potpourri. Another of Lisa's blogs. I could look at her pictures all day!
Prudence Pennywise. She has some really great recipes and she breaks down the costs for them too.
The Things Life Brings. This is another private family blog, but I love to hear about the updates of my kids and grandkids.
Ben and Melissa's Grand Adventures. Another family blog. Sometimes it's the only way we know what's going on.
A Year of Slow Cooking. I am always looking for crock-pot recipes especially when I don't get home until quite late.

I could have ended with many more, but a few of those were other family/private blogs. This was a fun topic this week. I love my knitting blogs, but sometimes I really need a break from them.

What are your favorite non-knitting blogs? Happy knitting and spinning.

Two More Shawls

2011-01-15T07:37:00.004-05:00

This first shawl in today's update is the Sun Ray Shawl (Ravelry link) by Elann. The shawl ended up being longer than wider for me, but I think it worked out okay for a throw around the shoulders kind of wrap. This was sent to M for Christmas and I haven't heard back whether she likes it or not.

The second shawl is the Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark. I used beads instead of the nupps and really like how it turned out. Am- really liked it also. She called me the evening when she received it and thanked me which I greatly appreciated .
There are two photos of the Swallowtail, one so you can see the beads and the second to see the overall effect. I will definitely make this shawl again!

The picture of the last scarf/shawl I made for Christmas seems to have gone missing. Kar, if you would have 'bug' take a picture and send it, I would appreciate it.

I'm off to enjoy my last weekend of vacation with my knitting needles and spinning wheels. Enjoy. Happy knitting and spinning.

Two Christmas Shawl/Scarves

2011-01-12T13:51:00.005-05:00

I can't find where I saved the rest of the pictures of the ear-flap hats I did for the boys for Christmas, so instead you get the shawls or scarves I did for the girls. The shawls were all done with hand spun yarn. I don't remember all of the patterns, maybe I should get organized with where I put all that information. I do know that the light colored one is a lacy baktus. I did put beads along the increase edge, but didn't get a picture of those.

I don't remember which pattern I used on the darker shawl/scarf, but hope the daughter it was sent for enjoys it. I haven't heard from her whether she likes it or not. I have heard from one of the other girls saying she really likes her's. You get pictures of the others in the not too distant future.

I have really enjoyed having the past two weeks off of work. I have gotten some yarn plied (pictures to come), I've worked on spinning up some fiber that has been on the Hitchiker since October, I'm finishing up some knitting projects and just today I've gotten all my hand spun sweaters washed. I have really gotten my fiber fix during the past ten days!

I'll leave you with a picture of two of the hats in action. These two hats have gotten a lot of use lately!

Happy knitting and spinning.

Two, Three, Four

2011-01-08T16:59:00.003-05:00

These are more of the ear-flap hats I made the boys for Christmas. The variegated blue and pink hat went to Corb. His favorite color used to be pink.

The blue with variegated blue was made originally for Corb, but when I found out that Gareth would be with us during Christmas it ended up being wrapped for him. I didn't want him to miss out on Christmas presents when I had the ability to make something for him also.

The fourth hat was sent to Justin or Riley, I can't remember for sure. It's kind of bright! The variegated colors in this hat were from an Easter egg dye experiment. I tend to think it was sent to Riley, because if I remember right this yarn was from the sheep of one of his high school teachers.

Boys, if I have the hats labeled wrong let me know.

I have three more hats to show you. I made seven for gifts this past Christmas.

Today I was able to spend some time at the spinning wheels. I have some singles just about plied. I'll have a new skein soon!

Happy knitting and spinning.

One of Seven

2011-01-05T08:27:00.002-05:00

I thought I would share one of the seven hats I made for this past Christmas. The older boys in my life all received an ear-flap hat for Christmas. This is the hat that went to Erik, I believe (it was either Erik or Ben). All of them, but one, were made with wool mostly hand spun or partially hand spun.

This week I get to enjoy quite a bit of spinning and knitting time. That's what I get when vacation time takes over. I'm looking forward to knit night tonight and maybe finishing a project or two this week.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T18:36:00.003-05:00

Welcome to 2011. So many plans, vacations, new grandchildren, knitting projects, spinning projects and time spent with family to look forward to. I am hoping to do more blogging in 2011. Last year only had 39 posts, the same as 2009. I'd like to get back to 2008's stats which was over 100.

I'd like to knit more from my stash and to kick that off, I have my first FO for 2011. I purchased the fiber at my last fiber fair in Idaho Falls before moving to Virginia. This yarn was spun in 2008 which was originally used for a hat for a coworker. I used some for the hats I made the 'boys' for Christmas and then I used what was left for this hat for myself. I started it on Dec. 27 and finished it last night, but it wasn't quite deep enough for me. I frogged it this morning and used what was left of the yarn. It is now just about right and will match the coats I use daily.

This has been a lazy day full of watching the Rose Parade, football games, knitting and some spinning. What a great way to start off a New Year.

What are your plans for 2011?

Happy knitting and spinning.

C's Found a Friend

2010-12-01T07:07:00.002-05:00

I love this picture which was taken on Thanksgiving. We went to ES' sister's house for the afternoon. They have a couple of birds that C fell in love with. After we had been there for a couple of hours the birds decided we could hold them. Jewell found her favorite spot on C and kept migrating back there whenever she was moved. The best spot in her opinion, the spot between the collar of his shirt and his neck. C now says he wants a bird like Jewell.

There is lots of Christmas knitting going on here. Things are being blocked and readied to be shipped to their destinations. After Christmas, I will have lots of pictures to share.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten Dream Vacations

2010-11-09T20:38:00.002-05:00

This weeks ten is Ten Dream Vacations. I couldn't pass this one up, there are so many places I would like to go.

Australia. J-b went there with People to People and he talks about it with fondness.
Ireland. R says he's a little leprechaun and he does have some Irish in his background.
Hawaii. ES says when he goes there for inspection of the facility there, I get to go!!
Alaska. I would love to do the boat tour of the glaciers and the inland strait.
A cruise through the Caribbean. I think that would be lots of fun.
Take all the kids, their spouses, and the grand kids to Glacier National Park and the Bitteroot Valley for a week or so.
Sister's Retreat. My sisters, mom and aunt did this in 2006. We need to do it again.
Snowmobiling in West Yellowstone. C says he'll go with me.
Scotland. I've always been fascinated with this country.
A Weekend Getaway with my honey anywhere, anytime!

Okay, this really was harder than I thought it would be. Where do you want to go for your dream vacation?

Happy knitting and spinning.

Robin's Nest All Spun Up

2010-11-03T07:22:00.004-04:00

The fiber I picked up in Logan, when I visited the kids in July, has been turned into these singles:

Which was then Navajo plied into this bobbin:

And has been turned into these two skeins. I don't know how many yards I've ended up with. I didn't want to count that yet. But this yarn, I think, will turn into a pair of fingerless mitts for myself and maybe a hat to go along with them. The knitting of the mitts will have to wait until all the Christmas knitting is done though and I don't know when that will be for sure.

Happy knitting and spinning.

PIF Package

2010-11-02T07:42:00.002-04:00

In February Vicky posted that she would like to do a PIF Challenge. I signed up and last Tuesday I received a package in the mail. It was a very fun package too!

Vicky is a very talented lady and I have really enjoyed getting to know her through the blogosphere. Her blog is one of the first ones I started reading on a regular basis just about three years ago.

There was this wonderful bag in the package which Vicky had embroidered. I love bags and can never have enough project/tote bags. This one is going to be my knit night bag from now on and it states what I like: 'knitting with handspun'.

Vicky had also included the book One Skein-30 quick projects to knit. I had looked at buying this book a couple of times, but hadn't yet decided. I love having it available now. Vicky had also included some chocolate bars. ES and C said they would take them off my hands if I decided I didn't want them. They haven't succeeded!

There is also four ounces of a wool combed top from Eagle's Find Fiber which sadly is closed at the moment. The colorway is Deep Blue Sea and it is really pretty. The Scholar is calling it's name, having been freed from it's fiber last week and is currently sitting bare.

There were two dishcloths in the package also along with a candy tube and a googly eye pen. When C saw the pen he took it and ran wanting to show his friend how fun it was. I had just been thinking it was about time to make some dishcloths, mine were looking pretty yucky.

Thank you, Vicky, for the wonderful package! It was a fun surprise and I really am going to enjoy everything you have included. I am thankful to call you a friend!

Happy knitting and spinning.

Merino/Tensel in October

2010-10-20T07:43:00.003-04:00

I received the October shipment from the Yarn Pirate. This month's colorway is Night Magic. It is a merino/tensel blend and I have started spinning it on the Kiwi. I am using the high speed whorl for the first time and I'm liking how it is turning out, so far. The colors in the first picture is closer to the actual color, but the second one shows the shine from the tensel better.

Life has been pretty crazy lately, but I am still getting in about ten minutes a day, or more, at the spinning wheel. There is so many pretty bumps in my stash that I want to spin right now. I don't have enough wheels or drop spindles to get it all done, so I have to work on that ten minutes a day. I am surprised at how much can get spun in just that amount of time. I have two newly completed bobbins on two different wheel in just the past week.

It's knitting night tonight at Nature's Yarns. I'll be there with knitting in tow. That Christmas knitting has to get done sometime or another, you know. I might even take a drop spindle and finish off some fiber on one of those. Three drop spindles currently have fiber on them. Time to get them finished off also.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Lavender and Polworth

2010-10-12T05:45:00.004-04:00

Sunday was the perfect day to go outside and get some pictures. There is lavender blooming again in the pot on the front steps. It's not as full of blooms as earlier in the summer, but still pretty and smells really good.

Sunday was also the day I finally finished plying the Polworth in the Water's Edge color from Misty Mountain. It is four ounces of a variegated blue which I really like. I chained plied it, wanting to keep the color variations. Not to mention, chain plying is my favorite form of plying.

This was the maiden fiber for my new to me Kiwi. It only took me two months to spin this fiber. Maybe it took so long because I have too many projects going right now. Four other spinning projects (no time limit on these) and about twelve knitting projects which I would like to have done in time for Christmas.

Now I have to find the perfect spinning project to put with with Kiwi. There is two ounces of silk going onto the Lendrum, four ounces of Crosspatch Creations going onto the Scholar, four ounces of "Fiona" going onto the Traditional, and four ounces of fiber from River's Edge going onto the Hitchiker. Can you tell I like the four ounces? They are perfect for a shawl or small accessories. Plus I usually don't get bored with spinning the fiber before I am done with it.

Well, off to do my daily spinning. Happy knitting and spinning.

2010-10-07T06:56:00.002-04:00

Since attending the Montpelier Fiber Festival on Saturday, my desire to sit at the spinning wheel and get some spinning done has increased. On Monday I was able to go to a new friend's house and spin for a couple of hours. She is a new spinner and is doing a wonderful job with her spinning.

I remember what it was like when I first learned to spin. There is a fiber guild in Pocatello and I was invited to attend. For the first couple of meetings, I would go in and watch everything that was going on. I would watch how Edie, Phyllis and Anna Lucy spun and then I would go home, take my wheel out of the car, and sit down and practice what I had seen that day. That's right, I wouldn't even take my wheel into the guild meeting. It just stayed in the car until about the third meeting I attended when something was said and I said my wheel was out in the car and Edie had me bring it in so I could spin there. That was twenty years ago and since then there have been many enjoyable hours spent at my wheels.

I am so glad I made the comment to R & C's father saying I would like to learn how to spin and then he and Tim got me a wheel for Christmas that year. I don't know what I would do without my spinning now.

This is the last bump of fiber I purchased at the fiber festival last Saturday. As you can tell, there is a little bit of green, but it is very muted. I really like all the fiber that I've added to my stash. On Monday I started spinning the second to the last batch of fiber I picked up at last year's fiber festival. So this bump will probably sit in the stash for about a year before I get to spinning it. But then again, the anticipation of wanting to see how it will be as yarn may take over and it will be spun quickly.

What was your first spinning experience?

Happy knitting and spinning.

There is Something Drawing Me to Those Greens

2010-10-03T09:30:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I was able to attend the Montpelier Fiber Festival, my first and only festival this year. I got there early, by 10:35 am and stayed until 4 pm. I probably went through the booths about six times both by myself and with the rest of the gang.

It seems like just about everything I was drawn to this year had some green in it. I had a strict budget this year and I stuck to it! My first stop was at the Creatively Dyed booth. I know how crowded her booth can get. I thought if I went there first I would avoid most of the crowd. I picked up the fiber the first picture there, the one with the shawl pin. I then wandered and looked to see what else would jump out and grab me.

The Finn locks I picked up at the Misty Mountain booth. I remember buying some Finn roving from them the first time I attended the SOAR vender event. I made a pair of felted mittens and a cowl from that fiber and have absolutely loved them. It's time for some new felted mittens.

I have the rest of the weekend to play with fiber and get some knitting done. I am currently working on lots of Christmas knitting and it is coming along quickly.

Happy knitting and spinning.

How Did It Know

2010-09-18T06:18:00.003-04:00

My horoscope for today:

Though life can be rather stressful today, you need to respond in thoughtful ways if you don't want to make things worse. Your left brain is your best asset for the time being, so make the most of it!

It already knew we were going to be a person short at work today on our busiest day of the week. I am so looking forward to coming home tonight and doing some knitting or even some spinning. I received some fiber in the mail this week and I am anxious to start spinning it. I might even get some pictures before I start that spinning.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday the Football Edition

2010-09-14T20:40:00.002-04:00

Today's topic is 10 Reasons to Watch Football. This one isn't really hard for me, but I like the college games better than the pros. There are also a few more of them to watch which works really well when......

It's not very long until Christmas and when better to work on all those knitted gifts.
The Weather is starting to cool off. That means it's sweater wearing time again.
I can get more time at the wheels while watching the games. I really need a reason to spin more.
Friends and family seem to gather together more during a game.
Food. Some of the best snacks are football snacks.
Did I mention Knitting time?
It's a good time to take an afternoon nap and still not miss much of the game especially if I'm watching by myself. ES isn't a big football person, but he will watch with me occasionally.
Reminds me of my dad and watching high school games with him. That also meant spending time at the field getting all the lines white again and passing out uniforms in the basement of the gym. Yeah, this only worked when we were younger.
It only lasts a few short months.
Yeah for knitting time!!

What do you like about football season?

I am almost finished spinning what is on the Kiwi. Soon I will have finished yarn to show you.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Pear Butter

2010-09-09T07:27:00.003-04:00

What do you do with six past ripe pears?

I have been craving some apple or pear butter and couldn't get it out of my mind. My mom used to make apple butter every few years while I was growing up and she would sometimes make pear butter. It really wasn't one of my favorite things to put on my toast, but the older I got the more I liked it. Imagine that! Hence the craving for some fruit butter and those pears were just staring me in the face.

I looked on line for a recipe, but everything called for 'a lot' of pears and I only had six. So I loosely followed the recipe and came up with just this one container. It turned out a little darker than I thought it would, but man does it just hit the spot. I even took it and some bread to work yesterday, to share with my co-worker. She liked it also.

Last night I went to knit night. My Shetland Pi shawl is coming along nicely. I am on clue four. I also ripped out one shawl and restarted it in a different pattern. The new pattern isn't as easy to memorize as the previous one, but I will have enough yarn to complete it. Knitting pictures should be coming soon. I have a lot of FO, but they are Christmas gifts so no pictures till they are gifted.

Well, off to have some more pear butter and get this day going. Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-08-31T20:58:00.003-04:00

Today's Ten on Tuesday is 10 Ways to Lighten Your Mood. Sometimes this comes in very handy especially when you're around grumps or when you, yourself, feel grumpy.

1. Go Outside. Look what I found on my deck Sunday night. I haven't seen a Praying Mantis since moving to VA. Walking Cleo also helps. You can't stay mad when there's a dog or other animal involved.

2. Knit for a while. My current project is the Shetland Pi Shawl KAL. I really like how it is turning out and I hope it will be well loved.

3. Spin for a while. ES knows by the sound of the wheel what kind of day I've had and whether it's safe to talk to me or to give me a little more time before asking how the day's gone.

4. Call a friend or family member especially if they make you laugh. I have a sister who makes me laugh each time I talk with her.

5. Have a good cry. I'm always amazed at how good I feel after having a crying session. It seems like I can handle anything after a crying session.

6. Go for a massage. Yes, I need one soon!!

7. Help someone else. There's always someone worse off than yourself. You just have to go find them.

8. Watch a sunrise or sunset. There is beauty in the sun as it rises and sets which sets the tone for my day or night. One of the best things for me lately is watching the sun set as I drive home from work.

9. Read your scriptures. You can't stay mad or "blue" when reading the words of God.

10. Listen to some good music. We went Saturday night and listened to some Beatles songs. It was fun, got us singing along and feeling upbeat for the rest of the night.

That's a partial list for me. Some days one thing works better than another, but there's always something to help lighten my mood. How do you lighten your mood?

Happy knitting and spinning.

Spinning Update

2010-08-20T06:01:00.003-04:00

I have been spinning, but definitely not dusting. My self imposed spinning for ten minutes on a couple of wheels a day is going fairly well. The first picture is the second two ounces of Yarn Pirates Heart of Gold fiber. This fiber has been my main focus when sitting down to spin each day. It is being spun on the Traditional and shouldn't be too much longer until I will be plying it. I am pretty sure it will be a two-ply for a shawl. Shawls are becoming addictive and I don't have to worry too much about gauge if I start top down.

The Scholar is being used to spin the Crosspatch Fibers which I bought in Logan. I really like how it is turning out. I like the nubbies of the silk noil and all the sheen of the silk that is carded in with the wool. I don't know for sure what I will make with this yarn, but I am sure it will be pretty.

Not much else is going on around here, although ES and I celebrated our anniversary last Friday with a special meal out. It was very good, but I don't think we will do it again anytime soon. There was so much food. Neither one of us slept really well that night.

Well, off to get ready for work. Enjoy your weekend. Happy knitting and spinning.

My Spinning Circle

2010-08-13T07:56:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I got to leave work early, because the power was out again, so I came home and spent some time at the spinning wheels. I set up my spinning circle. I really like how it is set up and that I can spend some time at each wheel with different fibers.

The first picture is of the Crosspatch Creations fiber which I picked up in Logan when I was there in July. It is being spun on the Scholar.

This fiber, the vibrant reds, greens, and golds, is silk which I am spinning on the Lendrum. There are two ounces which I am hoping to get balanced bobbins and ply two ply. I am thinking a scarf or shawl with it, but am leaving myself open to ideas. There isn't much on the bobbin yet, but it is the fifth bag in my own personal fiber club. This means there are only two bags left and I should have them done before the fiber fair in Montpelier. At least I would like to have them done before I bring in too much more fiber.

This is my spinning circle. Clockwise from the back right to the front left: the Lendrum (silk), the Kiwi (Polworth), the Scholar (Crosspatch Creations), the Hitchiker (my own batt preparation), and the Traditional (Yarn Pirate, Heart of Gold from her last Booty Club). The circle has worked really well. I just turn my chair when I want to change to a different wheel. I am trying to spin at least ten minutes each day on each wheel. I'll see how long that lasts, but I've been having fun with it so far.

Happy knitting and spinning.

New to Me

2010-08-09T19:23:00.002-04:00

Today was a good day. I knew there was a reason why I would remember 8-9-10. I have missed having a piano in my home and have haphazardly been looking for a keyboard/piano since we moved to Virginia. Last night while browsing Craig's List, I saw a keyboard which had just been listed at a price I could afford and it looked like it would serve my purpose. I called and we arrange to meet today. I got to bring her home and have had the chance to sit down and play with her for a little bit. I don't play very often and very seldom in public, but now my desire to play sometimes can be met. She doesn't have the weighted keys, but for me to relearn hymns it will be just right. Besides there is a whole slew of songs on there, I can use it when I want music to spin by and don't want to use the MP3 player.

I also had the opportunity to purchase a used Kiwi, about two weeks ago. I really like how she is spinning. The Kiwi is a little harder to cart around than the Lendrum or the Scholar, but she fits really well in my spinning wheel circle. I am working on my second four ounces of fiber on her. The first fiber I spun on her was a bump of fiber from Notlwonk Springs (second section down on that page). I think it was the last bump of prepared fiber I have from them. The second four ounces is some Polworth I purchased from Misty Mountain when I went up there with Sue three weeks ago. The Polworth is spinning up very nicely. It's that pretty blue on the bobbin right now. It's called Water's Edge and I'm pretty sure I know what I want to make with it.

I have been pretty consistent at sitting at one of the wheels each day and getting some spinning time in. It has helped relax the tension in my shoulders to spend that time at a wheel and on top of that I am getting a lot of spinning done. Before I know it I will have spun up all I had set out to accomplish in my own personal fiber club. There are only three bags left.

Happy knitting and spinning.

8-9-10

2010-08-09T10:53:00.002-04:00

I have been looking forward to this day for a few days. There isn't anything really special planned, but who can pass up a day that will never come again. It's 8-9-10!! Have some fun today!

This plant was hanging right above me the last time I went to the Botanical Gardens. I love that place and is a must see each time I go downtown.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Missed Ten on Tuesday

2010-08-04T06:26:00.002-04:00

Yesterday's Ten on Tuesday topic was 10 Things to Bring on Vacation. These are the things I just took on my vacation:

Knitting project.
A book to read.
Back-up knitting project. The first one could be finished, you know.
Camera. You never know when you'll see the Blue Angels flying overhead and need to get a picture or two or three.
A Sudoku book.
The GPS.
A back-up, back-up knitting project. You'll never know when you'll be stuck in an airport.
Water bottle with my favorite drink packets.
Gifts for the grand-babies.
Patience and a happy attitude.

Why yes, all three knitting projects came into play during my last trip. It did help that I had layovers and flight delays on both legs of my flights. I just relaxed, knit, played sudoku, and watched people for the ten hours I was at different airports. I was ready to come home though and sleep in my own bed.

Knitting content coming soon. There are some finished projects that need to be blocked and photographed.

In the meantime, Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-07-27T21:57:00.002-04:00

Today's topic.....10 Things to do Instead of Watching TV. I really don't watch a lot of tv and when I do I'm knitting or it's late at night. But here's my list:

Knit. What did you think would be number one?
Spin. There is a LOT of fiber in the storage room.
Walk the dog. The Dr called and said I need more exercise.
Start exercising more.
De-clutter something in every room. We've lived here for two full years and I still haven't gone through all the boxes.
Spend time with the family. Game night anyone?
Travel to visit family.
Visit a different museum.
Read a book. My summer reading program isn't moving along very quickly.
Water the plants inside and outside.

I thoroughly enjoyed my week visiting the kids and grandbabies. I even spent time with all my siblings and my mom and have the pictures to prove it. Now it's back to reality.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-07-20T12:27:00.002-04:00

Today's topic is 10 Things to Bring on a Camping Trip which would be a lot easier to do if we actually went camping very often. The last time ES and I were camping in a tent was five years ago. Our camping involves going to the vacation spot and renting a hotel room. Given that fact here is what I brought on the last camping trip:

A book to read.
Good hiking/walking shoes.
A swimsuit for floating and wading in the river.
A good flashlight for those evening walks when there aren't any streetlights around.
My knitting!
Favorite drinks. It's too far to the local store, you know.
Dinner ingredients for our night to prepare dinner. We take turns preparing dinners.
Spinning wheel. There is nothing better than sitting by the river and watching people wade, float, and fish while I get to spin.
A comfy camp chair. I don't like sitting on the ground.
My willingness to go with the flow. Just relax and enjoy the family time.

What do you bring on a camping trip?

I am visiting the kids and grandkids this week and enjoying the chance to spend time with my family. I have completed a shawl project. It helped, in completing the shawl, that I had a flight delay on the way West. I will have pictures of the shawl when I get home and can use my own computer to download the pictures.

This week is my birthday and I'd like to do a contest for some hand spun yarn. Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite birthday memory is and I'll have a drawing for the yarn when I get home next Tuesday. I want to know what you remember about your birthdays. My favorite memory is having angel food cake, homemade by my Grandma Wheeler at her house, when I was about 10 years old. It was the best cake that I remember ever having.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy While Waiting

2010-07-16T06:08:00.002-04:00

The other night as I came home from work, the gladiolas had started blooming. I love this picture. If you enlarge it, you can see the ant on the middle bloom.

I have been busy the past few days getting ready for my trip out to see the grand-babies. I am so excited. I started packing my bag two days ago, as I was getting laundry done. No waiting for the last minute for me. No sirrry, Bob, or in this case, ES.

With my week off of work, I have been sewing, two skirts for work. I have been spinning, completed the Lambspun fiber on the Hitchiker and started some Yarn Pirate fiber on the Traditional. I have even done some knitting, but nothing finished to show yet. This week I've even taken C and myself for physicals. I'm doing my bloodwork this morning then heading downtown to have lunch with ES. All this just ties into the ending thought from TUT this morning.........

Learning to be happy while you wait, Laura, is worth learning. And to help learn this, just keep yourself busy.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-07-13T18:25:00.004-04:00

Today's Ten on Tuesday topic: 10 Things you like about where you live. Having moved here only two years ago this month, there are still lots of things I'm learning about where we live. But here we go.......

All the historical areas to visit. There is still a long list of places I would like to visit. I'm adding to it so when someone comes to visit we can go to new places.
The Smithsonian. I should go downtown more often. Oh wait, I am going down on Friday.
All the different restaurants to try out. I tried Cuban food for the first time today on an outing with my friend Sue. She said it was the best she's had since leaving Florida.
I love all the trees. Which brings me to my favorite season
I love Autumn out here. There is sooooooo much color and I'm an Autumn person.
I really like having an Air Conditioner. We really could have used this when we lived in Idaho, but I'm glad I don't have to live without it here.
Church and the friends I've made here.
I love my job, just wish I didn't have to drive the beltway.
Yarn shops. There are three or four within a ten mile distance from my house. I like visiting all of them. Sue and I visited three different fiber places just today all but one of them were new to me.
I have to add - the Library. So many books to chose from!

I really have enjoyed living where we do. There are so many things to do and see, but most of all I like that I am with my husband and we get to do things together.

What are some things you like about where you live?
Happy knitting and spinning.

New Glasses

2010-07-08T07:22:00.003-04:00

I don't do pictures very well, but thought I would share this one of me wearing my new glasses.

About a month ago, I decided I could not wear my old glasses anymore. The nose piece would not stay where it was supposed to and it kept digging into the bridge of my nose. That was it! The first pair of glasses were purchased in July 2008 before we moved to DC. It had been two years and I thought it was time to get my eyes checked again. My eye sight had definitely changed and a new set of glasses ordered. I've been wearing them now for about three weeks and really like them. They were not as hard to get adjusted to as the first pair and the best part is..........no nose piece.

On the knitting front, I finished the baby afghan for J-b and K's friends baby. By the way kids, I need their address. I will have a picture up in the next couple of days. It was too dark last night by the time I finished the bind off.

Concerning the AC, it is FIXED and working well. Am I ever glad to have that working again. Just to think I went over 40 years without any AC at all and to be without it for one whole day was agony. How did I ever survive without it before? Oh yeah, it was NOT humid where I lived for the first part of my life.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-07-06T21:59:00.002-04:00

This week's Ten on Tuesday's topic is 10 Ways to Enjoy Summer. The list could be swayed by the fact that we have no air conditioner on a 100 degree day.

1. Camping or hiking in the mountains.
2. Spend time with my kids and grand-sons. I get to do that in ten days or so.
3. Seeing the sights. C and I did that two years ago when we saw Indy, nothing planned this year so far.
4. Go swimming.
5. Spend time in front of the fan--knitting, maybe spinning.
6. Watch my Nascar races.
7. Read some books in front of the fan or air-conditioner.
8. BBQ. We have a new grill, you know.
9. Take care of my garden, planted in pots on the balcony.
10. Spend some time in the water.

Hopefully this heat wave passes soon or the air-conditioner gets fixed quickly. And I'm glad it's not too humid.

Happy knitting and spinning.

P's and Q's

2010-07-03T05:52:00.003-04:00

Hi Laura! Here is your Daily Horoscope for Saturday, July 3

Your anger is a little closer to the outside world today -- but that can be a really good thing! Make sure that you're firing only at the right targets, though, as you don't want any collateral damage.

I better watch my P's and Q's today especially since we will be short two people at work and expect it to be pretty busy. I bought meats, cheeses, crackers and fruit to put in the backroom, in case we miss our lunches. That will help avoid the collateral damage, I think.

I need to also take this into account at home. A-b is here for a few weeks and all he does is stay on the computer. I can't even use my own computer without a big hassle! Hence no post yesterday which I had been planning.

I am still working on my gift knitting project. At least, the end is in sight. I will be sure to take it with me tonight when we go to watch the fireworks in Fairfax. Tomorrow night, I might take the socks that have been on the needles since oh about January. I don't want a big project on the metro with all the people expected in DC.

Enjoy the Fourth of July weekend! Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-06-29T06:44:00.003-04:00

Carole's Ten on Tuesday list is 10 Books on Your Summer Reading List. Seeing as how I joined the group I better post my list, although it may not be ten long. I don't seem to get much reading done lately. The list:

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for four years and this year is the year to read it.
Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle. I have checked this book out of the library, but recently received it from Interweave's Hurt Book sale. It's time to reread it and make the Wool Peddler's shawl.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I started this a couple of years ago, but it got put down for some reason. Time to get it read.
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan. I've read the first three and really enjoyed them. I need to read this one and The Last Olympian (as soon as it comes out in paperback).
It's All too Much by Peter Walsh. There is too much stuff in my house and I'm hoping this book will help me get organized.
The Book of Mormon. I have taken the challenge to have this read by the time the kids start school in the Fall.

The rest of my Summer reading will probably be magazines. There is a time issue, work issue, knitting issue, and spinning issue which contribute to how much time I spend reading.

I used to love to read, so I am looking forward to some of the suggestions on this weeks list. Maybe they will motivate me to read some more. What's on your reading list??

TUT Notes

2010-06-24T07:35:00.002-04:00

I like to see what the message for the day will be and once in a while it really hits home. Kind of like today's note:

One of life's great ironies, Laura, is that very often the "stuff" you're trying to avoid right now is the same "stuff" you're going to miss most once you move on.

Ha, ha... Oh, my -
The Universe

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ®
© www.tut.com ®

You know, Laura, like challenges, responsibilities, and boredom. True.

I guess this hits because yesterday morning and this morning we were up wayyyy too early getting one boy off to see his grandma and the other boy off to Youth Conference. Both of the nights before all of us were up wayyyy too late. I know eventually I will miss this hurried 'get you out the door' moments, but for right now I have a headache and it isn't even 8 a.m. yet!

I have spinning progress and even some knitting, but not much. Off to get ready for work. Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-06-22T05:40:00.004-04:00

It has been hard to come up with a topic to write about here, when my spinning and knitting has slowed down. I am still knitting and I just finished plying two different fibers, but haven't taken pictures yet. So I thought I would join the Ten on Tuesday group. At least, that would motivate me to post on Tuesdays.

Today's topic is: Ten ways to Entertain a Child. Taking into account that my baby will be nineteen this year, some of these ideas may not work so well in present day. Also take into account that I only had boys in my house.........

Lego's, these would keep the boys entertained for hours and they played with them even into their later teen years. Every once in a while they still play with them even as adults and as fathers.
Bubbles, especially when they were younger. The boys would chase them for as long as someone would blow them.
Puppies/kittens. Boys and animals chasing around the yard, enough said.
Dirt. Enough area in the yard that the boys could dig and get as dirty as they wanted. Also a wonderful area to play with........
Hot Wheels/Matchbox cars. These went with us everywhere, because it would keep the boys entertained while we were out of the house. A very versatile toy which showed up in their Christmas stockings every year. To go along with the Hot Wheels......
A Fabric Town Mat. Ours was made by my mother with customized names for the lakes and schools. It's still around here somewhere just waiting for the grand kids to come visit.
Fisher Price towns. We had the school, the A-frame house, the two story house and the barn. The boys would set these up and play for hours. I still have a couple of the buildings and most of the people, animals and cars tucked away waiting for young children to visit our house.
Coloring books. This worked very well at Church and they usually stayed quiet during the meetings.
Bikes. My kids rode all over town and loved to be on their bikes.
Paper Airplanes. It's amazing what kind of airplanes the boys would come up with, but you could always count on paper airplane contests to get the boys in a better, more cooperative mood.

It will be interesting to see what else people come up with.

Next time there will be some spinning pictures, until then - Happy knitting and spinning.

Meg's Shawl

2010-05-17T16:22:00.003-04:00

It has been a while since I last showed knitting content. I used my favorite quick pattern, the Forest Canopy Shawl.
I used Blue Ridge Yarn fiber in the Rock Climbing color . It doesn't look like they have it listed anymore.
I had four ounces which I spun and two-plied. I think it would have almost looked better Navajo-plied, but I didn't think I would have enough fiber to make the shawl then. I still like how it turned out and I have just a little yarn left to add to my collection of hand-spun leftovers.
It took me about four months to spin the fiber. What can I say, I got bored with it. But once I decided what I was going to do with the fiber the rest of the spinning and plying went very quickly. The knitting only took about two weeks and it was ready when ES left to go to Utah/Idaho for graduations and Arizona for work.

Meg likes the shawl and hopefully she will wear it often. ES told her it wasn't hand-spun, but I called right away and took care of that misconception.

I do have another shawl started, but then I also started a baby afghan for Bug's friend's expected little one due in June.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Left Over Dye

2010-04-26T15:08:00.003-04:00

This morning I did an over-dye experiment with a piece of clothing. I had left over dye and couldn't waste it, so I found some white roving and wound it into a ball. I then put it in the dye crock-pot until it took up all the dye. The outside is darker and the inside lighter. I am waiting for it to dry so I can spin it on one of the drop spindles. There isn't much there, only about two ounces. I think I like how it turned out, but will have to wait until it is spun to say for sure.

I am enjoying my day off, in case you can't tell. Happy knitting and spinning.

New Spinning Project

2010-04-21T06:57:00.002-04:00

In January I started my own personal fiber club. I have now dug into only the second of seven bags. The second bag contains 4 oz of Lambspun Merino/silk blend which I picked up many years ago. In looking around the stash, I found some of this already spun which I am sure I won't be able to match. My spinning has changed in the ensuing years. The blend I have I picked up when I attended SOAR in 1996 or when I went to the vendors market when it was back at Snowbird or when it was in Park City, I can't remember for sure and I didn't keep any records.

I am not getting enough spinning time. Too much time is taken up by Facebook and playing stupid/entertaining games. I am going to try to cut back on the Facebook time though and do some more spinning. It is time! Our morning routine has changed also and that didn't help.

My knitting project is coming along, slowly. I will take it to knitting group tonight and see how much I can work on it. But then it is the third Wednesday and that means it's spinning night, so who knows if the knitting will get touched tonight.

Well, off to get ready for work and then Knit night. Happy knitting and spinning.

Aunt Gloria's Shawl

2010-04-18T09:51:00.004-04:00

I was finally able to get pictures of my aunt in the shawl which Corb was holding up in the last post. Aunt Gloria says she really likes the shawl and has worn it already. It ended up being a good size for her. I am glad she likes it and will use it.

There hasn't been much going on around here besides work, commute, and taking pictures of flowers.

The photo of the plied yarn is the Gale's Art BFL 4ozs that I picked up at the Montpelier Fiber Festival last October. I did mostly a two ply which turned out fairly well, but then I had a little left over which I Navajo plied and I really liked how it turned out. After finishing the plying of it, I wished I had done it all as a Navajo ply and done away with the two ply. But I will put the two ply to use as some type of a shawl for the 10 in 2010 challenge which I am not doing too well on. I do have another shawl on the needles though and it is coming along fairly well.

There has been such beauty around these parts. Everything is blooming and I am have fun taking lots of pictures of the flowers and the contrasts of colors. I am also learning about the setting on my camera and trying to use them a little more.

I have been a little more consistent in attending Wednesday night knit nights and that has helped with renewing my desire to knit more and spin more. I am needing to whittle a little more time from the day for those activities, seeing as how life is changing some around here and the time that used to be there isn't there anymore.

Off to get some things done before church. Have a great week. Happy knitting and spinning.

Shawl One for 2010

2010-03-12T07:43:00.002-05:00

I finally listened to my phone messages last night, so know that this shawl has arrived and was well received. I spun this yarn from 8 oz of a discontinued color and fiber from Dianne. I love her fibers and get a new one each time I see her at a fiber fair.

I used Evelyn Clark's book Knitting Lace Triangles to design this shawl. The knitting went really fast. I think it took me only two weeks to knit and that was only knit night and my Nascar race watching knitting at that.

I'm glad that Aunt Gloria will be able to use this shawl and hope she will enjoy it for many years to come. I know it is warm and big enough. I had to try it out before sending it to her. C was even kind enough to hold it up for me one morning. With his dark suit on, you can even see some of the pattern.

Happy knitting and spinning.

A New Sweater

2010-03-10T07:32:00.003-05:00

Bug tells me it is time to do another post. He wants to know whats happening in our area. As you can tell, we had a lot of snow. It's gone now except for where it is really shady. This picture was taken February 8 which was two weeks after the snowmageddon. Now it's a month later.

There has been a lot going on here. Not the least of which is knitting. I finally finished this sweater which was completely knit in November 2008. I did the embroidery on it in January, during the snowstorm, and have worn it a couple of times a week since then. It is becoming one of my favorite go to sweaters. The main yarn was some Galaway that I had in my stash. The contrasting color that I used for the three stripes in the yoke and the embroidery was yarn that Catherine sent me. She had spun the fiber and entered it in the Southeast Idaho State Fair. Every time I wear this sweater I am reminded of Catherine and all the friends I left behind in Idaho. I'll try to get a close up of the sweater, when I can get it off of me.

I went downtown last week and visited the Natural History museum. I have pictures, but I'll put some on next time. I also went to have lunch with ES. I am planning on going to DC once a month to see something new and have lunch with my hubby. It will be a good way to spend a day off.

Have fun knitting and spinning.

No Going Out in This

2010-02-08T10:21:00.004-05:00

If you haven't heard, we have had a major snowstorm here in the DC area. I got home from work at about 3 pm Friday and haven't been out of the house since then, except to shovel and walk Cleo. It has been very nice to not have to worry about going places or doing lots of things during my days off. Church was even canceled yesterday! You can find more pictures of the snow on Flickr.

Consequently I have gotten some spinning and knitting done. I started my first bag of my own personal fiber club. This is BFL from Gale's Art that I picked up at the Montpelier fiber festival last October. There is 4 ozs in the Gum Ball color. It is spinning up very nicely.

I also got to wear a new pair of hand-knit socks. It only took me about six months to make this pair, but now that they are done they have been worn almost constantly. They kept my feet nice and warm while out shoveling on Sunday. I have made probably 25 pair of socks, but this is only my second pair for myself. The rest have been given as gifts.

This picture is of the first batch of yogurt which actually turned out. The first batch didn't set and was used in smoothies. This batch was done in the crock pot and was really good. My favorite way of eating it is to spoon some into a bowl and then put some strawberry topping for ice cream onto it. So good! There is about one cup left of this batch. It's time to try my hand again at making yogurt and hopefully it will turn out as good again.

Well, back to my spinning and knitting. I finished one thing which I'll blog about when it gets to it's intended recipient. I have pictures. I've also started new projects which I would like to get farther along before going back to work tomorrow.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Pay It Forward

2010-01-28T19:39:00.004-05:00

I walked out of the front door Monday evening at dusk, to take the dog for her walk. The colors in the sky were just gorgeous. The only thing---this is facing East! Shouldn't my colors have been in the West? Anyway, they were really pretty, almost as pretty as some hand spun yarn I'm working with right now.

I know what's being made and who it's going to and I'm sorry to say, Vicky it's not coming your way.

Vicky at LDSVenus-knits.com contacted me about doing a Pay It Forward exchange. I have never done one before and thought it would be a fun adventure. I have read about them and been envious, but never joined. Now I am doing so!

Here it goes----

The guidelines: "I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!"

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

"Want to participate? Be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post and make the same promise on your own blog.

Not So Random Acts of Kindness and 365 days to do it in!

So, here goes! If you're interested in participating, just be one of the first three people to post that you would like to PIF! You don't have to be a knitter, you can hand craft - crochet, weaving, sewing, stamping up cards, anything that is "your thing".

Come on---you know you want to join us in the fun.

Happy knitting and spinning.

My Own Personal Fiber Club

2010-01-25T17:41:00.003-05:00

I noticed last night that I had two open blossoms on my 18 year old Christmas cactus. I was excited to see a couple other buds there also. This cactus also had blossoms a month ago, before I left for Idaho. I just thought I would share the pretty pink blossoms with you.

The main reason for this post is to show you my own personal fiber club. I have so many bins of fiber! It seems like I can't ever decide what to spin next or even if I'll get it spun before the next fiber fair. So in order to try to get some of it spun, I decided to give myself a challenge.

Each one of those seven bags contains anywhere from two to eight ounces of fiber, most of them are four ounces. There is fiber I got at the Fiber Fair in Montpelier this past October and fiber from the only SOAR I have attended which was in 1996. There is merino, silk, bfl, alpaca, and I'm not even sure what else is there, but I know that when I open each bag I will be surprised and have a challenge on my hands. My plan is to open and spin one bag each month and I will start as soon as the fiber I am spinning on the Traditional is finished. That will leave fiber on only one wheel at the moment, the Scholar, and I might even wait to start this challenge when that is completely spun. That is seven months of fun there!

I have had a spinning weekend. I have been plying what was on the Hitchiker, eight ounces of a merino/silk blend, and I think there is about 900 yds of fingering weight there. It will make a nice shawl for the 10 Shawls in 2010 group on Ravelry. I am hoping I can make the ten shawls this year along with the other knitting being planned also, Christmas for the grandsons.

Anyone care to join me in your own personal fiber club?

Happy knitting and spinning.

Terra Cotta Warriors, Mt Vernon and a New Sweater

2010-01-18T17:59:00.003-05:00

In the last post I said that we were heading into DC to the National Geographic Museum to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. It was very interesting, but no pictures were allowed, so the only pictures you get are after the tour. ES did spend quite a bit of time reading each display. C hurried, looked and then sat around waiting for us. I took my time, looking at what I wanted to see and reading what I wanted. C and I were in line at 5 pm, remember we were standing in line for free tickets for the 6 pm admittance. We were number 50 and 51 for tickets for the event. Each numbered ticket
was worth two admittance tickets at the door. ES ended up getting there just about 5:20. It was interesting to read about the whole burial area and what that entailed. I really liked seeing if I could see any color on any of the warriors and I could. Sometimes it was very faint, but it was there. We left the museum about 8:30, so we didn't do too bad time wise. Afterward, C and I had our first taste of Indian food. I can't say we were too fond of it, but it was good to try it.

Our other adventure was today. We went to see Mt Vernon, George Washington's home. I remember going there with Aunt Gloria thirty years ago this summer, but I don't remember much of the experience except for the porch facing the Potomac. That is still a grand view! The mansion is quite something also. The dining room is the first room you get to visit on the tour. It is decorated with an agricultural theme on the sealing and fireplace. The fireplace mantle has a wonderful relief of some sheep in the center section of it. I really would have liked to get a picture of it, but no cameras allowed. We spent a lot of time there today. We got there about 11 am and didn't leave until about 4:15. C didn't put up much protesting about having to go with us and I think for the most part he enjoyed it, but he would have liked to have left an hour or two earlier. Oh well, he survived and is now hanging out with some friends enjoying the last of the long weekend.

The mansion was the perfect place to show off my new sweater, the February Lady Sweater (Ravelry link). I spun the yarn for this sweater with some fiber purchased from Wasatch Watercolours at the Idaho Falls Fiber Festival in 2007. It had been sitting in the stash until January 2009 when I decided to pull it out and start spinning it. The yarn has been sitting in my kitchen holdall for about four months waiting for it's bath which I completed the end of November. The trip to Idaho was the perfect time to make this sweater and I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I wore it to Church last week with a black dress and a friend asked if I had made the sweater to go with that dress specifically. I told her no. I made it to go with a number of clothes in my closet, because I can dress up for work now and wear all the sweaters I want.

Well, off to get ready for the work week. Happy knitting and spinning.

New Old Yarn

2010-01-13T12:54:00.003-05:00

I have to share pictures of the yarn I got from my Aunt Melanie. Remember the yarn for the BSJs which was from my grandma's stash? Well, I got that stash because Aunt Melanie took all the acrylic yarn and I got all the wool yarn. She took the acrylic because she was making baby toys at the time. When I spent the night at their house a week ago, we talked about the BSJs and the yarn. Aunt Melanie said she had some yarn for me. I thought it was more of Grandma's yarn. This was not yarn from Grandma.

While Uncle Gerry was in the Navy, they were stationed in Saudi Arbia during the 1980's. Aunt Melanie didn't have much to do so she spent quite a bit of time shopping. Well, during some rearranging she came upon these skiens of yarn which she bought there and knew she wouldn't use. I was the lucky receipient of said yarn!

The pink is Pinguin- fleur de laine made in Brazil with 182 yards. I don't know for sure what I will do with it, but I think it would make good colorwork mittens with some handspun that I have.

The purply brown is Jaeger 3 ply wool pure botany. They are six skiens of 25 grams each. I don't know the yardage, but will probably measure one skien out for a guestimation. Like the pink, I have no clue what I will do with it, but it is fun to imagine.

My sweater isn't blocked yet, so no pictures of that. It will happen sometime soon, I hope. It's back to work usual hours next week, so there is only this week to get some projects done and that is one of them.

This afternoon C and I are meeting ES in DC and heading to the National Geographic Museum. ES will spend the whole time in the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit I am sure, C will hurry and get through looking at everything and then want to go home. Me, I will take my time and enjoy! I'll let you know what we think of the exhibits.

In the meantime, happy knitting and spinning.

Where I've Been

2010-01-11T09:08:00.003-05:00

The past two weeks have been spent spending some time with my sons, DILs, daughters and grandsons. I also got the chance to catch up with friends from Idaho Falls and Pocatello. I was able to attend the knitting groups that I had been going to in both locations. It was fun to catch up with everyone, but the best time was had spending time watching the babies play.

BEK is now a year and a half old! I spent five days watching him explore and play. We put puzzles together, put lots of plastic coins in the milk jug, played with cars and blocks, and had lots of snacks together. I will treasure the time I got to spend with him and his little brother, CJK. To be with E and Au was an added bonus.

The next five days were in Pocatello with J-b and K and their little one AEK. AEK is a happy baby and his daddy got him, at one day shy of three months, to stand tall on daddy's hand without holding onto anything. J-b had to have AEK do that then because Grandma had said I stood on my dad's palm at three months old. Both the older boys are turning into quite good young dads!

The second to the last night of my Idaho/Utah trip was spent in the house my mom used to live in in North Ogden. My aunt and uncle now live in the house and we spent Thursday night there. On Friday morning I got to watch the sun come out and shine on Ben Lomond. It has been at least ten years since I watched the sun come up on Ben Lomond and it is still a magnificent view and one I wouldn't get tired of. Although, I liked the view better when the swimming pool was there instead of the new grade school, it's still neat to see how the mountain changes as the sun gets to certain spots.

I also started and finished a sweater for myself while on this trip. I still have to block it and put the buttons on though. Maybe I can get that done this week, if I can stand to take it off. It's cold here now!!!! I also worked on a pair of sock which have been on the needles since about February of last year. I only have the ribbing to finish on the toe up socks that I started for myself after making socks for everyone as gifts at Christmas 2008.

Well off to get things done that weren't done while I was gone. Happy knitting and spinning.

BSJs and Grandkids

2009-12-13T20:27:00.005-05:00

On Thanksgiving Day ES, C, and I got to fly West to meet our new grandsons/nephews and get reacquainted with the older grandson. It had been over a year since we had been to see the kids and it was good to be there for a week. This is a picture of all our grand kids with one mother, one father, and one aunt. The mother of the tyke in blue pants was out of the room while another aunt gave her a massage. I had one too and it was wonderful!!! Thanks AM!

Of course I couldn't go to visit without taking a knitted gift! I had to present these BSjs to the kids in person to tell them the story of the yarn and the sweaters. I couldn't just send them in the mail.
These two Baby Surprise Jackets, plus two and a half others, have been knit and waiting for delivery since the kids told me they were expecting. The yarn is ALL stash yarn, but not MY stash. It was my grandmother's stash yarn! When Grandma died my aunt took all of the acrylic yarn to make crocheted toys. I got all of the wool yarn, plus some of her knitting needles. I had used some of the yarn to make a wallaby for R, but there was a lot of yarn left over and in all different colors. Grandma at one time had made all of her posterity afghans, sweaters, jackets, and lots of other things. There is a lot of yarn to work with and even after making what I have so far, there is probably enough left to make at least three or four more BSJs. I hope the kids tell the grand kids about the sweaters someday----letting them know that the yarn was their great-great grandma and the sweater was made for them by their grandma. I think it is neat that Grandma gets to give something to her great-great grandsons and she isn't even with us anymore!

The orange BSJ is for AEK, the little one all in white (it was his baby blessing day) and the blue one is for BEK, the oldest grandson, and CJK his little brother, the one in the blue pants.

I get to have the pleasure of going to see the kids again in another two weeks and I have some knitting planned to take with me. Maybe a new sweater, seeing as how I now have a job where I don't have to wear a uniform and can expand my wardrobe. I have some handspun I've been eyeing and I think I have enough for a basic sweater.

In other news-----Christmas is less than two weeks away and I'm still not even close to being ready. There has been some Christmas knitting, but not as much as usual. There are some things that need to be blocked and gifted, then I can post about them here.

Until next time, Happy knitting and spinning.

I am Still Around

2009-11-09T07:36:00.007-05:00

I figure it is about time to let you know I am still around and knitting. I am really enjoying my one full-time job and am getting used to a set schedule with two days off a week.

On Halloween we had a going away party for Carri. I presented her with this scarf which I spun and knit for her.

I forgot to take a picture of her in the scarf, so am hoping she will send me one. She is heading back to the Utah area and will be sorely missed by all at work. I will be calling her often though and asking for advice and instructions, I'm sure. And I am sure that the scarf will get plenty of use. She is always cold.

I also decided I was tired of spinning what I have been working on. I pulled out a 4 oz bump which I got in my fiber club installment from the Yarn Pirate and I am about half way done spinning it.
This colorway is called Haunted and I am really liking how it is spinning up. It is a superwash and I am spinning it in my usual modified long draw way. I think this will make a really pretty three ply and will make a good hat for one of the boys. I will show pictures of the spinning and finished yarn when it is completed.

I have also gotten to attend knit nights on Wednesday night again, one of the perks of the full-time---no more 9 pm closing shifts either--job. Granted, I won't get there until after 7 pm, but I get to interact with other knitters on a weekly basis.

Maybe I can get back into regular posting mode, also. But that might be stretching it. Oh well, off to enjoy my day off and meet a friend for lunch.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Random Thoughts

2009-10-22T02:45:00.003-04:00

There has been a lot going on around here during the past two weeks. Not much in the way of knitting or spinning has happened.

There are a lot of random thoughts running around in my mind and so my brain isn't shutting off like it should at night. Let's see if I can name some of them:

What have I gotten myself into with taking on new responsibilities at work?
Why haven't I started some Christmas knitting?
What should I knit for Christmas?
Will I ever learn this new job?
Will I ever relax again?
Only four more shifts at the old job and working two jobs, then down to one job.
What am I doing?
I know life goes on, but
When will I be comfortable again?

Maybe now I can sleep for another couple of hours.

Happy knitting and spinning.

AE Goes Home From the Hospital

2009-10-12T09:24:00.003-04:00

Thought I would share the picture the kids sent me of AE going home from the hospital. He is using the dishcloth afghan I sent for his baby shower. I am so glad he is getting lots of use from it already.

This has been a busy weekend. ES ran the Baltimore marathon and did really well. I'll post pictures when I get them downloaded. I worked all day yesterday and will again today. I got to spend some time spinning this morning and I have a knitting project almost finished. There should be pictures soon.

Enjoy this day! Happy knitting and spinning.

Montpelier and Family

2009-10-08T06:38:00.004-04:00

I thought I would share pictures of some of the fiber I purchased at Montpelier this year. I had a very good time wandering around the fiber fair looking at everything and not having to worry about keeping family members entertained. ES went with me, but spent most of the time watching the sheep/dog trials. I got to spend about three hours just looking, eating, purchasing, and enjoying.

The first and second pictures are showing the fiber I purchased from River's Edge Weaving Studio. I really liked the Fall colors in their booth. The first one is the Maple Leaf color and the second is the Indian Paintbrush color. They are a blend of merino and seacell and they are very soft. They are 4 oz each.

I think she has some really pretty colors in their dying. I realized when I got home that I have purchased fiber from them and spun it. I picked up a couple of ounces of their fiber when Sheryl and I got to go to Stitches East last year. I really liked how it turned out, so I am excited to try these two colors.

The River's Edge booth was about the last one I bought any fiber from, so I am working backwards in purchases for the next couple of posts.

The last photo is some superwash Merino that I got from the Wild Hare fiber studio. It is a 4 oz top in the Grateful Dyed color with two full color repeats in the roving. C saw this and claimed it for himself. He wants me to make him something from it. I told him I already had plans for it and he said, "Well, I get it first. You can use what's left for what you want to make."

In other news, our family has increased by one more. K and J-b had their baby yesterday morning at 2 am. We now have three grandsons. And in other news: Au and E's preemie came home from the hospital on Tuesday. Both babies are doing well and the parents are excited to have them to hold in their arms. I can't wait to see them when we fly home in November. ES says he likes the way they are named. The boys initials are A, B, and C. ES says the rest of the kids will have to name their kids in order on the alphabet so he can keep track of them. Yeah right!!

ES is planning on running a marathon on Saturday. I will have plenty of time to do some knitting while watching for him. I don't know my way around Baltimore, where the race is being run, but am going to try and find a place half-way through to watch for him and cheer him on and then get back to meet him at the finish line. I hope he does well, he woke up yesterday not feeling well and isn't any better this morning.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Dropping in After Way Too Long

2009-10-05T06:44:00.005-04:00

This past month has just flown by. There has been knitting, spinning, work, gifts to send, a new baby and one due this week, trips to plan, airplane tickets to buy, a fiber fair to attend, a cooking class and just life. For some reason though it seemed to get away from me. I really didn't mean to not post for a whole month, but that is what has happened.

First let's talk about the gift giving: With two grand babies due in October, one a first child, there was baby knitting to be done. This stack of bibs was sent in time for a baby shower for K & J-b's baby, who is due this week. They were fun to make and I hope will be well used. The cream colored one is one I came up with the pattern for and I really like how it turned out.

I also sent along this dishcloth patterned afghan made with an acrylic/cotton blend. It worked up really quickly with large needles and was a mindless knit on those nights after work when I needed to unwind and let my mind quit racing.

There is other baby knitting, but I will save that for another post.

Our second grandson was born Sept. 20 at five weeks early. He weighed in at 5 lb, 3 oz and is now up to 5 lb, 7 oz. He is still in the hospital, but hopefully just for another week or so. He is eating well and he is breathing on his own and from what his parents say, is quite a little trooper. We are anxious to meet him and his soon to be born cousin, hence the airplane tickets.

I took a cooking, well really a baking, class last week. We learned how to use meringue, besides for lemon meringue pies, which we didn't do. We made these really cute mushrooms!

Don't they look real. Ruth, our hostess for the class, said that she had made these for an open house and put them on the dessert table. No one ate them because they looked so real. I brought home the ones I had made, to share with the guys. They both got quite a kick out of the mushrooms and C said he was going to call R and tell him that "Mom is giving my mushrooms". Besides looking cute, they really are good and sweet. They just seemed to melt in your mouth.

The final two pictures today are of my new drop spindle. It is a Trindle with red granite orbs. It spins really well and is down right fun.
I came home and got out a sample of punta/wenslydale which Vicky was kind enough to send me to sample. It is spinning up very nicely and I am enjoying it.

I have also finished spinning some fiber which was on the Scholar. It is on the niddy noddy now and I will get pictures of it soon. There is a project in mind for it, so I want to get onto it soon. Well, as soon as I finish up a couple of other things first. Too many projects and too many proposed projects, but isn't that the way we all work. What is on your project wish list?

Happy knitting and spinning.

Stash Enhancement and Finishing

2009-09-08T07:41:00.004-04:00

Last Wednesday night I got the opportunity to attend knit night again, after about five weeks of not getting to go. I hadn't intended buying anything that night, but my drink changed that idea. Why did my drink change my plan? The lid came off while I was setting it down and some of it spilled on this beautiful ball of blue. I ended up coming home with a ball of Zauberball. I don't normally by single ply yarn, I don't like it that much, but I really do like the color. I haven't decided yet what I will do with this yarn, but I'm sure it will sit in the stash a while before I get around to using it.

In other news, I have another completed project. I completed knitting this little sweater for our staff pharmacist's new little girl about three weeks ago, but it has taken me until this past weekend to get the sleeves sewn up and the button sewn on.

Speaking of the button, I really like how this button works with the sweater and it accents the flowers on the pockets of the little pair of jeans I bought to go with the sweater.

The clothes are size 6 - 9 month size and the sweater fits right along with the sizing of them. I really like how this little outfits turned out.

I have other completed projects to show, but have to wait until they get to their intended recipients before showing them off. I have requests for hats which I should get cracking on, but haven't found the inspiration for them just yet either.

I have been spinning still, about 15 minutes or so during the day or evening. I have almost one full bobbin which has taken me about ten days to spin. I always like it when the bobbins get full, it means I'm accomplishing something on the wheel.

Last night ES and I went to dinner with some friends. We haven't done that in a long time and it was fun. We spent about 30 minutes eating and about two hours sitting there at our table talking. There are so many different restaurants around here and we haven't even touched a fingertip to the iceberg in sampling them. It was fun to go eat somewhere where we haven't been before. It also gives us another option when C is with us. I think he will like it also.

Well off to get something done before work today. School started today, so the house is mine for an hour or two. Happy knitting and spinning.

Weekend Fun

2009-08-31T06:56:00.003-04:00

There was a lot going on this past weekend, besides working both Saturday and Sunday. To start it all off, C and I got tickets to attend a Washington Redskins preseason game at FedEx field. It was a fun experience since neither one of us had been to a professional football game before and didn't know where we were going, anything about where we were sitting, how to get there on the metro, or how to get home. The other boys, when finding out where we were, were really jealous and wished they could be with us.

We left the house at 6 pm and got home at 1:30 in the morning!!!! I had to be at work at 8 am, so didn't get very much sleep. I did go to bed early on Saturday night, though.

C's comment when I took this picture: "Mom, you're weird. Why do you need a picture of me at the game?" Why for the blog, of course. Silly boy!

Sunday, after work and dinner, it was so nice outside (no humidity) that I spent an hour on the balcony with the Scholar and some merino roving in the Coral Bells colorway from Misty Mountain. I have four ounces and am hoping to spin enough for a scarf or shawlette. I don't know which one I want just yet, so will wait until the fiber is spun and plied before I decide. Then I can see how much yardage I will get, before deciding. It is turning out mostly orange, with the purple and yellow and a splash of gold peeking through. I am thinking of someone specifically as the intended recipient, but haven't decided for sure. I might decide to keep it for myself.

There was a small amount of knitting, this weekend. I completed and knit another baby bib, while at the game and on the metro. Started a third bib on the way home and have that one almost finished. It is my stuck in traffic knitting, so will be finished today.

To top off the weekend, I got to see this beautiful sunset as I was heading inside last night. Now that makes for a good weekend, even if I did have to work the both days of the weekend.

Happy knitting and spinning.

One Bib Coming Up

2009-08-26T08:12:00.003-04:00

Just a little bib. It didn't take very long to make. I should get busy and make it some of my car knitting. I'd like to get a few done for the new babies and as baby gifts for friends. There is always someone around me expecting or just had a little one. And I have quite a few balls of Sugar n Cream just sitting in a stash. I could free up some stash room and have gifts.

Not much else going on around here, just work, getting C ready for school, some spinning and a lot of knitting. Happy knitting and spinning.

Second Circular Baby Afghan

2009-08-24T17:48:00.002-04:00

Here are pictures of the second circular baby afghan I made for one of the babies due in October. I really had fun with this pattern. The main body of the circle was done in Plymouth Encore yarn and the outside edge was done in a stash yarn. I didn't make the afghan to scale, my row gauge was off. But I think it turned out good anyways.

There are many more projects in the que. They are getting completed, slowly.

Off to have dinner with ES and C, for C's birthday (yesterday). Happy knitting and spinning.

My Baby is Not a Baby Anymore

2009-08-23T06:40:00.002-04:00

My baby is 18 today!!

Not the best picture, but he took it (or a friend took it) and it is recent.

It's hard to believe that all my boys are now old enough to vote, old enough to be responsible legally for their own actions, and to be on their own. C will be with us for this his final year in high school, then who knows what will happen.

The past 18 years have just flown by, C isn't really that old, but the calendar doesn't lie.

Happy Birthday C!!

One of Two

2009-08-22T06:16:00.002-04:00

I have finished two circular afghans for the new babies of the family, due in October. I know who I am giving which one too. But we will see if the kids pick the same ones for each of them. The good thing about both of these is, I was able to use some stash yarn in both. The stash is slowly getting smaller.

As I worked on this project, I kept stopping to admire how the colors were going together and how it all looked.
The first picture shows the size, kind of, and the second picture shows the texture. It is also truer to the real color. I like the swirl in the middle and how it adds some interest to the design. I found the basic pattern on Ravelry and then added my own elements to it. I like how it turned out.

The root canal went well, but I have to go back in a couple of weeks to get it finished up. Off to work this morning.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Red Scarf

2009-08-21T07:13:00.003-04:00

I have been busy working on many projects. The finishing and photography are taking a little longer. Last night while waiting for knitter, I decided it was finishing time. This is the finished scarf for the Red Scarf Project. I realized this morning that the donation place is just up the road from me. I thought that was "cool", because usually it is somewhere clear across the country from me. I might even get this to the right place on time.

I used some stashed yarn for this project. It is Red Heart Soft Yarn which worked up fairly well and about as quickly as I wanted it to. The pattern I used was the Currugated which has been used a number of times by many different people. It seems to be the 'go to' pattern for this project. I don't know that I will do this pattern any time soon, but it was fast and easy.

Stay tuned, I have more things finished and pictures taken. They are even on the computer, so I don't have to worry about getting them downloaded next time I want to post. But right now it's time to go get ready for my root canal on the tooth I broke a few months ago.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Spinning and Tomatoes

2009-08-10T09:08:00.003-04:00

This past Summer has been a busy one. So many things to do, along with work, and places to go, people (A-b) visiting and going places with him.

We've had fresh tomatoes from my garden, the planters on the balcony. I also have had a cucumber and lettuce. There have been plenty of pumpkin blossoms, but no little pumpkins yet.

I finally completed the spinning of 8 ozs. of a merino wool that I picked up last October at the Montpelier fiber festival. It seemed to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r to spin this fiber. I have had it on the Scholar since November.

This is what the yarn turned out like, it's a little washed out in this photo. I am not too pleased with the plying job, but the yarn is knitting into a really nice shawl, so far. There are color changes from purple to green with a little blue and white thrown in there also. I really do like how the shawl is turning out. I hope the intended recipient will like it also. I ended up with 1038 yards of a 2-ply fingering/lace-weight yarn. I think there is enough to finish the shawl I'm working on and then some fingerless mitts or some other small thing.

I am hoping to do better at posting on the blog. School will start the 8th of September, so I need a schedule worked out by then and with a schedule I think I will post better.

Well, off to get something done before work. Happy knitting and spinning.

It's Been Too Long

2009-08-09T07:14:00.002-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know, I am still around. I have been busy knitting. No pictures, no time to shut the computer down to upload the pictures. We have done some traveling. Went to Minnesota last weekend and back home. Great seeing family!

I have a plan to get back to blogging! See ya soon.

Garden Update

2009-07-12T18:49:00.003-04:00

I thought I would share with you the pictures I got of the cucumber plant this morning. There was a lot of dew on the leaves and the droplets were just gorgeous. I took a number of photos, but these were my favorite.

I had leaves growing and I didn't know what they were until a couple of days ago. Aren't these gladiolus really pretty? There are a number of them growing around our cul-de-sac area. They are all different colors, but I like ours best. There are another two stocks of these in our yard which will be blooming soon and I think they will be pink also.

The last picture is of my tomatoes----they are turning red! I only have one tomato plant, ES and C don't particularly care for them, but I wanted some fresh tomatoes and before long I will have them.

I don't have much of a garden spot, just some pots on the balcony, but they have been fun to watch and see what is growing there. I have teeny, tiny cucumbers and I'm not sure they will all make it to maturity. I haven't found any pumpkins yet, but they are still blooming. I pulled most of the lettuce, it was really kind of bitter. I would really like to find the type my mom used to plant while we were growing up. We used to eat it with sugar, if you can believe that.

Not much knitting has been going on this weekend. I have been doing some spinning, but not much else besides work, having dinner with friends, and chaperoning a youth dance. Not enough time in the weekend!

Happy knitting and spinning.

4th of July Festivities

2009-07-07T08:19:00.002-04:00

ES and I spent the day on the Mall in DC. It was a fun day of attending the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, eating, watching people, fireworks, then more people watching, and shopping.

In the Wales section of the Folklife Festival, I got to watch a gentleman spin on a walking wheel and listen to a woman talk about dying wool with natural dyes. What a fun fiber related day and I learned something more about natural dyes. I haven't used many natural dyes, so talking with her was really interesting. I also ran into Laura from the Wednesday night knitting group and we spent some time in the Marketplace together.

ES and I were going to watch the fireworks from the top of the Cap Gallery, but ended up going and sitting down by the Washington Memorial when it came right down to it. The fireworks were really pretty and I think I got some good shots of them in all their glory.

My favorite picture of the fireworks has to be this green one. There were many more which didn't turn out, but that is to be expected.

I think one of the best parts of the night was standing ontop of the Cap Gallery, once again, watching the people head onto the metro and watching the thirty or more fireworks displays going on around the horizon. There were fireworks going off all over and they kept going and going. You could tell when each of them came the their conclusion as the grand finales were quite spectacular. We watched until about 11:15 pm by which time the metro line was managable and we felt like we could get on without too much problems. Glad we were on the orange line, as there weren't as many delays on that line.

The last picture of this loooong post is the fiber related goodies that I picked up at the Folklife Marketplace. Those are "Darn Pretty Needles" in a size 8, perfect for the scarf I'm knitting for the Red Scarf Project, and a new drop spindle. I haven't spun on it yet, but am looking forward to the spinning. I think I now have about a dozen drop spindles.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Catching Up

2009-07-01T06:43:00.003-04:00

So, there has been a lot going on around here. C left yesterday to spend a month in Idaho with his brothers, sisters, and friends. Before he left, he wanted a new hat. His old one was lost in a puddle on a rainy day about a month ago. He reminded me he wanted to take it with him to Idaho on Sunday. I finished this hat by Monday morning and had him modeling it. He chose the colors and yarn from the stash. Now I just have to make some hats for all his friends that have requested them.

The first hat which I knit about a month ago, right after C lost his other one, ended up being too small for C and has since found a home with his friend Nate. I haven't seen it in use, but C says it has been worn. C also picked the yarn and colors from the "stash". What a great stash buster.

I have been watching the blossoms on the pumpkins growing in my planters on the balcony. There are quite a few blossoms and I am hoping to get a couple of pumpkins out of the deal. I also have some blossoms on my cucumbers and some green tomatoes on the vine. I just have to remember to water daily, as the planters dry out really quickly.

These are the skeins of yarn I picked up while in Chicago. The green is Dream in Color Smooshy (Happy Forest). I really like this color and there is 450 yards. The other skein is Alpaca Sox in colorway # 1858 with another 450 yards. They are both "my" colors, but will probably be knit and given as gifts.
Don't know yet to whom they will be given, but I'm sure someone will pop into the mind.

The last picture is of the clouds last night. They were really spectacular to watch as I sat on the balcony spinning. The colors of the sunset and the depth of the clouds were quite a combination and kept me entertained for an hour or so. That's what happens when I get home from work while it is still daylight, I get to watch the sky, people going by, and spin on the current wheel.

Last Week - Chicago

2009-06-15T08:27:00.005-04:00

ES and I were in Chicago last week. ES was presenting at the NFPA conference which was held at McCormick Place. I was able to spend the time wandering around, sightseeing, knitting, and doing whatever I wanted to do. I also listened to ES's presentation which went very well.

One of the fun things we did, along with ES's co-worker Mark, was attend the Chicago White Sox game on Tuesday night. It was c-o-l-d, 51 degrees at the start of the game, and I was glad that I had brought my knitting with me. It kept my knees and hands warm when the wind got blowing. Mark laughed when I brought the knitting out, ES just took it in stride. He told Mark, "she takes it everywhere."

On Tuesday afternoon, I went looking for a yarn store within walking distance of the hotel. There was one listed in the phone book, but when I got there it wasn't there anymore. So Wednesday morning I went looking for another store which was close to McCormick Place. I took the shuttle to the convention center and then spent some time walking around, Knitwerks didn't open until noon and I was down there at 10:30. Knitwerks was a fun little shop and I might have come home with some pretty yarn.

While walking around and waiting for Knitwerks to open, I happened upon a little park. I had a throughly good time looking at the gardens around an old house, watching a couple of men clean out the fountain and then watching the fountain, but the best thing was watching this dragonfly.
He was really well hidden in the foilage, but caught and kept my attention once I spotted him. I loved his black and blue wings. I think I ended up watching him and the surrounding area for about 15 minutes. I almost took out my knitting right there, but decided I was more interested in finding something to eat.

Wednesday night was spent at the outdoor concert at Millenium Park with ES and his mom. We took a picnic, got some popcorn, listened to the music, then wandered around Buckingham Fountain. After that, it was back to the hotel to pack and get ready to head home the next day.

Chicago was a fun interlude, now it's back to work and everyday life. I'm glad I got the break though, the stress has been getting to me and I needed the get away.

Happy knitting and spinning.

ES Goes to Latvia and Brings Me Back Fiber Related Gifts

2009-05-21T06:16:00.004-04:00

I thought I would share some recent events with pictures. First off is the indigo plant that I bought at MS&W. Liz bought one also and shows a picture at the bottom of this post. My plant is doing very well out on the balcony and even has some little red buds forming. I've never grown indigo before, so I am enjoying this plant as I watch it grow. It amazed me at how fast it adjusted to the pot I put it in and the sun it is getting. It has grown quite a bit since I brought it home.

In other news and pictures: ES went to Latvia for a conference last week and he brought me presents. He brought me the nesting dolls. "C" got quite a smile on his face when he saw them and had a fun time pulling them all apart and setting them up. Yes, he is still a child at heart, even if he is almost 18 yrs old. The stacking doll is now sitting at a place of honor on the mantle waiting for little fingers to come play with it, or big fingers for that matter.

The second gift ES brought was this skein of single ply yarn. There are 340 grams in this skein which is pretty close to the color in my monitor. It is a grey/light brown color. I haven't figured out how many yards are in there yet, but know there is at least 600. This will make a really pretty shawl, maybe something from Victorian Lace Today. ES told the story, when he gave me the yarn, of buying the yarn. He said that the lady he bought it from was very definite about it being wool, a very good yarn and at a very good price. She did not want to sell him anything else but wool which worked well because ES wanted the wool. The little white spot in the center is actually the sticker that has the price and the weight. ES says he couldn't get across to the lady that he did know a little about yarn, because his wife was a spinner and a knitter and he has picked up some knowledge from that fact.

The last gift he brought me was this pair of hand knit lace socks in the large size. He says there were only two sizes there at the street market, small and large. I think ES did a very fine job of bringing back surprises from his trip to Latvia. He even brought back chocolate, but gave that to "C" which I don't think he has eaten yet, by the way.

ES's next trip is to Chicago and I get to go with him. Maybe I can find some suvienor yarn when we go there next month.

Until next time, Happy knitting and spinning.

Buzzards in Virginia?

2009-05-19T21:43:00.003-04:00

This was the weirdest sight today. I was taking "C" to young mens, a church organization, and saw this bird. It looked like a buzzard of some kind and it was eating road kill! After dropping "C" and a friend off, I drove back the same way to see if it was still there and it was. I got this picture with my cellphone then, I didn't think I had my digital camera with me, so the picture isn't too good. "C" wouldn't take the picture when we were heading down the road together, so I HAD to go back. When I first saw the bird it was in the middle of the road stopping traffic. When I went back, it had moved the road kill to where you see the bird now. I sat a watched for about five minutes and then had to head home.

I have to wish ES a Happy Birthday. He turns 50 years old today! I asked if he felt old and he said he didn't yet, but he's sure that will come in about 20 years or so.

Pictures of MS&W

2009-05-11T07:59:00.004-04:00

Seeing as how I can get the pictures to download today, I thought I would share pictures of what I purchased at MS&W (finally). I only bought one skein of yarn that was from Tess Designer Yarns, where Liz bought her microfiber ribbon yarn. This pretty aqua color will end up being something for ES's step-mother, I think.

The second purchase was 8 ounces of merino fiber dyed purples, pinks blue and some green. I passed this by on the first walk through the vendors and hoped it would be there when we went back. I am not sure it was the same batt, but it is pretty and spinning up nicely. It's on the Hitchiker right now.

The most "have to have" purchase was from Creatively Dyed. I love her fiber and colors and couldn't pass up getting some more of her fiber. I love the colors and feel of this fiber and can't wait to get it onto the Lendrum on it's next rotation into spinning time.

The only animal picture taken was by Liz of the alpaca we saw as we started wandering around Saturday morning. They were so cute!

The final picture today is of the one bloom on the newer Christmas cactus. The bloom is now gone, but the older cactus has two blooms getting ready to open. I love it when flowers bloom when they aren't supposed to.

Next up, I have some finished yarn to show and a couple of baby sweaters almost ready to go. So much going on. Happy knitting and spinning.

MS&W and Other Ramblings

2009-05-08T07:14:00.003-04:00

I was going to put pictures of the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival up, but for some reason I can't get the computer to download the pictures!!

It has been a long time since posting and the time just seems to get faster and faster with no reprieve in sight.

MS&W was fun. It was good to be among the fiber festivals again. Liz and her husband picked me up early and we headed up I495. It was a really pretty drive and we didn't get lost. Although at one time we wondered if we were on the right road, but we came around a corner and there was a line of cars miles long. We were in the right spot! For my Idaho friends, the fairground is similar to the Eastern Idaho fairgrounds at the animal section. The big white building at East Idaho is the same size as the animal buildings, plural, here. The rain held off for most of the day, we did have a little early on. I'll post the pictures from there, when I get ES to figure out what I've done to the picture reader.

MS&W wasn't the only thing happening this past weekend. ES ran a half marathon in Frederick MD on Sunday. We left the house about 5 am to get him there in time! He ran his personal best at 2:33. He came in about four minutes before the first marathon runner and I thought that was really, really good. I'll have pictures of that also, if you want.

I have spent the week, for my spinning time, with the Lendrum doing a lot of plying. So far I have plied six bobbins worth of stuff. I am ready to be spinning other fiber on a couple of wheels now, the Lendrum and the Hitchiker. By the way, at MS&W I was able to see and test Merlin Tree's new wheel, the Roadbug. I am seriously thinking about that as a double treadle! I'll have to save my pennies until next year though.

Well, until next time--with pictures-- Happy knitting and spinning.

Amaryllis and a Shawl

2009-04-23T17:49:00.003-04:00

Things have been busy around here, just like it is every where. I have been knitting and watching the flowers bloom.

The shawl is the Forest Canopy shawl and I should have blocked pictures in the next week or so. I ended up using 349 yards out of the 350 yards that I had. The shawl is a little small, but will fit the intended recipient nicely, I believe. I really enjoyed making this shawl and am looking forward to using it again in other shawls I make.

I have also been busy with baby knits. I should have a picture or two to show before very long. They are a pretty quick knit, the BSJs.

To close, I'll leave you with a picture of the amaryllis blooming. It had four blossoms on it, but became too top heavy and ended up leaning against the wall. I can't get a good picture now and the blooms are starting to fade pretty quickly.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Cherry Blossoms and Dishcloths

2009-04-09T21:54:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, I took "C" and a couple of his friends downtown to see the cherry blossoms. They were pretty much gone, but I thought I got some pretty good pictures. The wind was blowing the blossoms from the trees pretty fast. In some areas it looked as if there was pink snow. There were definitely less people there this time around. I took time to look around the tulip garden before meeting up with the kids by the tidal basin. This red tulip was really pretty blowing in the wind. There were so many tulips around DC yesterday.

My amaryllis is getting ready to bloom. I may have blooms for Easter. This picture was taken yesterday. Today the blooms are separating out and more pronounced. I love to watch it bloom.

Last night after knitting group, I remembered that I needed to take a wedding gift to work with me today. I have Sugar and Cream cotton in the stash, good thing, so I made both of these simple dish cloths. The creamy colored one, on the bottom, I made last night before bed and the blue one I knit up this morning while reading the blogs. Katie's last day of work will be tomorrow, but I won't be working there tomorrow, so she got this today. I hope she will remember all of us when she uses these dishcloths.

I have been busy knitting lots of different things. They are getting close to being finished! Maybe some finished shots soon.

My spinning is coming along nicely also. I am using the Lendrum this week and the Spring Fling is spinning up quickly. I will have to do some plying soon, as I am almost out of bobbins. I need to get pictures of the fiber I just finished spinning on the Traditional. It turned out pretty good and will make a pretty something. I should have pictures soon, when I can get some time to take some good ones.

Well, off to do some binding off before bed. Happy knitting and spinning.

Finished Southern Heat Scarf.

2009-03-27T07:45:00.004-04:00

I have to show you the pictures of the scarf I test knit for Sue, who designs for Blue Ridge Yarns sold by Misty Mountain. The first picture is of the scarf in progress. Do you like my stitch markers? I made them myself!

This picture is of the scarf blocking. The yarn I used was Kaleidoscope, in Dragon's Breath. There were 400 yards and I used all but about three yards of the skein. The scarf blocked out to be about 11" wide by 70" long. A really nice sized scarf.

The last picture is of the scarf ready to be given back to Sue. She got it Wednesday night and says it turned out really well. We all really liked how the yellow streak seemed to zigzag through the scarf. I am glad this project is done and in the right hands. Now to weave in the ends on my socks for another finished project.

Last night a group of women from church met at my house to start a knitting meeting once a month. It was fun to sit and talk, give a refresher course to one lady, teach a brand new knitter and help another sister with a crochet project that she has had in the works for 35 (!) years. Thanks Liz for all the help you gave to Jill. It was good to have Liz come, I haven't seen her for about four weeks. While the women were here last night, I got the yarn ready to start the Forest Canopy Shawl. I just need to find the right needles and get busy knitting.

Well, off to walk Cleo and get ready for work. Happy knitting and spinning.

No Pictures, But I am Finishing

2009-03-24T08:55:00.004-04:00

So today while reading blogs, I stumbled across this contest at Lisa's. She is giving away a couple of Nantucket Baggs. I have seen pictures of these and the youtube video, but have never really seen them in person. They look like they would be the ultimate knitting bag. Lisa says if I announce this contest on the blog and link back to her, I could get two more tickets in the drawing. Wouldn't that be a fun prize to win?

This morning I pinned out the test knit scarf. It looks really pretty, if I do say so myself. Yesterday I bound off one sock and started the bind off of the second, but work and sleep got in the way of finishing it. I finished spinning the fiber on the Traditional and will have pictures of it plied before the end of the week.

I want to start something new. I want to cast on for the Forest Canopy shawl and the Baby Surprise Jacket, but I need the pattern for that first. Maybe I could borrow it from someone I know. Liz?

Well, off to work (again). Happy knitting and spinning.

Just Monkeying Around

2009-03-22T20:56:00.003-04:00

There is only so much I can get done in the day. But lately, I seem to be "monkeying" around. I thought this background would go well with what I've been feeling lately. Not really wanting to do anything, there isn't any finished projects, and there hasn't been much going on around here, except for work. The weather has been nice and I've been planning what to put in the planters, when I buy them, and I've been watching the trees bud out every morning on my walk with Cleo, the dog.

I am on the last repeat of a test knit project. I am on the last bump of fiber on the Traditional which has only taken me three rotations of the spinning wheels. I am on the last knitting of a pair of socks and I am so on the last of winter. Thank goodness it is officially the first of Spring.

I'm off to finish the test knit and watch the race from today. Happy knitting and spinning!

Look, I Found Pictures!

2009-03-04T21:56:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I found the pictures and put them in my regular file. It took me a while this morning, but I have it figured out for right now at least.

I love looking at the pictures of these bobbins full of singles. There are so many colors here. The first picture is the Hitchiker. It is showing off the fiber from Judy Jackson in the Grand Rift colorway in fine range wools. I ended up with a pound of this fiber and I really like how it is turning out.

The fiber on the Lendrum is from Judy Gunn in the Spring Fling colorway. This is a corriedale fiber and I really like how it is spinning up. I started spinning this fiber in October, but I haven't dedicated time to spinning it until I started rotating the wheels out a month or so ago. I will miss seeing both of the Judy's at this years Fiber Fair, but have the websites to order from. Judy Gunn's is new and I hadn't seen it before.

The fiber on the Ashford Traditional is from Dianne at Creatively Dyed Yarn. This is colorway R7 which she was clearancing out just before the end of the year. It is a Merino wool and is spinning up quickly. I plied two skeins of it into a two ply yarn and am trying to decide for sure what I would like to do with this yarn. I have just about three bobbins to ply still, so who knows how much I will end up with. But it is fun to spin.

And last, but not least, is the Merino fiber I have going on the Scholar. I bought this fiber in September at the Montpelier fiber fair from Misty Mountain Farms. It is spinning up fairly quickly, but is also seeming to take quite a long time. I never seem to get as much spun on this wheel on my week to spin on the Scholar. I don't know if it is because the wheel spins slower or if it is because the fiber is beening spun pretty fine. I know I like the subtle colors in this combination and will enjoy whatever I decide to make with it. I think it will be destin to be a shawl, it is soooooo soft.

Thanks for looking at the pictures and letting me tell you about my latest spinning adventures. I am enjoying all the colors and spending the short amount of time I take with the wheels. The rotation is working really well and all the wheels get a chance to have their weekly glory.

Now, off to bed and an early morning. Happy knitting & spinning.

New Computer Woes

2009-03-03T10:33:00.002-05:00

I thought I would be showing you pictures of the spinning on each of my wheels. But I have a new computer and don't know how to get the pictures here. Yes, I am computer illiterate in a lot of ways.

There is a lot to do today before heading to work. Have to find out about AAA here in Virginia and definitely need to get my car serviced. Too much to do and not enough time to get everything done.

Hopefully the next post will have the pictures I wanted to show you.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Sorry it's Been so Long

2009-02-27T07:24:00.004-05:00

I can't believe how fast this month has flown by. I was talking with one of my bosses and I had to turn the calendar page over, she couldn't believe that it is almost March. She thought the month of February had flown by also.

I have to show you a small skein which wasn't a skein too long ago. This fiber had been sitting on one of my Ashford bobbins for the past FOUR years. Yes, you read that right! Four years is an awfully long time waiting to be made into a skein of yarn. This is a combination of a brown fleece purchased from Fred and Jo and some mohair locks I picked up from somewhere. I thought the yarn turned out ok. Not the best plying job, but then when I set the twist I didn't really whack it too much. I haven't decided what to do with it yet, so it will probably sit in the stash for a while.

My begonia from Catherine is blooming very nicely. I have had blooms on it for most of the month. I like to check it out every day to see how it looks.

I have been busy knitting, but it's not my place to show you what I have been working on. I am planning a number of baby projects. I have two new grandbabies due this year, so I'll need to get working on little things soon. It may take me most of that time to get knit what I want to for these little new babies.

Not much else is going on here except for life. It gets really hectic sometimes! I will try to keep in touch more often.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Contrails and Socks

2009-02-11T06:05:00.004-05:00

Saturday, on my way home from work, I was fascinated with the jet contrails that I kept seeing all over the sky. There were so many airplanes coming and going that day and the sky was just perfect for seeing all the flight plans. Yes, it doesn't take much to amuse me! Besides, watching the sky made the drive home along 495 and 267 go much faster. There wasn't the traffic there on Saturday that's there on Thursdays, so I had a little more time to watch the sky. Besides, the drive can get long and boring if I don't keep myself entertained somehow or another, even if the drive is only 35 minutes on a good day.

There has been knitting! I finished this pair of socks which I thought would be for me. After having completed 11 pair of socks last year, that I gave away at Christmas, I thought it was time for a pair for me. That didn't last long. I found out that one of the pharmacists that I work with was leaving yesterday. I knew she was leaving, but thought I had another week until she actually left. Anywho--I presented her with this pair. She wears a half size smaller shoe than I do and these were just a hair short on me. So the perfect gift.

The ultimate compliment - She wore them to work yesterday on her last day of work and they fit her just right!

I have been working on other knitting also, but haven't done much to show. I have been working every day and haven't had a lot of "me" time. I have been sitting at one of the spinning wheels most mornings for at least ten minutes. Last week I didn't get much spun on the Scholar. This week has had more progress. This week's spinning wheel is the Lendrum and I spin much faster on this wheel.

Well, time to pick up "C" from Seminary and take him to school.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Fun Quiz

2009-02-04T07:38:00.003-05:00

I thought I would share the result of this quiz I got from over at FabricNFiberFanatic

Your rainbow is strongly shaded yellow.

What is says about you: You are a joyful person. You appreciate optimism. You're good at getting people to like you.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

I like shades of yellow. Maybe they aren't my favorite, but I like them.

Still plugging away on my socks, they should be done by the end of the week. There's knit night tonight and I get to attend unless I end up working late, so I should get the cuffs about done. No other new projects. Still several that I need to get finished.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Cardinals and Spinning

2009-02-02T21:02:00.004-05:00

The past few mornings while walking the dog, have been full of the birds singing their songs. It was fun to watch a couple of cardinals in what I think was a dispute over a female cardinal. It is interesting to watch nature come alive at the end of winter. Even if Phil says there will be six more weeks of winter. I like this time of year, when the trees are thinking about budding out. The tree suckers in our front yard have some leaves starting to form, all fuzzy and young. It won't be long until the birds are back in that tree where I can watch them from where I sit to spin.

I have come up with a rotation so I can spin on each of my wheels within a months time. They each get their dedicated week to spinning on just that one wheel. Last week it was the Traditional and this week the Scholar is getting some time. My spinning time has diminished, but I still got two full bobbins and a half spun last week. I have about half a bobbin spun on the Scholar today. I am spinning four different fibers and am using from the "stash". I want to replace some fibers when the fiber fairs start, but to do that I must spin some of what I have!

I am busy working on the socks I have been knitting for myself. They were in time out for a while, but I started working on them this past week and decided I really needed to finish them. I decided to do a short row heel, my first ever. I should have knit an inch or so more on the foot before starting the heel, but I think they will be okay. I am ready for some wool socks! There are so many projects I want to be working on and not enough time to do them all.

Well, off to work on those socks some more. Happy knitting and spinning.

"C" in his Thorpe

2009-01-28T09:24:00.003-05:00

Yesterday morning I took "C" and a couple of his friends up to Whitetail to do some snowboarding. "C" is in the picture walking by himself and the other picture is of his two friends.

They all had a pretty good time, but "C" would have liked to have had at least one of his brothers with him. He loves to snowboard with them and they challenge him to go on harder runs. The boys with "C" were not as daring as "C" and his brothers, so "C" was a little board not going on the harder runs.

"C" had worn his Thorpe hat, while snowboarding, which I made for him for Christmas. When we got home, "C" says that both the other boys have wondered if I would make a Thorpe for them also. I thought that was a compliment especially seeing as how Nathan is almost always wearing an earflap style hat whenever I see him.

This picture of "C" was taken a week or so ago. Now out that window you can see our first measurable snowfall. There is quite a layer of ice outside also. "C" is happy, school and seminary were canceled for today. ES and I still have to go to work, but "C" gets the day off. And he can use it! He's a little sore from all the snow activity yesterday.

I spent some of yesterday working on the baby sweater. It is coming along, but not very quickly. I haven't spent much time knitting lately. I have been doing some spinning every day and that is taking my knitting time. I also have been working quite a bit and that takes from the knitting time also. I am hoping to get some finished items before very long, but it will probably be spinning projects.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Finished Cowl

2009-01-19T10:13:00.004-05:00

I have been busy knitting the past few days. On Friday night I finished the Sherbrooke Cowl. I made it from the yarn ES had brought me the previous Friday. I thought it turned out really well. I have worn it every day since Saturday morning, when I wove in the ends. It has helped on the dog walks for the past couple of mornings.

This picture shows the variegation in the Malabrigo which was a pleasure to work with. Now I understand why everyone has enjoyed this yarn, for the most part. It is so soft and nice to wear close to the face. I haven't decided what to do with the second skein yet, I am trying to decide if I want to make something for ES seeing as how he got me the yarn.

Sherbrooke Cowl; Time worked: January 13-17, 2009. Used all but one yard of the skein, about 149 yards. Cast on 80 stitches on size 8 needles. Dimensions: 11 inches long, 8 1/2 inches wide. Slouches really well and covers the nose when walking.

I am busy now working on a baby gift for my cousin and her husband. They have had a baby due in February and the little miss decided to make an early presence this past weekend. I didn't know this cousin was expecting until early last week, so hence the baby knitting now.

On a completely different topic: Catherine, my begonia is getting ready to bloom again! I couldn't believe it when I looked over on Saturday and saw the blossoms there. They are standing much taller today, but you get Saturday's picture. The begonia must like the evening sun. This will be the second time they have bloomed since I got the start in, I think, 2007. The plant has gotten really big since then and I have enjoyed watching it grow.

Sunrises and Surprises

2009-01-12T08:20:00.003-05:00

Seeing as how it is Monday morning, I thought I would share last Thursday's sunrise with you. It's the dawning of a new week. School, work, play, knitting and spinning all need to have their beginnings, just as the day has to have it's beginning. I like sunrises and enjoy watching them. Walking Cleo in the mornings makes for a perfect time to watch the morning colors. I don't get to see the evening colors very often as I am at work. It's not very often that I remember to take my camera with me on these morning walks, but on Thursday I did remember it and the colors were all so pretty.

On Friday night, when I got home from work, ES asked me to close my eyes and hold out my hands. He did this four times, each time he handed me something different: twice it was a book on the constellations, once a cd of Bob Marley which promptly went to "C" (he has already listened to it), the last time he handed me these two skeins of Malabrigo. One in the colorway Coral and the other in the Caribeno color. I asked where he had gotten everything and he said the Smithsonian was having a "garage" sale and he had picked the things up there. He wondered if he had gotten a good deal on the yarn and I told him he definitely did.

BTW doesn't the Coral color match the Thursday sunrise?

Now just to figure out what to do with these two skeins of silk/merino blend. I'm thinking a cowl. It would be nice and warm and soft up against my neck on those cold morning walks. So glad ES thought of this fun surprise!

Happy knitting and spinning.

Ramblings

2009-01-04T20:21:00.003-05:00

ES's socks are coming along nicely. I am almost finished! I don't know if he will get another pair any time soon, but I might do another pair if he wears these very often.

Not much knitting is getting done around here. It seems like all I do anymore is go to work or come home and go to bed. It was nice to have the last four months off in a sense. Now I'm back to two jobs and I have to get adjusted to that again.

Tomorrow is the start of the 5 am days, school for C, and the late nights getting home from work. I'm afraid the knitting is going to be taking the hit. It could be the spinning though. I have only touch my wheel twice in the past week and have only spun less than a quarter of a bobbin. The desire is there, just not the endurance to sit there after a full day's work and lack of sleep.

ES bought an electric blanket last week. I have never owned an electric blanket and now I wonder how I survived so long without one. I l-o-v-e my electric blanket. It is so nice to turn the pre-heat button on about half an hour before heading to bed. Then when I go up and climb in bed it is nice and toasty already. My feet haven't been as cold and that is really, really nice.

Tonight ES, C and I sat around the dining-room table playing 13. It was fun. At least once every couple of weeks we get the cards out and play Nertz(?) and now 13. It is a good way for us to find out what is happening in C's life and to let him know we are people too, not just his "parental units". Although it would be nice if someone else besides C could win! He always seems to win, no matter which game we play.

I find I have been enjoying the morning walks of Cleo, our family dog. We take the path and walk for about 15 minutes through the trees near the creek. Sometimes I watch the cardinals or watch the deer, always I watch the sun and the trees. It is interesting to see the same tree in different lights and seasons.

Thanks for reading my rambling today. Happy knitting and spinning.

Finished Adamas

2009-01-02T07:55:00.003-05:00

Here it is two days into the New Year and I am still working on finishing projects from 2008. I haven't started anything new, but I do have a couple of projects ready to go.

Since I don't have anything new to show you, I thought I would finally post the pictures of the finished Adamas shawl I made for J-b and K's wedding reception in October.
The front view of the shawl shows the pattern a little better than the back view. It also shows the pretty shawl pin I picked up at Stitches East which I attended with Sheryl. The back view blends in with the color of the dress I wore for the wedding, but in real life it doesn't blend that much. The lighting was not the best to capture the pattern and it was too cold to go outside. I really like this shawl and have worn it on a number of occasions already.

Specs: Started in September. Completed by October 15th. Used just over 700 yds of Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Moccasin Trail. Knit on size 8 circular Addi's. Adamas was a fun pattern and went relatively quickly. I will probably make this pattern again.

Now onto finishing ES's socks--he had BIG feet!!

Happy knitting and spinning.

Traditional Turns Twenty

2008-12-29T22:33:00.003-05:00

A week ago this past Sunday, Sheryl came over for a quick spinning lesson on my Ashford Traditional. She then went home with the said Traditional and has been playing with it when she can. It was fun to see the spark of having "got" it while she was practicing. It took me back to my own first lesson on the Traditional 20 years ago this past Friday. What a difference spinning has made in my life and how I react to different situations in life.

Spinning has been a mainstay in my life for the past 20 years and I am glad that I have this quiet, peaceful time to meditate, calm down from daily stresses, and NOT kill my kids when they got me so riled up. On the plus side of spinning, I get to create one of a kind yarns which I can make into one of a kind garments for my friends, family and me to enjoy for years to come. And I can share my interests with others and get them "hooked" also.

So thanks, Bud, for buying me the Traditional for Christmas all those many years ago. He never thought it would still be in my life all these years later and he was surprised to see the spinning wheel still in my home when he visited for the first time four years or so ago.

Even though the Traditional isn't my daily spinner now, it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Christmas Giving

2008-12-28T09:19:00.002-05:00

Now the Christmas is over and the kids have opened their hand knits, I'll show you some of the socks I knit for all the kids for Christmas. I completed 11 pair of socks over the course of the year!
I am still working on one pair for ES, they could have been done in time for Christmas, but I had to rip them - twice! I am now on the cuffs, toe up, so it won't be long until he can start wearing his.
The last pair here, with the darkest background, was actually my first pair completed. I finished them back in February. The orange pair was the pair knit from the Soctober pattern from Through the Loops and it took me two months to get them done! The self-striping pair was knit in April.

I'm glad this project is over with, maybe now I can knit a pair of socks for myself. At least, that can be the plan until I find something else I want to work on. Next, more socks and the wedding shawl from October.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy Holiday

2008-12-25T21:16:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Our day was quiet, the first one without any kids around. My mom has talked about not opening gifts until 10 or 11 in the morning and I used to think, "how could you wait that long'. But today was just that sort of a day.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!

Happy knitting and spinning.