JANUARY SPIN

The Mountains

2011-08-26T14:52:00.001-05:00

The Mountains, a photo by january spin on Flickr.

Surprise!

2011-06-24T16:02:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful surprise package arrived today.There was a drawing on the Knits for Needs blog (See earlier post here about the wonderful things being done through Knits for Needs.) and I was one of the winners. WOW!
There were several knitting books and wonder of wonders, quite a few of them had patterns for baby things. I have several precious babies that I want to make things for so this was a huge gift. I am thrilled and can't wait to get started. An unexpected gift from a very wonderful cause.

I finished the prayer shawl for Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers and just realized I didn't take a picture of it before I mailed it off. I really do think all this hot weather has melted several vital brain cells. I still have another shawl ready but haven't been able to contact the recipient to verify the address. Has to go on the Must Do list for next week.

Well, the house is being shown again tomorrow morning. Maybe this will be THE one. I am working on keeping a positive attitude but sometimes sitting in a really clean (boring) house makes that difficult. Netflix and playing with my iPad2 are the major things holding my sanity together since I can't get my craft/art stuff out. Ok, I could get it out but anyone who makes things knows that getting into a project and having to put it away in the middle of it is not conducive to creativity. Nor does it make for a happy camper.

Ok, now I really do have to go hide more stuff. My sweet realtor doesn't know I have taken a break from packing for over a month . I need to look like I have done something before she comes to take the next set of pictures.

Babies and Two Year Olds

2011-06-18T09:13:00.000-05:00

There is something about holding a little baby that just tugs at the heartstrings. They make little baby noises and just seem to naturally cuddle. What a shame that sometimes we lose that ability when we become adults. The cuddling part, not the noises part. The noises part we have and it's not always good, but we should try harder to hold onto the cuddling part. Whether it's a parent holding a child, a husband holding a wife, a friend comforting a friend, or an adult child holding an elderly parent, we should remember how to cuddle someone. It's one of those things that seems to bring comfort to the one who is being cuddled and the one who is doing the cuddling.

Last night I got to cuddle the 2 month old baby of my precious niece and her wonderful husband. It had been a couple of years since I had been around a baby I could cuddle. There's magic in that feel. You look into that little face and you see all the amazing things that life can offer. At that moment, there aren't any cant's, wont's, or limits. I just see a huge world and a tiny baby who hopefully will embrace the joy of living and exploring that world. I see love and trust and possibilities.

I also got to hold her 2 year old brother . He was scared because Mom and Dad had gone out and he had only seen me a few times before in his young life. The possibilities of life were still there but some of the scariness had crept in also. He was starting to discover that life didn't always go as you planned or wanted it to and sometimes you just had to adapt. Although tears and yelling were ways to vent that frustration and disappointment , and we've all done that at one point or the other, acceptance of change brings more peace.

I've found that you can't make people's problems go away permanently. The best thing you can do it just to be there when they need you. Hold them close and sometimes when they are a scared two year old, tell them they are loved, and safe, and sing An Irish Lullaby to them as your Mother did for you when you were two and scared.

So little ones, I wish for you people in your life who will help you explore this marvelous world and will be there to cuddle you when it looks a little bit scary.

One at a time

2011-06-11T16:28:00.000-05:00

In case no one has noticed, the real estate market is the pits right now. How frustrating to have a house for sale that is really priced well for the neighborhood, and is even kept clean and no one is looking! If I have to live like this, at least people should come look at all this sterile cleanliness. Several friends have said my house doesn't even look like me with all the fun stuff packed away.

As a result of keeping things clean, I only have one project out at a time. Talk about sticking to one thing! The current project isn't boring, I am enjoying it. It's just having one project at a time to work on that's driving me nuts.

My current project is a prayer shawl for Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers. This one will go to a Mom in GA. I am enjoying the pattern which is super simple. It's the Lacy Prayer Shawl pattern on Ravelry. I am about half way through and am pleased with the way it is looking. I am using worsted weight yarn and size 13 needles to make sure the pattern has an open look to it. I decided to use Vanna's Choice yarn which is an acrylic. For an acrylic, I think this one is fairly soft and it will be easy to wash and care for.

I think the next project will be to finish spinning the silk for the next shawl. Naturally, I have to hide the bobbin with the spun silk on it when the house is being shown as the people wandering thru seem to be easily distracted. It's kind of like Hide and Seek around here.

Ok, that's it for today. I'm going to go surf the net and look at the houses in FL that are for sale that I can't buy until I sell this one. Dominoes people, Dominoes.

The Other Gold

2011-06-09T14:44:00.001-05:00

There's a Brownie / Girl Scout song that goes "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." I always loved that song. To me it meant treasuring what you had but always being open to something new.

Although I have some Silver friends who are really in the Platinum category, I want to talk about the ones in the Gold category today.

I went to my 50th high school reunion recently. First of all, there's a big credibility gap between my actual chronological age and my mindset age. A couple of years ago I went to an immunologist and I was thrilled because he was also a pediatrician. To me it meant I was in my second childhood: however my closest family and friends say I have never left my first one. I don't consider that a bad thing. It makes life ever so much more fun.

I digress--and probably will more than once since I am right brained . Back to the reunion. Sadly there were people who didn't come because 1) no one will know me, 2) I won't know who anyone is, 3) I don't earn as much as some of my classmates, 4) I've gained weight, 5) I have wrinkles, 6) I'm not married, 7) my hair is gray (I have no hair), 8) my life didn't turn out as I expected, etc, etc, etc.

I've got news for you. When you go to a 50 year reunion no one is really seeing you as you are now. If they are there for the right reasons, they are seeing you, not with their eyes, but with their heart. If they are there just to impress people with their current status and how "successful" they are, then they have missed the meaning of success and the only thing you can do is show compassion, and avoid them like the plague!

Unfortunately when you are part of a huge senior class (620 plus), you not only don't know everyone, but you don't get to visit with all the ones you know at the reunions. One dear friend, Judy, who was also a college roommate, didn't come to the reunion, so I called her on Sunday afternoon and we visited for over an hour on the phone. It was great fun and one of the few people I actually got to have a long visit with over the weekend.

I was thrilled to find out that Ann is now a weaver. We had discussed weaving at our 40th reunion and she had come over to see my looms and wheels. I gave her some sources and she took some classes and is now weaving. I was even able to ~~unload~~ give her some books on weaving before she left this time.

Jim is not only a physician but he also enjoys photography and travel so I was able to give him the contact information for a long time friend on the West Coast that I am sure he will enjoy meeting. I do love connecting interesting people with others who have similar hobbies.

Gloria and Margarette are almost always seen together and they are two people I really admire and adore being around. They both have had very impressive careers and yet their friendship remains steady and they are two of the most down to earth people I know. I just love hanging out with them.

Particularly special was seeing those with whom I had attended elementary school. Who would have thought back then that we would be living so far away from each other as adults. Several of the guys and their wives take a trip together each year. How awesome is that? Again, there just wasn't enough time to really visit, but just seeing those dear, remembered faces was a huge plus for the weekend.

To me, friendship means being involved in each others lives, not just a lunch or get together once in a while. It means calling a friend to chat, dropping a note in the mail, sending a text when something funny or special happens. It means responding to a prayer request with more than just a routine reply but rather actually doing the praying. I have been blessed to have friends in my life who get the real meaning of friendship and I treasure every one of them.

I remember my Momma had some friends that she played bridge with but that wasn't the only time she saw them. They visited with each other and truly enjoyed each other's company. Not at "functions" but rather as part of their daily lives. That's friendship: the "over the back fence" type of friendship.

Well, I told you in the beginning that I was going to ramble and sure enough I have. Bottom line, while I didn't get to visit with everyone I wanted to at the reunion, I hope that the reconnections made there will lead to better communication in the future. Finding Gold again is always special and it remains very valuable even if it isn't polished as often as it should be. I hope to do better in the polishing area.

Knits for Needs

2011-02-24T09:20:00.001-06:00

Do you love making things but are running out of people on your gift list? There are people out there who need your knitted or crocheted items.

Based in GA Knits for Needs is a wonderful project which fiber people all over the world are supporting. Knitted and crocheted items such as hats, scarves, & blankets, etc are sent to KFN and they are forwarded on to places where they are needed.

Knits for Needs
PO Box 551
Woodstock, GA 30188

Check out the blog at Knits for Needs

Who is manufacturing the yarn?

2011-02-10T13:09:00.000-06:00

Surely I couldn't have bought all this yarn? Some secret elf has been at work stuffing it into boxes and closets and tote bags while I slept. I just found 6 boxes of handspun cotton. SIX boxes!!! What was I thinking? Not only do I buy yarn but I also make it.

Ok, here it is in writing---I'm not buying one bit of yarn until I have made a huge dent in "the stash".

Let's face it--getting on tv because you hoard yarn is really, really going to look bad. People always ask me what I do with my handspun and I laugh and reply that I put it in baskets and admire it. Well, apparently that's exactly what I do with it. I am a process person--no apologies, that's what I am. I enjoy the doing. The product just isn't that important, or at least it's not my focus. The craft world is divided into process and product people. The product people are those that finish things. They have a goal and follow through on it. They buy yarn with a purpose in mind. They know what they want and they work until they achieve the end result that they want, or as close to it as possible.

Those of us that are process people tend to have a LOT of unfinished projects around. Once we figure out how to do something, we are usually ready to move on to something else--hence the unfinished projects. We buy yarn because we love the feel of it, or the look of it. It may remain in the stash for years unused but still appreciated. We can sit at our spinning wheels and produce boxes of handspun yarn without any plans whatsoever for it's use. We are happy in our endeavors. Every once in a while we will run into a product person. Show and tell time is where they excel. We look at what they have done and secretly resolve to do something about finishing a project so we will have something for show and tell also. We are also a bit delusional in this regard. Now every so often, we do finish something, much to our surprise and the surprise of our fiber friends. (Nonfiber people are never, ever allowed to see our stash. They would never recover from the shock of the volume.) Finishing something is always celebrated and we resolve to do more of that in the future but , well, the best laid plans and all that.

Where does the time go?

2011-02-01T15:43:00.000-06:00

I can hardly believe it has been 5 months since I last posted on my blog. I have been busy but not THAT busy, surely. I would resolve to do better but a promise like that might involve guilt . Hopefully I will post more often but if I don't, please know that the thought is there--somewhere.

January Spin-in 2011 had 123 attendees this year. Our record high so far. I think the room may hold another 15- 20 and then we are going to have to limit the registrations if we are to keep the vendors in the same room as the spinners. Several groups came through with skits/songs and they were very well received. It's a good thing we can laugh at ourselves.

The CBSG skit involved some very impressive costumes. Perhaps the one that really had the most time invested in it was Connie S's mermaid costume. How many people would knit a mermaid tail and top for a skit?

The theme for 2012 is Shawl We Dance so I have started the search for the shawl that I will make to fit the theme. I'm so glad Ravelry has so many available patterns.

Before the rain

2010-08-08T20:07:00.002-05:00

Before the rain
Originally uploaded by january spin

There is nothing like the approach of a storm in the mountains. You can watch the clouds gather and you still might not get wet as the rain could be in the next county. I saw a rainbow yesterday which was lovely and of course I didn't have my camera with me. So instead of getting a picture to show you, I just stood and enjoyed the moment. The dogs missed it entirely as the rabbits a few yards away were much more interesting.

Aunt Joanne

2010-08-06T15:15:00.001-05:00

Aunt Joanne
Originally uploaded by january spin

Ever have a relative you just love to be around? For me it's my Aunt
Joanne. Any time I can get to see her is a great time. She is very
intelligent and her sense of humor and view of life has always been a
source of enjoyment to me.

She says we get along so well because we both have a "quirky" sense of
humor. Could be. We both find something funny in almost everything.

She traveled all around the world with her husband, had an
interesting career, and helps to hold our family connected. She has
always been true to who she is and that's something not everyone
manages to do. At 91 she is one of my heroes.

Faith and Patriotism

2010-07-08T15:23:00.000-05:00

I started the morning by going to the Smokey Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (ok, long name but a beautiful building.). Dr. Dennis Swanberg was going to conduct chapel and since I had sometimes watched Swan's Place on tv, I knew it would be a fun experience. He was a Baptist minister for 20 years and then left to become a minister of encouragement. He has made it a point to bring his message to troops overseas as well as people all over this country. He is very funny and his message is indeed one of encouragement. The hour and a half passed quickly and it was a great way to start the day.

After this I grabbed a really good turkey pastrami at the Motor City Diner and then walked down a couple of blocks to the square where a Tea Party was being held. Contrary to what is often reported on the national news, there were no lunatics, fanatics, or dangerous looking people. What I saw were small town American people from all over the area who were alarmed by the direction their country was headed. That they loved their country was evident. Patriotic songs were sung and speakers said their piece. Nothing way out of line, just a general concern and lots of smiles for those driving by. I do confess that I shopped during the speeches and listened to the music.

There was one sign which I absolutely loved and wished I could have gotten a picture of it. The sign said "Next time read the bill before you vote on it." Ok, now that's funny! I don't care what your political point of view is. You know politicians don't read all the stuff they vote on and we get the results of their ignorance.

I also stopped in a store which had a wonderful display of quality crafts made in the area. The shop owner was very nice and we discussed how hard it is for small businesses to survive and get the word out about what they have to offer.

Franklin, NC

2010-07-08T15:21:00.000-05:00

Franklin is a small town with about 3500 people here for the winter population and about 35000 in the entire county according to the helpful lady at the Visitors Information Center. I have found everyone in town to be extremely nice and I have realized just how much I miss living in a smaller community.

Saturday night was a Concert on the Square and there were 2 singles and a group featured. The music for the night was gospel and, I think, 13 year old Nathan Phillips stole the show. His voice is amazing and the fact that he sang some of my all time favorites was an extra gift.

A childhood friend has a place up here and MH was kind enough to spend Friday and Saturday showing me around the area before she returned home to FL on Sunday. While we were sitting at the concert, a very nice lady put her chair next to ours. Now, this is where it gets really interesting. We got to talking as people tend to do at small town events. She has a daughter in law who is going to apply for a teaching job in , as it turns out, the district from which MH just retired a couple of years ago as head of HR. Names were exchanged, of course. Then we did the usual "where are you from" and she was from Fort Walton Beach FL. She is a member of St.Simons Episcopal Church there. I commented on how much I loved their annual craft fair and mentioned that a friend of mine had a booth there for years. She asked the friend's name. I told her it was BC and of course she knew BC. We talked about how sad it was that she had passed away this year and how much we both enjoyed wearing her handwoven clothing . It gets better. I mentioned that I had attended Shalimar UMC when I lived in that area. She asked if I knew Roger and Bronie who of course I did as R had served on the building committee with H. How wild is that? I do love discovering connections!!!

The downtown area is decorated with red/white and blue bunting and quite a few of the houses in the area are similarly decked out for the 4th.

Sorry for the lack of pictures but I was having such a good time, I forgot all about using the camera.

Baby bird

2010-06-28T12:31:00.006-05:00

Baby bird
Originally uploaded by january spin

This little one was discovered just a few feet from the villa. He was possibly 3 inches in length, if that long. He stayed very still . So still in fact that the dogs didn't even notice him--smart bird. I hope he made it safely through the night since he was gone in the morning . While I was taking this picture, without the dogs in attendance, the adult birds were giving me a very strong lecture about getting so close to their baby.

I love having so much of the outdoors close by without the city noises. I think I am a country girl at heart.

From the Porch

2010-06-28T12:29:00.025-05:00

From the Porch
Originally uploaded by january spin

I am enjoying the beauty of the North Carolina mountains while escaping the usual summer heat of lower elevations.

This is the view from the villa's screened in porch. Mornings were in
the 60s and the views while walking were wonderful.

The locals complain about how warm it is. HA! This weather is great. Frequenting the pond are 8 Canada geese - 2 parents and 6 babies. They are a source of fascination for the dogs but only for watching. For some odd reason they don't bark at the geese--just the golfers. It could be because the geese don't hit golf balls in their direction. I also observed 2 beavers who are working very hard to build a dam in this pond. It's amazing what large branches they can tow across the pond in their endeavor.

A large turtle with a shell that appears to be about 12 inches across was spotted yesterday and a couple of fair sized fish. I have wondered if any of them have been hit by the golf balls as some of the golfers can't seem to make it 1) to the hole instead of past that to the water, or 2) tee off with a strong enough shot to clear the water for the next hole. I think I could retire on the number of balls in that pond if I could retrieve them and sell them. The birds spotted so far are lots of indigo buntings, finches, a rufous sided towee and of course the inevitable sparrows.

Knit in Public Day Great Fun!!!

2010-06-12T21:33:00.001-05:00

BRRS at B & N
Originally uploaded by january spin

We came, we knitted, we ate, and we had a great time. We so need to do this again soon....after some rest.

We had several new people join our knitting group to celebrate WWKIP. Wonderful to have them and I think everyone had a great time. We started at the Farmer's Market, then went to Barnes and Noble bookstore. California Pizza Kitchen was the spot for lunch. We were supposed to go to the library for the next couple of hours but between work, dogs that needed to be let out, and just being tired, that didn't happen. We did manage to gather again at Brew HaHa for frozen lemonade / coffee and the most wonderful desserts--cake balls.

Since we had pretty much pigged out all day, we elected to skip supper and go home and collapse.
It might be noted that the 3 year old, Harley, hung in there all day and was in better shape than most of us at the end.

With all of that knitting activity, I am not sure how I only managed to get 4 rows done on the prayer shawl I'm knitting but that was the total production for the day.

Thanks goodness tomorrow is a day of rest. I'll tell you about the concert last night later.

Saints Pig

2010-06-02T19:16:00.001-05:00

Saints Pig
Originally uploaded by january spin

Never let it be said that we miss an opportunity to celebrate a
winning team in strange and wonderful ways.

This pig was reclining in front of Magnolia Cafe which serves some
really great food at very reasonable prices. I would like to show you
the fabulous turkey sandwich on toasted pita complete with avocado
slices and sprouts I would show it to you but I finished it before I
thought of you and a picture. You're going to have to get your own.

A Bit of Summer

2010-05-27T07:50:00.001-05:00

A Bit of Summer
Originally uploaded by january spin

This greets me in the kitchen. I love having a bit of the outdoors to look at while I'm washing dishes or cooking. Ok, the cooking part is something of a stretch, but it is the kitchen after all and I might cook sometime.

The tall lacy looking flowers are curly leaf parsley that is going to seed. The purple flowers are Purple Coneflower and actually the green is the same thing. It just decided to be green in the midst of all the purple flowers. The green plant showed up about 4 years after I originally planted the Purple Coneflowers.

The vase was one I found several years ago and it and the orange dressed mermaid given to me by friends, make me smile. Not a bad way to start the day.

Hotter Than...

2010-05-25T15:11:00.000-05:00

When it gets to be in the 90s without a lot of relief in sight, I find it is a great excuse to hibernate and knit. Hmm, yes I know, I rarely need an excuse to hibernate and knit but if I say that it's because of the heat, it sounds better. Maybe.

The day started off with taking the dogs to the veterinarian. Allie had managed to get something in her eye over the weekend and scratched it a bit. Fortunately I was able to get them there before it became roasty toasty outside.

I am "making yarn" for a shawl for a friend. She wanted something in red which of course is adding to the sense of warmth even with the a/c cranked on "just above really, really cold." Actually, after looking at my electric bill last year, I am using my 2 floor fans more this summer.

The yarns are a lot more red and less "pink" than this picture shows.

Now onto the knitting. I have about 5 or 6 red yarns that I am using for this shawl and will add more as I go along. The CO will be about 140 sts and I'm using size 13 circular needles so once I actually start knitting, it should go rather quickly.

When I talk about "making yarn" I mean that I am cutting various yarns into 12-14" pieces and then just knotting them together with an overhand knot as I did for the blue shawl.

From Momma's stash

2010-05-19T14:42:00.001-05:00

From Momma's stash
Originally uploaded by january spin

I was sorting through my Mom's knitting needles and found these. No
telling how old they are as Mom passed away over 26 years ago.

I just love that there is that connection of knitting still after all
these years. It made those years disappear and once again I am a
little girl sitting next to her trying to learn to knit and crochet.

Miss you Mom.

Having a Sabbath Day

2010-05-05T16:37:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I have stayed home almost all day without doing a lot. I went out at lunch time to bring some food home but other than that, I have been hibernating. There is a whole long list of should dos but it is now late afternoon and I am just resting.

It's a day of resting on the couch watching the traffic, what there is of it, go by and generally just taking it easy. I don't often do this but every once in a while the allergies / sinuses decide to let me know they're around and rest becomes important and necessary. It's not a bad thing. Thus, the title of having a Sabbath day. It's a day of rest and if I think of it that way, I'm not chomping at the bit to get out and "do" something. I don't know about the rest of you but I can let my life get to the point that extremely busy becomes the norm. It's only when I make a determined effort to rest that I realize the peace involved in a Sabbath type day.

I did a bit of knitting on a washcloth and , obviously, I'm writing on my blog but that pretty much covers the extent of my effort at anything today. I have found that when I am forced to rest like this, the mind wanders and I think of possibilities. Possibilities are exciting things. You may never actually DO them, but thinking about them provides great entertainment.

Oh, I have been playing Words With Friends on my iPhone today. If you have an iPhone, and don't have this app, be sure to get it. Lots of fun and a great way to stretch the mind. I think I am currently playing WWF with 5 other people but since a couple of the people I am playing with only make a move every few days, it's not a high pressure thing.

One of the things I have been thinking about is January Spin-in. I am so excited about one of the things Cheryl and I have decided to do. Isn't it fun to have a friend whose mind is as twisted as your own?

Hmm, sitting on the couch looking out the window has made me realize that although I would love to have a front yard filled with flowers and lots of mulch, I would miss the look of the grass in the shade. It looks so cool out there and I know it's not.

Did I mention that the mind tends to ramble during Sabbath time? Apparently mine does but it's restful kind of rambling, not frantic, "oh I have to get that done" type of rambling.

Ok, it's probably time to rest the fingers and the dogs are starting to make noises about being hungry---again.

Busting the Stash

2010-05-03T10:13:00.001-05:00

Well, I am working on a project that is really going to bust the stash. I am knitting a blue / turquoise shawl out of anything cotton, ribbon, acrylic, or unknown fiber which meets the criteria of being in that color range. I cast on what seems like 18 zillion stitches as I am knitting the length. The needle size is 10 circulars and the Addis are working beautifully as the various fibers slide nicely along the shaft. This is important when some of the fibers you are using tend to cling together.

This shawl is going to be heavier that I had anticipated but I also think it is going to be a very fun thing to wear. ... in cooler weather.

Preparation for this shawl has involved gathering the yarns together (I've been back to the stash several times) and then cutting them into 12-14 inch strips. Some of the yarns, such as the ribbons, stand alone but other are put in groups of 2 or 3 . They are tied together using an overhand knot (yea for the days as a Cub Scout leader) and this is done without any order so no pattern of yarn use is established. That has been necessary as I am sure I am going to run out of a couple of the yarns before I'm finished. I have actually held back some of a couple of the yarns so I can reintroduce them later in the shawl.

I am probably half way done and am already to move on to another project. Yes, it has once again become apparent that I am a process person. I have figured out how to do this shawl and am looking for the next thing. I'll finish this one because there are several different stages to it and because I am sure I will enjoy the finished project but mentally, I think I have moved to something else.

Amaryllis

2010-04-28T17:38:00.001-05:00

Amaryllis
Originally uploaded by january spin

The solid reds have already bloomed out and now the red and white ones
are blooming. I adore flowers that not only come back each year but
also multiply. It does make gardening easier.

Unknown tree

2010-04-26T21:09:00.002-05:00

Unknown tree
Originally uploaded by january spin

Not sure what this tree is but it is really pretty. Similar to a
dogwood but the flowers are different. If someone can identify it
please let me know.

* A couple of friends have let me know that the unidentified tree is a Tung tree--as in Tung Oil. The downside is that apparently it has large nuts or bolls that come with it and they are so hard they will tear up a lawn mower or put dents in a car parked under it. Ah, beauty seems to come at a price.

Anam Cara

2010-04-15T17:37:00.000-05:00

Anam Cara is a beautiful sound. It just seems to roll off the tongue. The meaning is even more beautiful. It means "soul friend". It's no wonder so many of the Irish were poets. The language is musical. I have started a study at church using a book called Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue. The first chapter talks about what a soul friend is and as I stopped to really think about it, I found I have been blessed with at least 3 soul friends.

How fortunate I am that they have let me in their lives. We can go for weeks without talking (although it's never really that long) and when we do talk, or even better see each other, it's like we have never been apart. They know my deepest feelings and yet they care for me anyway. There is a trust there that goes deep. I have often referred to each of them as the other half of my brain, but Anam Cara is a much better way to describe what they mean to me.

I hope everyone has an Anam Cara.

It's finally Spring

2010-04-05T15:36:00.000-05:00

There are a couple of weeks in the South before the heat and humidity chase most of us inside . During these weeks we can enjoy the most glorious color to be found anywhere. Everything from cool whites, to delicate pinks, soft lavendars to hot pinks and vivid reds can be seen in the forms of azaleas, wisteria and spirea. The three together are a winning combination. This year I promised myself to take a day and just drive around enjoying the glorious sights. Once the rain comes, the blossoms will start dropping quickly so I decided that today was the day. It was made even more enjoyable because I had my sister in law with me and she loves plants as much as I do. We oohed and aahed a lot .

There was also a great tree with wonderful burls on it. I hope someday when it's time for the tree to come down, some woodworker will get to have that tree and make something spectacular with those burls. My friend Gus could have made incredible bowls from that wood. He really had an artisans touch.

I hope your Spring is as gorgeous as mine and that you take the time to enjoy it. God's creation is truly amazing. How sad if we are too busy to admire it.

New Hobby and Old Joints

2010-03-27T14:54:00.000-05:00

I drove Charlie today. He had been ridden too much last week so I ended up driving Chaz. Chaz made me sit up and pay attention to what I was doing. It was still fun but he required more effort on my part than Molly did. Even so, my joints were in better shape after driving him than they were today when I drove Charlie.

I tried holding my arms up in front of me more and holding my wrists correctly but I think I am going to have to go with what is comfortable rather than what is correct. Anyway, I like Charlie and I think we may rock along well together as soon as the body makes a few adjustments.

I need to find a knitting project other than washcloths but in the meantime, I am knitting away on washcloth number 9 for this month. At this rate, I'll actually make a dent in my Peaches and Creme stash this year.

Speaking of the stash, I came across 2 cones of yarn that are ugly. Have you ever bought some yarn, put it away, and found it later only to wonder "What was I thinking buying that?" I can't even think of anyone who would like these colors. Skeining the yarn and dyeing it is too much trouble and it would take some powerful dye to counteract these colors. Maybe our local group needs to have a White elephant sale. Surely I can't be the only one who has yucky yarn hidden in the stash.

Washcloths

2010-03-27T14:52:00.000-05:00

To me there is something so restful about knitting washcloths. The pattern can be as simple or as complex as you want. It is a project that won't go on forever and therefore is one that you won't get tired of knitting about halfway through it.

I enjoy using my knitted items and I enjoy knitting functional items so it's a win-win situation. The other plus side of washcloths is that most people really like to get some. Great hostess or thank you gifts and a wonderful treat for yourself are more reasons to take the time to knit some. I usually try to keep several on hand. Right now I need some for myself so that, combined with just finishing a shawl which took several weeks, is the reason for the washcloth knitting marathon.

Eight washcloths in a week are some kind of a record for me. I made up one of the patterns (the basketweave) but the others were the Friendship Chain Cloth designed by Vaunda Rae Giberson, The Cotton Dishcloth (Once Removed or Dressed Up)designed by Marion Torgerson, and Petal dishcloth designed by Hazel Schrock.

So, I encourage you to treat yourself to a knitted washcloth. You deserve the best.

No sock loom for me

2010-03-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally tried to use the 64 peg sock loom that I bought last year (or year before). I had the Sock Looming Book, correct yarn, and the lovely loom. Folks, it's just not going to happen. It was very slow and frustrating. Although I can easily remember k2,p2 with circular needles, for some reason, if the phone rang or I got distracted, I just couldn't find out which stitch was next without going back and counting from the beginning. Talk about making haste slowly!

So, I ripped it out in the best froggy manner possible and I will sell the loom and the book as a set. I love the patterns in the book and the loom is beautifully made but it's just not for me.

Since the size 1 and 0 Addis hurt my hands, and the knitting loom didn't work out, I now have the perfect excuse to order some Harmony circular needles from Knit Picks. You saw that coming didn't you? Even if they don't work out, they are gorgeous to look at and I'll just put them somewhere highly visible.

I do use the plastic round looms with bigger yarn and will continue to make hats with them as it is a very quick process. I made some several years ago and it's a good way to keep knittting if holding the reins is causing some soreness the day after driving.

On a side note, I learned to use the whip (relax, you barely touch it to the horse's rear) to put Molly into a faster trot. This week I'll get to drive Charlie. He's bigger than Molly and with him I have to learn how to make him keep his head up and in the correct position. Oh, yeah, and not fall off that tiny little bench. Very important part of the whole process.

Molly and Finished Prayer Shawl

2010-03-07T13:46:00.006-06:00

Had another lesson on driving with Molly yesterday. The trainer was really great and let me play for much longer than I probably should have, or Molly wanted me to do. I asked Marjorie (trainer) to take a picture of Molly and I and I managed to take one while driving so you could see her from my perspective.

Please notice the huge hat with a spf of 30. I've seen my dermatologist enough lately and this, hopefully, will help prevent another carving. I have a big shirt to wear when it is warmer. I figured this time the sun couldn't get through the heavy coat I was wearing.

I finally finished the prayer shawl done in the Feather and Fan pattern. I love the pattern but for some reason this shawl just seemed to go on forever. I really only took 5 weeks (and not steady knitting by any means) but it seemed longer than that. The yarn is Vanna's Choice so it will be washable and was done with size 8 circular needles. Next time I will use larger needles. It still needs to be blocked and then off to the family of the soldier.

Sock Yarn hat

2010-03-03T20:21:00.001-06:00

sock yarn hat 1 side
Originally uploaded by january spin

Just finished a fun and easy knit. Got the idea from my friend, Cheryl M, who got it from her friend, Judy, I think. Anyway, the hat uses scraps of sock yarn and you hold two strands together.. It's one of the beautys of working with 2 different variegated yarns at the same time. They blend beautifully through no extra effort on your part.

Now I am going to have to knit more socks (or use sock yarn more) so I can make more of these hats. Thanks, Cheryl for sharing.

I am still knitting on the current prayer shawl which for whatever reason, is taking much longer than previous ones. I am using smaller needles and this could be the reason but geez, I feel like I have been knitting on it forever. Once it's finished, I'm going to be doing some small projects for a while. Washcloths, where are my washcloth patterns? They sure seem to be my go to projects.

The iPod and fiber play

2010-03-02T08:44:00.007-06:00

I enjoy listening to certain books. I particularly enjoy listen to books when I can knit or spin at the same time. I could probably clean house while listening but somehow, it's not nearly as much fun, or satisfying.

I just finished "Under Orders" by Dick Francis, one of my favorite mystery writers. His heroes are ordinary people who persevere and the stories are well written. All of his books touch, in some way, horses and usually horse racing. Growing up as a horse crazy girl, this just adds to the appeal of his writing. Even non horse people will enjoy his mysteries however as the main character usually explains his thinking and "horse terms" while not being boring about it. Before he became an author, Dick Francis was a steeplechase jockey and he brings a lot of knowledge to his writings.

I have now started listening to "Vision in White" by Nora Roberts and I am continuing to dye silk sliver while doing that. The silk dyeing consists of putting quart jars with Wilton cake dyes in them, water and previously wetted Bombyx silk sliver. I finished a batch on Sunday for the Ravelympics and decided to just keep dyeing the rest of the silk.

Has anyone ever figured out how to dye either cotton or silk sliver and keep the integrity of the sliver without using the microwave? I always end up with a flat squished sliver when I rinse the excess dye out and have to squeeze the sliver. After it is dry I can usually "pop" the silk and it regains some measure of it's former loveliness but cotton remains squished. I'm sure there's a secret out there somewhere but I have yet to discover it.

The Wilton dyes tend to have a somewhat pinkish red but I am trying to counteract that by putting in some brown. No particular reason for the brown, it just seemed like a good idea. Studying color charts would probably help but I love the playing and since I am usually happy with the results, this way is faster. (This carefree attitude probably comes from having as much silk as most spinning shops. You spend enough years developing a stash and you have extra to play with when you want.)

Note: I'll add pictures from the second batch of dyeing later. Just so you know, and I remember, the brown did make for a much richer red--who knew? Well, I suppose if you study those color charts you would know but I like to feel I have discovered something on my own.

What great fun!

2010-02-20T15:57:00.005-06:00

With the encouragement of a friend, I did something this morning that I have wanted to do for years. I took my first lesson in driving a horse.

Molly is a beautiful Haflinger Horse with great patience but enough life to make the entire experience fun. I was in a sulky and although we stayed at a walk and then a trot, it was wonderful, awesome, and I can't wait to do it again. When you are driving along and the horse is moving as you directed and the breeze is on your face, it is one of those glorious moments that is meant to be treasured.

Although I grew up riding horses, this was the first time I tried to drive one. I'm a convert, addict, and totally hooked. Next week I'll try to actually have someone take pictures. I brought the camera but was so excited (like a kid in a candy shop) that I only remembered the camera after I was ready to go and by then someone else was riding Molly. I did get a shot of her beautiful head however.

Oh, I also rode Molly for a bit and I'll pay for that with sore muscles tomorrow. I am already feeling the aching in the joints from the driving but it was worth every twinge. I don't think I had ridden with an English saddle since I was in high school. I feel more secure using a western one but I think the driving is going to continue to win out over everything.

It was everything I had imagined it to be and more. It required some extra awareness since I wasn't used to the sulky and so had to remember not to take the wheels off as I got next to the rail and to allow more room for turns but Molly was patient and we both survived the experience. The trainer, Marjorie, was very encouraging without being demanding and when she suggested riding as well, it just seemed like a natural thing to do. (I'm not sure "natural" will be the word for it tomorrow.)

The driving was a high like I hadn't experienced in years and I am so glad that I decided to try it. I think I may go take the dogs for a walk now while I can still move and then I see a warm bath and several Tylenol in my future.

And to answer your question, yes, I have already booked my lesson for next week. Surely I can pull the body together by then.

Olympics

2010-02-12T21:34:00.003-06:00

Whether you participate as an athlete or a spectator, there is something magical about the Olympics. Canada's opening ceremonies were beautifully presented. The native tribes were incredible, both the costumes and the dances. It wasn't as splashy as China's but I enjoyed them so much more. Well done Canadians!!!

CBSG Skit

2010-02-04T15:55:00.002-06:00

The CBSG group out did themselves To the tune of "hey, hey we're the
monkeys" they performed a hysterical routine. This is a very creative
group and each year they bring us something special.

The stockings are handknit and some are even of handspun yarn. It's
fun groups like this that make January Spin-in so much fun.

Enjoy.

Decisions, decisions

2010-02-04T08:58:00.003-06:00

T'is hard to decide whether it is nobler in spirit to knit or to spin, ah, to spin, perchance to finish the silk, or to knit and thus to complete the prayer shawl (which is barely started), or to take up needles against a new project and thus by doing so finish something.
*My apologies to Shakespeare but it raining today and therefore waxing poetic is allowed--mildew on the brain and all that.

The problem with January Spin-in is that I end up with too many projects I want to rush out to try and there's only one of me which is why I have been trying to promote a fiber clone for years. Well, several clones and then I could bounce from one project to the next without guilt and when I moved on the clones could complete what I had left behind. Have I mentioned I am a process person?

Ok, I am now going to seriously do at least 5 rows on the prayer shawl and then reward myself by knitting with some of my handspun cotton...or maybe spin some more silk on the wheel, or on the Trindle spindle, or perhaps spin the BFL on the other wheel....Hey, you didn't expect total reform this early in the year, did you?

First socks finished

2010-02-03T16:36:00.003-06:00

Yes, they were actually finished the first day of Spin-in. 3 days
early as I didn't need them until Sat. I LOVE deadlines. I always seem
to function best right up against them.

I found the size 1 needles a bit hard on the hands but a friend
suggested that the problem was with the metal needles rather than the
size. Next time I'll use wooden needles and see if that helps.

Yes, there will be another pair of socks at some point. Right now I'm
looking for my size 13 needles.

Traveling scarf exchange

2010-02-03T16:26:00.001-06:00

Traveling scarf exchange
Originally uploaded by january spin

Aren't these gorgeous ? They were done by some of the participants of
the January Spin-in and were made using handspun yarn.
I have been a participant in this type of exchange before but never
experienced this level of beauty. I look at these and want to
participate but then I look in the bottom of a couple of drawers and
see why I don't.

Fiber, fiber , fiber

2010-01-29T07:47:00.005-06:00

I am surrounded by fiber and some of the nicest spinners in the world. What could be better? January Spin-in started on Wednesday and it has been fiber overload ever since.

So far I have purchased another Trindle and some Blue Face Leicester and some incredible dyed Bombyx silk mawatas. ....and I'm just getting started.

a few hours later...I purchased more BFL in a slightly different colorway than one I usually use but it has enough blue in it to keep me happy.

So far the January Spin-in precision niddy noddy drill team has been awesome in their performances. A 3 foot stuffed lamb has been kidnapped and is being held for fiber ransom, and we have had a Spin-in Sit-in complete with flower children and music from the '60s. "We Shall Overcome" was converted to "We Shall Overspin". You just never know what to expect and that is what I love about this event.

Hooray for Friends

2010-01-16T18:51:00.003-06:00

Thank goodness for friends. They came to the rescue this weekend. I am trying to finish the 2nd sock of the first pair ever. How in the world it can be easier to knit the first sock than it is to knit the second one of the pair is beyond my comprehension but that's exactly what has happened.

I took a break in the middle of the second sock--holidays and all that. Well, my count got off and the heel ended up going off at a really, really weird slant on one side of the heel only.

Off to one of the local knitting shops for help. They helped me rip back and get back on track with the short rows. I came home and happily knitted away--until I really, really looked at the thing. It was at this point when I realized that what was throwing things off wasn't the short rows but rather the start of the heel flap. Apparently it does make a difference as to the number of stitches you have on your needles. So much for my cavalier attitude.

Another friend to the rescue. Stephanie is a sock knitting genius and a great friend. Who else would come out on a rainy Saturday afternoon, patiently get the stitches back on the correct needles and then wait while I slowly knit rows in the correct manner.

I finished that portion and will do the rest of the sock early this week--"Lord willing and the creek don't rise."

Dr. Who scarf. Season 15

2010-01-11T10:29:00.001-06:00

Dr. Who scarf. Season 15
Originally uploaded by january spin

It's finished, it's finished!!!!! This was an easy knit if a somewhat long one. I used Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn and large needles (size 11) so that it wouldn't become a lifelong project. The total length is over 18 feet. I didn't use the entire pattern and quit more than finished it but it was long enough to give the "look". We were going for fun rather than "authentic".

This is definitely an act of love knitting project as it takes so long but on the other hand, it's great for visiting since there isn't a pattern to remember.

I know there are people who have actually knit several of the Dr. Who scarves. I won't be one of them....unless Favorite Son needs another one for some strange reason. Before you begin to wonder, Favorite Son is also our only son so no one else is being neglected. Actually since birth he has been know as Number One Favorite Son and remains so years and years, and years later. (Sorry to digress but he's got a birthday coming up and I couldn't resist.) I on the other hand, am not aging.

So, 2010 is off to a great start knitting wise as I have now finished the Dr. Who scarf and also a prayer shawl for the Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers group. More on that later.

On the needles are the sock yarn hat mentioned earlier and the First Socks ever . The FSE should be finished this week if the hands don't freeze from our over the top weather. It it's going to be this cold, we should have some of the white stuff at least.

On a side note about the weather--just because you live in an area of the world that is used to cold weather, and you have lower temperatures than we do, doesn't mean that you shouldn't at least try to sound sympathetic when we complain. Cold that is unexpected and not the usual thing, is colder than cold that is a regular thing. It's a well know fact!

Cheryl's Big Knit scarf

2010-01-11T10:06:00.001-06:00

Cheryl's Big Knit scarf
Originally uploaded by january spin

Roc Day is a great excuse for getting together with friends you don't see nearly often enough. If you aren't familiar with the history of Roc Day, be sure to look it up on the web.

I got a great idea from Cheryl for using leftover sock knitting yarn. I'm going to have to make more socks to have the yarn but I loved the idea. I forgot where she got the idea but you are knitting on size 8 circs and using 2 strands of sock yarn to make a simple hat. Just change to another yarn when you run out of a strand. Naturally I have cast on for the hat but need to actually finish the socks to have "leftover" yarn.

Catchup--the holidays were wonderful and I actually finished a couple of projects which will be in the next post.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-10T20:48:00.002-06:00

MerryChristmas 2009
Originally uploaded by january spin

Well, the inside of the house is finally beginning to look like Christmas is around the corner. Naturally, I still don't have a single present wrapped and some haven't even been purchased or even made.

As Scarlett said so eloquently, "I'll think about that tomorrow.". In the meantime, I am enjoying the new gas fire logs, listening to a Michael Connelly mystery while thinking about all the cleaning I need to get done, and finishing a helmet liner for a soldier. Yes, I can multi-task!

In the midst of all that, I just wanted to take a moment to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you remember the reason we celebrate this very special season and that the peace of Jesus' birth stays with you throughout the year.

And now, I am going to seriously think about what needs to be cleaned next....any moment now.

First finished sock

2009-12-10T20:22:00.001-06:00

First finished sock
Originally uploaded by january spin

I have a sock. I finished my first ever sock yesterday morning at 7 AM. I sent a text message to a friend who I knew was up and about--seriously considered calling people but figured they might not be as enthusiastic as I was about this feat.

I have even cast on for the second sock as I was afraid I would have admireititis and never get to the second one. As I was finishing the cuff, I began to understand the fascination with sock knitting that so many knitter seem to have. Although it's not the fastest project in the world, it is personal and certainly do-able in a reasonable length of time. The portability is very convenient.

I am glad that the first sock was knit with a superwash wool, silk, nylon blend as I expect it to last awhile. Last night at knitting we were discussing the fact that so many companies use Merino for sock yarn. Merino is not a hard wearing wool. It is a soft, fine wool which is wonderful worn next to the skin . Something that won't get tons of wear and tear is a good project for Merino. All wool is not the same. A long wearing wool would be something like Lincoln or Cotswold. These have a long staple (length) and are perfect for outer garments or for something needing good wearability, like socks.

Second time is faster

2009-11-30T05:42:00.005-06:00

I am now speeding along on the second sock. Why does the second one seem so much faster to knit than the first one did? I am turning the heel and it has been less than a week since I started it.

I have to admit that I am now hooked on sock knitting. At first I didn't share the enthusiasm everyone seemed to have about this type of project but then about the middle of the second sock, I got it. It seems to be an addictive behavior from what I have observed and I am going to have a difficult time concentrating on Christmas gifts which remain to be made.

And around the heel we go

2009-11-18T08:30:00.001-06:00

Sock progress
Originally uploaded by january spin

Yeah!!!! I have started on the cuff, finally.

True confessions---there is a gap on each side where I joined them back together and I thought about tinking it and redoing that part. I decided not to however since the thought of it put me in a really, really bad mood (as in, why do I want to knit with these tiny needles anyway).

I'll not make the same mistake when I knit the second sock in 20 years but for this one, I am going to finish it as is. Then I am going to take matching sewing thread and take a couple of little stitches and close those holes. Is this the "correct" thing to do? Definitely not. Do I care? Definitely not.

Knitting is supposed to be an enjoyable task and tinking this sock was not going to come under the heading of enjoyable in any way shape or form so therefore, I will cheat.

Apparently I have low standards when it comes to sock knitting and I don't care. I will have a finished sock and at this point that seems to be the goal. A finished, perfect sock just isn't going to happen this time..

Ok, confession time over. BTW, don't bother trying to make me feel guilty about this character flaw. I don't do sock knitting guilt.

Oh, for those of you who actually read this and look at the picture, the pink ribbon is just one more way for me to remember which side is the top of the sock. Now that the heel is turned I can remove it.

It's Official!!!!

2009-11-09T20:27:00.002-06:00

I have entered my second childhood officially. (I am ignoring those who imply that I never left the first one.)

How did this happen? I have been experiencing a lovely case of the hives for the past month. Not fun! Benadryl has been my friend but if I take it, I go to sleep which really, really makes it hard to knit. Therefore, I decided to seek the help of a physician who specialized in allergies. My neighbor had had wonderful results for her chronic hives by going to this doctor so I had an appointment with him this afternoon.

Now comes the funny part. The doctor is also a pediatrician. I went to a pediatric clinic today . So instead of going to a physician who specializes in gerontology I am going to one who specializes in children and I'm just fine with that. It brings back memories of an old song which was a favorite of mine. "Fairy tales can come true. It can happen to you. If you are among the very young at heart." I kind of giggled (inside, of course) through the entire visit thinking about being there. It's good to find something to laugh about when you have the hives.

I hope you're feeling young today also.

Hendersonville, NC

2009-11-03T11:20:00.004-06:00

Apple NC a
Originally uploaded by january spin

Hendersonville, NC is one of those neat little towns that you might overlook since it is so close to Asheville. The downtown area is very attractive with many interesting shops. Decorating the downtown are large apples decorated with various motifs similar to what other cities have done with pigs, horses, and cattle, among other things.

Every Labor Day weekend is the Apple Festival in Hendersonville which explains the apples all around town.

We really enjoyed having lunch at Sinbad's which is a couple of blocks off Main Street and has a mediterranean type of menu. Also lots of fun was Mike's on Main Street which features great sandwiches and an old fashioned soda fountain theme.

The leaves were just beginning to turn when we arrived but were in almost full color by the time we left. although it happens every year, it is still a beautiful thing to watch.

While in the area, I attended the Southeast Animal Fiber Forum and of course, managed to find some yarn and fiber I just had to have. These were certainly "want" and not "need" type of purchases.

Sock update

2009-10-13T16:06:00.001-05:00

Sock update
Originally uploaded by january spin

I wish I had smaller feet! Never thought about it before now but sock knitting has made small feet desireable.

I am enjoying the process and glad that I selected a plain sock for my first attempt. I enjoy working with 2 circulars and the yarn that I am using has such a tight twist that it ought to wear well. The toe up method is great because it lets you reward yourself by trying on the sock at various stages and thus you are encouraged to continue the knitting marathon.

I do think I am going to start another project with larger needles to give the hands a rest for a bit. The size 1 needles mean I only knit for short stretches at a time. Does anyone else have this problem?

The sock begins

2009-10-10T10:38:00.001-05:00

Turkish cast on
Originally uploaded by january spin

Ok, I am actually starting a sock. I spent yesterday looking at various cast on methods. I watched a video on the Magic Cast On and looked at pictures in Wendy's Johnson's book "Socks From the Toe Up".

No one was available to sit next to me and walk me through the process yesterday so I quit trying that method and settled on the Turkish Cast on. For me this one was very easy to do and I didn't experience near the frustration I was having with the Magic Cast On. I don't know about you, but when I want to start a project, I want to start it NOW.

I am a hands on type of learner so watching something or hearing directions just doesn't do the job. I need to get my hands involved in the process and this cast on worked for me on this day. Tomorrow, who knows. I'll certainly go back and try the Magic Cast On at a later date but for now, I am knitting a sock!!!!!!

Note to self: I should have tried this years, and years ago before glasses were necessary. Knitting with size one needles is going to cause me to squint which means more wrinkles, of which I have plenty. Oh, how we suffer for our art.

I am using Silky Sock Watermelon Wanda from The Great Adirondack Yarn Company, Inc. which is 70% superwash wool, 20% silk and 10% nylon so hopefully it will wear well.

Allie and Conner

2009-10-03T19:10:00.001-05:00

Allie and Conner
Originally uploaded by january spin

This is my first video ever. Allie and Conner were just flying around the yard in the cool weather and of course stopped when I produced the camera.

Anyway, it tickled me to watch Allie trying to teach Conner that she was boss. I'm not sure he got the message at all.

The Great Needle Eater

2009-10-03T08:53:00.002-05:00

I know lurking in my house somewhere is The Great Needle Eater hearafter known as TGNE. TGNE is selective and only eats the needles needed for the next project. At one point TGNE had a craving for size 8 needles. The length didn't make any difference but it had to be a size 8.

Consequently, I purchased several size 8 needles over a period of months. You know when you want to start a project, you want to start it NOW. Anyway, TGNE subsequently regurgitated the size 8s and now I could open a yarn shop specializing in size 8 needles. Well, it could also have size 10 1/2 and 13s as well.

Now TGNE has started on size 7s. Naturally, I need size 7s for a project I want to start right away so I am off to the yarn shop to buy size 7s so the old size 7s can be regurgitated and reappear once again.

Startitis Still in Evidence

2009-09-23T19:39:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I couldn't resist starting another project but this one is for a good cause. The son of a knitter in a neighboring city asked that his Mom make helmet liners for his men when they head overseas in December (That's 130 liners that are needed). Since his Mom is a fairly new knitter she asked for help from the knitting community.

Our local yarn shop announced they would provide the yarn (Cascade 220 in colors of black, dark brown, grey, and olive green) for the liners. We signed up and started knitting away. It's a very easy pattern and such a worthwhile cause.

The original pattern was designed by Bonnie Long, Knit Wits and it was designed for the purpose of donating helmet liners to our active service personnel. Operation Helmetliner, Inc. has made changes to the original pattern for clarity and to incorporate suggestions from out Armed Forces.

If you are interested in making helmet liners for the military, you can probably email operationhelmetliner@yahoo.com for further information. As I mentioned earlier, it is a easy knit and is certainly for a great cause.

Just a note: this was only a slight detour on the road to finishing projects.

So Finish Them Already!

2009-09-16T07:15:00.004-05:00

I looked around the house yesterday and realized I have major startitis. I am great at starting projects but at some point seem to run out of enthusiasm for finishing.

So with that in mind, I am going to make a real effort (as opposed to a half hearted one) to finish some stuff. Putting this in writing is important so I don't "forget" about this resolution . Blinders might also help as there are so many things I want to try and a clone just doesn't seem realistic at this point.

Knit Picks Entrelac Tote
This was started in April at the Southeast Fiber Forum under instructor Lori Helms. Great class and lots of fun with a very relaxed instructor. I knit on it quite a bit on that trip but then found other things to do. I just finished knitting it . Now I need to make the handles and felt it which is always a fun part of the process. The kit was from Knit Picks and the yarn was very soft. I enjoyed knitting with it.

Yellow baby blanket of Peaches and Cream cotton
This has been on the needles since last summer. It's not for anyone in particular, just something I started and fell in love with the process. I don't have a pattern for this other than what I feel like making. I wanted each block to be slightly different but to also tie together nicely.

Blue vest
Only 2 pieces of the vest remain to be knitted but it has been sitting around for almost a year. (Do we see a trend here?) It is a simple knit so it should have been finished ages ago but I made a mistake on the last 2 pattern pieces and they have to be redone. Gggggrrrrrr. That's why it was put away for a while. I hate to growl at pieces when I am trying to finish them.

I'll post pictures as I finish the project. This is my motivational technique this week.

Homemade Biscuits

2009-08-31T08:42:00.003-05:00

I am temporarily off whole wheat for a few days so decided to treat myself this morning. I made from scratch, homemade biscuits using (OH GASP) white flour. It has been forever since I had this treat and I savored every morsel of it.
Recipe:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 heaping Tablespoons baking powder
Mix together and then add:
1 cup milk
4 Tablespoons oil
I use a wooden spoon to stir it all together and then form the biscuits by hand. The rolled ones look better but the taste is the same and this way takes less time. Pour a tiny bit of oil in the bottom of a cast iron skillet; just enough to coat the bottom. Place each biscuit in the skillet and then turn it over so both sides will have a light coating of oil.
Cook at 450 degrees for 12 minutes.

Take a biscuit or two as it comes hot out of the oven, pour a little honey over it and with a cold glass of milk you have gotten pretty close to heaven on a Monday morning.

Electronic Overload

2009-08-28T08:23:00.003-05:00

Ok, I've already talked about Jack (my GPS) and the lovely Dell laptop J gave me. Well now I have another toy. I finally succumbed to temptation and got an iPhone this week. Friends with iPhones become enablers rather quickly. Addicts like to get other addicts hooked and this time it really worked well.

So this week I have been down loading apps (applications for you non-techi types) for the iPhone. Oh, my word. there are simply way too many toys out there for this phone. No, it's not a phone it's a social organizer, time stealer, substitute brain, secretary, mother, nutritionist, lifestyle advisor, entertainer, and a thousand other things. Most of which I probably don't need but now have and because I have it, I'll join the ranks of the addicted.

One of the applications gives information on fast food restaurants and the calories and fat in their menu. Well, rats! I love sweettea (yes, it is only one word) and I made the mistake of looking up McDonald's large sweettea. Do you think I will ever be able to enjoy another one now that I know it has over 50 carbs? Ignorance is indeed bliss! So, my answer to that is to simply not look up any more of the things I like. Where oh where is that ostrich when you need him? He certainly doesn't have an iPhone.

I also joined Facebook. That has been a good and bad thing. The good, actually great, part is that I was able to locate a former roommate and her husband. I mentioned this in an earlier post but it is worth celebrating again.

The bad thing about FB is that it also sucks up great amounts of time while you read what everyone you ever had contact with is doing in their life. Do we really need that much information? Do we want that much information out there about ourselves? Probably not. Then there are the games - Mafia Wars, Farm Town, etc. No, I haven't participated in those yet and hopefully won't and I am gong to block the posts about them so the temptation is less. I mean, have you seen my house lately? The clutter is beginning to win.

Speaking of clutter, the spinners are coming over tomorrow and I need to make room for them . That's a priority but I think I'll slip off to lunch at McAlister's Deli so I can use their WiFi and update my iPhone with a couple more apps. I can also enjoy their wonderful sweettea . Fortunately they are not listed on the fast food app so I remain blissfully ignorant of the carbs in their tea. and you thought I wouldn't find a way around the electronic information highway. Yea for the byways!!!

Bo bos, and fiber

2009-08-18T19:17:00.006-05:00

Had to take my younger Shetland Sheepdog to the vet last week as he had managed to injure his foot. I think he stuck it under the fence and got it caught. Scrapes and cuts top and bottom and extensive bruising but no broken bones. Thank the dear Lord for that.

I have hidden capsules in peanut butter which was easy and soaked his foot in warm water and Epson salts which wasn't. I finally managed a Rubbermaid type tub and he would allow me to put the injured foot in that while he balanced the other front foot on the edge of the tub. Conner didn't think there was any reason to get both feet wet.

Sunday afternoon he threw up and didn't eat supper or breakfast on Monday. He was however, drinking tons of water. So off to the vet we went - again. Turns out he had an infection in the pancreas which required an overnight stay and IVs of antibiotics.

I'm not sure who this was harder on, Conner, Allie or myself . I missed the little stinker and he and Allie had never been apart since I had gotten him. Thinking back on it, Allie wasn't exactly jumping for joy when he came home today. She probably liked not having her tail pulled.

Knitting friends came over last night and Z brought Wobbles who is a dear, sweet puppy. Allie was very pleased to have another dog around that didn't want to pull on her body parts.

So, between administering to dogs, driving back and forth to the vet's office, and thinking about cleaning out a closet, nothing much has been accomplished lately.

I have started another Baktus scarf (pattern on Ravelry) and no, I haven't finished the first one yet. I have to take the first one to the Post Office to have it weighed since I need to know when I have used half the yarn. My scale that I used to measure dyes and fiber died after 35 years. I am thinking a bit more on this second one as I am using 2 balls of sock yarn and the half way point will be when I finish the first ball. DUH! So much simpler than using one ball which weighs 3.5 ounces and having to weigh it.

Facebook is taking up a lot of time but I am having such fun. I have found friends who I had lost touch with and that has been a real gift. J and O I haven't seen since 1968 and it turns out they live just a few hours from my son. How great is that? J and I were roommates when we were teachers in FL. I am really looking forward to seeing them again.

Must clean a closet. Must clean a closet.

Tavels with Jack

2009-08-12T12:51:00.003-05:00

I love Jack! He is great fun to travel with and knows all the best ways to get somewhere. I've only known him for a little over a week but already he has proven so useful.

On my recent trip, I had my doubts when I was leaving Montgomery and he told me to turn right when I had come into the motel from the left. However, I decided to trust him and sure enough, when I got to the interstate, I realized that he had helped me go around road construction. Brilliant. How did he know that?

My only criticism is that he doesn't talk enough on long stretches of highway. I even asked him for suggestions on convenient places to eat and he was helpful in giving me directions on how to get there.

Thanks to Jack, I can merrily drive along planning future knitting projects without having to concentrate on which way I should turn. Did I mention that I love Jack?

Also, when it was necessary to make a U turn to get back on the correct road he started the "recalculating" comment and then repeated it 2 more times. I am sure I heard attitude on the 3rd "recalculating".Also, a few good "Way to go, good job, you're on the right track." comments would not be amiss.

Now my son assures me Jack isn't real and keeps trying to remind me that I need to remember that but even so Jack and I are developing a wonderful relationship.

Oh, did I mention that Jack is my new Garmin GPS system? I look forward to lots of fun trips with Jack.

moth on the house in TN

2009-08-07T22:02:00.002-05:00

moth TN 09
Originally uploaded by january spin

This beautiful moth was waiting on the side of the house one morning. Apparently the light we had left on the night before had attracted it. It was about 3 1/2 inches across at least and the colors were more vibrant than this photo indicates. Even when we walked up very close it never moved. Such a treat.

moth visit TN 09

2009-08-07T21:53:00.002-05:00

moth visit TN 09
Originally uploaded by january spin

It was a winged creature kind of trip. I was out walking the dogs when a moth landed on my hand. It stayed with me for at least 5 minutes as I walked around. Dot went inside and got my camera and took the pictures and still it stayed. Finally I put it on a flower and left it there. No telling how long it would have stayed with me otherwise. It was probably my lavendar scented hand lotion which attracted it but it was so special. I really felt blessed. Don't you just love special moments when they happen without any planning on your part? They are such a gift and we need to take the time to cherish them.

Escaping the heat

2009-08-06T16:16:00.008-05:00

Friends invited me to their TN home in Pigeon Forge. Awesome home, great fun with friends, beautiful scenery, lots to see and do, and not one day of 90 degree temperatures!!!!

The last time I was in that area was in the late 50s. At that time Gatlinburg was a quaint little town with lots of handmade things to see in various shops. What a shock at the change. It is now major "tacky tourist" shops everywhere.

I much prefer Pigeon Forge. We visited several wonderful craft shops . If you are in the area, by all means seek out Smokey Mountain Pottery. Gaye Ann and Dennis are really nice people and their shop is awesome! I limited myself to only 3 pieces of pottery but it was hard. Am I the only person who starts out looking for gifts and then finds things for themselves instead? Maybe it's just not close enough to the holidays and I don't feel the "shopping pressure" yet.

Pictures will follow when they are uploaded....which may be after I actually get around to unpacking the suitcase .

Oh, well, I guess I'll just go ahead and post the pictures. Unpacking the suitcase means I am going to have to do laundry and I've already been to the grocery store today.

Well, rats! My computer is acting like a mother. I had the pictures posted, they were turned sideways , I deleted them and tried to upload them again and nothing is happening. Geez, an electronic monitor is just what I don't need. I'll try later to sneak up on it and see if I can post. See, I have been reduced to playing games with an electronic device. I sooooo told you it was magic.

Baby knits

2009-07-14T12:16:00.006-05:00

OK, knitting for babies is fun! The stuff is little and you can actually finish something within a reasonable length of time. Amazing. The latest is a hat for my soon to be born nephew and it is purple. The pattern was the Apple Hat pattern but I had purple yarn on hand and so made a grape instead of an apple. It was such an enjoyable knit that I am now doing one in yellow.

Since it is knitting and no yo, k2tog until toward the end, I am now starting a pattern search for something a bit more challenging to do as well. I need to check my Que on Ravelry as the list is really long.

Added to the challenge is trying to find a pattern that uses something from my stash. I really, really need to stop buying yarn for a while. The stash is beginning to take over the house. (Everyone knows yarn multiplies at night since you couldn't have possibly purchased that much yarn.)

Update later in July: Baby arrived and Mother, Father and baby are doing great. Can't wait to see pictures. So now I have a deadline to get the pictures posted and hats in the mail. I function so much better with a deadline.

The Oak

2009-07-11T10:03:00.003-05:00

I see such strength in this oak. It lives next to the parking lot of the Hospice where I volunteer. I love to drive up and see it there. It's a reminder that life goes on and there is a power greater than we are. I find comfort from that oak and what it represents to me. When I have finished making my calls and offering what help I can to grieving individuals, that oak is waiting for me. I always feel as if I could rest quietly under that oak and be at peace.

It reminds me that God is our strength and He shelters us even during the most difficult of times. There are so many reminders all around to let us know we are not alone.

In the past 2 weeks, I've lost 2 friends. One of them died way before his time and the other was 93 and it was still too soon for her. Although they were so different there were many similarities. Both had people around them who loved them. Both enjoyed a good laugh. Both gave great hugs. Both had a strong faith in God. Both will be greatly missed.

Knitting in the heat

2009-07-05T16:51:00.005-05:00

Well sometimes setting records is a wonderful thing. Sometimes, it's not. This is one of those times. Record heat day after day gets really old. Throw into the mix every bit of pollen imaginable and you have a wonderful excuse for staying inside and knitting like a woman possessed.

I have put the Dr. Who scarf aside for a bit as sitting under that thing and running the a/c full blast seems sort of counter productive. Instead I am working on cotton cowls. I just finished a purple and gold one of mercerized cotton (Sassy Skein) and am working on a turquoise one (King Tut mercerized cotton). Although the King Tut was a better bargin (more yardage for your money when on sale) I find I prefer the Sassy Skein as it doesn't "untwist" when using it.

The purple and gold one is from a pattern on Rav and the King Tut pattern is out of my head. I started out using a pattern from Rav but got totally frustrated following it and after it had been ripped out 3 times, I decided to wing it. Nothing particularly wrong with the pattern but I wasn't in the mood to k6, k2tog,yo and then the next row k5, k2tog, yo, k1, etc. I kept forgetting to add on the last knit stitches. (Brain has probably melted from the heat.)

My pattern is more of a yo, k2tog, k6 but with one row "sliding" into the next one so there isn't a definitive pattern. Row 2 is yo,k2tog, k5, etc. I work down from 6 knit stitches to 2 between the (yo,k2tog) groups and then back up from 2 to 6. Yes, I know, it's a wonderful thing that I don't write patterns. The erratta pages would fill a notebook.

My project for tomorrow is acquiring a Furminator. Several of us tried one out on a couple of cats and a friend experimented on her lab. Talk about harvesting hair!!! Can't wait to see that the Shelties think of it. Talk about making dust bunnies.

This is the finished prayer shawl for the mother of the fallen soldier. I'll get a better picture before I mail it to the family. This is such a pleasure to knit. Check out Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers on Google if you are interested. You sign in with the group and as shawls are needed you are contacted if they are in your area. If you are busy and don't have a shawl available at that time, there isn't any pressure but if you can, you may want to give it a try.

Two Too Many Big Projects

2009-06-23T15:32:00.005-05:00

When will I learn? Doing 2 big projects at one time is just not satisfying to someone who wants frequent ohhs and ahhs for finished projects.

I am currently knitting on the Dr. Who scarf for J. If you have looked at one of these things, you know it will take pretty much forever to finish it. I am possibly almost, but not quite, 1/3 of the way finished. Which translates to having 2/3 of this hummer to go. The one positive note--it's a great project to drag along when you want to visit as it is straight knitting and doesn't require many brains cells to function at once.

The prayer shawl for the family member of a fallen soldier is in better shape. I have knitted 15 inches of the required 24 inches. Hopefully I'll have it finished and mailed to the family in another week or so. I may have to take a break and work on a smaller project or two before I run screaming into the night trailing yarn after me.

The heat is ridiculous right now so I am doing an impression of a bear hibernating only I'm knitting instead of sleeping during the day. Thank goodness for floor fans. They are a life saver and using them I can keep the a/c on 78 during the day and turn it down to 74 at night. NOTE TO ALL: Floor fans also have the advantage of herding the dust bunnies into a couple of groups rather than scattered around the room. Very productive. Makes for less cleaning.

Speaking of cleaning...a brilliant friend is now cleaning her place by spending 15 minutes a day doing it. She sets the timer and when the timer goes off, she stops cleaning for that day. I thought it was a wonderful idea and when we discussed it on Saturday, I decided I would start on Sunday. It is now Tuesday and I am 45 minutes behind schedule. Somehow I don't think this method is going to work for me.

As Scarlett so beautifully put it, " I'll think about that tomorrow." Hey, if it was good enough for Scarlett, it's good enough for me.

Knitting and iPod

2009-06-19T10:10:00.004-05:00

The knitting on the prayer shawl for the family of a fallen soldier continues. I am using the Old Shale pattern which is only 4 rows. Only one row is actually a pattern row with 2 rows of straight knitting and one row of purl. As long as you remember which row you are working on, it goes smoothly. A friend told me about putting the pattern on index cards which are on a ring. I love this method as I can just flip the cards as I knit and it does help to keep my place. Previously I had used post a notes or a piece of paper upon which I made pencil marks.

I am currently listening to The Camel Club by David Baldacci. This is very riveting and certainly a timely story. Can't wait to see where the plots goes next. This is my first book by Baldacci but it won't be the last as I enjoy his style of writing.

I was going to garden some this morning but with the heat index already well into the 80s I changed my mind. Hopefully the heat will kill some of the weeds. Much better to knit in front of the fan. I am having to almost physically boot the Shelties out the door to go potty. They aren't into the heat any more than I am.

Laptop crazies

2009-06-18T05:37:00.003-05:00

My wonderful beautiful Dell Studio 15 laptop arrived. I love it! J truly gives special gifts and then is so patient explaining to me how they work. (I tend to think that magic and electric are the same thing.)As a computer programmer he doesn't hold with this theory .

L and C came over and while L and I talked knitting and spinning, C set up the router. I played on Studio for a while that afternoon. That night I plugged it into an electrical outlet to charge away. The next morning I went to get on, sitting comfortably on the couch with feet propped up, and Studio wanted to get the latest updates...and then you know what hit the fan.

In the middle of this lovely download with the computer flashing "Do not turn off your computer" at me the battery died. It beeped once and died, really dead. My shouting "no, no, don't do that" had no effect on it and so I immediately took myself to the nearest working electrical outlet and plugged the Studio in. (Apparently the outlet I had used last night didn't work.)

The updates seemed to continue, however it got in a loop and would not get out of it. Feeling as I do about the magic/electric thing, I was hesitant to touch anything lest the magic/electric gods rear their angry heads and banish me from the internet forever. I was patient!!! We're talking 3 hours.Finally, in desperation, I used the pc to im J and ask what the same hill was going on. After I tried a couple of things he suggested, and nothing worked, he suggested that I get on line with Dell tech support.

Thus began my 2 1/2 hours visit with "Benjamin". I found out where the battery is on my Studio, as well as the cd portal. Also found some other little square thingie that comes out when you poke it but until I get better reading glasses, I won't know what it is. Thankfully when I poked it again, it went back in and the Studio didn't fall apart .

Benjamin was kind enough to mention that I wasn't the longest chat he'd had, several people had needed 4 hours to get things fixed--not encouraging. NOTE TO SELF: If you are going to be on the phone with tech support for over 2 hours, put a comfortable chair next to the laptop plugged into the electrical outlet. The little kitchen stool is not the best for sitting or trying to knit while maintaining your balance.

Why didn't I unplug the computer and move to the more comfortable couch, you ask? HA, I was taking no chances on the battery dying again. I'd learned my lesson so I balanced, knitted and mumbled about Vista, Microsoft, and wondered whether Bill Gates really liked the rest of us or this was just a cruel jest on his part.

After finally re-everything (boot,load, whatever) the Studio it was up and running. I considered asking Benjamin for a mailing address so I could add him to my Christmas list but I am pretty sure he was in an area of the world where Christmas wasn't celebrated by most of the population.

This morning I got up, confidently turned on Studio and everything looked good until I got the notice that a program wanted to do something and should McAfee be notified. Dang it! Number one, I had already told Studio that I didn't want to deal with McAfee but there was no "go away" option in the annoying little box. Then, there it was at the bottom of the screen, the little flashing notice that said "Java Updates". Well, I'm not falling for that one again! That's what got me in trouble yesterday. I carefully shut Studio down and came into this room to report all this on my pc.

Could this be a plot on the part of XP not wanting to be replaced by Vista, or the pc not wanting the Studio to be more loved? I may yet prove that magic and electric are the same things. Laugh now, but think of that the next time you take Vista out for a walk on the internet.

Fun weekend

2009-06-01T06:03:00.003-05:00

What a great weekend.

14 spinners / knitters / dyers met at my home and we played for the entire day on Saturday. Several wheels were turning, lots of knitting and 3 natural dye pots were simmering away.

The black walnut hulls closely resembled sludge. My fault. I had stored them in a plastic bag for 2 years and when they were put into the water they became something other than what they were supposed to be. The yarn came out a grey brown rather than the soft, rich brown that I have gotten with them in the past. Oh, well, there's always over dyeing!

The annatto seeds produced a soft pastel and not the anticipated deeper color. The cheesecloth the seeds were wrapped in was a much richer color than the fiber we put in to be dyed.

The coreopsis turned out to be a strong dyebath , if a somewhat stinky one. The color was a rich golden yellow . I put cotton and also silk in all the dyebaths. The other dyers were using wool.

I'm going to make another dyebath today and try to pull more color out of the annatto. I think we might have blown a fuse and didn't get the full heat we needed on the hot plates. That could account for the paler colors. We'll see.

Picture will be posted when I get them taken.

One interesting note...I had some cotton that I had mordanted years ago with alum/tannin/alum and it took all the colors beautifully.

Cleaning Serendipity

2009-05-24T19:55:00.008-05:00

Ok, I am in search of my Embellish Knit I cord maker. I know I have one and I know it is somewhere in this house. I will find it but the object is to find it before I forget about the project I have in mind which requires I find it in the first place.

As a result of this desperate search, I have now cleaned 3 shelves of my yarn / fiber closet. (Why do I get into these things?) Anyway, as I was starting on shelf # 4, I opened a box which had some of my well aged natural cotton fiber in it. Oh great JOY; I found the handspun, natural colored cotton tapestry necklace I wove sometime between 1995 and 1999. It has been missing since 2006. I knew somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind that I had put it in a box of colored cottons because I had used it to show the various cottons in a workshop I was teaching. I had long since searched the "other" cotton stash and never could find it.

This is like Christmas, my birthday, and the 4th of July all rolled into one big festive event. I have found a long lost friend which had hours of my work in it.

Ok, for some electronic reason the picture is coming up sideways. Please turn your head to view it as I have exhausted my abilities to get it turned the way it is on my computer. Some days Electric and Magic are indeed the same thing!

A Garden of Love

2009-05-19T09:36:00.012-05:00

I have an area of my yard that Robert (who controls the grass for me) calls my Heart Garden. I love that name. I have planted things that I love in it just because I like them . There are amaryllis, rosemary, daylillies, tansy,coreopsis, and more.

I started looking around my yard the other day and realized how many friends have given me flowers. Jan C gave me double blossom daylillies. Ruth W. gave me spider lillies, and Eilene A. gave me walking lillies. All of those were transported from FL to here when I moved 9 years ago. It's like bringing friends with you.The amaryllis pictured above was given to me by my father over 17 years ago. Actually this is probably an offshoot of the original plant but I think of him everytime I look at it. He almost always sent us a red amaryllis for Christmas. I sent my sister 3 amaryllis a couple of years ago for Christmas hoping it would have the same special memories for her as it does for me.

The Bee Balm pictured above was given to me last year by my friend Cam. She is a wonderful gardener and our friendship extends over 58 years. I have some Spider Wort which I treasure because it came from the yard of Mrs. Camille, Cam's mother. When I look at it I remember Mrs. Camille's fabulous sense of humor and I feel connected to her even though she is gone.

Another friend, Maureen M, gave me some
Easter lillies from her garden this year. They
remind me of her sweet spirit and strong faith.

Dianne S is a special neighbor and friend. We share our love of crafts as well as our involvement in Emmaus. From her garden came these African lillies and it is so special to be able to look out my front window and see the mother plant in her flower bed.

I enjoy going to the nursery and buying plants but I think the ones I treasure the most are those that come with the love of friendship attached.

Pottery and fiber pictures

2009-05-08T08:45:00.009-05:00

Here are the pictures as promised. The luscious fibers were purchased at SFFA. The tan/grey/lavendar is bombyx silk from Chasing Rainbows. The blue/purple braid is Merino and seacell which should be fun to spin.

The braid below is bombyx silk in, of course, blues/turquoise/purple.

You may notice something of a trend in the colors in the fiber and the pottery that I purchased. It's probably some sort of blue / purple sickness but apparently it carries over from the fiber to the pottery.

Ok, I finally got around to photographing the pottery I got in Seagrove, NC area. The problem is deciding what will be a gift and what I will keep.

Cleaning and playing

2009-05-07T13:28:00.002-05:00

5, that's right, 5 big shelves that are now clean and orderly! One whole bookcase is done (except for what's on the very top but surely that doesn't count).

This milestone was achieved by alternating working on the bookcase, knitting, Bible study, playing with the dogs, and congratulating myself on being so productive. It takes a lot of more interesting things to balance the cleaning / straightening projects.

I'll have to think about what to tackle next. In the meantime, I am having such fun changing the persona on Firefox. I love playing with different backgrounds and Firefox makes it so easy. Today is all about pinks, and purples, and trees. There is a huge selection to choose from and, once again, it is a diversion from picking up the stuff I have accumulated. It really is my mission in life to teach people how to play. We often take ourselves way too seriously.

Starting to Shovel

2009-05-05T15:31:00.003-05:00

You would think that completely cleaning out and straightening 3 shelves (not 3 bookcases, 3 shelves) wouldn't be such a huge deal. It has taken me the better part of a day. Most of the day was spent trying to get motivated to attack the shelves. Now this is where I could use a clone. The clone wouldn't throw out anything I wanted to keep and could do all the grunge work. Ok, maybe a clone without my procrastinator gene would work best.

It's such a shame that the bookcase is behind me as I sit at the computer. I need to turn around often. The rest of the room is still in the "surely a windstorm came through here" decor. That's what I mostly see so I'll be turning around a lot. Stuff in the middle of the room is so high I can't see the 2 lower shelves of the bookcase which I haven't cleaned and straightened. Hmm, maybe that's not such a bad thing.

I even have a large stack of books to take to knitting tonight to share, with the understanding that they don't come back to me! Naturally none of them are knitting books as I am still actively doing that.

Again, the clone thing would come in handy as one could knit, one could dye fiber, one could spin, one could make paper and then books, and one could go out for food when necessary. I could rotate around to which ever activity appealed to me at the moment. I may be on to something here.

I have taken the pictures of the pottery but in this mad burst of cleaning/sorting/tossing I haven't uploaded them yet. I will soon. You just know this shoveling thing isn't going to last.

Harry lives!

2009-04-25T16:17:00.003-05:00

Ever have one of those just plain fun days? Today was one of those really extra special times . I went to a Quidditch match between LSU and the Texas Aggies. Great time! Five of us from the knitting group went having learned about it from Ravelry.

So we ate a late lunch, knitted and watched some great Quidditch. Kudos to all who play and survive. Great spectator sport between watching what's going on on the playing field and looking for the snitch. The funniest part was when the snitch opted for the lake in order not to be caught but between the ducks and the water lillies it may not have been the best tactical decision. The LSU seeker managed to finally get the snitch despite having his head put under water for an instant.

I learned that wooden brooms are better than plastic brooms as they don't break as easily but on the other hand, if something is going to connect with some part of my anatomy, I'd just as soon it broke. However, the players don't see it that way and they prefer the wooden brooms.

If you hear of a Quidditch match near you, I encourage you to go. It is a fast paced game which is not gentle and requires quite a bit of athletic ability on the part of the teams. If you are not familiar with Quidditch then immediately read all the Harry Potter books and then go see a game. It's worth the trip.

I am still knitting on the enterlac tote bag but should finish within the next day or so and can then felt it. Feel like I have been knitting on it for a long time but it is just a week. I am enjoying working with the Knit Picks yarn and will definitely use more of it in the future.

I'll get a picture before it is felted and then another one after the felting.

The weeds in the garden are calling.

2 Springs

2009-04-22T18:50:00.002-05:00

The only thing better than one gorgeous Spring, is 2 gorgeous Springs which I had this year.
The dogwoods in NC were really awesome and I would have taken lots of pictures . The problem was that I was usually driving down the road at 70 mph and it is really, really hard to get a good picture that way.

Speaking of roads...one of my favorite ones is Hwy 64 in NC which runs between Asheboro and the Raleigh area. It's a very pleasant drive, good road and the scenery is so peaceful. Just south of Asheboro is Seagrove which I discovered this trip. I had read about it but never been able to stop before now. Talk about pottery heaven!!! There are at least 100 potters in the area and I only had time to visit 10 of them but did manage to load up the car with some interesting items. Some will be gifts if I can bear to part with them. Still thinking about that. I love my friends but this stuff is really great. Functional pottery in blues are a weakness with me. Still looking for the perfect squatty teapot but I'll find it one day. I have a vision in my head of exactly what it will look like. I'm enjoying the search and it has certainly led to other wonderful things.

Southeast Fiber Forum was lots of fun, particularly getting to visit with Dan and Cheryl. I chickened out on staying at the rental house on the side of a mountain. I have discovered that I am a flat lander and really don't enjoy driving on narrow roads that go up , around, and have sharp turns with big drop offs. That sort of driving does terrible things to my insides.

As a result of this, I ended up staying at a motel in the valley which welcomed dogs. There was about 3/4 of an acre for the dogs to wander (although I never did take them off leash). Behind the property was a wonderful fast moving stream which several mallard ducks were enjoying. It was too funny watching them paddle upstream and not move from where they were.

Allie and Conner thought the water in the stream was nectar and they almost fell in several times trying to get a drink without getting their feet wet. Shelties are very fussy about getting their feet wet sometimes and Allie is worse than most. At one point she was almost standing on her nose with her rear up in the air hanging over the edge of the stream. Naturally, I didn't have my camera with me then either. On the plus side, I did manage to resist the urge to give her a shove just to see what would happen.

The class on entrelac knitting at SFFA was great fun. Very relaxed and entertaining to knit. I am still working on finishing my bag but it is an enjoyable knit. The instructor, Lorie Helms, was great and I look forward to taking another class from her in the future.

The next thing on my list is getting another cell phone which has GPS. I got lost twice on this trip--silly mistakes but it took time to get back on track of where I was supposed to be. Also managed to leave the a/c charger for my cell phone in the motel room which of course they don't have. Seems it is now hard to get them for the phone I have so if I want to charge my phone, I can do it while driving around. SIGH.

Great to be back home but the weather in NC was wonderful and I miss the coolness already.

Oh, I purchased some merino/seacell fiber and also some dyed bombyx silk all of which is in the blue / lavendar color range, of course. Had to buy some fiber to put around the pottery.

Moebius or mobius - It's all fun!

2009-03-31T07:20:00.004-05:00

I don't care how you spell it, knitting a moebius using Cat Bordhi's method is just plain fun! I started knitting one yesterday using a DK weight cabled cotton. I am knitting on 47" Addi needles , size 9.

The youtube video is extremely helpful in getting started even though I also have her book on the topic. I have knit a moebius before and although it was fun, the beginning few rows were very hard on the hands and I never did fully understand why the whole thing worked. Cat's method is so much better and easier to understand.

I should finish this moebius today, even though I will probably stir the dust and round up the bunnies in the house since spinners are coming over tonight.

Speaking of dust bunnies... I am seriously wondering if you could needle felt them since most of it is hair from my Shelties. How cool would that be to have a needle felted dust bunny by the front door. Do you suppose it would scare people away or make them feel comfortable? Must give this some more thought.

In the meantime, I'm going to cast on for the next moebius since I have another circular needle just like the one I am using. Don't ask me how that happened. I have no idea and didn't discover it until I organized the needles yesterday. My thinking is that if I have 2 moebius going at the same time it won't look as if I bought the second needle because I couldn't remember what I had in the stash at home. I bought it because I "needed" the second one. different matter altogether. HA! I'll post pictures later.

I'm thunking!

2009-03-29T19:36:00.004-05:00

I have a couple of knitting projects I am "thunking" about but so far no action on any of them. Every get where you have ideas buzzing around in your head but can't quite settle on which one to tackle first? That's where I am at the moment.

I want to do a mobius cowl. I want to do a regular cowl. I need to make a couple of baby gifts. I absolutely must finish the afghan for J that I have been knitting on forever. We won't discuss what the house looks like. Sigh.

So, what am I doing? I am sorting knitting needles---again! I really do think they jump out of their ziplock bags all by themselves while I sleep. Then they race madly around the house finding the absolute best hiding places they can. They also tend to remain very, very quiet when I am looking for them. I wonder if I could train the Shelties to find my hiding knitting needles? Bet I could hire them out if I was able to train them. Surely I am not the only knitter who has this problem.

Happily ranting

2009-03-06T11:56:00.004-06:00

It is sunny out today with a slight breeze, which, unfortunately, carries a lot of pollen with it. Therefore, I have elected to stay inside and rant.

In case you haven't noticed recently, people no longer make right or left turns, they make right or left angles. Lately the front bumper of my car has been in jeopardy several times and I have been well behind the line! Is it a trend of "I own the road" or simply a lack of good driving techniques? I don't know but I do know it is annoying. If you are in front of one of these angle drivers and you try to make a left turn, you can feel as if you are running a race to get to the street before they cut in front of you.

My next happy rant is about politicians who run for an office, lose and immediately run for the next available office which is not similar to the previous office. What this shouts to me is "I'm looking for a cushy job with lots of benefits / power where I don't have to do a lot of honest work." Why do people run for one office right after the other? I personally don't think it is from any altruistic motives but rather a desire for the taxpayer to foot the bill. Maybe I'm mistaken but I'm afraid I'm not.

Rant number 3, 652 concerns doing business with companies who have 800 numbers, employees who are not authorized to make decisions, tell you they will talk to a supervisor and call you back, and, oh surprise, never call you back. Let me talk to the darn supervisor myself and save us all some time and headaches.

Ok, I feel better and am going to knit on the cotton afghan for my son that I have been working on for months. Knitting is soothing when it is going right. I am also listening to "The Last Lion" by William Manchester which I love. Winston Churchill was a fascinating man. Bet he would have run over those angle drivers.

January Spin-in

2009-01-29T17:00:00.003-06:00

Ok, my blog has been majorly neglected. No excuse except that I have been kniting like crazy to actually get things finished. Novel concept!

Christmas was wonderful and very, very restful. J and I were somewhat rushed when Christmas arrived 2 days after we landed in FL but relaxing after that. This year everyone had a flying pig and there were some major pig wars while trying to open presents.

Going back to FL less than a month later almost felt like I hadn't left. Spin-in was great and met lots of new people as well as seeing friends who have been there for years, and years, and years.

I did manage to bring home lots of dyed, ready to spin wool and also some silk. I'm not sure what possessed me as the last thing I need is more fiber, but it followed me home anyway. It must have been all the fiber in the air. I inhaled it and was lost. I'll post some pictures when the sinus infection has cleared up. Yuck! Pictures of the fiber, not the sinus infection.

I also bought a Trindle which is a spindle made by a physics teacher. It weighs 7 grams and spins like a dream. This could become my favorite spindle. Gale of Gale's Art was selling them and they are wonderful!!!!

Too many ideas OR Where did I put that yarn?

2008-12-04T10:20:00.002-06:00

I have about 3 or 4 projects floating around in my head right now. The problem is putting the project and the yarn together with the needles. I just sorted my knitting needles--AGAIN--and hopefully the knitting elves will stay away and they can remain in order for the next few days.

Naturally, I don't have exactly the right needles or yarn for the projects I want to do. Thus the huge frustration level that is occurring. I really do think that sometimes it would just be easier to be the type of person who is focused on one craft and doesn't enjoy doing 500 different things.

I have put all of my major knitting patterns and books that I use a lot in one very large tote bag so I can find them when I need them. The needles are now sorted by size in plastic zip bags and in another tote bag. I have all my commercial wool yarn in a large clear plastic container. So far so good wouldn't you think? Then there's the rest of the fiber stash. ...on shelves, in plastic containers, in drawers, and probably some stored under the bed but I refuse to look there as the dust bunnies reside there and they are getting somewhat aggressive when disturbed.

I know where the big bin of silk fiber to be spun is because I stumble over it regularly. It won't fit in any of the closets and I can find it in the middle of the room where it is currently located. All the cotton fiber is out in the "workroom" and there it will remain until I make a dent in the spun cotton.

So project # 1 is a moebius scarf using some of my handspun cotton. I am actually going to, GASP, sample a swatch so I can buy the correct size needle that I need for the project. This is so difficult as I just love to jump right into things and sampling really is at odds with my basic nature. It will be worth it, it will be worth it, it will be....... Did I mention that I hate to sample?

Thankfully I have Catherine Coulter's TAILSPIN to listen do which should help me get through this step.

Thanksgiving???

2008-11-19T14:25:00.004-06:00

No, it really can't be almost Thanksgiving again. I'm not ready. Not that the universe seems to care about that or take my considerations into account but more notice would be a good thing.

I need to find a calendar that has a fake Thanksgiving and Christmas on it. They should arrive about 1 month before they actually get here so I would have a nice cushion to finishing making and ordering presents. The problem with that is that I would know it was fake and would still procrastinate. SIGH. Give me a week or a year, it's all going to get done in that last week.

The roof is finally fixed and beautiful once again after the hurricane. The fence is back in place and the only things remaining on the extra to do list are the ceilings in the 2 bedrooms which need to be repainted. The problem is the regular to do list. It never seems to stop growing. The flower beds need to be prepared for winter, the bath tubs need to be recaulked, and the windows need a serious cleaning.

Take the mail for instance. It arrives here with great regularity. I appreciate my postman who is wonderful but wouldn't it be great to have a post office filter for spam mail? It could be intercepted and shredded before it ever gets here. The post office would make money, the organization would have the satisfaction of sending it out, and best of all, I wouldn't have to deal with it.If I ever find political candidates who don't send 5,000 flyers or make annoying telephone calls, I seriously think I may support them. Wouldn't you vote for them?

Knitting: I have made 2 Dumpling Bags (pattern by Sharon Dreifuss in Fall 2008 Interweave Knits). Love the pattern . Interesting enough to keep you from being bored but you can still take it along and visit while you knit without totally losing your place. I should have paid a bit more attention when they were in the washing machine since they are slightly smaller than intended but I am pleased with them anyway. When they are dry I'll post a picture.

I think the next thing on the list is to remember to be ever so grateful that I have all these things that need doing and people to do them with if needed.

Shades of Big Brother

2008-08-07T07:55:00.002-05:00

I don't know about anyone else, but after reading 1984 at an impressionable age, I find the Google street view somewhat disturbing. It's bad enough that satellites are overhead taking pictures, but now they are driving around neighborhoods taking pictures. What next?

On the fiber front, I am working on what, I hope will be the next to last panel on the baby blanket. At least the yellow combinations have been cheerful to look at but this certainly wasn't a quick project! I have managed to do each panel in a different stitch pattern . I did one in plain garter and was bored out of my mind so I have been thinking up other things to do and perhaps that has slowed the process down. On the positive side,I know it has helped to keep me knitting on it.

I have been wrapping several yarns around a yardstick to see how they look together in anticipation of the Ravelympics which start tomorrow. I hope to knit a shawl for that and will probably use a dropped stitch technique as a pattern. ... along with big needles. The plan is to start with a small triangle and increase to about 24 inches and then either make the other end rounded or decrease to another small triangle. Basically it will be a rectangular shawl with funny ends. It's in my head but we'll see how it comes out on the needles. There may also be tassels involved.

Well, today has been designated "Bathe the Dogs" day so it should rain for the next week. Regardless of this possiblity, I need to either bathe them or douse them in perfume which would gross out myself and totally disgust Allie and Conner. On the other hand, I could run errands and get some chores around here done that are pending. SIGH. No, the dogs really do need bathing first. Why can't they learn to take showers?

Heat index, polka dots, and knitting

2008-07-28T15:18:00.003-05:00

The heat index is ridiculous. I almost wish they wouldn't tell us so we wouldn't anticipate how hot it is going to get. Sometimes being ignorant of that kind of information helps to keep you cooler, even if only in your mind. Thinking that an egg might fry on the sidewalk is not as bad as knowing that it would.

I now have polka dots on my face, or will have in a day or two. Went to the dermatologist and he found 4 precancerous spots which he froze. On the positive side, it's too hot to go running around town so the number of people who will be exposed to my polka dotted persona is limited. It should look really lovely in another week after the blisters have formed. Something to look forward to as we approach the dog days of summer.

Speaking of dog days, my dogs do not care to go out in this heat either. They have each claimed a floor fan and there they plant themselves. The positive side of this is that all the dog hair gets blown into 2 piles. My dust bunnies are majestic in stature!

I am currently knitting a baby blanket for Josh and Tanya's baby which is due in Dec. What possessed me to make up my own pattern I really don't know. That sort of thing is always slower than if I just follow a pattern someone else has worked the kinks out of already. I am knitting the 3rd panel. The middle panel is a yellow ombre of Peaches and Creme cotton done in a seed stitch. The panel on one side of that is a solid golden yellow done in a basket weave of K4,P4 and the current panel on the other side is done in a lace pattern. A very simple lace pattern.

It's fun to knit with the various patterns and it will be interesting to see how it develops.

Well, I am off to enjoy wonderful, cooling, fabulous sweettea. That was not a typo. In this part of the world, sweettea is one word and don't even think about trying to tell me that you can add sugar to unsweetened tea. It is NOT the same thing at all.

Garden doings

2008-07-15T09:31:00.004-05:00

What a treat this morning. I was in the garden weeding, my least favorite job, when I spied 8 caterpillars on the fennel. I just felt like it was a special gift as I have been working on developing a butterfly garden this past year.
These look like the catepillar of the black swallowtail. I guess only time will prove my guess as right or wrong. The fennel doesn't look too well but the caterpillars are very well rounded. Finding them certainly gave a lift to the weeding job. Well, ok, I had to stop weeding so I could get the camera and take a picture of the newest visitors. Then I had to come in and upload the pictures so I wouldn't forget. Now, darn it, it's getting too hot to weed any more today. Bless you caterpillars! I think I'll plant more fennel.

Over the Top

2008-06-27T15:16:00.004-05:00

Ever have an idea floating around in your head but you just can't quite get a hold on it? That's been me for the past couple of days. I want to make a hat for the January Spin-in and I knew that I wanted to do something different but I couldn't pin down exactly what .

It finally came to me a bit . I remembered my stash of freeform crochet and knitting that I had in the bag in the hall which I have been stumbling over for a couple of months. (If I had put it out of sight, I never would have remembered it.) Anyway, I pulled them out last night and played around with them but kept going back to the computer to play solitaire. That's what I do when the brain is puzzling over something and I need a break.

I was reaching the point of frustration this morning. This is where I become very grateful for artistic, brilliant friends. I popped over to Melody's house and in a couple of minutes she solved the problem I was having. Talk about a DUH moment. I was trying to put the pieces together to resemble a hat. Melody suggested I pull out a styrofoam head and pin the pieces onto that to see how they work. I had even forgotten that I had styrofoam heads--they were put away in the top of a closet. This is why I love my friends. They are artistic, smart, and can think outside the box and provide great practical advice when I need it.

So Samantha now has pins in her head and will sit for a while like that until I decide that the pieces are arranged the way I want. Life has improved considerably.

Some of the other freeform pieces may go toward a vest in the future.

On the dog training front, Conner only has two more classes and he will graduate from basic obedience class. The little stinker is wonderful on lead and comes like a shot as long as there are treats involved. He really seems to like the classes as he jumps like a Parson Russell Terrier when he realizes we are going in the car.

On the other side of the coin, Allie is going up for Shetlie sainthood. Last night I looked over and Conner had Allie by the tail and was pulling her across the living room floor. It's not the first time he has done it. Somehow he has gotten the idea that her (once) fluffy tail is his personal toy and he can grab it and hang on anytime he wants. Like I said, Allie is up for sainthood.

knitting for avoidance

2008-05-19T07:55:00.002-05:00

Well, I actually finished 3 knitting projects this week. A summer shawl knit with Peaches & Creme cotton in the potpourri color, an Edgar scarf done with Noro in blues/ purple / teal colors, and a very simple basic washcloth done using a cotton/linen blend.

All of this would have been much more impressive if it hadn't been done to avoid cleaning out the house. I started out well last week. Cleaned the bathrooms and even got rid of stuff in the drawers. I felt so proud of myself. Felt as if I was on a roll at long last to get rid of "stuff". HA! That feeling lasted less than 24 hours, hence the knitting / avoidance frenzy.

So far this year, I have gone through 2 shelves in the fiber stash, and 5 bathroom drawers. Considering that we are now halfway through May, this is not an impressive record and drastic measures may have to be taken to get some results that people can actually see.

Oh, yes, I went through the clothes in my closet....but again, guests will never see my hard labor unless I take them on a tour and that just might be a bit freaky. Unless they have the same "stuff" problem that I do and then they would understand. The downside of that is that I would be expected to view their clean closets at some future time and knowing that mine won't stay this neat, it could lead to a vicious cycle ....and another knitting frenzy.

Conner is going to start obedience classes -again! for the third time, next week. I have been the reason we dropped out of previous classes. The first time I tried a class in the local obedience club but when we stood with out dogs for an hour and 15 minutes and did absolutely no training on the first night I knew it was a waste of time. I went for 2 more classes and then quit.

Our second attempt was under our regular instructor (who I should have gone to at first), Dick Russell. Dick knows dogs and is excellent. My schedule got in the way of finishing that one. So, we will try again and we WILL finish this time. I wonder if "Stop eating baby birds " can be covered. Conner brought me 2 of them within 24 hours yesterday. Big yuck! Of course, this is a dog who sometimes eats Allie's poop so it's not like he has discriminating taste.

I am considering cleaning off the coffee table and dining room table today but on the other hand I have started the Scribbling shawl which is in the Mason Dixon Knitting book. No, no, must focus on cleaning. Have a party I'm giving in a couple of weeks and I can't ask the guests to clean....or can I? Maybe if I give knitted prizes for the one who does the best job?

Organization?

2008-02-19T20:33:00.005-06:00

I just read the funniest thing in the world! I was surfing and looked up "organizing your stuff" for the fun of it. It has been on my mind quite a bit lately as the "stuff" runnith over.

Well, in this article it talked about getting rid of things and that having empty shelves meant you could live in a smaller place, etc. Ok so far. And then the biggie "Put your knitting yarn in a plastic bag." Dear organizer person, if I could put my knitting yarn in a plastic bag there would be no need to read your ideas!

Now if you are any kind of a knitter or fiber person at all, you know that no decent stash is going to fit in A plastic bag. 10 plastic bags, maybe, but one-no way. Anyway that was my giggle for tonight.

I am halfway finished with a multi-directional scarf I am knitting on # 3 circulars using sock yarn. Seemed like a good idea at the start-just didn't expect this to take as long as it is. I wanted a flat scarf that isn't very long. I love the pattern and so have started a second one which will be a gift. For it I am using a larger size sock yarn and # 7 circulars.

Treated myself to an iPod this week. What fun! I have been listening to knitting podcasts while I knit and have found several I really enjoy. I suppose my next purchase will be a docking station but I am currently using the earphones and they are fine. I did get the adaptor for the car but haven't used it yet. Geez, do I feel hi-tech or what?

Flying Monkeys, pillowcases, and Christmas

2008-01-01T07:32:00.000-06:00

Didn't realize how busy I had been until I noticed how long it had been since I posted anything.
The project PillowCares for the Methodist Children's Home was a huge success. I'll post some pictures of the pillowcases. It will be an ongoing project so that each child that comes into the home will have something handmade that is theirs to keep. Evenutally we hope to expand to include the other Methodist homes in the state. Plans are already underway to make the pillowcases for the children who attend Grace Camp this summer. (Grace Camp is for those children whose parent is in prison.) We'll need about 40 for that project. I'll be contacting churches thoughout the state to encourage participation in the PillowCares project.
The holidays were awesome! JJ and I had a great time with special friends who are indeed closer than family. We have seen each other through a lot of life's events and the relationship is special and a special blessing.
Now about the flying monkeys--the guys' stockings contained flying screaming monkeys which were an absolute riot. The ante for craziest stocking stuffer has certainly been upped. We had a ball firing these things around the room at each other. Opening presents was delayed by about 10 minutes while targets were aimed at, but not always hit. You really had to keep a heads up attitude since some of us had trouble with directing the speeding monkey in a straight line.
It was wonderful being back in the Shalimar church for worship. As always the music was superb and the message was very meaningful. It's like wrapping a warm fuzzy blanket around yourself. After the service we got to visit with more friends and catch each other up on what's happening in our lives.
Conner and Allie were delighted when I got home. They probably won't be so delighted when I bath them next week but it's a necessity at this point.

Fabric, Family and Friends

2007-11-23T14:16:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Well, happy day after Turkey Day Thanksgiving. This week has been one that really pointed out to me how very much I am blessed with a wonderful son, awesome sister in law and her family, and friends that are beyond fantastic. They keep me balanced, add great joy to my life and I adore each of them. They are always there when I need them even before I ask. God is good!
I have actually gone 8 days now without knitting. What? How can this be?
I am working on a project of the heart and loving every minute of it. Several of us are making pillowcases for all of the 100 plus children at the Methodist Children's home. Eventually I hope this will become a statewide project and we can support all the Methodist Children's homes in the state. Right now there are people from 4 churches involved and the pillowcases are turning out to be fabulous! Since a sewing machine isn't my favorite toy, I have been buying fabric, cutting it, and putting together kits for those that actually love to sew. I've been like a kid in a candy store matching colors and patterns and having great fun especially since I don't actually HAVE to do the sewing. I'll probably complete at least one for the experience but I think I'll make sure some of my more talented friends oversee the project.
The challenge has been to find material suitable for boys that is also 100% cotton. There is an abundance of lavendars, pinks, and "flowery " patterns but not much "macho" stuff. The other challenge has been to find fabric on sale. The most I've had to pay was $6.00 a yard but it was really great fabric and I only needed 1 1/4 yards. Did I rationalize that well?
I hope to post some pictures later this week--or maybe early next week????

SAFF

2007-11-05T18:08:00.000-06:00

SAFF (Southeast Animal Fiber Forum) held at the Western North Carolina Ag Center was great fun! The weather was fabulous with clear, cool days and the trees were beginning to show color. I met some of the Peachtree group from Atlanta there along with some of the Choctawhatchee guild from FL . Nice to be around creative people! My son came over for the weekend and I was surrounded by tons of vendors with FIBER!
I really did resist--never actually look at your stash before going to something like that. The image keeps invading your thoughts as you shop--a real deterrent--most of the time. I limited myself to 2 cookie cutters for needle felting, a few ounces of dyed wool for the felting, and some gorgeous bamboo fiber in shades of turquoise and blue.
Needle felting seemed to be the big thing with lots of booths supporting the craft. I also managed to get some soap from The Soap Shed which is one of my favorite places. Not only are the soaps great smelling, the names are fabulous. Studly Bubbles???? Love it.

Is it Fall yet?

2007-10-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since I posted anything. I blame the life writing class I am taking. I have been writing at least 3 pages a week for that so have forgotten about the blog.
Got together with some friends and we played with the paintsticks on silk scarves. Loads of fun. Thanks goodness for texture plates as I have no drawing ability. It was a lesson in branching out in color which I am going to try next time. A couple of people did some awesome scarves with a lot of color and they were perfect for the time of year particularly.
I didn't get to make the trip to MD that I was looking forward to but several things have occurred that made me realize that I needed to be home for a bit to help some people . Funny how things work out like that.
Anyway, the topics for the writing class have been 1) a room in a house where we grew up, 2) a momentous day in our life, 3) a story about a relative or stories that a relative told, and the current one is writing about our faith or how an event helped focus our faith.
It has helped to have actual topics upon which to focus rather than just rambling.
I am knitting a baby kimono and some baby bibs since there seem to be little ones joining this world. I am finishing up prayer shawl # 8. This one is different in that it is a triangular shape but the color is various shades of purple and I love that. #7 has the colors of the rainbow in it which was what was requested by a young friend when she asked me to make one for her.
I have found a fun knitting group which is knitting for charity at another church so I am doing that twice a month.
In the meantime, I have a house that desperately needs to be shoveled out, 2 dogs that need grooming, and more yarn projects stacking up for the holidays. On the other hand, there is a great set of paper tiles for tea bag folding which will make wonderful tags for the gifts if I ever get either category finished. Geez, I need a clone!!!!!

Beef puffs and silk

2007-09-02T10:56:00.000-05:00

Eureka! Conner had a major breakthrough. Both ends of the couch work well! You can indeed get on and off the couches on either end. So, it is no longer necessary to climb over me when I am occupying the "correct" end of the couch. Finally.
The next obstacle is a beef puff. It is a chew which is made from a cow's ear--I know, I don't like to think about that either. Allie LOVES her beef chew. She understands the concept of chewing it. What she doesn't understand is the concept of taking a breath while devouring it. She is also less than charming to Conner if he gets anywhere in her vicinity while she is exercising her jaws with one of these. Conner, on the other hand, likes to stand and watch Allie chew the beef puff. I suppose he is trying to learn how to do it as his sits on the floor untouched.
The interesting part is that if you swap the beef puffs, Allie is thrilled to have a fresh one and Conner will actually chew the one that Allie used to have. Go figure. Apparently it has to have the Allie seal of spit on it to be acceptable, or in this case, chewable.
On a fiber note: Had a wonderful time making a birthday present for a friend this week. I used paintsticks on a silk scarf and was fairly pleased with the results. I rubbed several different colors over texture plates and then also rubbed over a stamp of a leaf to get a more solid design.. I used 3 different blues, a metallic gold, and a rust made from brown and orange for the scarf. The paints didn't really go through to the other side of the scarf so I did different textures on the back side of the scarf with some of the same colors used on the front.
I also ended up scrubbing the floor where small particles of the paintsticks had dropped. Fortunately it came off easily since I did manage to see it before it had "cured". The paintsticks leave the scarf with a nice "hand" and a really fun to use. I will probably order some more scarves and get some friends over to play.
Speaking of friends--had a great lunch with Suellen and Shirley on Wednesday. We each brought our favorite quotes and shared them with each other. Not surprisingly we had all collected quotes since we were much younger--connections, connections. Linda decided to get the flu so will join us, germ free, next time.

a shoe, a shoe

2007-08-20T13:32:00.000-05:00

Ah, what is that unusual thing on my right foot???? It is a shoe! It feels really, really weird and I can't put on a "normal" shoe yet, but I have a Croc on my right foot. The bottom of the foot feels prickly which is strange but if I had to look at that lovely black boot one more day, I was going to scream. Besides which, walking or standing in the boot was starting to cause my hip to hurt so changes needed to be made.
Naturally my first trip was to the Dollar Store where I found 5 more skeins of Fun Fur that I "needed". 3 were black and white and 2 were pale green/blue with a touch of peach. I'll use the black and white to make a tube type scarf as a Christmas present. If you are reading this and you get this present, please have the kindness to at least look surprised and try to forget what I paid for the yarn.
The blue/green will be used for freeform for whatever I am currently making. I haven't decided yet. Right now I am just happily making shapes. All of the shapes have something of a curve to them and they are all in the blue range but that's as far as the decision making process has progressed. Possiblities are vest, jacket, shawl. Scarf is out as I have enough of those to clothe a giraffe.

Balloons and friends

2007-08-14T09:08:00.000-05:00

Sunday was the last day of the balloon festival. Unbelievably hot--as is the usual right now...record breaking heat. I mean there are some records you don't care if they are ever broken, but our weather is doing it now--consistently!!!
Lois came over to watch the balloons and we put the chairs in the shade on the sidewalk in front of the house. (Balloon watching has become a fun, family tradition for us.)
The balloons came right over the house as they were landing and one even landed on my street. I called to one balloonist as he was going over and said he was welcome to set down as we had plenty of room. He thanked me but said he was headed for the next street over. He asked if I was enjoying the balloons and I responded that I always did. I asked if he had had a good weekend and he replied that he had. An altogether very pleasant exchange. I love little bright spots in the day like that.
Friends are truly a blessing!!! I don't know how people function without them. They go above and beyond the ordinary. I wouldn't have made it the past 5 weeks without JJ, Lois, and friends. They have carted me around, gone grocery shopping for me, taken me grocery shopping, brought food, called to check on me and offered help in many forms, and sent cards. The latest gift was Martha coming over to bathe Conner and Allie. Can you believe that? I have been humbled by the many kindnesses I have received. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such caring people.
Not only do my blessings offer to help, and do it repeatedly, they follow up with action. It reminds me once again that is what we are supposed to be doing in this life. Looking out for others. It's why I love them. They "get it". AND, they all bring great joy and laughter to my life even when I am able to safely drive myself around.
Ok, now I am off to plant myself in front of a fan and think very grateful thoughts about the people who invented electricity, fans, and central air conditioning....and of course, sweettea. (Which as any true southerner knows, is one word!) and no, contrary to what some in other parts of the USA believe, it is NOT the same when you just add sugar to cold unsweetened tea. not the same animal at all, at all!

Hot air balloons

2007-08-10T19:26:00.000-05:00

Well, the term hot air balloons is full of redundancy when it is summer in Louisiana. However, they are beautiful to watch especially early in the morning as they come over the horizon. It is such an art (ok, maybe a science) to figure out where to lift off and then what altitude is best to make it over the target for the drop.
This morning there were several over the drop area at the same time which is always exciting.
They would come in from the NW and would be hidden by trees when they were flying low and then suddenly just pop into sight.
The colors and designs made them look like Easter eggs just sailing along in the morning sky. I think I like the morning contest better than the ascension in the late afternoon or even the "glow" which is held at night. Fewer people and therefore quieter and you can really concentrate on the balloons.
I decided not to go to the glow tonight as it's just too hot!!! I did watch the ascension. Finally got a bright idea and took a chair outside and also brought out a floor fan which I plugged in and turned on high. Not only kept me cool: it also kept the mosquitoes away. I think I will use the same system for the fireworks tonight. Boy, are the dogs going to love the fireworks! Definitely the comfort and security of their crates for them.

The productive boot

2007-08-07T18:13:00.001-05:00

Ok, I have been reduced to actually doing something other than knitting while lying around with my foot up in the air. Yuck! I mean, I love to knit but after a while the fingers begin to rebel and the eyes start to cross.
So, I am now dragging stacks of old magazines over to the couch and going through them. Can you believe some of them are 12 years old???? Well, if you are one of my crafty friends, of course you can believe it--you have your own stash. Anyway, the stash is diminishing which is a good thing. ...except that now there will be more floor area that needs to be cleaned.
I have discovered that it is good to go through the Rubber Stamp magazines while I am in a knitting mood. When I get back to the paper making/rubber stamping marathon, then I will throw out some of the fiber mags. ...maybe. I would hate for you to have expectations of nauseating cleanliness--but then, most of my friends understand vertical files.
Well, I have procrastinated enough---time to elevate the foot and sort, and sort, and sort.......

Conner can jump

2007-08-06T08:44:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned previously that Conner could jump on and off the couches on one end only. He has had another jumping break through however. When we got ready to go to FL this weekend, Allie jumped in the back of the car and into her crate. SO DID CONNER! I mean, this is huge!!!!!
I'm not totally sure he realized what he had done until he was up there but we were amazed and really, really praised him. He managed this feat several more times over the weekend. Apparently this ability still hasn't transferred to the other end of the couches as evidenced by his performance last night when we got home. Oh, well, I am thrilled with any and all progress.
The workshop went well and the participants were great. All except one had been to the January Spin-in and I think she will probably come next year. I tried to stay in the chair with my foot propped up as much as I could but the foot/ankle was still swollen by the end of the day.
Got to visit with lots of friends while we were there and that was great fun. Waaaaay too short a time but better than not getting there at all.

The foot and crochet

2007-08-02T07:05:00.000-05:00

Went to the doctor yesterday. Looks like 4-6 weeks more of THE BOOT, hereafter referred to as Bootie. Seemed like a good idea to name it since it will be with me for a while. Bootie needs decorating in the worst way. Glitter is out as it is entirely too messy and besides, if I ever get out, I'd hate to be over dressed.
A glue gun and some beads are a possibility. The only problem is the summer heat which could melt the glue and there I would be, hobbling down the street dripping various colored beads behind me. Kind of like throwing rose petals in reverse. I may give it a try anyway. Since I have now started using a cane instead of crutches I am trying to figure out how to decorate it also. Should the cane and boot match? Ah, such decisions to be made.
Many thanks to all my well meaning friends who suggested a walker. I gratefully decline. Now be truthful, if you see a cane or crutch, you think injury. If you see a walker, you think nursing home. Since I am within a few decades (ok maybe less than a few) of assisted living/nursing home status, I prefer not to give people any doubts about my condition. Crutches or a cane get sympathy, a walker gets people moving out of your way and talking to you slowly.
Watched Uncommon Threads on tv this morning and there was a great scarf idea. (How many scarves does one person need anyway?).
Anyway, crochet a chain however wide you want your scarf. Single crochet across. At each end, chain 5 , or 10, or however many you want and crochet 2 single crochets into each chain. When you get back to the base row of sc, single crochet across and repeat ch/2sc on the other side. This make a plain body of the scarf and some awesome curly stuff along the sides of the scarf. Really great looking. On the progam they used a multicolored yarn and it was beautiful.
JJ is coming today. Yeah!!! Must go hobble around the guest room making up the bed. Really, really need to teach Allie and Conner some useful tricks!

It's bright!

2007-07-29T18:02:00.000-05:00

Finished the cotton necklace. I swear, I think it may glow in the dark but it was fun to put together once I got going. I found that I had a lot of pieces left over which I may use for another project--earrings maybe, or is that just over the top? maybe I can trade them with other people who ff. For now, they will go in a glass jar which will look cool. Will probably stay there for years, and years if I run true to form.

finished with Harry

2007-07-27T14:46:00.000-05:00

I have stretched it as long as I can but I finally finished Harry Potter. It was as spell-binding (pardon the pun) as I thought it would be. However, I feel as if I have said goodbye to long time friends. I am so very grateful that it ended with the "good guys" winning. I know life isn't always like that, but I prefer my fiction to fit that script.
I am also working on a freeform crochet necklace. I am making it of Sugar and Cream cotton for the most part and the colors vibrate in hot pink, orange, red, and yellow. I think I may have one outfit I can wear with it . However it is a good antidote to all the rain we have had lately, even if it assails the eyes sometimes. Figuring how to put it together will probably be more difficult that making the various pieces. Again, I am a process person, not a product person!!!

from 1st blog attempt

2007-07-21T17:31:00.000-05:00

Fiber bits: July 20, 2007
Friends that feed my fiber habit are the BEST! Got a call yesterday from Linda who told me that the Dollar Tree had tons of really good yarn at $1.00 a skein. She even volunteered to pick some up for me as I still am not able to drive. Now folks, that's a friend. ....She not only tells me about the stuff but she goes and buys it and delivers all in one day. I am wallowing in yarn--Fun Fur, Increditape, and several other brands. The ideas are circling in the head.
I started a necklace last night by making scrumbles out of red, hot pink, and orange using Sugar and Cream cotton. I will probably throw in some yellow and may even use some perle cotton to make smaller shapes for fill. It's fun just making the various pieces. I do love doing non-structured stuff. Suits me much better than following a pattern that someone else has designed.
I am also making a cozie for my water bottle. Cheryl has decided on a challenge for Spin-in for 2008 of making a cozie for a soda can. Since I don't' drink soda any more, I decided to make one from my water bottle. I am crocheting it using mostly Sugar and Cream with some Increditape thrown in for fun. Since the theme for 2008 is Pigment Party, I am using lots of color. I'm going to need to put some elastic in the last couple of rows so that it holds to the bottle without sliding down and becoming a free form coaster.
Conner and the couch: July 14, 2007
A couple of weeks ago, Conner, my 14 month old Sheltie, made a startling discovery. He could jump on the couch. Now, in the past, he would have to be lifted onto the couch and lifted off. Even if you left him on the couch and walked out of the room, he couldn't figure out how to get down. We're not talking a high couch here either.
Well suddenly one night he decided to jump on the couch. He then lay down quickly, shot up and jumped off. He then repeated this activity 10 more times, as if to reassure himself that he could actually do this amazing feat.
Finally! I was so relieved. That relief was short lived however. There was a glitch in the brain processing skills. He only thinks he can get on and off the couch on one end. This goes for both of the couches. Same end on each one. So we are still waiting for the major breakthrough where he discovers he can get on and off the couch on either end.
I'd really love to know how his little brain processes stuff.
The foot: July 13, 2007
Well, I had my first pedicure ever. Not the experience I had anticipated! I was in Houston for the wedding of friends' son. Several of us decided to go to a spa (code word for this is going to be expensive) and get a pedicure.
The pedicure was ok, relaxing even. Then they give you these flimsy little slippers which you are to wear instead of your shoes. Well, flimsy slippers combined with pouring rain and wet , uneven tile outside the building produced a less than graceful fall.
I honestly thought I had badly hurt my knee because it bent so rapidly but after laying on the ground in agony for a bit, I was able to get up with help. And then the real pain began---my right foot felt as if someone had taken a sledge hammer to it.
Long story-short version, I went to the emergency room of a local hospital (which was excellent, BTW) , had xrays, and found out I had 2 fractured toes. So much for the ballet career.
Missed the rehearsal dinner and spent the next 24 hours in the motel room with ice and ibuprofen for comfort. I was able to make the wedding as the sister of the groom was a wonderful chauffeur.
The church had a wheel chair which was great and other than steps --lots of them--leading into the reception, everything went off well. The wedding was beautiful and I'm so glad I didn't have to miss it.
A young couple who were friends of the groom even helped me get home the next day. He drove their motorhome and she drove my car. Very nice, great company, and lifesavers.
So this week has been resting a lot!
Oh, I did get to Albertson's for groceries on Tuesday. My sister in law drove me. We managed to get the wheelchair in the back of her car. Once we were at the store we remembered that they had motorized carts so I used one of those instead. Well, we tried to use one. The first one I got in was deader than the proverbial doornail. The second one would move all of 6 inches and then stop, 6 inches and then stop.
Finally I did manage to get it going but then we were afraid for it to stop so I would come sailing by the cereal and Lois would say to point out what I needed. Had to make a couple of passes as I didn't dare stop.
You would think that people would know to get out of the way of someone who was laughing hysterically while trying to guide a riding cart around the store. Almost took out a couple of people but some of them showed amazing agility when they finally realized the danger.
When we got to the frozen food section, I did have to actually stop and look at something and there the cart died and refused to be resurrected .
A nice young man who worked in the store came over and actually pushed the cart (and me) to the checkout aisle since none of us could get it to go again.
The manager even came over to help but I think she was only trying to protect the rest of the customers as she kept putting herself between them and me. As if I would roll over them in that cart that wasn't going anywhere.
Entry for May 24, 2007: Definitely on a knitting jag. Have now done 6 dishcloths in a week. So easy to finish. I am determined to have a stock pile for gifts, etc. Have used 4 patterns so it certainly isn't boring.
Am looking for a knitting group that meets during the day.
dog sitting-early May 2007: I am currently taking care of Pepper who is a miniature Schnauzer. She wears a bark collar as she has a high pitched bark which could shatter glass. The first morning she was here, I removed the collar when I put her in her crate to run an errand. Big mistake!!! As I was walking out the door with one of my dogs, Pepper starting her squealing routine. That, combined with the door closing, set off the security alarm.
I rushed back in, turned off the alarm, put the bark collar back on Pepper (who was much subdued by then), reset the alarm, and left without incident.
Later in the day after they had been out in the yard playing, I brought the dogs in for a "rest". I sat on the couch and knitted for a while. In a bit I heard whining and got up to investigate, thinking it was Pepper and she was upset about something. Not so! Pepper was tired and had gotten in her crate. Conner was the one whining. He was laying on the floor with his head in Pepper's crate and crying because she wouldn't come out and play with him. There are days when I know just how Pepper feels.
Allie was above all of this and plopped herself in front of the fan which is her very favorite place. Eventually Conner began to get the idea that it was nap time so he joined the other two and actually got his head out of Pepper's crate.
So ended day one of the Pepper sitting.