My Rambings

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="10e6085a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#339900" FACE="Arial" ><B>Wendy's Modest Dress</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B> </B><B> </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>|    </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wendys Modest Dress"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sock Bags, Fiber and DESTASH SALE"><U><B>Sock Bags, Fiber and DESTASH SALE</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>My Rambings</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Old Photos "><U><B>Old Photos </B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SALE Items"><U><B>SALE Items</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fabric Yarn"><U><B>Fabric Yarn</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="On Covering"><U><B>On Covering</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Day In The Life"><U><B>A Day In The Life</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links/Testimonies/BV Pics"><U><B>Links/Testimonies/BV Pics</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modesty/Submission/Children"><U><B>Modesty/Submission/Children</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recipes"><U><B>Recipes</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="10e7d2e83.jpg"> <div> <I><B><U><IMG SRC="1159741f0.jpg" border=0 width="116" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U><IMG SRC="115a581f0.gif" border=0 width="88" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></I></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <style type="text/css"> @import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); </style> <div class="cse-branding-bottom" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#000000"> <div class="cse-branding-form"> <form action="http://www.google.com/cse" id="cse-search-box"> <div> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="partner-pub-0341091270714994:w9scqxryg60" /> <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="ISO-8859-1" /> <input type="text" name="q" size="31" /> <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" /> </div> </form> </div> <div class="cse-branding-logo"> <img src="http://www.google.com/images/poweredby_transparent/poweredby_FFFFFF.gif" alt="Google" /> </div> <div class="cse-branding-text"> Custom Search </div> </div>  </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5dd1f1f0.gif" border=0 width="31" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </B><B>A place to spill over and tumble about eh?</B></div> <div> <B>7-9-08</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1290d71e0.jpg" border=0 width="215" height="286" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>I have been calling this PPPutting on the Glitz as it's all ribbon yarn, rayon both slub and slick... silk ribbons, ladder yarn and the like.  I just love it.  It hasn't been blocked so it's a bit weird here.  Course it doesn't look like this any more and I only took this a few days ago.  I wore it to JoAnn's and matched up the perfect buttons!  They are all of the colors in the sweater and look like glass seed beads.  I found a chenille that matches really well and have steeked the front.  It has been cut not just up the front but also for a V at the neck where I'm making a bit of a shawl collar now.  I have the skirt started.  Put the elastic in and started there at the top.  So far it's just longer then a mini skirt and I keep it there at my chair.  A little here, a few minutes there and it will be past my knees with a little ruffle in no time.  I can't wait.  I almost bought the perfect sock yarn to match today when I realized I probably have some here that matches so I will be making up socks too.  It might be over kill but this is my first matching set.  I will go for a solid for the next pair.  HAHA yeah right, me,,, not peacock?  NEVER!</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1286ace50.jpg" border=0 width="172" height="229" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B><IMG SRC="1288aae30.jpg" border=0 width="170" height="227" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B><IMG SRC="128da8e00.jpg" border=0 width="168" height="224" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B><IMG SRC="128eabe40.jpg" border=0 width="171" height="228" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>So instead of selling all of my dish cloth cotton I decided to play one day and I skeined some up.  Here you can see the progress of it.  The only thing you are missing is the cute coasters that they made.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>JoAnn's was having 40% off of all knitting books and on top of that 10% off of your entire order so I was able to get all of the Vogue Stitchionaries as well as many other books.  I'm very pleased with all of the books coming in from Knit Picks as they have 40% off too!  I cleared off an entire shelf from the great Wall O' Books.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>7-1-08</B></FONT><B> </B><B>I have been cranking knowing that more work knitting was coming.  I got my new job today and I can't wait for the yarn to come as it's just too cute!  Meanwhile I finished up the socks I started in the hospital with the hand dyed lace at the top of them in the Patons cotton.  </B></div> <div> <B>Ok, so here they are:</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1282f6b90.jpg" border=0 width="246" height="185" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>They wear well as I have had them on since they dried!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1284e4300.jpg" border=0 width="228" height="304" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here's my sock blank, I overdyed it in the black as I wanted a bit more punch.  The foot of each sock should be solid black... if I did it correct.  Perhaps a few flecks of red through it.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Need to get you a photo of that and of my TOFUTSIE TEE! I'm so happy to be able to share that I am wearing it.  The camera's not here or you'd be looking at it too.  It's a </B><B>very comfy Tee I might add. I like it.  I was a hostess for SWTC during the KAL of it on their Yahoo Group.  It's so feminine, colorful but not too much and HAHA you know me... can't leave well enough alone! I steeked the front/center, crocheted all round. Added more beads to of course. Oh and my snazzy little belt too! It's so cute! It's a floral, beaded number, Tres Chic ma belle! I look like I lost weight, I will have to weigh myself. I don't care much so I don't weigh in.... but I look thin! HAHA now I really can't wait to get a photo tomorrow night. Course we have plans and so there wont be any time to upload but I should be able to get a nice shot off... with a green background,,,, in the city some where. Oh so close! :-) Soon and very soon now.</B></div> <div> <B>Ok here we go!  Here I am at our local park in the late evening sunlight.  See my nifty floral, beaded, crocheted belt?  I love it!!  On the right after returning home the same evening in this photo you can see the steeking I did on the neckline a bit better.  I used my beaded picot cast on and bind off in this project too.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  <IMG SRC="127c0c650.jpg" border=0 width="268" height="357" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">      </B><B><IMG SRC="12800a630.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="355" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I have also been working on PPPutting on the Glitz which is a long sleeve pullover I think.  LOL I always may change my mind of course.  At this time it's 3/4ths or more done.  It's a bottom up and I'm just joining in the sleeves.  It's made out of many different types of glitz yarns.  Some glitter, rayon, chenille, loopi, ladder, etc.  The thing that holds them together is their color.  They are all blues and purples with a hint of a blue green.  One sleeve is done and knit into the round and the other is about half or more finished.  So I'm very close to finishing up that one too.  I'm going to push for finishing that before the test knit gets here.  I'm sure to finish as the yarn can't get here before next week.  It's a fast finish at this point.  More to come and PHOTOS! YIPEEEEEE</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>6-26-08 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Yesterday I finished up a pair of socks which was a test knit but from a published pattern so I have permission to share this one.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1275051a0.jpg" border=0 width="261" height="282" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>After I finished these I picked up the Paton's I had started as they were closest to being finished.  I have one done and the gusset (top down) on the other done so shortly I will have a photo of them too for you.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12791dd60.jpg" border=0 width="285" height="214" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="127824db0.jpg" border=0 width="292" height="219" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>We watched the sunrise in HD over Lands End the other day.  Just stumbled on it and it was wonderfully calming.  You could hear the seagull and Puffins as the sun was coming up.  The colors changed continually, it was very peaceful.  Our Little Man really loved it to.  Before the sun rose completely he was on the coffee table watching from about 3 feet away.  When the seagulls were right in front of the camera he decided he needed another look.  When the seagull flew off of the top left of the screen he didn't understand why he couldn't still see it.  When it went off screen stage left... he went round the TV looking for it!  What a riot!  We had so much fun watching Little interact with the puffin!  His head tilted when the Puffins did!  See that red orange nose?  I don't like orange but WOW do I want to knit his nose.  The eyes were incredible with a straight black line going from them to the back of his head.  There's a triangle in orange feathers just outside of the eye.  The way God made these birds is just incredible.  We all enjoyed it a great deal so I wanted to share with you.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I need to get another photo of my red sock blank.  I added black to it in so doing have changed the configuration of the sock.  I go to thinking that it was a bit much... red socks with a solid red skirt... NOT!  LOL  So the black mixes it up just right.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Off to 120 minutes on the treadmill, finishing my summer socks and finding something else that needs to be finished, OH I KNOW! I have got to finish that collar on my Tofu tee!  It's finished with the exception of the collar as I'm trying to design it so the process is slow... and the beads are high. :-)  It should be next though as it's that close.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>6-25-08 ANNIVERSARY!  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>YUP! Yesterday was our 14th!!!</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Well hellloooo kiddies! I hope you are all having a super de dooper day. I'm all set to enjoy mine to the fullest.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> GET THIS! yesterday I cleaned up the closets that have yarn in them. WILD I emptied the extra large Rubbermaid tote almost completely of sock yarn to sell. I filled it with yarns that I had stashed all over inside of the house. Well, last night I was talking with DH (it was our 14th anniversary!) and I realized that I have 3 smaller totes full of sock yarn in another closet (STR and Tofutsies) AND half of the Lorna's Lace large tote is full of sock yarn! HELLO! What was I thinking? AND I'm opening a co op list to purchase even more,,, much more cheaply too. </div> <bR> <div> This stuff's so addicting. Some one should have warned me. Well, I doubt if I'd have listened anyway! HAHA I believe I have enough yarn to start a small LYS. :-) who knows what the future might hold. There is a large complex coming in here shortly... we are going to finally get a grocery store.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> So since we literally have NO money... I gave DH a clutter free and some what cleaned up home and helped the children to get a lovely Mexican dinner on the table. They did most all of the work. All I did was cooked the meat and made organic lemonade from our lemons we had juiced and set up in the deep freeze. It was so nice. They made tacos, rice and beans with all of the trimmings. DH was very thankful for his "presents". All through to late last night when he crawled into clean sheets. He thanked me again. I had moved everything out of the living room except for the furniture so there was a tremendous change in the look of the room. I knew after 14 years that the only money free thing I could "give" would be a clutter free home. He's so easy to please, I am very blessed indeed!<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> I wish I'd have gotten a photo of the table. The children really did knock themselves out, each year they get better.  They gave us dinner for two.... even made the table so that only two chairs would fit!!!  They HID all of the other chairs too!!!!  so cute!  They had lovely linens, royal blue candles in large twisted gold holders that we have never used. The candles matched the royal blue anniversary glasses. I purchased those glasses when we wed and had our names etched on the top part and the date down on the flat stand part. We have moved more times then I'd like to count and they have lasted through each and every move. They used the good china and gold utensils Mom gave us. Mom had purchased the utensils for them... they have her monogram on them. Well, my initials never changed when I wed so we were a shoe in for being the happy recipients when Mom wanted to let them go. </div> <bR> <div> Dinner was wonderful. My children are awesome and so is my, D for Darling, husband.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Have a great day, I'm going to go see if I can get into more trouble today, this is the good trouble.  </div> <bR> <div> OH one last thing.  I'm finally back to exercising after the appendectomy, I gained so much weight!. ;-(.  The incision site that popped open hasn't healed and I have a rash over my entire body but I'm back and almost up to the 120 minutes!  Yesterday was the first time I hit continue after hitting 99 minutes.  So it's right around the corner now.</div> <bR> <div> <B>6-22-08</B></div> <div> So today I organized the puter a bit. Worked on some designing. Organized the files a bit. Set up a bought knit patterns folder. Did the dying for the hankie skirt and just finished putting the triangles on there. That worked well. While I had the dye stuff out I did up my Knit Picks sock blanks. I love DD's its AWESOME!!!!! I LOVE her's but then mines red. I needed a pair of red socks so red it is, not my favorite color.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="126dbdfc0.jpg" border=0 width="189" height="252" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="126ca8e00.jpg" border=0 width="168" height="224" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> It was fun to make them.  I can't wait to see how Kate's work up in socks.  I learned toe up real well now and so I will do mine toe up but not with the short row heel I don't like that heel as I need one a bit thicker.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="126b46f40.jpg" border=0 width="326" height="244" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="126a44f30.jpg" border=0 width="324" height="243" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Can't wait to get to work.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1265791b0.jpg" border=0 width="377" height="283" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This is the Goddess Mystery KAL, clue #2.  The best part of this KAL is that you get to pick how your shawl will look with four different patterns in each Clue.  HOW FUN IS THAT!  I love these lace KAL's.  Without all of the encouragement sometimes it's hard to get through tough knits.  This one has been a lot of fun and very hard to put down.  I'm doing this in Knit Picks Shimmer which is 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk... the colors is Turquoise Splendor.  I was hesitant to use a variegated but as you can see the lace is still real obvious.  What you can't see too much is the beads.  They are #8 (tiny!) and clear with inside peacock colors.  The beads are the center of the "flower"... which is why I choose the circular patterns.  I just love this one and I think, make that I KNOW I will get a ton of use out of it as it's so my color.  Most of my wardrobe is teal so this is wonderful.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I have been designing the Shawl in Fall mystery which is designed expressly for using hand painted, varigated yarns.  So much of the time the lace is lost in the color being too wild.  We buy these yarns with the best intentions and then find out that we can't use them as the lace doesn't show up on anything but tone on tone and solid.   Well, my shawl will use the busy color to the best advantage.  I can't wait but alas it's not until Fall... hence, Shawl in Fall.  So if you are like the rest of us and have purchase multi colored lace that just sitting there, please do join us.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B><U> </U></B><A HREF="mailto:IcelandicLaceShawl-subscribe@yahoogroups.com " TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:IcelandicLaceShawl-subscribe@yaho"><U><B><U>mailto:IcelandicLaceShawl-subscribe@yahoogroups.com </U></B></U></A></div> <div> <B>If you are already registered with Yahoo Groups...  send a blank e-mail, reply to their confirmation that they will send to your e-mail address and you will be in.  If not, then go to www.yahoogroups.com, register and then search for IcelandicLaceShawl and sub from there.  I look forward to seeing you on the list.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1263e02b0.jpg" border=0 width="224" height="299" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The other day this brought me out into the front yard.... the house up the canyon from us was burning down.  Seems they were mixing up drugs there... we kept hearing mini explosions as their chemicals went up in smoke.  I wish I could give you other photos but they are all test knits... shhhh I will post them after they are published.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>6-20-08  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >I'm bogged down with knitting currently. What else is new. I just finished the 4 socks in 11 days. They were each charted with each stitch different OUCH! What a knit! I've been napping and just recovering from that. The other day I was commissioned to make a pattern for an afghan and a matching pillow... as well as a rockin baby sweater. Today a design came to mind that sooooooo rocks! I can't wait to test it out. The neat thing is the lady who highered me is a yarn dyer so she can make the yarn I need for the sweater, LOVE IT!</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Oh and I have a pair of socks here for another company. What else? I have to dye up some sock blanks and some fabric triangles for my Celtic hankie skirt.... ran out of tapestry for that. Other then that I have personal knitting like 3 lace shawls, 4 or more socks, encluding the glacier one, I have a bunch of spinning projects too. </div> <bR> <div> I really should bang out the rest of the tofu T it's a design hiccup that I have here of late. All I have to do is to make a collar... it's not that hard, hellowwwwwww..... LOL it will come to me eventually.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> OHHH I finally broke down and bought me a wheel! There's a gal who needs me to spin for her... they sell art yarn... finally I will be set up to spin. I'm very pleased about that. I got me a Rose Majacraft! WAAAAAAAy expensive but it will pay for itself. I made a deal with the guy I got it from,,, bartering half of the price for test knitting! </div> <bR> <div> Life is truly good. I'm alone tonight.... they are out hitting a bucketOballs... golfing. So I get to hang out and knit knit knit... to wash the cares awaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. :-)<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Downloading pod casts love it!.</div> <bR> <div> <B>6-16-08  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >All my e-mailing's finished soooooooo stinking early as the dogs got me up at like 5:30 or so. Barkies sooooooo stinking cute, he jumps on me, waging his tail for all he's worth and making me feel like I'm the bestest person in the entire world! He's a wonderdog in my book. He loves all of us so very much. No favoritism here,,, except that he know's he is DD's dog and loves her for it. So what with the two of them drooling and waging, I don't stand a chance at staying in bed.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Late last night I was having a GREAT time. I nixed the pod casts and worked on my Slow Bee lace shawl. AHHHHHH it was a wonderfully relaxing time. I was looking through the photo's of the various ones in the Yahoo Group and just had such a yearning for it. I only worked on it about once last week due to all of the work.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> So, today,,, I'm ahead of the game. I just finished a 14 page letter (snail mail) to my 3 pen pals. They haven't heard from me since I fell into test knitting. They must think I dropped off of the face of the earth! HAHA this should make up for it as it's heavy in photo's too.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> I keep thinking about that Celtic skirt... should I chop into the 3 Goddess or leave them whole? I forgot to ask DH. The children and I really like the circle and I'm still not wanting to chop into them so I wait.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> My eldest graduated Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday. Unfortunately I couldn't attend what with the hole in my stomach and the rash that I don't know if it's contagious or not... I opted to save myself and all of So. Cal the pain. He's very sweet and said he understood but... it's a big deal. We are all very proud of him. His father (my ex) gave him a trip to Europe. Not being able to compete with that we are putting the finishing touches on an afghan of 8" squares that we will deliver to him after he gets back from the trip.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> So today is more of the same. I have the test knit to work on first and foremost. I had to frog it last night as I realized that I was knitting the foot on BOTH sides, DUH! fortunately it was only 1 inch. What an inch though, each stitch is different and all are charted WOWSERS!<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> We got the garden planted this weekend! PTL! I couldn't be happier! We have tomatoes, green peppers, hot peppers, basil, lemon balm, mint like crazy as it's last years PLUS all over,,, it grows like a weed and we live in the desert so I want it to take over everything. What else? Zucchini, Crenshaw melons, summer squash, lemon cucumbers and regular cucumbers. Then in the seed packets cause we couldn't find them, lettuce, watermelon, bush beans, more basil, love that basil! YUM Chop fresh basil, tomatoes, a bit of EVOO and WOW it's a grand topper. Ok, so carrots, 2 different sun flowers one huge and the other multi. </div> <bR> <div> Then we replaced the flowers in the wine barrel with new ones and Katie has her own pot this year. She wanted to have her own flowers to tend so she also bought seeds. She's got two flowers and a morning glory for the back yards pillars. She's really pleased with them all. Our roses are flourishing. Roses do real well here and when I find bare roots on sale again for $2.50 I'm getting another 20 or so for my English Garden.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Out in the front of the house I made this wood walk out of chopped up 2 x 4's. On each side of it we have a small border that I'm trying to get going. There's carnations at the end away from the house and closer to the house the English lavender is doing real well. OHHH and the star jasmine on the front pillars has finally taken off! I'm so pleased with it. I think it's just gotten much more water then last year as it's really a profusion of flowers. I have to get some green plastic to tie everybody up with. We are finally getting some growth after what? 2 years? When we first got here we had nothing at all as we are a new build.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> There's so much that I could do but there's much more that I should do so I must away. I'm going to go check on the garden and plant the few seeds I have left. You all have a terrific day!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>6-14-08 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>My most recent KAL is Goddess Mystery.  This is clue 1, Chart B.  You can't see the beads but they are in there.  I used a clear, luminescent size 8 sead bead with peacock center.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12606f130.jpg" border=0 width="367" height="275" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>6-12-08 </B></div> <div> 7 pm One more time!  I have been having a blast!  Today I took a bit of time to run some hand dyed merino, silk in the blue color way, white angeline, teal nylon and put them through the drum carder.  When I had done up two separate bundles into lofty rovings I spun them on my lace whirl into fine thread like yarn which I plied back to itself.  I have very little single ply left!  It almost came out perfectly even length wise.  It is lovely and the first of many different colors I will send through the drum carder for some very special hand spun socks.  See, I got this book from the library...</div> <div> <IMG SRC="125e90980.jpg" border=0 width="144" height="152" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook by Lynne Vogel.  I am in love with this book!  They go from the hand dyeing process all the way through, spinning and then sock construction.  The colors are glorious, lively, exhuberent and right up my alley!  I'm so thrilled to report that the spinning I'm doing with my hand dyed (see below 6-6 entry) is going to be made into a wonderful sock via the information in this book.  I haven't latched on to anything like this since I learned about Elizabeth Zimmerman... what fun to have such a passionate nature that just digs into all of this and says bring it on!  I can already see my socks.  What fun this is.  The color way that I spun up today was the top row, middle sort of a darkish blue.  With all of the goodies added to it and the carding of all of the different colors its become more of a light blue.  The plan is to isolate some of the dark blue next so that I have two different colors from the single color.  Then to mix it with the others in different quantities until I have a great many yarns with which to do Fair Isle knitting techniques.  </div> <bR> <div> Yes, a very happy and contented camper are we.  It was a nice break from work and it was only about 2 hours.  If I take that break every day I might finish it up in a week or two.  It's not needed right away so I don't mind the wait... especially to get perfection.  </div> <bR> <div> Needless to say this book will go back to the library.  I have it on my wish list at Knit Picks awaiting a pay check and a certain date.  Another secret that I can't share... but the day is coming shortly when I will slip it quietly into my cart and be able to make it fly home to me.  {{{Flappflappp flappflapp}}} I can hear the rustling of the wings it's on.  Course that list... it's about 2 pages (tiny type) long!  I may never be able to complete it in my life time but it sure is nice to drool over.</div> <bR> <div> 8 am --- Gee, this getting up early is wonderful! I actually have time to chat with you all, I have so missed it. I haven't been able to stay up past 10:30 for the last few nights and I have been early rising, what a wonderful thing to be able to get up before 9!!!! I'm loving this. With all the meds I have to take I don't always have a choice in any of my sleep/rising times.</div> <bR> <div> I have a few close friends who get to see my, what I call,,, Whiney Wendy side. See, life can and does pile it on and I am very blessed to have a place to go when I can't quite pull Pollyanna out of the closet. For sure I'd rather be her then Grumpy Gal or GG. HAHA one day I'd like to change that to GG to Grumpy Granny! I guess I can give him a few more years though as he's only just graduating college.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Mom has a great lemon tree! We are the beneficiaries of her lemons and we love it. The children go and pick them all once every 6 months or so. Since she lives in So. Cal on the valley floor,,, they can and do, grow year round. They are the best lemons I have ever tasted. Somehow I want to give Mom the credit as everything she does is singular. Her cook all day red sauce is totally incredible. Imagine my shock to find out it was the jar stuff. HAHA what I don't know doesn't hurt me eh? Back to the lemons, they are organic and the tree is only about chest high but prolific. So when the children pick, there are just bags full of them. We have a juicing day and put it into the freezer in two cup measures. Those keep for a good long time and see us through in lemonade to the next picking. I cut them in half for my water kefir and freeze them just taking them out as needed. Then I have them sliced and 1/8th's for drinks. These are all frozen so the drink ones are great in the lemonade, tea, mint tea. </div> <bR> <div> Oh now there's a topic! Don't get me started. LOL looks like I got myself started. So mint grows like a weed right? It's something that our harsh winters and SW summer temperatures can't kill. We harvest the mint by striping the leaves only, not the stalks. Wash them up well and pack them into a Dutch oven. Fill it with purified water and simmer for about 20 minutes. That makes a great concentrate that I add just a touch of Stevia to for sweetening. WONDERFULLY refreshing drink.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Chatty Patty signing off.</div> <div> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> <div> 6 am --- Did you get the new Knitty?  It's up and I think I printed off four patterns,,, two of which were the socks of course!  Did you see the cobweb shawl?  Such fine, light, loftiness... you can almost see it just gently falling to the ground,,, only to be snatched up before touching it and becoming defiled.  Love the chocker, matter of fact, I already have the neck piece as I got in some cashmere that I spun and knit up with rainbow seed beads.  Just didn't know what to do with it.  I will have to chop it up and add some buttons and flowers now.</div> <bR> <div> Ok, so I'm looking at a magazine,,, looking at a photo therein. Reminisce, April/May 2008 on page 54 theres a mother and her 3 daughters.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Well the very first thing I noticed out of all the business of tea time was the mothers face! Come on! There are three extremely cute little girls, each with a gorgeous dress, huge bow/flower they used to wear in the 50's, each has a doll and they are in the middle of a tea party! What do I look at? The mothers face!! Of course this was subconscious as I was reading the caption and looking at one of the DD's with a charming, engaging smile, it dawned on me that the mothers face was the first thing I looked at. </div> <bR> <div> So then I looked closer to figure out just WHY did it attract my attention? First I should tell you that she's very plain, bordering on,,, well, not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination. So then I scrolled down to what she's wearing... a sweater of course. Now get this,,, in construction, it's very like the one I have been designing in my head! I was startled and looked closer to see why it drew my eyes upward to her face. It's all in the construction. See across the upper arms and chest is a pin stripe of a deeper green then the light green of the background. All of those stripes pulled me to her face. </div> <bR> <div> My sweater isn't like this really,,, well, it sort of is in the construction,,, wide ribbed waist band in black, buttons up the front and then a checker board of the black with a multi/hand painted or fair isle making up the alternate checks. All of this to say that I really do need to get my sweater OTN! :-)</div> <bR> <div> <B>6-11-08 Repurposing.  What a great thing to do.</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> So before you toss that out,,, see if you can look at it in another way, see if you can't transform it into something else.  I knew when I purchased my Celtic tapestry that I was going to be making it into something else.  See, I couldn't see it on my wall, nor even on my couch... it had to be a skirt!  So I 1/4rd it and chopped it all up into gores.  I have it all cut and am sewing it back up again.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1254e9370.jpg" border=0 width="233" height="311" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  (later that day) Well here's the first part of it.  I have to add to it as I don't like how high it comes up on the unpointed sides.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I'm thinking of adding either:</B></div> <div> <B>1) black triangles of solid black fabric</B></div> <div> <B>2) black lace fabric triangles</B></div> <div> <B>3) dying white cotton in gunmetal and teal to match </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>First I have to sleep on it though.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I dreamt up a shawl pin to which will rival the most expensive of them out there.  Mine is full of silk ribbon embroidery, floss, seed beads, velvet, lace and all things wonderful.  It's so me.  I hope to have photos of my new creations up for you soon.  Till then enjoy repurposing in your life.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>6-10-08 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>After listening to a CraftCast pod cast about altered crafts... I dreamt this little gem up.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="124dda220.jpg" border=0 width="218" height="290" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Isn't it fun?  I had all of those little vials and they were the perfect size for this vase.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12510b7b0.jpg" border=0 width="267" height="379" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Yesterday on the way off to the doctors appointment. This is my 5 day top that I just LIVE in, I have designed the next 12 necklines to experiement with.  I so love the teal/turquoises don't you?  I dyed the silk hankie at my waist and the silk scarf around my head.  Soon I will have on these socks with my teal outfit.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12526f130.jpg" border=0 width="367" height="275" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is my new Seed N Beads I really love working with beads.</B></div> <bR> <div> Spent the entire day in the hospital and doctors office. Started out just to have the staples out so that instead of Old Franky's Bride I would only look like his ex-wife! ;-)<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The surgeon said I'd healed well and all was well... but he didn't think that terrible rash came from the surgery and we needed to go to the urgent care cause you never know when something could be West Niles or something equally bad. On Sunday night the entire body was covered with an itchy rash,,, cold/flu like symptoms, low grade fever and a new dot which is just a tiny high red pin prink made me think I had to be seen. Who knows when stuff like this is contagious too. </div> <bR> <div> So we spent the entire afternoon and evening in ER/urgent care holding waiting for a doctor to come in and basically tell me that she had NO idea what she was doing! URGH! That it was probably a reaction to the surgery even though it was in place for TWO WEEKS prior to surgery. They ran a blood test oh joy! Your sitting there with a person who's got this rash from head to foot and you don't run a culture? She said it would only come back as dead skin with a bacteria. She had no idea if it was an allergy or what it was. So they came me a shot of steroids (3 hours sleep thank you!) and a anti itch pill. I bought Aveno and got some relief from 8-3. Slept from 12:30 to 3:20 woke cover in sweat, just drenched! and itchy! So I couldn't wait till 5:30 to take another pill. sigh<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Came home to a box of yarn for the socks I get to test knit. From 9pm-12 got a good start on the foot of the first one... toe up which is new to me I'm a cuff down girl .... so I practiced while waiting for the yarn and made up Seeds N Beads part Duo. Got through the short row heal yesterday in the hospital. I have about 3 repeats of the "new" Seed N Bead pattern done. I really like this one even better then the first. So, if you don't see me, I'm either soaking in Aveno, cranking out the knitting, or trying to sleep! This shot, from past experience with steroids... should stay in my system for about 3 nights. The good new,,, you know I'm a Polly Anna right? I have to find good in every thing. Steroids sometimes help the FMS pain so while I hurt now, I might be feeling ok later. Oh and my blood pressure was through the roof. At one point it was dangerously high 165/90! That bottom number is the bad/heart one. I did have a heart "episode" the minute before they called me in. My heart doc has only been able to find Mitral Valve Prolapse. So after a bit of a nap I was better. Kev makes me really stressed out and he's stressing from the finances, they are cutting his hours at work and his pay right along with it. </div> <bR> <div> So I have all these socks,,, only one pattern so far, shhhhhhh they are brand new, hot off of the designers grey matter as Hercules Poirot would say. I get to make a sock bag for a lady who ordered one. Then there's the block a month lotto to make one for. Quilt block that is. Then there's that tapestry throw that I need to make into a skirt with the hankie points. LOVELY in my head. So I have a bit of sewing to do here but not until there's a halt in the socks... from either not having a pattern or seeing double. </div> <bR> <div> I hope you all are having a lovely day, mine started early which is always good for getting tons done, ready to ROCK!</div> <bR> <div> <B>6-6-08 I</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > couldn't help myself.  I knew I shouldn't get up and dye but it was all staring me in the face and tempting me and I just had to.</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="123e40f00.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is the inspiration photo</div> <div> <IMG SRC="124145f40.jpg" border=0 width="325" height="244" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This is the merino/silk fiber that came of it, it looks matted, it's not, mearly pull a bit off and spin away. </div> <bR> <div>   <IMG SRC="124316730.jpg" border=0 width="278" height="371" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> and this on the right is my handspun from that fiber and in the center is a Bare KP sock yarn handpainted.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="124bf0400.jpg" border=0 width="240" height="320" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="1249b6f30.jpg" border=0 width="182" height="243" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This is the Louet Gems from their hand dyeing kit.  On the right is a milk/corn fiber, WW.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="124831e50.jpg" border=0 width="305" height="229" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Of course, I saved the best for last.  We all agree this is the single most lovely dyed item I came up with.  This is lace weight for one of the many KAL's I have going on.  So, now it's up to me to make something lovely with all of these wonderful new yarns I have.  YUMMY!  While at it I did up 2 silk hankies and 2 silk scarves.  One each in teal and the bottom blue, of course!</div> <bR> <div> <B>SAVE KNITTY GRITTY!</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>  Do you love Vicki Howell's Knitty Gritty?  Did you know that her show has been cancelled?  Please sign the petition to get her back into Knitty Gritty.  Let your voice be heard.</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.petitiononline.com/1234lulu/petition.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.petitiononline.com/1234lulu/p"><U><B><U>http://www.petitiononline.com/1234lulu/petition.html</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>6-1-08 Subject: Appendix</B></div> <bR> <div> Well with a subject like that you already know where I've been eh? Yup, I went in at 4 pm last night, the appendectomy operation took place at 1 am and I was kicked out of the hospital at noon! My how fast they have made it all. I'm going to have to take it easy for the next 3 weeks so you might not hear as much from me as normal, please bear with me. Between the pain at the site, incisions and the gas that they pump you full of to have their "look see"... I'm pained sitting here and not so very smart. Definitely not on my game.... so without further ado, I will turn you back over to your regularly scheduled programming. Enjoy yourselves but don't have too much fun without me. :-)</div> <bR> <div> <B>5-29-08 Well a ton has been going OnTN and OffTN this past week.  I was able to get 100 patterns out for my new sock (below).  Just finished up this... well started it on the treadmill in the last hour.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="123b4af80.jpg" border=0 width="330" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> It's the Paton's Cotton with elastic.  It's a grand sock yarn.  I just wanted a quick anklet and trimming.... but I can't decide.  I'm leaning towards the hand dyed on the right.  I just love this stuff.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="123d49f70.jpg" border=0 width="329" height="247" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Just in this week... sock yarn and lace Interlacements on the right with beads.  They are all so nummy.  I c/o one of them and all of us are learning toe up finally.  I tried with the cable doing two at a time..... I need to learn how it's done before jumping off of the cliff!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In the new Knit Picks lace catalog, May 2008, page 11, you can see my pink lace poncho.  WHAT A CHARGE!  LOL I was running through the house screaming LOOK LOOK!  HAHA yes I'm nuts.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The new project (shhhh) I'm working on is so lovely that I want to share but I can't,,, wait till you get to see this one WOW.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I got in all of the dye to make this...</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="123e40f00.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Heather Ordover from Craft Lit has challenged us to make something off of her glacier photos.  Before she even got home I had claimed this photo as my own, I just about flipped when I saw it and knew that I had to have it on me... so I had ordered the dyes to try to capture this.  I'm planning on sock yarn for sure.  Then I have black alpaca roving, white merino and I will dye the white into all of the blues.  I'm thinking of a 2-color work sweater with the teal sky and clouds at my face... going down to a dark blue ribbing in the sea.  :-)  Just for fun I have ordered the Fiber Trends family slipper pattern too and I will perhaps work up some of my hand dyed, hand spun into slippers for presents to my family.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>You know my little Yorkie that we rescued?  He's doing so well. I'm so happy for him.  The people who had him were killing him by feeding him all cooked meat and starch.  The poor thing was so deficient when he came to us that his teeth were all loose and what he has teeth wise are covered in plaque!  He had so many problems.  I'm happy to report that his remaining teeth are starting to firm up!  I'm so happy for him.  He had NO ZERO hair on his nose... now he's got the sweetest black fuzz coming back there.  I tell you I just couldn't be happier for the little guy.  He's a gem... forever protecting me from everything... and everyone.  He has to learn that my hubby isn't a threat!  ;-)  He only recently stopped barking at him when he comes home at night.  Short attention span.  I guess that's about everything, I hope you are having a great day.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</B></div> <div> <B>Same day, pm... this is another thing I have been working on.  Just fresh from the test knitter... my new pattern is available.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="123726dd0.jpg" border=0 width="294" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="12392be00.jpg" border=0 width="299" height="224" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>It's a beaded slouch sock... that I ADORE!  I want to make them in every color.  I have another one that I'm getting the pattern for which is along this line.  I want to make an entire study of this style.  The pattern is only $5.50 retail (available to LYS in bulk for less) and I take paypal.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>5-19-08 The sweater that I started 10 days ago is finished.  I took 4 days off from production so this only took me 6 days to complete.  I made it in pieces as the pattern called for it and this isn't for myself.  It's an really large men's sweater, it's 31" long and 50" around the chest.</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>I just love the buttons I found for it, they are perfect.  I love the rolled edges and the pockets being the different colors.  I will make it in a different color, circularly and with a shawl collar instead of a lapel collar.  Other then that... I have to have a sweater this this for myself I just love it.  The pattern is by Wendy Baker.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="123155000.jpg" border=0 width="341" height="256" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="123030e40.jpg" border=0 width="304" height="228" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Later the same evening.  I had a problem with a sweater I have been doing for work and I had to pull out a days worth of work.  Instead of continuing to work on it I decided to take the weekend off.  What a GREAT idea!  I had a lovely relaxing weekend and even got in a few long naps.  ZZZZZZZ  here's what was produced.  This is Slow Bee mystery,,, still not finished with clue one but I LOVE IT!  I'm so very thankful that I joined this group and that lovely Moni is producing this grand pattern for us to enjoy.  You can't see very well but there are bead on this shawl.  You can see it in the close up below if you scroll down.  I just love beaded knits and this one has been wonderful.  I was listening to Irie Knits pod cast late Saturday night and she's a Yoga instructor.  Well, between the wonderful peace generated from knitting and the relaxation techniques she was using... I was sooooo jello!  It was wonderful.  I'm going back for more now.  I just wanted to share a bit of an update with you.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>5-18-08 pm </B><I><B>I have been doing a lot of spinning and enjoying every minute of it.  My Kiwi will not spin either lace or bulky and of course those are the yarns I want.  I have wanted an Alpaca shawl in all of the shades of Alpaca I have and the lace weight is difficult.  After making it a 2 ply for strength, I end up with a fingering weight which is too heavy.  DD suggested plying with sewing thread, I think that's where I will end up.  I have spun for about 6 hours and only have a small amount on my bobbin.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Today I spun for a swap for a friend.  I love her yarn.  It's the stuff you see on eBay and Etsy selling for $100 or so.  It's art yarn which is great on cuffs of gloves, brim of a hat, yoke of a sweater.  I just love these colors.  There's Merino wool, silk, rayon and locks of undetermined type.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="122d3bec0.jpg" border=0 width="315" height="236" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="122cb2ed0.jpg" border=0 width="178" height="237" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>The one on the right is easier to see what the yarn really looks like on the left there are 3 plys that didn't want to stay separate.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="122b33e60.jpg" border=0 width="307" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Behind the ball you can see what little I have finished of the Alpaca after all of those hours.  The blue on the right is a 2 ply of a roving I purchased.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="122a21d90.jpg" border=0 width="289" height="217" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="1229fe530.jpg" border=0 width="254" height="339" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>My Darling Boopy, as you can see he's very happy in his new home.  Diapers and all.  It makes life easier... I found out AFTER we got him that Yorkies are known to not potty train well or totally... doesn't mean I wont still try.  He has fewer accidents every day which is very encouraging.  We all love him a great deal.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>5-14-08 PM well I just had to get you the updates on my lace as well as Katie's bears.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="121ce6330.jpg" border=0 width="230" height="307" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is the Daddy bear and the Momma bear.  Shane has his bear just about finished and Kate's beared out. :-) for now.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="121e5c050.jpg" border=0 width="348" height="261" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Here's the update on my Peacock.  WOW I just love looking at it.  This is the lace weight from Pure Wool that I dyed up myself.  Every now and again there's a little blip of green and there's a bit of a lighter purple... I just love how this is coming out.  I get a good deal of enjoyment in just spreading it out and looking at it.  I'm glad I got a lot of this lace weight to dye and I'm ordering more.  I forsee getting a good deal of this yarn in the future.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="122134e70.jpg" border=0 width="308" height="231" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="1223d5a00.jpg" border=0 width="213" height="160" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is the Slow Bee mystery beaded shawl.  It will take all summer to finish up getting the clues.  They come out each Friday.  What with all of the test knitting I do and all of the other stuff I have going on, I don't know if I will ever be able to keep up with this one but as you can see... I'm giving it a go.  I love the beads... this is the first time I have ever worked with 8/0's and the Zephyr wool/silk thread.  This is the greenish beads,,, as you can tell (even with my camera that doesn't do close ups) you can't see the beads so they aren't detracting from the lace.  This is going to be a hug shaped (Faroese) shawl rather then a triangle.  I have long wanted one.  I do this late at night, very slowly, sighing contentedly as I look over my work.  I am really hooked on this lace work.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>5-12-08  I had a terrific Mothers Day.  My lovely DD Katie made me a silk shawl.  </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1218c0500.jpg" border=0 width="448" height="336" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="121a6f130.jpg" border=0 width="367" height="275" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>My DS Shane made me these very cool and hip drop stitch fingerless gloves.  I wear gloves to chuch each week as it seems to keep the little germies off of me.  With all of the illnesses I have the last thing I need to invite to dinner are germs.  Between the gloves and the probiotics, I rarely get a cold.  I think I had all of one in last year.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12149a5c0.jpg" border=0 width="410" height="348" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This is the beginning of my Peacock shawl by Fiddlesticks.  We are doing a KAL on IcelandicLaceShawl on Yahoo groups if you would like to join us.  Mine is much larger then this already... we started on 5-8-08 and I just ripped on it as I knew I was getting a test knit in so I tried to get as much done as I possibly could.  This shawl is so addicting that I steal a few minutes late at night to do a row or two even though I should be working on the test knit.  I can't help myself!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12155dc80.jpg" border=0 width="349" height="456" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Katie and I had a terrific time dying up all of these rovings for her to spin and knit into a sweater.  She's already got the teal spun to the pink and should be casting on any time now.  The plan is a color study along the lines of color fading,,, with 2-plies, from blue and blue then pink and blue to  pink and pink.  I think she will learn a lot if I can get her to do the plying correctly we will be all set.  She's just a wiz at knitting and has really taken off with spinning.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>She got a wee bit distracted with bears though... she's making our family into a knit bear family.  First there was Daddy bear in yellow and blue which is the closest thing to getting him to saying he's got a favorite color (Lakers).  Just now she finished the skirt for Momma Bear... an awesome blue tiered number.  Gotta love it.  She said that you will have to wait for the photo though as Momma has to have ears at least. :-)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1216942f0.jpg" border=0 width="404" height="303" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>A good deal of this past week was spent wondering where my bead order was.  I cancelled the order that never should have been and just got back from my LYS where I purchased these babies.  Unfortunately they didn't have exactly what I wanted so I bought enough in all of these to do this shawl.  This is for the Slow Bee (also at Yahoo but a closed group now) mystery shawl.  DS and I both like the ones in the center.  you can't see from the photo but the ones on the right... are purple... or else they would be the winner.  I really like the dark ones but they are a smidgen too dark and will stick out like a sore thumb so they are out.  The purple ones... well lets just say that they are still in the running.  I will have to sleep on this.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>A good deal of my time has gone into the beaded socks I made for the gal I made all of the socks and shawls for.  It's my first (2nd if you count the Tofu sock pattern) official pattern and it's currently being test knit up.  As soon as it's in the final edit I will have it available for sale.    How fun!  Between that and the new test knit... I have been very busy.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The test knit is for a man's sweater which is 47 inches around and 30 inches long!  It's a big one!  Get this though,,, I finished the back in 24 HOURS!!!!  Wild eh!  I just got the most perfect buttons for this sweater.  I should have read the contract though.  I didn't see if there was a limit on the price of the buttons, these are hand crafted leaves and are perfect for this item.  Sure enough!  There was a 10 dollar limit and these are 17 and tax.  They are soooooooooooo perfect though that I will probably eat the difference as these HAVE to go on this sweater.  Have to check with accounting and see if they can handle someone they "pay" making a donation.  LOL</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>contented sigh, life is good.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>5-6-08 Well all of the work got done, PTL what a challenge I had set for myself. Since seeing is believing, here are the 3 pair of socks and the lace shawl from last week.  These were handed off on Saturday... well all of them were.  We had a GRAND time meeting my people!  WHAT A BLAST we had.  Just before they came over I got the dinner all ready so that all I had to do was hit start 1 hour before we wanted to eat... this way there was very little socializing time lost.  I had to bind off the shawl while they were here and then I had to block it and that was the only time I could be with them but Kevin enjoyed their company and I went about it as fast as I could.  The shawl was much larger then the pattern which was just supposed to be a little shoulderette.  I did 13 pattern repeats (instead of 10) on this green one and still had plenty of yarn left over.  These skeins are a generous 450 yards.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1207a1d70.jpg" border=0 width="161" height="215" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="120521d90.jpg" border=0 width="289" height="217" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="12081ad40.jpg" border=0 width="282" height="212" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>4-27-08 WOW I just realized that I c/o this shawl on 4-23 which was last Wednesday, I just b/oed it today which is 4-27 which is only a matter of 5 days.  It would have been finished last night but I fell asleep.  I was all done in.  The three pairs of socks were also knit last week.  The Arnica has been out and on my shoulder. :-)  Thanks to Nancy reminding me that it works great on my bursitis and my hurt neck.  I hope to have a repeat performance this week with socks and another shawl.  These will be going to TNNA to show what can be done with sock yarn.  YUP one skein of sock yarn and I have a bit left over.  That last little bit that you wonder if it will make it around yet again and figure you don't want to chance it.  It's always more the I think it is.  As it is I went beyond the pattern in size.  It's supposed to just be a shoulder shawl but it's a good size.  I think I added an extra row to the border too... not sure at this point.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11f13eef0.jpg" border=0 width="318" height="239" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11ef45f40.jpg" border=0 width="325" height="244" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This past week I have been rolling a design for a baby ensemble.  Last night I got it all down on paper and I'm going to go for it.  This design features knit, crochet AND embroidery... possibly beading but that will all depend.  I'm excited to get to it but I have that green shawl and the three pair of socks. I really want to get them done before I start but you all know me with time and all.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1201660d0.jpg" border=0 width="358" height="269" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="1200640b0.jpg" border=0 width="356" height="267" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Here's the purse I made.  I won this roving from a Yarn or a Tale a fiber shop that I frequent.  I spun it all up except for the violet locks.  Lovely eh?  I want to do a bit of colonial knot embroidery with floss in a bit of a lupine look in honor of the wild flowers here about.  This bag is larger then a clutch at 7 x 12 so it has a short handle made of the same roving.  I just love it.   The hand beading was essential. The last bag sold for $150 and I think I'd be willing to part with this one for a bit less if anyone is interested... just let me know.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11f9680e0.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="11fd6d120.jpg" border=0 width="365" height="274" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    There's a photo around on the net which shows a canyon full of poppies and lupine, buttercups and a small white flower... it's our local hills.  We live in this lovely stuff. This is our front yard!  I wanted to take the children here so that we can see them growing up while our poppies multiply.  I did plant a red one but I guess the seeds were bad as only one came up.  I love my family.  My children are the best in the entire world!  Katie wouldn't agree.... but that's just one more reason why I love her so!!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11f74dfa0.jpg" border=0 width="333" height="250" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  The poor children were used to 70 degree, clean and clear mountain air... they WILTED in the Los Angeles sunshine and temperatures.... approaching 98 - 100 degrees.  Needless to say, not even Disneyland could keep them there.  Especially without Mum and her wheel chair to have them not waiting in lines for hours in that miserable heat.  I was so happy when my family came home today.  :-)  I love my family so very much.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11f65b040.jpg" border=0 width="347" height="260" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   Is this not lovely!  These are SOOOOOOO our colors.  These are part of the payment for the work I'm currently doing.  Katie's getting the one on the left and I the one on the right.  We love them a great deal.  You can tell that they are my colors as you can see a bit of my skirt under the one on the left!  LOL yup, teal and covered with flowers!  That's me.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11fb47f50.jpg" border=0 width="327" height="245" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Here's Katie with a big smile to show you here first all over lace shawl.  She's really pleased... I couldn't be happier for her.  This will hold her good through her entire life.  When she hurts,,, she can knit... for solace... memories of our good times... knitting and the Lord will pull her through all sorts of rough seas ahead.  So many things that life will throw at her... and she will find solace in the Lord and her knitting.  I'm so happy for her.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>4-23-08  Another test knit for fee, good to get some income.  This is a shoulder shawl from a tone on tone yarn.  I should be able to whip this up in no time as this only took about 1 hour and there has been no frogs in my home during that time YEAH!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11e658020.jpg" border=0 width="344" height="258" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  I only just started this shawl but I had to share as it's quick and fun.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11edc6080.jpg" border=0 width="198" height="264" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11ebce130.jpg" border=0 width="206" height="275" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>While Boopie doesn't like the process he really loves the cuddle afterwards.  Daily bathing is really important if he wants to sleep with us and sleep with us he must.  After a towel dry, he gets put into his Peace Fleece sweater I made for him.  I did it up in 3 ply PF which is 100% wool for warmth as he shivers so much you would think he was going to shake himself right off of the planet.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11ea33e60.jpg" border=0 width="307" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>After the PF sweater he is then bundled into my woolen lapghan.  I love this afghan.  I made it from my hand spun and other yarns that I saved up for a bit from my Festivals.  Boopie's pretty happy with it too.  Of course all of this drying time is spent on my lap.  He's more and more like a baby daily... what with yesterday coming up with a diaper (diideedoo) to keep him from "marking" my home.  We do what we have to so that we can live in peace.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>4-21-08</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11e41d7f0.jpg" border=0 width="285" height="127" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A belt, headband, a necklace a neck trim for a tee??? </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>4-20-08  Well, I made 3 pair of socks last week!  Is that right?  No, can't be.  Lets count, the mens socks (test), the green and the cashmere... yup WOW WILD! I made three pair of socks last week!  HAHA Along with this.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11e226dd0.jpg" border=0 width="294" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is my Tofutsie Tee Shirt!  The one I'm doing on the SWTC list (see below).  I love this fabric!  It's sooooooooo wonderful!  You can sort of see the shaping on the sleeve... yes, that's the sleeve,,, we are working left to right... those thin straps are the back and front seam under the arm... so it's the body working left to right.  I'm beading it,,, random beads up at the neck and center low on the sleeve.  I added my beaded picot trim that I dreamed up for my Ice Queen, I really like it on my Tee.  I changed the cast on numbers so that the tee fits me to a T.  HAHA   </B><B>I </B><B>have been working on a few design elements for my top. I'm going to have a cut flap at the side seam at the bottom... I will be having the back longer. Adding darts to the front for shaping and I have the same treatment at the sleeve edge going in at the waist bottom. Then for the neck,,,, I have soooooo many different ideas. One is for a peter pan collar... another is for a crocheted beaded one.... another is the same treatment that the sleeve got... another is to take o rings and cover them in single crochets... then hook them all together to for this weird shape,,, triangle sort of with dripping beads! I really love that one. I saw some French Market place run way things... they were all trampy but the endings,,, edgings were all wierd, wild and wonderful! Right UP MY ALLEY! So I'm going to get ending creative. My top is so totally me already. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I c/o 70 for the body, front and then back and I'm about 1" in! This has been great fun. I figure with the darts that the front will raise and as it's 4" below my waist at 70 I'm good to go.  Do join me.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4-15-09  I have had a really full week and it's past time for an update.  This is the Bamboo Gold Heatwave test knit that I have had for far too long.  I LOVE this top.  It's unbelievably soft and nummy.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11c7d41a0.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="282" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11c6d49f0.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="159" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Totally blue belly!  Can you believe the color in this lizard?  They are great and I love them for bug patrol, the children like to catch them and measure their growth each year.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11c557010.jpg" border=0 width="343" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Cisco is the newest addition to the family.  He's my dog.  All my life I have wanted a lap dog and he's more then I bargained for.  We traded our AKC Pembroke Welch Corgi for my ex-show dog and I love him so very much already.  I have only had him for a 2 days, in that time he's had 2 baths, multiple combings, bones for de-placking (is that a word?) and de-matting's... he was a show dog a long time ago... as well as has had to learn to eat kibble,,, poor baby!  One of the baths was a shower... but if he MUST sleep in my bed then he will learn to like the daily showers.  He's wonderful.... we all love him a ton.  Today I knit him up a thick wool after bath, poor dear shivers for an hour.  He will get used to it though I'm sure.  I use my shampoo and this wonderful, thick hair conditioner on him as his hair doesn't shed but matt's up quickly.  This herbal conditioner makes my hair totally tangle free,,, his too.  :-)  I have an after bath detangler for dogs as well.  He's well cared for now.  He doesn't mind all the ministering too terrible much and it's been a good thing for me... with all my illnesses all I can manage is to sit and knit... so to lavish love on him isn't too hard.  I will steek his towel/sweater and get that ready for tomorrow's shower.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11c406c50.jpg" border=0 width="262" height="197" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Here's a Coco shot for you.  He was showing off for the local equine and DH got this of him in full gallop.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11cb126d0.jpg" border=0 width="274" height="365" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  A current Fur Ball... just seconds before he was a ball in the sink.... a favorite spot for him.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11cd10cc0.jpg" border=0 width="272" height="204" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Our lovely DD, the Three Musketeers!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11cff1b50.jpg" border=0 width="241" height="181" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This!!!!!!!!!! UGH! This is my Mystic Lights shawl, complete through Clue 2.5... I finished Clue 3 today.  It goes through the green and into the light blue again now.  Clue 4 comes out tomorrow, and I'm READY!  I'm sooooooo ready for it this time.  :-)  I had NO idea I would be able to keep up and am SHOCKED!!! that I can.  I really thought I wouldn't be able to do it after ripping and ripping through Clue 1 but here I am.  TADA!!!  I'm so happy to have this done.  I'm so encouraged and think I might just make it through the only -- two more to go.!!!!  YEAH  PTL as I really didn't think I could do this and only set out to try.  I LOVE the way it's going.  So I have signed up for the Slow Bee this summer.  Why not!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11d1fda90.jpg" border=0 width="253" height="169" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>DH was made Regional something or other,,, coordinator?  For Clan Donald of late.  When we attended the local Bakersfield games this year,,, we were hounded for photos!  I was so surprised as this hasn't happened to us in the past.  DD really attracted attention too, a gal took 100's of her.  This came from Bakersfield Life I believe?  A local magazine.  There were so very many who stopped us that I couldn't keep them straight.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This couple attracted MY attention!  Aren't they adorable?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11ddd51c0.jpg" border=0 width="213" height="284" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  I said I suppose you get this all the time but you two are so stinking cute,,, could I have your photo please?  HAHA they looked at one another and said that... well, we have never been called,,, stinking before but you are welcome to it. :-)  HAHA  TOO CUTE!  Her bodice,,, black velvet with tiny green flowers embroidered all over it... LOVELY!  She was an angel and he was a ARGH VIKING! HAHA  LOVED IT</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  This is a child sweater that I got done last week,,, well ok, no photo, it's a test knit.  When it's published I can share that.  Got the yarn in on Friday and shipped it out the following Friday!  YUP I'm fast!  At the same time I worked on these socks... I am sooooooo fast!  I can't show you them though, shhhhhhhh they are a secret test knit too.</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11d5cc100.jpg" border=0 width="204" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Sparkey was sooooooo sad that I had a new baby to love on... his eye's tell the story better then can I.  Poor dear hasn't been replaced,,, it will take a few more days for it to sink in... he went from being the boss and top Alpha dog... to second in command... size DOES NOT matter.  Cisco is 1/2 his weight.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11d7ee3d0.jpg" border=0 width="238" height="317" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  My new spring skirt... I now LIVE in this skirt.  It's made from 50/50 cotton/poly and so doesn't wrinkle up terribly.  It's so much fun too,,, I love it.  I live in tiered skirts,,, as does DD, we both love them.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11d9ecb10.jpg" border=0 width="236" height="177" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="11e0e9af0.jpg" border=0 width="233" height="175" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>  DH got a load of D & G in for the drive way and his boss came over with his tractor.  This man is so very sweet and wonderful with children.  He actually taught the children how to drive the tractor and now they can say they had a hand in the driveway fix to all their friends.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Well, what a week eh?  It's been packed but I have one more thing to share.  I met a gal at the Scottish Festival, she and I hit it off real well.  She came over today, we knit, talked and had a half (crackers, cheese and apples as opposed to pot pies) tea.  It was great, we all loved out time and she's slatted for two weeks or so from now.  We are all going to join the Bobbin Lace Guild up here... or at least visit them and see if we would like to join.  She told me she's always wanted to try it and every time I see them in the local newspaper I think, I sure would like to sit in with them.  Well, she's always wanted too,,, I have always wanted too.... we like each other enough that she's coming back!  HAHA so why not, eh?  What fun we will have.  She and I are so alike it's frightening.  We had a blast and the time just FLEW by!  Before you know it FIVE HOURS were GONE!  I still can't believe it.  I can't wait to see her again.  LOL she said she was old enough to be my mother,,, funny how she's so much more out there and fit and all then I.  She would have had to have had me when she was 17,,, possible... but I don't think of her as anything other then my own age.  She's a blast... her name is Bev so when you hear me talk of her in the future you will know of whom I speak.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4-9-08 TOFU!!! LOVE IT</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="11b664640.png" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11b702020.png" border=0 width="2" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11b864640.png" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11b902020.png" border=0 width="2" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11ba64640.png" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11bb02020.png" border=0 width="2" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11bd02020.png" border=0 width="2" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11be64640.png" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11bf02020.png" border=0 width="2" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11bc64640.png" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>              863                864                  856                      722               853            </div> <bR> <div> <B>This is my choice for my top.  I have a ton of 6/0 glass beads and I'm doing a picot beaded c/o too!  What fun this has been choosing colors and just loving my Tofu.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4-3-08  ANOTHER GREAT DAY!</B></div> <div> <B>I have been going great guns over here… no time to turn around.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Been approached by a small yarn company, they want me to spin some yarn for them possibly for them to wholesale.  They have mailed me a bit of fiber to spin and send back to show them what I do.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Other then that here's what all I have going... perhaps if I write it down it will feel more real.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3 pair of socks for money by end of May.  It's nice to work for yarn but better to work for funds as we all need them.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1 sweater for money next week,,, child sized, in the round so I should be able to finish it in a week this one is for cash too.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Another 2 pair of socks for yarn trade,,, much rather have the cash but their PRODUCTS!!!! drooolllllllling!  DD is doing one of these.  Her first test knit.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Atop all of that SWTC contacted me and they want me to lead a KAL! </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="119fb11c0.jpg" border=0 width="177" height="284" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here's the top,,, modeled by the lovely owner of SWTC, Jonelle... I LOVE this woman.  She's wonderful... in person and through the e-mails,,, I just love her.  She's got alot of energy and is just a delight to speak to.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I’m one busy chicka.   The Knit A Long for this top is at Yahoo Groups… If you are registered there you can just send a blank e-mail to  </B><A HREF="mailto:SWTCInc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com " TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:SWTCInc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com"><U><B><U>SWTCInc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com </U></B></U></A><B> .  Reply to the message that Yahoo will send to you for confirmation of your subscription.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We should all go over there and make the top! The more the merrier!  What fun it will be, do all sign up.  I think I'm going to bead the top front of mine.  If it can be beaded I will bead it.   </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>OHHH then I have a possible no contract yet… adult sized sweater for don’t know how much,,, they are making the yarn yet. If I get it,,,, it will be given to me 5-20 and be due 6-20 for cash though. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>On top of it all I have been doing the Mystic Lights KAL and learning soooo much about lace knitting.  At the same time LOVING lace knitting.  WOW this pattern is just smashing.  I'm so glad that I slipped in at the last minute and did this one.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I have been suffering from Finishitupitis of late as well.  Is that suffering?  LOL I don't think so!  I finished turning a halter top into a tank top.  Finished a lace scarf that I made from some yarn from a secret pal swap.  She sent me the pattern which is free on the net.  It's the Orca lace scarf.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11a4d71f0.jpg" border=0 width="215" height="287" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11a2dc250.jpg" border=0 width="220" height="293" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Finished a pair of socks as well as the first of two socks for my DD.  </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11a630e40.jpg" border=0 width="304" height="228" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>I made two bags for soap out of a pattern from my head.  Those work GREAT!  I did them in hemp and crocheted them.  They are closed with a satin ribbon.  These work so well.  I just roll the soap inside of the bag and tons of lather pops through... then the hemp works as a great exfoliator... not to rough,,, just right.  I even was able to use it on my face.  These could work well in wool too,,, a super wash!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Kiddies the Lords been raining His blessings on me and I thank Him heartily for them.</B></div> <div> <B>;-)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-31-08 WHAT A GREAT DAY!  Not a good day, a GREAT day!  I used to hate and despise Mondays but this was a grand day.  I was so content even though I was ripping out my Mystic Lights shawl for what the 6th time?  Sitting in my rocking chair surrounded by my loving children... listening to old radio shows on my I Pod over the speakers.  We had already cleaned the house really well, I had been on the treadmill for 2.5 hours and had showered.  We were waiting friends and we were all in such high spirits.  I had listened to Jane Austen's letters that I had downloaded from Librivox.org earlier.  They are a fun listen.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> I looked at my DD and was oh so content.  I couldn't contain myself for even one more minute and I just erupted with joy!  Spilling over and onto every one.  I crawled up the length of my DD and told her how much I loved her.  I guess her dog was threatened by me as he decided to nip me on the nose!  Silly boy!  He was smacked by his girl and his mum.  Then he was so penitent!  I guess I waked him and he didn't know what side was up.  So he licked us both and then laid over us and he slept.  DD held me and I slept!  It was so peaceful and lovely I just can't express it in mear words alone.  Occasionally I would crawl up from the depths of sleep to find I was still in her arms sleeping safely and all was right in the world.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Our friends came over and we all had such a wonderful time.  We haven't been with them for 10 months but it was as if we didn't miss even one day.  We both have children the same ages and so this is a wonderful, fullfilling time for us all.  Their mother and I sat in the living room and chatted for many hours... getting in so much deeper then either of us had ever dreamed we would.  Neither of us had come together thinking for even one second that we would unburden our hearts as we did!  It's lovely to have such a friend as she.  I so enjoy her company.  So many of her issues are mine, the world is really so very small.  She's a lovely girl who attends our church and we are kindred spirits, to go for such a long time without speaking only to fall right into our relationship without missing a beat.  That's friendship for you.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>When my beloved came home he was bearing many parcels from the mail.  What a fun day it's been!  To end like that was such fun.  The best part of that is that only one of the parcels did I dole out funds for!  All of them were freebies, gifts and winnings.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="119a7b1c0.jpg" border=0 width="379" height="284" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Since a picture is worth 1,000 words I will save a few of mine.  Above is a photo of the winnings from a fiber contest.  I send a photo in to a place where I like to shop for my roving and every month there is a drawing.  The photo is of an item which I make from her rovings that I have spun.  Last month I won on my green purse that I ended up selling.  I had requested the colors green, purple and blue of course!  So I have that on the left.  The right are some lovely, soft and nummy dyed locks.  They are so soft.  I'm sure that all of this will go into a new felted purse for me to replace the one that sold.  DH is taking the brown socks as they are just his size.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="119b7a1c0.jpg" border=0 width="378" height="284" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This is the item I paid for.  This is less then $60 in sock yarn!  I found this site last week due to Ravelry, thank you Ravelry!  Normally 60 would get me no more then enough for 3 pair of socks! Here there is enough for EIGHT!  Now that my children are turning out socks as fast as I am I had to have more yarn.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="119cbfff0.jpg" border=0 width="191" height="255" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This past weeks test socks are finished.  These are the ones that I finished the first one in 24 HOURS!  I still can hardly believe it but I made the first one in such a short time.  WILD!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="119d4efb0.jpg" border=0 width="334" height="251" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This yarn is part of the payment for the purse that I sold.  She ended up giving me $120 and the yarn to make it up to $150.  I love this yarn.  It's old but still in excellent condition.  It's space dyed silk.  I shall be whipping them into my 5 day tops.  I find that I love the silk for tops very well and live in the two that I currently have.  I keep seeing roses... don't you?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>One thing that I didn't take a photo of is the other free thing that came in today's mail.  BMFA made a mistake on my order.  They told me that they would be sending me a replacement skein of STR due to the mistake.  So I sold the mistake and got in the free one today.  It's PERFECT!  I love it and it will work perfectly in exactly the right way.  It's the black, gray and white that I needed to make my chicken socks for my barred rock named Lacy.  So far I have her, the rooster and the aracania.  I have to purchase them slowly as they are $19 for each skein.  Also I want to knit a few of them up to see how I like them.  I'm planning on designing the socks as to the personality of the different chickens and making a matching stuffed amigarumi (sp) tiny chicken to go along with them.  I can then wear my chickens and play with them too!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Ok, so how does the Lord end the perfect day?  With a JOB!  I tell you when it rains it pours and I so love today!  I asked just this am if there was work from the test knit job that pays me money and sure enough I came to see my messages tonight and there's a job for a sweater!  Something I can probably crank out in a week.  I couldn't be more pleased I tell ya!  It's been a wonderful day and I'm praising the Lord for it.  He has been very good to us.  Very good indeed.  I don't deserve this magnificent treatment and I certainly don't expect things to come up so wonderful.  HAHA you are all probably saying what's she making such a big deal about!  No, I'm perfectly content and happy with my lot in life.  Life is good and I will dwell here.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-28-08</B></div> <bR> <div> We went to Newton's Spring Fling today and WOW! He's my 4$ man.  I bought some GREAT, high quality, cheap yarn! Cashmere, rayons, sock yarns, chenille, all lovely and CHEAP! We got out of there with 3 tall kitchen garbage bags full of yarn for only 150! I'm so pleased to have all of this cashmere and cone after cone of rayon and chenille! You should see this one chenille cone is about 10 pounds HUGE! RAYON and fine elastic thread for the top of my socks LOVELY GOODIES!   (photo's to come.)</div> <bR> <div> I had so much fun! We walked through this one door and up popped a gal who said, "I'm your enabler!" HAHA we hugged! She then said to everyone we met, "She's the Sock Queen".  That's Goddess! If it weren't for Nancy from Custom Handweavers I wouldn't have been able to get such good deals as she told me to come on down. She's a lovely person and I would love to sit and talk with her for a good long time.  I asked her for work and she immediately put me in touch with a man who wants me to spin for him. How's that for action!</div> <bR> <div> Then there was a little, tiny Chinese woman who stole my 11 y/0 DD away and took her round to everyone... saying she's my little grand baby!  HAHA It could have happened! I know, my 23 y/o has brown skin so I REALLY know.  Anyway, she made me promise to do the fashion show at the next one with all of the children sporting their wares. We all knit and we all wear our knits which is why she was showing my child around to all of the teachers. I had on my silk top and my Kauni, beaded shawl. It's the dark colors, navy, purple and black. I love that shawl and get so many compliments on it every time I wear it. </div> <bR> <div> This week,,, just for fun and as a challenge I made a sock... what's new about that? Start to finish in 24 HOURS!!!!  A full sized ladies sock with a pattern!  I will post a photo as soon as I finish the second, I'm at the toe and I will block it and get it up here.</div> <bR> <div> DD now has a test knitting job too!  She's so very pleased to be able to do what she loves and earn some yarn for it.</div> <bR> <div> <B>3-19-08 Here are the socks I made this week.  They are the Sock Bug pattern for River Rapid Socks made in my very first Socks that Rock (STR)... boy do they ever!  These are in the lightweight and they worked up so very fast... I can't believe how fast they went.  I did the legs in a size 2 and the foot in a size 1.  They feel GREAT on me.  I will be getting on more STR asap but first I have the two test knit socks to do and I want to finish up my homespun.  YUP I did a sock in homespun!  It was so fine that I had to use the size 0's on it and I had to c/o 70 something stitches.  So I double plied it and it was still finer/thiner then the STR!  So I figure I have a winner.  I have nylon to add into my handspun in a deep teal or I can add it by using a Wooly Nylon spool.  I have many colors.  The world just split open for me when I came to find that I really could make socks from my homespun.  So many people said not to bother even trying.  I listened to them.  Why? I do not know - as normally I would have tried much sooner.  I'm sooooooooooo happy to report that this is the only way to fly.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="118c3aec0.jpg" border=0 width="314" height="236" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is the STR</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="118e1a780.jpg" border=0 width="282" height="376" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Here's my handspun... it needs to be blocked.  Those cables are my seaweed and you can't see the fishys.  You can't see it in the photo but the seaweed starts skinny gets wide at the ankle and then gets skinny again at the toe.  Don't you love the yarn!  It's a stretched merino and it's the softest stuff on the planet! I soooooo love this yarn.  I plied it last night.  The sock above is on the single ply.  I can't wait to try on the double ply!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="118a134e0.jpg" border=0 width="275" height="334" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Laurie, it was nice talking with you.  Here's a coat I designed from recycled silk.  I used the really soft yarn on the sleeves.  I'm thinking that would look great done up in my 5 day top.  Those tops can be done with any neckline, placket, ties, buttons, I just haven't had the time to make one up yet.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-17-08 Happy St. Patty's day to you all.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I have published a poem called Stash.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>STASH</B></div> <div> <B>It started innocently.</B></div> <div> <B>And somehow’s taken complete control.</B></div> <div> <B>Never just say no, rather more,,, more…</B></div> <div> <B>Always seeking, duplicating, combining, aquiring, more and more but then……</B></div> <div> <B>When the dust settled, the parcels ceased, shopping carts empty.</B></div> <div> <B>Like a dreamer I shook off the sleep.</B></div> <div> <B>The funds gone, the house mortgaged.</B></div> <div> <B>The purchasing was complete……</B></div> <div> <B>SABLE achieved!!!!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>It's a contest for what?  more yarn of course!  LOL</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="117a55000.jpg" border=0 width="341" height="256" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> At Katies 11th birthday she was very pleased to receive a hand spun hand crocheted and felted tam made by her loving brother... who was pretty overwhelmed by her happiness.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="117c0a630.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="355" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="117e09610.jpg" border=0 width="265" height="353" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">These are the gloves I made for her with matching covering.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11800ac80.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is the lace weight yarn I dyed 3 times to get to this shade.  I love it.  I will be making Fiddlesticks Peacock shawl from it.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="118420d80.jpg" border=0 width="288" height="216" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Couldn't waste all of that dying time so here are some trims which I dyed.  Silk hankie and silk long tie.  That floral trim used to be brown and tan,,, I had NO use for it for these many years of toting it around and I bet I find I use for it here shortly.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11831cd50.jpg" border=0 width="284" height="213" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This was the very last of the dye.  I love the browns that came through on this yarn.  It's very tonal and has loads of character.  It will be great fun working with this yarn.  There's about 1000 yards of worsted weight, butter soft yarn here, plenty for a sweater.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1187ea380.jpg" border=0 width="234" height="312" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="1188ecb10.jpg" border=0 width="236" height="177" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">These were supposed to be for a sock monkey but I loved them so much that I might have to add some of these trims to them and actually wear them instead.  DH (love that man!) bought me a sack of exercise socks so that I can use up my old ones for sock monkeys.  So there are more monkeys to come.  There are two monkeys so far, this black one and a pink one that Katie obsconded.  These were supposed to be for me but Shane stole the black one so I really have to work up a few more.  We have it down to a quick assembly line and they are just churned out very quickly.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-11-08 <IMG SRC="1178d2180.jpg" border=0 width="210" height="280" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This has been part of our lives of late... sock monkey's!  They are faster then crochet and come out better looking in my opinion.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This one might get some clothing today... not sure what the day will hold.  Currently she's working on my Moonlight Sonata shawl.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-10-08 Well this has been a good thing.  The Lord always makes me see the good in everything, for that I'm very grateful.   They were my babies... well I'm going to immortalize my most beloved of them all!  I have been designing chickens and socks!  I'm making a pair of socks and a tiny chicken for each of them.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>STR has that Raven line which is PERFECT for my beloved rooster!  Totally and completely perfect.  Since he had these long lovely feathers I will be designing a feather pattern.  Lacy was my barred rock so I need a black and white yarn and then I want to make a very lacy pattern for hers.  Phillis Diller, AKA Top Hat was various browns and needs bobbles or something. :-)  The Aracania's will either be done in the yarn of same name or in a varigated brown and teal/blue green as that's the colors of their feathers and eggs.  Then there's the little red hens... the Rhode Island reds... glossy reds/browns will be needed for them.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>And so goes the design process.  I'm going to have alot of fun with these babies.  What fun!  No, the tiny chickens will not give me eggs but they will comfort me and help me to adjust to life without the darling real ones.  The Lord always knows best and I'm sure He knew what He was doing when He did this too.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-7-08 It's been a bit of a sad day for me today.  I have had to say good by my lovely little chickens.  I can't take care of them and everyone else is tired of it so CoopDeVille just left and the people will be here to take the birds shortly.  I raised some of these girls from the egg.  Lovely rooster always so protective of his "girls".  Cluck cluck clucking to show them where the best food is.  Very protective of his "girls" on the ready to protect, defend and comfort them all of the time.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="116f53fe0.jpg" border=0 width="339" height="254" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="117056010.jpg" border=0 width="342" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Perhaps it was unwise to name them but I thought they would be with me until they died of natural causes.  This is Top Hat on the right is the proud Rooster.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11719d360.jpg" border=0 width="413" height="310" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>In the center is Lacy the barred rock.  She's been with us through thick and thin... through three moves.  I really thought she'd be with us for many more.  CoopDeVille was a building like the one you see in the background photo below.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The buff colored chicken below I actually brought back to life.  She had biten the hot wire in our old home and was laying there dead.  I shook her like crazy and prayed and screamed at her to come back and back she came... good little girl.  The brown colors birds here are Aracana's which lay the blue/green colored eggs.  Lacy lays a large pinkish egg and the other all lay brown eggs.  The colors they are supposed to be.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="117298320.jpg" border=0 width="408" height="306" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>I just have to tell you this story.  One day back when we first got the chickens and still lived in Bear Valley... back when I was healthy and cleaned the co op every day.  I remember going into their coop and just sitting down on a tote.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Before too long I was very serene and happy,,, watching them pick around and strut back and forth.  I had raised this batch that we had purchased from a local feed store, they were my first and my special project. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I was a city girl born and bred, transplanted so I really knew nothing about livestock.  The girls were all settling in for the night, doing what all chickens do.  I had started to hum without realizing it, looking back I distinctly remember loud sighing of contentment and humming.  It was so peaceful that I just never wanted to leave.  There was a smell of pine shavings in the air, it was late evening and the chickens were settling in. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B> Well, one climbed up onto my lap, another and before you know it I was COVERED in chickens!  One even landed on my head!  I think it might have been Lacy, Oh how I love the girls.  I will miss them so.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>When I got the news that the chickens were going today I had been cruising along working on this.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="117459030.jpg" border=0 width="345" height="259" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> In it's past life it was a pair of DS jeans.  Now it's a knitting bag.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="117635e80.jpg" border=0 width="309" height="232" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Complete with 6 pockets, one of which is perfect to hold sock needles.  I will make a few zippered, co-ordinating bags to go inside of it as well.  There would have been alot more trim on it but I lost heart with that phone call and so I'm just glad to have a functioning bag.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1108bd4e0.jpg" border=0 width="445" height="334" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Here's a little tote bag with matching needle case.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I found these great dragons in my zipper bag (yes even though I didn't use them I have a BAG FULL of them! LOL) and I thought that the blue satin would look great and I was right.  This is a nice sock bag.  I zig zagged all of the edges down so that the satin wont become an unravelly mess in there.  It closes with a satin cording drawstring from both sides so it makes a very nice fast, secure closure.  I covered the back of the dragons netting with lining so that it can't snag either.  This bag will hold my socks on their new Knit Picks size 0 circular needles!  LOL  That black,,, has been sewn up for at least 20 years!  I will be adding the deep red crushed velvet behind it to the top and making another drawstring closure on that.   I HAVE GOT to make a bag from the red velvet next and I have this PERFECT red lining that I just uncovered right now.   I will probably line it with satin or some sort of slickery fabric,  ahhhhhhh here's the fabric!  HAHA I have to show you what a mess I have made!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="110c4af80.jpg" border=0 width="330" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Took me all of five minutes to make this mess!  It will sit here until I'm through with my bag spree.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="11260c2f0.jpg" border=0 width="268" height="303" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="11283fef0.jpg" border=0 width="319" height="239" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> These are miniature pillows for a doll house or collector.  I have made them from thread as you can see.  The pink one if from cotton thread which I hand dyed.  The flower petals are actually raised off of the surface of the pillow.  The others are from various mediums including rayon for the lime one.  The smallest is only 1"!!!!  I love making them, the teal is lined in satin and all are filled with wool batts (I believe it's wool).  The pink will be lined and made into a coin purse soon.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="112a4af80.jpg" border=0 width="330" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="112c47f50.jpg" border=0 width="327" height="245" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Pink cotton thread, same as #10 crochet cotton.  Purple and blue colorway.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>3-6-08 Today I cast on "P-P-P-Putting on the Glitz!" Which is what I'm calling this sweater which I have been purchasing lots of fun yarns for.  I have Mango Moon silks, chenilles, rayon slub which drapes divinely.  There is Bianoti ladder yarns, cones of glitter yarns, I don't think I will use much of that,,, pretty sure I'm not using the gold.  I added one row of the blue and you can't see it too well which is what I like.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1164e26a0.jpg" border=0 width="482" height="362" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1166942f0.jpg" border=0 width="404" height="303" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>I probably have enough yarn for 10 sweaters.  Who know's how many items I will end up making.  The sweaters coming along really fast.  The purple glitter cone will go into the dark ribbon ladder yarn there by the top... well not that exact row, it's finished... I mean the next time I do that particular yarn I will add the purple cone to one row.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11686c110.jpg" border=0 width="364" height="273" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is what the fabric looks like.  Fun eh?  I just love this look.  I got the idea from a gal who's at all of the fiber festivals.  She's wonderful.  Unfortunately her site doesn't have anything on it other then a way to get in touch with her.  She's TootsieP wearwere.  She's the cutest little ball of lighting and I just love going to the shows and talking with her.  She sells a lot of the yarns you need but she's got to make a living and I couldn't afford her pricing so I did my own kit up.  I bought alot of the yarns I needed from the 4$ man... see the Stitches West post below.  The fabric is soft, drapy and just lovely.   I'm thinking that I need a cardigan and a skirt for sure. :-)  Who know's where I will go beyond that.  Time and the Lord will out.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-5-08 Today has been very productive.  Not only do I have the fingerless gloves in the cashmere but I now have a matching neck ascot/jabot thingy who's name is ,.,...?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="116047b40.jpg" border=0 width="327" height="436" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> It's made from the ruffle tape to match the gloves.  With two little rosettes dangling from it.  It's a key hole type of neck scarf and the ruffles are packed in there.  I added a little praying hands as it just was screaming for them.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="116231970.jpg" border=0 width="305" height="407" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> This is my basic blouse pattern with a nipped in waist, added length in the back and neck, it's a PERFECT fit and I LOVE this top.  I will live in this one and many more to come made from this same type of raw silk tubing as well as cotton.  I plan on making many more of these.  This yarn came from a barter for services I did when I knit for a small yarn company.  I really love their fibers and yarns.  Their color's are so me.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-4-08 I thought to post a few of the current projects.  Some that aren't shown here are 2 more socks, my aran coat, 2 blouses-one is a test knit, 2 scarves, my monkey and a few other odds and ends that are stuffed away and I'm not working on those.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>One's I am actively working on are here:</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="115c4efb0.jpg" border=0 width="334" height="251" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The black is a set of cashmere and ruffles fingerless gloves.  I wear gloves any place that I might have to shake someone's hands as I don't want any virus.  We are rarely sick, between the kefir and the steps taken to avoid germs we do pretty good.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The pink is my new lace shawl... Moonlight Sonata a KAL at my Icelandic Lace Yahoo Group.  I got a good start on it today.  The bobbin I'm spinning, I haven't decided exactly what to do with it... I'm mulling over a sock... plying with Wooly Nylon and testing a sock out of that.  Perhaps an Entralac would be a good start eh?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Socks that Rock skein under the fiber will become my toe up sock or at least that's what I slated it for... we will see.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The deep blue/violet and green at the top right is my Jaywalkers.  Yes, I'm making the Jaywalker... you have to remember I only started to knit about 9 months ago now.  :-)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This is my own unvention</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="115ede670.jpg" border=0 width="478" height="359" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> I just love these, we all do and I might loose them to DD.  They are made from Lion Brand 100% cashmere and oh my are they ever comfortable.  I randomly added cables and purl ridges as I felt like it.  The ruffles are the Lion Brand insta ruffles.  I just love that stuff!  DH bought it for me in the black and the tweedy black and white.  I'm making these, a scarf and toying with a purse... time and the Lord will out.  Not sure about the purse as I'm thinking it might pull and snag and not look well for very long.  I really like these fingerless gloves though and will be wearing them to church most likely next Sunday.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>3-3-08 While my recovery has been lengthy and slow I can still say with utter confidence that it was so totally worth it.  I have very fond memories of Stitches.   My purchases are all still where I left them in their see through tote boxes ready for projects.  While they sit I have been busy finishing up my test knitting and a small project that I was able to work on from the roving I bought there.   </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1154d7dd0.jpg" border=0 width="215" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> From 1-30 through 3-1 this was on my needles.  It has become my constant companion and I am loath to ship it off... but ship it must.  Today it is drying, so for today it is mine.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="115607f00.jpg" border=0 width="263" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Beside it drying, is this lovely undergarment I knit this week from some roving that I purchased at Stitches.  It was my first experience with merino/tencel and I couldn't wait to cast on.  This was a very fast project and I will enjoy wearing it.  The roving is from Creatively Dyed.  She's new to dying but makes lovely, color fast yarn and fiber.  These photo's came out a bit green around the gills, not sure what that's all about.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Currently on the wheel is a lovely deep lushious fiber.  It's stretched merino and this is my first exposure to it as well.  </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="115823da0.jpg" border=0 width="291" height="218" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Well I shouldn't say currently as currently DD is spinning up some teal fiber I dyed up last year.  She's just learning to spin and has really taken to it as she took to knitting.  I'm very happy for her.  So this bobbin isn't on the wheel.  The fiber was a barter for services I did for my test knitting.  This came from a small yarn company who's colors are out of this world.  The names of everything are from the 60's and this is Commune in the Happy Hippie fiber.  LOVE IT!  It spins like a dream.  I only have a Kiwi and I'm not supposed to be able to spin lace.  This is as close to it as I can get.  In the single it's 29 WPI... which means plied it will be more like 15 which isn't as fine as I would like but perhaps the Lord will help me to purchase another wheel in time which will allow me to spin fine lace fiber.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2-25-08 WOW Stitches West is over.  I'm so happy and sad at the same time.  It was incredible and if you get the chance to go to an XRX event I highly encourage it.  My only complaint is cameras aren't allowed so I couldn't show you all that I experienced.  I understand that the vendors didn't want you photographing their wares to duplicate buuuuuuuuuuttt I didn't get photo's of my friends.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I have to tell you all... I'm still exhausted from Stitches West but WOW I got to met Joe and Jonelle and Kat from SWTC!!!!!!  I LOVE them all, they are all wonderful, sweet and I so wish we were neighbors as I just love Jonelle and feel like we could be great friends. I'm sad that we couldn't spend the night and go to dinner or breakfast or stay up as long as we could knitting and chatting or something. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We had to go straight away back home though. DH is a real trouper... we spent a full 9 hours on the road in one day... walked the Convention Center for seven hours and it still wasn't enough for me. It was wonderful! Anyone who's gets a chance to get to a XRX,,, make the trip. </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="113fcf5b0.jpg" border=0 width="463" height="347" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> On the drive there... lovely eh?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We also met Vicki Howell who's adorable and so very sweet! AND SOOOOOO skinny, and loaded with freckles. Lucy Neatby who... poor dear was loosing her voice from all of the teaching but was just so kind and lovely. And also skinny! It's so true that the camera adds 10 pounds. She talked me into two more DVD's even though I told myself I wouldn't purchase any... they were only 20 BUCKS!!!! How could I pass them up! AND she gave me something I can slip into my CD case,,, a booklet listing of ALL her CD's with an index! How cool is that.  She taught me to knit so I wanted to support her more.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Everyone insisted that DD enter socks into the XRX sock design contest, I'm afraid this proud momma had her showing off her knee socks to everyone.  Joe even gave Katie some insider tips! Jonelle doll,,, Kate says she might want to do a Tofu! I have two huge totes (tole you I was a junkie!!!) full for her to choose from. She will definitely enter into the 18 and under category. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>OHHHHHHH I have to tell you all,,, Jonelle had TINKERBELLE on her jeans!!!! I LOVE Tink! I want to be like her when I grow up, I want her figure (even though she thinks her hips are too wide) and I want to fly. :-) I have all things Tink and if there had been time a 10" Tink would have been added to the back of my felted bag. :-) </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We caused a flood of talking as we walked by, people would point and jabber.  We all wore our handspun sweaters, heavily beaded shawls (see Chale below) and coverings.  One lady came up to me and asked me if I would make her one!  It's the heavily beaded, lace perry covering that she was ogling.  I encouraged her to make her own.  I just followed the outline of the lace pattern as I placed the beads.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>It was great, before the show opened Jonelle came out with a ladder, climbed the ladder and had huge cards for everyone to read.  Had the entire floor screaming for Tofutsies and samples!  When she climbed down I grabbed her, told her who I was and we fell into each others arms.  It was weird cause after she left everyone stared at us!  We have been writing to each other for a few months here now as I have been working for them.  It was great to met her face to face and yes, she's just as wonderful as you think she is.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>So, the first place I ran too after the doors were open was the Ravelry booth for our passports  Then of course I had to hit Blue Moon Fiber Arts for Sock that Rock.   </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1143942f0.jpg" border=0 width="404" height="303" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Are these not to DYE FOR!  From left to right is the mill ends on the far right,,, last three are light weights.  I LOVE these sock yarns.  I'm thinking that the mill ends might just be a nice shawl though.  YUM</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I didn't have any so I really wanted to get some.  I needed to see them in person in order to see which one I needed.  I ended up realizing that I needed their light weight.  So I got 2 skeins of it then went up to pay and found MILL ENDS!!!! for half price!  Needless to say I lightened their load considerably!  I bought enough to make a shawl from!!!! in this gorgeous deep teal.  Might be my peacock shawl. NUMMY, also got a emerald to lime green that's just to die for.  The ladies were wonderful and we came back by at the end of the day to see them again and to see that their stock was just decimated!  There was nothing left!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1141e56c0.jpg" border=0 width="485" height="364" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> You can see Vicki autographed my bag!  The Karaoke was from Carolina Homespun and it was 35% off!  So I got it all.  The Wildfoote was only $5.50!!!!!!   The teal and yellow and light blue on the bottom right are silk nummies from Red Fish.  Right next to them is the Claudia Handpainted sock yarn.  Up top middle is the merino/tencel roving.  Just by Vicki's bag is a small sample of Malabrigo!  YUM.  You can't see it so well but on the far left is a cord twister that I got for like $5.00!!!  What great buys there were!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Second booth I had to get to fast was having 50% off of everything.  I got some Karaoke there.  She's closing out her yarns as she's going more into the hand dying.  I purchases 3 merino/tencel hanks (photo above top center) for spinning as well as a sock yarn from her.  Lovely stuff.  Creatively Dyed I believe is the name.  She's just wonderful... I ran up and hugged her.  Told her, you don't know me but I just love you!  She's a trouper and rolled with it.  I met her through Ravelry and she said that the Rav's were just wonderful to her and that she'd gotten such a lot of support from everyone that she was quiet overwhelmed.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>After that the children ran round and got the FOUR passport books stamped, punched and stickered up.  Probably wont win anything but we all enjoyed doing it.  We entered many drawings too.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1148d9630.jpg" border=0 width="473" height="355" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This is what I call the 4 dollar man.  His stuff is all $4.00 per skein!!!!!!!  Needless to say we hit him hard every time we find him.  I have been collecting the colors on the right for a sweater and have plenty now for probably a sweater and a skirt!  The center colors are for DD's sweater and on the left... CASHMERE!!!!!!  60% cashmere 40% merino... it's lovely.  It was one thing that I really wanted to buy while here but I had no idea it would be only $8.00 a skein!  That thing bottom center was given out if you listened to a speech about the product.  It's a hamster ball thing that fits into a vinyl pouch so that your yarn doesn't get dirty.  The item is a pen with a metal tape measure!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="114549b60.jpg" border=0 width="329" height="438" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Aren't the colors wonderful?  See my words are just not enough, you need photo's.  This ribbon yarn will be made into skirts or vest we aren't sure but we will be matching.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="114aa93f0.jpg" border=0 width="425" height="319" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> I affectionately called this the mosh pit!  There was a huge area on the back of this one booth that had a huge pit the length of the booth.  In it were all of these bagged yarns.  We all wanted to jump into it!!!!  Another booth had one set up too!!! They were all SEVENTY PERCENT OFF of the price that was marked!  The two in the front will be great in Katie's sweater.  The one top left is for my glitzy sweater and the purple is a tube,,, I had hoped it was a ribbon but it will find it's place in the world.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>At one point we had to leave the market floor and when I went to get my hand stamped the man took my hand, looked me in the eye and said something like where have you been?  Where do you live?  I totally freaked out as it's been many years since a man has hit on me.  I needed to find DH immediately after I quietly extricated myself from his grasp!  There was another weird man thing too.  DH was again away from me.  Just DD and myself were standing by the water fountain waiting for the two boys.  Well, a man passed by and turned his head and continued to stare at me!  He smiled real big and said hi!  HAHA I just said hi back and shook my head.  I don't get it, evidently they did.... but I was missing something, MY HUSBAND and his protection!  LOL so after those two I didn't leave his side.  They were back to back.  Katie my 10 y/o wasn't kept from it either!  We were showing everyone her knee highs that she made as she made 4 socks from M-F of last week.  So this one man grabbed her leg and said it feels even better then it looks!  Poor dear turned 9 shades of red and I grabbed her and we fled the booth.  Again, DH wasn't with us!  Learned we really need our Daddy with us in a big way.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The drive home was so scary for me.  It was very late, poring down rain for most of the way.  I didn't want DH to have any further distractions and I NEEDED to knit as I was fretting.  I didn't want the children to know so I didn't verbalize anything.  I picked up my Kureyon stockinette sock that I had been doing at lunch.  I knit a full 3 color changes by the time we got home and I only lost ONE stitch which I easily picked back up.  I was shocked to see how much I got done but like I said,,, I was fretting!  LOL  These socks are a lot of fun and I can't wait to wash them as I hear they soften and bloom... which I'm anxious to see.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Shane and Katie came home and some how picked up the spinning!  Perhaps via osmosis from being around so many wonderfully talented people there?  I had them at the wheel before but they needed to see someone else doing it I guess as they picked it up again when we got home and they are both rapidly spinning through all of the dark brown alpaca we have!  I'm happy for them that they caught the spinning bug too.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>So after all of that excitement I come home and my Secret Sisters package has been received!  YEAH!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="114e3bec0.jpg" border=0 width="315" height="236" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="114d39eb0.jpg" border=0 width="313" height="235" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Here are the before and after photo's.  I requested the book by Aunt Pearl as I have wanted to read it since I first heard of her.  The Noro's in SOOOOOO MY COLORS!!!!  That ribbon,,, it's holding the stitch markers I will need to make my scarf!  She sent me two patterns just in case I didn't like one.  I will be making the Orca scarf from this yarn.  I also received an order I had placed for the light up knitting needles which I will use to make my shawl.  It's all still sitting by my chair, it was waiting for me to finish up the Quant that I started on the way up to the show.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11509fd40.jpg" border=0 width="159" height="212" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Here it is finished.  I made it from Silk Garden.  Not a very flattering photo!  I don't like taking pictures but you can see the Quant well enough.  I love it.  Front and center it has blues and purples... then the other side it goes back to the green and blues.  I made the I-cord on my Knit Embellish cording machine.  A bit of a cheat.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Speaking of cheating... there was a gal there who was showing off her sock knitting machine!  She gave the children a turn at the crank.  Oh we had such fun there.  I so didn't want to leave and only hope that next year we can stay over and that I can take a class... while DH takes the children to Frisco and over the bridge.  :-)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>VERY tired and still not enough words to describe and do justice to what I went through but you get the gist of it all? What a great time. Still dreaming in full color of all the yarns,,,, color explosion!   Ahhhh there's always next year.  ;-)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2-22-08 The bag collection of yarn lovies is collecting by the door to the car!  WHOPPPPPPEEEEEE!!  I'm so excited, we are all excited to be going to Stitches tomorrow.  Bags full of yarn, patterns and needles.  LOL DD is wandering around clapping and saying tomorrow, tomorrow.  HAHA We don't get out much.  LOL  I just told the tile man that we have only the one car and he said that doesn't bother you? I told him I love that my hubby, he's our protector and he takes me shopping and I am well cared for.  Also have that medical condition which keeps me pretty much house bound.  But it's all good.  More time with the children, training them up in the way that they should go.  Today they learned how to spin.  The roving kept breaking on them but a little here and a little there, they will pick it up eventually.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>So, here's Katie's socks all finished.  This is the work of one week, not even a week, FIVE DAYS!  She's just incredible.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="113dc6550.jpg" border=0 width="454" height="341" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  The top two are the ones she made in the last five days.  The rest are my laundry from this week.  :-)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2-21-08  The Chale is finished!  Totally Wendyized but DONE.  Bestest word in the world aside from LOVE! :-) Happy Camper!  </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="113619d30.jpg" border=0 width="281" height="211" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B><IMG SRC="11391bd40.jpg" border=0 width="283" height="212" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Doesn't look too much like the pattern but then most of my work does not.  I don't like patterns, unless I write them.  </B><B>The original shawl doesn't have beading and is a triangle without the scallops.  </B><B>  You can't see the beads from far away but when you get up close you can see why this thing weighs in at half a pound!  It's 66 tip to tip x 30 neck down the back.  It's probably the smallest size I will ever do but some times you want small a