8-08 to 8-09 Ramblings

<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="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Wendy's Modest Dress</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wendys Modest Dress"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FIBER"><U>FIBER</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Yarn Destash"><U>Yarn Destash</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DVDs BOOKS SUPER CHEAP"><U>DVDs BOOKS SUPER CHEAP</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BLOG"><U>BLOG</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Patterns/Test Knitting"><U>Patterns/Test Knitting</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fabric Coverings"><U>Fabric & Coverings</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1309/809"><U>1-3-09/8-09</U></A>   |   <B>8-08 to 8-09 Ramblings</B>   |   <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="808/1208 Ramblings"><U>8-08/12-08 Ramblings</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="108/808 Rambings"><U>1-08/8-08 Rambings</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FamilyPhotos2008"><U>FamilyPhotos2008</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Older Photos "><U>Older Photos </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="On Covering"><U>On Covering</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links/Testimonies/BV Pics"><U>Links/Testimonies/BV Pics</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modesty/Submission/Children"><U>Modesty/Submission/Children</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recipes"><U>Recipes</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="10e7d2e83.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>8-08 to 8-09 Ramblings</I></div> <div> 7-25-09  DH got a job! 5 long months of rambling around and looking like crazy and he got local work PTL!  We are all thrilled around here.</div> <bR> <div> What follows is the long talked about and awaited photo's of all my goodies....</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="18082ce10.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="225" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This is the yarn for my bulky sweater.  it's going to be my first.  The skeins are the bulky yarn and the hanks behind is the stuff I dyed yesterday to do the ribbing and trims in.  I only have 700 yards of the bulky so I will be making a cropped sweater... another first.  I have the design all drafted out but I'd rather be working on....</div> <bR> <div> <B>Seeing Red</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="180323da0.jpg" border=0 width="291" height="218" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  she's coming along very slowely as I've been working a great deal... most of my time late into the night.  Now that DH has work that will all slow VERY much down... to almost nothing so that I can get back to my personal knitting.  I have missed it so much.  I'm also calling Seeing Red,,, Cables and Lace as that's what you are seeing.... it's the left side of the front of the sweater.  That little K5 P1 is the button band! ;-)  I'm going to be able to steek it when I'm done with all of the knitting and be finished with all of the work.  How cool is that!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="180726dd0.jpg" border=0 width="294" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This is Donna Rocco.  DD and I are doing it.  My shawl has a background of the dark grey and DD's is the medium pink thats in the center of the sack.  We are then sharing the rest of the yarn.  This is Baby Alpaca Lace in 5 different colors for each shawl.</div> <bR> <div> Now this!  WOW this was just an experiement and WOW!  So I dyed up the pink yarns you see here above and then popped this yearling fleece into the pot.  I'm so glad I didn't sell her!  I was soooooooo close!  Too close for comfort. She's a Romney BFL cross with NO literally NO itch!  LOVE IT!  I got all of these colors from just two dyes.  Can you believe the depth!  Everything from the palest of each color through to the darkest of each with shades of so many other colors between.  I have been dreaming of doing pink and tan for a long time so this is just 2.5 pounds of LLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAVEIT!  DD and I will each have a sweater from this.  Probably just barber pole it the way it comes out of the fleece... well drum carder that is.  Still need to get me a what do you call that thing that brush that cleans the drum carder?  I don't remember but I got my carder used and it didn't come with it. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="180945f40.jpg" border=0 width="325" height="244" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="180544f30.jpg" border=0 width="324" height="243" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="180440f00.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Anywho.... happy campers here.  Everything's coming up roses.  DH still has left the job sitch open as he's got two offers.  He's seeing the local man on Monday to possibly bring home contracts to read through.... or possibly to sign... or not to sign and move us back to LA.  I don't care I'm just glad he's got the offers.  I knew my man was worth it and it's gratifying to have them know it... FINALLY!  LOL   I wouldn't have it any other way though, we grew SO much in our marriage these last 5 months.  I only "thought" I loved him before.  He went through the fires with me due to not having access to the pain meds and we came through refined and shiney.  He's my man and I love him more then I did 5 months ago.  5 months ago I would have told you it wasn't possible to love him more.  ;-)  After 15 years I'd say we are doing pretty great.   We have so many friend who are divorcing, it's breaking my heart to see them in this boat.  We know we aren't imune and only stand fast against it together.</div> <bR> <div> I wont lie about the last 5 months though, it was scarey that last 30 days wondering if this was the month that we wouldn't make the mortgage.  We made ALL of the bills, I'm so proud of DH, he's in charge of the finances and he pulled us through.  That's my man! ;-)  PTL everythings coming up FLEECES!  HAHA  oh me.  Time to shut it when I come up with dumb puns.  </div> <bR> <div> 7-21-09    SMS09  it's a square and I ADORE shawl collars so this is going to be fun to wear, it's my first square.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="17fb8e2b0.jpg" border=0 width="398" height="299" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="17d5d49f0.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="159" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="17d7ce9b0.jpg" border=0 width="206" height="155" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I LOVE IT!</div> <bR> <div> 6-25-09 AMS 09 is off the needles and blocking.  I will get you a better photo of it on DD later.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="17d3ca980.jpg" border=0 width="202" height="152" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <div> 6-12-09</div> <div> <IMG SRC="17a188b50.jpg" border=0 width="136" height="181" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here's the walk way we made into the front of the house.  I know the flowers are pathetic.  They didn't take and we lost like 4 packs and finally got one today.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="17a3f3b60.jpg" border=0 width="243" height="182" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Ain't she sweet!  Mia Bella can't take her off now.</div> <bR> <div> 5-25-09</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1796ba8c0.jpg" border=0 width="186" height="140" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Here's my chart keeper.  There's an outside pocket on each side, the ribbon holds cones.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="1798ce9b0.jpg" border=0 width="206" height="155" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here it is standing.  The zippered pocket can hold all my needles, markers, pencils, etc.  Everything I need to complete a project.  On the left inside cover there's a bit of wool batting... last night I blocked a small item I'm designing on it.  Worked perfectly!  I love this thing, make yourself one and I'm sure you will love it too.</div> <bR> <div> 5-24-09 AMS 09 through clue 2</div> <div> <IMG SRC="178bc9970.jpg" border=0 width="201" height="151" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hopefully I will be able to work on this again in a few weeks.  I'm expecting 3 test knits in next week and all personal knitting is put on hold when I have work to do.</div> <bR> <div> 5-22-09   Gopher snake in the garden.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="178938ea0.jpg" border=0 width="312" height="234" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  See the chain link?  See his tongue?  He's like 5 foot long!  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="177f28de0.jpg" border=0 width="296" height="222" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Mia Bella through clue #6, yes one day. ;-)</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="178114cf0.jpg" border=0 width="276" height="207" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  CRASHED!  He had to be shook awake. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="178328de0.jpg" border=0 width="296" height="222" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  These are the lace stitch markers we make.  5-10 in a set and they will fit 0-3 or 4's I think.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1785f94c0.jpg" border=0 width="249" height="332" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> DD bought me this bag and a beaded key chain of a bird, she's always thinking of me, I so love her!  This yarn is Enchanted Lake... being extended with the purple, heels, toes and a rather large striped cuff to make knee highs!  LOVE THEM!!!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1787e6170.jpg" border=0 width="230" height="279" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> But for summer I'm needing something, small, light, breathable, say hello to my Wee Little Violets... named after the color of the yarn and the wee violets I crocheted into the top of the cuff.</div> <bR> <div> 5-21-09 Just a quick update on my lace KAL's.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1779e5310.jpg" border=0 width="229" height="305" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Mia Bella end of clue 5</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="177b38ea0.jpg" border=0 width="312" height="234" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Goddess end of clue 1</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="177de02b0.jpg" border=0 width="224" height="299" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Aeolian changed to the blue at the top of the photo and dropped most of the beading,,, just beading at 6 points around now.</div> <bR> <div> 5-13-09 What with all of the dyeing going on around here you'd think that I'd put all personal dyeing aside.  SO NOT!!!  HAHA DD and I wanted to make the KP Classic Lines Cardi in a black rainbow so that's just what we are going to do. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="176447f50.jpg" border=0 width="327" height="245" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Here's a bit of swatching... the other colors are emerald and ruby red... they are still on the drying racks.  I just LOVE kettle dyed which is the process I put the black through.  There's just so much character in yarns which have been kettle dyed.  You get everything from the palest shades through to the very blackest of midnight... LOVE IT!  This yarn is the 100% merino, 2 ply lace weight I have been doing up for the Goddess KAL.  The swatch has 3 of color, 3 black, 1 color, 3 black, 3 color, etc.... we are thinking we like this but it might change.  The original sweater I knit for this KAL was all grey with another pale strand every 6th row.  The black is held 2 strands together and the color makes for three strands.  i love the way the color hides some times.  Not sure if we are going to follow the construction of the original (on my test knit page) or if we are going to do something entirely different.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile my Enchanted Lake has been progressing.  My current test knit just got into the finishing stage.  There's MUCHO embroidery and I'm thinking between that and the end weave... I will be on this alone for another week,,, then onto bands and collar.  Hopefully this will be finished shortly I'm so DONE with color work!  Which is sad cause no one here got anything done in color work.  Perhaps it will return on day.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1766045a0.jpg" border=0 width="260" height="346" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This is the rug we made out of a matted, older fleece that a lady had hanging around.  We all love it... it's so soft and wonderful.  When the afternoon sun hit's it all of the animals hang out here.  We have one more in a box in the garage.  As soon as my health improves... might just let the children and DH do it today!  There's a thought.</div> <bR> <div> 5-11-09</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1752136f0.jpg" border=0 width="275" height="367" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="175114700.jpg" border=0 width="276" height="368" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Here's Goddess Knit's Spring KAL with my added border.  It's a nice shawl, nice size, hand spun alpaca,,, what could be better?</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="174c4cf90.jpg" border=0 width="332" height="249" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> 5-1-09 </div> <div> <IMG SRC="17331bd40.jpg" border=0 width="283" height="212" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  I got these from Debbies destash, 9 bucks each!!!.  Left to right, Lisa Souza Berry Poppins-(560 yds), Prarie Daisy Handspun (462 yds) and Confetti by Magic Stix (462 yards)  cool eh!  Opening my mail and test knitting and doing address KP while playing KnitO on our Cyber Fiber retreat on my Icelandic Lace Shawl list on Yahoo.  Too many ON'S!  Can't be helped.  FRIED due to....</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1735e8350.jpg" border=0 width="232" height="309" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  TADAAAAAAAAAAA this is many of the yarns we dyed in the last 24 hours.... you can't see that this is a huge chair under the yarn.  I need to put some kind of measure.  You know what I need?  I need a fairy,,, a Yarn Fairy!  Anyone know where I can get one?</div> <bR> <div> 4-29-09 Isn't this cute?  And to think I almost frogged it as it wasn't working for the application which it was intended!</div> <div> <IMG SRC="171701680.jpg" border=0 width="257" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This yarn is JoJoland ... what was it supposed to be?  A freeform shawl!  Little too much on the ruffely side.  I'm going to add a ribbon to the inside of the neck and it will either tie or button there.  Needs to be washed and blocked.  Can you see the large hole there on the right?  There are many throughout the entire thing... I will have to get you a photo of it blocking so that you can see what it really looks like.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1715f4460.jpg" border=0 width="244" height="326" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here's clue #3 I'm all caught up and got all of my sewing done.  Now I just have to get my spinning all caught up and I will be ready for the dyeing up of all that lace weight yarn when it gets here.  Nothing like a clean slate to start out with. ;-)</div> <bR> <div> 4-25-09 I'm so excited!  This week I ordered 120 skeins of lace weight yarn and dye to do the dyeing for the summer KAL for Renee of Goddess knits.  What a charge!  I have the page up and a few of the colors dyed,,, more to come... much more!  LOL</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="17130cc90.jpg" border=0 width="268" height="201" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  clue 2 of Mia Bella... I love the three row eyelet coming through here.</div> <bR> <div> 4-22-09   I gave the Boop his new summer cut, I love how smooth and soft he is now.  He was before but now WOW!  So much easier to care for him without his coat and what with it being in the 80's he really needed it.  I have already spun his coat and I've plied it with a wool which is being turned into a coat for him when it's too cold.  HAHA</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16f0d41b0.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="283" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="16f2f6b90.jpg" border=0 width="246" height="185" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> These too cute bunnies are made by DD for a friend who's having a b-day this week.  She stuffed them with alpaca and did an over coat on the insole of a soft, fluffy pale peachy/pink yarn.  They are VERY comfortable.</div> <bR> <div> 4-19-09</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16e3abe40.jpg" border=0 width="171" height="228" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Why are my children looking all tied up?  For me to do a long strand dye job like Kauni!  WILD EH!  More like, labor intensive, insane and a few other words I wont mention.</div> <bR> <div> This is the end result though... a lovely long strand yarn.  I took two threads of tencel and one fingering of rayon and plied them all together so that I could make a skirt.  I can't wear too much wool where we live and so I knew I had to have something other then wool for a skirt.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16e5d19d0.jpg" border=0 width="209" height="157" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  My Citrine Skirt by Annie Modesitt</div> <bR> <div> 4-18-09 </div> <div> <IMG SRC="16e1a3d90.jpg" border=0 width="163" height="217" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Since I can't get out of the house any more, my loving DD has been bringing the outside in for me.  This is a poppy off of our hill.  There are so many lovely wildflowers here now.  I love the smell of the lupine which is rampant on the hill at the neighbors house.  Summers coming though... the rattlers will be back.  Last year we got like 5 on our 2 acres!  UGH!  The mom got away to lay her babies and give us night mares again this year.  The rabbits have multiplied again and so there's plenty of food.  The garden brings in the voles which are another food the snakes can't resist.  Oh well, one of the down sides to life in the country.</div> <bR> <div> Three hours is all this next clue took cause I found my rhythm.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16dba3c30.jpg" border=0 width="163" height="195" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Water Over Mia Bella</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16ddd7a10.jpg" border=0 width="215" height="161" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This is the current Knitting Delight KAL, the group is in German and the clues are in both English and German so some how I fumbled through.  The next clue should take less time.  Why water?  That's what this yarn feels like when you run your hands under the lace, lovely.  It's Spider Web by Interlacements that I purchased last year from Stitches West.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="16dfd1c00.jpg" border=0 width="209" height="192" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Cruising right along on my 2nd winter coat.  this is the alpaca I over dyed,,, which will be overdyed again... as you can see it needs it.  I'm loving this though.  I only work on it nights while reading.  I have a great lucite book holder which is wonderful.  I prop it up and knit for hours... I got through all of the Twilight books while knitting on this sweater/coat.</div> <bR> <div> 4-11-09 Five hours into my latest KAL this is what I got.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16cf29df0.jpg" border=0 width="297" height="223" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This is the Spring Mystery Shawl KAL by Renee Leverington AKA Goddess Knits  I love her patterns!  This is my own hand spun alpaca.  I wont know what color it will be until it's all finished.  Dip dye again?  Dunno! ;-)</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16d116720.jpg" border=0 width="278" height="370" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This is Mike Wizowski from Monsters Inc that Katie made for my Dad's 82nd birthday.  Cute huh?!!  All from her own pea brains too!  I'm so proud of her.  See the little fingers and horns!!!  She's a great knitter, crocheter, embroiderer and yes, I'm really proud of her.</div> <bR> <div> 4-9-09 Here's a $40 barter kit.  I'm getting $40 of fleece samples and she's getting much more then $40 in goodies, the yarn alone was hitting the dollar amount.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16cb99330.jpg" border=0 width="409" height="307" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  That black on the right is a velvet walk along bag.  The one one the left is another with 2 straps that I crocheted and a matching coaster.  The patterns, tea, journal, note cards, soaps and the rest are all extras.  So if you want to barter from my book list or something else I need just give me a hollar as I really think there's a good deal to be said for bartering.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="16cd47f50.jpg" border=0 width="327" height="245" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Fur ball in my dresser on my hand spun, knit Optima!!! of all things!</div> <bR> <div> 4-7-09 Mystery Shawl 12 by Renee of Goddess Knits.  I can't recomend this pattern highly enough, all of Renee's patterns have been wonderful!  I was able to finish each clue within a 24 hour period!  All told it probably took me all of 10 hours to knit it.  I LOVE IT!  I knit it in Brown Sheep lace weight in oatmeal and dip dyed it in the turquoise.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16b857010.jpg" border=0 width="343" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="16bb57010.jpg" border=0 width="343" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  LOVE IT!  I was so addicted that each time a clue was due to come out I would set things up so that I wouldn't be needed anywhere... so that I could just sit and knit.  So that's just what I did.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16bd5a040.jpg" border=0 width="346" height="260" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="16bf58020.jpg" border=0 width="344" height="258" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> 4-4-09 We had to have the septic pumped, oh joy!  Shane got a real work out!</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16a64cf90.jpg" border=0 width="332" height="249" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="16a852fe0.jpg" border=0 width="338" height="254" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="16aa2fe30.jpg" border=0 width="303" height="227" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Spring has really sprung!  This is my curly tree from the branch that came in the flowers DH gave me a few years back, WILD EH!  LOVE IT.  On the right is proof that DH's trees made it through the winter, he's babied them from the get go and so watches over them with diligence.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="16ac1b790.jpg" border=0 width="283" height="377" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Here's my Mystic Lights... got an itch to work lace in the worst way so I hope to finally get this thing moving again.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16ae55000.jpg" border=0 width="341" height="256" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This is Winter Coat 2.  The yarn came in tan, brown, purple and pink.  It was supposed to be brown and deep pink... so I popped it into the pot.  I love it now!  I'm using the Classic Lines pattern... didn't even know I was using the pattern until I pulled it out.  I guess it's ingrained,,, become a part of me.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16b027dd0.jpg" border=0 width="295" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Told you I had an itch for lace, it was bad!  I have been saving this yarn since Stitches West 08 when I bought up 3 skeins of a blue color and this one skein of the lime/blue.  This is Aeolian.  I will be changing over to the blue shortly and finishing in the blue.  I gathered all of my beads (in the 6/0  as this is medium weight Socks that Rock) from round the house.  Dumped them all into a large pill bottle only to see that I've got about half what I will need.  I will order another 1000 some time here when the funds come in. ;-)  This will be a rather large shawl... then too,,, I'm on size 3's and going up to size 4's when I change the yarn color... it's so stiff and I want it more pliable... which going up the size will do for it. ;-) </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="16b288260.jpg" border=0 width="392" height="294" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> My 16 hour top.  I knit this is KP cotton/modal and then there's the #10 crochet cotton thread that was solid pink and varigated pink and white.  It's on the sleeves at the ends, inset in the sleeves, then the neck and the collar is the thread.  You can't see well but the button is a glass bead.  So then I had all of these colors, couldn't have that so I dumped it into a purple dye pot.... came out A-Ok.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16b445f40.jpg" border=0 width="325" height="244" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Goddess anniversary shawl, AKA Mandala... I made up the border for this, still perfecting it.... there are scallops, you can't see them at this point though.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="16b654ff0.jpg" border=0 width="340" height="255" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Speaking of Goddess this is the yarn I have spun for the Spring KAL.  It's 100% alpaca in a faun color which I can dye afterwards if I like.  This is half of the sport weight that I need for the shawl.  That one starts next Saturday, gee I have to get off of here and get cracking! ;-)  Oh Roberta! Here I come!</div> <bR> <div> What fun!   Bit of an update follows. </div> <bR> <div> Got in an electric spinning on loan today! Spun crazy! Did like 4 balls I think! Way faster and more then I could have done without the spinning wheel. I can't wait to get on there to try lace!!!!! I'm so excited! Got in a few other boxes today, the Roberta as well as more fiber to spin. I guess my boss know's Roberta's going to increase production. It's a new toy too so I'm wanting to get back to her. The yarn she'd spun and left on the bobbins... was sooo perfect! She's incredibly kind and wonderful. I'm really blessed to be in line for all of this work .</div> <bR> <div> I put a bit of the mohair about my wrist,,, it's my itch factor... the level... ZERO! It's like wearing water! I LOVE IT! If I can get more of it instead of less I believe I will. Still waiting for her to get back to me though. </div> <bR> <div> Well, with so much fun stuff to do here I'm not wanting to spend much time on the puter. I will be here tomorrow though as the family is going to the Bakersfield games... the Scottish Festival that we all dressed for and went to. It will be good to get my legs back and be able to at least go in my scooter. I miss being able to get out with my family. One of these days.</div> <bR> <div> 4-3-09 Time to tell you what that lace test knit was,... the Classic Lines Cardigan that Kelly P. is doing as a KAL on the KP community.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16a117740.jpg" border=0 width="279" height="372" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  I love the shaping on this thing, it's lovely!  I can't recommend this enough to you.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 3-29-09 MS-12 is a fast fun KAL- after the last clue next week the pattern will be available from Renee of Goddess Knits.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="169d40f00.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here's clue 4, less then 24 hours after I got the chart!  Only one more clue to go and so next week this should hit the dye pot.  I'm thinking black as I will never be able to knit black due to these old eyes.</div> <bR> <div> When Little Knits had their Acatama sale DD and I bought a sweaters worth.  She had a $50 gift certificate from our friend Kat.  Me, I just couldn't stand the price!  $20 bucks a bag!  So I got a bag and a half.  I didn't get a before photo and I can't find one on the net.  This was supposed to be fushia and brown, when it came in it was more like pale pink, tan, with purple blots and so into the dye pot it went!  I used the exact amount of dye for the bag and a half and wound up with this.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="169f25860.jpg" border=0 width="293" height="390" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  You can see where the old purple and brown was still and the rest,,, LOVE IT!  This is so nummy!  I really should have gotten up and put the fan on it last night as now I'd dyeing (PIN!) to c/o!  It's going to be my winter sweater.  I had wanted to make it my new pink spring sweater but hey, it's 100% alpaca!  WHAT WAS I THINKING!  LOL so the merino/silk in pink that I got in at the same time will now become my new spring sweater... much nicer I'm thinking.  Gee, perhaps I should cast that one one instead?  NO!  I will finish my pink 16 hour top instead! ;-)  This one I want to add a collar too.  All hand crocheted in thread!  I have this lovely pink varigated #10 that will be so gorgeous on this top.  It's 100% cotton so it need's shaping but it's soooooo lovely, soft and WOW-need to wear it now!  LOL so I have this week to finish it and work on my Monkey socks before my work yarn can get here.</div> <bR> <div> 3-21-08 First day of spring and I got to open my Spring swap box!!!  WHAT FUN!  Thank you so much KaRi, AKA Coggie TM of the High Fiber Diet, you so ROCK!</div> <div> <IMG SRC="165cf6b90.jpg" border=0 width="246" height="185" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="165a06c50.jpg" border=0 width="262" height="197" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> So here's the box all packed, just fresh opened... I wasn't sure if I liked the roving more or the ORANGE SLICES!!!!!  OH ME!  I have been dying for orange slices for a coon's age!!!!  YIPEEEEEEEE</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="165e05c40.jpg" border=0 width="261" height="196" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> AHHHHH how sweet Kari!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="166019d30.jpg" border=0 width="281" height="211" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Testing testing, are you itchy?  NOT SO NOT!  I'm spinning today!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1662f6b90.jpg" border=0 width="246" height="185" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> OOOOOHHHHHHHH okk  so what?!!  so the rayon didn't need an itch test,,, don't tell me you never did this before!  ;-)  Rayon lace also went immediately to the testing facility.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="16643dee0.jpg" border=0 width="317" height="238" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Me love orange slicey!!! nummmy nummmmmy numummmy</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="166644f30.jpg" border=0 width="324" height="243" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> {{BIG GRIN}}-open wide! Here's one for you.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="166854ff0.jpg" border=0 width="340" height="255" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> I know that was a shawl pin but I am forever putting my hair up like this when it gets hot so this is just soooooo perfect for that.  It's a clear frosted stick with floral embellishments.   Totally me.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="166af1b50.jpg" border=0 width="241" height="181" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here I am telling you all about how that a coon's age ago I had spoken to Coggie about getting my Ravatar button and I totally forgot (yup natural blond moment!) and here she sent me buttons!  one is my Ravatar the other it THFD!!!!!!!!  On a sock tote!!! So totally perfect as I'm a sock knitting addict!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="166e0fcb0.jpg" border=0 width="271" height="203" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  DH called and wanted me to talk while he tested his Blue Tooth phone so I rambled all about my box.  See the Berroco Sox,,, I have been wanting to try that, how did she know?!!!  Inside of the sock tote was a journal, note cards and this really cool photo magnet with all of these words so that you can make frigy love letters!!! </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="167904c30.jpg" border=0 width="260" height="195" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  ANOTHER orange slice and here you can see the note cards and the fridgy magnet a bit there.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1672fbbc0.jpg" border=0 width="251" height="188" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">There were sock stitch markers in VIOLET! NUM!! tiny with a small bead on them that she bought me from Etsy.  Then there was a purple tin with sugar free candies in it,,, the kind I'm "supposed" (me love orange slices!) to have.  WOW I SO LOVE EVERYTHING!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="166cf7b90.jpg" border=0 width="247" height="185" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  I don't think I told her but I love mini work and this is a mini sweater kit - breast cancer awareness, complete with the hanger!!!!!  SOOOOOOO sweet!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1674d1170.jpg" border=0 width="209" height="279" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="1676c80a0.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="266" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Huggy me huggy, me so looooooooove!     a more in depth look, complete with a teeth picking tongue! ;-)</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1670ef3f0.jpg" border=0 width="239" height="319" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Can you tell I love my goodies?  WOW Coggie, you will never be surpassed in my heart, I'm so SURE!  Time to get to having some fun!  I'm going to have a GREAT WEEKEND!</div> <bR> <div> Here's why..........</div> <bR> <div> 1) DH is going off of the hill (faaaarm livin is the life for me… land spreading out so far n wide… keep Manhattan just give me the country side! STOP! HEHEEE) he’s going shopping. DD and I can knit and listen to books and watch whatever and eat or not eat if we don’t want to.</div> <bR> <div> 2) I have my swap box goodies to play with. YIPEEEE </div> <bR> <div> 3) MS12 clue #3 has posted and I have already done a row.</div> <bR> <div> 4) All of my work knitting is almost OffTN… I am down to the cuffs on this hard core fair isle sweater. I will get back to that on Monday. Then I just need to steek and button band it. YEAH BABY!</div> <bR> <div> 5) There’s SPINNING in my box!!!!  I'm sooooooooo spinning today.</div> <bR> <div> 6) I have a dye project, sweaters worth in my swap partners colors. I can’t wait to do that.</div> <bR> <div> 7) There’s going to be a new THFD cast out tomorrow! YIPEE!!! We get to hear all about The Adventures of our travelling Miss Coggie Ma’am!”</div> <bR> <div> Ahhhhhhh it’s just flat out going to be the bestest weekend in a loooooooong stinking time. I’m soooooo ready for it….it’s going to be a great weekend! I probably sound so pathetic compared to normal folk but I’m chair bound so this is high adventure for me! HAHA I hope you all have as good a weekend as I will be having.</div> <bR> <div> 3-19-09 I keep forgetting to show you my Monkey socks, I LOVE this yarn!  It's NeighborHood and the color is LaDetroit.  LOVE IT!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1656e32e0.jpg" border=0 width="227" height="302" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1654106b0.jpg" border=0 width="272" height="363" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="1655bcfb0.jpg" border=0 width="188" height="251" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Spring has sprung!  Here's DS beside the peach tree just look at all of those blossums!  I sure hope we have past the last freeze!  DH is getting veggie seeds in hopes of a good garden and hard labor supplementing the food bill.</div> <bR> <div> Little up date around here...</div> <div> 1) DH is being a saint what with little job pressure so we are getting along swimmingly.</div> <div> 2) the test knit from HADES is finished!!!</div> <div> 3) the spinning is all DONE!!!! all of it, none left in the house at all.</div> <div> 4) the new test knit is already DONE!!!! Life's good!</div> <bR> <div> The only work I have in the house is a Palette sweater and that's just the most fun in the world and it's almost done!!!! I'm going to be so pleased to ship that next week and have a house all full of personal knitting. Not </div> <div> to mention that MS12 will be sat over from start to finish on clue 3 in two days YIPEEEEEE life is good... sweeeet!</div> <bR> <div> 3-17-09 Isn't this just the cutest little thing?  I made it for a relations new baby-2 year old.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="165010cc0.jpg" border=0 width="272" height="204" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> 3-16-09         DD's 12th B-DAY at home</div> <div> <IMG SRC="164b57010.jpg" border=0 width="343" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="164e106b0.jpg" border=0 width="272" height="363" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  She really liked the skirt I made for her and the cashmere sweater LOL who wouldn't!  She's still wearing them a day later. ;-)   It was a low key party as we need to conserve the funds.  Even so, she was and is very happy.  She's a trooper.</div> <bR> <div> 3-15-09 </div> <div> <IMG SRC="163d39eb0.jpg" border=0 width="313" height="235" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Katie's friend Emily,,, had a pig party.  Em get's out her party planner, catalogs and all, goes through everything and picks out all of the fun things that she would like to have at her party.  Mom (my BF) then sorts through and nixes stuff till they have a great party!  When DD found out it was pigs... out of her needles in ONE day, she cranked this hat you see above.   I just love my DD.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="164c26dd0.jpg" border=0 width="294" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> They each had pig noses and party favor boxes full of piggy items inside.  Terribly cute.</div> <bR> <div> 3-14-09  Mystery Shawl #12 again</div> <div> I got the clue today and finished it today.  I can't wait for the next one, sure hope it finishes in one day as my work knitting has taken over and it's getting more and more difficult to cut out a day of work.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="16373ced0.jpg" border=0 width="316" height="237" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="163b39eb0.jpg" border=0 width="313" height="235" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I really like this shawl.  I was talking with DD about dyeing it when finished and we both went to the current Twist Collective to see the painting technique.  I guess it all depends on what all of these things are.  Looks like a field of flowers to me ;-), really have no idea what that new thing is though... there's a flower between then... then ???? time will out.</div> <bR> <div> 3-8-09  Mystery Shawl #12</div> <div> <I>Well, I got to work late last night and just could NOT finish until IT was finished!</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  I was up till 1:30am finishing clue #1.</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="15c259030.jpg" border=0 width="345" height="259" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I love it! I chose this Nature Spun lace in the natural as did my 11 y/o DD. She c/o at about 10 and is almost finish now at 3!!! ;-) It's a quick knit and LOVELY! Did you see the new Twist Collective?<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="15c4f6480.jpg" border=0 width="246" height="328" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I'm thinking I might either 1-overdye it all in a kettle 2- hand paint the different areas... the trees green and the buds and flowers like flower colors etc. Either way, WHAT FUN! Then too I don't have a cream shawl nor a black and I don't like to knit black but I can dye up just about anything.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The family was gone yesterday so I had free reign to play with adding pages here on the site as well as dyeing!  I dyed roving to my hearts content and ended up with some TO DYE FOR!!!  see new Fiber page.</div> <bR> <div> 3-4-09  What a roller coaster!  Just got back from the doctor, I have 2 compressed disks, arthritis in my hip and an ulcer!  What a time my health is going through.</div> <bR> <div> My knitting on the other hand is having a field day!!!!  copy and paste to see me on the net.</div> <div> <U>http://earthfaire.com/product_info.php?products_id=3382</U></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="158e22f20.jpg" border=0 width="290" height="242" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Here's my Rings on a model at Stitches West.  I was the test knitter... I did it up the way that the pattern was written and they returned it to me to get it up off of the floor... if you scroll through here you will find the other updates and photo's.... long story.  What fun to see this photo when I got home though!</div> <bR> <div> There's a large box of yarn in front of me for one of my many current test knits.  The Lord's really blessing the work of my hands.... IF ONLY He'd bless my physical self here a bit too.  I'd love a bit of health.  No,,, just to be able to walk again would be lovely.  Please pray for me if the Lord brings me to your mind.  While you are at it, please pray for DH to get work.  </div> <bR> <div> 3-1-09  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > I have finished the lace cardigan test knit and I'm back to the Palette test knit and working with them on two more items. Will LYK if I get either of them. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> DD's b-day is on the 15th, she's turning 12. DH and DS were told to go to a thrift store and search the sweaters for something unravelable as we can afford too much currently. They came home with only one that isn't worth it which is acrylic. All of the others are totally unravelable BUT I'm thinking we aren't going to unravel any of them! Go figure, they did THAT good. The first is a lime cotton vest which I think might just fit her. The next was a very fine thread like cotton which is just too fine to unravel so we are leaving that choice to her. The last was unbelievable!!!! 100% CASHMERE!!!! A gorgeous sweater in a size small which I think will FIT HER!!!! It's a beige light brown color, lace throughout, lovely pattern with long sleeves and tiny buttons at the neck, just lovely! The only problem that I could see were a few pills which my sweater de-piller will handle. Once I wash it I will know more I'm sure but WHAT A FIND!!! Might just make DH want to shop through the "nasty places" as he calls them. He got such high praises that he might go to another. ;-) I still can't believe that the entire racks (there are like 3 long store length ones in this thrift store) they were all either acrylic or 30% wool only. So just not worth it. I made her a lovely navy floral skirt which I think she will like. Also I c/o the KP Gingerbread alpaca for a lace sock out of the new Handpainted Socks book.</div> <bR> <div> Other then that I got out my black, royal and emerald wool that I have been spinning on infrequently and got another ball of that done up. It's been quiet here. DH still has plenty of places to search for a job and so he will get back to it on Monday ;-) Back at that grindstone. </div> <bR> <div> The children have had fun playing with a tarp in the yard.  Keeps them outside which is a good thing.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="158924db0.jpg" border=0 width="292" height="219" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="158b26dd0.jpg" border=0 width="294" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> 2-24-09 Well, I have been sleeping, I guess making up for lost time. Meanwhile I cranked out yet another pattern.  DD finished her Harbour Lights.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1581912d0.jpg" border=0 width="401" height="301" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I'm so happy for her.  It's plenty big when made with sport weight, keep in mind, she's 11.  She CRANKED this thing out.  If it weren't for her thumb getting repeatative motion inflammation, I'm sure she'd had been done last month.  We finally blocked it today.  She's mighty pleased with the results.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="158375180.jpg" border=0 width="373" height="280" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> We so love it here.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="158587250.jpg" border=0 width="391" height="293" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I hope and pray we don't loose the house as Coco will have to go too.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="158738a00.jpg" border=0 width="312" height="416" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> DH is at a seminar to find out how to get a cut on the mortgage what with no real income coming into the house.  Time and the Lord will out.</div> <bR> <div> 2-22-09 A wee update on us here.</div> <bR> <div> Since DH lost his job, I'm working day and night to get some funds rolling in. The food is covered by the spinning. Then the rest of my contribution is knitting and that's going to the bills. We need at least an additional 500 monthly (minus food) to keep going. Last year my knitting only made 1600 (for the entire year!!!) so I have a feeling a good amount of the bills we owe are going to get deleted... cable and the like or we are going to pay less them minimum and have everybody haunting us. It's really too bad as our credit scores are high 8's. Cest La Vie, we will do ok. I just hope it's a short duration. BTW, DH is on here looking for a job and shaking the hands through the net.  Strange how much things have changed in the last 15 years since I worked outside the home.</div> <bR> <div> I just hit the wrong button and DELETED ALL the podcasts off of my IPOD!!!!! WAAAAAAAAAA how on earth can I figure out what I haven't listened too. Better go try and fix it. WAAAAAAAAAA Worse things have happened but WAAAAAAAA see there are some which I don't bother to listen to until I have gone through everything else... now those could go back pretty far... since I listen to it for hours each night and have FMS really bad,,, I can't remember WAAAAAAA {whiney Wendy} You know... I was just thinking... that major stuff happens... I don't loose it until the next little thing. It's like this balancing act... how many plates can I get up there spinning at one time? What will it take for them all to come crashing to the ground? </div> <bR> <div> DH found me sugar free GoLightly candies LOVE THEM!!!! NUMMY! So now I can have my chocolates, MISSED SO MUCH! and hard candies too. Oh and he found me these awesome Ginger cookies, they are from Mi-Lishish or something like that. LOVE IT! </div> <bR> <div> I worked mostly all weekend. Just finished boxing up the yarn I dyed so that's off tomorrow. I ran out of skeined yarn last night at midnight (test knit) so I had to go to sleep. That was a good thing as only through sleep does my body heal and I slept till NOON!!</div> <div>  </div> <div> Other then that I made a bracelet from some yarn I made for Norma who wanted me to test the fiber for her. I spun an energized single from it and knit this swatch thing from something that's been in my head... didn't work out but it's really a cute bracelet. Popped 3 tiny buttons on it and it's really cute. I didn't think that a single lace would work but it worked great. Learn something new every day. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="1578f7b90.jpg" border=0 width="247" height="185" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The family's all outside... fixing fencing so the dogs can't eat the horse pucky's from the neighbors. They are supposed to be putting up a fence but it's been MONTHS now and they still haven't. Then DH is to watch DD ride Coco. They need to enjoy him as long as we can afford his hay. It's soooooooo expensive. It will be such a shame to see him go. DH is seeing his old boss back in the city on Thursday. He's praying that Dennis will have a job for him... will make an opening for him. It will mean a commute but hey, money's money and a job's a job. If you have it, be GLAD you have it. So many are going jobless. It's bad all over. I just listened to a pod cast last night... the pod caster had lost her job. Five minutes later not only did her co-worker loose her job but so did the co-workers DH!!!!!! What a state that would be. I hope they can find jobs soon. </div> <bR> <div> Well, that's about it.  You are all caught up now.</div> <bR> <div> 2-19-09 Up really late and I thought I'd pop a few new photo's up here.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="156900c00.jpg" border=0 width="256" height="192" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here's more of the art yarn, getting good,,, cranking out 18 skeins a week.  Got to be some kind of record as at the same time I'm knitting up two cardigans on size 5's!  Well, no I take that back, one's on 5's the others on 4's!!!  ;-)</div> <div> <IMG SRC="156b21d90.jpg" border=0 width="289" height="217" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  The children have banded together with me in helping out with the family finances while DH is looking for a job.  Here we have Shane maning the drum carder and turning out "Bumps" which is my pet name for lovely roving ready for spinning.</div> <bR> <div> 2-16-09 For my swap partner</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1532fe530.jpg" border=0 width="254" height="339" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="153807c50.jpg" border=0 width="263" height="197" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Ain't it purrrrrrrty!                            More of the yarn I have been busy spinning.</div> <div>   </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="153afabc0.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="188" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="153c1bd40.jpg" border=0 width="283" height="212" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Barkie stalking the swift as it sqreeeched each time it went round.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="153e33990.jpg" border=0 width="307" height="409" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Boopie after a little bit of time in the snow.  No I did not do that to him!  LOL It's from his long undercoat which mats up with the snow and makes these huge balls after a bit.  He has been putting up with a number of baths of late.  Poor dear.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1542f3b60.jpg" border=0 width="243" height="182" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="154501c10.jpg" border=0 width="257" height="193" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="1543c6080.jpg" border=0 width="198" height="264" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Today was another snow day.  The sign says made for Mom.  There was a total of four snow people.  Katie had a hard job and we were all very pleased with the outcome.  The main freeway was shut down and the silence was deafening!  LOVED IT!</div> <bR> <div> 2-14-09</div> <div> What a week.  Kev's job is petering out and he's putting in what might be his last week.  What with the way everything is... well, I'm praying more then normal... lets just put it that way.  I'm working hard too... no matter if I'm bed ridden I'm hunkering down for the storm to come.  Please pray for us if the Lord puts us on your minds.  Grandma passed away last week too.  It's been a rough patch.  We keep seeking the Lord and His will.</div> <bR> <div> Normally I open my e-mail first and today I thought I'd better open this up instead.  I have a ton of photo's on my desktop that have been waiting for an update for a long, long time.  ;-)  So here we go...</div> <div> <IMG SRC="152349f70.jpg" border=0 width="329" height="247" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  "Little Man in a Box",,, This is a 9 x 13 box on my desk, he LIVES in this box.  Keeps him out of reach of the dogs and he's totally happy here.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1525065d0.jpg" border=0 width="262" height="349" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">He loves his Blankie... "needs" it all of the time.  ;-) "PIN"</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="15272fe30.jpg" border=0 width="303" height="227" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="152eb9f70.jpg" border=0 width="185" height="247" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A tam I finished a few weeks back.  I added the mohair to the center for the halo effect but I keep thinking I'd like to rip it back and re-knit the center with just the yarn so that you can see the lace better, time will out as I have work due first.  </div> <bR> <div> What you don't see here,,, a finished cardigan for work.  2 new designs I made up which will come out at Stitches West here in a few weeks.  When 2-26 hits I will have them up on my pattern page.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="15291e7d0.jpg" border=0 width="286" height="381" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Celtic Socks... a barter for bronze, hand wrought needles with a twist in their centers.  I'm getting size 1's.  They should be faster then wood but not as slippery... and yet the twist is minimal enough to not make the stitches hang up on them.  I can't wait.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="152b05c40.jpg" border=0 width="261" height="196" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Katie's Harbour Lights... you can see (well if I tell you where) that she's got the half of it bound off with the bottom lace panel complete to the center.  Atta girl Katie, way to go Chicka!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1530d6a10.jpg" border=0 width="214" height="161" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I work on this daily now.  This is my professional spinning job.  Perhaps some of you will end up with a skein of my yarn some day!  It's wild to think of it like that.  From my wheel to the LYS to your heart. ;-)</div> <bR> <div> That's all for now.  I hope you are doing well, healthy and active.</div> <bR> <div> 1-24-09  WHAT FUN!</div> <div> I dyed the merino/tencel roving</div> <div> I spun the yarn finely</div> <div> I plied with a cream tencel yarn</div> <div> I knit them up from a pattern in my head and beaded it. WOW WHAT FUN!  this is my creation and I adore it.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1507fe530.jpg" border=0 width="254" height="339" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="150be0510.jpg" border=0 width="224" height="337" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="150efebf0.jpg" border=0 width="254" height="191" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> It's a smoke ring!  So snuggly and comfortable what with it being merino/tencel.</div> <bR> <div> I made it so that it's wider at the shoulders and it lays very flat there... sort of like a collar only it hangs down over them a bit and the beads keep it down so that it's not flapping all around.  I like these so much more then scarves at they are forever getting caught on something or having to be adjusted.  I was thinking of having kits for them so that you can make one too.  I could do the dying or just send you the pattern and roving and you could do the dying and spinning... or since I spin for higher I could do the spinning and send you the yarn.  I'm easy, whatever.  I just want to send this one to the four corners of the earth!!!</div> <bR> <div> 1-16-09 Still not too much rambling out of me.  I had this bright idea that since my Leaky gut was caused by my pain meds that I'd get off of them... well the reason why I take them (PAIN!!! DUH!!!) hasn't gone away and it's getting so I hurt so much I can't do much more then knit.  You know I finished the shawl.  Well I pressed through my knee highs in Classic Elite Alpaca, Peacock.  They are drying.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1500d1170.jpg" border=0 width="209" height="279" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  I love the color of these babies.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="1502065d0.jpg" border=0 width="262" height="349" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This is the yarn I dyed up for a barter.  I'm making socks and getting some very special sock needles.  I love to barter!</div> <bR> <div> That's all I can share with you for now.  The other photo's are of the recent test knit I just shipped off.  I'm so very pleased to have that one done and I'm waiting for two more projects.  One shipped out yesterday and the other is awaiting the proper colors to be set up for it.  I love work, what can I say?  I seem to be a glutton for work.  It's a good thing.</div> <bR> <div> On the personal knitting, I found my Seed N Bead 2 which I started toe up this time, and never got back to.  I didn't realize just how close to being finished I was.  I did my favorite beaded picot bind off on the first sock and have a good start on the second.  Another knit which I have been working on is my smoke ring.  It's so lovely.  That's the hand spun green and purple with the beads.  It's so pretty.  Delicate yet it will get the job done.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1505d71f0.jpg" border=0 width="215" height="287" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> I really hesitated to post this photo as you can see the pain on my face!  I didn't know I ... well, anyway, here's the HL on me.  I love to wear it... it's becoming my good snuggle friend.  I feel so secure with it on.</div> <bR> <div> I weeded out my book shelf, see if there's something there that you need... Sale page.  Also, I was able to crank out a gored skirt... brown, it's the first brown one I remember owning.  It's really lovely, linen with embroidery and sequins on it.  I had purchased a few shirts in colors that I normally don't use so I needed a brown skirt to match.  Shortly here I will go back to my favorite fabric in all turquoises! YUM  That's more like it.  I'm thinking tiers!  Many tiers.</div> <bR> <div> Today we watched a blooming tea flower do it's thing in our new glass kettle.  My old one had all types of who know's what inside of it.  It was at least 20 years old and past time to be sent out to pasture.</div> <bR> <div> A good friend introduced me to Earth Angel Oils, copy and paste into your browser...</div> <div> http://www.earthangeloils.com</div> <div> They are healing oils.  I have the Fern something and it's really good with a massage for easing my pain.  Working on getting more of them to help all the different things that ail me.</div> <bR> <div> That's about all the new from this neck of the woods.  </div> <bR> <div> 1-13-09  Harbour Lights completed.  I ended it with my beaded picot bind off and will add beaded tassels to the front points... perhaps I will bead the front side too as I will wear this either as a shoulderette or a covering for my head.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="14f31bd40.jpg" border=0 width="283" height="212" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="14f1f3b60.jpg" border=0 width="243" height="182" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="14f5cc100.jpg" border=0 width="204" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  DD and I cranked these out in 2 days.  I have the pattern available if anyone wants it.  We literally live in these.  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="14f9106a0.jpg" border=0 width="272" height="362" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Here's DD in her Outback it was another fast knit.  She has the perfect pin for this.  When she pulls the ends to the back it makes a vest with a bit of a bustle look as in the photo below.  I will have to get a photo of it on her from the back,,, too cute!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="14f8650c0.jpg" border=0 width="357" height="268" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> These are DD's bestest buds!-playing dress up.  Their mom is my GF who I adore!  She's a wonderful, earthy gal who holds nothing back and calls a spade a spade.  So here you can see the Outback in vest form.</div> <bR> <div> I MADE THE COVER!!! And the first two pages of the new Knit Picks catalog! That blue pine jacket,,,, I knit it! HAHA I just love it!  I bought enough yarn to make myself two more of these!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="14c442ad0.jpg" border=0 width="322" height="429" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> It's soooooooo fun to see something I knit on the cover of the catalog!  It looks much better from their photographer.  I can't recommend this kit enough.  I myself purchased enough yarn to make myself two of these and have already cast on one in royal blue!  ;-)</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="14c840ab0.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="427" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    <IMG SRC="14c93da70.jpg" border=0 width="317" height="423" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I call this the Shimmer tree.  At first we all thought it was frost... but NO!  It's just the way the light was hitting this tree.  Can you believe... DH bought me flowers and this viney thing was in there... after a few weeks I planted it into dirt and this is the result.  We have two of them in the back yard now.  It's a curling wonder.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>