Mereknits

Crochet Blue Vest... I'm In Love

2012-02-17T11:11:00.001-08:00

I finished my crochet vest and I love it! This pattern is from the Winter 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet by designer Yumiko Alexander.

It took me several weeks of crochet, and some frogging but I think I was able to master the pattern and the new to me techniques.

It is made in a giant rectangle, with the top pattern acting as the collar. Sorry for the wonky picture above, I was so excited I was done, I didn't take a lot of care with the photo shoot.

I learned a few new stitches with this pattern which is always fun. And I figured if I didn't do them exactly right, as long as I did them consistently wrong I was still okay.

My youngest son helped take the photos of me with strict orders not to show my face or my behind. He did a pretty good job.

From the side you can really see how it drapes in the front.

It is shorter in the back which is the new, "In", thing. That's me always, "In". Ha!

I made this with Cascade 220 Sport, 100% wool yarn. It took exactly 9 skeins of yarn, which have 164 yards each. I used a size H crochet hook which gave me the correct gauge width-wise but not length-wise. I ended up adding 6 rows of double crochet to adjust for the length difference.

I really think it is fun. And at $3.75 a skein, the total price was $33.75, not bad for a fun new vest.

This is completed project number 10 for me for the year, hooray!

A special thanks for all your lovely comments about my son's flowers. I still tear up thinking about them. They are opening up and look so beautiful. The card will be kept near to me where I can read it often, for a very long time.

Happy weekend everyone!

My Son Sent Me Flowers

2012-02-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

My oldest son sent me flowers today. Not for Valentine's Day, just because. They came early this afternoon and I am overwhelmed with happiness.

Have you ever read anything so beautiful in your life? I know I haven't.

They are the most beautiful surprise. I must be doing something right with my parenting to have a senior in high school send me these.

Wow!

Tulip Color Inspiration

2012-02-13T06:30:00.000-08:00

Do you remember my beautiful tulips?

Saturday I went to Joann's to get a bit of tulip inspiration yarn.

I attempted to make many different centers on my own. I am not that savvy at crochet, so I decided to stop wasting time and go with an old stand by.

A bit of Japanese crochet flower inspiration.

A few clear beads glues in the center to add a bit of sparkle.

Five, six petal flowers hanging in my window.

Eight, nine petal flowers hanging near my kitchen table.

I will try to get a better picture when the sun is out, but for now it looks a little bit more like spring.

Happy Monday.

A Free Day and A Sale!!!

2012-02-11T09:55:00.000-08:00

My husband went to visit his Mother in Wisconsin this weekend. I know I am not supposed to be overly excited, but I am. That left me yesterday with a whole evening to myself . I watched an episode of House Hunters International, I just love that show and then Sleepless in Seattle, one of my all time favorites. All the while working on my blue crochet vest, trying to figure out why I can not keep 237 stitches for each row. I think I have a severe counting problem. I was so relaxed that ripping out several rows didn't even bother me.

My youngest son was upstairs playing his game box with friends and my oldest was in Orlando at a swim meet. Which is exactly where I should be today, watching him swim. Apparently he re-injured his ankle pushing off the wall in warm-ups and couldn't swim last night. He stayed over to see if it was better this morning, but it wasn't, so he came home. Can I tell you I am secretly glad he is home? This was his first trip driving that far from home and staying with two other boys. There were other parents at the hotel, just not me! This was a bit of a stretch for me, but I had to let him go. Now he is home safe and sound and I have a free day!

So what do most of us women do on a free day? I started off with tea and blogs, perfect. I read the paper and tried once again to do yoga. Boy am I inflexible ( in almost every way you can imagine). While my nose was tucked in close to the floor I realized my carpet had the lovely odor of Golden Retriever, so I pulled out the carpet cleaner and got to work. Okay, really!!!! This is my free day!!! When men have a free day, which I find is frequently, they just hang out and feel perfectly fine not accomplishing a thing. They can watch 14 hours of Super Bowl coverage before the game even begins and not blink an eye. Me on the other hand, I feel like I have to have some cleaning/household project going all the time. Enough I say! I showered, fussed over my boy when he walked in the door safely and marched myself over to Joann's for a little yarn.

You see I have been a bit obsessed with these beautiful tulips on my kitchen table. The colors are so intense. I thought maybe I might want to have a bit of tulip color fun.

Some cotton yarn, some beads......hmmmm I wonder what will happen? I plan on working on this, this afternoon. That is right after I vacuum.

On a totally different note I have sold my first shawl. I am just tickled pink that someone, somewhere thinks that my work is worthy of a purchase. I was so elated when my sister and I talked this morning and she told me the green shawl had been purchased. I was elated then of course I became nervous. Is it good enough? Will the buyer think that it is as soft and yummy as I do? Oh how those doubts seem to settle in so quickly.

I think people who make things often think that their projects are not up to the standards of everyone else. I don't think it is just me. But when I look at the picture of this shawl and remember that the picture did not do it justice, I feel better. My first sale, WOW!

Up and Running

2012-02-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

My Sister's (and a little mine) Esty's shop is up and running. Please check my side bar for easy access. Claudia is amazingly talented. She crochets beautifully, quilts and makes the most incredible things out of very little. Please check out her blog for all of her inspiring ideas and check out the new Etsy shop for her crochet scarves, my shawls and in the future lots of fun projects.

This has been an exciting project for both of us. We are having a difficult time in our lives for many reasons. A big part of it is watching our Mother and Father decline so rapidly, but sometimes not rapid enough. So a new shop where we can sell things we love to make has been a fun respite in our time of stress.

Are you ready for even more pictures of shawls? I just finished this today and wanted to show you before I head off to work. Can I tell you how much I love it? Made from Kertzer Tiara 72% Wool, 27% Nylon and 1% Polyester. It is soft and really beautiful.

I am not sure you can see the metallic thread looping around the yarn. It is a lovely touch and adds just a teeny, tiny bit of sparkle.

I am frantic to get this in the mail to my sister so she can photograph it in style.

I promise to show the progress on my blue crochet shawl very soon. I have been crocheting a bit in the evenings so I am getting closer to being finished. Have a wonderful Thursday everyone.

Grand Opening and Seven

2012-02-08T06:13:00.000-08:00

I am so excited my sister's Etsy shop will be open tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. She has been working hard on getting it ready to open and I can't wait to see it. The shop will have beautiful handmade items as well as some fun vintage finds. I will have several woven shawls available in the shop. There will be a link here on the blog tomorrow to access the shop and you will also be able to from her blog Mockingbird Hill Cottage. The shop name is ScoutHarper. Can you tell we love the book To Kill A Mocking Bird? Please stop by tomorrow to see it.

Soon you will be able to find this new shawl. Does it look familiar? I made it once before but totally screwed it up so I had to keep it for myself. It is much too beautiful not to make again.

It is made from Rozetti Polaris 65% acrylic and 30% wool yarn, with these pretty little sequins, in the color Cloud Cover. Great yarn to work with very soft with a lovely drape.

It reminds me of a cobweb in the morning dew. Lovely.

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

A Few Super Things

2012-02-05T05:56:00.000-08:00

It is Super Bowl Sunday here in the US. My Green Bay Packer's are out of contention so I do not really give a hoot who wins. Watching the game is a great excuse to sit in front of the TV with some crochet, so that is exactly what I will be doing. As I don't care about the game, I thought I would write about a few things I think are Super.

* My azalea's are in bloom already because it is sooooo warm out. They are a little splash of color in all the brown and green of my landscaping.

* Max's foot is finally better, we may be able to take a short walk today. He has been so bored waiting for it to heal.

* Beautiful lilies in a simple vase on my kitchen table. They smell gorgeous.

* Most, and I repeat most, of my paperwork done for the weekend so I can really enjoy my day.

* Soft pink tulips on my coffee table. Sorry for the fuzzy picture but they are beautiful and such a pretty color.

* Waking up on my own today even if it was early, I love it when I do not have to set my alarm.

* A basket of crochet just waiting for me to pick it up. I was crocheting of Friday and quickly realized I did not have enough yarn to finish this project. A quick trip to Tampa and the yarn store had more skeins in my die lot, I swooped up four of them so now I can breath a little easier.

* I have started to do some yoga from a DVD I play at home, I have found out how inflexible I am, well in almost every area in my life, but it is getting a teensy bit easier, so I am thrilled.

* Time to get caught up on my reading list. I hate it when I am too busy to read my favorite blogs, but this weekend I feel like I have connected with most of you.

* When both my boys are home on a Saturday night. They may not be in the room with me but I know they are home safe and sound. I can also go to bed earlier because I don't have to wait up for anyone, boy am I getting old

* Another shawl is almost ready to be taken off the loom. If all goes as planned, I might have time to do it today.

* Reading the Sunday paper with a cup of tea and no rush. I love a slow morning.

* Sparkles in the yarn for the shawl. Can you see the sequins hiding?

* The most unbelievably great pizza at a new restaurant (at least for us) last night. My mouth is still in heaven.

* Reading an interesting series that has appalled me and hooked me all at the same time. I question if it is appropriate for teenagers/kids. So many people have read these books and have been mesmerized. I guess I have been too as I am on book three, they are just a bit shocking in the magnitude of violence. When discussing them with my sister-in-law, she said they are no different from all the violent video games kids play and she has a point. It is the violence with kids against kids that took my breath away. Anyway I am close to finishing and will be happy when I am done.

* Wishing you all a wonderful Super Sunday.

Progress is Slow!

2012-02-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

Why is it that so much of the things that keep us so busy in life do not always involve yarn? I have been up to my eye balls in daily life with not much time to pick up a crochet hook or to weave, or even read a blog or two. Last weekend I attended a conference, which I really enjoyed but it left no time for yarn. I have tried to catch up this week but have been involved with kids, my work, a husband and house, not to mention my ailing Mother. This weekend is going to be about me getting some serious yarn time in whatever form I can.

This is the progress I have made on my cool crochet vest. I love this project when I get the time to settle down and crochet a row or two. I am making this with a size H crochet hook, which was perfect when I made my swatch but now is not. I get the right gauge with the width but not the height. I tried a hook one size up but found the width to be too big. So I decided the best thing to do was add a few extra rows of double crochet to make up the difference in height and cross my fingers that it turns out right. Any other suggestions out there from you crocheters?

The first part of the pattern is pretty simple, it is the collar I am worried about. But as is my usual style I will tackle it when I get to that part of the pattern.

I also ordered this beautiful yarn from Webs. I am intending to make four more shawls for my sisters etsy shop. I was a bit hesitant to order without touching the yarn, but I have to say I am very pleased. The prices are great so give Webs a try.

I leave you with this beautiful lilly sitting on my kitchen table, isn't she a beauty?

Hope you are all having a great week. I promise to try and catch up on blogs this weekend.

Six and Some Random Thoughts

2012-01-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

Finished project of the year number six is hot off the loom. Actually it is hot off the loom and in the mail ready to be shipped to my sister. It is made of soft baby alpaca and silk, and is so yummy and gorgeous to touch. I am all about grey so this shawl is perfect. Something about the softness of grey, it is so versatile and neutral all at the same time. Grey can be so beautiful don't you think?

I have had a busy week so I am going to be rather random here. I find the floor of my oldest son's room to be sort of like an archaeological site. Clothes and wet towels from three days ago are at the bottom of the pile with today's clothes on top. I can tell what he wore everyday depending on where it lays in the pile.

I feel that way about his clean laundry pile, also. I just keep cleaning the clothes and folding them up, layer after layer until he finally, after much prodding takes them up to his room. Here they occasionally get put away, but more often than not they merge with the clothes on the floor. My boy will have a rude awakening next year when he is off to school. He already knows how to do laundry, but when he actually has to do it, while keeping up with swim practice and school.....this will be interesting to see.

I can not believe it is the end of January already. Where is the time going?

I talk about my Max all the time. He is the sweetest, most sensitive dog. When my kids were young, if one of them had an ear infection than sure enough Max would get one, too. My oldest son sprained his right ankle pretty badly last Thursday. Wouldn't you know Max hurt his right front paw on Monday chasing after a ball. I took him to the vet today just to make sure it wasn't serious. He is getting better but still hobbling a bit. It told her about my son's ankle and she told me she sees this all the time with Golden Retrievers. I think that is amazing.

This has been an odd year weather wise has it not? Lack of snowfall for many, blizzards for others. Here in Florida it has been exceptionally warm. I know I shouldn't complain, but it is so hot here most of the year we like a bit of a change so we can wear sweaters and scarves.

Speaking of scarves, I have had them all stacked of a shelf. Some get pushed to the back where you never see them. Walking thought Target the other day I noticed a shoe organizer that hangs from your closet shelf like a clothes hanger. There are ten single compartments for shoes. I bought it and now have a perfect place to store my scarves. They are neatly folded and I can see each one. Perfect.

How is that for random?

Late Saturday Afternoon

2012-01-21T13:28:00.000-08:00

It is late in the afternoon on Saturday and I am so happy. I am done cleaning windows and scrubbing the mold and mildew off my front walkway. I have beautiful tulips on my table.

I have newly polished toenails.

I am wearing my oldest, favorite pair of jeans

I have started a new crochet project that promised to be challenging and beautiful if I can master the pattern.

I am sitting outside for a few quiet moments with a cup of tea.

Contemplating reading this wonderful book. Life right now is quiet and lovely. I want to remember this minute as my life is not often quiet and lovely.

Hope you are catching a moment for yourself on this Saturday afternoon.

Noro Knitted Vest

2012-01-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

I am so glad you like the new look of Mereknits. My sister is a genius that is for sure. Now when I want to feel really cool I jump on my blog, because my blog makes me look a lot better than I am. I sort of feel like I am in middle school and I have just been allowed to join the cool kids.

So in case you were wondering I still know how to knit. Actually I have been knitting this Noro vest at a snails pace and it is finally completed. Want to take a look?

This vest is made with Noro Taiyo in color 12. You all know about my love/hate relationship with Noro, and this yarn is no different. I purchased this a while back to make a sideways vest from the new Noro book. I swatched and swatched to get the right gauge and finally decided that I was being foolish. A sideways vest looks great but can be a big disaster if it doesn't fit right. I speak with full experience on this matter. If you make a sideways sweater there isn't a great way to fix the problem of it being too big. There aren't any seams...so it is rip, rip, rip.

I decided to go back to a tried and true classic vest that has ample room for fixing errors in the size. From the Noro Joy book I give you Marina. I have made this before in a colorway I adore, so I knew I could make it, I just wasn't sure I was going to like the results.

I'm not sure I actually do like it, but what I do like is that it is finished. I knew this colorway was not for me, yet when the Noro fumes overtook me at the yarn store it ended up in my basket.

I love the vest below also made from Noro, Silk Garden if I recall correctly. I decided to make the new version about two inches longer for a little variety and to use up more yarn.

These colors are much more my style. I will try to take a picture of the new vest on me tomorrow. I am hoping it looks better than it does in the pictures.

I am off to the yarn store in Tampa after work today. I am looking for some yarn to make one of two amazing crochet projects from the new Interweave Crochet magazine. I have made two separate attempts to find yarn for these projects with no luck. I have looked online but have not been thrilled with my choices, and I have to say I love to feel yarn before I purchase it. Wish me luck and give me strength to stay away from the wall of Noro Yarn that will be beckoning me.

A New Look

2012-01-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

I think it is about time that I have an updated look for Mereknits. But there is a big problem, I am technology challenged. I have yet to figure out how to take a picture on my Android 4g phone, I can barely text, and I do so using one finger to punch in the letters at a time. I am hopeless. I work with special needs children, mostly babies in need of a lot of help. My brain and my hands know what to do when I touch a baby. I can tell you what is going on with their development within seconds. But change something on my blog....no way.

This is where my incredible, wonderful, perfect, stunning, beautiful and talented sister Claudia comes along. She is the one who got me into this blogging business to begin with, and for that I am eternally thankful. I was chatting with Claudia yesterday, whining a bit about my blog being sooooooooo outdated. She said she would update it and here you have my new look. After a few questions from her about the feel I was looking for, I drove to work and she created my new look all the way from New York. That works for me. I think it looks fantastic, and frankly I think Claudia should go into business helping the technology challenged bloggers such as myself create the blog they envision, just can't create on their own. I feel like I just had the best haircut in the world, or I suddenly got into terrific physical shape without even trying. A whole new me!

What do you think? If you love it please let me know and let Claudia know, too. I think she deserves it after all her beautiful work. Thanks Claudia, if I haven't told you lately I am sure a lucky girl to have you as a sister.

Three & Four

2012-01-15T16:47:00.000-08:00

First let me thank you for all the lovely comments on my weaving how-to post. Bloggers love a good how-to don't they? Are you sick of my shawls yet? These are my latest. It takes me about 8 hours each, give or take an hour to complete a shawl. Some shawls are so simple, but others the yarn breaks and breaks, which makes the whole process a lot longer. You can tell my life is ever so exciting as I am churning these babies out left and right.

I have been weaving obsessed as you can see. Maybe I should rename my blog to Mereweaves. There has been very little knitting here and the only crochet I have done was the edge I put on the shawl below, after I took the picture. The shawl above was made from you guessed it...Universal Yarns Classic Shades in Wine. Love the color, but I will tell you this yarn was constantly pulling apart on me. I was getting very frustrated but was able to get it finished, and I think it looks pretty nice.

This purple shawl was made from Berroco Lustra, silk yarn and a bit of mohair. It is a lot more beautiful in person, the color is amazing. I took this picture in the late afternoon in the shadows so it is not all that lovely based on this picture.

I have at least one more shawl to finish before I ship these to my sister. Then I think I need to get a little motivated on a crochet project. I have been searching for something to knock my socks off and I may have found it in the latest issue of Interweave Crochet. If you are a crochet fan I think you will love this magazine, there are several projects I would like to make in it so I bet you would find something to motivate you, too. I would love to know what project you are working on that knocks your socks off!

Hope you all had a great weekend and are staying warm if you are in the US. If it is chilly in Florida I know it is chilly where you are. Have a great week.

Let's Weave

2012-01-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the corner of my bedroom where I have my wonderful loom. This loom is different than what you think of a traditional loom. It is The Sprigg's Adjustable Rectangle Loom from Hillcreek Fiber Studio.

When you think of weaving, I think most of us think of a large floor loom with a warp and weft. This loom is amazing and comes in several sizes and shapes. I believe they have a triangle and square loom in various sizes as well as their rectangle loom. I am more of a rectangle girl so I decided that this was the loom for me. I had observed some women working on the triangle loom while visiting a yarn store and I was hooked, or should I say obsessed right away.

To start you think about how big (wide and long) you would like your project. You change the width and length of the loom by changing the screws on the back of the loom. The rule of thumb here is that the length has to be a multiple of the width. So for shawls I have decided that there has to be 60 nails for the width and 180 for the length. There is a continuous strand of yarn that will end up being your warp and weft. Lets take a look. First you make a slip knot and put it in the upper left corner. From there you you count out 60 nails (they are marked every 10 nails) at the bottom and move your yarn under the 60th nail. Next you move to the top and go around the 120th nail and back to the bottom for nail number 120 which is in the lower right hand corner. (It looks like a zig zag)

Moving counterclockwise around the bottom nail, you move the yarn to the nails just to the left of your first nails and you are thus establishing a pattern. When you make it back to the top left hand corner, your yarn goes under the first piece of yarn and on to the nail on the right.

As you move down to the bottom you will start to weave your yarn. There will be areas that you will weave your yarn (moving left to right) and areas that self weave (moving right to left) because you have a continuous strand of yarn. I know it sounds a bit confusing but it is easy peasy.

Here we have several more repetitions but the thought is the same. You can see how it grows and what the weaving looks like as you progress.

Initially I like to weave using just my hands, and actually some people like to do this the whole project, but I end up using this long wooden hook to pull my yarn through once the project gets to be too wide for my hands. I think it keeps the yarn more taunt, and is faster for me.

I also us a wide tooth comb to push the fibers together to help create a straighter line.

The very last portion is done with this crochet hook that has an eye like a needle. Thread the eye portion and weave it through the remaining portion using the crochet hook as a giant needle.

I always add fringe while the project is still on the loom.

Then I carefully place the loom on the floor. And then very, and I mean very carefully I take a very small crochet hook and start to unhook the top of the project from the loom. I usually start in the upper right corner and move myself across the top as fast and as careful as possible. This can make or break your project. After all your hard work, if you snag this portion your project is a done and in the trash bin..

Hopefully most of your projects will end up like this.

I have learned a few things from the gazillion mistakes I have made while weaving. Wool catches upon itself and will often pull apart just when you are at the end of your loop, and you will have to pull that portion out and start again. This happens especially towards the end of the project, try not to scream, just re thread and try again. A single ply yarn, while soft and yummy may not be your best bet for a larger project, (please see above). The softer and yummier the yarn the easier it pulls apart just when you don't want it to. Always start new yarn on the left side at the beginning of your loop, the tails are later incorporated into fringe. The best thing I have learned is that this is really fun and a great way to play with yarn. The shawls I have been weaving take about 400 yards of yarn, which includes the fringe. You can go crazy with different yarns and ribbons, all of which I have done before. But for these etsy shop shawls I wanted to be a little more conservative and let the beauty of the yarn speak for itself.

Hope I haven't confused you too much. You all know how yarn obsessed I am, weaving is just another fantastic way to play with yarn.

Two

2012-01-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to show you finished project number two for the year. This shawl was made from a combination Cascade Eco Duo and Alpaca yarn I had in my stash. I actually tried to make this pattern on purpose, changing the yarn type every ten pegs on my loom. I think it has made an interesting plaid that is subtle but adds some depth to the shawl.

THis shawl is very soft, can't you just picture it with jeans and a white t-shirt? Of course that is the way I imagine every shawl, as you can see I am not a fancy girl. In my dream life I am standing on a wide front porch of a very old home calling my kids into dinner, with a gorgeous shawl wrapped around my shoulders. Ah.... a girl can dream.

I have wrapped up three shawls and the red scarf all from my loom, ready to ship to my sister for her etsy store. I have two more shawls in my head if not on my loom, then I will switch to a few scarves.

When I made my green shawl I took lots of pictures of how it was made. Is anyone interested in a post about weaving?

One is Done

2012-01-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

My first project of 2012 is finished. This shawl is hot off my loom. Made from Universal Yarns Classic Shades in the colorway Reef. It is 70% acrylic and 30% wool. I love this yarn and have made many projects from it is the past.

Here is a up close and personal shot of the shawl. I love the way weaving is so much different than knitting and crochet. I am still so fascinated that just manipulating yarn in some fashion creates a fabric. Whether you knit, crochet, weave or felt making a fabric is so amazing. This will soon be shipped to my sister for her soon to open etsy shop. I have one more shawl on my loom to complete before I ship everything out.

My blogging time has been extremely limited. My youngest who has been home schooled this past semester is on the computer all morning and I work in the afternoon. My MIL is also visiting so my time at the computer is even more scarce. She is 93 and worth every second I can spend with her, so I promise that I will try to pop by and visit all of you this weekend when I get the chance.

I think it is time to start thinking about investing in a lap top, but I hesitate as I would much rather spend money on yarn.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the New Year so far. We started ours off with a new water heater....hmmmm not the way I wanted my first purchase of the New Year to go. But you forget how much you use hot water until yours is limited.

Happy Weekend.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T10:39:00.000-08:00

2011 has been a rough year. I can't say I am sad to see it go. The ups and downs have been crazy. Some things I have shared with all of you and a lot I have not. But thinking back on it, it is a year I have survived and hopefully grown stronger, more compassionate and hopeful. This year I have made hexagon bags, Japanese flower shawls and scarves, baby blankets, and a knitted dress. I have crocheted little purses, many scarves and cowls and completed several scarves and shawls on my loom. I have been productive through all the ups and downs with yarn being my constant companion. I have said it a million times that I think working with yarn in some form actually saves my life. It centers me and calms me down when I feel like I am going crazy. It challenges me in many different ways and makes me totally exasperated when a project doesn't work. And the brilliant thing is when my project is not working out, or just back talking me too much I can put it in time out, or just plain throw it away. Yes the dress made from corn fiber yarn is still in time out and remember my circle vest disaster...it went in the trash bin long ago. If only life were that easy.

I like to start the New Year on a fresh note. Today I took down every Christmas item in my home and packed it away. The tree came down and is at the curb with all the ornaments nestled back in their boxes. The beds have been changed and the bathrooms cleaned. After I make a batch of agave sweetened cookies the kitchen will be cleaned. When I go to bed on New Year's Eve I like everything to be in its place so we start the New Year with a fresh clean slate. I am getting ready for the change from the old year to the next. Last year bloggers were very big into picking a word to represent their upcoming year. I did not do it last year but I know I have no choice this year. My word is CHANGE whether I like it or not. My Mother will not make it through the year, she is hanging on by a thread and seems to rally here and there, but I know her time is very limited. My Dad will not ever adjust to her loss. My son will graduate and head off to college in the late summer. My youngest will hopefully transition out of puberty which has been extremely hard on him. And while it is all happening I will have yarn in my hands and blog friends to see me through.

My wish for you my dear friends is a New Year that brings you and your loved ones health, peace and happiness. I know many of you have suffered a tough year for medical, financial, or personal reasons. I wish for you to meet the challenges of the New Year with grace, patience and love. We are all so blessed to have each other in this wonderful blog universe. I am thankful for all of you everyday. Tonight I will be home waiting up for my oldest to return. At the stroke of midnight I will say a prayer for a better 2012 and I will include all of you.

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve and a blessed 2012.

52 & 53 and I think we are done.....

2011-12-29T16:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday week. I have been missing in action, missing in blog action that is. I have been taking a bit of a blog break so I have lots to catch up on, on all of your wonderful blogs. These flowers above were sent to us on Christmas Eve as a wonderful surprise from some lovely friends. They are so gorgeous I had to share them with you.

My favorite Christmas gift was from my friend Lynda in North Carolina. She found these little felt birds at a farmers market she frequents. Are they not the cutest things you have ever seen?

Look at this adorable hat this grey bird is wearing.

And the red bird with her scarf and holly leaf and berries. These lovely creatures just may be displayed all year, I can't imagine putting them in a box up in my attic.

When I have a spare moment in the months of December or January you can usually find me in my bedroom on my loom. I have been weaving instead of sitting at my computer and blogging, let me show you what I made. The grey shawl/scarf above is made with very lite weight acrylic yarn with tiny sequins in it. You can just barely see them in the picture above. It is soft and really beautiful. There is a tiny problem....I goofed up on the loom by turning the first corner in the wrong direction and made a beautiful shawl with a big flaw. You can not see it in this picture but the very last section of yarn to be weaved in couldn't be, so I have a double strand that just makes the whole thing wrong. I can use this as a scarf all bunched up so no one sees my mistake, but I know it is there so I would never give this to anyone.

Hot off my loom is this lovely shawl. It is made of my favorite yarn Cascade Eco Duo a combination of baby alpaca and wool. Oh I wish you could feel how soft and yummy this shawl is. I think this could be a shawl for so many purposes.

I decided to try a crochet border on this and I love it. I think it gives the shawl a bit more stability and finishes off the edges a little bit more professionally.

The grey color of the shawl varies which creates a bit of interest and depth. So those are finished projects number 52 and 53 for me for the year. I am pretty sure that will be it for 2011, well unless I go crazy and finish my Noro vest or get another shawl done quickly.

My sister Claudia of Mockingbird Hill Cottage fame is opening an etsy shop. I think I will be placing a few things in it as I really don't have time to keep my own etsy shop up and running. I will be placing a few woven items in hers when she is ready. I'll let you know when it is open just in case you are interested.

I hope that you are all having a great week and I promise to start getting caught up on your blogs very soon...well when I can pull myself away from my loom that is.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T06:36:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful blogging friends. Hope you have a safe and wonderful Holiday filled with love and Peace.

Some Last Minute Projects and a Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

I have been busy this week trying to get some last minute things completed. Have I wrapped presents? No. Sent cards? No, for the first time in 20 years. I have been busy and trying to carve out a little time to myself. When things are really crazy around my house, or when I just need some time to myself I often retreat to my room where I can work on whatever project is on my loom. I have showed you my rectangle loom before. I had it set up to make this long cotton scarf and I have been piddling away on it whenever I get the chance.

This loom is really interesting. You can only set it up so the side width is divisible by the length. Which is often the exact width and length you think you would like until you take everything off the loom and the width suddenly becomes a lot smaller and the length a lot longer.

This simple cotton yarn I got on sale at my local yarn shop was perfect for this weaving project. It had a good soak and the fibers really connected beautifully. See the spaces when the scarf is on the loom? They have come together beautifully in the finished product. I love weaving, it is such a nice way to work with yarn.

As the scarf above is finished projects number 50 for me for the year, below is 51. This quick shawl is a present for my friend Terri. She doesn't read my blog so I am safe showing it to all of you. This yarn came in a big ball with the fringe already cut up from Alp Oriental Just For You. Do you remember the last shawl I knitted and posted about a few days ago, a gift from my friend Amy? This is the same pattern. You get this beautiful ball of yarn, cast on and start knitting. As you move on the yarns change so it is really fun to see what is next. Terri's favorite color is purple so when I saw this I knew I had to make it for her.

I hope she likes it. It isn't very long and I wish they had more fringe but other than that it was a fun, quick knit to make for a friend.

Her Highness reached her peak in color two days ago. I couldn't grab my camera to catch her beauty, but I think she still looks amazing. I decided to read up about the Orchid Cactus or better known as the Christmas Cactus. Basically everything I read I am doing wrong. She gets too much sun and water. I never prune back her leaves. I don't put her in a dark room with very little water for two months so she will bloom. So I am just going to keep doing what I was before, lots of sun and water, and lots of humidity. I will bring her in if we get near freezing and I will continue to re-pot her as she needs that every year.

I leave you with a knitting Santa and an Elf holding a ball of yarn. Love this gift from some friends a few years ago.

Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-15T07:41:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I scoff at putting up a tree for Christmas. I know it is most un-holiday like of me but I still feel that way every year, that is until it is up. Last night we put up our tree with two grumbling boys that would rather be doing there own thing. But as we put up the ornaments it became a trip down memory lane.

The first ornament to go on the tree is the oldest one we have. It comes from my husbands grandparents. It is so fragile I only let him handle it.

I love the ornaments that remind me of the special stages of my kids lives. My youngest was in love with Laa-Laa the Teletubby. He was even dressed as her for Halloween one year. She was his best friend for years and was like another family member of ours.

As you know my oldest son swims and so this is a special ornament. When he is older an puts it on his own tree it will be a reminder of a sport that he excelled at and that was such a big part of his life.

The most precious ornaments are those that my boys have made. Here is my oldest in kindergarten. A cupcake paper, a picture and glitter how simple but it means so much.

My youngest in his kindergarten ornament in his favorite Packer outfit and stickers of all of the things he liked, which were apparently trucks.

This ornament was in my fathers family. It was the first one we put on the tree when I was young. I keep it in a special china cabinet as it was damaged when I inherited it, and it has never hung on my own tree. It is so special thinking of all the Christmas' it has seen. All the past family members that have celebrated around the tree where this was hanging. Christmas is a wonderful season and I will take my old, worn out ornaments any day to a fancy theme tree will all the flash and glitz of modern life.

A Christmas Tour

2011-12-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Since I have not been knitting, crocheting or doing anything with yarn. I thought I would drop in some Christmas pictures so you can think that I have at least been doing something.

Hanging in my hallway. My favorite St. Nick.

This cloth Santa sits on my wooden rocking cow.

My yarn ball Santa purchased last year.

My felted ball Santa purchased a few weeks ago.

On my mantle is my collection of Santa's. In Florida we have these huge boxed mantles. I hate mine. You see I am a very old soul. I love old things with meaning. I fell better around older furniture and houses with character. I would love a big wooden mantle with a mirror hanging over it. I would love to decorate it for each season instead of this monster.

I surround myself with antiques and things that have an older feel about them. People are always surprised when they come in my home because it feels much more like a northern home than one located in the sun state.

This is my hall tree. A very fun place for me to display all sorts of fun things. This big stuffed Santa has been with us for 19 years, he is still in pretty good shape even after years of being climbed on and wrestled by two little boys. To the left are my Grandfather's golf clubs. He made them himself and taught my father how to play golf with them.

Hope Christmas is popping up all over your home and you are finding sometime to catch your breath in this busy time of year.

Ms Cactus and 47,48 & 49

2011-12-10T11:58:00.001-08:00

Here is my finished projects number 47 and 48. A drop stitch scarf and another crochet cowl. I am officially done with cowls. I have made way too many of them this season. I have enough for lots of presents so that is perfect, but I am done I tell you, done.

This is number 49. This is the beautiful yarn my friend Amy gave me for hosting the Holiday Knitting party this year. The yarn is Feza, Alp Oriental, Just for you. It comes in a big ball with the fringe already made up. It was a very fast knit and I love the way it looks. I have been spending hour after hour watching my son swim by live feed from Austin, TX. I was unable to go to this meet so I have been sitting on my behind knitting away. This yarn changes as you go so it keeps your interest even if the pattern is really simple. My son did not do well these past few days, actually he did horrible so having the comfort of yarn in my hands has been a help. Can you see what is peeking out the left side of the picture?

Ms. Cactus is in all her glory right now. I am stunned by the beauty of this cactus. And let me just say she is huge! I got her three years ago as a small plant for my kitchen table. I have re-potted her three times and I just might have to do it again after this flowering cycle. She loves this spot on my lanai, I move her in only when temps drop down to freezing.

Ms. Cactus you are so gorgeous, I hope all these compliments do not go to your head!

Happy Weekend.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-05T08:59:00.001-08:00

I have been in a little frump about Christmas. I usually am this time of year. Trying to get everything done for Christmas while doing everything else I usually do definitely makes me a Christmas Grump.

I decided to try to make some Christmas items to brighten my home and help to put me in the Christmas Spirit.

I made this very funny looking Christmas tree from an idea posted by The Lazy Hobby Hopper. This is a pattern from Michael's. I have to admit that I am not that great at following directions so this is my free form attempt at a Christmas Tree.

With a few decorations it doesn't look so bad. My sons thought I was a crazy woman decorating this tree.

Here it is next to my beautiful Christmas cactus. It is starting to bloom and boy is it beautiful.

As I live in Florida and we are not going to have a white Christmas so I decided to make some snowflakes to brighten my windows. You all know this pattern from Lucy at Attic 24. For the life of me my link did not work with the crochet snowflake, hope you can find the pattern somewhere on her blog. I am sure there are many more snowflake patterns out there in blog land to make if you can't find this one.

I have them in my family room and kitchen windows and love to see them spinning gently in the breeze.

I have made a whole bunch, they are fast and fun. I am making four more for coasters for an extra present for a friend.

And a very special thanks for all your lovely friendship comments in my last post. You all mean so much to me.

And a very, very, very special thanks to two very special blog friends for giving me the Liebster Blog Award. I am just so touched that you would think that I am worthy. Mary Margaret at The Worry Bird and Liz at Crochet in Color. Mary Margaret is going through a fascinating journey, please head over to wish her well. Liz makes these unbelievable crochet projects, you will be amazed at her gift. I love awards but I have such a hard time deciding who should get one. I love all of you so much so I am giving one to everyone who visits Mereknits. You all brighten my day and I am thankful for all of you.

Knitting Group

2011-12-03T05:40:00.001-08:00

Today I read a study in the newspaper that said our close friends have dropped from three to two in the past decade. That sounds so sad to me. Friends are what keep us going in good times and bad. I consider myself very lucky. I have some wonderful friends. I'd say I have three extremely close friends, and many more that I can count on. I have friends from college that I don't talk to very often, but would fly across the country in a minute if I needed them. What I don't think the study took into account is blogging friends. We are there for each other, sending congratulations when necessary and prayers and positive thoughts when needed. Friendship takes on all sorts of different forms these days, it may not be as traditional as in years past but it is just as important for our well-being.

These lovely ladies arrived at my home yesterday for our annual Knitting Group Holiday Party. I had them over for lunch, which I forgot to take a picture of to show all of you I really can cook, well occasionally anyway. I really like this group of women. We are all so different but yet have knitting or crochet in common. My good friend Amy (peeking her head out in the middle of the picture) formed this group several years ago. I had had a group at my house for several years and did not want the responsibility anymore so Amy picked up the slack. We meet twice a month at each others homes. It is just a lovely way to connect.

We swap presents, and yes these women can be brutal swapping your present right off your lap. I got this lovely Noro....yes my love/hate with Noro will continue for a while longer.

As I was the hostess I received these lovely yarn ball ornaments.

And Amy gave me this very fun shawl project. I think I will be hosting again next year to get more fun surprises. For my present I made a Queen Anne Lace scarf and had a wonderful skein of yarn, hope that it was well liked by the recipient.

I am blessed to have wonderful women in my life. I am including all of you in that statement. I have grown to cherish all of my blogging friends.

So here is to all of you out there in blogging-land. Hope you have a wonderful, safe and healthy weekend. Hope you find time to do something you really love during this crazy time of year.

Christmas Gifts

2011-12-01T18:28:00.001-08:00

I have been making Christmas gifts here and there for several months now. When I am done I throw them in a plastic bin in my closet. I just keep adding and pile one project on top of another. I think it is time to see what is in there don't you?

My bin is a bit overloaded. Lets take a peek.

Wow, there is more than I remember. The ones I am not giving away for one reason or another have been taken out of the pile, so lets see what is left.

Four scarves.

Six cowls.

Two shawls.

A very dark picture of the remaining cowl I have to finish. This is my car project and has not been worked on for some time.

And my last scarf, a drop stitch pattern with chunky yarn. I should be able to finish this in no time.

It will be so fun to wrap these all up and send them on their way for Christmas.

How are you doing on your Christmas projects?

45

2011-11-28T08:45:00.001-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, from the look at all of your blogs it sure looks that way. I wanted to give you a quick look at my finished project number 45. A Queen Anne Lace Scarf made out of bulky weight yarn. It definitely changes the feel of the scarf being made in a bulky weight, but I still think it is lots of fun.

The colors are really beautiful, but you know my photography skills...they are questionable at best, especially on a rainy day.

This is made with Lang Yarns Mille Fiamme, a yarn new to me. It is 50% wool and 50% acrylic. Loved the feel of the yarn and it was very easy to work with. I have two more skeins to make another scarf for a Christmas present for a friend. This scarf is a birthday present for my friend Lori.

Look here at my Christmas cactus, she is about ready to burst. I can't wait to see her in full bloom. Hope you are all happy and healthy.

An Early Thanksgiving Wish

2011-11-22T16:16:00.001-08:00

I have a lot to be thankful for this year even though this one goes down as one of my tougher years. I love Thanksgiving as it gives me time to reflect on just how very fortunate I am in so many ways. One thing I am especially happy about is the completion of my kitchen, which happened this afternoon. Want to peek?

Can I tell you how much I love it? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! It is finished, cleaned, cleaned some more and finally everything put back in its place. Hooray! We are finally finished.

My very dear friend Lynda sent me these lovely Thanksgiving themed figures as an early Christmas present. I think they are adorable. I love their smiles, you can almost feel their Joy.

They were the only Thanksgiving decoration I had out this year. The kitchen redo has definitely cut into my decorating these past few months.

I am off to Wisconsin tomorrow for a visit with all of my husbands family. So I will leave you with these smiles and hope that all of you have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving .

Sisters

2011-11-21T08:39:00.001-08:00

Today is my sisters birthday. I want everyone to pop over to Claudia's blog and wish her the best. You see I am blessed to have Claudia in my life. She takes her job as my big sister very seriously. She is always there for me through all the crazy ups and downs of my life. These past few months have been a very stressful time for me in so many ways. I am blessed to have someone who is always there to listen.

When I was little Claudia shared a room with my other sister and me. She was the oldest girl in my family and was always there to tuck us in at night or calm us down when we were scared. She has had to help through middle school traumas, high school dramas and college craziness. She has always been the calm in my storm. She has always been wiser than me and there to give her advice when needed or just to be there to listen. She loves my boys fiercely and loves me even more.

I have another sister that is three years older than me. She is, well how can I say this nicely, estranged from the entire family with the exception of my parents. We were very close growing up, almost like twins in that we shared almost everything. When that started to change I am not sure, but now I haven't talked to her in years and she has not seen my parents in 10 years. She will talk to them occasionally on the phone, but ten years???? Really that is inexcusable. I am here taking care of my parents for the most part, but Claudia is a mere phone call away. She will visit when she can, and she does so much for my Dad talking to him everyday, or several times a day really helps to take the load off me. Knowing I have her ear at anytime day or night is such a blessing.

So I have the both the good and bad of having sisters. Because of this I realize how fortunate I am to have a sister that cares and that I am close to even if we are miles apart. Sisters are a blessing, well those that care are. So if you have a wonderful sister in your life tell her you love her today. And please pop onto Claudia's blog and give her a special Happy Birthday for me.

Dear Noro

2011-11-17T03:40:00.001-08:00

Dear Noro,

I feel like I had no one else to turn to so I decided to write to you. You see Noro I have a love/hate relationship with you. I see you lined up on the shelves of a yarn store and I get wooed by your brilliant colors. I tell myself, "No", again and again but you always win out. After much deliberating I purchase your high priced yarn and I bring you home.

I am a bit of a yarn snob and so you fit right into my stash. You can mingle with all of my alpaca and silk and don't even blink when I put you next to my Autumn or new Lang Mille Fiamme. You can hold your own in any stash. When I reach for you to make a project I know will not be appropriate for your loveliness I can not stop myself. It is like the Noro Fairy comes out and sprinkles Noro fairy dust all over me making me lose all knitting sense.

Take this lovely Queen Anne Lace Scarf. I was looking for a beautiful scarf to make as a Christmas present for my knitting group Christmas Exchange. You Noro Kureyon jumped out of my stash so fast I couldn't believe it. I didn't even remember you were there. I knew I should not be swayed by your colorway and your lovely yarn fumes. Yet I picked up my size J hook and got to work. I worked on you while waiting for my son's state swim meet to start. Your scratchiness was distracting, yet I kept on. I knew I should stop and use you for a felting project because you were so rough in my hands, I was nervous about the swim meet and didn't have another project so I kept at it. So here we are today, with a beautiful yet extremely scratchy scarf that will be washed a million times yet never be right.

Noro books you are not off the hook either. I get wooed by your glossy photos of people having a lovely time in your Noro goodness. I buy you even though I try to resist.

Then I almost hyperventilate until I can buy more of your over priced yarn to make another project. Noro Taiyo you caught my eye even though your depth of color does not show up in these pictures. I have been waiting with much anticipation until I could cast you on. I have ignored that your yarn has broke now several times as I have tried to implement a crochet cast on. Do I stop and think this may not work? No because you are Noro and you have powers over me that I can't seem to control.

Will I still love you tomorrow when I am frustrated with this vest? Probably not but I know your power and I will sucumb to you again.

Thanks for listening,
Meredith

Busy, Busy...Part II

2011-11-13T18:01:00.001-08:00

The correct granite arrived at my house on Tuesday. I love it. It goes so nicely with my cherry cabinets. And it is THE correct granite, the granite I have now had to approve in person, twice. At least they got it right this time.

On Wednesday they installed my sink and faucet!!!!! Okay I know I am overly excited but a sink to use in the kitchen, I am thrilled. The garbage disposal broke when the plumber removed it so it was another day before we actually had a functioning sink. I was in Orlando at my sons swim meet when it was fully installed, so when I returned home at 12:30 AM, the first thing I did was turn on this faucet. Fun, fun, fun I'll tell you after all this time without running water in my kitchen.

While at the meet I received 4 calls from my tile guy. There has been a mix up, not enough border tile ordered, ten more days.......... whatever just give me somewhere to wash my dishes and put on a pot of water and I am happy. What is ten more days at this point?

The tile will go here, too. But for now we get to look at this.

The electrician comes tomorrow to fix all of these.

My bathroom is almost finished. The painter comes tomorrow to paint this room, and touch up all the hundreds of places in need of serious help after this renovation. Some of them were in need of serious help before the renovation, but now they look even worse.

My laundry room is finished. New floors and cabinets.

My new kitchen floors look great against the cherry cabinets.

And last but not least I have finished my last Rustic Autumn Shawl from Knit Purl Gurl. I made this out of Red Heart Boutique Treasure and I have to say I am not in love with the yarn. It looks beautiful but the yarn splits a lot. So I would not use this yarn again.

This shawl is a Christmas present for my son's swim coach. She is an amazing woman and has done so much for him. I wanted to make her something special, something she would have forever to remember us all by. I can never thank her enough for healing him mentally and physically, but I can knit love into this shawl, hopefully she will feel it when she wears it.

This is finished project number 44 for me for the year. Woo Hoo!

Busy, Busy....Part I

2011-11-12T05:54:00.001-08:00

This is a very busy time of year for everyone isn't it? On top of having my MIL here for almost two weeks and my kitchen still under repair, we are in the midst of our high school swim meet championship season. There has been stress, let me tell you, big stress.

This is a picture of my two sons with their Grandmother. Gracie is 93 years young and still going very, very strong. They both adore her. Having her visit with a non working kitchen was a bit of a challenge but we all survived.

This is the granite that was delivered to my home over two weeks ago. While very beautiful it is not what I ordered. You can't tell much from this picture but it has a ton, and I mean a ton of gold in it. Which would look lovely in a kitchen with dark brown cabinets, but since mine are cherry, this won't do. This error put off completion of the kitchen another 12 days.

Here is a view of my empty sink. For 6 weeks I have washed any dishes we have had in my bathroom sink. Oh how I have longed for a sink with a garbage disposal!!!!! When I started this kitchen renovation I was determined to get it done before the end of our high school swim season. They were supposed to start at the end of August. Instead they started on October 4, demolition began with dust clouds everywhere. My oldest son has mild asthma, he is the swimmer so I wanted all dust, glue, paint and mess done before his championship meets. We are still not finished and his last high school swim season is now over. So much for my plan.

As a freshman my son was on a State Championship team. That is an amazing feat. He was able to perform at the State level and earn points for his team. It was an amazing experience for all of us. A boys swim team had not won states in our county since the early 1940's. There were only two freshman on the team at that time that contributed, so for my son it was fantastic.

The hoopla this year was that our boys had a big chance to win again. Article after article in the paper mentioned it. Last year they came in second with only 5 boys participating. This year they had a bit more depth and with 3 seniors that are bigger and stronger they had a great chance.

The district meet was two weeks ago, they sailed thorough looking strong. We have one of the hardest districts in the state. Last Friday we had our Region meet and they looked great, that is except for my son who came in third in both his individual events. He was tired, sore and very worried. He was a mess all weekend and felt the weight of the world was on his shoulders. I don't understand swimming all that much but there is a science to tapering these kids, and if it isn't right they swim horribly at their one shot of success. He was worried, and so was I. These boys were under so much stress, so much was expected from them, and of course most of the pressure they were putting on themselves. This was his last chance as a high school swimmer, it meant a lot to him.

States was this past Thursday. Here is a picture of my son's coach putting a medal on my boy for a first place win in the Medley relay (above). It was the only gold medal they got.

But my son did really well. Not as good as he wanted but well just the same. Here he is with his haul. A gold for the relay, a bronze for the 200 IM, a silver in the 100 breast, a bronze in the 200 free relay and one more a gold for another state title.

What a great experience for him. Such a hard feat and to do it twice in his high school career is amazing.

Swimming isn't over, he actually has three whole days off, then it is back to training for Jr. Nationals in Austin, Texas in December. Then long course season and at the end of that he will depart for The Ohio State University. Time flies so fast, and they grow up so fast.

A Visitor

2011-11-06T08:51:00.000-08:00

This is Wrigley, he is my next door neighbor dog and he is staying with us for a sleep over.

His family went away for about 24 hours and he is under our care. Isn't he adorable? He loves to be held and to sit on your lap. They were going to leave him at home and we were supposed to walk him. But who wants to be left alone? Especially if you are this cute.

There is only one problem. You guessed it, Max. He is a bit miffed about the whole situation, but he is dealing with it.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of Halloween. It is such a fun holiday and it is my oldest son's birthday. The big 18 this year. As my house is in remodel mode I am not able to decorate so I will leave you with a picture from last year. Have a great day everyone.

It says, "I'd rather be knitting!" Isn't that the truth.

2011-10-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Crazy week = No Blogging.

Oldest son with bronchitis + approaching end of high school swim season = Not ideal situation.

Oldest son getting over bronchitis = Happiness.

Oldest son giving Mom bronchitis = Very sick Meredith.

Sick Meredith = missed week of work, missed visits with ill Mother in Nursing Home, fatigue and sore muscles from coughing.

Kitchen granite delivered on Thursday = Happiness.

Wrong granite delivered on Thursday = Big bummer as now kitchen will not be completed for two more weeks.

Mother-in-law visiting = Happiness.

Mother-in-law visiting without a functioning kitchen = Frustration.

Unpacking kitchen/laundry = Happiness.

Having to wash dishes in my bathroom sink for two more weeks = Frustration.

Unpacking, taking care of sick son, taking care of sick Me = No time for knitting or crochet.

Hope your week = Happiness!!!

42 and 43...I Think

2011-10-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have some finished projects but for the life of me I can't remember how many I have completed this year. I think I am at 42 and 43....but who knows at this point.

These circle scarves are all the rage, and I have to say I love them. The pattern is from People Webs. If you look on her side bar you will find a link to her patterns. I can't remember which of my blog friends found this first, if you are reading this let me know so I can give you credit. When I saw it I wanted to get busy right away. Well actually I did. I rummaged through my stash and found some Misti Cotton in this beautiful muted red color. I had bought two skeins a while back for 50% off so it was a great way to test this project.

The directions are pretty simple even though it took me a while to catch on. But once I did I was on a roll. I doubled up the yarn and used a size N crochet hook. I was only able to do two repeats of the pattern on the reddish scarf, but I think it is wide enough.

The grey scarf is made from The Irish Girls Merino Silk in the Dorian Grey colorway. I bought this yarn last week on my great yarn adventure down in Sarasota. Actually I bought it with this scarf in mind. Again I doubled the yarn and did about 2 1/2 repeats of the pattern. It is a bit stiffer than the cotton yarn, and I am not sure I am actually going to keep it in a circle. I may take it apart and use it just as a scarf. I'll have to try it and see.

I love scarves but I don't like things tooo tight around my neck. The pattern is beautiful enough for a circle scarf or just a regular scarf. So either way it is a win/win. I actually put it on last night right after I finished it. I have a cold and it felt so warm and cozy around my neck.

I watched the most amazing documentary last night on the Oprah Winfrey Network It was called Miss Representation a Sundance Film. It is about how women are undervalued, how our young girls and boys are routinely subject to women as sex objects and not intelligent people who make the world a better place. This is so prevalent in America it is scary. I'm not sure how it is around the world but I do know that the USA is far behind other countries as far as the ratio of women to men in politics, media, CEO's of major companies, etc. It is a sad state of affairs when women are slipping further away from equality as we progress in other areas. It gave me a lot to think about and discuss with my sons. I always try to help them understand that women are every bit as good as men (often much better in fact), and that they must treat the opposite sex with respect. The website for this amazing show is missrepresentation.org please give it a quick visit and if you get the chance to view the show I would highly recommend it.

Happy Friday.

Reality Shot Thursday

2011-10-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

Claudia my lovely sister is hosting Reality Shot Thursday. This is where we show a bit of the reality of our lives rather than the glossy, fancy photos we love to display in blog land. Today I am sending you a shot of my garage. This is where a car should be parked. As the kitchen/laundry continues to be remodeled I have not been able to get in this section of my garage for the last three weeks.

In the big wooden crate to the right is my cook top. In the middle of the picture with the dark front is my dishwasher. Can I just tell you that I am really tired of this mess? My laundry room cabinets are in boxes in the garage, and I just found out that my counters will not be going in until the 31st. Okay now I am really getting ticked off. This whole project was supposed to be started at the end of August, and finished way, and I mean way before now. I am sick of eating out. I am sick of my laundry room being in my dining room and my kitchen in my living room in boxes. Okay the pity party is over, thanks for listening and come join the fun at Reality Shot Thursday. Maybe you can get a few things off your chest, too.

This and That

2011-10-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

It is a beautiful Sunday here in sunny Florida. I am loving this weather, warm but not toooo humid. This is Autumn for us. You can take a long walk without breaking into a huge sweat.

I can not decorate for Halloween due to renovations for the kitchen/laundry. I needed Autumn to be present in my house, so I went out and bought these beautiful pumpkins for my backyard area. The green pumpkin is the most amazing color. I also bought 5 beautiful white pumpkins, I have them around my outdoor kitchen area, sorry no pictures but they are lovely. You see, I had 65 high school swimmers here last night for a progressive dinner. We ordered the food as the kitchen is still not in working order. I wanted it to look festive outside so the pumpkins did the trick. I was able to put my whole family room back together before the kids arrived. Man, what a lot of work, it almost feels like I am moving in all over again.

On Friday a few of my knitting buddies and I had a road trip down to Sarasota to visit A Good Yarn. They have moved to a new location, and boy was it worth the trip. The store is simply amazing, and the owners and all the people who work there are some of the very nicest people you will ever meet. When I walked in I was overwhelmed with yarn fumes. I think I want to move right in.

When I visit a yarn store that is not in my area, I always like to look for something unique to purchase, something I can't get near home. There were so many options at A Good Yarn, I had a hard time deciding what to buy. I finally decided on the new Knit Wear magazine, gorgeous projects and a delight to see. I also bought this beautiful Merino silk yarn from Three Irish Girls. It is soooo soft and yummy!

And look at this!!!!! Autumn, an acrylic/cotton polyester blend with buttons and these little leaves sewn right into the yarn. In the store they had this made up into a little caplet/shawl. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I couldn't resist.

So I bought two skeins to make the caplet for myself. I think I deserve a bit of a treat after the way the last few months have been working out.

I have been working on my second shawl for a Christmas present for my son's swim coach, that is when I am not cleaning. I will show you more soon.

Hope your weekend is wonderful, and that you are enjoying Autumn or Spring depending on where you are in the world.

Reality Shot Thursday

2011-10-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

My sister Claudia over at Mockingbird Hill Cottage is hosting Reality Shot Thursday. This is where we take a photo that is realistic, not all fluffed up for blog land. Today I would like you to feast your eyes on part of my bathroom which is where my dear Max has to eat, keep his toys and all his medicine and treats. He is not happy that we are renovating the kitchen/laundry. He usually eats in the kitchen like most civilized people and he naps in the laundry room. What a mess!!!!!

My poor boy has to spend time in his Dad's closet which is just no fun at all. There is all kinds of hammering and sawing which is driving us all crazy.

Maybe next week my photo will not be about my kitchen mess. Happy Reality Shot Thursday everyone. Hop on over to Claudia's blog and join the fun.

Chocolate Blanket

2011-10-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Chocolate Yarn Sucking Blanket is finished!!!!! I am so excited I can't even tell you. I don't think I am really a blanket kind of gal. I mean I love the idea of them, and they are so cozy, it is just that my attention span isn't that great.

I yearn to make something else while I am crocheting or knitting a blanket. I have to force myself into completing it.

The pattern is a simple treble crochet shell pattern. The border is 4 rows of treble crochet and the first and last seven stitches of each row are treble crochet. Easy-peasy, just a bit boring. I think my next blanket will be colorful, maybe that will help.

The yarn used on this blanket is Lion Brand Yarn Nature's Choice Organic Cotton in walnut. I ended up using about 20 skeins on a size K crochet hook. Each skein has 103 yards, not much yardage for approximately the $8.00 selling prices, but with the use of coupons averaging 40 to 50% off it worked out okay.

My youngest son loves it even though he thinks it is a bit short at 69 inches in length. It is approximately 60 inches wide, a nice blanket size for him. I think this is finished project number 41 for me but to be honest it has been so long since I finished a project I can't remember.

Hope you are all having a great Monday.

Big News

2011-10-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

After two wonderful visits, to two very good schools, my son has decided to swim at The Ohio State University next Fall. He is so happy and we are beside ourselves that this terrific program wants our son. The Head Coach is a tremendous man who wants to graduate respectable men. Swimming is important to him, but academics and respectful behavior are just as important. He treats his swimmers like family and they treat each other that way, also. I am amazed that my son is even on their radar, but they have been impressed by him, so we are doing something right. So a million thanks for all your positive thoughts, from months ago til now. He left that horrible abusive coach in March, he went to his High School Coach who is an amazing woman. She has helped to heal him on every level and he has made amazing progress in the seven months he has been with her. Now, if all continues to go as planned, next August he will be in the hands of a man that respects his swimmers and trains them well. I think our prayers have been answered.

Now onto my kitchen. What a mess. The contents of my laundry room are now in my dining room. My fish tank is on the back corner of my table, can you find it?

My kitchen is in my living room. Well we don't actually have a living room, we have a place for my piano. Every surface of my house is covered in a layer of dust from when the tiles were broken up and removed. I look like I live in a bad episode of Hoarders. I expect the television crew to pull up any time now and stage an intervention. I can hear them now, "Lady, you just have to get this mess under control !!!!!" I couldn't agree more.

Happy weekend everyone!

Reality Shot Thursday

2011-10-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

My sister Claudia over at the famous, well at least famous to me blog Mockingbird Hill Cottage has created a very fun thing to do with your blog on Thursdays. It is called Reality Shot Thursday and I just love the idea. Blogs everywhere show us amazing pictures, but they don't always show us reality. I mean don't we always try to put our best foot forward to our blogging friends? I have to admit I love an honest blog. I love when people write about what is really happening in their lives, not just cheery posts that make me feel I am crazy because so much is going on in my life, that my head is spinning. So with that idea my sister has taken it a step further with pictures. Every Thursday you submit a reality shot of something in your home, life, etc. Jump on her blog and take a look, I think you will find it liberating.

So today's reality shot for me is my kitchen, or lack of kitchen. Here it is, the cabinets are gone and as of today so is the tile. There is a massive cloud of dust hanging in the air so I am glad I took these photos yesterday. I hope you like my reality shot of the day, visit Claudia's blog and join in the fun.

Thanks Kate!!!!!!

2011-10-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

Can I show you the goodies that arrived in the mail today? I won a wonderful give-away from the fabulous Kate at The Garden Bell. It is the very first time I have ever won a give-away, and I am just so thrilled.

Kate has a fantastic blog. She lives in the Chicago area and visits close to me in Florida every year. The Garden Bell is a very special place to visit. The music is fantastic, the stories are superb and well the crochet is amazing.

Do you want to see? Come on I'll show you.

Here we go. I am so excited I can hardly control myself.

Look at all these lovely gift items. Spooky shortbread cookies, Pumpkin Bread mix, yum, I can almost smell it cooking right now, Herbs de Provence Seasoning, Orange Sapphire fragrance mist, and a lovely phone holder, and pasta. But wait there is more......

A beautiful crochet pillow. You can not even imagine how beautiful and soft it is. The colors are perfect. One side looks like this.

And the other looks like this!

Look at the detail on the edging, wow! Kate you are a master of crochet and I am just so honored to have this amazing pillow. I still consider myself a crochet novice, and based on this pillow I have a lot to learn. Kate, again I want to thank you for your wonderful give-away.
You made my day!

Fun In The Mail

2011-10-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

This morning Autumn is peeking its head out here in Florida. No we don't have leaves changing, or pumpkins in the fields. We had a very slight change in temperature and humidity levels. Subtle would be the correct word. I kept myself in bed a little longer this morning and when I got up and opened the back door, well let me just say the humidity didn't know my socks off. Max and I went for a morning walk and I wasn't covered in sweat. It was under 70 this morning and is supposed to only be a high of 84! I know that is a heat wave for some of you but living in Florida it almost makes it feel chilly. My youngest son asked what the smell was in the air, and I told him low humidity, it is actually a lack of smell in the air. I think he thinks I have lost my marbles. He may be right.

I am sending our local baseball team the Rays all the positive energy I can muster. After an incredible season our little Rays have made it into the post season as a wild card team. They have a salary of 41 million, take that Yankees at 204 million. They remind me of the story of The Little Engine That Could..... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. It has been one very exciting season to watch. Sorry Sox fans, (Claudia, my sister). Keep your fingers crossed for them.

Now onto all the fun. My friend Robin at My Nest of Yarn and Buttons is making some really fun crochet hooks. She has just opened her own etsy shop and they appear to be selling like hot cakes. Would you like to see the treat that came in the mail?

Robin wraps each package in pretty paper.

Each hook comes in its own special pouch.

Here they are!!!! Robin made a special hook for me in size K, the size needed to make the Big Chocolate Yarn Sucking Blanket for my son. Can you even imagine how much more fun it will be to crochet the brown blanket with a polka dot covered crochet hook? When I went online to Robin's store to order my hook I just had to choose another one, too. Size, G is a pinkish watercolor, wow. Thanks Robin I think you are going to have many hooks to make in your future.

As always a special thanks for all your kind words. Blog friends are the best, they send you love, prayers and positive thoughts from all over the world. They make time for you even though they already have enough on their plate, again....thanks.

Happy Weekend, and Go Rays!!!!!!!!!

Grateful

2011-09-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Since the end of August my head has been spinning with all that has to be done. My Mother was hospitalized twice and went into rehab. My Dad is not doing well with her absence. She was supposed to be discharged yesterday on my Dad's 88th Birthday, but is instead going to be placed in the nursing home portion of the facility. She is declining, and it is hard to see from every angle. My sons started school and now my youngest is now in a home bound school program as he has been ill. Everyday when I say, "What could possibly happen now?" Something does. So today is a day to find things to be grateful for.

Max is always available for a belly rub, a paw holding, or a nice walk.

Beautiful flowers to remind me a Autumn. I usually decorate for Autumn and Halloween, Halloween being my favorite holiday, but this year decorating has been put on hold because we are finally starting a kitchen renovation next week. It is 6 weeks late, but it is starting.

My friend Lynda who lives in North Carolina presses fall leaves for me every year. She keeps them until the next Fall then mails them to me. These beauties arrived the day after my last post, when Max and I went looking for Autumn. Who knew we had to look in my mailbox?

Family changes as your kids get older. You know less and less about what your kids are up to, you just hope they are making the right decisions. This little angel hangs in my family room, she reminds me everyday to be thankful for my family, whatever shape we are in.

I have been so busy that crochet and knit time is hard to find. So when I am able to even get one row of my son's Chocolate Yarn Sucking Blanket done I am so grateful. We are at a whopping 48 inches long, I get so excited until I hold it up to him and realize I have at least 24 inches to go.

My oldest was in his high school conference swim meet this past Saturday. At the meet there were 7 records broken and he was involved in 4 of them. Two relay records and 2 individual for him. His 100 breast stroke, broke an 18 year old record! He is looking strong, healthy and swimming well for this point in the season. But best of all after breaking his last record, his coach ran to him and they hugged right on deck, the biggest hug you have ever seen. That is worth all the grief has has had to put up with in the past from his previous coach. He is off to LSU this weekend for his second recruiting trip, send him positive thoughts if you have any to spare.

I think I am going to try and find some more positive things to blog about, I think it really helps. Hope your Thursday is calm and full of love.

Autumn where are you?

2011-09-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Blogs everywhere are saying that Autumn is in the air. A change in temperature, change in leaf color, a shortening of the day. The smell of a fireplace, crisp leaves to walk on, well you get the idea. I live in Florida. Autumn is my very favorite time of year, and frankly a season I do not get to experience. So Max and I went out this morning to see if we could see any traces of Fall.

Are you Ready?

Autumn are you hiding in my maple tree?

Are you hiding in the swamp behind my house? No, but I bet there is an alligator in there.

Are you on the road?

Wait, what is this? A leaf with some color!

Not even in the poison oak hanging from a tree is turning colors.

Suddenly, a peek through the trees and what did we see? A little bit of color that isn't a shade of green.

Max and I had a lovely time even if it is hot and humid and Autumn is far, far away from us. Hope you are experiencing all the beauty this season has to offer.

Mish-Mash

2011-09-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

I have so many little things to chat about today that you are in for a mish-mash of a post. Is mish-mash even a word? Well if it isn't I now declare it to be one!

First on the list is a big thank you for all of your kind thoughts for my son. Leave it to blogger friends to always make you feel better. He LOVED Ohio State. If there was a bigger word to use than love, I think that is how he felt. The Head Coach was, "the nicest man I have ever met." A direct quote I heard twice and was texted to me once. The swimmers were really a great group of guys. There is no hazing, which I like and apparently they act like a family, there for each other all the time. He loved the campus, the football game, the weather, (we'll see about that during the winter months). Well he just loved everything. So lets hope they loved him, too.

On the knitting/crochet front there is not a lot of news. I have been crunched for time, finding that many days I do not even have time to knit or crochet a row. How sad is that? Above you will see my second attempt at the Rustic Autumn Shawl from Knit Purl Girl. The KAL is over but the pattern remains a beauty. I am making this out of Red Heart Yarn Boutique Treasure. Made from 70% Acrylic and 30% Wool. Purchased at JoAnn's Fabric and Crafts. The yarn is very lovely and a lot lighter than the pictures portray. These were taken early this morning with a limited amount of available light.

This one is a little better but still not prefect. I am about a third of the way completed. I think I will make this for my son's swim coach for Christmas. What do you think?

As for my youngest we have stalled on the blanket at about 22 inches. I have pretty much stalled on everything yarn wise so it is not the blankets fault. I am on my eighth skein of yarn, I am sure this blanket is a bit of a black hole as far as yarn goes. It just keeps sucking up the yarn, without making a big dent in the length. I just keep thinking ,"coupons" and I can take a deep breath.

We are about to start a kitchen renovation that I just found out last night will be put off until October 4. Okay this is the second delay and I am getting a bit mad. I took today off work to help pack things up. I know a free day sounds glorious, but now it will be filled with paperwork and a little packing.

If you are into reading do I have the book for you. Roses by Leila Meacham. Very engrossing, epic tale of a family in Texas. I am hooked and I have to say I haven't been hooked on a book since The Help. I am scheming ways to get a bit of reading time. I downloaded the Nook app on my new phone so I have been reading on my phone while waiting for my son in his Doctor and Orthodontic appointments. Very fun. If I could be reading it right now while typing this post I would.

My Mom is still not doing well, and it is taking its toll on all of us in the family, well most of us but that is for another post. Once again I have to say that this is such a tough time of life. My kids are in the throws of puberty, I am a menopausal mess, my Mom and Dad are failing, each in their own way, and frankly my husband is trying to figure all this wackiness out.

Hope you all are having a great day and you didn't mind my mish-mash post.

Nervous

2011-09-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is my oldest son last year at his high school state swim meet. Today he left for his first college recruiting trip to Ohio State. If you could all send those coaches some positive thoughts for my son I would appreciate it. He is a good kid, a hard worker and deserves to be in a good situation especially considering how he has been treated in the past.

It is very bittersweet sending your boy off on a trip without you. You are so happy for him, but nervous and scared all at the same time. And it feels really crazy that this could be happening so soon. Wasn't he just running around in a Halloween costume and playing with trucks? How could he be getting ready for college already?

Thanks for all your help, I can't wait until Sunday to see how it all went.

Holiday and a Quick Fix

2011-09-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

It is Labor Day here in the US and I am loving every minute of being home today. I love working with my delayed children but a day off is so nice every once in a while. Yesterday I spent a little time on a scarf. I had gone to JoAnn's Fabric and Crafts to buy some yarn for my youngest sons blanket. (More on that later). And I found this very fun pom pom yarn. I had a coupon for 40% off and so I bought it on a whim. I am really not a novelty yarn buyer but this was so much fun.

The yarn is Red Heart Pomp a Doodle, in the color African Violet. It is 54 yards of string and pom poms. I used size 10 1/2 needles, cast on 11 stitches and knit for less than two hours before I had a finished scarf. It is very soft and quite yummy. You only knit the string portion of the yarn and let the pom poms fall wherever they want. Fun, fun, fun.

Sorry my close up is a bit foggy. When I take pictures outside so you can see the real colors of the yarn my lens fogs up......Florida is a very humid place.

I really went to JoAnn's to pick up more yarn for this. My youngest son has wanted a blanket for a while. I made his brother the Big Red Monster blanket last year and truly wanted to rip my hair out with the boredom of it. He likes it so that is the main thing, but the thought of another blanket just wasn't all that appealing.

But Mom can't do something for one child and not the other so I decided to take the plunge. My son wanted brown, so it would feel like he was wrapped in chocolate. A lovely thought I might say, so I went to a very reliable yarn that I have used for baby blankets and small purses, the famous Lion Brand Yarn Nature's Choice Organic Cotton. I chained 129 stitches and got to work.

There is just one small thing I forgot. Crochet is a huge suck up of yarn. And I mean HUGE. I have already used 5 skeins of yarn and am at a measly 11 inches. My son is rounding out at 5'10", with a potential of several more. I think I may be broke before this baby is done. There is a bright spot in this expensive story. JoAnn's usually has a coupon in the paper every week, and I usually get one mailed to me. They are accepting Michael's coupons too, so that means about three coupons a week at 40% off. I envision lots and lots of trips to the store for yarn before this is done. Any guess on how many skeins it is going to take before I am finished?

Hope you are having a lovely Monday.

At Last

2011-09-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

I am finished with the Rustic Autumn Shawl so beautifully created by Knit Purl Gurl. And I love it so much I am ready to cast on another one right away. Just take a look at this.

I used Universal Yarn Classic Shades in watermelon. This is a 70% acrylic/30% wool combination yarn that is very soft and not so warm for Florida. Knit Purl Gurl created her shawl with Noro, which I am in love with but did not have on hand when I decided to cast on. Universal Yarns are very reasonable price wise and I have to say I am loving them more and more every time I use them,

The pattern was very easy to understand and quick and fun to make. I used a size 11 needle and did one less garter stitch row repeat to adjust for my larger needle size.

I think I might repeat the diagonal rib pattern one more time in my next shawl to make it a bit longer. If you are newish to knitting you can just omit the diagonal rib pattern and just keep knitting away in garter stitch. Let your beautiful yarn do the talking for you.

Max is a bit bored with me right now. We just went for a walk and now he is sad because his Dad has left for the weekend. Okay, I am going to go out on a limb here, but does anyone else get a little excited when their husband or partner goes away for the weekend? I love my husband to bits and I am so happy we have been married for almost 20 years, but.......it's sort of nice to get a break isn't it? I get to plan my weekend and not have to check in. I can knit and crochet until my hands are sore and I don't have to think about what he needs. Now I still have two boys at home and of course Max, oh and my parents to deal with, but it is nice to have one less obligation, a great obligation, but still he is someone else to think about.

I have been on the computer trying to catch up with blogs and.........Christmas ideas. Thus the horribly bored look above. Don't scream at me, but it is September 3, already. I have a few ideas for all of you. The last few years I have been trying to have my presents take on more meaning. Every other year I knit or crochet things, this year it is cowls. I have a good head start on that already. I have a few websites I think you all might be interested in for Christmas ideas. Last year I sent baskets full of things from womensbeanproject.com which is an amazing organization helping women break the chain of poverty. These baskets were a big hit, so check them out. I also found a beautiful bracelet in a store near my house that helps fund the free pharmacy in my county. I loved the bracelet so much I went online to read more about it. storybraceletsandmore.com, is a wonderful organization helping stay at home and single moms, it empowers them with income and flexibility without the worry of working away from home and providing daycare for their children.

My other favorite website is globalgoodspartners.org. If you look under the bag category you will find the purse I have been using for 2 years. It is in the corner of the main picture, It is red and leather and made with wool, by women in Peru. It is a free trade organization so you are helping others while shopping. What could be better than that?

Here is hoping you are all having a relaxing, wonderful weekend. For those of you in need, I am keeping you close to my heart.

A Little Update

2011-08-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I have missed all of you.

I have been really, really, can I say that again, really busy. My Mom is back in a rehab facility after yet another round of ER/hospital stay. Another UTI and slight pneumonia. My parents are not happy she is in rehab but it is the best for everyone. It is strange but last year at this exact time this happened. It was the first week of school, when I am crazy busy and here we go again. I was so busy last week with my Mom and Dad, work and school, plus high school swimming,and everyday life that I didn't even have time to read blogs let alone write.

I didn't even have time to knit or crochet. I think that was worse for me than anything. In times of high stress the best thing for me to do is sit down, take a few moments to center myself with some yarn in my hand. I know many of you feel the same way, it maybe yarn, quilting scrap booking, embroidery or cooking. But whatever it is, it feels like it is such a big part of you doesn't it?

I have also missed reading your blogs so much. I love to hear about your life and you projects. I love to hear about the good things so I can rejoice with you and send you positive thoughts if things just aren't right. I kind of feel like I am in high school and I am sick so I am missing out on all the fun. I feel like I am missing the little things that make you feel close to someone by reading their blog, even if that someone is across the country or across the world.

So don't give up on me. I plan on pulling myself together and getting back to things as soon as I can.

But until then I am missing you all and I am hoping you are healthy, happy and taking some time for yourself.

The Rustic Autumn Shawl

2011-08-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

I know most people around the United States are thinking about Autumn, cooler nights, lovely fall colors and and of course football. Here in Florida it is 93 degrees every day and it never cools off in the evenings. So to get myself prepared for Autumn, and the potential for less excruciating heat sometime in the future, I have decided to make the Rustic Autumn Shawl from Knit Purl Gurl. You can find the link to this very fun, very fast shawl on her side bar. It will lead you to her ravelry site and you can download her pattern for free.

I am a pathetic picture taker, I know, but I don't have the time or energy to fix them so here they are. The shawl is not shown in all its glory in the picture above but just take a peek below.

I love it, I needed a pretty simple project after the circle vest disaster. I need to only think a little bit on a project, so this is perfect. Karrie from Knit Purl Gurl is an amazing mother,who devotes so much of her time to introducing us to may new books, knitting related items, yarn and just great information that is really fun to read about. I have just started the diagonal rib portion of the shawl so I am excited to see how that looks. Karrie is having a knit along with this shawl pattern if you so choose to join. I am knitting along, but have not joined as I am up to my eyeballs with issues with my Mom and Dad. I just wanted to knit this at a pace that was perfect for me. The only change I made in the pattern was in the very beginning. I cast on three stitches, knit two rows and then on the third row I knit one, yarn over, knit one, yarn over and knit one. That gave me five stitches and I followed the pattern after that.

The pattern calls for Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn. I am a Noro lover through and through, but I am using Universal Yarns Classic shades. It has a long color repeat like Noro but is a lot more cost effective. I have used this yarn a lot lately and I think it knits up great. I am making my shawl on a size 10 1/2 needle so I just have 229 stitches before I started the diagonal rib chart as opposed to 239. A shawl is fun this way, you can adapt as you go along.

Things are pretty rough with my parents. They are competent enough to make decisions, just not the right ones. When I am stressed, as I am right now I usually buy yarn. But when things go really bad I go right for knitting or crochet books. So this past week I bought three new ones. Knit Noro is fabulous. And if you have a JoAnn Fabrics and crafts by you, use a 50% off coupon and get it for half price like I did.

This is what hooked me, well this (above) and of course this (below).

Knit Your Own Royal Wedding just made me laugh. I have seen so many blogs mention this that when I saw it I just had to have my own copy. Do I think I will ever knit my own Royal Wedding? Absolutely not, but I will smile every time I look at this book.

I do however intend on knitting Spud the sheep in the Spud and Chloe series. She is adorable and Spud looks like a ton of fun to make.

One thing I love about Florida is the sky. The clouds are amazing. I took this picture this afternoon as the afternoon storms were coming in off the Gulf. My life feels a bit stormy right now so I think this is a very appropriate picture. Hope you are having a calm and peaceful day.

Knitting Stinks.....Sometimes

2011-08-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

First let me thank each and everyone of you for your kind thoughts. My Mother was discharged from the hospital yesterday but is very, very weak. She is having a terrible time walking, and my Dad who is 88 is her primary caregiver. I think she should be in rehab but he thinks differently, this is not looking good for anyone involved. I am expecting a phone call at anytime that she has fallen, I just hope there is someone around to help me get her up. I can't lift her myself and my Dad can't help... so the cycle continues.

My knitting has not been all that therapeutic lately, actually it has been downright frustrating. First, I spent all that time making the knitted dress, that I have yet to wear because I still don't like it. Next, I had the great idea to make this amazing vest from the latest Interweave Knits magazine.

This is a very interesting concept, make a nice big circle, knit a rectangle to attach is the middle of the circle for the back, leave the sides open for arm holes and you have a vest, right? Well that is what is supposed to happen. I didn't use the tape like yarn suggested, no I went into my stash and found beautiful alpaca, I knit a gauge swatch and casted on. I loved knitting it and learning this really cool fan pattern. Sounds like it should be perfect doesn't it? Well it's not.

This is a picture of Julie who so kindly shared her beautiful yarn with me. I bought this yarn at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival years ago. It is from Ideuma Creek Alpaca Farm. Each skein comes with a cute picture of the alpaca who is sharing her yarn. Julie is a total cutie don't you think?

When I finished the circle I casted on the back, easy cast on 60 stitches, knit for 13 inches and you are done. So I did it but added an extra inch because I am pretty tall. I single crocheted them together and put it on....well you can only imagine how horrible it was because my circle is way and I mean way bigger than it is supposed to be. Okay, don't panic just take apart the bind off edge, pick up the stitches and knit some more. So I did, then I made it way and I mean way too long. So I took it out again and finally after wrestling with fibers sticking together, knots and a vest that I know deep down inside is not going to work, I gave up.

Now I have this......a big circle that I have no idea what to do with. It is too stretchy, and too mushy, and well just too everything to fix. I am putting it in time out, just like the dress and it is going to sit there until I can figure out what to do with it.

I guess I am happy that I didn't spend a fortune on yarn, I learned how to do this cool fan and I loved the yarn in my hands. Look, I am trying to find the bright side of this disaster.

Hope your projects are going better than mine!

A Crochet Tale

2011-08-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long day. My husband and I found my Mom unconscious when we went for our regular Sunday visit. It took several minutes to revive her, which was very scary. We called for emergency help and she was promptly taken to the hospital. My Dad and I spent about 3 hours in the Emergency Room waiting area before they had an available room in the ER. My Mother is being held for observation and some testing. She has done this before, but never been out for this long. As you have read before my Mother is failing, slowly, and this is so hard to watch. I really thought she had had a massive stroke, thankfully that didn't happen. She was back to her ornery self in the ER, wanting food and not being happy that she had to stay in the hospital over night.

So while I was in the waiting area I pulled out some yarn and rolled it into a ball. I took out the only crochet hook I had in my bag and started to crochet another cowl. Since the hook was a J size I couldn't double my yarn, so I just kept holding the chain up to my neck to measure. My Dad was walking around, or pacing as he likes to do so the chair next to me was free. After several minutes a lovely older man sat next to me. He asked if I was crocheting or knitting, so I told him crocheting. He asked which one I thought was easier and I told him that I really didn't know as they can both be easy or difficult depending on the project. He told me his wife knits and just finished a baby sweater. He has been married for 63 years, she finishes his thoughts and his sentences. Isn't that lovely? He was waiting to hear how his wife's brother was doing, they brought him in for severe back pain. We chatted away, he has two boys, both married. The oldest has adopted nine special needs children. Amazing. We chatted until the room opened up for my Mom and we were allowed to go sit with her.

I love how knitting or crochet draws people to you. I was calmer with the yarn in my hands and he was able to open up a conversation with me because we had a common ground to start on. I think that when you have yarn in your hands people feel free to ask you about your project, or tell you they learned to knit or crochet when they were young. I have had so many people tell me that their Grandmother used to knit or crochet, and they seem to have a good memory about it. Others say they could never do it but when you demonstrate how easy it is you may have made them interested enough to eventually give it a try. You are much more approachable because you are doing something that others are familiar with even if they have never held needles or a hook.

I hope I made this lovely older man's time in the waiting room a little bit more tolerable. I know he made mine better, to hear about his life was a gift he gave me.

Back to Blogging

2011-08-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments on my son's swim meet. He is handsome isn't he? He has had this week off swimming, his first in a year and a half. So we took him and some buddies to Universal Studios in very hot, humid Orlando Florida. Can I just say hot and humid again for effect? It was 97 degrees everyday we were there, and the humidity in the center of the state of Florida is horrible this time of year. Actually the humidity in the whole state is horrible this time of year. He had a great time and I tried to stay inside as much as possible. While I was there I finished project number 38 for the year. You have seen it before, but I love it just the same.

A Cascade Echo Duo scarf in a lovely shell pattern.

While I was in Atlanta a little surprise came in the mail to me from across the world. Grateful 4 Crochet sent me these beautiful cards she hand makes from children's books, as a special thanks for my first ever give away. Can I just tell you how excited I was? These pictures do not do them justice, my lens kept fogging up, as I said previously Florida in August is disgusting.

The envelopes are brilliant and the cards inside amazing. I just love, love, love them and I am thrilled that anyone would think to send me such a lovely present.

Ok, how pathetic are these pictures? You don't see the vibrant colors or the wonderful pictures, in fact all you see is fog from all the humidity. Please go visit Grateful 4 Crochet, a beautiful crochet filled, gratitude filled blog.

Now that I am home from various short trips, I hope to be a bit better at blogging and reading all of your wonderful blogs. Have a tremendous weekend.

Swim Results and Some Finished Projects

2011-07-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, it is sooooo good to be home. Thank you so much for your positive words, positive swim thoughts and your friendship.

This swim meet was really big. The Y Nationals was made up of Y's from 19 states, 143 teams and 1400 swimmers. It was held at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Beautiful pool and a great swim meet. I think your thoughts worked as my son did very well, not as good as he had hoped but still very good.

Here he is before he went to warm up for the 200 IM final. He placed 4th and had a great personal best time. He also made a US National Qualifying Time, which is his first.

My Son ready to swim the 100 Fly, not his best event, but he placed 11th, with a great time. When he hit the wall on the other side of the pool he was in 6th place, he swam so well he ended up winning this heat.

Here he is with his very best friend. (My son is on the left). They had just placed 5th in the 400 Medley Relay, my son swam the breast stroke portion. He is showing us his medal. So all in all he had three really good individual swims, two great relay swims, and one that was a big disappointment for him. But that is life isn't it? I was so thrilled to see him starting to believe in himself again. I was so thrilled to see his hard work starting to pay off and I was so thrilled to see this.

A coach that loves him, treats him with respect and who he has an amazing relationship with. What more could you ask for?

This is finished project number one for the trip. You guessed in Malabrigo, a treble stitch cowl.

This color is even better in person if you can imagine that.

A lovely lace scarf made from 50% wool and 50% silk from Steam Vally Fiber. I bought this yarn ages ago at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. I made a tank top from it that didn't work out well, after using up the rest of the skein I am now ready to rip apart that tank and make something else. Love the feel of this yarn and the colors, all I can say is go buy some right now

And last but not least the same pattern in my favorite Cascade Echo Duo. I know I am loving a lot of yarn lately but that is the way it is. I took yarn that would make me happy both visually and tactile-wise. I knew I was going to be really stressed, so the need for comfort was big in picking out my projects.

Not a great picture with grey pavers in the background. Just know this, I have made what feels like a ton of projects with this yarn, in fact in this very color and I still want to make more. Which is why I started another scarf in this on the way home today.

Hope everyone had a great week. It will take me a while to catch up in blog land, I'll be visiting you soon.

A Quick Post

2011-07-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, hope your weekend is going great and you are staying out of the heat if you are in the US. I wanted to share with you finished project number 34.

Another cowl made for a Christmas present, out of....you guessed it my fav Malabrigo Rios in the colorway Indiecita. Of course you can't really see the fabulous colors in this cowl, so this picture will have to do.

I tried to get a closer picture, but that didn't work either.

I am preparing for a trip to Atlanta to see my oldest son swim at the Y National swim meet. I am taking yarn to make two crochet cowls, red Debbie Bliss to make a knitted cable cowl, and a silk yarn which is not pictured to make a crochet lace scarf. I think that should be enough to get me through one week and two long car rides. Do you panic that you will have enough to work on when you go away? Now that I am looking at the picture I just may throw something else in my suitcase.

My son has been training hard this summer for this meet. If you have been reading my blog you know he left a very abusive coach, in March, after three years of training with him. My son has had to work through a lot to get himself ready for this meet, both physically and psychologically. So if you have any spare positive thoughts to give, I would love if you would send some his way on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We are hoping for great swim times so he will be in a better position for college coaches to consider. Right now we know his old coach is talking to these coaches and saying my son isn't good, a hard worker, etc. All of which are lies, but he is a crazy man and we know that, but the college coaches don't. With all the insanity going on in this world, all of the people ill and in a bad situation I know it sounds crazy to ask for positive swimming thoughts for my son. But I know my boy has worked hard, and he didn't deserve all he received from his old coach. It is time for him to shine.

I will be away for a week, so I wish you all peace, good health and a fantastic week.

Norway

2011-07-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

My heartfelt sorrow goes out to all of you who live in Norway or surrounding areas. The news this morning made me feel ill. I am so saddened for your loss of life and security. The world grieves with you.

Blogging

2011-07-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, hope your week is going well. I was a little curious about your thoughts on blogging. I love blogging and love reading about all of your lives. I love your creativity and I love being included in all that you share with us. I love to leave comments on blogs and I love to have comments left on my blog.

So I was wondering a few things. Do you look at blogs everyday? Do you leave comments on every blog on your list, your favorites, or no blogs at all? Do you comment on blogs that never comment back or only on ones you feel you have a relationship with? How many posts do you do a week? About how much time do you spend reading blogs a day? Do you notice a new blog due to it's name, theme, or previous comment listed on a blog you love? Do you often visit blogs and never post a comment because there are soooooo many comments already posted? Does it matter to you how many followers you have or that the followers are blogging friends that you care about? Anything else you would like to share about blogging I would love to hear about.

Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to read your thoughts.

My Give Away

2011-07-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

Now that my first give away has made it across the world all the way to the lovely home of

Grateful 4 Crochet. I wanted to show you a little bit more of what I sent.

First of all was the scarf I made on my rectangle loom. I am hoping that it is as soft and yummy on my new friends neck as I think it will be.

I also included a Brittany crochet hook in size J, to go along with Cascade Echo Duo yarn, which is my all time favorite yarn. I made a beautiful Queen Anne Lace Scarf with this yarn, and made the outside petals for my second Japanese inspired flower shawl with it, too.

Some lotion for hard working hands, some beautiful wool wash, and fun, "Crocheted For You" cards. Let me just say I had so much fun with this give away that I know there will be more in my future. When I had this all wrapped up and ready to post, the man working behind the register asked what was in it, I told him a scarf, yarn, and a crochet hook, with some wool wash. He said to me, "Do you know how much this is going to cost?". I simple said, "I don't really care, I promised this to a friend and she is going to get it. You probably don't knit or crochet so you wouldn't understand." I think he thought I was off my rocker, but you know if you have a blogging friend you would never let them down, no matter where they live.

Hope you are all having a great weekend. And I hope you find time to do something you really love.

Ah.......Men

2011-07-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

This is a tale about my husband. Keep in mind I love him to pieces, but it's just, well.....he is a man. A few days ago I was talking to my very dear friend Lynda on the phone. We were exchanging amusing stories about our spouses and generally having a good laugh. These stories consisted of things like, he will empty the trash but not replace the trash bag. Or, he will vacuum the kitchen but not the family room. He will put away some of the dishes, but not all of them, you know how this goes, I'm sure you have had the same thoughts.

Well I finished our conversation with, did you ever notice that when your husband drops something all over the floor and it breaks into a million pieces you jump up to help. But when you drop something and it makes a mess, he continues doing whatever it is he was doing and doesn't blink. Ha, ha, big laugh and we were done.

This brings me to last night. While my husband was cooking, yes he is our main cook and I am our clean up person, I decided to clean the floor as it was pretty gross with the mess he was making. He was outside grilling so the coast was clear. That is until he came inside and opened the refrigerator and one of our shelves broke. Out tumbled a jar of cocktail sauce, a jar of tarter sauce and a jar of pickles. The jar of pickles remained intact but the other two shattered all over and left a heaping mess. We both got down on the floor for a second, and I began picking up glass and wiping up the mess. My husband got up after about 10 seconds and said, "I'll get the vacuum". Great idea but you can't vacuum up this mess, until all the tarter sauce, cocktail sauce and big pieces of glass are picked up. Which I informed him.

Then as I was telling him the story of Lynda's and my conversation, I looked over and what is he doing? Reading a cooking magazine. Seriously, while I am talking to him about men not cleaning up their own mess, he is reading, while I clean it up. Does this sort of thing happen to you, too?

Sunday

2011-07-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

How has your day been? Have you had some time to relax and regroup before another busy week?

I started my day with some tea and the morning paper in my favorite spot outside.

I took my favorite boy, Max for a walk in the hot, humid weather.

Isn't he beautiful?

I talked to a good friend.

I went to visit my parents.

I went and did some shopping for my youngest who is entering high school this year. I am trying to help him transition from an 8th grader to a freshman in high school, not an easy task for someone who doesn't want to grow up. A change in clothes and shoes was needed badly.

I watched the last two innings of the Rays getting beat by the Yankee's, again.

I visited with my oldest son and his girlfriend. 4 1/2 months and going strong. It is cute to see him transform himself into a kind, funny, lovely human who can have a decent conversation, that is at least when she is around.

I sat down and knit a few rows of the new vest I am making. I ripped out the sweater and have dived into the vest.

I am eating dinner with my family and feeling thankful we are all together.

How was your day?

Size Matters

2011-07-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Size really matters when it comes to all things knit or crocheted. And just what did you think I was going to talk about my blogging friends? When I came home from the lovely yarn sale this Malabrigo Kettle Dyed

Merino Wool jumped into my hands and frankly would not let me put it down. We all know about my love affair with Malabrigo, but this chunky yarn would just not leave me alone. I swear I was going to crochet another cowl with it, but it was absolutely insistent that I use it with a bit of knitting. It shouted to me that it was the perfect yarn for a nice cable or two, and you know I have to agree. Does your yarn talk to you?

I made the above cowl from the Nederland Circle Scarf pattern by Cecily Glowik MacDonald, from the new Interweave Knits Weekend Magazine. The pattern calls for a large circle scarf that you wrap around your neck. I thought a cowl would be better so I cut the pattern in half, used a size 9 needle, it calls for an 8, and casted on. I realized quickly that the cowl was going to be a bit narrow in the circumference and not wide enough so I actually added another half of the pattern. It is really nice and approximately 6 1/2 inches wide with an 18 inch diameter. That is until I decided to cast on again.

This cowl was made on size 11 needles, the recommended needle size for this yarn is 7-9, so 11 was a big jump. I also casted on 18 more stitches than the previous cowl. I did this as I didn't like how the small cable butted up against a section of knit stitches. I like it much better after I added 2 purl stitches after the small cable. Can you tell I like things to be symmetrical? This baby is 24 inches in circumference and about 6 3/4 inches wide while just completing the 16 row pattern, twice. I love it. It is softer, and squishier, and mushier and well all around much more lovely. These are a breeze to stitch up so I would recommend this pattern highly. Modify, it if you like, but be sure to make it on large enough needles.

Here they are together, can you see the difference with this pathetic lighting? Sorry we were having a bad storm when I took these so you have to live with my kitchen lights. I will give the top one as a Christmas present and probably keep the bottom one for myself as it is lacking in the yummieness factor of the one above.

OK, onto my next dilemma. I have been knitting away on the sweater above. I am knitting the back, and sides at the same time, so I have only completed 10 inches. See the Malabrigio pulled me away as it was so much more exciting to knit. I have a lot more sweater to go and frankly am bored out of my mind. As I was pondering this situation I came across this amazing vest in the new Summer 2011 Interweave Knits Magazine. I am thinking that this will be a far more fun project and I will wear it a ton, same yarn, I will just rip out the sweater and start again. Any thoughts?

And The Winner Is........

2011-07-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your interest in my first give away, I was so thrilled that anyone out there in blogland was interested in my woven scarf. I appreciate all your lovely comments and I fully intend on doing another give away as this was so much fun!

As you know I am not computer savvy so there was no random generator, just me and a few cut up note cards with names of commenter's, my youngest son to help pick out a name and there you have it.

The winner is Grateful 4 Crochet!!!!!!!!! I will be writing to you as soon as I finish this post to get all your information. Please visit the Grateful 4 Crochet blog where you will see absolutely lovely crochet creations and always a bit of something to be thankful for. Thanks for all the birthday wishes they meant a lot to me.

I leave you with a picture of my boy who will absolutely not open up his beautiful brown eyes for the camera. Happy Independence Day if you live in the US. Be happy and safe.

My First Give Away

2011-06-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday is my birthday. So in honor of my birthday I thought I might try my very first give away ever. There are no rules, just leave a comment between now and Sunday and you are entered. That is if you are interested. You don't have to sign up to follow me, although I would love to have you. You don't have to tell me I am amazing or even Happy Birthday. Just leave me a comment between now and late July 3 and we are good to go. If you would like to spread the word that's great, if not there is more chance for you to win.

I would like to give away this.

This lovely ( I hope) scarf has just been removed from my loom. It is approximately 5 inches wide, and 70 inches long. It is made from Universal Yarn Classic Shades, in the color Watermelon. It is acrylic and wool and says it is machine washable but I wouldn't advise washing weaving in a machine. A lovely hand wash soak, place flat for drying, and there you go.

Weaving is very light weight, not like crochet or knitting. This scarf took about 190 yards of yarn, a knitted scarf of this length would take twice that much and would be very heavy. This baby is soft and lovely when wrapped around your neck.

I have also collected a few tid bits from the yarn store that I will be including in the give-away. If you don't knit or crochet don't worry give them to a friend who does. If you don't want them at all let me know and I will save them for give-away number 2, sometime in the future.

My finished project number 32 may just be for you!

Yarn Love

2011-06-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

I have a confession....my friend Cathy and I went yarn shopping today. And boy did we, I mean I haul it in. One of the local yarn stores in Tampa was having a Birthday Celebration that I could not pass up. Knit N Knibble is a great store whether you visit in person or online. They had great deals and I found some beautiful yarn to show you. They will be having the yarn sale online for a day or two if you are interested. The store was packed, but knitters, crocheters and weavers are so nice it wasn't a problem. They had a fashion show where people could show off their amazing talent. Wow, the creativity and skill level of people who work with yarn is simply amazing. They had door prizes which I sadly did not win. But the most incredible site to me was about 150 women, sitting with their knitting, crochet or Cricket Looms, eating, talking and just being happy. They were wearing all things yarn, talking yarn and being one with each other. Nothing like yarn fumes to make everyone giddy.

Above is the wonderful Malabrigo I am currently in a mad love affair with. Malabrigo is so soft and gets a 10 on the scale of yarn yummieness. I also purchase Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Pure Merino Wool in the washed out solid blue color in the background. This is a thicker yarn that I think will make an amazing cowl. These yarns were 15% off which helps a lot when you are making Christmas presents.

Above is Berroco Lustra which was 50% off. So $5 a skein, you just can't beat that. Lovely, smooth and shiny, which I think will make an amazing scarf of cowl.

All of it together looks like a whole lot of work in my future. Knits Weekend was a purchase that was not on sale, but I just had to have.

This is my finished cowl in Malabrigo Rios. Two strands held together, a chain of 64, a treble crochet in each stitch and there you have it. Simple, beautiful and sooooooo soft. You can crochet in the round, or make a big rectangle and single crochet together.

Here a picture up close so you can see the stitch pattern. It looks more washed out color wise than it is in reality, so sorry about that. That makes finished project 31 for me for the year so far. How are you doing on your projects?

What's On Your Needles?

2011-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am having a bit of a yarn slump. I am just not overly excited about any project. I thought if I blogged about the projects I am currently working on, it would give me some incentive to make some progress.

Another cowl with the amazing Malabrigo yarn I am currently obsessed with. I have frogged this baby 3 times. It was two short, not drapey enough and just not right. I decided to double up the yarn and use a treble crochet in every stitch with this cowl. Now I am thinking it is too long.

And in this basket is project number 2. I am attempting to make the sweater below in alpaca yarn that is thicker than the yarn used in the picture. I am also attempting to make it using circular needles, which isn't really in the round, I just won't have seams as the back and sides are being knit all at the same time. So the progress is a lot slower and need I say, a lot less fun. I may decide to make it a vest and leave off the sleeves completely if I can't take it anymore.

I took this intended scarf off my loom yesterday. I really don't work on my loom unless it is cool out, don't ask me why I have no reason. I decided to finish this yesterday as I had only a couple more rows to complete. Well I should have stuck by my seasonal rules as after I took it off it shrank width wise, and elongated so that it looks like a really, really long belt. So I think this project is going right in the garbage. Believe me when I say it looks better in the picture than it is.

At least I got a very lovely surprise when I walked out side today with Max. One of my gardenia bushes has decided to surprise me with some late seasonal blooms. My kitchen table is so happy right now.

So what do you have on your needles or hook? I need some inspiration.

Take Me Out To The Ballpark

2011-06-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening we went to a Tampa Bay Rays game down in St. Petersburg, Florida. It took a bit of convincing on my part before my husband finally thought it was a good idea. We took my youngest son and his friend. They go primarily for the food. We were almost in the first row between first and right field. Here is a picture of John Jaso the catcher while he was warming up. We were really close and saw him wave to the man standing next to me, which upon further observation must have been his Dad.

And here is a picture of my baseball crush. Johnny Damon formally a Detroit Tiger and an amazing find for the Rays this year. He is such a great role model for all the younger players. He loves his wife and his kids, and is a big family guy.....now there is a concept for a professional athlete.

This is Raymond the Ray's mascot who was playing around right in front of us. Really he was this close, that is how close we were to the field. Loved the game we won against the Marlins 7-4, but next time I am going to sit a little higher as I think we will be able to see the game better. I had to keep looking around my husband as the seats were angled.

Notice no mention of any yarn projects. I have a few things going on but nothing that exciting to show you yet. Hope you have some exciting projects on your needles or hook.

Have a wonderful day.

Awards.....For Me??????

2011-06-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I have been gifted with two awards lately and I just wanted to share them with you. I received The Versatile Blogger Award from The Florida Crochet Garden. And the lovely Kreativ Blogger Award from Grateful 4 Crochet. First let me just say a big Thank You to both of you. I am still a bit shy about my blog and I am just amazed that anyone, anywhere thinks my blog is nice enough to bestow an award on me. Please take a minute to visit these blogs. These amazing women hold down full time, crazy busy careers, yet they take the time to share their creative lives with all of us.

So now I am at the point where I have to share ten things about myself . Here we go.

1. I am basically an idiot when it comes to the computer. My sister Claudia is frequently having to come to my blogging aide. When she returns from her seven week trip to Wisconsin for work, I am hoping she will retrieve these blog buttons and place them on my blog. Just the thought of doing that myself almost makes me want to hyperventilate.

2. I love all thing Wizard of Oz. I loved the movie growing up, those flying monkeys scared the pants off me. I have bits of a collection of Wizard of Oz things....I'll share it with you sometime.

3. I have two boys and I simply hate the fact that they are growing up. I miss theme underpants, round bellies, giggles in the tub and bedtime stories. Now I have boxers, sweaty boys all around my house, fights about homework and worries about driving.

4. I am completely obsessed with yarn. I would rather buy yarn than clothes or shoes, well frankly I think I would rather buy yarn than food.

5. I am the youngest of four kids. My brother was 17 years older than me. He passed away almost 20 years ago. My older sister Claudia (see #1) is my very best friend. I have another sister just three years older than me who is estranged from the family and never is in contact with my sister and I.

6. I am an Occupational Therapist and work with babies and young children who are delayed in their development. Most of the children I see are in medical foster care so they are away from their families. Most of these babies have been exposed to drugs/alcohol before they were born, which is just the saddest thing.

7. I am right smack in the middle of menopause and let me tell you I am not enjoying it one bit. It is funny that menopause has done something to the synapses in my brain some how bypassing the area that filters out what I am going to say. If I think it, I say it and frankly don't really care if I am offending some one or not.

8. I am a huge fan of Barack Obama, and I feel so bad that he inherited this big mess of a country and people are bashing him constantly. Eight years of a mess can not be fixed in just two short years. I frankly would have felt bad for anyone who inherited the country the way it was two years ago. I am not a fan of people or organizations that create a huge "fear" fan base to get people elected. Sorry if I have offended anyone, please see #7.

9. I still get a little freaked out when I look in the mirror and see all the wrinkles on my face. I just always seem a little shocked that that is me. My mother-in-law tells me you never get used to it, she is almost 93 so she should know.

10. I love blogging. I started off blogging just as a way to comment on my sisters blog (see # 1 & #5). I gradually commented on other blogs and very slowly began to post. I do not have 500 followers or get eleven hundred comments but I want you to know that I appreciate each and every one of you. I love to get a peak into your lives. I love that you share your families, and your homes as well as your creativity. I love your honesty and I love you as friends. Thanks.

Boyfriend Sweater....Girlfriend Scarf

2011-06-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

We all know the boyfriend sweater rule. Never make your boyfriend a sweater or you will surely break up. Then do you ask for the sweater back? Wait until you are married before you even think about knitting a sweater for you loved one so you never get your self in this mess.

I really didn't have a boyfriend when I started knitting, and I live in Florida with my husband who is very picky about what he wears. You would never know this by looking at him, but he tends to give all his clothes to Goodwill, so I have never even thought about knitting him a sweater.

So I was wondering if the rule applies to your son's girlfriend. If you knit or crochet something for her will they break up? And if they do will the item you made for her end up promptly in the garbage?

My son and his girlfriend have been together as an item for 3 1/2 months. That is like 100 years in teenager life. He likes her a lot, she likes him even more. So I didn't want to freak either of them out with a really personal gift. I decided a flower scarf might be perfect. What do you think?

I did a smaller eight petal version of the very popular Japanese inspired flower. Crocheted from Universal Yarns Classic Shades, 70% acrylic 30% wool yarn, in the lovely shade of watermelon. This is the yarn I made my granny cowl with and really enjoyed working with. I made one flower after another never starting a new yarn after each round, so the variegated yarn would flow through out each flower uninterrupted. Then when completed with the flower, I would start round one with the yarn I just stopped using so each middle looks like the outside of the previous flower. Am I making any sense at all?

I think it is lovely and if she doesn't like it, or they break up soon it is no big deal on the my time or budget. I just hope I didn't jinx them. What do you think?

29

2011-06-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Project 29 can I tell you how much I love you? You are so beautiful and soft. Your color changes are subtle but oh so wonderful. I can not do you justice in any picture I shoot of you, so this one will have to do. This cowl is made from Malabrigo Rios Pure Merino Superwash. And let me tell you my love for this yarn is growing and growing. I used Malabrigo bulky yarn for my last cowl, but this one has all the yumminess (is that a word?) of the bulky yarn, but seems much better for a cowl. I love the texture and I love the softness. I used a J crochet hook, chained around 120 stitches, did a dc in every other chain separated by a chain one, when you get to the end of the row, chain 4, turn and start back placing your dc in the space created by the chain one of the previous round. Simple, fast and a great potential Christmas gift.

The color is amazing, I was almost sorry this project was over so quickly. I have been working on it while trying to finish the knitted dress, so it has been on the hook for a little bit. By the way thanks so much for all your encouraging comments about the knitted dress, you just may make me take it out of time out soon.

I had some yarn left over when I finished the cowl, so I decided to chain 20, do the same pattern and make a scarf with the remaining yarn. I love how the scarf pattern creates a bit of a zig-zag. It is just lovely and I want to wrap it around my neck and walk around in it all day, not such a great idea when it is 90 degrees out! I think this will be a great last minute gift for someone so I am putting it in my gift bin. If your local yarn store has Malabrigio run, don't walk and buy yourself a skein. You won't be disappointed.

Happy Sunday!

Done !!!!!!

2011-06-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Done! I am finished!!! I have finally completed the knitted dress. And boy did it take a while. Due to several placements in time out, and a major mishap, this baby is finally finished.

On Monday and Tuesday I tried to finish this dress. I only had a few more inches and the final pattern to go, how hard could this be? Well I may be able to knit, but sometimes I really think I am missing a few brain cells because I kept holding the dress up to me and thinking I only had a few more inches and I would be ready to cast off. As you know I am 5'9 3/4. And I would say that my legs are pretty long, so I automatically added 3 inches to the pattern thinking this would be sufficient. I held it up, looked down and thought I was in a terrific position. The problem with holding up a dress and looking down is you are not getting an accurate idea of just how long the dress is. So I casted off making sure I left lots of room in my stitches so the cast off edge would be nice and roomy. Yeah!!!!! Total excitement, I stripped off my clothes, put on the dress and what do you think I saw? I saw a dress that was just long enough to cover my thighs, but way, way, way too short to cover my 46 year old legs.

Here is a picture of the bodice and the lovely i-cord bow. The i-cord slips in and out of these little holes and helps a great deal to keep the chest together, especially my chest as I really don't have one.

Back to the story. Okay massive depression was about to set in, but I held it back and thought about what I could do. Hmmmm.....maybe leave it and make it a tunic top? Nah, throw it in the corner and put it back in time out forever, no I spent too much money on this yarn. I guess my only option was to put the dress back on the needles by slowly taking apart the cast off edge, that is 270 stitches back on the needles. I thought about ripping apart the bottom pattern, but that would have entailed frogging the stitches and making sure I got 270 back on without dropping any, what a mess that would be. So I decided to make a second pattern at the bottom, which added another 3 inches and here is the final project. Sorry the picture above is fussy, it was the best I could get. You can see the cast off row I picked up in the middle of the pattern. The stitches are a bit longer almost looking like a wrap stitch. I decided to leave this and just work from where I was at.

Am I in love with this dress, not at all. I feel it is like climbing a mountain and finally getting to the top and realizing the view wasn't worth the work. I still think it is a tiny bit short. That is even after adding 6 inches to the pattern. And I am not at all happy with how the sleeves look where I sewed them onto the dress. Actually I tried to do this 4 times before I got something that looked right. But I think I will wear it and see if it grows on me. And if it doesn't I already have a plan B....I will take off the sleeves and wear it as a skirt. I actually think that might be the best.

This dress was designed by Jana Pihota for the book Stitch'N Bitch Superstar Knitting. The pattern was easy to understand and really easy to knit. When I look at the picture of the dress in the book I can honestly say that I still think it is beautiful. The yarn you will remember I am not in love with at all. South West Trading Company Amaizing 100% corn fiber yarn. The texture is interesting but as you remember I had so many breaks and knots in each ball I wanted to shoot myself. Knitting in the round is sooooo smooth, so constantly having to start new yarn is such a hassle. And I always think new yarn should be started at the beginning of the row so you never see even a hint of a pucker, knitting in the round does not allow you to do this.

So at least I can say project number 28 of the year is finished, and the dress may grow on me. I just think I have to put it back in time out again for a bit, first.

Brain Mush

2011-06-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!!!!!!

Just wanted to pop in quickly and say hello! I have been at a conference for therapists the last four days and my brain is mush. It was a long day, everyday, but I think it was worth it. All the information was amazing and I was so glad I got the opportunity to attend. But because of that I am behind. I am behind reading blogs, doing house work, taking care of my family, taking care of the endless errands, writing blog posts and most of all knitting and crocheting. None of which got done over the past four days. I am near the end of the knitted dress, and making progress on crochet cowl number 2. So, I will check back in soon.

Hope everyone is doing great, enjoyed your weekend, and are finding some time to do something you really love.

65 Years!!!!

2011-06-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my parents 65 years ago today. My Mother was just 18 and my Father 22. My Father was fresh back from fighting in what was then known as Burma. They fell in love while writing letters to each other during the war. Four children, 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren later their story is still unfolding.

I think they both look so beautiful and so full of hope. My Mother hated this dress can you believe it? My Grandmother, the boss of all bosses made her buy it. I think she looks so beautiful, so classic and so excited.

I went to visit them today to take them some cards and very special yummy Anniversary cupcakes. My Mom wasn't feeling well, I think the visits with my niece and her daughter, although short in nature really tired her out. It is hard for her to try and be,"up" for visitors. Her body is wearing out and she is so tired all the time. My Dad is taking great care of her, but it is sad. So while I am so happy that they reached this amazing milestone, I am saddened to think that the end may be approaching in the not to distant future.

My parents have been through so much in their lifetime together, anyone married that long surely would have, too. They are still devoted to each other and really, really love each other. If we could all be that lucky in life.

Being an Aunt

2011-05-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

My niece and her youngest came to Florida for a short visit this weekend. We had so much fun. I think being an Aunt is about the best job in the world. It is so much more fun than being a Mom. You can play, and play, and play and never have to do all the Mom stuff like making sure you eat right, and go to sleep on time. An Aunt can play at the beach with a little 5 year old, and paint toe nails (after the beach of course).

Aunt's try to find waves on a very calm day, and splash and splash. Mom's have to be more cautious and make sure you aren't going out too deep! Aunt's get to teach you how to shuffle your feet in the water so you don't step on a sting ray, and they get to take you out deeper in the water if you hold on tight.

Aunt's help you find all kinds of shells, and think each and every one you pick up is just about the best shell in the whole world! Even when you pick up a handful of sand, Aunt's think it is amazing. Aunt's love to look at your cute little body running around, while Mom's have to worry about sun burns and sun screen. Aunt's get to color, make puzzles, sing songs, and give you juice boxes right before dinner time. And if you don't like what you eat at your Aunt's house you don't have to eat it at all, because your Aunt will make something you like better.

Aunt's also have an alligator that lives right out side her backyard, at a little pond with a little bridge. We checked 3 times and didn't see this one until our very last visit and it swam right under the bridge, right under our feet! And the best part of the whole trip is when we got to the airport on Sunday their flight was cancelled, so we got another whole afternoon and evening before they had to depart this morning.

I just love being an Aunt. I loved it when my niece was born and I was 10 years old. I love seeing her grow up to be a fantastic mother. I love seeing her brothers turn into really interesting men, who have in turn become fathers. I love seeing their children, a whole new generation in our family, become these amazing little people with personalities all their own. And I love being a part of their lives, even a small part seems like such a blessing.

Happy Friday

2011-05-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! I just completed this granny square cowl and couldn't wait to show you. I saw a version of this cowl on the famous Crochet with Raymond blog by Alice, quite a while ago. When I went to purchase my therapy yarn, and saw this lovely variegated yarn, I thought it would be perfect for this project.

A lovely picture of me in my bathroom. Sorry for the picture but you get an idea of the size of the cowl. I used Classic Shades, machine washable, acrylic/wool blend yarn from Universal Yarn. This is a new yarn carried by my local yarn shop Uncommon Threads, in Palm Harbor Florida. It comes in these amazing shade combinations and crochets up so beautifully. It took about 2 and 1/2 skeins of yarn for this project, but could have easily taken less if the granny squares were a bit smaller. I made 5 very big granny squares, hooked together as I went along, made a border on each side, and hooray my 27 th project of the year is finished. This yarn is very reasonable price for 197 yards, so you just can't go wrong. I bought several more shades with thoughts of a several more cowls, or even some wonderful Queen Anne Lace Scarves. The variations in the colors would be beautiful in the scarf. I really love it and it is sooooooooo soft. Now I have to ask myself why I am having an obsession with cowls when it is 90 degrees here in Florida?

For those animal lovers out there my sister Claudia has been watching a Robin's nest up close. It is right outside her front door, the babies are adorable. Go and have a look. Claudia's blog is amazing and she is just the best sister. She has like a zillion followers and she is the reason I started my blog. Go peek at the babies it will brighten your day.

And quickly I wanted to say I have been having a ton of trouble leaving comments on blogs. I have to sign into blogger and if I stay signed in I can't leave a comment, if I sign out I can. Don't know what is up with all of that, so I just wanted to say I am reading all of your blogs, just may not be able to comment.

Happy Friday, and hopefully a restful weekend is in store for everyone.

De-Ja Vu

2011-05-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

I know you think you have seen this before, but it is actually new. My niece and her youngest daughter are coming into town this weekend for a quick visit. So I thought I would whip up this little purse courtesy of Sara. I have now made three of these and they are so quick and fun. I think a four year old might like this with a few fun items inside.

I am so excited about their visit. It will only be for 48 hours, but at least I get to see them. My niece is mainly coming to visit my parents, she hasn't seen them for several years as she was living in Amsterdam until last summer. My parents are slowly fading. It is difficult for my Mom to get around and leaving the house even for a doctor's appointment exhausts her for days. So we will make several trips over to see them for short periods of time, so they can enjoy the visit but not be overwhelmed.

My parents are celebrating 65 years of marraige on June 1. I can't even imagine that. In this day and age where people do not work as hard on relationships, I think 65 years is amazing. They had good times and certainly they had very bad times, but they always stuck together.

They got to know each other when my Father was overseas during WWII. My Mother lived in the neighborhood and picked him to write to while he was away. She sent a picture of herself to him and he fell in love. It was so cute she cut off the bottom of the picture because she did not want him to see her bobbie socks. He sent her a picture without his shirt on, quite risque for that period of time. He came back in one piece and went to her house right away. He told her when he saw her that he was going to marry her, she thought he was crazy. He took her for a drive to get an Orange Crush, they were engaged and married within a year. Ah......what a great love story. If we could all be that lucky.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week.

Cowl

2011-05-21T04:06:00.000-07:00

Annette who I have grown to love...has gotten me in trouble. You see I was working hard on my very boring knitted dress, and a new crochet item and then she posted this cowl. I had to do something with my yarn therapy yarn, so I made this incredibly easy cowl in one evening. This is Malabrigo chunky yarn so it isn't like I am amazingly fast at crochet. The color is spectacular and not one picture I took does it justice.

I had knitting night at my house yesterday evening, wine and some appetizers, and lots of laughs. Since I had extra yarn I made a nice scarf. I wowed all my knitting friends as I started and finished while they were here. Anyone who crochets will know this not hard using a size M crochet hook, but it sure amazed my buddies. Little do they know that crochet is so fast, portable, and I think easier on your hands and wrists.

These babies have been in a photo shoot all over my house this morning, and I am not getting the correct color as the sun wasn't up when I took the pictures. The joy of having a swimmer is that even on Saturday's he is usually up at 6:00 to get to practice or a meet. So you are also up at 6:00 on your day off.

I am going to count this projects as number 25, and 25 completed for the year. I can't count them as two separate projects because they were way too fast and easy to complete. Maybe my knitted dress can learn something from these two, it is back in time out just for being boring. The yarn is acting a little better, but the thought of picking it up and knitting endlessly with little progress made, is making me want to cry. I will be definitely making more of these with thinner yarn so the drape it different. This chunky yarn does not make a great choice for a really long cowl, but the softness of the yarn is so yummy that any amount of it around your neck will be perfect.

My Max got an early morning treat......Peanut butter. This boy cleans out the remaining peanut butter better than any dog could. Peanut butter is his very favorite treat in the world. What a great way to start your day.

Thanks for all your kind comments from my last post. Life is so crazy sometimes. And it is sad how some people manipulate others, and make their lives so much worse in the long run. I am so glad this whole chapter in our lives is over. My oldest is working with a coach who challenges him and treats him with respect. My youngest is taking a break from swimming and really enjoying it, and I am happy to be watching and mothering my two boys, well and of course Max.

Happy weekend!

Yarn Therapy

2011-05-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have such a crazy week, or weeks that you can't quite catch up for all the mess? This has been the absolute, craziest last few weeks for us at our home. Nothing horrible, but lots of crazy let me tell you. And when life gets crazy I used to go and buy shoes, not now it is purely yarn for me. See above. Beautiful yarn that I am not sure what to do with, but I am sure I will figure out. As my life gets crazier do I try to focus on one project and get it done? No, not me I have to start another. Crazy = Attention Deficit apparently.

Remember when my oldest stopped swimming at his swim team of seven years, with the coach from he*l? He is doing great, thriving to be exact, so we are so blessed by that. My youngest decided to stop swimming 3 weeks ago. Which at the time I was disappointed about because he has so much talent, the thing is he is very much like me, sensitive and not competitive. It is hard following in his brothers shadow, even though we never put him there. But I see now the chance to give him a break has also given me a huge one. I am no longer riding an hour to and from work every morning to turn around quickly, pick him up at school, and drive to swim practice. His break has given me the gift of time. Time I really didn't realize I needed so badly until I got a taste of it.

So why the yarn therapy you ask? The young man staying with us for the past 9 months, in order to train with my oldest sons, previous, crazy swim coach, has been creating a lot of tension. He misses my son at practice and I somehow feel he and his mother think my boy should be there for this ones benefit. As I have told him a million times, you make the best decisions for you and my son will make the best decisions for him. The coach is filling his head with all sorts of horrible things about us, his crazy mother listens, and there you go, disaster. We have treated this young man so nicely these past 9 months. Cared for him when he was sick, cared for him like family, and kept a close eye on him and his ever present young girlfriend, (also here from Texas to train, and not with her parents). I have tried to be a good mother type figure to him, knowing his own wasn't always dealing with a full deck.

He left yesterday after school without telling us he was planning to go. My husband actually pulled up as he was packing his car, they talked, he feels stressed and needs to move on. At 17 that is a sad state of affairs, especially after he has been so happy here. His coach and mother are pushing him, and making me out to be some kind of crazy woman. It was time I know, but what a horrible way for them to plan this. It should have been a nice exit, to a nice period in his life, so sad for him. But it will be great to get my family unit back together, and not have the extra worry about a very active, teenager who is not mine.

So yarn was in order don't you think? I really don't drink, don't eat sugar, so yarn is the best retail therapy in the world. I plan on sitting in my favorite evening spot tonight while the air is still nice from this little cool front we have had, and knit or crochet.

I plan on looking at the beautiful evening sun as it lights up the trees in my back yard and be thankful I have a wonderful, intact family, I love so much. I will send this young man positive thoughts on his journey, and hope that the last 8 1/2 months will end up meaning more to him, than the last crazy two weeks his coach and mother have created.

And I will send all of you, my dear friends loving thoughts. Some healing thoughts for those who need it, thoughts of prosperity for those who need it, and of course thoughts of peace and contentment.

Have a lovely evening.

Friday Pet Peeves

2011-05-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

Ah.... Friday, finally. Usually I try to be as upbeat as possible, but this week has been filled with confrontation. I don't know if I am more menopausal than usual, or if Mars is ascending, Saturn falling or whatever is going on astrologically. According to a random poll I have taken with my friends their weeks have been a little crazy also...so to get it out of my system I am going to chat a little about my pet peeves of the day.

1. When blogger isn't working, on my day off, when I actually have time to catch up on the blogs I love.

2. Waking up 20 minutes before my typical work day alarm goes off, on a day I do not have to wake up. I love sleep, this is so unfair.

3. I've said it before and unfortunately have to repeat it again, knitting or crocheting and finding that blasted knot in the middle of the ball, or several knots depending on the yarn. Do you hear me South West Trading Company Amazing 100% Corn Fiber Yarn? You are beautiful, but oh so frustrating.

4. Teenage boys in general, whether they are yours or are staying with you, let me just say this,
"You are lovely, but the Universe does not revolve around you!"

5. Teenagers who just feel like arguing for no reason, or because they are tired, happy, unhappy, hungry, sore,...........you get the picture.

6. James getting voted off American Idol, no I didn't vote, but still think he got robbed.

7. Teenage boys who tell me they will do whatever I am asking in a few minutes, and two days later it isn't done. Putting away laundry, anyone?

8. The endless knitted dress, that seems to go on, and on, and on. I knit, and knit, and measure and I swear I am coming up with little to no progress. Can you actually knit and come up with a negative measurement?

9. People who cut me off in traffic. Can't we all take a second more to get to our destination, safely?

10.Teenagers.......enough said!

So how is your week? By the way I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful comments about my crochet sweater, and me. You gave me much to be thankful for in a week that is driving me a bit crazy.

Sweater

2011-05-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

First let me say I hate, hate, hate having my picture taken. But I thought just this once I would let my youngest son take a picture of me in my crochet sweater. My hair was still wet, so I am not looking as glamorous as usual. But I did have make up on, which is very unusual these days.

I think it turned out nicely. I hope you agree. Happy Tuesday everyone!

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-07T06:02:00.000-07:00

Before I wish you all a Happy Mother's Day, I thought I would show you my finished crochet sweater. Sorry for the poor photo, but I was just so excited it was finished, I had to post about it right away. Do you see how it crosses over in the front? The edges are done, the buttons sewn on. I love it!

It fits very nicely. I think the arms are a little wide at the ends, but it still looks good. I may wear it tonight when I go out to dinner with my husband and some friends. I love the color and love the yarn. Just to repeat myself a little bit, the pattern is called the Maggie Wrap Top, from the book Blueprint Crochet, by Robyn Chachula. Another beautiful Interweave Press published book. The yarn AslanTrends Royal Alpaca. It took approximately 1000 yards on a H sized crochet hook. Project number 24 for the year is complete! Hope you like it.

Mother's Day

I am having a difficult time writing this post for some reason. My Mother has been slowly fading for the last few years. I have been watching this and mourning this process. I wish to have the young, vital Mom I had, back for just one day, so I could ask her a few things I never bothered with when I was young. What was it like to be a mother to four crazy kids? Did you feel happy? Did you feel lost? I think we think of our Mother's as just that, a Mother, not a person with hopes, and dreams, and fears of their own. Wouldn't it be fun to be the age you are now, and talk to your Mom when she was that age? I am 46 so I could go out for lunch with my 46 year old Mom and chat. Would she have been much different than I am now?

Being a Mother is wonderful, and miserable all at the same time. It makes you laugh, cry and want to rip your hair out. It makes you lose sleep, get grey hair, and lots and lots of wrinkles. It makes you rejoice, pray and pray some more. You don't have to have children to be a Mother. So many women take care of their husbands, parents, friends, pets, nieces and nephews, and sisters, yes that is you Claudia. Women, in general take care of the world don't they?

So to all the wonderful women out there, taking care of the world I want to wish you a wonderful Mother's Day. To all of you grieving the loss of a Mother, I send you my love and prayers. To all of you with small children and teenagers, I send you the gift of patience, and hopes for a better wrinkle cream. And to all of you wonderful women in blogland, I send you my wish for a very creative life, where you find joy and peace.

My special gift this year for Mother's Day, is my baby turns 14! This is a first that his birthday falls on this day. Happy Birthday Buddy. You are a wonderful, sensitive young man. Things will get easier as you get out of this testosterone, crazed storm. I love you and I am proud of you.

Hmmmm... How are We Doing On Those Projects?

2011-05-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

So here is a bit of an update on the major projects in my life. The knitted dress is coming along slowly. Yes, it is still in time out, but after taking these pathetic pictures of it, I am feeling a little sorry for it. I mean, it is not the dresses fault that the yarn is not behaving nicely. I have knit about 16 inches of this dress so far. It will be approximately 26 inches long...or more depending on how it looks. I am rather tall at 5'9 3/4" and my legs are long, so it has to cover my thighs, which are not so young anymore.

Sorry for the bad picture, but here is the top of the dress. The dress is knit from the top down. After the main portion of the dress is complete, I will knit the sleeves and an i-cord which goes around the top of the dress. For the next 7 or 8 inches, it is purely straight knitting, a bit boring, but easy enough to do. That is if I stop finding all the knots in the yarn. I know, I have to get over that.

The crochet sweater has been a very, very, fun project, and the yarn has been behaving perfectly. I finished putting it together last night . Can I tell you how much I love this sweater and the pattern? I am amazed that putting these motifs together created this great wrap sweater.

It all comes together so nicely, and with really very little effort, as you connect the motifs as you go along. I also put the single crochet border around the neck line last night...I am getting closer, and closer to the finish line with this sweater.

Tonight, I will start on the crochet arm and waist bands. Easy enough to do, at least I think it is. I better not get too cocky or we will have some big mistake happen. I think this sweater will be perfect for Florida weather. In the summer I envision a white tank top underneath it, and in the winter a long white t-shirt. What do you think?

Thanks to all of you lovely ladies who keep posting pictures of all the spring cleaning you are doing. I got home from work today, and cleaned out my closet. I keep up with this pretty regularly, but still managed two bags for Goodwill. I also organized my knitting and crochet supplies, which are also in my closet. I don't have a craft room, so it is my closet, or nothing. I got rid of some really cheap yarn, and moved around some of the yarn I had. I am amazed that I really don't have a huge stash anymore. I have been using a lot up, but of course I still have enough to have a huge safety zone, in case yarn stores were to close for a couple of weeks, I am still set.

Thanks for all who comment on my blog. I really appreciate that you take the time to communicate with me. I appreciate all of you, even you lovely ladies who have been cleaning and purging.

Have a wonderful day.

Happy Sunday

2011-05-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday! This is quick bag number 2 from Sara at Tangled Happy. I made this a bit longer and wider as it is going to my friend Cathy, just for fun. The cute brown bag with the pink flower went next door, to the very cute 10 year old who lives there. I thought it might be a fun surprise for her. I am now officially not making another bag. As we all know, I can become very addicted to a certain project, and will make many of them before I am done. I will keep this bag in mind for Christmas presents for little ones, and maybe some big ones, too!

Hooray, I have 5 squares left before I completed with that portion of my crochet sweater. I will post more on that when I am closer to being finished with that project. The knitted dress is still being worked on, but sparingly. I am frustrated with the dress so it has been put in time out. I am not really mad at the dress, rather the yarn. I am using Amazing 100% Corn Fiber Yarn from South West Trading Company. The yarn knits up beautifully, great texture and all that. What is driving me crazy is the constant knots I am finding in every ball. These knots are where they tie the yarn together in the process of making it. I am knitting in the round, so they sneak up on me and I have to stop, cut out the knot and start again, like I am using a new ball. In my last ball of yarn I have had 5 knots. That is 5 knots in 140 meters of yarn. I just think this is unacceptable in a nice yarn, put out by a solid yarn company. I actually think it is unacceptable in a cheaper yarn, but you are always taking a chance with cheap yarn, so I can at least use that as an excuse. I would be even more irritated if I was knitting on straight needles. When I am using straight needles I only start new yarn at the beginning of the row, and to be in the middle of the row, and come across a knot would drive my crazy. You would have to take out the row, and start again, just think how much yarn you would be wasting! So you can see why the dress is in time out. That yarn is not behaving nicely, so until it does, or I have more patience, it will have to sit and think about things a bit.

On another note, I am so, so saddened for the people affected by the horrible tornadoes in the middle of the country. The devastation is horrifi,c and the loss simply unimaginable. My heart goes out to all of you. I think being a blogger helps to make you feel like the whole world is your next door neighbor. Watching a hour of Dateline Friday evening and seeing so many people who have lost everything is so sad. The loss of lives of course is unbearable. Such an amazing storm with such force. I felt a bit guilty watching the recap of the Royal Wedding after seeing all the devastation. So I am sending that area of the country healing prayers in hopes that it helps.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Little Bag

2011-04-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

Monday I was given a gift of a day off of work. I was so excited. I had already done a ton of housework so I decided to have some fun. Sara at Tangled Happy had recently posted her directions for this very cute, little crochet bag. She made some for her daughters, with the most amazing flowers on them. If I was a little girl, and Sara was my Mother, I would be thrilled to get one of these! As it is I am a big girl and I still love them. This was a very quick project and I just had so much fun making it in one day. I used some yarn left over from the crochet baby blankets I made earlier this year. This is my 20th completed project of 2011. I think I needed a break from the long winded, crochet sweater, and knitted dress I am making. A fun, quick, project was just what the doctor ordered. Please check out Sara's blog, she finds the most amazing projects with a link and the directions. Tangled Happy is one of my favorite blogs, so go and give Sara a visit. And make one of these cute bags, for a little girl, or yourself. You won't be sorry.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hope the sun is shinning, and Spring is well on the way to your home.

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

From my blog to yours, wishing all my friends a Happy Easter. And if you do not celebrate Easter I wish you a very Happy Sunday.

Crochet Sweater

2011-04-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

I want to introduce you to one of my new books. Blueprint Crochet modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter, by Robyn Chachula. Believe me it is a beautiful book, which is not indicated by my very grainy picture above. This book was purchase at my local Barnes and Noble, and is published by Interweave Press. Robyn Chachula is a genius. In many of her projects she has a motif that she recreates and connects to make a beautiful sweater, or belt, or scarf. As you know I am not as comfortable with crochet as I am with knitting. But this book has very clear cut instructions, and beautiful patterns using symbols which are very easy to understand. Believe me if I can understand it so can you.

This lovely sweater above is my first project from this book. I am hoping my crochet skills will do this sweater justice, and I hope I look like the beautiful model when I am done with my sweater. I could use some beautiful dark, long hair and a chest, both of which I do not have.

The photo above is how this sweater is put together, So simple, yet so beautiful. I have made a little adaptation, as I am long waisted I am making it a full square longer, so easy to adjust the pattern. It would be easy to make it 3/4 sleeve length, or even no sleeves at all. I love how simply the instructions are laid out, and the graphs of the motifs are very, very, easy to understand. I know I keep repeating myself but I am so excited that I am actually making a crochet sweater, and that it is so easy to do.

This is where I am currently at with the pattern. I am using Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca in color ROY 6472, purchased at my local yarn store, Uncommon Threads in Palm Harbor, Fl.

This yarn is so beautiful to work with, so soft, and lovely. My wrists are only permitting me to do about two motifs a night, which is seriously hindering my progress. I hope you check out this book, I don't think you will be disappointed. And remember I am not blog savvy enough to be reviewing this book for any other reason then, I just love it.

And to end my post, beautiful gardenias from my garden. I wish you could smell them, they are glorious. I think Heaven is made up of beautiful lilacs and gardenias, with all the yarn you could ever want. Oh, and wrists that cooperate all the time, and never give you trouble.

By the way Barb over at Sheep Gal is having a give away of 4 skeins of her beautiful Cormo Silk Alpaca in the colorway of Bluebird. Please click on the link and go and give her a visit. She has the most amazing blog , you will love her farm, sheep, and her amazing yarn.

Have a wonderful day.

This and That

2011-04-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday everyone! I wanted to show you a picture of my early Mother's Day and Birthday present. A new bike. I just love it. It is a big, heavy, three speed.

It has this very fun basket I can carry all my knitting and crocheting in. I filled it with knitting magazines and delivered them to my friend Cathy's house on my first ride.

And look at this, it has a bell!!!! My oldest son thinks I look a, "bit like a loser" on it, but I just think he is jealous. Because it is purple, cute and it moves slowly. When I ride it time slows down, and that is something I love. I had forgotten how much you notice when you are on a bike just riding for the fun of riding, not racing or exercising, just riding. Yesterday, I saw a blue heron catch a fish, a hawk on a lamp post, and an older man pull his car over to rescue a turtle. I saw the beautiful green leaves against a brilliant blue sky, and two squirrels running around playing with each other. I plan to get in some nice rides before it gets way too hot and humid here.

I just finished the most wonderful book and I would like to recommend it to all of you. It is called A Gift of an Ordinary Day, by Katrina Kenison. It is available through Amazon. This is a true story of a wonderful woman with two teenage boys, (this I can relate to), transitioning into her midlife. Watching these boys getting ready to leave her, and questioning who she is now that they are growing up. This isn't a book for mothers only, we all are transitioning through the stages of our lives. Change is happening all the time, and I think that Katrina Kenison helps to find the beauty, peace and gratitude in the every day aspects of our lives. For some reason this book is staying with me even after I have finished it several days ago. That tells me that it really hits home, so read it if you can, you won't be disappointed. See what not knitting or crocheting is doing to me, it is making me read and now write up a little book recommendation.

Thanks for all your kind thoughts on my oldest son, and on my wrists. He has decided to join the swim team where his high school coach is. She is a wonderful woman and frankly kicked his butt in practice last week. He is sore, tired, and happy that the decision has been made. He seems lighter, if that is possible for a brooding 17 year old. We won't be spending 3 hours in the car a day to get to Sarasota, so that is a huge relief to me. I know this sounds bad and I don't mean it to, but I think a woman will help to heal him. Men, bless them, just don't get it most of the time. A woman does, and she will try to help heal him on every level, then he can move on, and believe in himself again. As for my wrists we are making progress. No tingling today, but also no knitting or crochet. I am giving it a few more days before I start back slowly. Surgery is not an option yet. I need my hands to work with the babies I have, they need help more than I do.

My oldest also let me pick up his very lovely girlfriend and bring her to a swim meet this morning. This must be serious as I had to be in the car with her for 45 minutes, alone. She is adorable, and they are just so sweet looking at each other, chatting, and laughing. He is in Heaven, and it appears she might be, too.

And look what I found today in my garden. The first gardenia of the year. I promise I won't go all gardenia crazy on you this year. But remember they are my favorite flower, and I have 6 bushes of them, and I look forward to this time of year when they bloom, and my house is filled with their beautiful scent. So I might go a little crazy.

Have a wonderful weekend.