Purl's Knit 2 Together

puppy pics

2011-06-17T15:28:00.005-04:00

It's June already!

2011-06-17T12:24:00.002-04:00

Wow..........June 2011.

Divorce is finally over the done. Last step is to finish emptying the old house. That should be done this weekend................Thank goodness for Coggietm and her Sarge!

My new house is shaping up, well other than the putting away at this point of just stuff and I think that I fell behind on my everyday cleaning! Biggest plus to the whole thing is that I went from over 2000 sq ft down to 1100 and you can only fit so much and there isn't as much to have to clean!

Time management! LOL.

Dark hair and new dress!

Almost a year later...............

2011-02-23T13:43:00.002-05:00

Wow has time flown by! Once I made the decision to make a change in my life.............it's all been a whirl wind ride!

New house (to me), divorce (ing), family divorced me........no knitting (not much after Sept. 2010), new job (challenge), new friends, nice guy, new dog, motorcycle, and several new tatts. Oh my! In writing it looks like a lot huh?

This weekend is choc full o'nutz! Going to Coggietm's aka Kari's on Friday night to hang out, knit, spin and drink wine! Saturday is Sheep Shearing day at Shadyside Farm again! Yippee! Get to catch up with my farm owning friends Lona!

Then coming home Saturday night......for a full day Sunday! Detroit Tattoo convention! I think I have an appt.?! Will wonders never end?

Need to post a pic............hmmmmmmmm lets go with new dog.

Changes?

2010-03-23T16:55:00.005-04:00

Why is it that Spring always makes me want to change everything? Is it like the reborn newness of the season or some dang thing? It looks like some changes are coming here at work. Another job is taking off like gang busters pretty much and putting pressure on the man. When the man is under pressure then he puts pressure (stress) on me.
It's kind of like a continuous fire. Everything has to be done right now and it is never fast enough either! Not so good with the demanding types ya know?

Well he has been letting me make my own so-called schedule but is now wanting or demanding a more rigid set up. What he is really saying is that he wants me in the shop from 9-5 mon-fri PERIOD. But the more he is like this the more I rebel. Feeling sheepishly like a teenager now!
But hey I want happy days too right? He creates his own pressure and assumes that I will just take what he dishes out.

I am thinking this is the year of either a small comprimise in change or THE BIG CHANGE. The outcome has yet to be seen. I have many hurdles to jump first. I have a list of things. Now to just start checking them all off the that list. One at a time right? Like one day at a time.

So the first was to get the big bird to the vet for beak and nail trim. Check!
Next was to locate a new home, it was done actually but it fell through so that one is a start over. What it means to me is that I have to pick up the phone, call a total stranger that I met almost 3 years ago and see if he and his family would still like to welcome my bird into their family. UGH! The sheer torture of it. But I guess that I get to at least hide behind the phone for the first or initial call right?

Next is find an attorney and get a meeting. This is so much harder than it seems too! I mean, how do you pick a good one that won't fleece ya? But one that can protect you from another that might just be really vindictive and back stabbing? Trial and error I guess. I have to start by trying. Yellow pages here I come.

Next would be to then make the call, or lay down my demands for a change. If he bites it could work out for both of us at least for a time being. Or just drive the wedge farther. Depends on his animosity for me taking control of me.

Well that is my nutshell for now.......after 5pm and I am going to run outta here (if he lets me). See what I mean. Time to go get lost in knitting..........with a tad bit of socializing thrown in for good measure.
Poof!! I'm gone.

I am feeling..............

2010-03-23T16:29:00.004-04:00

I am feeling a bit 'lacey'. What does that mean? Well for some darn reason I am looking at a lot of lace patterns for shawls or shawlettes! Oh and do I wear them? Uh NO. But they look so dang pretty and all.

I am currently working on the CITRON shawlett from knitty.com. I am using a skein of malabrigo lace that I got as a gift from my good 'twin'! Not that I am the bad twin either........she is just soooo good to me! I love the simplicity of the pattern and even though it is not a lace pattern purse' it is using a lace weight yarn. So it is a sorta kinda thing. I know photo please.

Ok I have also picked another pattern that seems to be peoples favorite and it is Ishbel by Ysolda Teauge. Very popular pattern. I picked up a funky variegated type yarn at Threadbear Fiber Arts Studio in Lansing along with two others that are plain colors like dark gray and light beige. The light beige has a ton of yardage like 1300 and I thought that if this bug really takes hold........I could always dye it, hand dye it or whatever makes me smile at the time I do something with it! Right?

I also have recently joined a swap on Ravelry in the High Fiber Diet group for swapping seasons and my partner (secret) also likes lace yarns. Yeah might have to go back and get her a prettier color! She like neutrals but likes red, pink, and blue too! hmmmmmmmm Maybe I will get something I can dye. Make it a one of a kind.........yup there we go!!

The sun is shining today, rained yesterday.........glad that's over!

Little Girl's shrugs

2010-03-21T21:28:00.004-04:00

Top one is for Madison and the bottom one is for Abygail.

I sure hope they love them as much as I loved making them! This is a really easy pattern, quick and with great results!

Smiles

2010-03-20T20:06:00.002-04:00

Funny, I sit here watching a MJ special on the FUSE channel (never heard of it) but the special is just awesome. I mean watching MJ puts a smile on my face. Why? Well that was back in the days when everything was just 'easy' LOL!

Watching Thriller is just awesome! Have always loved that vid. Such a shame and waste that his life was cut short. He had more talent and creativity than he could outwardly express.

Some days I feel like that. I mean I have so many things, ideas etc. and just want to make them all happen! I guess I will be making strides in that direction for this year. Last year was a 'trying' year. Trying to make it work, trying to be in love, trying to be loved. Thinking that I might have wasted another year with the trying.

Well off to cook the dinner that if I was on my own I would only be cooking because I 'wanted' to cook it but not because I feel I 'have' to cook it. Having to have to do things just makes me want to rebel. LOL. Too old to be a teenager........but not to old to finally be ME.

Proof

2010-03-18T11:50:00.001-04:00

-- Post From My iPhone

What a day!

2010-03-18T11:48:00.001-04:00

Wow today is just a totally off day! I mean first I couldn't get outta bed. Then tried to schedule a meet with vendor, I coordinated to pick up rental van on the way only to find out he wasn't where he said he was! So I rent van, backtrack and sit in parking lot waiting! He finally showed and points out that the rental has a flat as a pncake tire!!! UGH!! What next?

Waiting for tie change, sorry putting my foot down here I AM NOT I repeat NOT changing this dang tire!

As soon as guy gets here I am going into panera bread get some lunch and relax until I am ready to move. Eh why fight it right?!?!?

-- Post From My iPhone

Monday......

2010-03-14T21:13:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is Monday! Oh and it is the 15th of March also. This will be my day for a procedure called Nova Sure. Outpatient surgery, uterine ablation. Hoping for lighter periods or even better, no period. But for sure it has to end up as a monthly relief. LOL.

In the meantime, I have been knitting. Finished one Little Girl's shrug and working on a second one. Both of the older granddaughters 4 and 6 year olds wear the same size. So it is very easy to double up on items!

The youngest 2 granddaughters are 17 months and the other is 21 months. And yes they too wear the same size LOL!

Am I the only one that hates the time change? Spring forward ugh! Today I didn't get up early and I took my time going into work to do some paperwork, came home and it was only 2:30pm. What the heck? I mean it felt like it should have be 5pm. I took a nap. It's now about 9:30pm and I am ready for bed already.

Another Barbie Cake?

2010-03-11T15:29:00.003-05:00

Yep sure is! This one I made for Madison's Birthday party that was last Sunday. Her real birthday is on the 10th she turned 4 years old.

I did this one out of butter cream frosting with a Wilton's dye of purple. Little did I know that I didn't have enough purple to get it really dark. So it came out light 'dusty' purple? My photography isn't the best in the world as I used the iPhone camera at night with next to no lighting. Hey must do what we have to do when we have to do it?! Right?

It is Thursday and the day is darn near over! Yippee!! Going to knitting tonight at Whitmore Lake Yarn shop in guess? Whitmore Lake Michigan. LOL! Just finished up a Sophisticated Hoodie pattern by Sally Melville, finishing for a customer. I tried it on and funny thing is she made it just my size!

I had to sew in the zipper down the front, pick up stitches from the inside near zipper tape, knit several rows and bind off, use that for a 'cover' for the zipper tape on the inside of the sweater! Brilliant design there! It looks wonderful and so polished. Then next was the sleeves, under arm/raglan, and side seams.

The weather here is soooo wonderful, talk about spring fever! Why is it when the weather turns nice that I want to make drastic 'nice' changes in my life too?

Monday surgery, outpatient to have Nova Sure or uterine ablation. Here is hoping for NO MORE periods! I am hoping.

More later.

Not a Monday!

2010-03-09T10:10:00.002-05:00

Yes really it is only Tuesday, or is it already Tuesday? The sun is shining and it will reach about 50 degrees! Whoop!

I am sitting in Jackson waiting for my parts to get plated. I would rather be knitting and just might do that also!

I have finished granddaughters 18" doll hat

and now cast on the Knitting pure & simple knit patterns for a Little Girl's shrug #228 in bright yellow-green. Think spring right?

If this pattern goes as fast as it is.......I might just make all the grand girls one for easter! I love knitting!

Shearing day at Shadyside farm

2010-03-04T15:29:00.002-05:00

If you would like to take a peek at the farm we went to in Holland Michigan go to this site Shadysidefarm and read all about it.

Socks complete!

2010-03-04T14:27:00.001-05:00

IMG_0756
Originally uploaded by lorrieu1

Look! I finished these last night! I cast on Dec. 29 2009 with my first toe up two at a time on two circular needles.
Plain vanilla socks, just wanted to take the yarn as far as I could. I do believe that I only had about 3 yards of yarn left after casting off. I got scared that I would run out mid cast off!

I love them! Still want some that are higher up the calf, but without purchasing an extra ball of yarn, toe up I can get pretty far. Happy me!

When it rains...........

2010-03-03T18:06:00.002-05:00

Ha! When it rains it pours right? Ok uploaded a few photos.......now to just update life.

Something new: I signed up for an online course of medical transcription. I have 12 months to finish and or pay for extension. (NOT) This could be a good thing for future employment. I would prefer to be a medical assistant or similar but the market is saturated according to all recent graduates I have spoken with. Yet on the other hand you have to figure in that learning a whole butt load of medical terminology and stuff will only be beneficial if I choose to go into some medical field. Even back into a doctors office.

Next on the list is to start teaching or doing some workshops at the yarn shop.

Still on the list..............should I start my own podcast? Here I sit and would love it but is there enough room in the knitting/spinning/crafting world for yet another podcast? Finding time to record is my only dilemma. That is having time to myself alone. With that said I have to figure out how to edit etc. on my mac with garage band. All the mac stuff is still pretty new to me still after almost a year of having it.

Design. Yes I want to design a few patterns that have been on my mind. I know how time consuming that process is too. To sketch the designs up is one thing. To start the knitting process and document all the steps is another!

I also have a few sewing project I would like to get to................why does this sound like a laundry list? All the things that I want to do, am doing or wish I was doing?

Currently working on a couple items for a new baby coming into the family later in April. My cousin and his wife are expecting a baby girl and you all know how much I love to knit for babies especially girls! I have 4 granddaughters and let me tell ya there is never enough time to knit all the things I want to for them!!

Tomorrow is a new day. Gym on the schedule in the morning then sounds like I have to come in to the shop to take up air space. But with air space comes time to be online with my MT course right? I have to prioritize. Wow! Can't believe that I spelled that correctly. Sometimes I amaze myself. LOL.

nutting but photos

2010-03-03T17:35:00.003-05:00

Well waddayaknow?!

2010-03-03T17:26:00.002-05:00

Hey look! It's me. Back again. I know it has been a while. Actually can't even remember the last time I blogged.
What has been new here? Sheep shearing with daughter and granddaughter last weekend. Also had a great time hanging out with CoggieTM from the High Fiber diet podcast.
The weekend before was the oldest granddaughters birthday party for family at my house. I made a Barbie cake and she was so happy to get a real authentic American Girl doll, Julie. I outfitted both Abby and Julie with one of a kind almost matching sweaters. It was a big hit!
This coming weekend I will be making another Barbie cake for the next granddaughter in line Madison who will be 4.
I will upload photos of all this goodness in just a bit.

Knitting? Ravelry has all my projects if you want to see them.

But yes still knitting my heart out!!
Sun is shining and spring might just be around the corner?

Sitting here........listening

2010-01-19T15:43:00.004-05:00

I am at work on new computer successfully setup and ready to do all things work and 'play' too!

I am listening to KIPing It Real podcast.........playing catch up.

Today was the first day of the gym sign up with DD. First class was at 8am and was called boot camp. Yes like it says, basically a circuit training program. A lot of hard work lets just say!!

New on the needles is a knit along with the High Fiber Diet podcast group on Ravelry. Not a member yet? Are you a knitter or crocheter? Sign up! Spinners and weavers too! Back to the knit along. It's the incredible custom fit raglan sweater pattern. Making a crazy ball version for oldest granddaughter Abygail. Dug out all the different and funky yarns, grouped by color and just started winding balls up by tying them all together. I have a feeling it will be too big. But there will be plenty of room to grow right? I will also be using the pattern to make one for her 18" doll. They will be closely matched.

Still working on my first pair of toe up socks on two circular needles and two at a time! Fun! I can't wait until they are finished, I am going for knee socks, use up as much yarn as I can and warmth.

another day home!

2010-01-08T12:55:00.003-05:00

Which one do you like better?

Another day I get to stay home! Ask me......what have you done today sofar? LOL! Well I did finish this logo for a contest and got it uploaded to the site on ravelry. It is for the High Fiber Podcast. It is hand drawn and then some editing and text via random paint programs. I am working very hard to learn new programs on this mac!

Chit chatted on skype with friend, surfed the net together (too much fun!) And am now trying to get off this hard as nails chair! to get something done LOL!

Todays list of things to do, I did clear out some stuff from my closet for donation. Really nice evening dresses worn to weddings etc. They will get a good home.

Next is to wash up a load or so out of a "was supposed to be garage sale" bag of clothes from the basement and donate them too! Continue over a period of time to donate and trash the clutter in the dungeon (basement).

I guess that next time I sit down here at the computer I will have to upload a few photos too keep interest.

Have ya ever?

2010-01-07T17:54:00.002-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days? LOL. Well let me elaborate!

Spent a few hours, yes hours LOL on skype with Coggietm of the High Fiber Diet Podcast (downloadable from itunes). She is so much darn fun! Why oh why can't we live closer than 3 hours? Well since we don't, it's good that we can talk all day for free huh? Just connect on the laptop and even go from room to room and if you want to show something turn on the vidcam! YIKES did I forget to brush my hair?

Ok so for one of those days darnit! I have run or should I say NOT run across a second item I can't find since Christmas! The first was nice purse purchased at costco and now the second is a flip camcorder! Where did it go? I know that I didn't or wasn't going to use it this Christmas as it was just too chaotic, but I will be darned if I can find it now! Wish me luck in the future on this stuff!

This is part of 2009

2010-01-03T14:05:00.009-05:00

This is Lorna's laces combed top. I had two different colors devon and mountain creek that were similar and thought that they would ply up together beautifully...........see for yourself!

This plus this made this!

Without getting up off the couch and checking the label I believe that I have 702 yards to make something with! It is a light worsted and superwash merino. So I do think that it will make a good childs sweater if there is enough yardage.

After Christmas.......

2009-12-27T12:41:00.005-05:00

Ha! It's a couple days after Christmas and I think that we have to get off our butts and get out of the house for a bit!

On our 17th wedding anniversary (Dec. 21) I got us both New Zealand fleeces to cover our recliners. DH says that they are 'pimped out' LOL!!

And as you can see from my iphone photo someone else loves this too! I wonder if I can find a small version for the pup?

It has been way too long..........

2009-12-20T11:48:00.005-05:00

Ok it is time for me to play catch up!! My birthday is tomorrow already! Then just 4 more days (3 if you do Christmas with family on the eve) to get all the presents wrapped! Oh and lets not mention I still need stocking stuffers. OOPS!

I have been really busy I guess. Some knitting, some spinning, a fiber in the forest retreat back in November.

Met with CoggieTM from the High Fiber diet podcast a couple of weeks ago at the Spinning Loft here in Howell. Had lunch with the girls. Laughed, shopped and gifted fiber.

Have to locate some photos.
But for now I am still alive, smiling and ready to keep ya all updated!

Wow! missed a whole month!

2009-11-21T17:15:00.004-05:00

October in a nutshell?

That would be more work than I can re-create here I think.

But you know there was some knitting time, some spinning time, time for work and also time for play.

Maybe just a few photos to tell a story?

Did I ever?

2009-09-25T15:04:00.001-04:00

You know I am blogging from the iPhone again and can't remember if I ever posted a photo of my goodies that my sister from another mother sent me!
Some time ago I tried to lure her over to the "other" side with a drop spindle, book on how to and some fiber samples. Some of which I dyed myself from Easter egg dyes.
Well I just don't think my temptaion worked!
So in the meantime she accumulated a box of goodies to send me. Now ya know if I forget to mention something I have to apolgize right here and now with a big fat SORRY.
Here goes, some wonderful fiber for me to spin, might be a hint! Then there was a seashell from the seashore and a bottle of real authentic Atlantic beach sand, I think to dump on the floor and wiggle my toes in maybe? A purty little key chain so that maybe when I loose my carkeys I can say that they have a nifty atlantic beach keychain attached ro them and how many of those do you think there are in Michigan?
Then just to clean up my now sandy toes there are 3 bars of handmade soap and even a shampoo bar!!! I must admit that that shampoo bar is my favorite thing!
Well almost. There is also a skein of malabrigo lace yarn!!! I have never had the pleasure of seeing it before in person and now I have some of my very own!!!! Thank you thank you!!
Ok so here is a photo taken with iPhone right after I opened my goodie box.

-- Post From My iPhone

Eugene

2009-09-24T15:14:00.001-04:00

Well yesterday I adopted a Rex bunny from a lady that foud it abandoned. Named him Eugene. He is the friendliest bunny ever! Hard to believe someone would just drop him in a parking lot!
So with that said I will contact local humane society to see if there is a missing report before purchasing a deluxe home.
But in the meantime here is a quit iPhone photo to show him off.

-- Post From My iPhone

Christening gown

2009-09-18T13:15:00.000-04:00

Didn't I tellyou all it was finished? Here is proof!

-- Post From My iPhone

Not the best time.....

2009-09-08T19:47:00.008-04:00

Our oldest (5 year old) granddaughter Abby is shown here in these photos using chopsticks for the first time! Luckily grandma remembered how to make the cheater chops with a rubber band and chopstick wrapper!!

Still thinking and doing some research on the podcast. Got a mic and a podcast book to read......hey it's a start!

Still boxing......but might switch things up a bit as I would like to take some type of classes to better myself. Spanish I and a physical class and even a journaling online class? I'm just thinking.

I looked into medical transcription....... one year online class with certification when you are finished. It's an option. Then there was also a phlebotomy class, it was full ;(. Not sure the I have whats required to take it though.

well that's a quickie for now! LOL Time to make the chicken.

Facebook and farmtown........total I mean total time suck! And I can't help it! Ya just want to get to that next level! It is fun to work through it with family and friends though! And to have reconnected with old friends from high school too! Technology. Amazing.

Knitting? Well still working on that chevron scarf probably more than halfway but just yes, bored with it. So I cast on a knitted beaded scarf. Bought it in kit form from my local yarn shop Whitmore Lake Yarn Co. here in you guessed it! Whitmore Lake Michigan. Still have the hardly worked on socks on the needles........and last but not least I had to cast on a scarf pattern that I am supposed to be teaching later this month. I knit a whole scarf but that was months ago, had to cast on and refresh my brain on the pattern details. I rarely knit the same thing twice so it was a push for sure!

I will throw up a photo or so in a bit just to keep things interesting ok?

thanks for following................Lorrie

Something I have been thinking about

2009-08-27T09:40:00.001-04:00

Ok for all you knitters and fiber freaks, I want to podcast..... I think. No really I want to it's just now how to develope an interesting and fun format. My brain is working overtime!
I may have to give up my farming on facebook as I would need that time for the podcast. Time management ha what's that?
If any of you readers have program ideas and suggestions please leave a comment below.
Let me know your thoughts and you might win a random fiber gift from me!
Thanks and more news as things and thoughts progress.

-- Post From My iPhone

Time again

2009-08-27T09:27:00.003-04:00

Looks like it is time again to update my blog! How time flies!
Baby Reese's baptism was wonderful. And her dress looked like it was made for her, ya think?
Her mom had pictures taken and I think I can put one up here to show baby and dress off. ( insert photo here)
On other news, finished and ready to send red blend of superwash merino to my dear friend Alicia. I spun it in a heavy fingering weight yarn that I personally can't wait to hear how it knits up! Now to just add some other goodies to the box so I can ship it to her.
I still have not knit any of my spun yarns, I need just the right project or pattern first.
Oh and let's not even talk about face book!!! Dog gone farm town! It is a terrible obsession of a farming game that like all computer type games sucks up all your time. So I have not knit too much other than a couple baby hats. The most recent is the baby Squash hat from one of the one ball designer knit books that I can't remember the real title of lol! Still have to finish that scarf I can't remember the name of. Dang not doing too good huh with the memory thing that's probably not a good sign.
Most recent books I have read or listened to: Eat, Pray, Love in audio book. Interesting read. Actually I don't know that it would have held my interest if I had to read it in book form. Other readables are mostly blogs on my kindle and Crazy aunt purls drunken divorced and covered in cat hair. Ha!
Washed up the rest of Chinny's challenge fleece from peace fleece. I don't think that it was skirted, lots of vm and other stinky's. But after all the work it is spinning up well and I like it. Actually very white in it's natural color. Washed up a bit of lovely dark Romney just to see it's final color, more yummyness!
I did get my really cool gift box from Alicia, in it was 4 bars of her handmade soap, some chocolate brown fleece all scowered and ready to comb or flick and spin, a skein of malabrigo lace yarn in yellow and oranges that I will get on my needles after I finish the baby hat, a sea shell from the seashore and beach sand from Atlantic beach, keychain to hold my car keys, boy I sure hope that was all. I did take an iPhoto of the goodness and will put that up here later as well.
Still on my list of things to do are to come up with a podcast? Maybe something that I can feature my local yarn shops and spin shop along with my posts on my learning curves in podcasting, blogging, knitting, spinning, weaving and all other hobbies and crafts? At this early stange of the thinking game it just seams that it would flow better spoken as apposed the all this thumb typing updates from iPhone keyboard? I know there will be some editting involved so I might have to give up farming on face book?

-- Post From My iPhone

My first fleece washing experience

2009-08-12T14:40:00.008-04:00

Purchased this 1 pound bag of fleece from Peace Fleece and it's called Chinny's challenge. Chinniny is one of their sheep and I have her full breed description at home.

Here it is after I got a few of the locks out of the bag...........ewe dirty and with many bits of vegetable matter or VM

Here I am washing the fleece, yes in the kitchen sink! I have a layer of tulle down with the fleece spread out on it. Makes it very easy to just pick up the tulle, squeeze out access water and then wash again. I used dawn dish soap.

After rinsing and then squeezing, I put the bundle in a towell and stepped on it to get out all of the extra water then I put it on an old window screen propped with a fan blowing up from the bottom to dry.

Here is the dried fleece and I am fluffing and picking the locks apart to get out more of the VM to ready for hand carding.

Here are some of the hand carded rollags that I did myself for the first time!

And this is what it all looks like while being spun up on my little Victoria spinning wheel. It is very white and clean and soft and I can't wait to work with more of it! I spun through all I had prepped and need to wash again...........

A couple of things

2009-08-12T14:14:00.004-04:00

Well.........I just need to vent! Sorry but really, sometimes a person just needs to go on about nothing right?

Eh not so much I guess. I am here at work and today instead of listening to podcasts or audio books I have been watching you tube! Gee from how to make a WWII fox hole radio to silk screening a t-shirt! LOL. I really want to try that radio too!

But for me today I just have a need to wash wool. Oh I neglected to tell you that I started out on you tube watching washing, carding, combing, spinning and dying fleece. That just led to many other things to watch.

This weekend is the Michigan Fiber Festival and I am going! Never been and just want to check it out, and hey I am pretty sure that I will learn something new too. I hope to get a few pictures to post from the event.

But for now I just wanted to show you some of my wool washing and prep pics. Excuse the quality as I did this with the iphone as it was just plain old handy!

AND..... as you can see I posted the in another blog post. Was just easier that way. Enjoy

Oh bloggit!

2009-08-03T13:06:00.002-04:00

So it's been a while again! Lots of things happening or happened. But it is summer right?

Pretty much had all week off last week! If you want to call it off that is. Depends on how you describe 'off'. I steamed all carpets in the house. Cleaned all floors! Cleaned and organized many rooms in my house. Tiff moved out and I got her old room set up for grandkids room. Week ago Saturday had oldest granddaughter over night for first time ever! We did a few crafts and book store run. Just had fun hanging out!

Then Wednesday evening got youngest granddaughter for both wed and thurs nights! We walked in Ann arbor, did some shopping at kohls and salvation army where I found barbies! Grandma had no barbies! We have like 8 now! Woot!

Cleaned sewing room, some. Just have a few flat surfaces to clean off and then I can do some of the just for fun sewing projects I have been wanting to do!! Fun as in soft toys and dolls for the kids to play with! Like the wacky critters and stuff in some of the books I have gotten at the bookstore I can post the names of the books with photos of finished projects later.

Can't remember if I posted that I bought a new to me old car or not on here. Did on facebook though. 1997 (see I said old) Honda accord with 81k miles. Very clean didn't need any mechanical work at all. I did however get an up to date radio, back windows tinted (for backseat graNdkid taxi purposes) and new speakers this weekeend. Even hubby likes it and has driven it exclaiming how great it drives for being such an older car! And just to be clear I bought it myself with no input from him. He didn't even see it until I brought it home lol!
I have finished spinning most of the superwash merino sock yarn for my seperated at birth twin sister (soul sister) or sister at heart? Not sure how to phrase it really as we have never met in person as yet. But the nets have brought us together non the less. I spun up 283 yards and had to order a bit more to be able to gift 400 yds to knit up some socks.
-- Post From My iPhone

One more time about the car..........I BOUGHT IT!

2009-07-24T12:29:00.001-04:00

Back to the car wasn't what I had in mind but it is an awesome car and deal and I don't have to shuck out a ton if money right now but I will still have a nice car and reliable
I still feel a roadtrip of some sort coming up!!
Oops machine just ran outta parts!

-- Post From My iPhone

To New car or not to new car?

2009-07-24T12:23:00.000-04:00

I might I think I am getting this car it's a dark teal green 97 Honda accord 81k miles body clean original owner trade in new exgast new tires new timing belt and water pump clean inside
Yeah I know one super loge sentence but blogging from iPod while working at machine making parts!

-- Post From My iPhone

FREE Down and Dirty swiffy cover pattern

2009-07-19T19:19:00.003-04:00

Down n dirty swiffy sweep cover

Needle size 9 us

Comfort dk 1/2 skein

Sprinkles 1/2 skein

4 1-1/2" buttons

Co 40 stitches holding dk yarn doubled

K 3 rows, knitting each row (garter st)

K6 sts, Bo 4 sts, k 20 sts, Bo 4, k rem 6 sts turn

K 6sts, co 4, k20, co 4, k rem 6 sts. You just made your button holes!

Garter st next 12 rows

Cut one dk yarn and add sprinkles yarn

Garter st until fuzziness is 5"

Cut sprinkles an pick up second dk again

K 12 rows garter st

Knit back and forth on just 15 sts for 2", Bo

Join yarn at base of first tab, Bo 20 sts

K on rem 15 sts until it is 2" or same as first tab, Bo

Sew 2 buttons back to back on tab and then do the same with the second.

Wrap around your swiffy head and enjoy using reversable, reusable cleaning dusting down and dirty swiffy sweep cover!!

What I did today

2009-07-08T18:04:00.001-04:00

See video of what I did today!

And just so you know, this is an ACME Gridley screw machine. Each of the parts we make represents the center of a car steering wheel! Since we are a tier 4 supplier to automotive you have to take into consideration scrap and fallout. But that is just one of the operations we do.

Testing

2009-07-08T17:57:00.002-04:00

Just testing to see if I can update my blog from the iPhone!

Sent from my iPhone

Oh and how SWEET is this! It worked and boy I could even send video? Lemme check on that.

Sockie progress

2009-07-07T21:21:00.006-04:00

I am currently working on socks for a tiny girl and this is my progress, only about 1.5 inches but its a start!! Now I can't find the wrapper for this yarn (of course) but it is Crystal Palace yarn either Maizy or Panda soy. It is a nice soft yarn that has a cotton feel but soft and squishy. I took this silly picture with the web cam on this silly little (I mean little) netbook computer.

I also just have to post another photo of a granddaughter, how flippin cute is this one?

Have you ever tried the new starbucks java chip frap icecream? OHMYGOSH!!! Go find it and give it a try! Yummo!

I need to get to spinning but there are just a few other things i have to work on first. Grand babies coming over on Friday night for sleep over and I need to get DD room cleaned up after she moved out, wash sheets etc. Work workwork never ends.

A new photo of hand spun

2009-07-06T19:41:00.003-04:00

I have a new photo to post.

This yarn I purchased from butterflygirldesigns at Etsy. Color name: BLUE MORPHO

Here is the description: There are three layers in these batts: black superwash merino, Aegean blue bamboo and a dark cornflower blue superwash merino.Contents: 67% superwash merino, 33% bamboo, 3 oz.

After spinning I ended up with 3 oz. (hey that's pretty good eh?)

It too is a fingering weight yarn and 19 wraps per inch. I plan on making myself socks from it. I will do my first toe up socks to make sure that I have enough to actually wear. Might be anklets but who cares I spun it, gonna knit it and can wear it myself right?

After spinning

NEW CONTEST!! WIN A KNITTING PATTERN BOOK

2009-07-06T19:27:00.002-04:00

Well did that get your attention?

I have a book that I purchased just for this occasion. The name of it is Wrap Style by Pam Allen & Ann Budd editors of Interweave Knits. I linked to another site so that you might view some of the designs in this book if you don't already know. Just click on view more images under the photo of the book at the site.

Anywho........to win this book you must sign up to follow my blog. I will wait until there are at least 10 new subscribers and at that point put all the names in the random generator and pick a winner. I hope to have this completed by the end of July so that the winner may start by making their own wrap to wear or gift before the colder season approaches.

Leave a comment at the end of this post also and I will run a random generator on comments and send out another nice gift for that winner. Gift to be determined ,but hey what the heck it's a contest right and it's free.

Have fun, no fighting, hair pulling or name calling. LOL

Getting back in the saddle

2009-07-03T22:04:00.010-04:00

Ok it has been quite a while since my last post. Don't know why really.........other things going on perhaps?

My spinning wheel...........LOVE IT! Love spinning on it and have spun several skeins of yarn already! Today I purchased a book called SOCKS FROM THE TOE UP by Wendy Knits. My usual mode of sock knitting is from the cuff down, two circs and two socks at the same time. Since this whole spinning thing started I want to knit toe up as to not either run out of my hand spun or to be able to use it all up.

I know I know, photos of all that hand spun. Now these are all spun on the new wheel which happens to be that very wheel that I posted a photo of a while back. Louet Victoria. LOVE IT!

Any how the photos are here and I am happy to show them off. Now that I have finally posted the pictures.............sheesh! First photo is of the single samples that people from the Spinning Loft tested wheels with my bobbins. At the time they were not yet mine, so when they became mine I got their spun stuff! I then double plied them together just to get a feel for the wheel and so as to not waste any time by just treadling and not spinning anything. It make sense to me. Also there in the first photo on the left is some of that mystery wool that I practiced with while spinning with spindles. So I took another 'spin' and plied them together while tossing in some left over threads from embroidery machine and sewing. Cute huh? Might look good woven on a loom?

In the second photo I spun up the rest of the hand dyed by me with Easter egg colors the last of the mystery wool. The end result is a worsted weight yarn. Have no idea what to make from it.

The last photo is the fiber I received in a swap from the Ravelry group The High Fiber Diet podcast group swap. I received from my swap partner approx 5 oz .of Shirazz Merino Rambouillet and silk batt. It is a true sock weight and I ended up with a finished 4.5 oz and 475 yards double plied. This was a pleasure to spin! So soft and I think that it might become a somewhat lacy scarf..........it feels just soooo good on my neck!

I have also been on a small fiber spree! Yeah like I don't have enough yarn to knit with now I have to spin my own that I will possibly never knit up because then I can't fondle it any more. Actually I do have three of the handspuns that I have plans to knit up.
I have also found that I have to better document or record my progress and also fiber cost etc. you know just in case someone sees one of these they can't live without and wants to purchase it just because I spun it myself and it is just too beautiful to pass by! I better hurry up and knit up what I want before anyone sees these beauties!

Other news? Grand kids are growing like weeds! OHMYGOSH! The twins are now crawling like the wind and pulling themselves up and standing! Abygail is off to summer 1/2 day camp next week (thanks to gramma here). She will be going 1/2 days for one week. To break her in, give her a goal to reach for for next summer when she could go for a full day , full week of summer camp! I am confident that she will love it. Next we have the 3 year old Madison who if finally potty trained and can now come and stay at grammas to play and maybe over night too. She is a doll and her baby sister Reese just started crawling too! She is on the move to keep up with her twin cousins who are going to be ONE this month! Reese is only 8 months tomorrow and zipping around all over! All the babies are getting teeth too! So you never know who or when any of them will be teething and crabby or have running noses and just not happy.
I should probably stop now..........if I get too long winded about virtually nothing boredom will surely set in.

So I am quitting today and hope to get back in at least the weekly swing of updates on my blog. Oh I got an iphone (new one) and its the BOMB. I might be posting from it soon too. ;)

Forgot what I was doing..........

2009-06-02T10:49:00.007-04:00

Sheesh I can get sooooo distracted on the net! One minute I am looking at this and the next that and Oh yeah I was going to update the blog here with a new photo of the Christening gown and it's progress...............

Here ya go

Next step now that first blocking is complete is to sew on button at back neck closure and then add ribbon at bodice then decide if or how many beads to hand sew into the centers of the flowers or snow flakes as the lace pattern calls them.

hmmmmmm what else is newsworthy? Oh I enabled an internet buddy to learn spindle spinning. She lives in NC and has just about as many hobbies/crafts/ loves as I do so hey whats one more? I sent her some rovings, some I dyed, some baby alpaca and also some undyed. Gotta start somewhere right? Oh and let's not forget the spindle! A very nice Louet spindle.

Hoping that today is the day that I get to pick up my wheel................just waiting for my bankcard or checks to arrive. Darnit! I think that either I am sleeping really WRONG or that all this spindle spinning is creating a new knot in my neck and it hurts!

Progress on the LYS sample scarf is moving along. I am almost finished. Lets say I have one more repeat with a different color and then bind off! Nothing like making a scarf long wise eh? I mean 431 stitches long? I must have been out of my mind doing it this way as if you make a mistake you are not just frogging back 20 or 30 stitches to fix it but could be the whole 431 or for that matter double if it was a couple of rows back and you can't figure out how to drop the stitch and re-knit it! Not that I have done that or anything.............really.

My black baby alpaca and multi colored yarn I made has been washed and is hanging to dry and set the twist............then I will have to knit something from it. Thinking fingerless mitts just a simple knit 3 purl 3 type pattern. Don't want to take away from the yarn itself with a pattern.

I have so many things going through my brain that I just can't seem to figure out were to start making them happen! I should probably start my list again and prioritize? Looks like I will have almost 2 weeks off work intermittently anyhow as after this shipment of parts to go out at the end of the week we don't have anything else until the end of the month. Here is hoping that I get to stay home and work on house projects. I think that if I start with that I will be more motivated to accomplish my other goals. Nothing like a clean, fresh house with some organization and yes I am going to have that darn garage sale and unload everydarnthing that I haven't touched in well lets just say the last 10 years! It's just so hard to determine what is a 'keepsake' item and what is just hording!

I guess that's about it for now and I might should go and run a few parts.............all the better to get it over with and done so that I get a couple weeks to work on the ME projects.

Photo update

2009-05-29T09:21:00.004-04:00

Helloooooooo world!

I am just popping in to show off some of my spindle spinning finished projects.

This one is from the beginning spindle class from The Spinning Loft in Howell. We were given some Merino, Coopworth, Tussah Silk and BFL to test spin. I just spun them all together, plied them and ended up with about 140 yards of a nice soft fingering weight yarn that would be perfect to add to maybe a scarf.

These photos are of this multi colored Corridale roving I picked up. Just grabbed hunks of colors and spun them. Spin a hunk of color here and grab another hunk of color there. Kept going till it was all gone and I had about 200 yarns of the single.

So then I wanted to get something a bit softer and went back to The Spinning Loft and got some black baby alpaca...........can you say ooooooooooooo ahhhhhhhhhhhh?!

Spun that into a single seen here

Then I rigged up a fake lazy kate, put my toilet paper bobbins on pegs and then just twisted one wrap around a third peg for a tiny bit of even tension and started plying the two together seen here

Now here is the shot of the finished skein. 202 yards of a nice fingering weight yarn. I do believe this would make nice fingerless mitts...........for me?

This is sooooooooo much fun! I just wish that I knew what I was going to do with them all!

And now for the current spinning project. I purchased this online (can't remember vendor info) but it's approx. 3.1 oz of superwash merino and bamboo mix. I really like spinning it. It's a bit more slick that just silk or merino or even baby alpaca but easy enough to spin.

Pretty huh?

Okay back to work, my machine is fixed and ready to rock and roll..............checking itunes for more podcasts..........making sure battery in ipod is charged...........check, check ready!

Well Darnit!!

2009-05-26T16:38:00.011-04:00

Yep darn it again! NOT going to Frankenmuth any time soon :(

Victory got in the way again. Enough said to those who know. This crap just keeps getting in the way of enjoying stuff in life.

Here is a photo of the BEAUTIFUL picture frame the #1 granddaughter Abygail made for me for a mother's day gift to grandma! I so love it. Have it sitting on my desk at work to enjoy.

I have tried my hand at dying fiber to spin. Take a look at these! I am thinking or seeing a theme..........

Tequila sunrise and Blue martini! How cool is that?

I ordered or reserved a spinning wheel last week from Beth at the Spinning Loft. Now just waiting to go pick it up. Would you like to see a photo of it? It's a louet Victoria, I think that I will just call it Vic. See here

This weeks progress on my projects go a bit like this..........Chevron scarf-haven't picked up since last post other than to move it, Sample scarf about 2/3 finished at this point, can't wait to finish and might not turn it over to shop owner as it's just soooooooooo squishy soft! And the colors are perfect. The christening gown- purchased the beads and ribbon and even got it all blocked and it's all ready to stitch on the beads. I think this week even.

Spinning? Finished up the multi colored fiber and purchased some super soft baby alpaca from Beth at the Spinning Loft. All is spun and ready to ply..........maybe start that tonight. I love spinning. Did I say that yet?

Oh and knitwych when you read this yes you will want to give it a try............if you do I will send you some fiber and a starter spindle to give a whorl. Whorl get it?

Exercise. Started running again for this year. It's a very late start for sure. But I am happy to say that I ran almost a mile. The trial that we run has markers at every quarter mile, so I can see them and stop running just short of them to catch my breath then when I reach them I run again until the next one. Then we turn around and finish with a walk of approx. 3 miles. All is good, feel it today.

Sunny Monday!

2009-05-18T12:54:00.013-04:00

Maybe spring is here? Again? Sun is shining, happy hormones are coursing through the veins and all is well with my world. Except for the fact that I am sitting here at the shop and we are NOT working. If we don't work today it just means that we will have 3 slammin' days ahead and then....................it's a HOLIDAY! Yippee!! Not exactly like it matters much but maybe next week we will be making a trip to Frankenmuth to Zeilinger Wool Co. just for fun. DH wants to see how its all processed, wool that is. It will give me a chance to purchase a pound of wool to play with.

I have finished spinning and plying the practice wool that we got at the beginning spindle spinning class 2 weekends ago from The Spinning Loft. I just mixed them all up, coopworth, merino, tussah silk and BFL. I did end up purchasing 2 spindles while taking the class, and I also received one in the mail for a mothers day gift! How awesome is that?

The top one is a Tabacheck plying spindle, Left is Greensleeves Queens Septre, and the one on the Right is a Kundert. I don't have a total favorite since they are of 3 different sizes and weights they serve a multitude of fibers at this point. I love them all!
Shhhhhhhh don't tell but I have a Bosworth on order too!

This past weekend we got to watch Baby Reese who is growing like a weed! We took her up to see her cousins Abygail, Blake and Gabriella as it was Abygail's dance recital that was sold out. So we went up after for pizza and a visit. The twins are also weeds! Blake is a crawling machine and so happy all the time. Gabriella is the more serious one and she sits back and takes it all in. She is doing the army crawl right now and it will be no time before she is chasing after brother Blake!

Projects in the works currently are the Chevron scarf is still going, I started a project for the Whitmore Lake Yarn Co. (LYS) for a sample to sell a new pattern and some awesome yarn! About 1/3 done with it at this point. Still have that darn Christening gown to finish and hoping that by the middle of June Reese won't be grown out of it!!!! Need to get ribbon and beads and one button to finish it off. Better get off my ass and do it huh?

And spinning..............just still practicing. Then I will have to make something out of all the practice skeins. That will depend on if the wools feels neck soft I will make a scarf for me, or if its no too soft I can make a hat and line it with polar fleece for no itchies! We will see.

He went and turned on the machines..............boo hoo as its now 2pm and we won't get outta here till 5 now. Gotta go change clothes, listen to some more knitting and spinning podcasts and run my machine too. More later!

Is anxiety contagious?

2009-05-08T12:37:00.006-04:00

Why yes I believe it can be. For me at least! It seems that anytime DH gets his boxers in a knot the negative energy shoot out of him and is directed at me! My sensitivity level has increased with age and it's not all about that week before the period emotions either. I have always been an uber sensitive emotional person/kid and then there was a time say 25-40 that it wasn't noticed. Now, I can't hardly escape it. Stress and traumatic episode 2005 I think turned the darn switch back on.

On a really good and positive note (really positive) I finished the Blue sweater and here is the finished photo!

As it turned out I didn't get to go knit but I did stop in the shop real quick like and guess who was there? The customer who I knit the sweater for! I had to break her heart and tell her that she didn't get to keep it just yet as I had to take it home to wash and block. However she could sit there and fondle it for a few minutes till the shop closed. She was very happy and so uber excited................too bad the weather is now finally cooperating with 'Spring' and too warm to actually wear the sweater unless perhaps she wants to head to Alaska for a short trip! LOL!!Isn't it Beautiful?!!!

Next up is I am going to beginning spindle class tomorrow! I am also planning on the purchase of a new and beautiful spindle and fiber to go with it! The one I favor out of the 3 that I have is a beginners spindle (not that there is anything wrong with that at all) but who doesn't want the great spinner that has the looks and beauty of fine woods too?

More news this weekend after spindle class! See ya then.

Spinninggggggggggggggggggg!

2009-05-07T14:22:00.010-04:00

Yippee! I just signed up for a beginners spindle spinning class at the Spinning Loft in Howell! Beth is just awesome and I can't wait to learn from her. Its also a good excuse to buy a new spindle and fiber to spin!!

Right now sitting in Panera Bread in Jackson waiting for parts to be plated. Bored. Usually we are here for approx. 3 hours. Now I always bring knitting and never really pick it up......spend most of the time on the net surfing.

News on the blue sweater.......... IT'S DONE! Whaaaaaaahoooooooooo! Well almost. I just have to wash and block it. I might see how it comes out of the washer and decide on block or dryer dry some then finish block. I would like to take it to knitting tonight to get it dropped off. I should probably take a photo too. It was a longggggg sweater. LOL. After finishing this entry I looked at the clock and lets just say there is no time to wash and block BEFORE knitting tonight. Drats!

I have my next project lined up and its knitting for the Whitmore Lake Yarn Co. working up a scarf pattern for the owner in hopes of moving some inventory yarn. I have to cast on my swatch and count stitches per inch then decide how many to cast on as I want to do the pattern lengthwise. I have six different colors and a few rows of each color.

On my needles, still socks as I haven't touched them. The chevron scarf, may inches done and many to go. Christening gown is waiting for the Christening date still. Supposed to be next Sunday.....better check on that. It needs a button, ribbon and maybe beads. I better get that blocked out tonight too!

When it comes to spinning, I haven't done anymore as I have been finishing the Blue Sweater. I can't wait to pick up the spindle. I do believe that I will wait until Saturday and start with new everything! Spindle, Fiber and hopefully new knowledge too!

Ok, not much else to say.......hmmmmmmm emotionally doing ok. I really believe that there is more or something different I need/have to do with my life and it isn't in auto manufacturing with DH. Hopefully in a few months I will be able to make changes in my life/career and be a happier person. I still want to work in the medical field if I can't pursue my love of all things fiber! Maybe one year of full time school/classes for medical assistant/billing/coding and the rest of the time teaching or working with or for an established fiber company/yarn shop.......something. Thinking.

I am going to pick up my needles and as soon as I do that the phone will ring and we will be off to get our parts and head back to our neck of the woods. Since we have a rental van I think that I will also load up misc. company stuff that is still in my garage and take it to the shop along with just stuff to throw in the dumpster. Need to clean it out to get set up for a garage sale here in the next few weeks.

Still in LOVE with the coffee press! OHMYGOSH that is some gooooooooodddddd coffee!Knitting...........ahhhhhhhhh

Where have I been?

2009-04-29T19:23:00.007-04:00

OHMYGOSH already! Today I decided that I could spend a 20 on a coffee press. I have been wanting to try coffee brewed in one for over a year now. Tried to convince a kid to purchase one as a gift for DH's b-day. She was broke. :(

So while going to the the store for a couple of odds and ends.........there just happened to be one at the Starbucks in Krogers! And ten bucks cheaper than Barnes and Noble and Wholefoods! OHMYGOODNESS finally coffee that tastes as good as it smells! YUMMO!

I also splurged and got a few hairs trimmed. LOL. Oh how I love short hair, well except that you really need to get it cut once a month. But today 'my lady' at the place I have gotten my hair cut for the past oh 6 years or so gave me her number and will cut my hair at her house for 1/2 of what I pay at the shop. YIPPEE!

Oh and I have been spinning...........on a spindle for now..................wait till you see my fourth attempt. You can actually see how I improve my spinning with each bit of fiber! LOOK

This is the first attempt, mystery wool. Spun and then Andean plied.

Above is second round with mystery wool, single spun pretty tiny and even too! I have no clue what I will ever do with it even after plying but hey its cool huh?

Now this one is Corriedale and its got some skinny spots and some spots , I think that it would even out as a heavy fingering. But it's still pretty good, I will use it for sure. It was 2 oz. to start and ended up with 1.8 oz. and 152 yards.

This one is the best so far! Much more even and I love the colors! It's also a mystery wool but is hand painted before spinning. It is one oz. spun about fingering weight and 107 yards.

I would say that I have the spinning bug for sure and this is only spindle! But first I have to finish the customers blue sweater. Called her this week to let her know that we are looking at being finished next week. She is very happy and can't wait to see it.

Ok updated for now and off to shower them itchy hairs from the haircut off! They are driving me nuts!

Sunday, time to blog

2009-04-19T16:23:00.006-04:00

Hi all! I finally got a good photo of Barbie in her new cardigan! Just made from a tiny ball of sock yarn I picked up in a grab bag in a discount bin at a LYS. I thought of putting snaps inside and buttons on the outside but these beads looked much better. A perfect match! I think that all she needs now is a peach colored pair of knit leggins! I have the yarn and the pattern I will make it from is out of Nicky Epstein's book Knits for Barbie doll

And here is a photo of DD's Hibiscus Tat she got while in Florida. It is very pretty.

Wow, I guess I don't have much to say.......or do I?

The local Detroit News ran an article and in it was the story of one of my step brothers and the title of the article is: Desperate veterans turn to suicide-VA blamed for failing to help Iraq, Afghan veteran

This photo is pretty old 20 years actually. I think the DD was about 4 years old. Shown here with her best bud Randy who is the veteran in the story above.

My knitting news: still working on the blue sweater project to finish for a customer. I would say that I am 1/3 the way finished with the back panel. Once that is done I will only have to seam up all the parts and put on the neckband! Yippee! I hope that she will be not only happy with the work but happy with the price to do it for her too!

I am still plucking away at the chevron scarf.........I guess that I should start measuring it and posting how many inches today! Lemme go measure......................... ok its 29" long today!

The Christening gown is finished, needs blocking, button and ribbon trim.

WEll that's about it for me. I know boring! Nothing much to say yet still took up a lot of space, LOL!

Back home

2009-04-10T12:35:00.002-04:00

Well we are back home. The weather in Florida was awesome!!! But then we came home to COLD AND SNOW! OHMYGOSH! Talk about a real downer. Really didn't want to come home, but just about had enough Florida too! That whole Naples area is just one big ass shopping area! Everyplace you turn there is another strip mall of stores, just incredible! And traffic, so much traffic.............

DD and I had a great time being together. She also had a very good time going out with the cousins! Put all 3 of them together and watch them let their hair down LOL! Kids.

We also had quality time with family. Dinner at one of Gran's favorite Italian restaurants, memorial service at the 'club' with a super lunch! Very emotional. After we got to stop by the house and just absorb some Gran vibes. All is good.

Got home........spent the first whole day home so very depressed that I couldn't even talk out loud. Ever feel that way? Hubby asked if I wanted to talk about why I was in a blah mood and I just said that I couldn't without crying and I didn't want to cry right then! We were on our way to the bookstore for coffee and relaxation. But them tears have their own mind and just flowed..........no words, still didn't talk, they just spilled over.

DD got a new tattoo, a birthday gift to herself. Also a goodbye to Naples, Gran and just a move forward. Its a Hibiscus in orange and yellow and soooo real looking! Very nice. I did want one also but opted for NOT this time. LOL.

I didn't knit much, a tiny bit on my chevron scarf but I did start a Barbie cardigan! Just finished it last night at knitting. I have to sew on some snaps and buttons but she is already wearing it! I had to try out a free pattern I found online. (don't ask.......I thought that I lost it and was going to re-print it........can't find it now!!) But I did find the one I had printed out in the first place and so was able to make it up. Now that I know how easy it is and it doesn't use much sock yarn and size 2 needle, I think that I can make up a couple to save for Christmas presents!

Off to get Jimmy John's subs for lunch!!

All checked in............

2009-04-01T09:43:00.002-04:00

Yippee! Tomorrow at this time we will be landing in sunny (I hope) Florida! DD and I are headed outta here to sit back and relax, visit some family, and sit back and relax some more!

What to pack? Oh I know that I need some clothes.........not too many as just sitting in the sun doesn't require much huh? But what knitting to pack? I know that if I don't pack any that I will have anxiety knowing that I have nothing to keep my hands busy................If I pack a few projects I should be safe. I am thinking of the chevron scarf, socks and small bits of sock yarn and a Barbie cardigan pattern. That should do it!

DD and I have our IPODS hers the phone and mine the touch, so we have kindle books, movies, tv shows, podcasts, audible books and yes even some music. I think that the batteries will die before we get too much done with those! I wonder if there is a solar power charger for them yet?

I am still thinking do I need the laptop? I mean really..........it's not a netbook by any means! I bought this thing a few years ago because I didn't want a PC but I wanted a nice computer with bells and whistles...........so you know it's the huge 17" screen Sony vaio. And yes it's darn heavy!

I will keep you posted as the trip progresses....maybe a few sunny Florida photos and hopefully nothing but good times!

Gray and Gloomy Tuesday

2009-03-25T10:28:00.003-04:00

YUCK! It is so gray out today................hard to motivate, and even harder to not slip into that really sad funk.

Tiff and I finally got all of our Florida arrangements made and will be outta here soon! Well next week anyhow. I am so looking forward to just hanging out.

This Florida trip is going to accomplish two things for me, the first and most important one is to meet up with family and friends of my grandma. Grandma just passed away on March 3rd and I know its a good thing for her as she was very unhappy since her husband passed 2 years ago but you know it's hard for me that she is gone. And on the other hand it will be nice to sit around and soak up some well needed Vitamin D!

I have figured out why I have not been keeping up well with this blog, its all the other stuff like Ravelry and Facebook. Sheesh.

Currently I have more than my usual two knitting projects in the works. I am working on the Christening gown and am very near completion. I have only to finish the front left shoulder and then to pick up and knit a border around the arm holes and neckline and to seam the back skirt. I will then need to find a nice white and silver or just white ribbon to thread through the eyelets on the waist and perhaps at the bottom edge also. I may at that time even hand sew some single clear silver lined beads into the center of each of the snowflake patterns on the skirt (maybe, that depends on timing). I decided to make this sleeveless as we are getting into warmer weather and don't want baby to bake in a knitted gown!

The other project still on the needles and not been worked on..................oh crap you know what?! I have a dreaded 4 projects going right now. Ok don't think about it......this too will pass. I have the blue socks that I have not worked on in a couple weeks, the chevron scarf I pick up as just no brainer knitting and then I am also working to finish up a sweater for a customer who started this sweater some time ago, forgot where she was in the pattern and also did a great job with the knitting but the pattern was not the pattern in the pattern! LOL. So she did make up 2 sleeves, these are not to pattern either but they are finished and will look good with the sweater body that I am finishing up for her.
One of the sleeves is shown at the top of the photo, see how the cable pattern is like every other space (or 12 stitches)? Well as you can see in the bottom portion the pattern was supposed to alternate. Eh so I have 2/3 of a front finished and about 10 hours into it now. It actually goes pretty quickly. I have not decided if I am taking this to Florida or not...................Yeah probably along with the chevron scarf. If I get it finished I have something else to get paid for! Yippee!!
I guess that I had better get that gown finished or darn close before I leave then.......not long after our return should be the christening if the parents get it all together.

Well fun has just begun, material has finally arrived.........will be unloaded and DH will have to get his machines up and running to make a few parts. We have only about 1200 to make to have a complete shipment...........

That's my update for now..................Oh Oh get this one. My daughter is going to be 24 while we are on vacation. She said the other that that she was beginning to feel old. I asked her why. She said that while she was out with her friends at a club over the weekend a few cute guys where hitting on her. She asked them their age.........they were 19. She said that is just way to young for her to date. She feels old huh?
Speaking of feeling old, facebook, finding people that you went to school with. UGH! Now that's old. LOL!

Too many passwords!!!!

2009-03-16T10:54:00.003-04:00

I had a great weekend!! But today I am trying to do the most simple thing....................just upload a photo to flicker and I can't for the life of me remember the password!!

How many password and account names do you have? I can't even think anymore! If I don't set the program to remember me...................I probably couldn't remember half of them!

HELP!

I got this really cool program to put all your passwords and account names in................yep you guessed it. Can't remember the darn pass code to open it! Am I losing my mind?

So, since I couldn't upload a simple photo to flicker I will put it here and then I can put it in my ravelry group question of the day! LOL always more than one way to skin a cat. :)

Since I am lucky enough.................so far...............to be staying home today, I will be doing some catch up work around the house.

I will catch you all up on my great weekend activities later today.

Chevron Scarf

2009-03-13T19:22:00.004-04:00

Hey remember a few weeks back when I won 2 skeins of Berroco Sox Metallic from Lime and Violet? Well..........I decided to go ahead and put them together for the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.I know it's not that far along but it is really pretty isn't it?

Today is Friday.........my whole entire schedule is screwed up and it all started with that time change! I keep getting up in the morning around 4am and want to go to bed at 10pm! Nope, uh uh, no way! I don't go to bed till 11pm and that's final. Oh and if that isn't enough our wonderful customer in Mexico with accounting in Indiana is very late in paying our invoices. The trickle down effect is that now I have an overdrawn bank account and had to borrow money from my DD just in case I need gas in the car or a gallon of milk! Now that just has got to stop. Its like pulling teeth a couple of times a month to get paid on invoices that are well over 60 days. Listen people we have bills to pay and need groceries too! I bet they get their paychecks every week!!

By the time we get paid each time we are so over due on everything that when we pay bills they are due again in a week and how the he** are you going to pay them when they won't bother to pay you again for another many weeks of calling and emailing them daily!!!!

And people wonder why I am so stressed out, tired, and have a don't give a shit attitude. Hrumpfffff!!

There is no consistency and that is what is causing anxiety. The older I get the less flexible. But I guess that is not uncommon right? We get set in our ways and all. Like I am old as the hills. LOL

Time to make something for dinner..............have no idea what I really dislike 'having' to cook dinner. Why is it MY job? I never saw anything in that contract that stated that. I mean I could have a bowl of cereal now and then and call it good! It would be wayyyyyyyyyy cheaper too!

Ok enough babbling................here we go waving the magic wand and making this crap go away! Going to make the food for nourishment and then grab some knitting needles and go to my happy place. :)

Book Review

2009-03-09T22:16:00.005-04:00

I have to talk about a new book from Interweave Press!!!! Simple Style by Ann Budd. This book is just too awesome! I think there are only about 2 things in the whole entire book that I don't HAVE to make!

There are '19 innovative to traditional designs with simple knitting techniques' that was right off the cover and I couldn't say it better myself.

Just like all the other Style books by Interweave the directions are very well written and understandable. The photos are very nice. They show the items on the models well and not contorted or hidden parts of the items. It seems there are at least 3 views per project. Totally worth the wait!!

Check it out: Simple Style

My two top favorites in this book are.....................Kimono Classic by Vicki Square, Kaleidoscope Yoke by Katie Himmelberg, Kokopelli Jacket by Margaret Hubert, Organic Cotton Henley by Micki Hair, Stay Put Wrap by Mags Kandis, Offset Raglan by Veronik Avery, and also the Empire Swing Cardigan by Therese Chynoweth.............

Hmmmmmmmm guess that was a few more than 2 huh? I couldn't narrow it down so I guess I just had to list them all!

My new knit list is: Knit Picks Simply Stripes socks, the Christening Gown of my interpretation (if we are still having the baptism before the weather is too warm to wear a knitted gown), I also am going to cast on the Berroco Sox Metallic in 1361 and 1364 that I won from Lime and Violets podcast.Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Episode 81: Right Hand Man Show Notes. I do believe that I will give the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts a try. They screamed socks when I got the yarn but now I see scarf.

Oh and while at the Berroco site I saw this top: Pucker I want to make this too! LOL

See what I mean? There isn't enough time to knit everything that I want to knit! Let alone learn to spin, but I could at least knit what I spin right?

Monday

2009-03-09T14:37:00.007-04:00

Well today is Monday........and I just looked at the clock and its after 2pm already!! OHMYGOSH! Where has my day gone?

I finally finished my socks, and as predicted they are a tiny pinch tight in circumference. But that's OK because these ones will actually fit in my shoes. A few of my hand knit socks are too bulky to fit without feeling too tight. And the colors are perfect for khaki pants!

This photo is a bit blurry but to get the colors as close to real this is how it came out. But you get the drift.

I did cast on another pair for me already. Instead of the 56 of the last socks I went with the 64 sts. still size one needles, knit 2 at a time cuff down. I will have to do toe up eventually...........but my brain can just go on auto pilot with cuff down as that is the way I learned.

Not only was it Monday it was the day to gather all the stuff for the accountant! You know tax crap! and how much do we have to pay this year!! Ugh!

Last week sucked totally! Monday granddaughter Reese had to go by ambulance to the hospital for RSV. Then on Tuesday my Grandma passed away. Just about a week after her 86th Birthday. She had a pretty good 86 years. I don't think that she would have complained much except for the fact that her dear hubby passed 2 years ago and she hasn't been well or happy since then. I know that she is much happier now. We will all miss her. I miss her.

Have you ever seen the commercial for Liberty Mutual Insurance? I love that commercial, the music is 'nice' and the whole doing something nice and someone else seeing it and passing it on. Awesome!

So now I will prep some photos for this post.

This photo I was going to save but it makes me feel pretty good! I got this spindle beginners kit about 10 years ago. It just wasn't working for me. Then I just picked it up one day a couple months ago and it worked out OK. Then I Andean plied it and was even more happy with it as that seemed to even out the unevenness. I know that this wool is just wool to me. No tag on the garbage bag or anything that it came in as it was part of the gift I got about 10 years ago! I must have kept it pretty safe all that time as there are no bugs either! Yeah I want a wheel!

construction and socks

2009-03-04T12:23:00.003-05:00

not much better than to be stuck in
construction with socks on the needles!!!
YIPPEE

Mocha!!!!

2009-03-02T09:46:00.001-05:00

good start for a monday!!!

Getting better ...I thought

2009-03-01T16:26:00.000-05:00

Yep just when you think a injury is healing you go and do something stupid and get to start recovery all over again!!
My chiro said I have a bulging disc at c6 c7 that presses on the nerve bundle for my right arm. I get numbness and tingling. So I haven't done much really.
Have only knitted a few rows a day on the christening gown or my socks. Happily on have turned the heal and am about two or so inches from the toe!! The gown still has a due date and it's by march 15th. I really have to motivate a few mor rows a day to get it finished! The skirt section is supposed to be about twenty inches then the waist, bodice and sleeves. Wish me luck! Photos to come soon!
Another drawback to this pain and discomfort also get worsewith computer use! That is one reason for the lack of blogging. Because it's not that I have nothing to say that's for sure! I have figured out how to blog from my iPod! It's one finger typing but as long as I have wifi I can update the blog, yay!!
Time to knit a row before heading to the grocery store. I will update you all with more fun stuff a bit later, lots of catching up to do.

-- Post From My iPod

Chocolate, Coffee and Wine

2009-02-05T20:55:00.001-05:00

Can one live on Chocolate, Coffee and Wine? I don't know, sounds like a new and improved diet to me!

Thurs...........Daze

2009-02-05T15:18:00.004-05:00

Yeah well I found out that my shoulder/is really a neck problem. After xrays it seems that there is a bony protrusion on the right side of my spine and that it is not uncommon along with changes (age) ((Great)).

I guess that I stressed myself in some way, stretching or lifting or maybe ...........knitting?

Maybe if I type that small enough I won't see it? You know the old head hung down in the same position for waaaaaaaay too long because you just gotta knit that ONE MORE ROW! Yeah that.

But after several visits to the chiropractor I am getting relief. He is not cracking anything :( (I love getting my back and neck cracked!!) But he is hooking me up to this decompression machine thingy. So for about 15 minutes it kinda pulls my head away from my shoulders pulling and releasing, pulling and releasing..............actually feels pretty darn good too. Oh getting back the strain, that has probably caused a disk to bulge or just inflammation of the area and is pressing on a nerve that sends me to the moon in pain in my shoulder which of course radiates to down my arm to make my thumb tingle! But it is improving.

This Saturday will be 'Arts and Crafts' with gramma. Abygail who is going to be 5 this month will be coming over to make valentines with me. She already purchased a few tiny cards to give out and I got fruit roll ups and laughy taffy to put into the heart shaped purse/bag that we will make with my Cricut machine. Oh I am telling you, you gotta love this machine!!!! I will post photos of craft day after the fact.

But for now I have not worked much at all only a couple of rows on the socks that may or may not be mine. And the Christening (thank goodness) has been postponed until the 3rd Sunday in March. So I am working on my rendition of a Christening gown for Baby Reese. Here let me get a photo..................

Ok, so don't look at it too closely because I used the cell phone camera and it really didn't take that great of a photo! But you get the idea of the bottom edge of the dress. If we want to we can thread some white ribbon through these eyelets or just leave them. I will leave that part up to the mom. I am now starting the lower edge of the dress and will be putting another lace pattern about 1/3 up the length of the skirt portion of the dress and fade that into solid stocking stitch. The bodice will be another pattern.................

Well that's about all for now have to head into Ann Arbor and return the rental van that we used for work today ( and about every Thursday).

Take care until next time!!

Daze.............

2009-01-31T21:19:00.003-05:00

Lets see what has been going on? I am in some kinda pain! Had some back/shoulder stuff on and off for some time but lately..............enough to bring tears and thoughts of Urgent care and pain meds!

So, I went and got xrays. I will find out whats going on I hope on Monday. This is so impeding on my knitting and creative life including a computer keyboard!

Current projects still are the Christening gown, haven't gotten that far really. And had to pull out at least 2 rows...................****NOTE: make sure to count your stitches BEFORE attempting your lace pattern!!! What was I thinking by NOT counting! That is my concentration project so lets just say..........not much concentrating happening in the past few days!

Still progressing slowly on my socks. Oh the socks that might not end up being mine and of course it is a now discontinued colorway of Knit Picks Felici sock yarn!!!!!!!! So I have no idea why ..........Oh wait yes I do. I have made a few pair of socks for me and they are just like one size too big. So I thought that I would cast on 56 stitches............then after several inches it looked well SMALL! I am thinking that at 9 stitches per inch and having a foot circumference of 8" that my best option would have been to cast on the 64 stitches. OH well..............worst case scenario is that these will become a very special gift to one of the two women in my life that have tiny feet!!!

Book review..........I got a couple of new knitting books. One is The essential guide to color knitting techniques by Margaret Radcliffe. This book is just great! So much information! I am not afraid of color...........or maybe I am? I have at least 3 rooms in my house of the past 9 years that still have white paint on them. (holding head in shame of commitment) But when it comes to lining purses, sewing, crafting, knitting..............color just comes to me and I feel it!

This book has a lot of stitch patterns that include more than one color. 150 color patterns. And I feel like I have to try some of them for sure! Stitches and combinations that I would have never thought of. Stuff that can take a nice knitted pattern and pump it up a notch or so with the addition of another color combined! Nice book.

Photos to come........

Not much sock knitting!

2009-01-26T16:43:00.002-05:00

Well it looks like this is the end of that sock I started yesterday! At least for about 3 weeks! I have to get the Christening Gown cast on tonight! No more procrastinating! Well actually I have procrastinated that much...........not really. I just got the yarn on Friday! And Saturday.......yep you guessed it I couldn't decide which white yarn I wanted to use! I will do a swatch and decide but I am pretty sure it will be the Berrocco Comfort DK.

I bet you all want to know what pattern I have chosen? I will get back with you on that LOL. Oh yeah I remember Jill Eaton's book Minnies. There is a very simple gown pattern in that book and I plan to add some lace to the simple design to spice it up just a notch. BAM!!

So after I get that cast on I will start posting progress notes...........this is going to be a crunch knit I just know it. Shouldn't be that hard or anything but with the hat (not sure that I am making that) it calls for almost 1000 yards! Knitting fingers, body and mind get ready!!
Well that's all for now..........have to finish up at work here so I can get home to cast on!

2009-01-25T23:21:00.002-05:00

Day one of socks 7/8". Not too bad for a quick start project. lets see how long it takes me to finish them! Socks always seem to take me quite a while, maybe that's because I usually have one other project in the works?

I Love making them. I have only 3 pair and hubby has two. I have made a couple pairs of socks for babies because they are quick and easy and usually I get to use up left overs from adult socks. That is usually enough to get me over my 'I need to knit socks' mood. But not this time, I am going for it! Making them for me.

2009-01-25T23:07:00.002-05:00

Well lets see if this works!! I am going to try to post my photo of the finished sweater from my cell phone!!!!
If the photo isn't that good after sending via cellphone I will get a better one later.:-D

Hey I gotta admit........Not too bad for a cell phone photo huh?

Waaaaaaaaaaaay behind

2009-01-25T21:22:00.002-05:00

Well its been over a week since my last post. Things have happened............again. That's what life is all about right? Happenings.

Debbie mom of the grand twins lost her job on Tuesday. This is just not good at all. They will do fine. Probably have to give up lease car and walk out on house and mortgages..................but as long as they remain a happy and healthy 'family' that's OK with me.

Finished Abygail's sweater!!! This is good. I will have to take a good photo to post after it dries.......smelled like shop. I just hope that it fits. For some reason this one seems smaller than the one I made for Madison for Christmas. hmmmmmmmmm we will see. I also made a beret, it too might be small. If it is I will just give it to her little sister to grow into.

I made myself a beret also.............yeah right! For some reason I can't make a hat to fit my head! Its way to big. But Tiffany tried it on and decided that she liked it and said that she wants one like it. I was like OHMYGOSH you gotta be kidding?!!! Its yours kid!

I should be casting on the Christening gown for Reese.......but I didn't yet. I got the yarn that I wanted and have the pattern ready, and the changes to the pattern that I want to make by adding lace inserts and patterning. Now I am just trying to decide if I should have a straight hem, picot hem or a fancy one........While my brain works on those thoughts I cast on a pair of cuff down socks for ME. I have some knit picks Felici sock yarn in 'Dakota'. Love the colors! Purple, lime green, sage green, brown and gold stripes. I am doing two at once on two circular needles on size US 1. Have about an inch done and just started this evening.

Last Friday Tiffany highlighted my hair with a cap. Well it really sucks! LOL. So on Saturday she came home early and I used her car to go get my usual hair cut. Short and spiky. Thank goodness too I feel so much better.

Today (Sunday) Hubby and I went to Plymouth to the ice festival. Okay so the whole ice stuff wasn't that great but there were a TON of people there! So people watching was at its best! Then a quick stop at Starbucks. On the way out we ran into a couple that had a Rhodesian Ridgeback male dog. We used to have one his name was Buk. Timbuktu. Anyhow we got to talking and it seems that their dog likes to eat things other than food too! Our dog had to be put to sleep after several surgeries for stopped up intestines. He ate whole one too many socks. Yes, socks whole! Their dog has eaten pens, a jar of wood putty and many other items too! He had to have a surgery also and while in there the Dr. found more non-food items! Sheesh and all this many years later I thought that had I watched him closer maybe it wouldn't have happened. Yeah NO! They said that their dog was sneaky too and they hardly ever have seen him actually eat the non-food items! My mind and heart are a bit more at ease now.......of course it has been about 10 years! I guess I should be over it don'tcha think?

On that note.........probably not over it as my mama lovebird of 17 years just passed away. Of old age I am convinced. She was practically blind from cataracts in both eyes and possibly even a stroke or two. Her name was Chiquita Maria Lolita Consuelo. Her mate was Chi Chi like Rodriguez the golfer.

Okay that should do it for catching up for the day...I have so much more to say. But I really want to knit a bit. Tomorrow at work will just be another long day of podcasts, movies, ebooks and audio books to get through the day. I have a very boring job standing behind an automatic machine that I have to do something to keep my brain stimulated! At some point I will also write about all that too.

But good night for now!

Just another MOnday

2009-01-19T10:18:00.006-05:00

Monday..............

So much has happened in the past week! I can't believe that a whole week has gone by already.............sheesh next thing you know it will be Christmas?

First a photo of some knitting progress on the sweater for Abygial's 5th birthday.

Actually...........I am farther along than this now.........I have about 1/2 of the sleeves finished, then to do the cuff and I will have to find some cool buttons. And then it will be finished! Next on the list of knitting is to make a christening gown for Reese. I think I can get one finished in about 4 weeks. I have it all designed in my head. Probably should jot it down and plan it out but first I have to get just the right yarn.

Next thing that went sorta wrong last week, it was below freezing and we drive a Volkswagen Jetta Diesel. Diesel.........that's what happened. Fuel jelled and car was towed to the dealership as we were already in Ann Arbor returning the rental van. Of course when all this happened the rental places were now closed!! So I had to call Tiffany and have her pick us up on her way home from work. She works in Livonia, we were in Ann Arbor and we live in Brighton! Couple extra miles on her car that night! Then to top things off, we called to have car rental place pick us up so that we would rent a car until ours was fixed. Dealership didn't look at it until today.
Backing up some the car rental place was supposed to be there to get us at 9:30 am so we could get to work. After having to call them 4 times finally someone showed up at 11:30!

Saturday was spent sitting around............didn't feel good. He was supposed to go to work, didn't. I don't know why but I just can't clean house when he is home! I love to clean when he is outta my hair. But when he is home, he just sits there.............doing nothing. Not helping and it really doesn't motivate me to want to do anything either! Ah enough about that.

Sunday went to see grandchildren, Abygail and the twins! OHMYGOSH they are growing so much and getting so big! They are 6 months old already! Hard to believe. Abygail and I had a bit of arts and crafts (that's what she calls it) time. I brought over some yarn and a knitting spool. Taught her how to use it and we made some hats and scarves for her barbies. I really think that she could learn to knit with two needles! I figure that if I can expose her to a few good things she will have something to choose from. Something that will work to keep her creative.

Another thing or two that is keeping me busy is my ipod touch, facebook this blog and Ravelry! I think that I spend too much time online and not enough time knitting! Ok I should get some work done...........going out into the shop to run an Acme Gridley Screw machine.

Bye for now.

A brief post.........

2009-01-12T09:03:00.002-05:00

So, I was just visiting knitwych's blog and she has a photo of her Chihuahua Gomez. So I thought that I would pop up a photo of my Chi named Chico. This February he will be 8 years old.

This nifty harness is his work attire, he wears this so that he can ride in safety and comfort in his own doggy car seat! Its either that or I get to work covered in dog hair! Only took my 7 years to figure that one out!

I thought that Chi's didn't shed much? Mine does and always has. I found that the best way for both of us to bathe him is to use the people bath tub. The kitchen sink and the laundry tub made him feel claustrophobic or something and he would freak out some.

I have yet to make him his own comfy warm winter sweater.........lets just say his outdoor 'aim' isn't too good and he usually ends up peeing on the back of his left front leg and his belly! So anytime you give him a coat or sweater you can bet he will get it wet! What do do? I have yet to figure out how to make a sweater that will stay in place yet that can't get peed on!

Any ideas?

Well that's about it for now, must hit the bank and get back here to run a machine or two and make parts!

Sunday

2009-01-11T17:44:00.009-05:00

What a weekend here in Michigan!! More snow. Friday the snow started and we picked up Baby Reese as we were baby sitting on Saturday. Well with all the snow on Saturday...........we got the baby for 2 nights!! She is such a sweetie.

Needless to say I didn't get much done all weekend!! Didn't even knit until today after Reese was picked up. I am hoping to get the bottom edge of the bolero finished tonight!

Tomorrow its back to work. It will be a tough month! I don't think that we will have any baby sitting Saturdays for a while! Have to ship those parts! But I am ready.........well at least I am starting with positive thinking. LOL! I have the new ipod charged and filled with lots of pod casts, an audio book that I would like to finish, a couple video pod casts, a few videos too! Put that battery to a real full day test of use!

I made soup. Its my spin on an Italian Wedding soup. And boy is it good! Ok I will share the recipe here.........and now. Ready? The following is the shopping list and also the order I put things in the pot.

1 Big soup or stock pot
1 large or 32 oz. of chicken stock
64 oz of water (might need a bit more after filling the pot with ingredients)
1/2 package celery hearts washed and sliced
1 package small carrots (sliced)
1/2 large onion chopped
Put pot on medium heat
cut 4 half chicken breasts into cubes add to pot, stir to separate
1 package Jennie O turkey sausage in hot or sweet Italian flavoring. Remove skin, cut in half lengthwise and then cross wise into cubes. Roll each cube into a small meat ball and drop into soup.
Now that you have the majority of the ingredients in the pot you might add a bit more water you want equal parts broth and soup stuff. Salt and Pepper to taste.
Put a lid on turn to LOW heat and simmer for a few hours.
When almost ready to serve, add 1/3 box orzo pasta, stir then add spinach leaves rolled and then sliced into 'ribbons'.
There you have it! When orzo is soft or cooked about 7 minutes serve soup! It is 10 times better the next day too!!!
Enjoy!

I decided to change the look and feel of my blog today. Just wanted a knitting feeling and pretty pink colors. What do you think?

Whats new today?

2009-01-09T09:45:00.017-05:00

Well...........whats new?

Currently I am working on a second Children's neck down Bolero. This one is for Abygail's 5th Birthday! I can't believe that she will be 5 already! Here is a photo of my progress. I must say........this photo is not the best I forgot my camera at home and this is from my cell phone. But it will do for now.

Oh and its FRIDAY!!!! Ha not like that matters too much. Self employment has so many disadvantages, not as many advantages as people think!

BUT!..........I will get to pick up Baby Reese tonight and have her over night again to watch her all day Saturday! There is a HUGE perk! Nothing like the sweet smell of a baby.

How many of you have an ipod? What type or version do you have? Do you just love it? What do you use if for most?

Well I have had mp3 players forever.......have an ipod mini (1st gen) and it was ok but battery life was not so hot! So I got an el cheapo that takes one AAA battery. Since I work in a shop the days are long. So mainly I used mine for FM and audio books with some knitting pod casts also! The hardest thing about listening to people talk about knitting when you are working is that all you want to do is KNIT!! LOL.

Now comes video...........you can only listen to soooooooo many books! Environment is such that you can't actually read a real book. And after a while your brain gets mighty tired!

OK follow me here? Video...............yep watch movies, watch video pod casts...........this is an awesome idea!! But out of all those players which one do you want? Which one can you afford? And which one will suit your needs best?

After extensive, and I mean exhausting research. I chose the ipod touch. At first I was leaning towards the Ipod Classic vs. Zune..........all has to do with $$$$$. Then somebody talked me into trying the touch. Hey you can get one at Costco with a 90 trial period. If you don't like it or it doesn't suit your needs you can return it! Well so far...........I love it!! The true test will be the nest few weeks when I am out in the shop working.

Why did I have the classic and zune in mind at first? Classic has the best battery life (hours of video) and the zune has wi fi capability! So you can download etc. it also has FM and the classic does not. But the ipod touch has wi fi (good), pretty good battery life for video (better) and you can still listen to music channels with wi fi and a program called Pandora (best). So basically its worth a 90 trial.

OK I found something else to make!

2009-01-05T23:51:00.005-05:00

I know that Christmas is over but I think that I have to have one of these knitted kitchmas trees!

I know you will too! Post a comment if you think this is something you have to have!!

Just go right down below this sentence to your right and click that pencil........talk to me.

One more project completed!

2009-01-05T22:40:00.003-05:00

Darn, I forgot another sewing project finished! Of course I don't have a picture of it as I quickly gave it to Amanda to tote Reese around.

Its a baby sling! I found this pattern online some time ago in preparation for all these babies! This is the site for the pattern. Be sure to book mark it as I have tried to just get there from the home page with no luck.

It is very easy to make. I used two fabrics to make it reversible. With one heavier fabric you only need two yards, with 2 fabrics you will need 2 of each fabric and you will get 2 slings with both methods.

Photo to come.................

It is however another finished project! I am on a roll for 2009!

Have fun with this one!

Current projects

2009-01-05T14:04:00.014-05:00

Lets see, current projects................

Project finished: 2 stockings for the twins.

Well I am working on the knitting pure and simple neck down bolero for Abygail's birthday. That is February 19. She will be 5 years old. Hard to believe!! I am knitting hers in Plymouth encore color spun worsted number 7515. I only have a few rows done at this time.

I picked up a book at Barnes and Noble with sewing projects in it. One of which is just an inspiration for me as I made the pattern my own making it a different size and also adding a front pocket.

Now I bet you would like to know what book I got? Grandma Dee sent me a gift card for my Birthday and one for hubby and I for Christmas. We like to go and have a coffee and browse books and magazines, of course with me purchasing a few now and then. Ha! You should see my library...............oh my.Finally I have found the book on Amazon. The New Handmade : Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style. Amazon has the feature so that you can take a look at what you are buying online.

If you look at a few of the photos, its all pretty simple. But very inspiring! I made the ipod cover for my ipod but added a front pocket that can hold the cord or earphones. I used a strange vinyl type fabric with some stretch. Just a scrap of an old bit of clothing I cut up and used for something else. I then lined it with flannel because you all know how much you don't want your ipod scratched! Its a vintage flannel that my step mom had in her stash and I know for a fact its over 20 years old. But cute. For my padding or batting I used felt because that's what I had on hand.

The only other project I have been working on is finishing a sweater for a customer. I think that I have another month before she comes back to town. Snow Bird I think.

I try to keep my projects to only a few.........if I get too many going at one time I get overwhelmed! That is why one of my Christmas gifts hasn't been used yet too! I got a Cricut machine and 2 cartridges. I am dying to use it.....but feel that I must get the things that I am behind on finished in order to really enjoy it! I got an extra font cartridge and the paper doll one! That will be so fun to use with the granddaughters! Cut out dolls and let them pick hair, dress etc. fabric or pattern paper to dress them and decorate them in.

My Birthday...........

2009-01-05T13:39:00.005-05:00

Every year like most of you I have a Birthday..........This year could have been one of the best, but my husband didn't approve of what Tiffany got me for my birthday present. Oh and before I show and tell my present...........it is also our wedding anniversary. Sixteen years married and 20 together.

Show and tell is..................we got matching tattoos! I have wanted this tiny butterfly on my left wrist for the past 3 years. I already have one tattoo that I got 16 years ago at the bikini line. How did I manage that you ask with hubby's disapproval? We were separated at the time!

This photo is the day after I got it so its a bit red still. I will have to replace this photo with a more current one. But I LOVE IT!! So that's all that matters right?

My birthday/ anniversary is on Dec. 21 yes 4 days before Christmas. Lets just say that I had a lot of peace and quiet..........at least 2 days worth before he talked to me again! No present for either birthday or anniversary.

I am 45, yes fourty five years old and its my day!

I do like tattoos, but c'mon I am not going to go and fill up my whole arm or something! Oh and by the way for anyone thinking of getting one I am not going to lie to you IT HURTS LIKE HECK! Really, brought tears to my eyes. But for me it was worth it, I love it. Do I have plans for any more. No not at this time.

Christmas knitting

2009-01-05T13:09:00.008-05:00

How have all of you done with your Christmas or Holiday knitting? Did you finish? In a round about way...........I did. What I mean by round about is that Rob & Deb wanted stockings for each of them since they are pretty sure that there family is now complete. My goal was to at a minimum make the parents stockings. I was able to get that finished and here are the photos!

The first one was of course dad Robbie's stocking. I tried my hand at some colorwork, cheated some with self patterning yarn too! But the results are awesome!

Second was mom Debbie's stocking. Again some hot pink fair isle snowflakes on black.

And third Miss Abygail's stocking. My thought here was to be able to re-decorate it each year. I purchased some stiffened craft felt and cut shapes for a princess or diva. Star, diamond ring, high heel shoe etc. Just cut a slit for a button hole and ta Da! Next year we can make some new shapes together when they are ready to decorate for Christmas! Cool Huh?

But......yes there is always a but! I had also planned on making each of the bigger girls Abby and Madison a bolero sweater. Now of course that part did not happen! Madison got a sweater (her first from me) and since I knew that I would not have time for another one before Christmas I was able to knit Abby a stocking so that she did get something knitted also. Whew! Yes her stocking is with the photo of the parents stockings........

However.........Look here! I do have a photo of Madison's bolero sweater!! The pattern is from knitting pure and simple called Children's neck down bolero #275 I used a Plymouth encore color spun worsted number 7511. Take a look.

As for the rest of my Christmas knitting, I made Tiffany a pair of fingerless mitts pattern and yarn from knit picks. Pattern called 2-needle fingerless mitts . I used a knit picks yarn but for the life of me I can't remember the name or colorway! And it was purchased 1-2 years ago just for this purpose..................so..................it may be lost forever. Once she opened the box she was so thrilled that I haven't seen them since! So, no photo at this point. The only change to the pattern I made was to knit them two at a time and make the cuff, thumb and finger area a bit longer. At the cuff you can wear them long or cuff them for a shorter mitt. Very quick and easy to make, I might try them again knitting in the round two at a time.

Happy New Year!!!!!! 2009

2009-01-05T12:38:00.009-05:00

Well I have been so busy since that sweet granddaughter Reese was born that blogging has taken the big ole back seat!! But not for long.

I am going to catch you all up on events, I am quite sure that this will take more that one entry.

Baby came home the day after Thanksgiving (Yippee). During her stay in the hospital, Grandma (that's me) knitted her a beautiful sleep sack with matching hat. The pattern is from Knitting at Knoon and called Sweat Pea

The pattern worked out beautifully.

Isn't she beautiful?

Current events...........

2008-11-18T20:48:00.002-05:00

My current events are as such: Baby Reese is still in hospital. Breathing on her own but not as good as Dr.'s want. She is also not sucking bottles as she should. So just a bit longer. But she is beautiful and such a princess already.
Whats on my needles? I am now working on a sleep sack for Baby Reese. Made from Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino yarn in white, yellow and pink stripes. I will post a photo soon of my progress. I hope to get it finished before Reese goes home. I estimate another week. She is now 2 weeks old today! And also today would have been her delivery date for the c-section. But her real due date if it would have been a natural birth with no complications would have been Dec. 15th. So she is early and it might take her a bit longer to get used to things outside the womb. Now if we could only convince her mom of that!
Speaking of mom, I also have a photo to post of mom's first time holding baby and first time for grandma and grandpa too!
more later!
Lorrie

Photo of finished blanket

2008-11-10T07:20:00.004-05:00

I so forgot to post this photo!

So here is the completed baby blanket made from the knitted baby wash cloths with had sewn flannel backing and in the second photo you will see a really cool ribbon label that I had made to put on the back!

The blanket is now on baby Reese's incubator top and all the nurses just love it and comment all the time! I have even had many ask if I am the one that made it!

Quick baby update

2008-11-10T07:05:00.003-05:00

Hello all!
Just a quick note to fill in some baby blanks.

Baby was named Reese Louise, she was 5lbs. 8oz and 17" long. Shortly after her very stressful birth she did develop pneumonia or what the Dr. thought could be so they started treating her immediately. She has had a very hard time breathing and been on CPAP machine.

Mom was able to hold her for the first time on Friday the 7th and Dad for the first time Sunday the 9th. They have both changed a couple diapers too. Grandpa and I are hoping it will soon be our turn! Yesterday the nurses were going to start to nipple feed her. Mom has been pumping and baby has been fed via ng tube.

I have knitted her a pair of Peeps in pink along with a hat of my design that I will post photos of when I get the hat finished.

Grandpa and I got to baby sit the twin grand kids while mom and dad took Abygail up to see baby Reese and Aunt Amanda. We had such a nice time, the babies are starting to coo and giggle and smile. They are so adorable!

Photos to follow in a bit!
Take care all,
Lorrie

Surprise surprise!!!!

2008-11-04T10:55:00.005-05:00

This was the biggest surprise of the day for our family! This is our newest grand daughter who will either be named McKenzie Louise or Reece McKenzie..........

She was born at 12:03 on Nov. 4 approx. 6 weeks early. Her scheduled C-section date was Nov. 18. She weighs in at 5 lbs. 8 oz. and we didn't have a length yet. Both mom and baby are doing wonderful!

The photo to the left was taken seconds after delivery and the top 2 are within 2 hours old.

Isn't she precious? She looks just like her half sister Madison who is 3 1/2 years old.

Ok and for my other surprise................THE PIT SLUG HAS BEEN LOCATED!!!! He actually did make it to his new home with Miss Violet! If you listen to the LimenViolet podcast you would have actually heard me mentioned! I bust out laughing with my headphones on listening to the podcast at work and boy did I get some looks! Looks like what the heck is happening to her NOW? LOL.

And for the knitting schedule....................TOTALLY BLOWN NOW!

I had planned for finishing new babies pink booties today. Then on the the sleeper sack (can't remember the name of the pattern right now will fill in later). I will be putting a rush on that now! Still having to finish them booties on the second one now............BUT yes you know there is always a but. I am hooked on making the Sweet Peeps booties! They are just too fun! I was working on number 2 after midnight waiting for both mom and baby.......that was a mistake I have found out. So this morning on the way to work I had to pull out maybe 12 rounds. Instead of 4 purl rows and 4 knit rows in some places I had 5 rows. I am not one to be overly perfect, if it had only been say one section I would have left it but it was in all three knit or purl sections! That adds up to too much height in the foot area.

So I am back on track. Should be out in the shop working but just had to get my thoughts up here to share while fresh in my mind.

Seems that all my best thoughts for blogging are while I am doing something else! So that when I get to actually blog about stuff, it just doesn't come out like I think.

So take care and I will be back!

Trick or Treat!!

2008-11-02T12:02:00.005-05:00

As promised, here are photos of Halloween. Babies in hats, Abygail as 'Hannah Montana' with her dad posing for song!

ALMOST Friday.........Halloween

2008-10-30T10:42:00.006-04:00

Ok, I am averaging only posting once a week now that maybe the 'new' has worn off the blogging..............I still enjoy it and also like the fact that I am keeping some sort of 'history'.

How many of you keep a real hand written journal? I try it at least twice every year and just don't have the time or can't keep it going. Time? Typing is much faster than hand writing and I think that my hand writing stinks! No matter how hard I try to keep it neat it is messy. Is that a reflection on me? Messy? Perhaps at times yes. Messy? More about disorganized. Well, I have my own 'organization', unique to me. Ha! that solves it all.

Ok on to knitting..........
I made a somewhat peeps matching hat of my own design to go along with the sweet peeps baby booties. The booties were already given at the baby shower but the hat will be given with hopefully another pair of booties when the baby is born. That way mom and baby will have 2 pair of booties, one green and one blue with a matching hat of blue and green.

Other knitting............ I made 2 pumpkin hats for the twins! There are a lot of pumpkin hat patterns out there but none for sock or fingering weight yarn. So I made my own pattern combining several bits and parts from patterns I found or had on hand. The results are here:

Then we will also have a photo of the twins wearing the hats as we the grandparents are watching the little ones tomorrow HALLOWEEN while the parents take Abygail out as 'Hannah Montana' trick or treating. Yes I will post a photo of her dressed like that too. Its too cute!

Other projects working on or completed are 3 bags lined for customers. I have a few more to do this weekend as again we the self employed have not enough money in the bank to purchase material to make parts to sell to our customer. Long story..............same chit.

I did however make a short list of things I have to have knitted before Christmas. HA! I am not sure that there are enough days left to get it all done, especially with a new grand baby coming on Nov. 18th or sooner! I am hoping that any days I do not have to be at work I can be with Amanda and the new baby Mackenzie. All these babies! I can't get enough and before you know it they will be toddlers and off to pre school like our Abygail! Who by the way is loving her new pre school, she can now write her name and is learning so much so quickly also getting help with speech which has been one of my biggest worries! Yippee all is going so well.

Ok well now I should knit if i can, I know that there are a few things that he wants me to get busy with out in the shop but I just don't want to get dirty. That is my biggest complaint about working here and in a shop. Dirty, smelly and oily..........Oh and it is soooooooooooo LOUD that I have to wear earphones and mp3 player. Thank goodness for audible.com and pod casts!!!!!

take care all!!! Happy Halloweening!

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!! Another Friday!!!!

2008-10-24T16:21:00.004-04:00

Well what have I been up to you ask? Sheesh! You name it! I just finished the Sweet Peeps booties and they are soooooooooooo cute! I think that I will make another pair.

I have yet to finish the sewing of the backing for the baby squares blanket.......I'm working on it, I'm working on it!

I have been working on my side job also.................Oh did I forget to mention that I line bags for the local yarn shop customers? Yep its me Liners by Lorrie. It is getting closer to the Christmas rush and the bags are pouring in!!!! That too keeps me busy.

I am currently inventing and inspired hat pattern, will be free here on my blog when finished but up for sale I hope at Whitmore Lake Yarn . I am also working on a few other goodies that I will be selling through the yarn shop. Hope to get some in there before November 1. Keep your eyes posted!

OH Oh Oh Oh! I guess that I am a few years behind!!! I just found the TV show HEROES!! OHMYGOSH! I LOVE IT! I signed up to netflix just so that I could instantly watch starting from the first episode! I am now into season 2 and it is so good, I just love it! I like the sci fi of it all with some comic heroes thrown in. Oh and there is even some grossness too. How can you beat all that? If you haven't checked it out.................DO! I am addicted for sure. Let me just say that it is sooooooooooooo good that I can't even knit while watching! I am like stuck like glue to my screen! LOL.

Speaking of which................lemme get back to you all later I have another episode to watch!

take care all..... One more thing that darn dust bunny is now playing hide and seek in the yarn shop!! Whoever finds it has to hide it, and so it goes............

But to my dismay, no mail has been returned to me and that darn PIT SLUG I made and sent to Miss Violet of Lime and Violet has not been spoken of on their podcast. So the snail without a shell (slug) has slithered off into snail mail no mans land I guess. Woe is me

Bye for now!

Please feel free to comment, right down below this sentence is a tiny place to click and leave a comment on this or any other entry I have made...............feel free (hint hint)

Day 7 Dust Bunny FOUND!!!

2008-10-17T11:50:00.011-04:00

Finally!!!! That darn bunny has been found! Sure would have LOVED to be there when he was because Mo (one of the shop owners) yelled................MOUSE!!! And the other shop owner (I won't mention any names Dee don't worry) Oh the sheer terror of that would have made me wet my pants! Seriously!

Well I am not sure exactly what day he was found but last night at knitting he was finally mentioned and one of the owners made a guess that it was another knitter that didn't show up for knitting last night (Kim) and so her second guess was indeed me. Sheesh! Dead give away I am I guess!

No word on the Pitt Slug, I think that he might have gone missing in the USPS. Or HA! snail mail!

Ok so this has been a really short week! I mean its already been 7 days since I last blogged? Where has all that time gone?

For one I have the baby blanket almost finished, just need to cut my fabric for the backing, which is a cute bunny flannel and sew it on. Maybe put some tacks in the corners where the squares meet (quilt it together). Oh and then I will of course need a made by gramma label. Of which I still have to order the new ones that I have designed in my mind.

And last Sunday I got to babysit all day with my daughter Tiffany. We watched the twin grand children! WOW! No that's work! But they are so darn cute and sweet! I just can't believe that by Christmas we will be topping out at 5 grand kids! Whew! Those kids have been busy huh?

Speaking of kids having babies.............oldest daughter Amanda got out of the hospital on Sunday or was it Monday? Can't remember now! But she is doing fine and so is the baby. She had a follow up appointment with her Dr. on Tuesday and all is well except that they are now going to do the C-Section on November 18th!

Photos: I will have a few photos to post of grand twins, a couple of hats that I made for the baby boy.

On the needles: I have started the bat from Mochimochi Land to make and give to the two older granddaughters and maybe one for the youngest daughter if she is nice to me! LOL!! Oh and I also have to cast on a holiday dress for the new granddaughter that will be here Nov. 18th. Of course I am pretty sure that I will not have it finished by then as I really don't have much time to start and finish the bats before Halloween. I better get on the move!

Well I had better get to my needles and get my knit on! Have lots to do.

Take care and thank you for checking in with me and my progress!!

Lorrie

Day 4

2008-10-10T13:14:00.004-04:00

Well it is now 4 days after I left the dust bunny at the yarn shop. I stopped in last night to knit for a bit and noticed that dust bunny was GONE! Yikes! I wonder where he went? I looked and looked and looked around and didn't see hide nor hare of him! One of the owner gals was just a tad frazzled by evening so even if she did know of the dust bunny...........she didn't think of it.

Update on the baby dishcloth blanket.................all blocks now sewn together and 3 of the four sides are complete! Yippee!!!!! Almost finished.................well almost enough to head on over the the fabric store to find something to back it with at least!

Oldest daughter Amanda (the current pregnant one) is in the hospital. She went in this morning at about 4am with excessive bleeding! The bleeding has stopped but she is having contractions so they are giving her a pill form of medication to stop them. The biggest concern is that she does have placenta previa which is where the placenta is near or covering the cervix opening. They don't want her to go into labor. She is now about 30 weeks and scheduled for a c-section on November 25th. Baby is breech also. Keep us in your prayers and your fingers crossed that all is well and stays well so that she can go home in a couple days.

I will post a photo of the blanket as soon as I finish the 4th side and after blocking too!

I have also not heard a peep on the Pitt Slug. Hmmmmmmmmm maybe there is a conspiracy?

Lorrie

Day 2 of Dust Bunny prank

2008-10-07T14:37:00.008-04:00

Well so far, I haven't gotten any emails..........no phone calls..............and no comments here to signify that the Dust Bunny has been found and all signs point to me. LOL

Also finally mailed out today was the 'Pitt Slug' to Miss Violet.

I have finished all the Baby washcloth squares to seam together for the blanket. I made 16 squares and 2 of each design not including the sail boat. I used 8 different colors of Cotton Fleece yarn. Started seaming last night am now 3/4 done!

I think that I will pick up and knit a border around the whole blanket similar to the squares blanket found in Natural Knits for Mom and Baby using some of the left over yarns. Then it will be off to the fabric store to find some fabric to put on the back. I am hoping for a flannel white background with polka dots in similar colors to the blocks. Wish me luck.

Ok and now on to the less exciting information! I did it! I went and had my annual exam, you know the one! Pap, Cholesterol and Thyroid check, schedule for the Boob smashin'! and then hopefully...........Nova sure. Which translates to NO MORE PERIOD period. LOL. I am hoping that my new insurance will cover it.........I have yet to make that phone call.........

Next on the list of things to get done, Dentist. Really I would much rather get a PAP than go to the dentist! I know that I need a good cleaning.........and some other work too as I have only 1/2 a molar on my upper right and really the only part that is left is the previous filling part. Yippee and can you say sensitive to hot and cold?!!! But I will get that looked at too.............soon?

More knitting.....I just started a simple roll brimmed hat for a new baby boy. We know his mom through work, she is in purchasing at our customer's down in Chihuahua Mexico. He is only about a week old now so what better time to send him a tiny newborn hat? That is my current carry and go project while I can't do the seaming well in the moving car, nor do I want to carry it with me into the shop (where I work).

Speaking of shops, I work in a manufacturing facility. Actually Hubby and I own and operate it ourselves with just the two of us as employees..........Yes
1. it is very stressful to be in business together working along with your husband or partner all day, go home and be together all night and weekends too.
2. its very stressful to be in the automotive industry doing manufacturing
3. it is very stressful to work for each other and when your customers do not pay on schedule neither of you have any money for bills, food, gas or mortgage. It means NO paychecks.
4. IT IS STRESSFUL WORKING TOGETHER! did I already mention that part?
5. oh yes and it stinks, smells like shop after a while you don't even smell it but you know that wherever you go people smell it and you know its you they smell!

I guess that I had better get some knitting done and quit worrying.............about things I can't change today.

More Later!

Going to play a prank today..........

2008-10-06T12:04:00.004-04:00

I was surfing the web and found a pattern for a 'Dust Bunny' from Mochimochiland.com. I made said bunny and am going to put a note with him and hide him at the yarn shop tonight where at some point he will be found by someone. Lets see how long it will take the yarn shop owners to figure out who made him?

If said yarn shop owners.............Mo and Dee of Whitmore Lake Yarn Co. do get their hands on him because they might just be following my blog.............please leave a comment below ;)

I also made a slug from Mochimochiland.com that I will be sending to Miss Violet of LimenViolet. The reason is that there was a podcast that had some chatter about a person they referred to as the Pitt Slug............so I thought it would be neat to make one up and send it along for a laugh! A quick thank you to Lime and Violet for their awesome knitting etc. podcast they are a real great bunch of people and make you laugh your ass off! Seriously!

What did you all do this weekend? I made a Dust Bunny and also almost have the Baby Washcloth blanket blocks ready to sew together. See the photo below of my progress.

Well that's about all for this past weekend. I have a few ideas to throw out as this week progresses.

Take care all!

Well well well..................

2008-10-02T16:01:00.004-04:00

Ok so I have totally slumped some on this blog! I did however get the contest finished and the winner chosen and the prize plus small surprise off in the mail! That is all a good thing!!

The weekend before last we went to the Applefest in Fenton Michigan with the kids and grandkids. We really went to eat a chicken dinner on the cheap and take Miss Abygail on the rides at the carnival! I did get a few good photos and she is also sporting her new haircut! In her 4 1/2 years this is the shortest hair she has had and it is so adorable!!

After that we did spend some quality time with the twins.......they are growing! Blake is at 9lbs and Gabby is now 7lbs! But really she is still such a tiny peanut!!

On the needles: As you can see from a previous post I have finished the Two needle baby sweater along with matching hat and some cute socks using the gullwing lace pattern on the calves and a stocking stitch for the foot. I also whipped out the Nicky Epstein book of knitted flowers and added just a touch of embellishment to the whole ensemble as you can see in this photo.

I am currently working on Baby Washcloths to knit by Melissa Oscarsdotter, I will be knitting up 16 and sewing them into an afghan for the new grandbaby coming sooner than expected!! Yes Amanda (the oldest) was due December 20th or so, but she has placenta previa and they have just scheduled the C-section for November 25th!

We had the baby shower last Sunday and that is where I presented the two needle baby sweater ensemble and here is a cute photo of the expecting parents.

Next up for my needles.............I think that I had better make something for the youngest daughter before all the baby stuff takes over. I am thinking of doing the 2 needle fingerless mitts I have the pattern and yarn already purchased from Knit Picks! I will have to review the pattern and probably adapt them to doing two at once in the round on 2 circular needles. I think that I have had the ingredients for almost 2 years. Shame on me! Then I am going back to baby/kid stuff. I think that I will make a sleeper sack for coming granddaughter, and then switch it up to make to sweaters for the 4 1/2 and 2/12 granddaughters, then back to new baby stuff. I hope to squeak in a hat for me and at least start some socks for either me or hubby!

I guess that is all for now, today. Have a few more post ideas to add in the next day or so.

bye all!

CONTEST WINNER!!

2008-09-25T14:31:00.002-04:00

Drum Rolllllllll please!!!!
The random number generator has spoken..........The lucky winner of the Knit Mittens Book is ..... congratulations primdollie of http://alteredvisions.typepad.com/altered_visions/

Congratulations!!!!!! Yippee!!!!

Thank you to all that stopped by my blog and entered to win! I will be having another contest here shortly so keep your eyes peeled and check back often!

Fun photo of the day.............

2008-09-25T09:46:00.003-04:00

Have you ever seen one of ME in a tree?

Yeah neither has my mate!!

Actually this photo was taken in April 2008 at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor Michigan along the Huron River. I swear as I stood there watching these two he/ or she just flapped wings and landed on this branch!

Down below the mate stood there in shock and the tree goose started calling and calling, like the mate was going to join him. It was something to see alright, and who would have guessed that this was about the only time I had a camera with me.............think he was just posing?

2008-09-18T15:30:00.001-04:00

Well have to do a shout out to my girls at the Whitmore Lake Yarn shop! Hey!!!! Mo, Dee,Lil, Lee, Kim, Dawn, Donna, Ruth! (Ruth, that was just for you! Now you have to leave a comment below! :)) And if i forgot anyone........leave a comment and I will add you to my shout out!!

Ok update for my knitting.......... I have FINISHED, yes finished the Two Needle Baby Sweater from Elizabeth Zimmerman! It is done! And it is beautiful! I have also made a hat to match, and am working on a pair of socks. The socks are of my own design using the same lace pattern and leftover yarn. How cute huh?

And its just about time to go! Yippee.......the sun is shining and the air is warm here in the Mitten state!

Feeling stressed? Anxiety? Try this!!

2008-09-13T07:21:00.003-04:00

I received this from some dear friends just thought that I would pass it along to all of you!

25 Rules to Live By

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose for today is: ________ '

4. Eat more foods that grow on pl ants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a College kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals almost everything. . . And He can heal everything if it's in His plan. We just need to trust His bigger picture.

20. However good or bad a situation is -- it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I am thankful for _____.' AND 'today I accomplished_ _____.'

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.

I have an UPDATE!!

2008-09-11T11:12:00.005-04:00

Hello all!

Just wanted to show my progress the the Two Needle February Baby Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmerman..................drum roll please!

As you can see, I have finished the body of the sweater, have my sleeves on yarn to hold the stitches and have put in only 3 button holes at the top of the sweater. I also did 11 pattern repeats and 5 ridges of garter at the bottom edge which gave me 9" from 'shoulder'. That is a measurement that I located off of other newborn sized sweater patterns.

One more update just for today, the new fall issue of Knitty is up! There are some really great knit patterns here for free!! Check it out.

Please leave a comment! Thank you so much for stopping by!

I am speechless!! Well NOT really.......

2008-09-10T15:17:00.010-04:00

I have been perusing Lime & Violet's web/blog.......from their site I was escorted to Patternfish.

LEMMETELLYOUSOMETHING!! Oh yea you have to go there if you want a pattern! There are just about tons of patterns, knitting, crochet and sewing! Of course I have only been to a small portion of the knitting part but it is fan tab u lus!!!

All the patterns are for sale, no freebies here. But the prices are really fair and if you happen to be a designer you can also sell there!

Robyn Gallimore for Red Bird Knits has an exclusive pattern there for faux isle knit socks that is to die for!

I was going to post my progress on the Two Needle February baby sweater.........well that was after I got the body section finished. Needless to say that I have spent the better part of the last few hours sitting here on Patternfish!!!! So that posting may have to wait just a bit longer. Maybe later tonight yet.

Oh leave it to the awesome Lime & Violet podcast, along with their blog etc. to keep the knitting inspiration flowing and the laughter rolling!

CRAZY PHOTO WEDNESDAY!
Just one non related photo to keep things going................am I coming or going? I didn't have a camera with me so I just whipped out the old cell phone and snapped this! I was really going to put up some silly photo of me.............for fun. But you know what? I HATE photos of myself. Just can't get past that! Ok going to knit!

Its FRIDAY!! So whats on your needles? Contest

2008-09-05T13:07:00.016-04:00

So its Friday, for most its just about the greatest day of the week. Knowing that you get to look forward to a couple days off before starting all over again. In my world at the moment and for the past 20 years or so give or take a whole 12 months that I got to work elsewhere and LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!

My husband and I own and operate our own company. As any of you know that own or operate your own business, there are no set days of the week that you work, there are no set times.........you can not plan a vacation EVER, and it gets old. Then there are the times like the past 2 weeks that there was NO work, NO money yet plenty to do, but no advance notice so that you might be able to plan something..............anything!

I will not have a day off now for probably 2 months, as it will take us that long to get caught up, back on track and hopefully a bit ahead of our shipment releases.

Ok that is off my chest for now...............now lets have a bit of a contest!! On to the fun stuff!!!

I have a copy of Knit Mittens!: 15 Cool Patterns to Keep You Warm (Knit) (Hardcover)that I would like to give away. Its now coming up on fall and we are all starting to think of our Christmas knitting, gift giving and in our neck of the woods here in the mitten state..........winter. Brrrrrrrrrr !

So I would like everyone to leave a comment here on my blog and at the end of the month I will use a random number generator, based on what number your response is you could win this book! Please only one entry per person.

Thanks for stopping by!! Lorrie knittin in the mitten!

....above photo example only....

My Progress here

Oh whats on my needles you say? I have started a Elizabeth Zimmerman two needle February baby sweater (pattern found in this book)that is being knit with Happy Feet yarn colorway #13 and US size 4 needles in hopes of it coming out to be a true newborn size. Really its ok if the new granddaughter that will be born in December can only wear it for a good month or so.........

Grandma had to do it!!!

2008-09-03T18:12:00.006-04:00

Hello there!

For the past 4 days I have been working on a baby doll blanket for Granddaughter Abygail. She had asked if Grandma could make a blankie for her babies. And of course I said YES!!

So, this is the blankie. I found a dish cloth pattern online for free from LaurasKnits. I modified the pattern to make it 3 hearts by 3 hearts and still maintaining a border. The finished blanket measures 20" W by 23" T. I think that it is a perfect size for a baby doll!

The first photo shows that the pattern of the hearts is almost invisible, but if you look at it at a slight angle the hearts show light right up! I used just a worsted big box store yarn that I had around so that its completely child friendly! And parent to for washing and drying!

Please leave a comment on what you think!

Thank you for stopping by. Lorrie

Waffle baby blanket finished!!

2008-08-31T12:33:00.004-04:00

Well to start off I finished pale yellow waffle baby blanket today!!! Yippee.........now I can allow myself to move on to my next project!

And my next project is....................the baby doll blanket I promised granddaughter Abygail. I think that I will try out a new knitting technique for me. Shadow knitting or illusion knitting. I found a pattern for a heart dishcloth here and am going to modify it into a baby doll blanket. At least that is what I am about to attempt! Doesn't have to be on a grand scale maybe 3 pattern repeats by 3 pattern repeats? Just enough for the baby doll.

I found the pattern at the site mentioned in a previous post. The finished size was 27x27 inches and I used Feza Baby yarn color# 13436 100% acylic (and so soft!) 319 yard per ball and a size US7 or 4.5 mm needle. Yes it is a KA needle and its great!

Please let me know what you think about this baby blanket pattern right down here just click on the comments and leave one :)

New love in knitting needles..............

2008-08-29T11:46:00.005-04:00

I recently attended an open knit at on of my local yarn shops Whitmore Lake Yarn Co., and found a new to me brand of knitting needle!

When I found myself getting back into knitting around 2005, I of course was in love hook, line and sinker with Addi Turbo's!! There was nothing like them on the market before and they helped me and my knitting soar! So of course I have at least one in every size and in most cases at least 2!

Then came the Knit Picks circular needle kits! And shortly after that.......the Harmony Woods! Well other than now stocking up on those knitting was sailing on gracefully!

UNTIL this past week! I found KA Classic Bamboo needles. Ok you are probably thinking "what makes these so great?" Well it is 3 things so far. Price and the revolutionary way the cord or cable that joins the needles swivels!!! Yes swivels! Its so cool, pretty much now no matter what type of material is used to join the needles as long as it swivels the cables can't twist up like the dreaded clovers! Oh and the price is pretty much 1/2 the price of the Addi's. 3rd is that that swivel join is also very smooth!

If you are in Michigan please look up the Whitmore Lake Yarn Co. from the web site and pop in for a coffee and the best sit and knit or class in town!

One more for the road

2008-08-27T22:00:00.002-04:00

Okay in my first blog post ever I mentioned youngest daughter Tiffany 23, here she is with baby girl twin peanut Gabriella.

Yes, those blue eyes are all hers!