Crystal Bangle

I have spent this weekend getting ready for NaBloPoMo, among other things. Last time I did NaBloPoMo I didn't find out about it until the day it started. So I just plunged in. This time I've got time to plan.

Buwahahahahahahahaaaaa....!!!

Coming up with something to write every day is not easy. So I've been researching blog memes and whatnot to fall back on when I draw an absolute blank.

I have also finished this bracelet.

It is a birthday gift for my sister-in-law Diane.

 We had a party for her last night.

It's the pattern Crystal Bangles by Gwen Fisher and Florence Turnour.

It was pretty easy to do because it's a simple netting stitch.

I used 4mm AB Crystal firepolished crystals, size 11 AB white-lined seed beads, and size 15 seed beads in opaque tan and color lined dark antique gold.

 I used 6-lb crystal Fireline for the thread.

 She loved it

That makes me happy. I never know if someone is going to like the jewelry I make them or not.

Live long and prosper. \\//

NaBloPoMo 2010

Last night I decided to do NaBloPoMo 2010 and officially signed up for it. For those who don't know, it stands for National Blog Posting Month. Participants commit to posting something on their blogs every day of the month of November. I did it a couple years ago or so. Coming up with something every day was quite a challenge, but I enjoyed it.

There's badges to post on your blog and whatnot too. This year the badge looks like this:

So, with that in mind, I was hoping I'd get some help regarding topics to write about. Do you have any favorite memes? Topic ideas? Something you'd like me to write about? If so, please leave them in the comments. I will greatly appreciate it.

I have almost finished the childrens mitts, and only have 10 inches left to go on the Teal Cardigan. I've also started a beaded bracelet. My sister-in-laws birthday is this weekend. We're havin' a party for her and the bracelet will be her gift. It uses lots of crystals and size 15 beads. I hope I'll have it done in time.

It's still cold, damp, and gray. I heard the weatherman say something about snow coming. Brrrrr.....

Stay warm.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 10/27/2010

I am making slow progress on the Teal cardigan. I also am working on a pair of childrens mittens. We are short on them for Knitwits. I hope to get  a few pair done before our December meeting. I'm making these ones with leftovers from the Navy Tweed pullover.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Life has not been dull the last few days. On Friday night my daughter Sarah called to tell us her husband, Frank, got a new job. They are moving to Massachusetts next month. Wow! That took the wind out of my sails. I really don't want them to move so far away, but I also understand they're young and they need to have adventures, so I'm happy for them. Sometimes, though, it's hard being a parent.

 On Saturday night we went over to Dan and Sue's to try out their new hot tub. I had a really great time. I drank way too many Appletini's and laughed a lot. Our daughter Ruth stayed sober so she could drive us home. 

On Monday I found out my Grandma passed away during the night. It was not unexpected but, still, when it happens it's a bit of a blow. She had been going in and out of comas the past year or so. I guess I kind of said goodbye to her already because she hasn't been herself for quite a few years.  She was such a vibrant energetic person before her body got too tired and old and she lost her eyesight to a degenerative disease. The last time we were together we were sitting on her front porch at the hunting camp watching my uncle mow the lawn and sipping straight vodka, no ice, out of chipped coffee cups-at 10 in the morning. It's one of my fondest memories.

The weather has been cold, gray, wet, and dreary. It's been so dark out today that we've got all the lights on in the house. The clouds lifted a little bit yesterday so we could see snow on the mountains out front. I expect we'll start getting the white stuff in the yard any day now. Today it's a chilly 45F degrees. Winter is very near.

If you're interested in participating in WIP Wednesday, please join us.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Just Wanting to Share

Don't have much to say today. I was looking through some of my old photo disks recently. I found this beautiful photo of Morgan and just wanted to share it. It was taken in 2005.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 10/20/2010

 

The Teal cardigan is starting to look like a cardigan.

 I had a bit of frustration with the yoke. After the shoulder increases and whatnot, the instructions tell you to knit garter stitch until the sleeve will go around your arm, or something like that. So, what does a person do if they're making it for a gift and don't have the arm around to measure on? Measurements, folks! Measurements! Why don't these authors put inches or centimeters in their patterns? It's not hard to do. I've made a semi-educated guess. (Did I mention this is my first adult top down sweater?)

The lace pattern is an easy memorize. So I don't even have to look at the pattern now, until I get to 1.5 inches less than desired finished length. I'm thinking 27 inches will be a good total length. It's too bad the author of the pattern didn't say how long she made hers. (sigh)

I think I mentioned I've started a new pair of socks. I was going to put sock knitting aside until I got the Christmas sweaters done, but I can't help it. It doesn't feel right if my little sock bag isn't with me. I got a pattern idea and decided to run with it. So far, this is what I've got. The cuff is 3x2 twisted rib.

I've started the leg stitch pattern but there isn't enough to tell what it's gonna look like.

If you're interested in participating in WIP Wednesday, please join us.

Live long and prosper. \\//

The Navy Textured Pullover

I finished this over a week ago. I love it! So does my sister-in-law Diane. If the person I made this for doesn't, I have promised it to her. (Click on the pics to embiggen)

 Navy Textured Pullover

Pattern: Andoa Pullover by Berroco Design Team

Size: Medium

Yarn: Unknown
Content: Definitely has acrylic and washable wool in it.

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars 6 and 8.

Cast on: April 23, 2010

Finished: October 10, 2010

Comments: I love this pattern! It was a pleasure to knit. Easy enough that I could cart it around for KIPing, but enough variety that I didn't get bored with it. It's a good one for beginning knitters too. I'd recommend it for those folks looking for that first sweater project.

About the yarn-I found it in my stash. It was given to me by someone a few years ago. No labels on any of the skeins, but doing a burn test told me it has both acrylic and wool in it. I tossed a swatch into the washing machine and dryer twice to make sure it was washable because there was seeds and bits of weeds in it. I was really surprised it didn't felt. I am very pleased with it! It shows off the stitch pattern perfectly, and softened up quite a bit after it was washed so I'm really wishing I knew what kind it is.

Here are more pics for my personal benefit. I really do love this sweater.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Purple Rainbow Boucle' Shrug

Finally, I got a chance to take pictures of the finished Purple Boucle' Shrug I've made for Knitwits. My daughter is the model.

 

Purple Rainbow Boucle' Shrug 

Pattern: Personal (not available)
Size: Womans
Yarn: Jo-Anns Sensations Rainbow Boucle' in Purple
Content: 88% Acrylic, 12% Nylon

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars 8 and 15.
Cast on: June 9, 2010
Finished: October 9, 2010

Comments: I can't believe how lightweight this shrug turned out to be. It can't weigh more than 4oz., yet it's toasty warm. I know because I tried it out. Too bad this yarn has been discontinued. I used a very simple drop-stitch lace pattern.

I love that one cuff is light purple and the other one is dark.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Simple Womans Daybook for October 16, 2010

I haven't done one of these in awhile.

 

FOR TODAY
October 16, 2010

Outside my window...
Sunshine, blue sky, a gentle breeze, and lots of fall color.

I am thinking...
it is awfully chilly out for such a sunny day. It's 39F degrees. Brrrr.... Wouldn't it be great if Silver came through the doggy door right now? ...sigh.

I am thankful for...
Our furnace. It keeps me nice and toasty warm all fall, winter, and spring for very little attention on my part.

From the kitchen...
A lot of dirty dishes, and a whole bunch of whiskey bottles full of Sweet Hubby's brew.

I am wearing...
The usual jammies and purple fuzzy robe. I'm getting a slow start today.

I am creating... 

a new sock pattern. I got an idea for a design and decided to run with it.

I am going...
to Bead Stampede today. It's a bead show held every year at the Spokane Fairgrounds. I got two free tickets, so daughter Sarah is going with me. I hope to find someone who is carrying the new Tila beads.

I am reading... 

The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson. It was a free download from Barnes and Noble for my Nook. It's a dark fantasy superhero with not much hope of a happy ending kind of fiction. I've never read this kind of book before and I'm finding it interesting. One thing about the Friday free downloads is they're getting me to read other types of books besides the usual murder mystery and science fiction that I tend to read.

I am hoping...
there will be Tila beads at the bead show.

I am hearing...
the ticking of the clock on the wall, the rushing air from the furnace, the clickety click of my computer keys, and a funny bubbling noise from the coffee maker. It's quiet in the house.

Around the house...
spots of sunshine on the floor.

One of my favorite things...
Bead shows. They get my creative juices flowing and me all excited about beading again.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
If the weather stays nice as predicted, I'd like to get my flower beds ready for winter.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
I'm sharing this so I can join an online class for the donut that is pictured here.

You can join it too by visiting http://laurebijoux.canalblog.com. It's in French, so you may want to make use of Google Translator.

Live long and prosper. \\//


If you want to join the Simple Womans Daybook, click here.

Silver Wood Theme Park

I have suffered yet another loss of a loved one this year. Some time Monday my cat, Silver, went outside and we haven't seen a sign of him since. Something serious has happened to him, of this we have no doubt, for he is very old (17 years) and has stuck to the house like glue for at least 2 years. He has arthritis in his back and walks very very slowly. He has slept on Ruth's bed every night since she came home from college. He ALWAYS comes when I call him and he has not responded to our calls since he disappeared. We suspect he has crossed the rainbow bridge.

I'm hoping to be wrong on this, but the last 3 nights he's been missing have been frosty cold. There's no way he'd have stayed out all night in the cold.

We've been expecting this to happen for awhile now. In fact, we were kind of surprised he made it through last winter.

Silver came into our lives on April 26, 1993. He is a descendent of Crookshank Hank and Grey Cat-two cats who were in the Park family for a very very long time. His parents were Crookshank Frank and Inky, the first cats who came to live with us when we moved back to north Idaho.I was the midwife who helped bring him into the world. We've been close ever since.

Many an hour I have spent with Silver in my lap, or sitting at my feet, watching me knit. He always had great respect for my knitting. He didn't play with it, or eat the yarn like other cats have through the years. He kept his paws off it. Sometimes he would be my model for photos of my knitting and would have a huge amount of patience, posing for me willingly.

 He would go on walks with me on the Parkarosa, following me loyally, like a dog, peering curiously at all the wild flowers I would point out to him. He was incredibly smart. He could open doors by stretching out and turning the knob with his front paws. He absolutely loved raw hamburger, and roast turkey. He was also the best mouser I've ever known.

There is a pack of coyotes hanging around our place. We hear them howling and yipping almost every night. Several people in the area have lost pets this summer to them. I prefer to not think about that. Instead, I want to believe that on Monday afternoon, he laid down in a warm sunny spot somewhere in the woods near the house, fell asleep, and that was that. Peaceful, and happy.

Silver, where are you? I miss you so very much.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 10/13/2010

The Navy Textured pullover is done! So is the purple shrug. I'll blog about that later because today is

I have pics of the sweater I started over the weekend. I'm gonna refer to it as the Teal cardigan. I bought the yarn, which is Brown Sheep Superwash Lambs Pride, because I love the color and I was going to make myself a specific sweater with it. However, upon digging in the stash for this gift sweater, I realized the color is perfect for the person I'm making the sweater for.

I've decided on the infamous February Lady Sweater pattern because it is a style that will look great on her. According to Ravelry's statistics, 9729 have this sweater in their projects notebook either finished or in progress. Over 10,000 have it in their queues. That is one darn popular pattern. It's knit from the top down.

I finished the yoke last night. I pushed myself to do that because it's garter stitch and I am extremely bored when knitting garter stitch. I've been known to literally doze off when knitting garter stitch. So far, it's been a fairly easy knit, except for the row of yarn overs knit at the end of the yoke part.

 The color is much brighter in real life than it is in this picture.

I needed to distribute 41 yarn overs evenly over 267 stitches and I just couldn't seem to make it work. It took 3 times tinking the row before I figured out I had messed up the shoulder increases (did 25 repeats instead of 24 due to misunderstanding on my part). Once I realized I had 8 more stitches (275 instead of 267) than I was supposed to it was an easy fix. I decided to adjust the number of yarn overs to 33 rather than undo the extra 2 rows of yoke. Sheesh! If I'd counted the stitches before starting that row to make sure they were right I could have saved myself 3 hours of frustration.

We had our first frost Monday night. It got down to 26F degrees. That is the end of my dahlias for the year. I did go out and cut the two buds that were opening up earlier that day-I could smell the frost coming. One opened completely overnight.

I am thankful that we got 2 extra growing months so I could see them bloom, and now I know what to do to get blooms next year.

 The other one (another wine colored one) is probably not going to open much, but at least I'm giving it a chance.

If you're interested in participating in WIP Wednesday, please join us.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Turkey Highway

We seem to be living on the wild Turkey highway this year. We hardly ever used to see them because my cat, Silver, was quite the hunter.

Though the turkeys are 4 to 5 times larger than he is, he had no qualms about killing one and bringing it home to present to me, and then eat. (I didn't eat it, Silver did) Silver loves turkey. It didn't take long for the turkeys to figure that out and for the last 15 years they have avoided our house like it was full of plague.

Silver is pretty old now. He had his 17th birthday this year. His hunting days are pretty much over. He has arthritis in his back so he moves pretty slowly. He spends most of his time hanging around the house, sleeping on soft pillowy surfaces. He's content to lay in the sun on the chaise lounge and watch the birds and animals stroll by him. The turkeys must know it's safe now because we see some just about every day.

Today, so far, two flocks have been by. Flock the first has a Tom with 12 Hens.

  

As you can see, this particular Tom's head is kind of pinkish.

The Flock the second came by about a half hour later. This Tom had 6 hens.

His head is a bright red, and he's much larger. I got a good close up of him because he was at the bottom of the steps. Not nearly as skittish as Flock the first.

I am so happy to have them back. So far, grandkitty Lindy is not bothering them. I think, perhaps, she is not quite as courageous as Silver was, preferring to stalk prey much smaller than herself. She also likes to bring whatever she catches into the house live to let it go, causing chaos for her entertainment. I don't see her dragging a live full grown wild turkey through the doggy door. (If I did, it would be a hilarious sight!)

The weekend is cold, wet, and rainy for the most part. I've spent it finishing a couple projects. Yesterday I blocked things, put the neckband on the Navy Textured pullover, and started sewing seams. Today I am finishing up the sewing, while watching all 3 parts of Pirates of the Caribbean. It seems like a good way to spend a dreary weekend.

Live long and prosper. \\//