Knitting Muse

Knitting Muse has left Blogger......

2010-08-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

New site is up and running. Feeling happy with new blog being on website. And I've even managed to set up the pages the way I want them. Love that option.

Please come and visit me there as this is my last post on this blog.

New blog....

2010-08-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

...again. 3rd time should be a charm, ya think?

The goal is to have my blog on my website. The complication is Yahoo (website host) using WordPress as blog. It's a complication because I am inexperienced with WordPress...and it's kicking my a$$! Finding all information I need for set up...and WordPress Support is ~~on vacation~~ unavailable for another week.

Bottom line - website and blog is under construction. So if you're trying to access pattern page - look here.

Hope to have the bugs worked out soon with new patterns up for your enjoyment. :)

Knitting software recommendation

2010-07-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

I'm in love. Truly in love....with Intwined Pattern Studio software (think kniting charts).

I've looked at chart producing software for awhile but wouldn't commit my money because there was always something it couldn't do that I needed it to do. The most recent issue was over combining color and stitch - not one or the other. Intwined does that.

In the past I've used Excel for creating charts. Most recently a chart showing complicated color changes. It was a long and arduous use of Excel's drawing tools. Intwined has simplified that for me by allowing user to create new stitches fairly easily for use in charts.

Oh...and it creates text as you create the chart so that the basic knitting instructions are written by the time you've completed the chart. What's not to love?

Goodbye using Excel to make charts! Hello more time to knit!

I have no affiliation with the company that produces this software. Just a very happy user. :D

People First: Empowering People With Disabilities

2010-07-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

We live with a disabled person - our daughter. She has a beautiful smile and loving heart. She also has some vision loss and mild cerebral palsy that includes seizures and intellectual disability.

While it has been a painful and often frustrating journey for 22 years, we wouldn't trade it for anything. She has taught us to love unconditionally, how to have patience, and how to make lemonade when life hands you lemons (she does it everyday).

Remember to look for the ability in disABILITY.

Recipe to wash dog who met a skunk

2010-07-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp liquid soap

Credit for dog wash recipe goes to vet after I told them the...ahem...situation. Stupid dogs.

Scarves for Special Olympics 2011

2010-07-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am currently planning my next projects for Scarves for Special Olympics. Next year's colors have been decided - Red Heart Super Saver Cherry Red and White. Plenty of time for us to overwhelm them again. :D

P.S. Even though boot cast is still on, I am happy to say I'm feeling better mentally....pity party is over! I may even have pictures to show you soon! (I'm wondering if the pain medication I was on actually caused the depression....?? )

A look inside "I Can't Believe I'm Loom Knitting"

2010-07-15T15:53:00.001-07:00

Lugging this boot cast around has become old. I'm hot, tired and cranky most of the time....and trying hard not to share that (aren't you glad?) And since I will have to wear it for at least 2 more weeks, you won't hear much from me. In the meantime, I'll keep my ~~misery~~ complaining to myself. ;)

However, I thought you might like to see more of what is inside of I Can't Believe I'm Loom Knitting...in case you haven't picked up a copy yet. You can look here, and here on Leisure Arts website.

Not again!

2010-07-08T09:15:00.001-07:00

Tuesday was a good day until....

The label of clumsy has never been applied to me before. Time to rethink that. I tripped....again...left ankle turned side-ways as I tried to regain my footing, landed on the side-ways ankle and heard the dreaded POP! as I fell. Horrible pain and immediate swelling make me think I've broken the ankle....again. *@#*(!! $*&@&^!! (G-rated version of the words echoed through the house).

Within 2 hours, I was at an orthopedist office to be x-rayed. Results are good news - no new break in the ankle. But the bad news is the fracture from Dec 2008 never completely healed. Or perhaps it broke - again?

Whichever, I'm back in the boot cast for at least 3 weeks at which time I see the doctor again to determine what's next. Lovely.

And if that wasn't enough to make Tuesday miserable....

It was raining when we left the doctor's office. And since it was late, Gary suggested dinner out at a little Mexican food restaurant. As we finished eating, we notice restaurant staff scurrying around with brooms and mops. Water was coming into the restaurant under the doors. Within 15 minutes, the floor was covered with 2 or more inches of water. We looked outside and saw water everywhere.

The street was flooded to the point that firefighters and police were rescuing people stranded in their autos. The parking lot had water up to the doors of my little SUV.

We had to stay put for about an hour waiting for the water to recede. This is the parking lot as we left...

At least dinner was on the house.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

Special Weekend

2010-06-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

We in the midst of a grand celebration this weekend - Angela's birthday!
It started today with her choice of a restaurant. She choose Joe's Crab Shack (good choice!).

Gary got to do most of the work on the king crab legs.

Tomorrow we bake a cake - triple chocolate with fudge icing (can you feel the calories just in reading the name?)

Sunday is "the day". There will be a little get-together in the afternoon complete with buffalo burgers on the grill and swimming in the pool. Yes, you read that correctly...BUFFALO burgers. She loves them.

Plus we're making homemade ice cream to go with the cake. (I'll be spending a lot of time doing laps next week as well as extra time on the bike.)

Stop by if you're in the area!

Fortunately I got the Pokemon plushies finished in time to give her on Sunday because her *real* present didn't arrive yet. (Why does tracking now come with a date it was scanned in but doesn't bother with where it was scanned at???)

Anyway, Torchic and Jiggypuff are done. Thanks again to Wolfdreamer for her terrific patterns. :)

Wednesday WIP

2010-06-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma went straight from Winter to Summer with temperatures soaring to the high 90's every day. Lovely for enjoying our swimming pool...which we have been. But doesn't help the want to hold yarn.

Nevertheless, I have been crocheting.
Working on 2 Pokemon plushies for daughter's birthday (thanks to Wolfdreamer!). I need to get these finished by Sunday.

But most of my spare time has been spent playing with beads.

I have a chart underway for a beadweaving design that has been vegetating in my head for over 2 years. It seems like time for it to evolve beyond an idea, eh?
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Flower beds are starting to look like.....well, FLOWER beds. ha! Gladiolas have started to bloom despite the heat.

And another calla lily has bloomed.
Maybe I can do this gardening thing after all?

Doing

2010-06-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Back from vacation for 5 days and I haven’t managed to spend more then 10 minutes on the computer. It’s all this “doing” stuff which has included unpacking and cleaning the motor home, laundry, weeding the flower beds, and doctor appointments. And today daughter and I gave the non-traveling home a good cleaning. Good thing we had a long, restful vacation before all this doing!

Speaking of vacation…the last part was nice and relaxing. We spent time in Custer State Park touring the park and seeing the wildlife,

...found a sign we need for the back yard (we've had to rescue 2 turtles from the dogs), …and a trip to Wall Drugs (home of free ice water) and the badlands of South Dakota.

We also went to Deadwood where my daughter tried her first slot machine.

She won too! Must be “first time gambler” luck. Of course I gave her the ole spill about only taking the amount of money you can give away to the casino. Then when she won, I encouraged her to leave a winner (in other words, cash in). She listened and happily walked away with profit.

The trip home included a side-trip to Little Big Horn in Montana, and Fort Laramie in Wyoming. We are self-professed history buffs.

A very nice vacation indeed.

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“The calla lilies are in bloom again….” (Stage Door, Katharine Hepburn)

It’s my first calla lily ever….I am so proud!

Great Family Adventure 2010

2010-06-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

We’re on vacation. I forgot to mention that, eh? Yes, we left on our RV vacation the 24^th of May. Between last minute errands, packing the essentials into the motor home, and the excitement over Lost finale (which I loved and hubby scratched his head over) I just forgot to mention it.

The first couple of nights were spent at friend’s farm in Kansas. They are more like family really, and we hadn’t seen them since we moved from California where they live most of the year. Catching up was wonderful and seeing the family farm was nice.

From there we headed north out of Kansas and into Nebraska, making our way to Black Hills in South Dakota where we are at now. Since our arrival, we’ve been up on a mountain top, down into a cave, and witnessed an explosion.

Up on a mountain

About 8 years ago we saw Crazy Horse for the first time. It made a profound impression upon us…the commitment of the Ziolkowski family, as well as the meaning behind the Memorial Foundation.
That prompted us to become regular contributors to help in completion of the vision.

Since we are regular contributors, this year we had the pleasure and honor of going to the top of the Crazy Horse Memorial.

It was an amazing experience to be that close to an amazing sculpture-in-work.

Our guide, Dewey, gave us insight into how the work is done. And what a view from the arm of Crazy Horse!

An unforgettable experience.

Down into a cave

Jewel Cave. While it was interesting to hear about the on-going exploration of the caverns, the area that the public is allowed into just isn’t as beautiful as Carlsbad Caverns (sorry, it’s true).

Most interesting tidbit – 723 steps according to the guide (I didn’t actually count them). Yes, the ultimate stair master.

Witnessed an explosion

Sometime the work on Crazy Horse requires blowing up (off?) part of the mountain to get to the area where the work is to be done. An explosion was on the schedule for Memorial Day – an event! And we were there.

Gotta admit….Gary (hubby) really knows how to show we gals (Angela and I) a good time.

We still have another 1 ½ weeks left before we’ll be home. If I have a chance, and if WiFi is available, I will blog again about the Great Family Adventure 2010.

New patterns

2010-05-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

I've finally finished a couple of loom knit designs. Both are scarves and the patterns can be found on my web site.

Waves Long Scarf has been planned for months. I wanted to do a scarf with pointed ends.

As I knitted it, I was inspired to make a neck gaiter too.

I really like wearing neck gaiters. Need more of these. :)

A few years ago (2007 to be exact), I did a class in make Flip Flop Toppers. My pattern for these is now on my site as a free pattern. Enjoy!

Wednesday WIP and tornadoes

2010-05-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

After spending the past weekend with bronchitis, I am now rushing to finish this WIP. It's suppose to be published later this year in a Creative Knitting issue (happy dance)

Aother WIP I'm doing is for fun. Daughter has always been a Pokemon fan. I was delighted to find this blogger's site filled with wonderful crochet patterns of pokemon. So I started one for DD's June birthday (sssshhhhh!! Don't tell her!)

Wolfdreamer is truly an amazing artist with the hook.

And I'm knitting hanging dish towels for the RV. Not only do I need dish towels for the kitchen but I like the idea of being to secure them while the RV is in motion.

The last two WIP are part of my attempt to de-stash before the fall buying begins. That will be my 2 year anniversary from my self-imposed yarn diet. I am SO tired of this yarn diet. I see all this new stuff coming out and have to remind myself that I really do not need more yarn (of course, when did need have anything to do with it in the first place?)

Anyway, I am tired of talking myself out of the new yarns. As this fall is the 2 year anniversary of my self-imposed yarn diet, I plan to be happy that I have trimmed it down as far as I can by then. And I will allow myself to purchase yarn for specific projects. That's the stipulation - must have a project planned for the yarn I want to buy. I think that's fair. :)

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Big hug to all the friends and family for worrying about us this past Monday as tornadoes swept through our town Choctaw, OK. We were in the storm cellar when the sirens went off , and luckily the tornadoes missed our neighborhood.

Finished Friday on a Saturday

2010-05-08T08:13:00.001-07:00

Late with Finished Friday but I have a good excuse...bronchitis. I spent yesterday at the doctor getting some good med's so I feel much better today. Yay for better living through chemicals! I know that sounds terrible but unless you suffer with allergy-induced asthma that leads to bronchitis please do not criticize. ;)

The finished knitting I want to point out is the drop-shoulder sweater I did for Loom Knitter's Circle. Using only knits and purls with a little decreasing to show off your girlish figure, it's a good first (or second) loom knit sweater. And it's knit with a luscious yarn from Knit Picks!
As it's almost summer, you have plenty of time to finish it before cooler weather. Enjoy! ;)

Wonderfulness

2010-05-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

I didn't exactly forget to post a work in progress yesterday...I just didn't have time. Somehow the laundry multiplied itself. So yesterday's WIP would have been pictures of laundry baskets. Surely you don't need pictures of that!

So today I'm blogging about wonderfulness. And if there isn't such a word, there should be!

28 years ago today, I married the most wonderful man I've ever known. He's my Best Friend, my counselor, and lover....all rolled into one. I'm lucky to know him. Even luckier that we have such a strong love and bond.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart! (We need to get a newer picture of ourselves together.) XOXOXO

Further wonderfulness can be found in the flower beds. The gladiolas have popped up, and the asiatic lilies are beautiful!

Plus I managed to get a couple of the garden goodies my Mother gave me a into the flower bed.

Since the wind seems to blow constantly, these little guys are always flying. Fun to watch as I weed the flowers beds.

I think I'm starting to like this garden thing. :)

Finished Friday on Thursday night

2010-04-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

OK, I'll admit I'm excited to tell you about my latest loom work. And since tomorrow is all about doctor appointments and miscellaneous errands with MIL, I'm blogging this evening.

This what I spent most of last summer and fall working on - I Can't Believe I'm Loom Knitting.

It has just been released so I'm not sure when you'll find it on Amazon, at Walmart, or in hobby stores. But it should be in time for your 2010 fall/winter loom knitting. Of course if you can't wait, you can order it from Leisure Arts. :)

There are new stitch patterns inside that come together for a sampler afghan.

The stitch patterns are then used to make a variety of items. Here's a little peak.

Child hat

Baby blanket or lap afghan

Adult hat and neck scarf

A lace wrap

A total of 18 projects that includes beginner hats but with other more complicated designs that make this perfect for seasoned loom knitter too.

A lot of love and brain power went into this little publication. Hopefully you'll find it filled with goodies that you can't wait to make!

Wednesday WIP and "Wii Knitting"

2010-04-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last week primarily working on this sample knit for Knit Picks.

Part of the *deal* of being a sample knitter is that you are not allowed to blog about the pattern, and I'm not. Well, except for this part - I've learned a new way to do sleeves of sweater and want to find more information about it.

The sleeves are knitted first and put onto waste yarn until the body is knitted to the bottom arm hole. Then the sleeves are attached by knitting them on. There is a great deal more involved, including decreasing at armhole, but I won't go into that as that might be pushing the limits of what I can discuss about the sample. But IF you know what this type of sleeve knitting is called, EMAIL ME! I have some references to research once I have more time but it's fairly daunting without an exact name of the technique (or phrase to use).

What I did run across in the few minutes of research I did was the method of picking up stitches along the armhole of the body and knitting the sleeves using short rows to shape them. Barbara Walker's Knitting From the Top discusses this technique. And it's just in time for for me to use in the sweater I've swatched for myself.

As I'm still knitting from my stash (can you say YARN DIET?), I have to find patterns that work for the amount of yarn already on hand. (And let me tell you - this is getting mighty old!) In the stash is 10 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cathay (now discontinued) that is enough for a short sleeve sweater in my size...maybe....depending on the pattern.

This pattern showed up in my in-box earlier this week. I like it! And if I use the short row shaping method of doing the sleeves, I can make the sleeves shorter if the amount of yarn I have won't work. Good plan.

Swatch is done.
I'm casting on as soon as I finish the sample knit.
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I recently came across this comic. Wii Knitting!!

Love it! hahaha

Finished Friday

2010-04-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

Once in awhile I manage to finish something that's for family. This little guy was requested by my daughter as she saw a pattern I found on Ravelry (Ravelry link here; designer's blog post here)

The pattern is called Grumpasaurus.

You know - for those grumpy days. But Angela decided we had way to many grumps in the house already......you don't suppose she meant me!?

Anyway, she wanted him to be a Cuteasaurus. So I improvised. :)

Wednesday WIP and earthquakes

2010-04-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

I am terrible at blogging! I immerse myself into projects or real life, and before I know it a week or two flies by without a thought to blogging.

Perhaps if I have a regular topic to blog about, I might be better (ya think?). So I thought I'd do a Wednesday WIP (work in progress). Hopefully a guaranteed topic will help me to blog weekly (at least!), and encourage people to visit and perhaps to comment.

This week's WIP is a bead crochet bracelet (most likely) . I have considered using it as a necklace/chain for an amulet bag. Time will tell.

I'm using size 11 green beads (favorite color and reminds me that Spring is here) that have a gold luster finish, which I've enhanced by using gold color thread. Sparkly!

It may be awhile before this one is finished. But it's such a treat to be beading again.

Bead crochet is one of my favorite crochet techniques. It combines two mediums that are near and dear to my heart. Plus I love bracelets - specifically bangles

I think the most difficult part of bead crochet is stringing the beads. There are two different methods I use for getting the beads onto the yarn.

If the beads are loose, I use a bead spinner. You can make your own with these instructions.
If the beads are in a hank (pre-strung), I use floss threader as a bead needle to take the beads from the string and onto the yarn/string I intend to crochet with.

Floss threaders are inexpensive and easy to find (local drug store). They have a large "eye" so that any size yarn can fit in it. And the eye is collapsible so that almost any size bead will go over it, and onto the yarn.

A good learn-to-bead-crochet video can be found at Bead Wrangler's site (she also has great options for thread). There are also many books on the subject including my favorites from Judith Bertoglio-Giffin

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Having lived in Southern California, I know about earthquakes. Experienced quite a few.

I was surprised to find that Oklahoma has them too. But in Oklahoma, I can hear them coming. Seriously. This morning, just before noon, we had a little one (only a 2.5). But I heard it a second or two before I felt it. Sounds a little like cattle stampede....then they wallop you! The epi-center is more shallow here then in California which makes the shaking felt more.

Problem solved

2010-04-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

It's difficult for me to knit with dark yarns unless I'm in bright light. I was reminded of the problem while knitting with brown yarn last night without the overhead light on (lamp only).

This morning, while drinking my morning coffee and browsing the internet, I stumbled upon the solution to my problem - a clever gadget from Nancy's Knit Knacks

picture from Nancy's Knit Knacks

The Knit Light might be well-known to all of you (and why didn't you mention it?) but I've just found it. Order is placed and I am already wondering how long it will take to arrive.

Spring cleaning...

2010-04-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

...inside and out. That's what I've been up to. I have been immersed in dirt outside, and cleaning up the dirt inside. Never ending cycle haha

Since we moved less then 2 years ago, very little spring cleaning was needed except for the carpets. With 3 dogs, and family members who forget to wipe feet, the carpets suffer. Which is why having my very own rug doctor is so great.

Love the convenience of having one for when I have an extra hour or two for cleaning carpet in a room.

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We finished the closet remodeling and unpacking of a few more boxes just in time for Spring-time temperatures. So we headed outside to play in the dirt. :)

Out the front door is a walkway that leads to a side patio. Flower bed between the walkway and the house was filled with bushes.

I knew I wanted that tall one out. It grew faster then we could trim it!

So out it came. Actually it was two that had grown into one great big one!

I really like the openness of the area without it. That was incentive enough for taking out the medium size bushes too (there were 3). And I dug out the water grass-type things on the other side of the walkway (excuse the finger that slipped into view as I took the picture)

This was 2 weekends worth of work, with one weekend of snow in between. And even though I've been working out, my muscles ached for days after. Moral - if you want to find muscles that were not getting exercised, try doing some landscape work.

Anyway, with the removal process completed, I started planting this past weekend. Flowers! I love green and all, but more bolder colors are found with blooming plants. I started with my beloved roses - red, pink, deep yellow and pale yellow to begin with. Daughter chose two lily-type plants that love sunshine. And I planted spring bulbs (fingers crossed on those).

I'm not sure how much more I'll do in the flower bed for now. We couldn't get that 2nd stump out with digging. Had to resort to chemical death for it. So I think I'll be content with that flower bed for now, and work on the container planting I want to do for that side patio.

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In between the cleaning and planting, and all the day-to-day stuff, I've started a bead crochet project. Funny thing - starting a bead project has made me want to knit again. So I am. More later.

I'm bursting with pride

2010-03-15T13:36:00.000-07:00

A great group of people at Easter Seals Southern California have been loom knitting for good causes as well as helping Scouts to put together neckerchiefs that help cool our troups overseas (also with encouraging messages from home).

The Scout project is helped along by a young man I adore (both he and his Mom are good friends of me and my daughter). And I'm happy to say that I taught this group to loom knit.

Check it out
Lancaster Adult Day Service Gives Back

Ladies and gents, I'm proud of you!

Let me count the ways...

2010-03-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

...that I fail to socialize online.

First there is Twitter. I signed up a few months ago and have tweeted (I think that's the phrase) exactly 24 times. Not a good tweeter am I?

Next there is Facebook. Signed up to visit with cousins. Found some loom knit friends and high school pals. So I do post there a couple of times a week. But mainly I play games - very relaxing and no brain required.

I guess I'm an old fashion email type of gal. Wanna visit? Email me. :)
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While there has been some knitting...

...I think I need to bring out the beads. My subconscious has been prodding me in that direction with some dreams of beading (at least it's not nightmares). So I'm planning a couple of beading projects.

There has been some creativity in the form of house projects. Last month it was closets.

This one....

is now a coat closet....

And this one....

is now a video/CD closet.

I can unpack these boxes now.

With the spring-like weather we're having, I am now planning on spending time working on the flower beds. Details and pictures later.

Most supportive family

2010-02-24T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have the most supportive husband and daughter. They've been loving and concerned during the past 4 weeks of me being sick (IBS flare up). Thankfully I think I'm on the upswing of awful episode.

But hey...it wasn't a total horrible experience! I realized last week that I can now fit into a size smaller blue jean! Not a diet I recommend but a silver lining to an otherwise dark cloud. :P

I haven't spent much time knitting over the last month. If I've had energy for anything, it was mainly family related. But I have managed to knit on my Shipwreck shawl and work some on the next edition of LKC.

Scarves for Special Olympics 2010

2010-02-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

Being a parent of a disabled adult, Special Olympics holds a special place in my heart.

Scarves for Special Olympics was a huge success last year. Let's do it again. ;)

Pertinent info here

I cannot contain myself any longer.....

2010-02-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Lost! Tomorrow night!!

I gave in to the internal pressure (yes, my own) to watch previews at the ABC link. The little box on the right side of the screen has several teasers including one (about) 2 minute segment from the premiere episode. I had to watch it since I became impatient for Feb 2nd as soon as the episode appeared on the TiVo recording schedule.
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Knitting

Finished DH's gloves in mid-January.

Currently trying to finish this loom knit for LKC.
I should have had it done in December but ran into some extra work on the Leisure Arts publication...and then took a break from loom knitting during the holidays.

Shipwreck shawl is still in the works, and I'm getting anxious to get it done. I want to start this sweater pattern which somehow escaped my radar. It's much more appealing to me then the slinky ribs pattern for the cotlin yarn. I seem to be having a fling with lace. ;)

Lovely

2010-01-30T13:57:00.000-08:00

1. Ice storm moved in on Thursday.

2. Snowed all day Friday.

3. I'm sick today.

Lovely.

The ice storm cometh

2010-01-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

January is ending on an icy note. After living in Southern California for so many years, I'm having a difficult time getting use to having "weather"...

I had a grocery store list to shop for yesterday. Normal shopping...no big deal, right? Wrong. My first clue should have been when I had a difficult time finding a parking space. But it didn't hit me what was going on until I couldn't find a grocery cart. Everyone was getting ready for today's ice storm. Must be serious.

Well they must have lived here longer then I have....so they probably know what they are doing! OK, I stocked up on bottled water as we are on a well....if electricity goes out, so does water for us. And firewood is stacked by the fireplace to keep it dry...for it to keep us warm. Plus we have plenty of batteries for flashlights. I should be ready. ;)

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Family members have had numerous doctor appointments this month. Plus daughter is starting vision therapy. That means I've spent most of my days driving from one appointment to the next for most of January. Subsequently there hasn't been much time for knitting, and even less to update the blog about knitting. And this is primarily a knitting blog, right? Hopefully next time.

Round Tuit's

2010-01-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

The month of January is always busy...every year. I use to wonder why that was. Then I realized it's because I put things off starting in late November until after the new year. I am happily immersed in holiday happenings and do not want to be bothered with mundane issues like doctor appointments, phone calls, insurance, etc. Then in January - I get "round tuit"

and become a functioning adult again. It is nice to be able to mark off the "to-do" list instead of add to it.

One of my "round tuit's" was to decide on a pattern for this yarn

that I mentioned in October. After looking through a few patterns that this yarn would work for, I decided on Slinky Ribs Pullover. And I have enough in my stash to do it in my size without cheating on my yarn diet! Funny thing - I knitted the sample for Knit Picks (seen in the link) and it's the same yarn and color that I have stashed. Seems like destiny to me.

Confessions of a yarn-addict

2010-01-13T13:11:00.000-08:00

My resolution to keep knitting from yarn stash was broken last night. I couldn't help it...it was love at first sight. These cuties are a kit from Knit Picks

And the kit includes yarn for each fox.

Dang...tempted by big brown eyes, red hair, and the promise of a cuddle (haha)

Oh well. I mustn't let one slip up discourage me from this yarn diet but I really have to stop looking at every yarn catalog that shows up!

As the temperatures drop....

2010-01-08T09:05:00.001-08:00

...my "to-do" list gets longer. That's the only problem with vacation, must-do's wait for you to return. And so I've spent this week taking down Christmas decorations and taking family members to various doctor appointments. But I did it (mostly) with a smile as I remember the last two weeks of 2009.

We started our vacation with family. A joyous Christmas with my Mother, sister and her family. Chatting, eating, and playing with toys....what a great Christmas!

From East Texas, we took the RV to San Antonio for a little fun. For the first time since our move to Oklahoma, the 3 of us had some fun!!

We went to seaworld...

took a boat ride on the San Antonio Riverwalk....

went to the Alamo (of course)...

and ate out every night. I had a chance to work on Shipwreck and get it to the point of adding beads as well as watch a little of Lost season 5 (a Christmas present) to get ready for Feb 2nd. ;D

I also started a pair of gloves for hubby. He told me he has never had a pair of gloves that fit right. Well, he will soon. I am designing this pattern specifically to fit his sausage fingers (his words).

At the end of two weeks, we came home to this....

...the remains of the Christmas Eve blizzard in OK City. It's now ice as the temperatures hover in the 20's during the day...and single digits at night. Cold and slippery.

But it's OK...I don't live in North Dakota were the temperatures have a minus sign in front of them. Nice positive note to end this post on as Elvis says he needs to go out.

Dear 2010

2010-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome....a little late but better late then....

I am so very happy to greet you! You came just when I thought 2009 would never leave (good riddance!)

I believe you have potential. You are young yet but I see huge things for you. Just stay away from fire(s) unless it's in the fireplace, and please keep the wet to a minimum (or at least keep it outside).

Here is to a continued "knit from stash" year!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-18T11:27:00.000-08:00

As we pack up the motor home for our Christmas trip, I wanted to wish you all the joys of the season.

Norman Rockwell

Happy Holidays from our home to yours.

One year ago today...

2009-12-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

...the driveway broke my ankle*.

Today, we break the driveway looking for a water pipe leak.

Some kind of crazy justice? Fate's expensive joke? sigh...

(*Actually it broke when I stumbled but I was walking on the driveway!)

3 weeks later

2009-12-10T07:33:00.000-08:00

My intentions are good with regard to blogging...really. But for the past 3 weeks, I haven't been near the computer except to respond to email if needed.

My Mother was here for the first two weeks. We had so much to say to each other. She hasn't been able to stay at my house in many years as a trip to California was difficult for her (she is 86). Oklahoma is a much easier trip from Texas where she lives.

It was a wonderful visit. She had Thanksgiving meal with us. Helped us decorate for Christmas.

She even considered bowling with us on league night but decided to watch instead as the logistics of walking cane and sending the ball down the lane was daunting. :)

She and my mother-in-law met for the first time. Gary and I have been married for 27 years but never managed to get the two together before. Very special. (And did I remember to get pictures? Of course not! geesh)

We also managed to get together with her younger brother and his wife (my uncle and aunt) whom she hasn't seen in probably 10 years. We had to meet at the hospital as their younger son (my cousin) had a heart attack and was admitted for observation and testing. (He's out and doing well now)

I drove her home last weekend. But no need to feel sad! We will be visiting her for Christmas. There is something to love about the move to Oklahoma...family!

While she was here, I found a little time to knit in the evenings. And it's for me! The Shipwreck Shawl on Knitty. ummm...yeah....I'm thinking about the last season of Lost. Is it February 2nd yet??

For the past few days, I have had last minute knitting to do for my to-be-released Leisure Arts publication. A couple of additional projects to round out the booklet. Yarn and looms have taken over my dining room table...

...but should be cleaned up (finished!) by the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing the end results!

So...did you even miss me? ;)

I wondered what that sound was

2009-11-23T19:37:00.000-08:00

Earthquake Rattles Choctaw Homes

Having been through a few quakes in So. California, this one was more like like a sonic boom. It wasn't recognizable as an earthquake to me.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thinking About Thanksgiving

2009-11-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I need to think about Thanksgiving. It will be a busy time for me as my Mother will be here for 2 weeks. That's in addition to having my Mother-in-law, and of course, my daughter. So I think this will be the last post until December.

A friend did a meme about Thanksgiving and it seems appropriate for here since I have nothing to mention regarding knitting.

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving is as special as our's will be.

1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?
While I prefer cooking at my house, visiting family/friends is good also.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?
Typically frozen turkey breast. Any other part is wasted in our house.

3. What kind of stuffing?
I'm from the south. Cornbread dressing with loads of sage. ;)

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?
Normally neither. We always do a sweet potato dish that doesn't include crust. However, my daughter has discovered a love of pumpkin pies so I am making one. My Mother, however, wants sweet potato pie and she can taste the difference in the two. I'll probably buy one since I have never made one before - or Mom has to coach me. :)

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?
That's the point!! After all that work, there should be something left to show for it. haha

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?
Green beans. I have no idea why that is a tradition for my husband's family but he makes a point of mentioning it if I forget to do them. And deviled eggs. That's a must have for him too.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?
I don't buy the whole turkey so no carcass.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?
Talent for cooking! That would make it much easier. I mean, I'm a fine cook but I have no "sixth sense" for it. Luckily I have a husband who does and can "fix" anything I mess up. :)

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?
I do not like "crack of dawn" for anything! But I do if I have to. Normally I try to get some of the work started the night before. But I do like having dinner ready early afternoon that way there's plenty of time for a 2nd helping before bed.

10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring?
In the past, I have made cheese cakes to take to friend's house in California. I know, not traditional. But we're the folks who have been known to BBQ ribs for Thanksgiving so our tradition changes year-to-year. haha

11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn't bring to your house?
That darn green bean casserole. It's been overdone IMO.

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see?
When either my or my husband's family gets together, there drama of some sort. Sad really. But this year, it should be Mothers only. Small and intimate gathering of elderly where the worse problem should be lack of hearing aids. haha

13. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu?
Pecan pie! I don't care if we're having sweet potato and pumpkin....I want pecan pie!! And I'm the chief cook....so there.

14. What are you thankful for this year?
This year, I will count all my blessings from 2009 - looking on the bright side and not necessarily in order...

Husband and daughter top my list of blessings always.
No surgery was needed for my broken ankle
Our house survived the April wildfire
Mother-in-law is healthier now that she is in assisted living
I met the deadline for my next publication
We've reconnected with extended family now that we live closer
My Mother is coming to stay with us for two weeks during Thanksgiving
Many things I haven't thought of yet.

I am especially grateful to all the men and women who serve our Country. They have been on my mind a great deal with the news of Ft Hood shootings. Being a veteran, I know how stressful it is to serve overseas but that was during peace times. I can't imagine the stress of serving during war/conflict. Thank you.

Norman Rockwell

The Native American in me...

2009-11-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

....loves being close to nature. That's one reason why we love living outside of metropolitan areas. (I'm a descendant of Pawnee Tribe on my maternal Grandfather side).

In our little area, we see deer and hear hawks daily. Today I snapped a photo of a hawk in the woods out the backyard area.

I *believe* he's a red tailed hawk. Beautiful and majestic.

We pay homage to the Native American background in our art work also. A lithograph of Frank McCarthy's "Big Medicine" is one in our collection.

About 4 years ago, I read about buffalo yarn and knew I wanted to give it a try. It's not an easily found yarn, nor is the price conducive to stashing it away. So when Buffalo Gold had a call for test knitters, I jumped at it. Yeah, I know....I am my worse enemy when it comes to taking on too much. But I really wanted to knit with this yarn (probably the ancestry thing again). Here it is before winding into a ball.

It's worth every penny if you can get your hands on it. I never imagined that bison (buffalo) hair could be turned into this soft yarn.

And speaking of Native Americans...I had a reality check yesterday. Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away. While I'm happy to see 2009 coming to a close (it's been a tough year), I'm amazed at how fast it's leaving!

Back to finishing up the Leisure Arts publication I'm doing. Both it and the test knit should be finished this week. Then I need to think about holidays. How 'bout you?

Monster's bash

2009-11-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

Last week was a week of Halloween parties. The first on Tuesday night where bowlers are invited to bowl in costume. And even though bowling in costume isn't easy, I managed one game of 191. Angela got tired of trying to bowl with her hat on...

...so finished the 3 games sans hat. Candy and cookies were had by all (nice little sugar high hehe)

Then there was the Goodwill party which was a blast! Friends, pizza...

..and dancing. Her job coach did the twist with her. Fun to watch.

Hope your trick or treat was a blast too.

Say hello to my little friend

2009-10-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

*title is a quote from Scarface*

Too much weight gain the past year. Probably stress. Regardless of the reason, I must do something to get myself moving again!

Because of the ankle issue, I need low impact exercise. Recumbent exercise bike seemed to be the most convenient choice of low impact exercise. A little research brought this one to the top of the affordable heap. It has the card slot for iFit workout cards. But most importantly, my short legs will comfortably reach the petals (5'1" ya know!?) Plus I believe I'll be able to KNIT while exercising which is a plus.

It's a done deal. Now I just need to stay motivated and away from the chocolate.

Knitting update - sample knit for Knit Picks finished and ready to ship tomorrow. Book re-knits 1/3 done.

Absent blogger

2009-10-10T10:18:00.001-07:00

Absent from Twitter too. I've been super busy but happily it's a good busy!

Part of the time, I've worked on the family "to-do" list.

We've managed to get the swimming pool winterized and covered...

...while Elvis watched.

We also managed to settle my 86 yo mother-in-law into her assisted living apartment, cleaned out her house in Dallas, and are in the process of selling the property.

Plus we finally found what seems to be the right program for our daughter (21 yo with disabilities) so that she has something outside of family...her "niche" so-to-speak. Because everyone needs to have something that promotes self-worth - especially folks with disabilities.

Thankfully it appears we found it! I'm thrilled to say that my daughter has decided to participate in a sheltered workshop at Goodwill.

She works two days a week. Works! She started training last week. Job coach(s) have said she is doing fine. She says she loves it. A very important item on "to-do" list done!

The other busy stuff has been knitting. On the needles, I'm doing a sample knit for Knit Picks. Getting ready to block and happy to have it that far. On the loom, I'm re-knitting a couple of my designs for an up-coming loom knit book in colors preferred by the publisher.

Of course, I'm already making plans for what I want to work on after the deadlines are met. I think I'll plan it around this yarn...
...which is already in my stash. See? I am still sticking with that yarn diet!

Wednesday Wisdom

2009-09-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

No chaos, no creation. Evidence: the kitchen at mealtime.
Mason Cooley

Looking around my house, I must be very creative.

Knit Purl Gurl WEBS Giveaway

2009-09-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

I love my bamboo knitting needles. I started buying them 20 plus years ago and am still knitting with them...except for 1 poor needle that Elvis "borrowed" for a chew toy (he was thoroughly yelled at for that)

Anyway, Webs Yarn Store has interchangeable bamboo circs for sale. AND Knit Purl Gurl is giving us a chance to win a set.

In case you missed the link above...here it is again. Enter...go ahead, I dare you.

If you run into problems...

2009-09-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

...with web site, drop me an email to let me know. I did a little housekeeping and moved files around. Everything seems to work but who knows.

Yarn diet

2009-09-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

When we packed our household stuff for the move last year, it hit me...where did all that yarn come from? Well, I know the answer but had not realized how out of control it had become.

During the pack up, I donated skeins that I couldn't remember why I got them, or if it was one of those "what was I thinking" skeins. And the remainder moved to Oklahoma with us.

During the un-packing, I attempted to organize my new workspace...and realized it was still more yarn then I'll ever use. And I donated more.

I kept that which I knew I would use. Then I put myself on a yarn diet. A serious yarn diet...with 1 exception - yarn that would be needed to finish the last book.

I'm proud to announce that almost a year later, I've stuck to my diet.

The yarn stash is starting to look manageable. I still have a bit to go before I will ease up on my diet.

I say "ease up" because I know I will always have yarn stashed. But it needs to be in my studio space only - not here AND in the garage!

Now...start watching for designs and projects that I've done just from the stash!

P.S. It's still raining. So no work in the east-side patio area to show. However, my Mother is working on rose bushes for me. She is so talented with taking cuttings and rooting them for new bushes. I'm looking forward to visiting her next month and learning how to do that! ;)

A little knitting, a lotta reading

2009-09-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

It's been raining for 3 days. Makes me miss Southern California sunshine. Since I can't work in the garden, I've spent time knitting and actually finished something!

Hubby is happy since they were custom fit. And I've managed to impress my MIL who is normally not impressed with me - at.all. She lived with us for 3 months and never noticed that I knit rather well?? Oops, patience....perhaps she's forgotten (at 86, her memory is fading).

I've made time for another favorite hobby in the last two weeks - reading. And instead of buying, I went to the local library (pat myself on the back).

I ~~drooled over~~ thumbed through A Gathering of Lace for a few days.

So many patterns I would love to knit but I've put myself on a yarn diet (more about that another time) and do not have yarn for any of the projects. Drats. Book is now on my wish list.

And I've managed to catch up on fiction reading (don't you just love the library!?)

With hubby away helping to pack his Mother's house in Dallas, I'm hitting the library again tomorrow to see what else I've missed. Suggestions?

Time to read is bliss!

Latest project...

2009-09-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

...hasn't been knitting or beading. I am reclaiming the patio area on the eastside of our house. That is...reclaiming it from weeds and other unwanted green stuff.

It was suppose to be done in Spring but repairs from the wildfire kept us working in the back of the house and on the workshop. Summer brought it's own issues but included high temperatures - not conducive to outside activity other then swimming (my excuse and I'm sticking with it!) So crabgrass took over and invited their friends - weeds.

The temperatures are more reasonable now so I'm out with shovel and hoe in my gloved hands to tell them the party is over. They are not going quietly as my muscles ache at the end of every session. But I'm winning. :D

The plan includes eliminating the water grass in this flower bed so that I can have color (a.k.a. flowers) along the walkway.

Planters along the patio are also included in my mad little scheme. Hopefully next Spring I'll see more of this -

and less of weeds.

I have to admit that I am a student when it comes to gardening. Being a lover of reading, knitting and beading, I'm a couch potato - but I am learning and have the determination! Wish me luck!

Elvis gets a shower

2009-08-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Entertaining really....to watch a small dog bark at a swimming pool.

But what he's really barking at is the pool sweeper...

...'cause it squirts water up and out of the pool when it changes directions. And sometimes he's a little too close...

...so he gets a shower. Fun stuff. ;)

Back from trip

2009-08-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful visit with my Mother (who is 86 yo) last week! The best part was spending my birthday with her for the first time since my 18th birthday...which was quite awhile ago. Wondering how long ago? Scroll down to the cake picture.

Notice how the new camera shows off the gray in my hair? ugh

There was a little family get-together which turned into a bit of a birthday celebration complete with cake.

Knitting note: Finished "Deadliest Crab" for hubby during the trip.

Outta here

2009-08-13T16:04:00.001-07:00

Since my ankle healed last March, I've told my Mother we would visit her in Texas . It hasn't happened because...

car at mechanics
wildfire and subsequent repairs to property
car at mechanics again
flooding in living room
Mother-In-Law medical problems (came to live with us, in hospital, back with us)
designing for a new book
car repairs AGAIN (have new car now)

Everything is taken care of (MIL is visiting her sister for a week) and we're outta here tomorrow. What a nice birthday present to myself!

CYA later!

Done...

2009-08-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

...and shipped to publisher.

Now to catch up on sleep and clean the mess up.

Which stitch are you?

2009-07-22T09:34:00.001-07:00

Beading that is. :D

You are: Peyote Stitch

You come across as put-together and easygoing, but the truth is you’re fairly lazy, often tread on thin ice, and like to play the horses. You don’t like to be confined to one way of doing things and would rather experiment, sometimes at the cost of showing off your inner workings.

A break from knitting...

2009-07-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

...and playing with pictures. :D

The deadline is looming and I'm gonna make it! Yippee skippee

Wordless Wednesday (early birthday present)

2009-07-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

Tweet Tweet

2009-07-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

Nope, not a bird. I've taken the plunge into Twitter (or is that on to...??) While I'm not sure why I signed up, you can find me as knittingmuse if you're looking. :D

Next task....after all this knitting is done with, mailed off, etc....is to learn how to navigate the darn thing. Is there a manual anywhere?

This weeks entertainment...

2009-07-08T23:43:00.000-07:00

...is squirrel watching.

The "boys" have discovered the joy of looking out the window. :)

RIP...

2009-07-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

...Michael Jackson.

No matter what I thought of you as a person, your music rocked my world for many years. From Jackson 5's "ABC" to Off the Wall, I listened and danced.

I hope you find the peace now that you didn't find in life.

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

- We Are the World, 1985

Let freedom ring

2009-07-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

New wheels

2009-06-30T08:39:00.001-07:00

Lemon has been turned into a cherry ;)

Cruiser was traded for a 2009 Ford Escape. It's a nice little SUV with high reliability rating (safety too). We're pleased to have an auto that shouldn't have to visit the mechanic every other month - which was the problem with the Cruiser for the past 6 months.

And I'm finding time to knit again! Life is feeling "much more better" (Captain Jack, Pirates)

When life gives you lemons...

2009-06-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party

Ron White

Here's my lemon...

Anyone out there got vodka?

Stay tuned.

Sharing

2009-06-18T06:21:00.001-07:00

I dunno about you all but I needed the laugh that showed up in my email today. So I'm sharing with you. (And it's all I have to blog about that would be remotely interesting to anyone.)

No time for knitting or much of anything else as I am the primary care-giver to my elderly MIL right now. She isn't doing well and has to live with us...at least for now. Please send patience and good thoughts my way. Thanks!

Books for summer

2009-06-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

...after I finish a re-read of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

so that I can fill in the blanks of what is edited out of the movie in July. ;)

Dean Koontz's Relentless
DH and my favorite author

Beth Hensperger's Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook
Looking for the perfect sour dough bread starter/recipe

I think the knitting book for the summer will be Wendy Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up

although that is subject to change on a whim. :)

How about you?

Crochet art

2009-06-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

You have to see these amazing works of art through crochet. I need to hurry and finish the patterns I'm working on 'cause I want to do this!!

wow...

2009-06-02T12:12:00.001-07:00

...it's June! May flew past in a whirl of activity.

The repair of workshop was started...

...and completed.

The pool is up and running. We are thoroughly enjoying that!

Most of the fencing that was burned has been replaced except for a small part. But we have a temporary gate up while we wait for that to be completed.

The wooded area behind our property has some green...

although some of the trees appear to have perished in the fire.

The flowers are blooming...

...thanks to all the rain in May. The flooded living room has been dried and had new carpet pad put in. The furniture is back in it's proper place.

The winter bowling league came to an end in May...

and we pick up summer league next week.

I am managing to get some of my unfinished knitting projects completed (new beret design is shown)...

and start new designs. I even have a summer goal - to use up my stash. Well, most of it anyway.

And June is one month closer to the release of next Harry Potter movie. I've started to re-read the book while I wait for that.

Wow. Everything is starting to feel good again. Monica, you were right! :)

Here is a Barnes and Nobles coupon for you

2009-05-26T22:14:00.001-07:00

I got this info in an email. It's good for May 27th only. Just click on the link and enter the code P8R3B8C at checkout.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy week of flood related issues - and that's all I'm saying on that subject, aren't you glad!

The Memorial Day weekend started today for us. We went to a movie - Star Trek. I think it's awesome. DH thinks is good (he's a Trekkie fan of the old shows). DD says it's ok.

BTW, the director of Star Trek is J.J. Abrams, the co-creator, director, etc. of Lost. My DD was quick to point that out since Lost is my favorite TV show.

Anyway, it was a great start to what we hope will be an uneventful and relaxing weekend at home, with a BBQ and swimming. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Special wish to my Mother for a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY (86 and counting)! Love you!!

P.S. I am behind on email. Hope to be caught up soon. :)

Earthquakes in LA, rain here....

2009-05-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Thinking of all my friends in Los Angeles area. While this quake wasn't the big one, I know that even the little ones rattle the nerves. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Lately I've thought longingly of the sunshine in Southern California. We've had 3 weeks of rain almost everyday. I have missed seeing the sun. And I'm tired of the problems the constant rain is causing.

The fences that burned in April's wildfire cannot be repaired until ground dries.
This past Wednesday night was thunderstorms plus a couple of tornadoes. ABC interrupted LOST! so often that we really didn't get to see the finale. I love this show and this was a big problem in my opinion!! (Luckily it was shown without interruptions Saturday evening. Great episode!)
The ground was so saturated that the rain from Friday night's thunderstorm had no place to go - except up through the carpet in our sunken living room. Oh joy - a new disaster. But I did learn that there are companies that specialize in repairing water damage. Now my living room is full of huge fans and dehumidifiers, with carpet ripped up and a new carpet pad going in when everything is dry.

sigh...I don't think Oklahoma likes us.

Crocheted Coral Reef

2009-05-13T19:06:00.001-07:00

A few minutes of reading blogs led me to this video where I learned about the crochet project to bring our attention to the disappearing coral reef of our planet. What a great project! Simply beautiful work.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T08:28:00.001-07:00

Further attitude adjustment

2009-05-04T19:30:00.001-07:00

Insurance and contractor woes seem to be taken care of (crossing fingers and toes) but no repairs can be started because it's been raining for a week!! lolololol <-----hysterical laughter

OK...fine...whatever!

Further attitude adjustment needed.

I bought these needle keepers from a really nice person on Etsy to hold socks-in-progress while in knitting bag (great concept!)

and Louet Gems in this color

Looks a little like sunshine don't ya think?

This run of bad luck as got to stop before I go broke.

Socks anyone? :D

Attitude adjustment

2009-05-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

The aftermath of the fire continues to provide for unwanted entertainment in the form of a dishonest contractor. For the past two weeks, I have alternated between anger, frustration, and depression. Neither attitude bodes well for knitting.

Today, I have to frog and re-knit a project which demonstrates my moods - alternating between loose stitches, then very tight stitches. Great if I want to teach about tension in knitting, but sucks for a finished project. Dang!

What I need is an attitude adjustment. Since we can't spend a lot of money on a great vacation (nor is there time since we have to be here for the honest contractors to work), it comes in the form of an inexpensive treat. Summer knitting for me!

Thanks Denise for the reminder of this book! :)

Busted!

2009-04-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

Caught ya! Elvis is a handful of trouble looking for a place to happen.

Earth Day

2009-04-22T08:25:00.001-07:00

Everyday should be Earth Day.

Monday Madness

2009-04-20T19:36:00.001-07:00

Last week's insanity is this Monday's madness. In other words...more of the same.

Insurance adjuster,

contractor's for repairs on the workshop siding, the swim pool equipment, the workshop AC, the fence....

and the unending telephone calls...from me/husband and for me/husband. Down with telephones!

I'm cranky and my blood pressure is soaring to new heights. And I'm even more behind on deadlines then ever. My solution?

Knit a sock. Hopefully I'll be less behind by the end of the week. ;)

Feeling blessed this Easter

2009-04-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

It could have been worse. About an hour before we were evacuated, I took this picture from the west side of our backyard looking southwest.

The northeast wind was driving the flames directly at us. Sometime during that hour or just afterward, the winds shifted from northeast to east just enough to keep our property from looking like this

which is an aerial photo of what was a neighbor's house and driveway - just up the street from us. See the pick-up in the lower right of the photo? A 40 foot camper was attached and now unrecognizable. That is one of several homes that were destroyed in our neighborhood.

What happened to our property:

the forest at the rear (north side) of the property burned and fire traveled into the yard around the swim pool

and up to the gazebo. But since it was surrounded by cement and rock landscaping, it didn't make to the backside of the house.

Fire continued traveling east along the fence line, burning grass and melting the siding of the detached workshop but never burning the wood part of the structure (very blessed). The only real damage done was to the swim pool pump that was housed at the rear of the workshop.

It continued to the east destroying the wood fence along the side of the workshop and into this neighbor's yard. Small amount of damage to his home - he is blessed also.

The west side of our house was similarly lucky.

The neighbor on the west side lost utility shed, storage building, and wood fencing. But their house was spared.

The flames on the west side went through the yard and into the front missing the storage building we have on that side.

I am thanking our Guardian Angels today. And the previous owners for surrounding the house with cement - dual driveways (one on east and one on west side), cement surrounded swim pool and gazebo, sidewalks connecting everything. I think that between the shift of winds, the cement, and the grace of God, we were spared.

Happy and Blessed Easter.

Midwest City/Choctaw wildfire

2009-04-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

I thought I had left wildfires behind after moving from California to Oklahoma. Nope. Yesterday afternoon brought another evacuation from our home and a night of wondering if we would have a home to come back to.

The high winds blew this fire through Midwest City and Choctaw so quickly that it was an huge effort just to get people out before the flames took over. My heartfelt thank you to the Emergency Crews who drove through this area with their bullhorns, and knocked on doors to get everyone out. Seriously, it was close. I saw flames in yards at the entrance/exit to our little community as I drove our RV out with daughter and dogs safely inside (husband was at work).

We were allowed back in this morning. Thankfully our home is safe but we are surrounded by devastation. Many homes in our little rural neighborhood have burned - nothing left. Almost all of the remaining have damage to the house, the outbuildings and/or lawns. We have some damage to our detached workshop and the pool equipment, lawn, and storage building. The lawn burned up to 5 feet from the house. It was that close.

The woods surrounding us have burned including damage to this water tower.
Our Guardian Angel(s) must have been hard at work looking out for us.

I have many emails from friends and I will answer each one after I've recovered from the shock. This one was a little too close. But I did want to let everyone know we are fine and are not homeless.

Loom Knitter's Circle

2009-04-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

Spring 2009 issue is live with Karen's beautiful gloves on front cover. Beautiful!

Wishing

2009-04-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am wishing I lived closer to New York.

The story is here (along with other pictures like this on....which I borrowed)

New Knifty Knitter pattern - Cap Cozy

2009-04-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Instead of knitting the new projects I have going, I decided I would spend the afternoon putting some energy into getting the website updated with another one of the designs I did last fall/winter. Here is Cap Cozy.

You can read about it here. My husband is a baseball cap wearer so this one was designed with him in mind.

As always, if you have any questions let me know. Thanks!

Just knittin'

2009-04-02T20:17:00.001-07:00

Nothing exciting around here...just knittin' - on the loom and the needles. Hope to have some pictures to show as soon as I get the pictures downloaded. (lazy)

I plan to cast on for a Sensational Socks book KAL on Ravelry...trying to pacify sock knitting addiction (maybe it will help me to keep my hands out of the chocolate).

For fun -

In pursuing a friend's blog, I saw this blogthing. While I'm not always up at sunrise (ok, rarely), the remaining description is fairly accurate IMO. I do love life as it is since I'm really lucky to have the family and friends that I have. They are really tolerate of me (lol that's lucky!!)

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary.

You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward.

Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts.

All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Family Sunday

2009-03-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

Lovely day spent in the company of my two most favorite people - husband and daughter. We enjoyed an afternoon movie -

- Monsters Vs Aliens. Yes, we are kids-at-heart but still weren't the only adult-types in the audience without "little people" in tow.

After the movie, we had a scrumptious meal at Zio's Italian Kitchen in Bricktown (downtown Oklahoma City). Delectable Artichoke Spinach Dip and a Caesar salad - yum!

Must do again soon.

Making stitch markers

2009-03-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

What a great idea! I never thought of using lever back earring wires...

...to make beaded stitch markers that can do the job of these...

Find the instructions here.

Tempting

2009-03-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

No secret that I love knitting socks. So I'm surprised that I missed knowing about the Socks A La Carte book. (Must have been the move, the settling-in, and the broken ankle.)

I do know that it looks very interesting as the pages flip so that you basically are creating your own pattern. Sounds similar to Sensational Socks books but with pictures as you can create a visual to see how a cuff, body design, heel, etc., will look when put together.

Is it a good book? No idea. But I am tempted to find out!

If you have an opinion, let me know.

Happy Pi Day

2009-03-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

Today is Pi Day.

Math geeks celebrate this...

Needle knitter's think of this...

...and Elizabeth Zimmermann's Pi Shawl.

Loom knitter's might think of this Pi...

...found in this book. Hey, I had to mention it since it's my design. ;)

And I also have to mention my husband's favorite Pi saying...

I'm planning to celebrate by knitting since I'm feeling so much better.

Peacock's Best Vest

2009-03-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Daughter and I are still sick with bronchitis (pause for a moment of self pity). Between the lack of oxygen to brain and the medications to get well, I have no brain power for anything beyond the necessities. So all designing is at a halt including a proposal I had hoped to have done by now. Oh well (cough, sniffle) However I manage to browse internet looking at patterns for projects I would like to do.

Peacock's Best Vest from SWTC has caught my eye BIG time! Seriously LOVE it. Go look! I'll wait. ;)

But I don't love 19 skeins X $12.60. Maybe I'll browse for alternatives when feeling better. Let me know if you have suggestions.

(cough, cough)
___________________________________________

ETA (10 min later) - I have no will power. Have purchased the pattern. Will concern myself with the yarn when I'm feeling better.

"Stand Back, I'm Going to Sneeze"

2009-03-08T11:34:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite books for children, use to read it to my daughter when she was little, and so appropriate for my household right now.

Family has been sneezing and wheezing for over a month. No one is sick at the same time but we do seem to be passing it around (like the game "hot potato").

Actually doctor says it's not a germ but the allergens in the area. Having lived in the high desert of Southern California for over 15 years, we're having to get use to new types of blooming plants here in Oklahoma. The cottonwood seems to be the main problem right now.

Whatever. We're sick and on medicines.

I wonder if knitted handkerchiefs are practical?

Wordless Wednesday (equation)

2009-03-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

More on beading

2009-02-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

Bead Therapy Bangle is now available for download here. I haven't edited the website to include it yet but will as soon as I find the html software (it's always something).

And speaking of beading, I just received an email that this book will be available in May -

I love weaving with beads and this one is 3D loom weaving. Very exciting as I love creating 3D beadwork.

A couple of my 3D creations -

Bead woven using mostly peyote stitch.

Beaded on weaving loom with 3D leaves.

Bead Therapy

2009-02-27T09:34:00.000-08:00

So much knitting leaves little time for beading. But I needed a few minutes of bead therapy. Here is the results

A simple bangle, loom knitted with left over cashmere yarn.

I plan to upload this as a free pattern as soon as I get the new computer set up with the software I need to make it into a pdf file. That's the only problem with having a new computer.

But at least I don't have to share now. hehe

Signs of spring

2009-02-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

As Bill Engvall would say, here's your sign....

The wasp picture was borrowed from the web. I never intentionally get that close to a stinger.

Yarn sale

2009-02-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

JoAnn is having a 30% off yarn sale with free shipping (over $25). So I thought I would spend a few minutes browsing. Each time I click on a yarn, I get an error.

Hey yarn-aholics! Save something for me!!

Knitting Daily

2009-02-16T08:31:00.000-08:00

Since everything I've worked on this year (so far) has been for publication somewhere, I haven't been able to show pictures of what I'm knitting. So blogging has been about whatever I think of...sometimes having nothing to do with knitting. (What? You didn't notice?) Regardless, I am knitting daily.

And speaking of Knitting Daily, have you signed up for the Interweave newsletter yet? Yes, I'm speaking to loom knitters also. While the newsletter is about needle knitting, the techniques can apply to loom knits also. It will be done a little differently but with a little imagination you can apply the techniques to the loom. Most recently has been how to pick up stitches. Check it out.

Back to knitting.

Cartoon Stock

What's next?

2009-02-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, we had an early Spring. And in Oklahoma, Spring brings tornado weather. Thus, the weather happenings yesterday. We were lucky...missed us totally. But did make me thankful we had the storm cellar added to the property last fall. And it reminded me that we need to put a few basic emergency items in it, just in case.

Over the past month, there has been the ice storm, an earthquake, grass fires and now tornadoes.

What's next? Flood? A shortage of wool?

My computer is dead...

2009-02-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

...at least temporarily. Norton found a virus Sunday...which morphed into 7 different bugs. My computer geek (aka husband) attempted to revive it from backup CD's. But the CD player is acting goofy and is most likely ~~a piece of crap~~ broken.

I'm now sharing the family computer and subject to being booted off because that's the meaning of SHARE. Can anyone please remind me why I taught "share" to my daughter...only to have it thrown in my face? sigh...

Special Olympics scarves

2009-02-04T20:34:00.001-08:00

Did you know that there were so many scarves sent for Special Olypmics that there was excess? Yep. The extra's were sold at Walmart in Boise, ID to benefit Special Olympics.

Knitter's and crocheter's are an awesome bunch of people.

Square Knitting Neeles?

2009-02-01T11:02:00.000-08:00

Knitting with square needles? Well, I thought knitting needles with lights were strange and found I like them when knitting with dark color yarn (an age thing).

So who knows? These might be great for for those of us who ache after hours of knitting (at least that's what is said here). I definitely need a trip to the local yarn shop to check these out.

I mean...I did accidentally step on one of my bamboo needles and broke it. Perhaps I'll replace that size with a square needle. Hey! It's a good excuse!

Ice...just ice

2009-01-29T13:34:00.001-08:00

We had our welcome to winter in the plains this week. Ice storm. Perhaps a little snow but primarily ice and sleet. You know the kind? Where you slip and slide on the sidewalks? The grass is frozen and it crunches if you step on it?

Tuesday morning -

It's just ice. Solid and slippery.

This morning (Thursday) on my first outing after the ice storm. This is our little neighborhood in a rural part of Oklahoma City.

There is a road under there. All I had to do was find it.

This is the "melts-during-the-day, freezes-again-in-the-night, watch-your-step" stuff - ice! At least the main roads are clear once we get out of the neighborhood.

I really do not mean to complain. Several states got it far worse. And we never lost electricity. I guess I just lived in Southern California for so long that I had forgotten how winters could be.

Note to self - need firewood.

Monday Musings

2009-01-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."
— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Very true for us. We shipped about 15 boxes of books that are still unpacked as the new house had no bookshelves. That doesn't count the few boxes we unpacked and have scattered around the house in portable bookshelves.

Since the house has a den, we had a place for putting in built-in bookshelves. It's been a work in process for a month. And it's almost completed. Here's a peek.

The side moldings and trim should be finished this weekend. The crafts person doing the work is fantastic. He has worked with us to put our vision for the room into reality. We're really excited to be able to unpack the remaining boxes and have the house complete.

Currently reading Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber checked out from the library.

On the knitting loom - a sweater of my own design
On the needles - a sweater that is on the back burner simmering while I finish some loom knit projects