Always knitting

It's fun to see something you've knitted on someone else's website. I was particular proud of the "At the Lake Cardigan" I did for Knit Picks. The yarn is so soft that daughter has requested a sweater knitted with it. And the pattern is a quick knit.

Here is a photo I took before sending it off.


So see? I am always knitting something. I just cannot always post about it.

Have you seen this sweater blocker??

Here's the link. Let me know if you've tried it out. I'm adding it to my knitting wish list.

Wordless Wednesday

A day doesn't go by that....

...I'm not anticipating the 21st....release day of Deathly Hallows (HP #7)

In the meantime....I'm beading, knitting, and counting down the days. Days!!

And just for fun.....

The sorting hat says that I belong in Ravenclaw!

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Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose intelligence is surest."

Ravenclaw students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent, and knowledgeable.
Notable residents include Cho Chang and Padma Patil (objects of Harry and Ron's affections), and Luna Lovegood (daughter of The Quibbler magazine's editor).

Get Sorted Now!

7-7-07 not so lucky...

...for us. First there was flood...



...when our waterbed mattress sprang a leak.

Then there was smoke billowing from this fire...



...and invading our house. It had us watching the news to see where it was headed. I am thankful it was out quickly and we didn't have evacuate like we did during the Crown Fire in 2004.

I sincerely hope the newlyweds who rushed to the alter to have 7-7-07 as their wedding date have better luck with it. ;-)

Beadin' the heat away

West sizzles They aren't kidding. It's projected to hit 115 today in the Los Angeles high desert where we live.

This calls for hunkering down with the AC (hopefully uninterrupted by a rolling black out) and beading...



Notice what I use for thread wax?



Carmex! It's inexpensive and always available.

But I did do a little loom knitting.



A water bottle holder for when I do venture out.

Happy 4th of July

May your day be filled with cold watermelon

Hand painted yarn

One of my summer goals is to give hand painting yarn a whirl. And Scout's appearance on Knitty Gritty has encouraged me.

I've given hubby a new "honey do" to make it easier. It may take a couple of weeks for him to get time but that's OK....I'll wait. In the meanwhile, I'll knit socks with my new Tofusies



(the colors are great but the picture is terrible!) and play with beads.

Out with the old....

Sometimes little changes make a huge difference in attitude....both mine and the house.

Front door....old


....new


Master bath....old


...new

Knitting the week away

This past week flew by as I knitted this project for Knit Picks....



....taught two classes, felted a couple of projects (no pictures yet), and got my yarn order from Herrschners. I couldn't help it. They had Debbie Bliss cotton cashmere at a price that made knitting a sweater with it affordable.



And since I'm paying for shipping anyway, I had to order something else.



Never too early to think of Christmas.

Loom knit tidbits

New loom patterns coming along. I'm in a bag phase....



Can't go too long without beading something. This bracelet was loom knitted with wire. I really like the affect of "top layer" and "bottom layer" of beads.



New loom! This one came from Isela's de-stashing (lucky me!)

Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy,

I had you in my life so briefly (only 7 years). I treasure the few memories of you that I have.

I remember you taking me shopping for my birthday. You bought a little princess dress-up table for me. I had it for most of my childhood and thought of you each time I looked into that little mirror.

I remember Sunday afternoon drives with you and Mom. We would take cans of vienna sausages and crackers for a picnic. And one time, you let me sit in your lap and "drive" even when Mom was very vocal with her concerns about it.

I remember you sitting at my bedside and playing the vinyl record of Jim Reeves singing "We Thank Thee." You sang along but I can't remember your voice. Whenever I hear a Jim Reeves song, I think of you.



I remember the time that my sister Doris took the garbage out after dinner, and came running back into the house swearing a panther was in a tree in the back yard. You went to check and found nothing. And while I don't remember the sound of your voice, I do remember your laughing face as you teased her about it.

And I remember running to you from the house while you kneeled on the ground next to the car with open arms.

The last memory I have of you is saying good bye at the hospital the day you died. I wished I had told you then how much I love you and would miss knowing you as I grew up. But 7 years old was too young to fully understand the importance of saying good bye.

I wish I could remember your singing voice or guitar playing. I know you were a very talented muscian and played with Jim Reeves.



I wish I could remember hearing you say "I love you" and the feel of your arms around me.

And since I don't remember ever saying "Happy Father's Day" and thank you for my life, I want to say it here....in hopes that there is some kind of magic that will send this wish and my love across the barrier between life and the spirit world.

Daddy, I love you,

Kathy, your baby girl

Visual DNA test

While visiting a few blogs, I stumbled across this little DNA test. Fairly accurate...with one exception. The test says I have a traditional eye for art. That's probably because I chose the Mona Lisa of the choices offered. I don't think I'm traditional....considering I like fiber and beads as art mediums. Perhaps if they'd had something that fit that category?

On the other hand, I did watch the DaVinci Code last night. That could have influenced me. HA!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

LKC e-zine issue 2 is LIVE!

Check out the latest issue of Loom Knitter's Circle e-zine. Don't ya just love those socks!? Big thanks to Isela for that design.

The flip flop topper patterns are almost ready for publishing (hopefully tomorrow). I've had a tough time getting myself out of sock mode. Does anyone know if there is sock knitter's anonymous? hehe

Pet diary entries

I'm busy working my way through all the chore's that waited for me to return from RV trip. But I thought you might enjoy this while I'm dealing with the mountain of laundry, the accumulation of dust bunnies, and the paying of bills.

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!


10:30am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite
thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!




Excerpts from a Cat's Diary


Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little
dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat,
while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some
sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for
the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat
something in order to keep up my strength. The only
thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an
attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the
carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless
body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear
into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what
I am capable of. However, they merely made
condescending comments about what a "good little
hunter" I am. Bastards!




There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices
tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the
duration of the event. However, I could hear the
noises and smell the food. I overheard that my
confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I
must learn what this means, and how to use it to my
advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to
assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his
feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow
-- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are
flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special
privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be
more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him
communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain
that he reports my every move. My captors have
arranged protective custody for him in an elevated
cell, so he is safe.

For now...


Graphics from Free Animal Clipart

I did it!

I finally overcame my loathing of DPNs. I tried them about 20 years ago when I was still a novice knitter. They felt awkward and the stitches were sloppy (that much I remember). And since I had little patience, I gave them up quickly.

Luckily I found two circular needles easy for making socks. And I can even convert most patterns from dpn's to circulars. But really - I teach knitting and should have no fear. So I decided it was time for me to give DPNs another try.

It took a couple of false starts before I realized the root of my problem...casting on to 3 or 4 needles! I can't do it and get nice even stitches. My solution? Cast on to one of the needles, then slip the cast on stitches to the other needles. Dang. How simple. Am I the last to know this?! sigh.

You saw the finished results in this post (scroll down a bit). I didn't mention that the dishcloth was made on dpns just in case it was blind luck the first time. But look at this!!!



Socks on DPNs! Yippee skippee!

OK, I had to celebrate. I headed to the Yarn store while in Durango, Colorado and bought myself some Lorna's Laces and Rosewood DPNs.


The yarn is gorgeous! And aren't these needles BEEEE-utiful!??!!

Colorful Colorado

We left Texas on Saturday and decided to spend a couple of days in Durango, CO before heading home. This area is beautiful. And there is a yarn shop which is calling to me (if time allows). We want to take the train ride to Silverton and hubby wants to do some more metal detecting (his hobby).

I didn't get a large amount of knitting done while in Texas. There was so much to say to my Mother, older sister, and neice that I lost my voice in a period of 4 days hehe. But I did get the socks finished for SWTC and mailed them while in Henderson.



This picture shows the color more accurately then the previous picture. I love it - it says "spring time" to me.

On the drive to Colorado, I loom knitted a dishcloth. But I'm not entirely happy with the finished design and need to change it a bit. That's for later, however, since I'm going through needle withdrawal (socks! YAY!)

Howdy ya'll

Well, we made it. We're in Dallas. The drive here was really smooth....lovely weather. We pulled into our RV spot earlier this afternoon and spent some time "housekeeping" and settling in. A's job was to vacuum.



Most of this week will be spent visiting hubby's family and friends before heading to Henderson area (my hometown).

I have some FO to show! Round face cloth (knitted)



Pearl bangle bracelet (bead crochet)



And I'm ready to turn the heel on these models for SWTC knitted with one of the new colors of TOFUtsies



I love this color!

Since hubby prefers to do the driving during these road trips (and I'm just fine with that), I get plenty of time to knit, crochet, and/or read. Lucky me!

36 hours....

...and we're off to Texas to visit family. We're travelling in our motorhome which is a really relaxing way to travel.

Do you still call the place you were born "home"? Recently I realized that I do that from time to time. I wondered why since I haven't lived there since I was 18. Since I will be 50 this year, it's been a very long time! I guess it's because Mom is there. We'll be there for her 84th birthday, get to see old friends as well as family, have BBQ at Bob's, and catfish at the Duck Inn.

FO news! I've been loom knitting over the past week. One of the projects is a loofa soap bag. The e-wrap knit (twisted knit stitch) gives the cotton yarn just enough "roughness" that it really feels like a loofa.


I'm so ready for summer. So I did these flip flop toppers on the loom.



Both are scheduled classes at Michaels in June. If you can't make the class, check back for patterns. They'll be on my website as soon I get pictures added to the patterns.

Notice that they're quick and easy projects? The majority of my time recently has been spent test knitting cardigans for Knit Picks. The zippered cardigan is now on their website (go peek!) It's an easy pattern and the yarn is nice to work with.

We should have access to the web during the trip, so check back for patterns. CYA on the road!

Happy 25th Anniversary!

We met in the Philippines although we were both born and raised in East Texas. I was in the U.S. Air Force


and he was on a field assignment from his company (civilian!)


We dated...


fell in love, and were married in Hawaii on May 6th, 1982.


A few more pictures....

While the road to wedded bliss hasn't always been easy, and life hasn't been exactly what we planned....it really has been better then we ever dreamed.

Lost spoilers

Wesnesday means it's Lost nite! We're addicted and admit it. Hubby is always sending links for me to read. Here is a link for you to check out Lost Spoilers if you're interested.

Monday, monday

Yesterday (Monday) was a rare day at home with my daughter recovering from oral surgery to remove all 4 wisdom teeth. While she dozed and watched a movie, I spent my time catching up on paperwork.

Ugh...I always let it pile up. And I always swear that the next time, I won't wait...I'll get the class sign up sheets, supply lists, and patterns ready as I decide on what classes I'm teaching; that I'll type the pattern as I'm working on the new design instead of scribbling it on paper; that I'll balance the checkbook as soon as the bank statement comes in...etc., etc., etc.

But my reality is this.....


....when I'd rather be doing this....