Loom Knitter's Circle Magazine...

... summer issue is LIVE!

Still here

The move has picked up speed. We have dates! At last!! I have a ka-zillion things to remember to do between now and the 21st when the packers arrive. And I've made lists, and more lists.

The house is in shambles as we sort through the drawers, closets and book shelves. I've made enough trips to Goodwill lately that they seem to know me by name. And I have more ready to take over. It's amazing what you hold onto "just in case."

Escrow is in full swing as we fill out yet more paperwork. Selling a house can make you as crazy. I just keep reminding myself of how lucky we are to have sold it in today's horrible market. (Taking a moment to feel lucky.) Just think! I get to be THE BUYER next month. hehe

And through it all, I'm finding a small amount of time to design and knit. About two weeks ago, I had an inspiration. I charted and swatched. Then pulled out paper and drew the design complete with the math. Last weekend I had a chance to start knitting, and have managed to knit about 2 inches. Not a lot but considering everything else going on, that's dang good! I'd post a couple of pictures but I can't find the camera. Ah well....

E.V.I.L.?

How evil am I? Here's a little blog thing I saw on Isela's blog and Denise's blog.

It would appear I'm not as evil as my daughter thinks I am. And what is the "C" word anyway? I know what the "F" word is but "C"???

You Are 20% Evil

You are good. So good, that you make evil people squirm. Just remember, you may need to turn to the dark side to get what you want!

How Evil Are You?

Happy 4th of July

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill In #78

1. Birthdays are special when it's your child's birthday. Today is my darling daughter's 20th birthday! Happy Birthday Darlin' !


2. Fall is my favorite season because leaves turn such beautiful colors!
My favorite season use to be Spring when the plants are blooming. But our family has had rotten luck for the past three Springs. I'm seriously tempted to hibernate during next Spring. Stay tuned.

3. I feel my best when I'm not stressed. Constant stress makes me sick...literally.

4. Ice cold watermelon is my favorite food during the summer. Yummy!


5. First impressions are not always accurate...except for liver. My first impression was YUCK! and that has never changed.

6. The best piece of advice I ever received was from a good friend who said "you have to meet this guy." I did. And we've been married for over 26 years.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to celebrating DD's birthday, tomorrow my plans include torturing giving the dogs a bath and Sunday, I want to finishing purging the filing cabinets and shredding old paperwork (getting ready for the move)!

hahaha

Ready for more...

....more yarn, more books, more knitting...

Knitting up a few dishcloths must have been just what I needed as a warm up to start bigger projects. I'm itching to knit a sweater. But this time the sweater won't be for a book or for a sample knit...I've decided I need to have special "ME" projects to work on. Not only will Oklahoma be colder then California (so says DH) but it's good therapy during the move (hehe good excuse for buying yarn.)

I saw this pattern in April's Simply Knitting


and just love it! It's a simple knit with basket weave type of pattern. And since the pattern calls for a bulky weight yarn, it's a quick knit. Perfect project for the days in July while the packers are boxing up household goods, while the movers are taking everything out, and for the days during the drive to Oklahoma City in the RV.

As any good knitter knows, you never have just the right yarn in just the right amount. I had to shop for yarn (oh the agony....not!). Off to Knit Picks website I went. And dropped some Wool of the Andes into my cart.

While shopping for the right yarn for this pattern, I saw Shimmer. Oh. My. Hand dyed baby alpaca and silk blend? I can't resist! Plus I really should have a special project for August house hunting, right? I see a lace shawl in my future. So I ordered two hanks.

Of course special yarn deserves special pattern, right? And since Knit Picks is having a book sale (40% off until August 8th), I ordered Wrapped In Comfort by Alison Jeppson Hyde.


Then I saw the great price on Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters and snagged a copy since it's on my wish list anyway (and I'm a sucker for a book sale).
This move is starting to look good to me. ;-)

RIP George Carlin

We'll miss your wicked sense of humor.

George Carlin

Life is a soap opera

I have been so wrapped up in the soap opera of hubby's job change (company required - not our choice) that I just couldn't concentrate on anything creative for awhile. But this past week, the desire to knit returned.

Instead of knitting complicated patterns I typically gravitate to (or design), I went simple. Dishcloths that I didn't design. Can't get much simpler then that!

I knitted round cloths....


...slip stitch cloths....


...and a star cloth.
Like any good soap opera, the storyline comes to an end. And while ours isn't over (we still have the actual move to get through), the major issues associated with the move were resolved this past week.

Exactly a week ago today, we received an offer on our house/acreage. We consider that a miracle in today's real estate market. It wasn't a fantastic offer, but very reasonable. We accepted it and escrow has begun.

Then last Thursday, hubby received an offer in writing for the position (with the same company) he wanted in Oklahoma City. It comes with a promotion and a raise. Plus we'll be closer to our family in North/East Texas. Not bad considering this change is all due to the retirement of the airplane he has worked on for so many years.

So...is there anyone who visits this blog that lives in Oklahoma City? Email me!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. RV'ing in Alaska is high up on my bucket list. I believe it is on the tentative schedule as the first summer after retirement.

2. My favorite quote is It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live; it's from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Albus Dumbledore).

3. Knitting inspired me to start blogging.

4. Strawberries are best fresh. No sugar please.

5. Something about Kickapoo Indians in the last dream I remember having. That is actually what I remembered when I woke up this morning. No idea where that came from.

Photo from Texas Indians website

6. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is when I have a good audio book to listen to. My favorite audio book(s) are the Harry Potter series. Jim Dale is fabulous!

I love how J.K. Rowling has used names from history or mythology. Just yesterday during class a student pointed out the connection to Fenrir Greyback and Norse Mythology.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to family time (which is our typical Friday evenings), tomorrow my plans include giving the dogs a bath (doesn't that sound like fun?) and Sunday, I want to dig out an unfinished knitting piece to work on!

Busy weekend

Loads of housework Saturday to prepare for the open house on Sunday.

The open house was moderately successful. A plethora of lookers stopped by our "hilltop paradise" (so says real estate agent). I would call it very successful if today we had an offer. But, alas, not yet.


While our real estate agent worked on Sunday, we went for a picnic in the park. Lovely and restful...we really should do it more often.

The only thing missing from the weekend? I didn't knit...not one stitch.

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins #75

(Sorry, no pictures this time)

1. Idle hands are not mine. I knit, bead, crochet....so my hands are never idle.

2. I love having a lot of hot water in the shower. And so does my daughter. We have been known to set off the smoke alarm when opening the bathroom door after a shower.

3. My favorite time of the day is when the family sits together.

4. The last tea I drank was hot green tea. I love the taste!

5. I like to swim in the Summer.

6. My mother always said "if you have nothing good to say, say nothing." Thus, I haven't said much on the blog recently.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to (hopefully) not having to use my asthma inhaler (dang allergies), tomorrow my plans include getting the house ready for an "open house" on Sunday and Sunday, I want to stay home and knit, but we won't be here during the open house. I believe the last idea was take the dogs and spend the afternoon at the park!

More bad luck and my kind of logic (ha!)

More bad luck
I now have a reason why I have only completed projects that have deadlines ("have to" projects). I need (and have started) vision therapy.

Over the past few months, I've had problems with close range vision blurring. Typically only happens in afternoon. I've blamed it on allergies. Wrong...sigh. During an eye exam Thursday, it was pointed out to me that I am (once again) seeing double at close range. It stems from Duane's Retraction Syndrome which I've suffered with all my life due to an undeveloped eye muscle (birth defect). Basically my eyes are not working together as a team.

Wish me luck on getting it under control in a month. I need it back in order before the move. I have a fantastic doctor. And won't be able to go to her unless she's willing to move with us.

__________________________________________


My kind of logic

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins #74

I'm early (it's still Thursday here). However, it's Friday somewhere....so here it is!

1. For me inactivity is the opposite of creativity. If I'm sitting, I'm reading, knitting, or beading. Except during Lost. That's the only television show I watch and it gets my undivided attention.

2. Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter) was the last excellent book I read. While I'm always reading, I would say most books are good at best. For me, excellent means there will be a loss of sleep in order to find out what happens next.

I had planned to be in the middle of Odd Hours (Dean Koontz) by now, but hubby snagged it first (dang). And I'm sure it's excellent!

3. I like fill-ins because it gives me something to blog about that is (hopefully) not depressing! Surely our bad luck will run out soon, or the biorhythms will change....something....c'mon already!!

4. In nature I like looking at trees, flowers, the clouds, animals, mountains....all of it! I love nature. Although, like Indiana Jones, I hate snakes. (shudder)

5. I believe Dolores should win the US elections. Bleats the heck out of our choices on the ballot.



6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was....I can't remember. How sad.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to playing WII system with family, tomorrow my plans include a little housework and knitting, and Sunday, I want to see the new Indiana Jones movie!

Why....

....do I watch sad movies when I'm depressed? Do you? Seems like we'd pop a wonderfully hilarious movie into the DVD player instead to cheer us up. But no.

Instead I watched Philadelphia today (we're home with a stomach bug and not in the mood to be happy).

I did start a simple, no-brainer sock pattern with discontinued (and inexpensive) Magic Stripes.

I have no mental capacity for anything past a k2, p2, and do not want to blow it with a better yarn.

Feel sorry for me yet?

Memorial Day

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them . .
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them!

-- Lawrence Binyon

Friday Fill-Ins

Still no knitting to show you. I am working on a sample knit for Knit Picks (can't show it to you), and thinking socks but haven't started anything yet.

Since this is primarily a knitting blog, this Friday Fill-Ins # 72 is entirely fiber related.

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to pack and ship my sock yarn during this move! It now resides in a plastic tub at the top of closet, along with my sock bag filled with dpn's and sock looms. Now all I need is time to pick the next pair.




2. The rise in temperature reminds me that summer is almost here!


I hear that most people find it too hot to knit or crochet during the summer. Not me. Hubby cranks up the AC during the summer so much that I tend to need sweat pants in the evening to be comfortable. So sitting and knitting feels just right.

3. I cannot live (happily) without my sock yarn stash. The latest additions to the stash are the Noro Kyreyon Sock yarn. I'm not really pleased with the texture of the yarn (shock!) but am planning to reserve final opinion after swatching and blocking (hoping it will soften).

4. Needle felting and spinning my own wool are two things I'd like to try.

These birds are needle felted. Are they amazing?!

5. When life hands you lemons add it to the margaritas of course! But I won't knit while under the influence. I'm already a loose knitter....can't imagine how loose they would be then. ;-P

6. My great-aunt teaching me to sew is my favorite childhood memory. She had a pedal sewing machine similar to this one



I used it to make doll clothes with loads of matching petticoats! If she had known how to knit, I know she would have passed it on too.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing the neckline of the sweater I'm doing for Knit Picks, tomorrow my plans include casting on the sleeves and Sunday, I want to finish the sleeves!

Loom Knitting Pattern Book....

...from Isela Phelps is being released tomorrow. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, you can get it from Amazon or you can get an autographed copy from Loom Knits.

I'll try to have something else knitting related to blog about soon. I hope.

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill In #71

1. The pork had an extra secret ingredient; it was apricot glaze! My dh is on a low fat diet and I am trying to find new, interesting meals. This one was not a hit with him. Oh well.

2. Sunshine through my window. It's a beautiful day in Southern California!

3. Right now, I need a stress-free zone. Is there such a place?

4. The living room is where I went Thursday night; it was LOST! night.

5. Why does selling this house/property hurt so much? We're officially listed now. (Listing details are here)



6. All I can think of is the upcoming move. I'm really quite boring these days (daze?)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some quality time with family, tomorrow my plans include calling my Mother in Texas and Sunday, I want to celebrate being a Mother!

Wordless Wednesday (picky eater)

Words of wisdom

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." (Fredrick Koeing)

In the few minutes I had this past week to read email, I read this as a signature line. It lifted my spirits, and inspired me to count blessings rather then dwell on the curses.

Sometimes we forget to celebrate the positives in our life, and let the negatives consume us. OK, I know I fall into that abyss at times. These words of wisdom should be tattooed onto my hand to help me remember how very lucky I am....even when it doesn't feel that way.




I hope that you too will be inspired to find joy in your everyday life.

Wow! The studio does have a floor!

That's because I have packed up a great deal of yarn and taken out filing cabinets (now in the garage until move). My looms had to be taken off the wall and stored in cabinets (where yarn was taken out) when hubby painted. I'm really going to miss all the built-in cabinets in this room.

We are all tired of cleaning, sorting, boxing, carrying boxes out to garage; painting, cleaning up after painting. But we're almost done. There are a few details to attend to this weekend around the house and property, but it will be ready by Monday. Then all we have to do is maintain the cleanliness day-to-day, and perhaps I can start knitting again. Or maybe a little beading. Wouldn't that be lovely!?

Real estate agent starts showing next week. Anyone want a wonderful little house with over 6 acres of horse property in the Palmdale (CA) Hills? Great views!


I really love this hill and will miss the peace that comes over me whenever I'm home. I fell in love with it the day I saw it. It became my refuge from the crowded urban sprawl that is Southern California.

Anyone up to adding a review.....

...to "More Knitting Wheel Fashions" on Amazon? If you've purchased it and have an opinion, please take a moment to post it.

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, you read can reviews here (thanks to Ms. Thompson), and here.

Really, I'm interested in what you have to say.

Friday Fill-Ins

Knitting? What knitting? And since I still have nothing relating to knitting to blog about, here is Friday Fill-In #69.

1. When I fell in love my life changed forever! We've been together for over 25 years and it gets better everyday.

See hubby's grey beard? I remember when it was black! (Gotta rib him some)

2. I start sneezing when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside! Regardless Spring remains my favorite time of year. I'm especially happy to shed the layers of clothing required during cold months.

3. Oh no! The internet connection is down, hubby and daughter will complain. Me? I'll grab a good book or my knitting and wait it out.

4. I don't know which is the craziest tv show ever. I guess I don't watch enough television to come up with an answer. I do watch Lost.

And I guess the "smoke monster" would count toward crazy plot...unless you actually watch the show.

5. Cheese and crackers make a great meal! Perhaps even a good bottle of wine too.

6. Plant a garden. But don't let me tend it for you. Gardening isn't one of my talents.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with family, tomorrow my plans include finishing the packing of non-essentials in my studio and Sunday, I want to finish my article for LKC (I hope). Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Kureyon sock yarn sighting

I wasn't fast enough to find Noro Kureyon sock yarn in stock when it was released. But it's in stock once again at Simply Socks Yarn Company and this time I got there before it sold out!! Yippee! That's the good news. The bad news? I'm suppose to be on a sock yarn diet...so I ordered only two skeins. Moderation, ya know? hehe

Friday Fill-Ins

Thank you for the words of encouragement. It's nice to get virtual hugs during a pity party.



Friday Fill In #68

1. The last time I lost my temper I was stressed out! I'm normally a patient person. It takes stress to cause overload.

2. The price of gasoline is what I'm fed up with! I'm reading that the price is expected to top $3.60 a gallon. So why did I pay $3.87 Monday???

3. The next book I'd like to read is Odd Hours by Dean Koontz. To be released May 20th. I've been listening to the first 3 Odd Thomas books on CD in anticipation. Such a great character.


4. Husband being released from hospital is what I'm looking forward to. Doctor says today. I hope so.

5. If you can't get rid of the skeleton[s] in your closet, give it your least favorite pair of shoes, hoping it will hit the road.


6. The best thing I got in the mail recently was Enjoy Entrelac Knitting by Brenda Horne. I've been trying to get my hands on this one. Yay!


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having hubby home (I hope), tomorrow my plans include packing some non-essentials and Sunday, I want to pack some more....yes, you guess it....knit!

Inventory of reasons....

...I have nothing to show on blog.

• We're in the process of packing up non-essential items around the house before listing property for sale (did I mention we will be moving out of California?)
  
• Meeting with real estate agent(s) to decide who has best chance of selling...even though we have no idea of where company is transferring us....or exactly when

More importantly....

• Husband had surgery
• Surgery didn't go as planned and he's now in hospital

Of course nobody's posting comments on the blog anyway... so who knows if anyone's reading any of this...

OK, I'm feeling sorry for myself....I admit it. I should start sock pattern for stress relief.

Harry Potter sock yarn from Opal

Now I know what I want for Christmas. ;-)

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-In #67

1. I love springtime in Glacier National Park, Montana! It's our favorite destination in late spring, as the snow melts and plants are starting to bloom.
2. Apple muffin and grapefruit are foods I love to eat for breakfast. I don't always eat healthy for the rest of the day though.

3. It seems I'm always searching for something I've misplaced. It could be my keys, my cell phone.....no wonder I'm always late!

4. A long soak in a bubble bath with a good book is a great way to end the day.

5. I think I must be the luckiest lady! I've been married to my fella for over 25 years. Recently we were told his company is transferring us. I've been pouting since.....I love our house and acreage....do not want to move. His comment is "home is where you are".......sweet!

6. The return of LOST is what I've been craving lately. A friend of mine recently started watching the first season on ABC.....and asking questions about the show. It has fueled my impatience.....c'mon already!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the paint job being done in my daughter's bedroom, tomorrow my plans include cleaning out closets and Sunday, I want to put my feet up and knit. Unfortunately that probably won't happen since we are trying to get the house ready to list with a real estate agent in May. Booo hooooo!!

Wordless Wednesday (Work In Progress)

We're back....

....with a pile of laundry and sand in everything. But really - no complaints here. Peaceful walks on the beach (found quite a few shells including sand dollars)


Lovely dinners at our favorite seafood restaurant, a visit to my favorite vineyard, and a much needed rest.

Nothing on the needles, a couple of designs in progress on the looms. And I picked up Interweave Crochet magazine today.



I'm off to work on the pile of laundry since washers and dryers aren't that automatic.