BirrenPretzels

Well, hello there!

2010-03-12T20:00:00.003-07:00

Long time no see. I was nudged into updating by my Ravelry friends, so here goes.

Since the last post, I just went crazy doing Christmas knitting...lots of socks, scarves, hats, a fabulous multi-color purse for my granddaughter, charity knitting...I look back and wonder how I found the time. Latest is the Clasica coat which will be sent to my daughter for her birthday. She was also the recipient of the Aeolian shawl in the most recent post...hopefully I will be able to post some pictures before I post this entry. I haven't been spinning much, a little here and there, but plan to get back to that soon (wishful thinking).

So here's a shout out to my Freeform Spinners friends - I am spinning in my head, believe me.

Oh, yeah, husband is fine, dogs are fine, all other critters are fine, baseball tomorrow so life is good.

More to come!

What I made part II

2009-08-05T12:57:00.004-07:00

Called Part II because somewhere along the line I have written a post called What I Made already.

This is the finished Aeolian shawl from Knitty, overdyed. It's real purty and I'm glad I stuck with it to the end. I will post modeled photos if I can ever find someone to hold the camera.

If you click on the first one you can see the beads. They are pretty heavy and make the shawl just swing and sway in a wonderful way. The whole thing weighs just over 8 ounces.

I just found a big fat mistake in that middle picture but you know what? I don't care.

Calmer waters

2009-06-13T09:57:00.001-07:00

Apology received from Knitpicks, although I wonder how I will dye it after it's finished (yes, I will finish it). Knitpicks is going to add a disclaimer to this yarn warning of dye inconsistencies and urging knitters to alternate rows. At least I hope they are. The yarn was cheap but my efforts are not.

I am so screwed

2009-06-11T18:31:00.003-07:00

Look at this.

Can you see it? I sure can. I am waiting to see what my pals at Knitpicks have to say. Just imagine: this is only part of about 10,000 stitches which will have to be removed (along with the beads. Can you see the beads?). Oh, I am just so furious!!

The Power of Knitters

2009-05-30T09:26:00.003-07:00

This is where I wanted to go. This is what happened. It's just as well, since it would have cost me over $1000 to learn how to make socks better than the ones I'm already making, and to have the opportunity to worship at the feet of some of my heroes. As a die-hard Cubs fan, I can say, "Maybe next year".

On June 13th I'll be doing this (how I love the "insert link" option). Sounds like fun, huh?

Meanwhile, how about a picture or 2 to make your day a little brighter?

Pickle Surprise

2009-04-27T19:00:00.001-07:00

I just had to share this

I love Paul Rudd

2009-04-19T08:38:00.001-07:00

2009-03-24T06:45:00.001-07:00

I got this from BloomingKnitter's blog, and it sounded like a lot of fun. So here goes.

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a gift from me “sometime during this year”. The prize is a surprise and will be mailed anywhere in the United Sates. I will spend some time visiting the three winner’s blogs to try to get to know them better, to give me a better idea of what might make a nice gift for them.

Then they will unexpectedly receive a gift from me at some point during the year. You must post this same thing (Paying it Forward Giveaway) on your own blog and then come back and leave a comment telling me you’re in, along with a link.

Remember, only the first 3 comments participating in the Pay It Forward Giveaway will receive a gift.

Recap of the Rules:

1. Be one of the first three to leave a comment to this post, with the link to your Pay It Forward Giveaway post.

2. Be willing to follow through on sending out one prize each to three lucky winners of your contest.

3. Make sure your profile has contact information available.

Happy Birthday, dear Jaime

2009-03-20T10:02:00.002-07:00

Well, my delightful daughter wrote a sweet blog post that involves ME (what a great subject) and birthday gifts. Who knew she would like those birds as much as I do? (Well, actually, I did.)

Go visit her and wish her a happy day, mmkay?

Happy Birthday, Jaime, I never dreamed I would be such a lucky mom to have you in my life.

Chihuly visit

2009-03-15T18:48:00.003-07:00

I went with 3 friends to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix yesterday and took a ton of photos - go look and enjoy...there are a couple of repeaters but it took over 6 hours to upload 'em all and I ran out of time to really edit them. There are a couple of really nice butterfly shots in there that I'm very pleased with.

Here's my favorite:

Ships of Ireland

2009-03-14T07:53:00.002-07:00

This video is my beautiful granddaughter (she can be seen sporting the fantastic blond hair) playing viola in her school orchestra. She's in 7th grade. I think the music director is doing a great job, since so often you see grade school orchestras playing what could pass for funeral dirges, and here the kids are lively and seem to be enjoying themselves.

March 11th Concert

This is worth the 5 month wait

2009-03-11T14:57:00.002-07:00

I have missed you all, but my new boyfriend has been keeping me so busy. Here he is at work

And of course, you need a photo, so here you are:

It's my Wakame Lace Tunic (from the fall (I think) IK). Only shot I have of it.

Creepy Critter

2008-10-18T09:34:00.002-07:00

Sorry we had to kill this girl, but just looking at this gives me the creeps. First black widow I have seen since moving here nearly 5 years ago.

Bonus track: a beautiful butterfly sipping lantana cocktails last weekend.

Bonus track: a beautiful butterfly sipping lantana cocktails last weekend.

I just bought tickets

2008-09-03T15:32:00.002-07:00

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/saltimbanco/intro/intro.htm

(I swear to god I tried to make a link here but couldn't do it)

go look at this...half of the purchase is a birthday gift for my oldest friend, the other half is for me.

Alpaca loveliness

2008-08-31T08:37:00.002-07:00

This is 8 ounces of the softest alpaca EVER. Daughter gave me the fiber for Christmas and this is how it spun up. I think the color is pretty true. My friend Holly has designed a lace cowl pattern that I'll be test knitting, with the hope that I can do one with the alpaca. I wish you could feel this stuff. It's like BUTTAH

Ha! Ha!

2008-08-16T20:28:00.001-07:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)

Take the test!

Last of the Best

2008-08-08T21:25:00.004-07:00

2 days ago, we lost Stinky, our last, great cat, who was 17. I think once Rocky left us, Stink didn't have much left. She had outlived 5 other cats. She was found at the age of about 2 weeks in a gutter on Milwaukee Avenue, and I called dibs on her the minute I heard about her. When we finally were able to bring her home, she kept curling up in her litter box. She was dubbed Stinky thereafter. I don't think we'll have another cat - it's just too damned hard to lose them. Here's a picture of her from last year. I took some last week but haven't uploaded them yet.

Here's my picture from last week. Glad I took it!

Gone and never to be forgotten

2008-07-12T12:14:00.004-07:00

Today my 16 year old cat Rocky curled up on her little bed at my feet (right under my desk) and died. Just like that. She was healthy and happy to the end, so I am thankful that she had a good long life and didn't suffer at all (I've had way too much experience with that). I'm down to one cat now, which is really hard to believe. Of course Buster the Boxer has the energy level of at least 3 dogs and a half dozen cats, so I think we won't add to the menagerie.

Here's my pretty girl, who was named Rocky Raccoon for her beautiful multi colored coat, doing what she loved: inspecting boxes.

What I made

2008-06-25T15:36:00.002-07:00

This is about 155 yards of mohair/alpaca plied with silk (in bigger photo you can see the little silk nubs). This yarn would have been a dud if not for the silk. It was spun weirdly (still can't figure out what I did wrong) but I'm happy with the result. Not as fussy as usual.

6 weeks later

2008-06-19T14:42:00.002-07:00

It's so freakin hot here (110 today and no end of 100's in forecast) I bought a portable swamp cooler for my office. It works pretty well, sort of shoots damp air at me, but it's enough to help a bit. Yes, I have AC in the house but the office just never seems to cool off and the computers don't help things. Anyhow, it's a sad day today. I just now finished off the last of my Arizona Diet Blueberry Green Tea, which is no longer available here. Anywhere. (If I am wrong, please let me know!) It seems that Tucson is a favorite city for market testing, and that means the things I love are destined to be discontinued. Wishbone has a new salad dressing, a berry vinaigrette, which is wonderful stuff, good on salad and salmon and chicken. I bought a case of it. Of course, because I bought a case, it won't be discontinued. I ain't taking any chances.

Nice to see y'all - I'll try not to stay away too long...

It's been a couple of months,

2008-05-04T08:25:00.005-07:00

But lots of knitting going on - wanna see? I've posted some of this stuff on Ravelry. I think I'm spending more time there than anywhere else, and that's not saying much. Anyhow, here's some stuff for you to see (lots more but no photos yet):
Felted Stained Glass Bag - needs to be lined and handle-d yet, but I just love the colors

Sivia Harding's Journey Cable Socks done with Noro Sock. I was thrilled to match the stripes.

Loksins' formal portrait. I have done 2 more pair but none are as sweet as these, my first

Non-knitting? My roses. I think there are 4 here, and the color is pretty true.

Jaime made the stained glass years ago, and our ornamental iron guy at work made the frame. This window is above my dining room window and the sun was relentless. Danny used perforated steel to calm everything down. It's perfect!

Here's Buster inspecting the turtle. He's fascinated by her.

A very musical finch in the yard. He hung around for quite awhile.

And sunset? You say you want a desert sunset?

Watch this!

2008-02-20T12:40:00.001-07:00

I'm not so addicted

2008-02-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

But I do like it alot!

61%

I HAVE been knitting

2008-01-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

and un-knitting - here's my forest path stole, pre-frogging. I'll get back to that pretty soon (that's 3 years worth of work sitting here - sob)

This is my friend Kari's birthday gift. She liked it.

Oat Couture sweater for my daughter's friend's new baby girl.

And my finally-finished Loksins (after several gauge issues I found great success).

I have more and better photos but I'm tired - I'll get em posted soon.

Gasp...

2008-01-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

Officially coming up for air...I have missed posting here. Just want to say hello and post a picture or 2.

This is so cool!

2007-11-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Not much else to say about it. Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

On my soapbox (for a short minute)

2007-11-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

I have fought with weight/beauty issues my whole life. (My father told me when I was young that I would grow up to be "handsome", when the idealized beauty was the Breck girl and Marilyn Monroe. To be a handsome girl was to be a real dog. Not that being a dog is a bad thing, but you know what I mean.) Here is a great little movie, sponsored by Dove, that really hit home for me. I think you'll appreciate it too.

Cutest thing EVAH

2007-11-14T19:21:00.001-07:00

Go see my friend Kathy's surprise - and check out her website while you're there!

http://uniquedesignsbykathy.blogspot.com/index.html

Go here!

2007-11-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

This is too much fun. Couldn't resist sharing it. I made it to level 44. I'll try again tomorrow. And it has been so long since I posted on this that I forgot my password. Ha!! http://freerice.com/index.php

How about a picture to make you happy? It was taken 2 years ago at the Tucson Rodeo right before the cowboy was bucked off.

Thanks, Norma

2007-10-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

This is how low rent I really am.

My blog is worth $1,129.08.
How much is your blog worth?

At least this proves that I'm actually alive and doing stuff. Knitting's not one of em, some spinning happening, mostly PT on my hand. I don't want more surgery, that's for sure, so I'm following dr's orders and not using my wrist.

Coming up for air

2007-09-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

Just stopping in to say hi and tell you that Ravelry is one hell of a great place to be. I can hardly tear myself away! Hopefully I will be inspired to take more photos and keep in touch a little better.

Red Scarf 2008

2007-08-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

Go see Norma's post

http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/red_scarf_project_2007/

(and for cryin out loud I cannot figure out how to make a one-word link to an address - no matter what I try it doesn't work)

and after you're done, you can come back here and click on the PayPal button over there on the right, or donate via Norma Knits. Thanks alot - this is a great cause that needs all the help it can get.

As a reward I will post a cute photo - it's Buster!

Monsoon rainbow

2007-07-25T18:02:00.001-07:00

This rainbow was so big I couldn't fit it all in the shot. It's rained every day for a week now and it's a wonderful thing.

Before and after

2007-07-11T09:58:00.001-07:00

We had our gigantic palm tree trimmed last week.

Before (actually in the midst) I couldn't find a photo of a true "before" - but those fronds hung down nearly to the ground

And after

It's weird looking now! The neighbor's pool was filling up with palm crap so it was time to trim it.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

2007-07-05T19:48:00.001-07:00

Oops. Sorry. I was admiring my lovely snowdrop shawl photo and decided to enlarge it to REALLY enjoy it and whaddaya know, there is a BIG FAT mistake right in the center of the shot. So the joke's on me. I'll have to take a better shot and post it eventually.

Oh - animal shot!! This is my wonderful Max, looking handsome as ever...

Actual knitting

2007-06-12T15:56:00.001-07:00

Well, OK, I finished the Snowdrop, but that was such an old project! I have started a new pattern, Loksins socks, by Cassie at http://cassiana.typepad.com/too_much_wool/ and I tell ya, this is a pleasure to knit. I have been having some issues with numbness in my right arm (I think tied to the severed flexor tendon), which is aggravated by using these small needles, but if I take lots of breaks to rest my hand and arm, I am able to make some progress. It is very nice, no? I'm sort of glad it's slow going since I won't have to take any extra projects with me on the plane.

See you next week! Maybe I'll have a whole sock done by then.

My oughter-graph

2007-06-04T18:19:00.001-07:00

Here it is. Proof that I (sort of) met Stephen King. He signed a book. To me. It happened several years ago (I had some really long hair then) but the thrill is not gone. Thanks to Jaime for capturing the special moment for me. Sigh.

Snowdrop Shawl

2007-05-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I stayed on course and actually finished a project (OK, so I started it over a year ago, but hey). Here is my finished beautiful snowdrop shawl (although in this color it's more like the "Slushpile Shawl"). Pattern from The Yarn Harlot, of course.

Are my arms really this fat? Oy vey. Thanks to my production assistants Max and Buster.

Another view - Greta promised a nice closeup and she certainly delivered

And here's one without benefit of a body

This was made with a wool/mohair blend single ply bought on eBay and let me tell you it was a bitch to tink (at least that's what they tell me - I NEVER tink!) but the result is a very soft garment with a soft halo which I don't think comes through very well in these photos. It weighs 2.5 oz.

I actually have finished a couple pair of socks but the dogs were tired of helping me so we'll save those photos for another day. Now, on to the project I was supposed to finish for a friend's 50th b-day - maybe she'll get it on her 51st.

Night sky

2007-04-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

I was able to see the International Space Station tonight. It was thrilling to see something move so quickly overhead. I looked up http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/index.html (someday I'll figure out how to make a link just a word or two) (but you know it took me forever to figure out how to start a new paragraph so there you go), and realized that they were going REALLY fast, like 17,200 mph at an altitude of approx. 220 miles. It was like watching a very fast-moving, noiseless, plane, just a speck in the night sky but I was still moved by it.

On the knitting front, I finished my first monsoon sock and instead of starting the 2nd one (uh oh) I read the directions for the latest STR kit (tempting, yes) and decided to start a new shawl. I needed a break from the socks for a bit. I started a luna moth shawl in a dark variegated wool I found on eBay a long long time ago. It's looking pretty good after 20 rows or so. The needles are slippery and it's a real change from the tight gauge I kept on the monsoon sock. I like this change of pace.

So, I need to post a photo for your viewing pleasure. Let's see...how about this? I found this in my folder marked "animals". It'll do.

Things I LOVE

2007-03-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

I LOVE deciding that I won't have surgery on my finger, since I am now able to do all the things I need to do and I don't really need the tip of my little finger to do those things. The thought of not having to go through surgery and PT is making me giddy with happiness.

I LOVE the blossoms on my tangerine tree - they smell wonderful

I LOVE my dog Buster. He is as sweet as he looks. I love Max and Greta and the cats, too, but I thought this picture needed to be shared.

I LOVE the book I'm reading: Too Far From Home, by Chris Jones. It's about the astronauts who were stranded on the space station after the shuttle Columbia was lost. Just a fascinating story!

I LOVE my Socks That Rock - This is the first sock, and the pooling colors are so beautiful. I thought this yarn would stripe, so I am thrilled that the result is this (front)

and this (the back)I sure hope the second sock will match. Progress is slow, as I only have about an hour each evening to work on this.

What I mostly love is that I have so many more things to list on this post than I did on the last.

Know what I hate?

2007-03-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

I hate when I cut my finger and find out I severed the flexor tendon and I have to go have my finger flayed and fixed.

I hate that I can't knit. Believe me, I tried. I did about 12 stitches, very slowly, but the pain was icky and I gave up.

I hate giving up.

I hate waiting for the doctor's office to open so I can call them to schedule the aforementioned flaying. Craig thought I would take a photo of my sliced pinky and show it on the blog but I decided not to. I will post a photo of the after-surgery if it's disgusting enough.

I promise to post a pic of my STR sock which is going to be beautiful. I hope I can start working on it again soon.

Critters

2007-03-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

It's March and the temps today hit the 90's. Whew! Here is what I originally thought was a hummingbird (picture taken with high speed setting while the moth was in flight - how cool is that?), and a lazy black bee which was blissfully buried in the same flowers.

Rockin' Socks

2007-03-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

I used to hate knitting socks. I love it now that it's about the only thing I can wear here in the desert. Anyhow, I finished my first self-designed pair last night, and they are cute, and I will post a picture as soon as I make a light box, which I've been wanting to do for a long time.

Yesterday I got the first shipment of the 2007 Socks That Rock yarn 'n stuff (stuff being a binder and a button and a very cute teeny tiny skein of yarn for emergency use). The yarn they sent is too beautiful for words, so that will also have a picture (soon, I swear).

My daughter, who finds the best stuff online, sent me this link, in case you are looking for pirate bandages or other cool stuff. http://www.mcphee.com/index.html

More Grandma

2007-02-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I really loved her. She died when I was 9 years old. I was with her (a trauma for another day) My brother sent this photo, which I can't remember ever having seen before, but I remember the hat and gloves, which played a large part of dress-up. Grandma had a box in her closet that had only dress-up stuff for the girls. I can still see the navy blue dress and the black velvet pumps. Thanks Pete!

Grandma's cherry tree

2007-02-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I haven't posted for a long time. I also realized that I never posted the photo of Grandma's cherry tree. So here it is. That's me (the tall kid) and sister Andie with Grandma. The house still stands in Chicago, but the tree is long gone. Can you see the date at the bottom?

Oh, by the way, happy Valentine's day!

My fortune

2007-01-02T17:46:00.001-07:00

My Fortune Cookie told me:
Sheep will begin to unsettle you.
Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

My Christmas scarf

2006-12-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

So my lovely daughter made me a gorgeous crocheted scarf to wear during my visit. I left it in Colorado for future wintry visits, but I have this picture to remind me of it (I wish I had gotten a full-length shot because it is one long mother of a scarf). The cute kid is my granddaughter Lexie.

Inspiration

2006-12-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

I was reading Jane's blog (and forgive me for still not figuring out how to insert a link with just a title - call me lazy) http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/knitblog/ and she mentioned Jack Sprat, so I thought I would post these pictures of 3 trivets my dad made in the late 40s. They are too fragile to use as trivets so have been hanging on various kitchen walls for the last 30 years. There are also photos posted here of my mother's head, and a wood carving of a nude. The wood is mounted on a black background, and is hung in an angled alcove. Inspired by Jack Sprat, I took these other shots. I have a few other pieces of dad's work, but no paintings. Now, inspired by the thought of paintings, here is a really lovely Christmas gift I just received from my sister. Cherry blossoms, which inspire thoughts of my grandmother, who had a cherry tree in her back yard.

Our new addition

2006-11-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

We captured him running in the wash, and he captured our hearts. Buster knows "sit", and "stay". We are working on "down". He's 7 months old (approximately) and is now at the vet being neutered and microchipped. I just love this boy. Greta is doing the kissing and Max is doing the racing.

Saturday skies

2006-11-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

Thinking about sleeves

2006-11-15T08:58:00.001-07:00

Since I want to add some color to the sleeves, I need to figure out where and how to add the vertical stripes. When I put the stripes in the body I didn't take into account the fact that I hadn't done fair isle in a long long time and my gauge was a bit tight. This worked to my advantage, though, since it gives the sweater some nice shaping. Bonus picture: Max says "Hi!"

Sweater news

2006-11-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

I finished the body of the sweater I cobbled together from a few patterns. I bought a ton and a half of Cascade 220 a few months ago to make Jardin Anglais that was in knitty.com. I decided that the sweater was just too much, but I still loved the color combinations. So I started a Knitting Pure & Simple top down cardigan, with a few changes, added colored vertical stripes at the waistline (seen somewhere a long time ago), and finished at the bottom edge. I was working on a circ that was a bit small so I could never really tell how it would fit. Tonight I got to slip it on, without the sleeves, and it's just a perfect fit. I would take a picture but I'm too tired from casting off about 50,000 stitches in seed stitch. OK, maybe I exaggerate just a little. I'll start a sleeve tomorrow. I have a little time before I have to start thinking of how to incorporate the colors into the sleeves. Now, good night!

I can't believe it

2006-11-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

In my town, which just hit the million people mark (yup, it made headlines), there were 5 yarn stores, not including my friend Kathy's shop, which has no commercial yarn. There are now 3. I walked into one of the former lys and only saw a small wall with a sad collection of yarn. When I asked where the yarn went, the owner said, "Well, we made a business decision, to either sell yarn or make money." I am so disappointed! Two of the remaining 3 shops are owned by the same people and the snob factor is high (not to mention the prices). Looks like I'll be going across town to buy yarn. I know I said i was not going to add to the stash for a year, but I really really need some cotton to make a couple of gifts (I know I have cotton around here somewhere but i just can't seem to find it). I am now thinking of maybe opening a little place myself. Then I could quit both of my jobs and do something I love. Hmmm.

Spinning, critters 'n stuff

2006-11-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

A few pictures to make up for a lack of words...

I've been reading and commenting on several blogs and groups lately, and realized that I haven't updated my own blog, so here goes:

Old hard drive is still dead, bought a new pc and have been spending quite a lot of time recreating files and learning how to streamline (not to mention backing up).

I've been spinning nearly as much as I've been knitting, which had better change pretty darn soon or I won't have any gifts finished in time for giving. Here's the newest yarn I made:

It's a blend of Romney and mohair, and was a pleasure to spin. Here is a closeup:

I went to the 2nd annual Tucson Wool Festival, which was a success for everyone involved. Small and sweet. I bought a handmade spool for the Louet, and a pair of beautiful handmade wooden needles.

In keeping with the purple theme, here is a pretty sunset from last week . That's the moon.

In dogs news, Greta was diagnosed with pannus, which affects German shepherds and can cause blindness, so we are regulars at the vet and Greta is making a fashion statement when we go in the sun (UV rays aggravate the condition). She is such a good girl, tolerates the doggles even though she hates them.

And here's a critter we found in the garage - not the best photo - he was scooting into the plant to hide. He will grow up to be a Rustic Sphinx moth. The caterpillar is about 5 inches long, a real big boy!

Here's a Sphinx that was on our wall a couple of years ago

not getting better

2006-09-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

Among the files I lost were all of my knitting files. Patterns, worksheets, photos, ideas, in every format. Some were patterns I purchased and downloaded and never printed. Oh, my aching head.

Now what?

2006-09-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the ads that show a photo of, say, a car's back end sticking out of an upper floor wall of a parking garage? It just says, Now what? It's for state farm insurance, and the ads are clever and eye-catching. Anyhow, I am wondering about a one-picture ad that shows a person tearing her hair out and weeping because she bought a new computer and an external hard drive enclosure for her old computer's hard drive, which would, in a perfect world, act as a backup for her new computer, which is why she didn't back up 99% of her files before she installed the old hard drive in the enclosure. You know, the hard drive that stopped functioning that very same moment. Programs are gone, hundreds of files are gone. She now wonders what the hell she is going to do to reconstruct these files. They represent years and years of work. Can you think of what the photo would be? (Hint: it would be something involving me.)

It's Alive!

2006-09-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

(Moon is from a couple nights ago)Well, I am back. Been a sort-of busy summer, and I have just not been motivated to write anything down. Went to Chicago for my sister's 50th, and as a result was unable to go to her wedding reception 2 months later (damn that budget!). Went to San Diego with dh and granddaughter for a couple of days - had a nice time at Sea World. Worked alot, got better at spinning and knit plenty (I will post pictures later). Well, "plenty" is a relative term, if you consider plenty to be 2 pair trekking socks finished, 3 shawls started, 1 camisole nearly finished (only need to do the straps - what IS my problem?), 1 sweater started, many projects planned.

It has also been very rainy here in the desert. Last summer we had to mow our little lawn maybe twice. This summer we have been mowing every 2 weeks and the lawn is lush and green. Mushrooms abound. Allergies are at peak level (ah-choo!). Cacti are blooming and my roses are coming back from near-death. I'm glad it's almost fall.

Oh, it's so awful

2006-06-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is the street in front of my house.

We are calling it Lake Running Bear. The water is emanating from our driveway. The water department hasn't shown up yet. The insurance company hasn't called us back. Water is scarce in Tucson, and having it leak, nay, pour away (unfortunately I can't post the gurgling sounds the driveway is making - you can almost see the water move in this picture)

is a terrible thing.

Trekking badness

2006-06-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

I was nearly finished with first TS when I decided to try it on (for length) and wouldn't you know the whole damn thing was too small - could barely fit it over my heel - so it has been frogged and restarted. My gauge got so tight it was like knitting chainmail. I trekked with it to the Antiques Roadshow taping but since no cameras were allowed I couldn't take a photo. AR was lots of fun, had a book and ring appraised. Everyone was nice, the crowd was huge, and we had a great time. There was a couple there carrying around a 18x24 shadowbox frame. I kept trying to see what was in it. I finally got a glimpse. It was a 3-D picture of Ronald McDonald. Really. After the first glimpse it was like a horror movie where each time I looked, there it was. We had a good laugh anyhow.
After I frogged the sock I decided to finish the pretty pink prairie tunic I had started a couple of months ago. It's done but for the blocking, and I will get a picture up soon. In the meantime, this will have to hold you over. A gaggle of cousins, including me on the right, all the way in front. This is 1957. Back when we were all so adorable.

Pretty bird!

2006-06-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

In my back yard, I caught this critter at rest - I got to within about 5 feet from her. She kept looking at me and threatening to fly off. I was surprised at how still I could stand. PS It's a teeny tiny hummingbird.

Hey! How about a pair of socks? Cute, huh?

And for a trekking sort-of-still life (with turtle):
The Trekking yarn is so pretty! I've just turned the heel on the first one. This yarn is a pleasure to work with. I'm making a basic sock with a 72 stitch cast on and I'm using size 1 needles. The fabric is extremely dense. These'll be good. Or else.

Random

2006-06-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

I am almost finished with the second sock - about 4 inches to go, then ready to start on my trek socks.
Inspired by http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/knitblog/, I chose a couple of paintings I would steal if I had the chance. Here are 2:
O'Keeffe White Rose with Larkspur, and Mary Silverwood, Willow Creek (this is the print that is hanging over my desk, and the true colors are much more vibrant than this reproduction, but it's the best I could find).

Sock it to me!

2006-05-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Here is my first sock in many years (Unst from Knitting on the Road), and it's going swimmingly --- and here is the yarn I found for the trek KAL. I really must apologize (again) for the crappy layout of this blog. I swear I will try to find some time to either a) fix it, or 2) change servers. I am thrilled, though, that I discovered the macro setting on my camera. It only took me a year.

More stuff

2006-05-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

Jeez, is it ever enough? Don't answer that. Here is what I bought. Thanks to Yarnbow who supplied this picture. Lorna's Laces shepherd's sock yarn.

At last

2006-05-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

First of all, I am trying desperately to figure out how to make paragraphs on this site. So far, no luck. Anyhow, I just want to drop in my 2 cents about self striping yarn, you know, the stuff that makes cute little stripes and checks. I really hate the stuff. I made 2 pair of socks a few years ago, and hated every minute of them. I hoped that I would recover and learn to love the yarn again, but it hasn't happened and I'm sick of waiting. So I went a bought some Koigu and cast on for Unst socks from Knitting on the Road. I was inspired by the arrival of my wonderful ESK from Cassie a few weeks ago (it has been stocked and made ready for any sock emergency which may arise, now that I'm motivated to make socks again). (By the way, the workmanship on this is excellent and I highly recommend getting one for your own sock-y selves.) I will post a photo when I have more than 12 rounds done.

Try, try again

2006-05-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I tried to post this twice already, and it has been blown to bits both times. 3rd time's the charm. I had a couple of busy weeks: went here, did this. Susie loved her shawl and is in the Bahamas right now getting ready to be married. Not too much else happening, trying to beat the heat and get some work done (not necessarily in that order). Started dance class with Greta today, but she didn't seem too interested. We'll see. All knitting projects are finished so I am back to my forest shawl that was started in 2003. I won't post a pic until it's finished since it looks like nothing more than a big mess. It has been fun to work on it again. I can complete a section in an evening, and I have 30 or so sections to go before I can do the border, so let's say Labor Day goal, since I will take time to do the Trekking with Trekking KAL http://zeneedle.typepad.com/trekalongwithme/2006/05/go_take_a_hike.html#comment-17240000 and also the Sivia Harding Hanging Garden KAL. Maybe I should move my Forest shawl goal back a month or so. I'm not in a hurry.

A finished shawl

2006-05-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is the completed-on-time-for-my-sister's-wedding-gift shawl. It was begun on April 1st, with 2 skeins of Alpaca Cloud from KnitPicks, from the same Estonian lace pattern I used for Jaime's purple cotton scarf. It is 2 patterns wider, and is as light as a feather and very soft. Susie is on her way here for a short visit before hightailing it to the Bahamas for her wedding (color me green), so I will be able to present it to her in person (I was afraid that I would have to ship it).

I've fallen for an English Garden

2006-04-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

In the new issue of http://knitty.com I found this sweater (Jardin Anglais by Dorothée Moulé) (here's a shot of the sleeve): It is so lovely, although I think I may leave out the ruffles on the body. I already ordered a sh*tload of Cascade 220. This one's for me!

Redundancy rocks

2006-04-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, not another sky shot, but really, after 2 years here, the Tucson sky continues to take my breath away. I took a short movie clip of this sky since I couldn't fit it all in the still frame.

something pretty

2006-04-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

This was last night. It caught my attention because the air in the house was pink. Can't talk about what's on the needles 'cause it's a sort-of-surprise. Let's just say it involves baby alpaca and estonion lace charts.

Life is not too exciting around here

2006-03-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

It's been 3 uneventful weeks since my last post - so you didn't miss much. Except it was Jaime's birthday on Wednesday and I surprised her with that felted bag I wrote about. I think she liked it. Getting ready to get Max started on his Pet VIP program (he will be doing pet therapy at a nursing home). Speaking of Max, here he is communing with his favorite cat, Stinky, who is 14 years old and fearless. Max just wants to kiss her. On the needles is the Prairie Tunic from the latest IK, which will be a gift, so I can't post a pic. I'm almost done with it, and it looks lovely. Getting ready to start my sister's wedding shawl, which will be done in alpaca lace. Not sure what patterns I'll use - but I think I'll make it a stole rather than a shawl. I need to be quick about it, since the wedding is 6 weeks from now and my knitting time is limited (damn that tax season anyhow).

It was a long wait

2006-03-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

but today it rained! For the first time in over 4 months, it rained. The smell of wet streets, the sounds of the birds chirping their little heads right off, the beautiful sunset...well, can't prove the smells or sounds, but as for the sunset:
That lumpy thing in the background of both shots is Sombrero Peak, which is at the eastern edge of Saguaro National Park. The shots were taken about 5 minutes apart.

the results are in...

2006-02-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, 2 posts in one day - only because I failed to post my entry from several days ago. Bonus. I finished the tote bag last night and threw it in the washer with fingers crossed. It took 2 cycles to get it to shrink just right, and it came out even better than I had hoped for. Here's a before pic, taken on my ottoman so that there is a size comparison . Would you just look at the size of the thing! Then there are the "afters". The beautiful colors are the Noro Kureyon. So easy to knit, and it's like a little story unfolding as each color blends and then appears and then blends into the next. I thought maybe I should match the straps but I really love the fact that each is completely different. Note the beautiful Cascade 220 bottom. The fabric it creates when felted is so thick and uniform - I am thinking about making a felted jacket out of this stuff (only in a different color - I am sort of purpled out). I folded in the sides and I'm debating putting buttons in so that the sides can be opened or closed, but will for sure put a button and loop at the center so it doesn't flop open. The straps are just long enough to go over the shoulder. My apologies for the lousy layout of this post. I just can't seem to get the hang of this, can't even figure out how to start a new paragraph!

Heaven, I'm in Heaven

2006-02-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Norma, for the wonderful chocolate-y gift you sent! I am planning on dipping fresh orange slices in this delightful stuff after dinner tonight, although it may take some doing, as husband starting doing some serious salivating once he set his eyes on the jar, and he do love his chocolate. 2 extra special things about this: (1) it comes from someone I've only met online, but who still thinks I'm worth thinking about; and (b) it's REAL Ben & Jerry's! From Ver-freakin-mont, the very home of B&J's!

So what's new with you?

2006-02-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

Not much happening. Working (slowly, slowly) on new felting project. I was at a WW meeting last week and met a nice woman who was carrying a felted bag and knitting on a pretty blue and yellow sock. She was wearing the sweetest pink socks she had knit, with a heart motif (valentine, anyone?). So I have made a new friend, and I promised to bring my bag project to show her this week. For lack of anything new to show you, here is the leaf scarf made from homegrown/sheared/dyed/spun kid mohair from http://www.uniquedesignsbykathy.com/, which is where the Tucson Wool Festival was held in November. The site features a couple of my photos (my favorite being a closeup of Absinthe the goat), and this is where I met some of the nicest people! This is just about the worst photo in the world, but the color really is true - from my comforter to the yarn. I was in a hurry to get this packaged in time for holiday delivery so didn't take any time to get some natural light. Maybe Susie will get a better shot of the scarf with a bit of snow.

Good stuff

2006-02-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

While recovering from this surgery, I have had a few gifts sent my way (no pictures of flowers, of which there were many, or of stuffed animals, which added bears and elephants to my little zoo). Here are some of them (and a bonus shot of Stinky inspecting the Belgian truffles): Yesterday was also the blooming of my first flowers of the year. It's been in the high 70s every day. My sister sent a beautiful azalea (pic to come later) and I was surprised to see these little yellow babies blooming at the same time. I have still not figured out just what these are. I think potato vines. Soon there will be more flowers than leaves (you can see the tiny buds), and they smell divine. And for something new on the needles, another felting experiment. It will either be a round bottomed bag or maybe a bowl. I don't know whether to put handles on - I thnk it will depend on the amount of yarn I have left over. Light purple is the rest of the Cascade 220. Dark purple is (or soon will be) the rest of the Colinette I hate, but it does felt up in a very cool way. Doing that yarn in purl so it gets good and nubby. Noro Kuryon (god, this stuff is gorgeous) makes up the other stripes. The bottom is approx 16" x 16". I'll try to shrink it to about 12x12. I'm really enjoying this.

memememe!!!!

2006-02-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

I sound like I'm practicing for the opera. meme #1, my truck (Legend is my horse, so I must be his mom). Here is Legend!
Here's meme #2, my knitting area.
A big ol' comfy chair with ottoman. Basket has a few projects, cabinet/end table should be crammed with stash, but instead houses my photo albums. I like this spot. To the left is the box from my new toy, a telescope.

Surgery sucks

2006-02-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Can't stay long - can't knit, only squirm. Here's what they did, the bastards! http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.spineuniverse.com/displaygraphic.php/138/dp_ligaments-BB.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article549.html&h=402&w=400&sz=71&tbnid=_J_Sh03Kh1nniM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=119&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlumbar%2Blaminectomy%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG But I'll be back. Good luck to all you Knitting Olympians, I'll be rooting for you all

Goodbye, January

2006-01-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

I finally figured out how to move photos around, so be prepared...

I hate Jaunary, if only because it means the start of tax season, but it does give me some great sunrises. This is in color. We haven't had rain in over 100 days and there's quite a bit of dust in the air. These clouds came to naught, but they sure made me run for the camera. These are my dogs, Greta and Max. They are wonderful dogs, and were worth waiting 15 years for.
In knitting news, I finished Lexie's backpack. Had to snap two pieces of fringe off my bike chaps to tie the button and make the loop. I think the felting was a blast and I now have more of that Noro Kuryon to make myself a tote. This pattern was "Amanda Backpack" from http://www.blacksheepbags.com. I moved the straps to one side so the pack would be off center, and added the button. The gray yarn is my first homespun. It was a little thicker than I'd like but it adds a nice texture to the center.

Now, here's what's on the needles. Snowdrop Shawl by StephanieI bought the yarn on Ebay, a very soft and easy to knit wool, and I like the brown/pink mix. The pink is nearly transparent on the birch needles. I have 6 or 7 repeats to go. These rows are getting pretty darn long.

Morning sky

2006-01-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

This was the eastern sky from my back yard a couple of weeks ago. One positive of being in a drought-stricken desert city is the amount of dust. OK, so that's not a positive thing, unless you make Swiffers for a living, but the dust causes some really spectacular sunrises/sets.

What I found

2006-01-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

I have decided, after a few weeks of research (not enough I know, but I am impulsive) on the Louet S10 for my first wheel. I found a used one which is being shipped from overseas and should arrive in about 6 weeks. That will give me time to a) recover from the back surgery I have scheduled for 2/1 and b) amass enough roving to have plenty to play with. I am very excited about this. I have tried drop spindles, which I really enjoy, but I don't like the stop/start aspect of them. So, here's what it looks like. The hole in the wheel is so that it will stop when I stop, and this model is purported to be a good beginner's wheel (and I am certainly that).

Wish me luck!

Handspun? Me?

2006-01-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

Jaime asked for a picture of her scarf. Here it is, knit with Stermann Pharao Cotton. I really enjoyed this project, even the little bobbles, knit from the center to each end.

Now, on to the subject at hand: I knit with my very first handspun over the weekend - added an 8-row stripe to a felted backpack I'm making for a birthday gift for the granddaughter. Started with a purple Cascade 220 for the bottom and some rows up the sides, then switched to a Colinette bulky for a few rows (a little too bulky as it turns out, but it will make a pretty neat stripe), then a skein of Noro. I looked at my lumpy, bumpy, too-twisted (or not twisted enough, as the case may be) grayish/blueish yarn and thought "why the hell not?" It was a bit thick, but I think all will be forgiven after the felting. I am now back to the second skein of Noro, to reverse the striping, and will do the rest in the Cascade.

This has been a great experiment for me, and I'll post a picture when it's done, before and after felting.

Well, hello there!

2005-12-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

After reading so many other blogs, I decided to jump in and get my feet wet. Say hi or ignore me, it doesn't matter!

Some things I love: My family, my dogs, cats and horse, knitting, quilting, movies, my job, and a bunch more.

More to come...stay tuned!