WIPs For Today

Thought I'd post a couple WIP pics. I've been working on this cardigan for the next layette set. I just need to find some buttons for it.

I started the hat for it.

I don't know if I'm going to continue making these for this whole year, but for now I'm content to make another set.

I need to finish the black and white set I'm making for the nephew and his wife, who are expecting any day now. I just need to get the edging on the blanket fabric.

I've also been working on the Felt Applique stocking. It's coming along nicely.

Don't have much snow out on the ground. Maybe 4 to 6 inches. Kind of unusual for this time of year, but not unheard of. I remember having a winter when I had my shop (early 2000's) where I needed to have my parking lot plowed only 3 times the whole winter. We have had several dry cold days. Even a bit of sunshine, which felt so good. Snow/freezing rain is supposed to move in tonight. I'm ready for spring.

Took down the Christmas tree and decorations last week. Ruth helped me. The fur kids were running around and knocked it crooked. Several of my beaded cover ornaments fell on the floor and broke. Decided, after cleaning up the broken glass, since it was leaning over anyway, might as well take it all down. I won't have problems repairing the broke ornaments. I'm going to put the covers on plastic ornaments instead of glass this time. They've got some really pretty ones now that look every bit as good.

The birds have come back to the bird buffet. Mostly finches, chickadees, Flickers, and magpies. Snow on the ground seems to be their reason for showing up.

Live long and prosper. \\//

First Finish of 2019

Someone gave me some sock yarn a couple weeks ago so I decided to use some of it to make a pair of socks for the son-in-law Frank. His birthday is coming up in a few days.

The yarn is actually more of a gray blue, but the camera would not cooperate. I'm just glad it was light enough outside to take pictures. It feels like this has been the darkest winter ever. It actually hasn't, but it feels like it.

Decorative Rib Socks for Frank

Pattern: Didn't use one
Size: Mens size Medium

Yarn: Regia 6-fädig
Content: 75% Superwash Wool/25% Nylon, sport weight
Color: Denim

Needles: Circulars size 3

Started: January 6, 2019
Finished: January 16, 2019

Comments: I used a stitch pattern I found in Charlene Schurch's book Sensational Knitted Socks

It's a very easy stitch pattern and looks so pretty.

I need to get these in the mail tomorrow.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Happy New Year!

We are home from Providence. I had a wonderful time there with daughter and son-in-law. It was a relaxing and peaceful week. Just what I needed. I hope the new year is the same way.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas!

Live long and prosper. \\//

Embrace The Light

I've had a particularly difficult time with the days being so short this year, so I'm especially glad for today. Happy Winter Solstice to everyone!

Live long and prosper. \\//

Hurray!

I can't believe it's been a whole month since my last blog post. It's been crazy busy around here, that's for sure. I have to blog about this though, cuz it's so awesome.

Two Saturday's ago (the 8th) our daughter, Ruth, graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Computer Science and minors in Geology and Math. We drove down to Moscow, ID to attend the ceremony. I got a couple pictures with my phone, but they're a bit blurry because we were so far from her. She is the one in front of the young man in the blue suit in the below picture. The graduates were walking up to the stage to receive their diplomas.

Here she is shaking the college President's hand.

My husband and I admitted to each other that we were a little bit in doubt until we actually saw her walk into the arena. Then I just started crying I was so happy. It took a long time for her to get through college because it was very hard for her. I am so proud she finished.

Afterwards, we went to a restaurant for lunch, and to celebrate. My husbands twin brother and his wife, and our nephew and his girlfriend were with us, as well as a surprise for Ruth. Her sister, Sarah, flew out for the weekend to see her sister graduate. We didn't tell Ruth. She found out when she looked up in the stands and saw us all sitting together. Here we all are at the restaurant. From left to right going around the table: brother-in-law Dan, Sweet Hubby, Me, daughter Sarah, daughter Ruth, nephew's girlfriend Alira, nephew Nathan, and sis-in-law Sue

Here is the graduate. Ruth.

My beautiful daughters, Sarah and Ruth.

It was a fantastic day.

Last Saturday we drove down to Moscow, ID again to move Ruth out of her apartment and bring her home. Dan and Sue came down with us and helped. I'm so glad they did because it was a big job. I don't think we could have done it in one day without them. So now Ruth is home with us and after the holidays she will seriously be looking for a job.

On Tuesday of last week was the annual Rathdrum festival called December Delights. The library participates every year and this year they asked us to do this little booth thing. Myself and another member of the Rathdrum Library knitting group had a little table set up in the library to sort of advertise the group. My friend and fellow member, Barb, and I spent a couple hours answering questions about the group and knitting. There were a lot of people that came. It was fun. Here we are with our little table. We both brought a few small items we'd knitted to display.

I have one more thing. Knitwits had our December distribution meeting earlier this month. We made a total of 1850 items this year. That makes for a lot of bags.

The Coeur d'Alene Press did a very nice article about the group. If you're interested, you can read it if you click on this link:  Knitwits article

So, next Saturday we, that's me, hubby, and Ruth, are flying out to Providence, RI to spend Christmas with our daughter Sarah and her husband. They bought us tickets and I'm very excited. My sister-in-law Kathryn is going to stay at our house while we're away to take care of the fur kids. So I probably won't be blogging anything until after New Years. I promise, I have been knitting and beading. I'll blog about them when I get back.

Have a wonderful holiday celebration, and of course, as always,

Live long and prosper. \\//

Chantal's Green

Well, we're at that time of year when time speeds up to an unreasonable pace and I find myself in panic mode trying to get ready for the holidays. Joy joy. I think there might be less panic, though, because I started earlier than usual with the hand made presents. I got the socks done weeks ago, and I have finished the first beaded gift. Here it is.

The beading technique is Peyote With a Twist. I used the pattern Green by Chantal  Martens which is a free pattern available to the members of the Facebook group Peyote With A Twist - Not Crochet. Obviously, I used different colors since mine isn't green. I used colors I know the recipient of this necklace likes.

The necklace is 19 inches long. It was only 15 inches long when I finished the pattern chart, which is four inches shorter than I wanted, so I started the chart over again and did two inches. Then I added beads on the ends before the clasp to make it a full 19 inches long. I did beaded caps for the ends of the rope, and I'm not happy with them.

I think I could do better, but I've reached my limit on this project. I've put enough hours into it.

It's 18 beads around so I put a cotton cord inside the tube so it can't flatten. It lays nicely when around the neck. All in all, I'm pleased with the results. Pictures don't do it justice.

 On the weekend my daughter who lives in Rhode Island called to tell me she's bought us plane tickets to fly out and stay with her and the son-in-law for Christmas. I think that's pretty exciting. I will have to find someone to take care of the fur kids though. I don't want to kennel Zoey because it's so expensive, and at this time of year almost impossible to find a kennel with an opening. You need to make reservations at least 6 months in advance for Christmas time. And then there's our two cats. Someone will at least need to empty the litter box every so often. I decided to try family members first. My sister-in-law has consented to do it. She'll stay at our house while we're gone. That will be perfect.

We've had cold, but clear weather lately. Sunshine, blue skies, and, at night, stars and temps in the teens F. The ground is solidly frozen.

Birds have started visiting the Parkarosa Bird Buffet again. Just a few. It will get more popular when the snow comes.

Live long and prosper. \\//