Yesterday's WIP Wednesday

Intended to post this yesterday, but didn't get it done.

Making more progress on the mini Star Trek. The Squire of  Gothos .

I have just three characters left.

Last night I finished sewing together the Entrelac jacket.

I tried to sew the collar on-ugh. It was awful. In retrospect, I could have picked up stitches and knit it on. Would have been easier, I think. But, oh well. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out how to sew it on. My brain just wasn't working for me. So I asked for help in the Knit and Chat group on Facebook. They were so helpful. It all came back to me how to do it and I am quite happy with the results.

I was putting a 1 by 1 rib cast on edge (collar) to a 1 by 1 rib bind off edge. The stitch count is different on the two pieces, so it wasn't a case of matching up perfect. It's pretty thick and bulky for such a small sweater too, so I put the right side of the collar to the wrong side of the jacket and slip stitched the two edges together. It reduced the bulk of the seam allowance perfectly. I'm happy with the result.

Inside, where the right side should be so the collar rolls to the back.

Outside under collar. Collar will fold over and hide allowance.

Today I have Yarnies so I'll work on the matching hat. I already have the brim done. The main body of the hat is next. I have been looking for some Entrelac booties I could do to match, but so far have not found anything I like. I may just do the usual plain booties.

Ta ta for now.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Hats

Just a quick post so you know I'm still alive. I'm using my phone to post this.

I took a break from the entrelac project to knit doll hats. I have seven outfits made for the shop that need them. I've done five.

A sixth is almost done. I'm looking forward to getting them in the shop.

Saw my doctor today. I've been coughing a lot for several weeks now,  and I needed to do something about it. I asked what is causing the cough? He answered "Linda, that is the asthma".  Oh. Oops. The new asthma medication I started in January is not working. So now I'm taking Prednisone for a week and starting yet another new asthma medication. Ugh. I hope it works cuz I'm so tired of coughing.

Had a nice day weather-wise. Warm sunshine for a bit. I opened the back door and let the fresh air in for a couple hours.

We have snow storm warnings starting late tonight until late tomorrow night. What the...?

Live long and prosper. \\//

The Simple Woman's Daybook April 6, 2018

Outside my window... It's a gray, damp, cold, dreary day out there, but the birds are happily feasting at the Parkarosa Bird Buffet. Most of the snow had melted off. In fact, there isn't any on the back deck. Now, if temps would get above 50, I could start enjoying the deck again.

I am thinking... it was a very wise choice to hire an accountant to do our taxes this year. She just finished them this past week. She is awesome. She found ways to save money on our taxes that we would never have known about. Well worth the fee she charged. We'll have more of the severance pay left in the bank than we thought we would.

I am thankful for... the fact I got to go on that Star Trek cruise last year. I know I didn't blog much about it, but it was so much fun. Definitely something very special. We were fortunate to have William Shatner as our host. He just turned 87 a few days ago, so I know the days are numbered to see him.

From the kitchen... It's nice and clean in there right now. I am planning to make cube steak for dinner tonight. I haven't done cube steak since forever. Definitely since before we had kids.

I am wearing... blue jeans and a purple and pink print button down blouse that is super comfortable. It's made of that fabric that is wrinkled. When you wash it, you twist it real tight before hanging it on a hanger to dry. I forget what that fabric is called. Skirts made of it were super popular a couple decades ago.

I am creating... doll hats. I had 6 Ellowyne outfits that needed hats. I've knit 4 so far this week. Only have 2 more to make. I am taking a short break from the Entrelac project, for sanities sake.

I am going... nowhere today. I don't feel well. I had a very bad night last night and several nights before. My new asthma medication is making me cough, and cough, and cough and keeping me up at night. I cough up big huge globs of white goo. I've made an appointment to see my doctor next week and have stopped taking the medication, called Advair. I want my Pulmicort back. I had to stop taking it because the insurance wouldn't cover it anymore. It worked so well I hardly ever had to use my inhaler. With the Advair, I'm using the inhaler 2 or 3 times a DAY. I'm miserable too.

I am reading... Dorothy Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey novels. The Wimsey novels are some of the best detective mysteries ever written. I own them all, but hadn't read them all yet. I decided to read them in order from the first to the last, chronologically. I started about a month ago. I'm really enjoying them. I'm all the way up to Have His Carcase. When I can't sleep, I read.

I am listening… to the television. Shrek the Third is on.

I am hoping… my cough will go away. I've stopped taking the Advair in hopes that will help. I'm also hoping sweet hubby finds a job, though it's been pretty discouraging so far. It's turning out to be very difficult to find one because the application process is so designed against the applicant.

Around the house... all the fur kids are asleep. It's peaceful and quiet. Except the tv, of course.

One of my favorite things... animated movies. Especially the Shrek movies and the Disney Classics. We've got quite a collection of DVD's of animated movies.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just get through the week. Sunday is the Inland Northwest Freethought Society meeting. Tuesday I have Rathdrum Knitalong-which reminds me, we have new members now. The group is growing again thanks to the library actually working to promote the group. Wednesday I see Dr. Lindford about the medication. Thursday is Yarnies. Friday I get to stay home. Somewhere in all that I'll fit the laundry, house cleaning, grocery shopping, etc, etc.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing... The newest outfit I've put in the shop, modeled by Ellowyne. Whatcha think?

If you want to join the Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 3/28/2018

I would have posted this earlier this morning, but I was having computer problems. My virus protection software disappeared. I spent all morning figuring out what happened to it. Apparently, a virus got on my computer that was blocking the virus protection program. Thankfully the company that makes my virus program had a little program I could download and run that fixed the problem, but it took me a long time to figure out that was my solution.

Sheesh! Time flies when you're busy. Here's an update of the current WIPS.

In knitting, I've finished knitting all the cardigan pieces. It's time to sew them all together. (The cat ears are Merino laying in the window bed soaking up sunshine.)

I tried sewing the first sleeve on yesterday, but I was not feeling well which made everything I tried to do end in disaster, so I put it away for the day. Cross stitching went much better.

On the Mini Star Trek I've finished 4 more characters since I last posted about it. All of Mudd's women are done. I made some changes to two of the gals. I wanted them to look more like the tv characters so I added the white collar to the green dress, and changed the sleeve on the purple dress, as well as making it purple instead of blue like it is in the pattern.

The next character is one of the aliens from The Cage/Menagerie episode.

and the Orion slave girl from that same episode.

I only have 5 left to do. I'm having so much fun with this project.

It's a beautiful sunny day at the moment, though I see grey clouds headed this way. Earlier this week we got snow. Winter is still trying to hang on, but we're definitely getting into spring. We're starting to have 5 minute weather. I got hailed on yesterday while sitting in the hot tub. It felt like I was getting hit with little needles. I ducked under the water until it was over.

I wish it was warm enough to sit out on the deck. Soon, though. Soon we'll be having warmer days.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Finally In The Shop

I spent the weekend working on my Etsy shop, amongst other things. I finished up the following two outfits to fit Iplehouse JID dolls, photographed them, and entered them in the shop. I sure hope they sell.

Sierra is modeling them. I think she looks very elegant.

I plan to make some jewelry and hats to go with a few of the doll dresses I made last year (Or was it the year before?) and getting the dresses up on Etsy before the end of the month. Hopefully, I will start generating some sales. I kind of loathe knitting doll hats, but I feel the need to have them.

The weather warmed up over the weekend and today was glorious. I actually sat out on the deck and read a novel in the sunshine for awhile. It was so nice after the last 2 weeks of snow and cold. The sun was warm, and the air smelled nice. I think spring is finally coming. I was surrounded by piles of snow, but the sun was so warm it didn't matter. The snow is melting like crazy.

I gave the scarf to Jim yesterday and he loves it. I'm so glad. He probably won't get much use out of it now, but it'll be there for him next winter.

I finished the second sleeve of the entrelac cardigan. I need to block the pieces before I can continue with the knitting. I will try to get that done tomorrow morning before I go to Rathdrum Knitalong. Then I'll be all set for knitting the next step.

That's all for now. Live long and prosper. \\//

Damn, It's Pretty!

I have finished the man's scarf I've been working on.

Pattern: Simple Striped Scarf by Rosemary Drysdale

Size: 60 inches

Yarn: Universal Yarns Bamboo Pop
Content: 50% Bamboo, 50% Cotton, Sport weight
Colors: 112 Black, 120 Graphite

Needles: Circular size 5

Started: Februaru 25, 2018
Finished: March 8, 2018

Comments: This scarf turned out magnificent. I love it! It is in a book written by Rosemary Drysdale titled Seed Stitch: Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1. I made the scarf 6 inches wide rather than 8. I like it a little thinner. The pattern is super simple and easy to memorize, so it's great for portable knitting.

The yarn is very soft to the touch. It should feel good around the neck.

I'll be giving it to the recipient Sunday, I hope. Following are artsy fartsy pics of this lovely scarf.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday February 28, 2018

Another WIP post. I needed to start a knitting project that would be easily portable. I decided to make a scarf for a male acquaintance. I bought some Universal Yarns Bamboo Pop in black and granite. I picked one of the scarf patterns from my new knitting book,  Seed Stitch Beyond Knit 1, Purl 1. I have been enjoying it so much. It's a 4 row stitch pattern easily memorized. It's knitting up fairly quickly despite the size 5 needles and thinner yarn.

I worked on the entrelac cardigan sleeve but didn't make much headway because I frogged it and started over. I've just gotten back to where I was before frogging. It's looking much better.

I worked on my Mini Star Trek a bit too. I have a good part of the Mudd's woman wearing the green dress stitched.

The pattern has a very different green. Almost a teal color, and I was going to use it, but then I thought I'd google a pic and found out her dress is more this limey color than what the pattern has.

The third lady is wearing a light purple dress too, whereas the pattern has her in blue. I'm using the purple.

I purchased a lap stand for doing my stitching this last week. It arrived today. It's a K's Creations Z stand with the Q-Snap compatible clamp.

It makes stitching a little easier because my hands are free from holding the frame. I used to sell a lot of them in my shop. I have no idea why I didn't bring one home.

The hot tub started leaking pretty badly again. I've put in some Leak Fixer and it's working. Two days and no leaks. Now I'm waiting for it to cure, which takes 3 days. I hope it works longer than it did the first time. I'm about ready to give up on this hot tub. It's pretty old. I think the acrylic is just giving out and cracking.

Sweet hubby had a job interview this morning with a company in Spokane, WA. He said he thinks it went well. I guess we'll find out for sure eventually. If he gets hired, we won't have to move. Job hunting is so hard.

Live long and prosper. \\//