Sunday, July 13, 2008

Sunday Quotes

May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.

George Carlin

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Saturday Night Movie



The translation for the opening comment, "usually, it clear who is chasing who."

An elkie doing what she's bred to do.

Friday, July 11, 2008

FO Friday

This was a busy week, because I was getting ready for Fair. The California State Fair! I am submitting several items for judgment. They include the following:

Violet Stitcher's Toys by Martina Weber of Châtelaine Designs. It's a Nantucket Basket with a number of goodies inside, including a scissor fob, two bags, a needle case and two pin cushions.

Violets Stitchers Toys

Violets Stitchers Toys

Violets Stitchers Toys

Violets Stitchers Toys

I'm not showing the two pin cushions, since they are personalized and therefore not included in the submission to Fair.

This has been a suspended state of completion for a while. I decided, however, that I needed to finish it this year so that I could submit it for judgment. I really want a Best in Show - which comes with a Golden Bear Trophy - and this is my best bet. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Everything was hand sewn, including the lining to the basket and the cording around the medallion. I did, however, have to glue down the medallion. I couldn't get a needle through the basket weave without damaging it.

Be Mine

Be Mine by Maureen Appleton for The Heart's Content. This is so far the only piece of needlework that I have started AND finished this year. It's a one-over-one piece on 40 ct silk gauze. Magnification was needed for the completion of this piece, but most of the stitching was done with my naked yes - no contacts - no glasses. It really was the only way I was able to insure the consistency of the stitches. Of course, I was holding it like 10" from my nose. I thank my iPod for getting me through this. TV was useless for this one.

Itty Bitty Dreams

Itty Bitty Dreams by Ruth Sparrow for the Twisted Thread. This is also a one-over-one piece, but done on 32 ct linen - something I can see and watch TV at the same time. I finished this a while ago, but within the judging rules.

Summer at the Beach

A scrapbook layout - Summer at the Beach! I really like how this turned out and the idea I had for the pictures was a fun one. I even added twine and shell beads for some additional texture. We'll see how I do. It's been a while since I competed in scrapbooking.

Here are some familiar pieces:

Lombard Socks

Lombard Street that I finished last year.

The Energy Saga

The Energy Saga - also completed last year.

Lavender Haze Embellished

Lavender Haze - knitting completed last year, embellishment completed this year.

Can you tell I want some ribbons? I love competing.

What did I finish this week? I finished my Summer Fling Bag, but I haven't felted it yet. I will take a picture of that when it is completely done. Here it is as a WIP.

Summer Fling Bag

I also finished two snuggles over the 4th of July weekend. Here is one of them. It's twin is navy blue and unphotogenic.

Waterfall Snuggle

Because it has been forever since I knit a washcloth - I give you My So Called Washcloth #6!

My So Called Washcloth #6

Knit in Coats Creme de la Creme Orangetones.

I also finished a couple more eye masks that Kevin will be trying this weekend. I'll post more about those next week.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

What's On The Needles

I finished another snuggle over the weekend, but Kevin reminded me that I owed him something.

He doesn't sleep well in the mornings on the weekends because the sun is up. He's a little light sensitive. I, on the other hand, can sleep anywhere, anytime, bright sun or pitch black. It's a gift I inherited from my father. Anyway, he wants an eye mask, a sleeping mask.

I started with prototype G1 last weekend. I'm using short rows to structure for the nose. Most eye masks have a notch for the nose, but I wanted to try something different. I am going to make them in a DK weight and Fingering weight. And since money is a little tight right now, I am going to try my hand at designing. So, in essence, I am creating my first published pattern. I already have an idea for socks that I have been wanting to make and a scarf. We'll see how my career goes as a designer.

Wish me luck!

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Thoughts for a Tuesday

It's going to be hotter than Hades today. There is a reason why they named this region Diablo Valley. It's hell's ventilation.

I hate the heat. Really. Truly. Anything over 90 is a recipe for miserable. I knew that when we moved here that it gets hot in the summer, but the last few years we've had more 100 plus days than we have the first 10 years we lived here. I can't remember the last time we were expecting to have 100+ this early in July, and we had it in June too!

This doesn't bode well for the rest of the summer.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Memorable Moments

Sawyer Glacier

Sawyer Glacier - Alaska - June 2004 - Our first cruise.

What I like most about this picture is that I am in my purple glory, on a boat, and it's cold. A trifecta of goodness.

I still have the sunglasses, but they have a bad scratch on one lens that is realllly distracting. The sweater I am wearing is an Annabel Fox pattern in a Donegal Tweed. The scarf I am wearing is a wool/mohair blend combined with nylon ribbon. This is one of a handful of pictures of me wearing hand knitted items. You can also see the strap of my precious Canon EOS Rebel that my dear husband presented to me days before we left on the trip. It was an early birthday present.

An awesome trip with many memorable moments.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Sunday Quotes

Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? They never mention that part to us, do they?

George Carlin

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Saturday Night Movie

Since my birthday was this week, I thought this was an appropriate video. Thankfully, there is no recorded evidence that I ever had such trouble blowing out candles.

Friday, July 04, 2008

4th of July

Remember

Thank you to all of the firefighters from near and far that are helping with the crews in the Sierra Foothills, Big Sur and Redding fires. Many have given up their holidays with family to give their assistance. We are deeply grateful for your sacrifice.

And to all those serving in the armed forces, I thank you for your service. May you all be granted a safe return to your loved ones.

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

What's On The Needles

I started a new bag. I'm calling it the Jewel Bag.

Lamb's Pride and Pepita

Lamb's Pride and Trendsetter Yarns Pepita.

Jewel Bag WIP

Not too bad, so far. I hope it will felt nicely. I'm using US 6 needles. The design is basic, but I plan on adding embellishments and a leather handles.

I probably won't be blogging finished items this week, since the 4th of July is Friday.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Thoughts for a Tuesday

Here's a thought - why is everything I really love to eat really bad for me?