Crafts are my passion, Cats are my obsession

TV (and progress at the end)

2012-02-11T10:33:00.002-06:00

So, we switched out part of our TV channel package a month ago. We used to get the food channel, the HGTV channel, and a couple other lifestyle types like that. We used to watch them - not often, but a few times when there was nothing much on between other show times. Sometimes I'd watch food in the day time (which is why I now make my own hot wings) and for a while we watched it late afternoon before the news came on. But, then there were repeats of the shows, and other channels changed their line-ups. So, recently, we were re-evaluating our TV habits and the choices available. Switched out the channels we don't watch anymore in that group for one with some movie channels. I'm also thinking of adding another "extra" group of movie channels that are on a free trial right now, ending at the end of this week. Would be an extra five bucks a month. But, considering alternatives, that isn't too bad - it would cost us that and more to rent a movie. The only real difference is if you rent, you pick the movie. Anyway - the reason I'm writing this today - the TV is on in the livingroom, where hubby is watching it. I heard an advertisement for a "new" program coming on one of the new channels we picked up - and I have to wonder.

Ok. Our TV provider comes up with these packages of channels - for the most part, there are four channels per package. You can get one, two, three, etc. packages - certain groupings get you a deal - if you get three groups, or six groups... we have six groups. If you just drop one group, you get charged for the three group, and two individuals. I did that once accidently - Fortunately, it didn't cost too much, because we only got charged for a part of the month. Anyway - I wish the packages were set up a little different, because there are some that we really only watch one or two of the four in the group. Like, the one we dropped - there were four channels in it, but I only recall the food and the hgtv, because those were the only two I ever did watch from the group.

So, the reason I explained that bit - I would have gladly given up A&E and TLC because I truly don't see too much "art and entertainment" shows, nor much educational stuff on The Learning Channel anymore - there seems to be a plethora of shows that fall under "reality" that in my opinion, are boring and stupid. I mean, really - they glorify boring jobs, or single out people who make mistakes, and sometimes, I wonder just how much is staged and scripted - not really real. I know a lot of editing is done; and there are a lot of things that seem to happen excitingly fast, but are really slow slow slow.... Sadly, some viewers (people I know and talk to, and consider to be intelligent) actually believe that the reality show is a reflection of reality. I mean, anyone who thinks the dog whisperer can really retrain a problem dog in just 30 minutes isn't living in reality either. (Yes, I know a couple of people who believe that.)

Now, I will admit to having watched "Hoarders". Honestly, it makes me feel a little better, to know I am not *that* bad. And, I have seen (I'm not sure "watched" is the right description, because that implies an active interest, not an occasional glance at the screen between checking a complex lace pattern chart and my knitting) things like American Pickers, storage wars, pawn stars, and those sorts of shows. Now, I'd love it if one day, instead of making these things look like every day you get to find something worth thousands of dollars and you only pay tens of dollars to get it, that they would show the times that those two guys drive hundreds of miles, spending gas, hotel rooms, restaurant food, and come out empty handed. I'll bet there are more of those days than the other. And that storage wars? Who cares?

Ok, so - here's the thing - the new show that is about to start on one of the new channels we just switched to - "comic book guys". Really. Now we'll be able to watch a show about a bunch of guys who bought a comic book store.

I have just one question.

WHY?????????

When will this cycle of reality shows end, and get back to either truly informative shows or purely entertainment shows? Like sitcoms, or cop shows, or heck, even variety shows? And I really hope that the learning channel goes back to helping us learn things, real things. Like science and nature things. (I'm not fond of game shows, but some of those can offer learning opportunities...)

Oh, and for what it is worth - I don't have anything really against the dog whisperer - I don't always agree with everything he does with dogs, but I also don't disagree with everything either. And I will admit that the show does provide some information that would be useful to people - as long as those people realize that dog training takes time, consistency, and repetition.

As for the socks - I finished them last night. Wearing them today. Took a picture this morning, but am going to wait to download and post until I have a few more to share. :) Also, did a bunch of ends on the afghan. So, I have 8 more of those to do. Nearly done!!!

Busy day means late to post again

2012-02-10T14:40:00.002-06:00

Well, whatever it was that ailed me yesterday was gone by today. Either I ate something wrong, or didn't eat something right, or maybe a combination of those. Last night, I was super tired, so I also never quite finished the green socks. Nearly, but not quite. Today, I was going for my usual chiropractor appointment, and then after that, meeting my nephew for lunch. So, I took along a circular needle, and a ball of yarn, and started on the current six sox sock - sea cruise, I think is the name. I got about half the hemmed cuff of one sock done at the chiro.'s. I thought I'd have chance to knit while waiting for my nephew, but the chiro was super busy, so I did all the knitting there. I was on time for lunch, but no extra wait time. :) It was good to catch up with him. Get to know him - I haven't seen him since he was about ten or 12... He's older than my son, so that should indicate it's been a while!! I mean, heck, I'm a grandma already!

So, one of my goals was to have started on my document by today. Didn't happen, but - I did spend some time at the library yesterday looking up some books to help me with it. I did get a book from the library a couple weeks ago, but it is written from a slightly different perspective than I need. There was still some good general information, but I needed to do some more research. I'm really starting to feel I can handle this. :) Reminding myself of all the A's and A+'s I got on papers in University really helped. At least, even if I didn't start typing it out, or even draw up the outline, at least I got some research done. And during a discussion with DH, I managed to solve a bit of a problem I was having with one area.

Now, I really need to make sure I finish my green socks, get some more done on Hermione (I didn't take it with me, because I find double points in waiting rooms don't always work well), try to do more of the mystery sock, work on the sea socks, pull out the cape so I can get it into rotation, take a bunch of pictures, weave the last 16 ends on my blanket, get typing, and work on the special project all this weekend. I really need to make sure I get cracking, because the month is one third over, and I've really not reached any goals....

So - I guess that is all for today. It isn't easy to do, but I will try to write again over the weekend. :) Hopefully, with some real decent progress reports!

So much to say...

2012-02-09T11:56:00.002-06:00

First off, let's get this comment thing out of the way. I was just wandering around the help section of blogger... I must say, I'm a little disappointed. I realize that when a service gets too big, that it can be time consuming and expensive to have a live type help - and emailing back and forth between a user and a tech can also drag out. BUT - to not be able to find the issue easily, to have to try to sift through a forum/bulletin board system, where other users are expected to try to help, just doesn't really address the issue of a feature not working properly.

I went to a friend's blog, and commented on her recent post. I was able to, but it did take three or four tries, and at one point, it came up that I needed to still type in the word verification, but I managed to notice that it also said my comment was awaiting moderation - my friend did approve it and it now shows up. Why my blog is giving another of my friends so much trouble, I really haven't figured out. And I still don't know how to turn off that feature... :(

So, here is what she wrote that never got posted on February 6:

I have toadmit, I have been a little busy with the baby, this past month, and am justnow starting to catch up... But I don't look at it multiple times a day. I do very much enjoy reading your posts, and I am looking forward toseeing your socks. I agree with you about the housecleaning business, andwith 2 kids between the ages 2 and 5, I have to admit that my house is notclean up to that arbitrary standard either. :D But the kids arehappy (most of the time) and healthy, and I am not going out of my mind tryingto clean all day every day. So I think it is a good thing. And anyvisitors? They wouldn't show up without advance notice, so I would haveplenty of time to clean at that point. Much less stressful this way,which means it is better for my health, right? ;)

That was all in response to my posting about not knowing how many people actually look at/read my blog each day. After this, though, I think I'll go with the report that I get emailed every Saturday from the hit counter people. Since blogger is messing up with the comments section, maybe the counter is out of whack, too.

Now, on February 7, she wrote:

Here iswhat I was trying to post on your comments. Isn't it the pits when thewebsite doesn't behave and there is not much you can do about it?

I hate itwhen you rewind a ball and it decides for no good reason to snarl. Itjust uses up so much good knitting time! Sorry to hear it happened toyou.

I amstill looking forward to the pictures! :D

Well, I did manage to get that ball rewound properly, but I haven't yet cast on. I'm getting too excited to be close to finishing the green socks. Which I posted a picture of yesterday. Last night, I got several rounds done, and I think I'm going to have more than enough yarn to finish these without needing to do the cuff in a complementary yarn. And, now that there is more length to the leg, I was able to tell that it is snug enough on my leg. So, overall, I am pleased with these socks and the yarn and the pattern. I'm even getting excited enough to finish them off - getting one project off the list for things to finish, as well as getting a new pair of socks to wear. I'm trying to behave and finish them before starting the new pair. For that matter, I am nearly done the afghan, too, and can cross it off the list. :) I haven't done ends for a couple days now; last night I was sewing some snaps on one of DH's shirts. He has this nice heavy denim type shirt that he loves, but the collar insists on curling and sticking up. He wanted me to figure out a way to reinforce the collar points, or something, to make them stay down. Between us, we came up with the idea of sewing on snaps. Since I've become slightly disorganized during the organization process, it was faster and easier to go buy a small packet of snaps. And, since the shirt was in the laundry yesterday, instead of hanging it up when it was dry, I put it with the craft stuff in the living room, and sewed on the snaps last night before knitting.

I also realized last night, that I made a slight error in my post yesterday - it has been FOUR years since Spud went to the Rainbow Bridge. Some how, it just didn't seem that long ago...

More sock pictures:

These socks have a lot of stretch to them, fortunately, but the top cast on row is a little tight - I'm really going to have to be careful with these socks when I wash them. I took another picture of these in the sunlight, because it finally worked out to show the turquoisy colour of the yarn. :)

Hermione socks before heel turn:

That picture shows the variety of colours, but doesn't do the blue justice - yet, to get the blue right, the rest of the colours don't really show up well.

So, I guess that means that I'm going to have to do a lot of speed knitting tonight! I've shared all the pictures that I have ready to share! I'll have to make some progress on the socks so I can take new pictures. I think I already said that when I'm done all the ends on the afghan, that I'm not doing a new picture of it. But I'll report as I get more done - 16 ends still need weaving at the moment. And, I do need to get off my butt and work on the older projects. And the craft room. And the special project, which I should be doing today, but have had too many interruptions - I did start on it, and try, but it is garbage day so every little sound the dogs have to go out. And it is another of the cold snaps, so the dogs don't want to stay out. And, I think I'm coming down with something - can't seem to stay out of the bathroom (sorry about the TMI). And for some reason, when I started typing this post, I started getting shaky hands and arms... usually that sort of thing happens when I'm getting a nasty flu or something. I hope not - I hate being sick, and honestly, I dont' get sick that often. Anyway, I also get shaky like that when I haven't eaten properly - so, I did take a bit of a break and made something to munch on. I do seem to be a little better.

Well - it is still somewhat early, the garbage guys still have to come for the blue box, I do need to do a small errand today, so I might combine it with a couple other things (library trip, fuel for vehicle) so I dont' have to do them tomorrow. I was hoping not to have to do anything outside the house today, but life had other plans. Anyway, tomorrow I wont' get much done, because I have my chiropractor appointment, then I have a stop to make on the way home. Yesterday I was out for lunch with a friend. Anyway, I still might be able to accomplish something today. If not special project, then house stuff. Or maybe I'll finally start on that document I need to write.

*sigh*. If I could just spend less time on this computer on the internet, and more time doing useful things on it, or staying off altogether and doing other things instead, I'd probably be a lot further ahead!!! At least I've broken the habit of going online in the evenings...

pictures progress nearly finished a pair :)

2012-02-08T14:46:00.001-06:00

Well, I`m nearly finished a pair of socks.

ARRGGHHH.... Ok, I don`t know if anyone can help me. I don`t know if anyone can post comments - I tried to do so on a friend`s blog, after the problems with mine - it was a chore. But, that isn`t what I need help with. My keyboard. It does weird things, and just when I think I know the cause, I don`t have a clue to the cure. See my apostrophes above? Well - they aren`t apostrophes. They`re French characters. Like, look what happens if I hit the key I normally do for a question mark.... É. It took me along time to find the real one - it is above the number 6. Instead of the caret. (The little tent thing. Which I can`t find right now.) Anyway, every so often, when I miss hitting the key I mean to (usually the shift key) I hit a different one - either control, or alt or something - but in conjunction with whatever other key is needed to switch the keyboard from standard to these other characters. Sometimes, it goes back to normal after I switch off or even just power down to sleep mode. So, again, I have no idea how or why.

If anyone knows, please either comment here if you can, or email me at catsrme at (can`t find the at symbol either) gmail.com. Thank you!!

Now, as I was saying....

The other day, I started the gusset increases on the green toe-up socks. Last night, I turned the heel, and started on the leg. Doing a knit 3 purl 1 rib. When I took further progress pictures, the sun was such that I was able to get a closer - much closer - to accurate representation of the colour of the yarn. So, here are some pictures of that, as well as the sock on my foot. Showing that my worry from yesterday was unfounded - they fit great!!! :)

The one on the right is the best - lime green! Reminds me of when I was younger.... This is the leftover Cascade 220 from the mittens and hat set I made for a lady my husband works with.

I may try to sneak a few decreases into the leg of the sock - it fits the foot perfect, but seems a bit loose on the leg. Not sure if it is the stitch count (never had a problem before) or the fact it is a worsted weight yarn being knit to a tighter gauge so it is coming out fairly stiff, and not hugging. It could also be the lack of progress on the leg- might not be enough to give an accurate `feel` to the ribbing.

I still like the socks, though. Nice and soft yarn, very easy to knit with.

I do have some more pictures ready - but think I`ll save them. I get annoyed with the keyboard not co-operating....

What I will mention - should have been said yesterday, but for some reason I wasn`t paying attention to any calendars until after I`d posted here. Didn`t want to do a second post. Yesterday was the three year anniversary of the passing of my little Spud-puppy. She wasn`t as flamboyant as Bear was, but she is still loved and missed. Sweet little girl....gone but not forgotten, playing with Bear at the Rainbow Bridge, waiting for us.

Running late again...

2012-02-07T14:49:00.002-06:00

And I always rush the posts when I'm running late...

No pictures :( I did take some, but didn't edit them. Last night I just worked on the Hermione sock. Am nearly finished the gusset decreases. Different heel; at least the flap part of it. I think it will be nice enough.

Didn't weave in any ends. Did try to wind a ball of yarn yesterday. For some reason, it decided to tangle itself up. I have a swift and ball winder, and I know how to use them. Because the first winding is often tight, I like to rewind. It was during the rewind - I have no idea how, but suddenly the yarn decided to snarl. I had to abort the rewind, and put the mess aside until I had time to deal with it. This happened yesterday afternoon - I had a little time to kill. Turned out to be taking way too long... anyway, instead of working in ends on the afghan, I worked on unsnarling the yarn. Now, I need to rewind it on the ball winder again.... Will be doing that when I get off here. It's a nice feeling sock yarn. Cascade Heritage. Lovely dark blue- navy blue. I'm going to do the six sox sock in that yarn for DH. Will do another pair in a medium blue - a royal blue -of the same yarn for me.

I was talking yesterday about the comments and page views. I got an email from a friend, that apparently, blogger is acting up. She tried to post comments, (and I forgot to copy her email here to share - will do that tomorrow, I promise!!) but the security "type in this code" thing wasn't working for her. That sucks...

Back when I first started this blog, I didn't worry about comment moderation. Then, I got a bunch of spam. Couldn't figure out how to remove the spam at first, and I didn't want to keep getting more. So, I turned on the moderation. Not to keep anyone out, but more to avoid possibly offending anyone due to the content of any spam. I dont' know what would happen if I turned off moderation now... Honestly, I'm not even sure how to. I mean, I guess there would be a way, but I haven't gone exploring for it. Anyway, if anyone else has been trying to comment, I'd appreciate knowing about it. I have an account over at gmail.com that you could email me. Most of my friends are familiar with my email address, but in case you aren't (I know that you can go to my blogger profile and send me email that way, but it may be acting up too) but want to send me a note telling me if you can't post comments, you can email me at catsrme at gmail dot com. Well, I don't want to make it clickable!! I'm sure everyone can figure that all out, right? :)

Well, I guess that is it for now. Off to try to rewind a ball of yarn....

Strange...

2012-02-06T14:04:00.001-06:00

I find it strange. When I publish my post, I get a screen with the last however many posts listed in a column, and there are other columns with date, time, how many comments, how many views... For the last month, there have been no comments (fine) and no views. Huh. Well, I mean, I am doing the blog for me. But, I know that some people tell me that they do read it. So, why is it telling me no views? And, what is more strange - Back when the blog was in its infancy, I found one of those hit counter places and things to put on the blog. Of course, that does register if *I* look at my own blog - it doesn't distinguish. And, it gives me a report every week to my email. According to that report (which I usually don't bother to read most weeks, I just save them) for the past week, there have been a lot of views on my blog. Yes, I did look at it myself a couple times, but not 15!!! So, now I don't know if anyone really is reading every day or not!

Again, it doesn't matter that much, just leaves me more confused about how all this stuff works...

Anyway - I'm working on the socks. Yeah, I know - which ones? I did several rounds on the mystery sock. And I did some of the gusset increases on the toe up sock. I'm nervous about that one - I may have done too many rounds before starting the gusset. Being new to the whole toe up thing. It did take me a few pair of socks to know when to start decreasing for the toe when I first started knitting cuff down socks. Now I pretty much know that like the back of my foot. (being silly - phrase is "like the back of my hand") I also haven't knit more on the Hermione socks. I rushed some of my posts this weekend, to be honest. I didn't really talk much about the Brittany needles. I do like the needle; feels nice just like bamboo needles. Doesn't seem to have as much drag as the bamboo, but isn't slippery. And they are shorter - 5 inches instead of the usual 6. THAT I really notice. I'm not sure I like the shorter length. Pokes the heel of my hand. Not happy about that bit... May need to practice and try adjusting the way I hold them. Or something... Because other wise I like them just fine. Oh, and I have 16 more ends to work in on the blanket.

I think I've come to a conclusion about the house. If I don't clean it, we never really have company, because the house isn't clean enough. If I clean it, we never really have company anyway, because the house isn't big enough. So, why am I wasting my time agonizing over the house and whether or not I can get it up to some arbitrary standard, when it doesn't make a bit of difference? Why should I keep getting frustrated, stressed, depressed, etc. instead of just deciding, the Hell with it all, no guilt, I'm gonna do what makes me happy. Sure, sometimes that might be cleaning or organizing, but if I don't do any, if instead I decide to knit or crochet, and watch a movie I recorded that I never seem to find time to watch otherwise, then who really cares? I don't - and I can't see anyone else caring either, since no one ever comes here.

The worst part about no one coming here (besides me feeling very lonely) is that my dogs aren't getting socialized much. So, when someone does come, (Ok, yes, there are rare times that someone comes) Delko is reverting back to his shyness and fear of strangers, and Lady just gets very excited. I've been working on that for training, but it is kind of hard when you don't get the opportunity for the situation to present itself to work on the behaviour....

In the meantime, since she is doing so well at playing, and since praise is such an effective reward for these two dogs now, I'm working on some other training issues with them. Lady's dominance is really hanging on; she's asserting it with her reactions to recall training. As in, when I tell her to come, or call her by name, she acknowledges that she has heard me, but takes her time responding. Like, she'll come when she is ready... I'm also trying to get her to learn to stop barking after a reasonable time - like, you want your dog to bark some when a stranger is near, but not to keep barking when they've gone half way down the street!

Training a dog requires a great deal of consistency - which is another reason housework is welcome to take a back seat right now. How can I get a dog to stop barking, if it takes me five minutes to stop what I'm doing, put away any soap/chemicals, rinse/dry my hands, go to the door... by then, she's quiet anyway! So, I can't get involved too deeply in a job that I can't stop quickly to deal with other stuff.

I also need to get busy writing up that document!!!!!!!! MUST DO!!

Now, I need to go take some pictures of some socks, so I can share them tomorrow :)

Learning to read

2012-02-05T10:48:00.000-06:00

Well, at least, learning to pay attention to what I read. Though, DH did the same thing.

The other day, we looked up on our search feature on the TV guide thing (the onscreen one, not a paper version) to see when that Walking Dead show would be on. It said, Sat (date) then the times followed. Well, there we were, settling in to watch - and in the time before 7 pm, I decided to do a fast check if there were going to be some movies or whatever, and to check what channel I would be changing to for the Walking Dead. I was very surprised to see it wasn't on.... I used the search button again, and discovered.... Sat 2/11.

So, next weekend, we'll be watching....

I worked on the Hermione socks, though. Got the leg done. Watching Jurassic Park. And, I worked in four ends - so I have 22 ends to go on the afghan.

No pics to show, though.

Tonight - I'm not sure whether to work on the heel of Hermione, the mystery sock, or the green socks. Maybe I'll dig out the stuff I need to do that cape. I'm not sure yet what mood I'll be in. I really want to finish off the socks before the end of the month; the cape will definitely take longer to complete. Of course, if I dont' even work on it, it will never get finished! I also decided yesterday that I need to come up with a "truck project". Something that won't be on a deadline, that will be mindless enough to pick up and put down any time, that I can work on when I find myself needing to kill time waiting while something is happening.

So, I did think of a sock - small, portable, etc. But between the heel turn and everything else, it wouldn't really be the best choice. Besides, it would take FOREVER to complete the pair. So, I think I'll find a couple short straight needles from my collection, and a ball (or two) of cotton, and put them in a ziplock type bag and I can work on a dishcloth. Small enough, mindless enough, and will actually get finished one day!

Not much interesting or exciting happening otherwise lately. I've been spending way too much time on the computer, instead of spending it on the craft room or typing that document I need to get busy typing. I think I'll make it a goal to get at least the outline done this week - for sure. Mini goal within the month goal...

Brittany Birch

2012-02-04T14:32:00.001-06:00

I like them. Or, at least, I like the 2.75mm needles I bought.

First, last night, I worked in some ends on the afghan. I now have 26 more to do. Then, I worked on a few rounds of the green socks. And, finally, I did several rounds of the Hermione socks. I'm not anywhere near finished them, but already I like the pattern. Mindless enough not to be tethered to a pattern, but interesting enough not to become bored. This is what they looked like before I started with the Brittany's.

The pattern calls for 18 by 4 row pattern repeats. I've got 12 done. I'll take a picture then, before I start the heel. It's a basic heel, but the flap is knit a little different than most. So, I'll be pattern-bound when I start it. Maybe happen tonight, maybe not till tomorrow. But I'll likely do the 6 repeats tonight. There is going to be a back-to-back "rerun" of the first season of a show that we've never seen before tonight, that we're going to watch the pilot for. Some of you likely have seen it; the title seems familiar to me. Walking Dead. I'm sure some of my friends/facebook friends have mentioned it. So, I'll need something mindless for watching the first episode. If we like it, I'll be recording the rest, and we'll add it to the list of shows that we consider "watchable".

I mentioned a few posts back about some of the newer shows we've been watching. I finally got around to doing a bit of research. I see that Criminal Minds Suspect behaviour never made it after the first season. Too bad. And apparently Terra Nova is on thin ice - I'll be ticked if it doesn't come back. Time travel stories always fascinate me.

I guess the most frustrating thing about watching TV - of course you can't please everyone, and everyone has different tastes, but it can sure be annoying when producers or whoever makes the decisions gets on bandwagons and you end up with nothing to watch; or they finally smarten up and start showing some decent movies, then you suddenly can't watch or record all the great shows all at once so you can watch them when there is nothing but trash on. *sigh*. The biggest issue, in my point, is that there isn't enough variety on TV. Seems all the new shows are a variety on a theme, and all the repeat shows are a variation on a theme. On any given night, there are at least a dozen "so you think people give a rat's butt you think you have some sort of talent" shows. Or a half dozen "I do a job no one else has the guts to do but somebody thinks you might want to watch me deal with an extreme asshole or situation" shows. I know I have a fairly limited interest in movie genres, and they tend to run in groups - like for a while, all the new movies being made might be sci-fi (yay) or romantic comedy (ick) and so on, but when you have a dozen or more movie channels, you'd *think* they could run some of the "good old oldies" in between the current genre du jour. Right now we're at the tail end of a free trial run of some channels our cable provider is adding; so there is a lot to choose from, in the "good old oldies" category. But, I only have so much recording room on the DVR!! So, I guess I have to spend some more time in front of the tube, or let some pass by for now, hoping they come on again in the not too distant future.

So, that's were I'll leave you for today. Me planning some more end-weaving and sock knitting, and some possible good TV watching, and you - well, doing whatever it is you do :)

Sock report

2012-02-03T14:37:00.001-06:00

So, I wove in a few ends on the afghan last night. Still have a bunch to go, but since it isn't my favourite thing to do, and since the blanket is for me, I'm just going to do a few a night until they're done.

Knit several rounds on the green socks. This is what they were when I started last night:

They are now half way up the foot. By the time I'm done tonight, I should be ready to start the gusset increases. UNLESS....

I was at my new favourite yarn store today. Splurged on the yarn to make the new Six Sox socks for this session. They are a gansey style sock - that means, have a few texture patterns with a common gansey motif of anchors. If I recall, there was a cable, too... I may be wrong on that bit - I just remember the anchors down the leg, and little sailboats on the foot. I checked out the solid colour sock yarn that the store was getting in. Cascade Heritage sock yarn (they had one with silk in it, too - next time!) in a lovely medium blue. Looks kind of like how the turquoise socks I'm working on kind of turn out in pictures here, lol. And they had a dark blue, too. Couldn't resist - I'm going to make a pair each for me and for DH. His will be the dark blue, mine the light. Now, contrary to what you may think, I'm not starting these socks right away. See, I also bought new needles. I mentioned I'm tired of the ebony Lantern Moon needles breaking. So, I asked about bamboo needles. What she had in stock right now was Brittany Birch needles. I've never tried those, so I'm interested to see how they do. SO, I may just work on the Hermione sock for a while tonight. Or, I might work on the turquoise socks - I am not sure what the TV will be like tonight. The turquoise require a certain amount of paying attention to the pattern, so that might make them not doable just now. Oh, and I have to get busy making decisions on the flora/fauna socks - I have a couple cat's paw lace patterns, slight difference in them, to pick from. I need to get that going, too. Then, I'll be up to the heel already on those - and I am writing the pattern down as I go. I may need to tweak the pattern and reknit the socks before I can share, though. :(

So, that is where I'm up to. Working on the UFO socks, needing to do the UFO cape, the UFO crochet set, pick a new technique to practice, spin a little (I also bought some hand-plucked angora to try spinning up - there won't be much, so I don't know what I'll be making with it; maybe enough for a skinny scarf, or maybe I can just spin it for the joy of spinning... need to decide if I'll spin on the wheel or spindle. Probably spindle, as there is only one ounce so the wheel seems too big somehow)

Let's talk about the weather.

2012-02-02T14:10:00.001-06:00

Seriously, I'm running out of things to talk about!!

So, another ground hog day, and another year I get all confused about shadow or not, 6 weeks of winter or 6 weeks of winter.... Really, that is why I was always confused. I mean, where I live, the exception is to have only 6 more weeks of winter from this point. One year, there was a blizzard in May. Most years, snow hangs around to at least mid April. Sometimes, though, it can get warm in March. I remember one year, being outside in the middle of the afternoon wearing just a t-shirt (yes, I was wearing pants- I mean, no sweater or jacket or anything with long sleeves) to clean up the dog stuff. We did get a few inches of snow later that year, but it was melted away quickly and greened up the yard after the late snow. I have a feeling, though, that this year, we are going to get a blizzard in March. I don't know when; it is just a gut feeling. As long as it doesn't happen on or just before the 30th of March.

Segue :)

I bought tickets to see a show. I've seen it before, but I don't mind at all seeing it again. I took my dear sweet husband with me the last time, but he says he doesn't want to go again. Honestly, I'm mostly going again because I kind of messed up buying souvenirs. But, I don't mind seeing the show again at all. Anyway, I can go by myself, but it is one of those things you want to share. So, I am taking my oldest grand daughter. So looking forward to seeing "CATS" again :)

I didn't finish the afghan. Sorry - no segue here. I still think I should do some sort of edge. At least on the top and bottom. And I still need to weave in ends. But, I finished doing all the pattern rows. I wish the picture did justice to the red variegated.

You can see how much white yarn I have left - it is on the arm of the couch. The pink thing at the top is a kitty blanket I bought. It comes with its own pillow, and is sort of like a sleeping bag - sewn together down one side, and across the bottom. No zipper, though. And it is toddler size. BUT - it is a kitty, and it is pink. Two very important qualities. And on the wall, you can see the bottom of the composite pictures we got for Christmas, with pictures of past pets. Here's a close up of the afghan rows:

I had asked in one of the Ravelry groups for help finding a soft rounded ripple type crochet pattern - I don't mind chevrons sometimes, but in this case, I didn't want points, and I didn't want to knit. Someone directed me to a stitch pattern from Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet. I had just bought her Encyclopedia of Knitting at the time, so had to hit up the library for the book so I could start. I've since purchased the book, though. Anyway - since it was a fairly simple two row repeat, I had no problem memorizing it. And, I am so very pleased with the result - it almost looks like the knit pattern "Feather and Fan". :) Exactly the end result I wanted - soft scallops.

Well, I wouldn't have gotten all the ends woven in last night anyway. I had to do some minor adjustments to the house again. Earlier in the day, I'd let the dogs out. Our house shifts; specifically, the back entryway shifts a lot. Sometimes, the door gets a bit out of line, and is a pain to open, close, or lock. I've made a lot of adjustments over the years... Anyway, I thought the problem was the shifting. I let the dogs out, they asked to come in, and the lock jammed. I couldn't unlock the door. Now, I really wasn't thinking about it at the time, but later, recalled the fact that for some time, now, the key has been acting up. As in, you really have to wiggle it to make it go in, and more wiggling to make it unlock the door. This was an intermittent thing, and seemed to only happen when I was trying to use the key... Finally it happened to DH. But I digress... I wiggled the knob, pushed, pulled, wiggled - finally got the door open. Decided that I wasn't going to be able to go anywhere or lock the door again until something was done. So, waited for DH to come home from work, then went off to the hardware store to buy a new lock. Of course, though, while trying to tell him why, the lock behaved itself perfectly.... Well, I bought a new lock, and I've changed door knobs and deadbolts and installed them and everything many a time. Even the directions that came with it, said something like a five minute job.... Half an hour later.... I had to chisel out the door a bit, as the new deadbolt was just slightly shorter than the old, and to get the screw holes to appear in the proper place in the door meant either a little bit of chiselling, or a lot of drilling and filling. The good news - we have a nice new lock on our door now. Works like a charm. Slick smooth key operation. Very happy. The bad news - I thought it would be around 20 bucks for a new lock. Nope. Fifty. Owning a house is expensive. As well as frustrating....

Ideas.

2012-02-01T10:29:00.001-06:00

I'm running out of them!!! Every so often, a random thought will pop into my head, and I think, Oh, good - blog fodder. Then, when I sit down to blog - darned if I can remember what that random thought was, or what else I may have thought would be good to blog about.

I mean, this blog was supposed to be more than just a running commentary of my craft projects, though that was one of the main reasons I started a blog. And to share pics of my critters, which was not always appreciated on some of the craft email groups I was/am on. Some of them like to stay "on topic" only. Which is fine - often that is exactly what I want or need at any given moment. But, as a multicrafter, I can't always participate in a discussion on a crochet group if all I am doing at the time is knitting. So, I started the blog, so I could share what I wanted, and those other crocheters who wanted to see what I was knitting could come at their own convenience, without disturbing the ones who are not interested.

So, the three main purposes were - sharing craft stuff, sharing critter stuff, and spouting off about whatever I felt a need to offer an opinion on. Surprisingly, over the years, there hasn't been a lot of spouting off. More so in the last month, since I've been trying to post daily. And I don't always have craft news. But, this morning... I'm struggling.

I guess among the things I was thinking about sharing - I wrapped the baby gift finally. It wasn't quite a rush to do, since the new daddy had taken time off work, so it couldn't be delivered anyway.

Last night, when I sent the dogs for bed time puddles, it was quite foggy out. So no surprise this morning to see a lot of hoar frost. Must still be foggy, though, somewhat - I could hear the planes taking off or coming in for landing, but couldn't see them. I live close to the airport, and not far off the trajectory for one of the runways.

Mild temperatures are still with us - going above freezing today for the high. Way different than the weather 53 years ago. My mother always told me that the night of February 1 that winter was the coldest it had been all winter. Why do I know that and remember it? Because, my father had to take her into the hospital during that night, so I could be born around 7 am on the 2nd.

This is becoming a short post, 'cause I'm already running out of things to say. I guess, though, since it *is* the first, I should set my month goals officially:
Craft - finish off the last of the crocheted afghan - completed last of the red variegated last night, with about two feet of yarn tail left! One more white section, then the finishing details to do.
Finish the toe up socks in worsted yarn for Six Sox group
Finish the January mystery socks
Finish the flora fauna socks that I'm designing
Finish the Hermione socks
Work on the two colour socks that are on hold
Work on the celtic KAL piece that I need one more repeat for.
Write up and post the baby blanket pattern
Start the new Six Sox socks. Yes, it calls to me.
Either get off my butt and start practicing spinning, or needlefelting, or one of the other skills I promised myself to build this year. (I did NOT try anything new in January - oh, wait, not totally true. I worked on the toe-up cast on)
Get the copper dye project done.

House - Get the craft room finished! Must do, before spring thaws. MUST DO.

And work on that special project and get it out of my hair.

So - lofty goals? Especially for a short month? maybe...

Oh, and we're going out for dinner on the 18th for the fundraiser.

Hopefully, I'll smarten up, and maybe start jotting down or otherwise noting some of those random thoughts and blog ideas....

Pinterest Plus

2012-01-31T08:57:00.001-06:00

Cool website, that Pinterest. Great way to keep or save pictures that inspire me from around the web. And some of the cute animal pictures. Saving a ton of hard drive space, too. :) If you want to check me and my picture collections out, I'm here.

So what prompted me to talk about it this morning? Well.... this picture: http://pinterest.com/pin/253890497712801535/ I've tried to take pictures like this of the moon, but have never had that kind of success. I have this ugly old tree in my front yard. I hate it - it's a pain to maintain, and I can only imagine what the roots are doing the foundation of the house and the sewer and water pipes, and I don't even want to think about the gas line. Anyway, about the only time I can appreciate it, is when the moon happens to be in the right place in the sky, that I can see it through the nasty twisted branches at the top of the tree from my back door. (well, outside the back door - not by looking through the door. Usually notice it when I come home from driving DH to work in the early morning)

Colour me jealous....

I didn't quite finish the afghan last night like I thought I would. TV (news, NCIS LA x 2, Hawaii 5-0)was a bit too interesting, making me crochet just a little slower. I was afraid it might not be big enough, back when I started it. But, it is almost there now! And I still have some repeats to make - two more white sections, and one more red. I'll see how much white I have left at the end, and maybe do a fast border of single crochet. Thing is, when I do stripes, I don't like doing a border along the sides in one of the colours. I don't like the look. BUT - I think the bottom edge needs a little something more. Maybe what I'll do, is a single crochet edge (or maybe even a reverse single crochet - I do like that effect) to end off the top, then go back and do one across the bottom. Just leave the sides as is. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

Then I can take a picture! And get busy knitting socks.

Afghan nearly done

2012-01-30T10:09:00.004-06:00

I started on the last ball of the red variegated. By rough estimate, that means I have about 32 more rows to do, then I can decide if I want to run an edge around the whole thing, or just weave in ends. I'm really liking how it is turning out - both for looks and for size.

Then, when that is done, I am going to tackle some of those socks again. Really need to get them done. And I really also need to get off my butt and do that cape. I also really need to get going on that craft room. I start to make some progress, then I get wrapped up in looking at everything. I need to just box it all up, and stack the boxes out of the way, so I can get some sort of shelves or other organizational stuff going. Really - I did have a desk that I used as a sewing table, but it was my son's desk, and he wanted it... so I had to give it up. Bought myself a used desk from a thrift store, but somehow, it never made it upstairs - became a spare desk desk. I do have one shelf unit - an old metal type book shelf from the late '60's early '70's. Not very wide, and only three shelves. Good for books, but not a lot, as it isn't very strong. And I have an ironing board. Oh, and a chair. So - you can see how there aren't many options for organizing the room. Originally, I was going to use plastic tubs and sturdy cardboard boxes, marked... Well, that meant, of course, that I started piling boxes into the room - and instead of putting things into proper boxes, I would "temporarily" put bags of stuff in the room, then a few loose items, then a pile of books (because I couldn't get to the book case) and so on, until it became the mess it is. Now, I'm faced with emptying it, sorting it all out, getting rid of the things I know I won't use, finishing the projects that are half done, and seeing where I'm at with everything else. For the most part, I haven't really come across a lot of things I didn't know I had - yes, I mentioned a book the other day - but mostly it is a case of I knew I had the stuff, but I admit I lost track of where it was. Like, in which corner it had been put, pushed, thrown, etc. I also hadn't realized just how much crochet thread I'd picked up over the years from the thrift store... I had a pretty good idea about most of the other yarn I have; run into the odd ball that must have been in a bag inherited or given to me by someone along the way (some of my friends/acquaintances know I knit and crochet, and would often give me stuff from a parent or grandparent, or an abandoned project - fortunately, not too many of those!). Those balls I may keep or may pass on to someone else who can make good use of it.

Anyway - there is my confession for the day - I have a problem, and I admit it. I have more yarn than I can store, and I am not willing to give it all up!! I will give up some - I have to. But not all of it!! I plan on living for a lot more years, and I didn't buy a lot of that yarn and those patterns (or save free patterns etc.) unless I liked them and wanted them. But, since I was given a lot, or bought a bag of assorted yarns from the thrift store that came with yarns I could take or leave in with the balls I wanted for whatever purpose, I am sure I can pass on some of the yarns I really don't care for - colour is usually the deciding factor - or I can just get going on working on some scrap yarn afghans. Knitting various rows or squares, crocheting granny squares, and using whatever leftovers then joining into a blanket later. Or, maybe get back into doing some of the graph afghans, and using up some colours that way.

I mean, even if I end up with an excess of afghans - I can always donate the finished ones to some of the animal shelters or homeless shelters. Heck, I could even whip up some pairs of mittens for the homeless...

For now, though - Time to get off this machine, and on with housework and a couple small errands.

Plans

2012-01-29T10:54:00.001-06:00

Everybody makes them. Not everyone work out, though. Like my plans to get this house in order. I have accomplished little. I was going to say, nothing, but then I realized, no, I've made progress, albeit small. I need to focus on the baby steps forward, even if the giant steps backward bother me more! I found, during my wanderings, an inspirational quote - Before you quit because the road seems too long, turn around and look how far you've come - and I'm trying to let that be a guide for me. It's working - helps keep the frustration from overtaking my thoughts. Since it is almost the end of January, I'm taking stock of some of my goals for the month and the year. So far, I've been journaling daily in the form of posting to this blog. That is a "win". I've not been getting my UFO projects completed nor really much worked on. That is a "loss". I met my first goal on the special project - "win". I got back to tackling the craft room "win". I'm running out of boxes for the craft stuff and places to put them anyway "loss". I did not get the simple sock projects I was doing for January done "loss". I did make a nice baby blanket for a gift "win". My house is still a disaster "loss" but I got most of my kitchen table cleared off "win". I managed to squeeze in some quality time with the doggies playing outside "win". I got lots of sunshine therapy "win" (though I have little control over this, because I can't stop the weather! and I don't have/can't afford one of those special lamps). Lady is doing so many more normal border collie things now, she's come such a long way in the past year "win". So - total so far: Wins - 8 Losses - 4. Cool - I honestly didn't keep tabs on what I was writing, but it really is two steps forward, one back - but still, that shows progress!!!

So, goals/happenings for the next month: February is birthday month. Mine first, DH's second, then our anniversary. So far, with other stuff that has been happening, I really hadn't planned anything special for any of those events. Except, that, since the success of our pig roast at home last summer, we're going to have another one this coming summer to celebrate our 35th anniversary. Yes, it will be a few months late, but better than trying to do a barbecue type affair in mid winter :).
Journaling goals - Hey, I've made it this far - and it is slowly becoming habit. I am going to keep it up! I'm also going to make sure I get off my butt, and clean up my rough draft of the baby blanket pattern so I can share it, and write up the sock pattern. Finally, I've got to get going on another writing project, a document, that has been rattling around in my head lately. Something I should have done nearly two years ago, but felt discouraged and put off. Now, though, *something* is making me feel like the time is right, and that I best get going on it. And, I'm reminding myself that I really shouldn't be afraid of it, because I used to write term papers at University, and get A or A+ on them, so I need to stop worrying about this one. I am allowing myself to admit to being a bit rusty (it was over 20 years ago!) but it is like riding a bike. And this journaling daily is helping.
Crafting goals: Finish all the socks currently being worked on - toe up, flora/fauna, mystery, Hermione, and the one resting on waste yarn, work on the UFO's from before, and finish up the red and white afghan. (which I've been working on for the last couple days instead of socks). I will allow myself the option of starting or thinking about starting the new sock for Six Sox group, if it appeals to me. If not, then I might allow myself another start - but ONLY if I get busy on dying the yarn for the copper dye. (then I can knit those socks). So, basically, I will either do the Six Sox (won't know the pattern until February 1) or will dye yarn for another pair. (the dye process will take a bit of time, so these socks may be started but not finished by the end of February)
Other goals: Take a good crack at finishing off the next two parts of the special project. There are only four weeks in February, short month, but I can do one part in two weeks, so it is possible. And gets that project nearly complete!! Finish dealing with the craft room part one - boxing everything without losing myself in the more time consuming sorting process, even if I have to stack boxes inside the room - slightly counterproductive, but with everything scattered loose, it is difficult to really do much. Spending more time with the doggies, continue working with Lady. She still is trying to be alpha, not so much by being bossy, but by taking her time responding... sort of mild rebellion behaviours. Like the joke about cats - you call a dog it comes, a cat will take a message and get back to you. Well, that is kind of like what Lady is pulling - you call her, she acknowledges she heard you, but will come when *she* is ready.

In other news - going to a fundraising dinner mid-month. D'Arcy's A.R.C. is having a "Pawsta Dinner" again this year. They've had them for several years, but I only really heard about it myself for the first time last year. For a $12 ticket, you get a great pasta dinner! Sure, it's only spaghetti and sauce (choice of with or without meat) and the usual accompaniments (garlic bread, salad, cake/cookies for dessert) but it really does taste good, and the money goes to help the shelter and the animals. When I look at Delko, and think what my life would have been like without him, and how important it was that he be able to be cared for in those three and a half months he lived at D'Arcy's, I can't help but donate what I can when I can in gratitude and to benefit the future "Delkos". Even if all I can do some weeks is to take in newspapers, every little bit helps.

So - that's my post for today. Sorry, still no pictures... That is the hardest thing for me - maybe I should make that a goal one of these months...

Didn't do pics. Did do chore.

2012-01-28T15:29:00.001-06:00

So, two weeks ago, we had a cold snap in our mild winter. Really, so far, this winter has been nothing to complain about. Normally, January has nasty cold temps, with a cold snap in the forty below range. This year - the cold snap was in the normal 20 below range. (I'm talking celsius, here. Normally would convert, but let's just say - water freezes at 0, forty below is the same whether it is C or F, so twenty below is about half-way to incredibly cold). The worst thing about that cold snap - I didn't make it outside to clean up the yard (remember, I have two dogs) or to play with the doggies. They do miss their play sessions. We used to play with Bear in the house in bad weather. Not bad if you only have one dog fetching things. But these two - just a little too big to be running after or play-fighting over a ball in the house. That was the other good thing about Bear - he liked to play with stuffed toys, and he loved the squeak. Delko hates squeaky toys, and must Kill The Squeaker. Both he and Lady also love to gut stuffed toys. About the only one that has survived, was an unstuffed racoon I bought for Bear a few years ago. So, basically, there isn't an indoor safe toy for these guys. Well, they do have various pieces of stuffed toys that had been dismembered. Now and again, I'll find a piece of fabric on the floor, and wonder what it came from - then recognize an embroidered eye or a piece of foot...

Anyway, this week was warmer, and snow was again melting. But we had wind. And I had other things to catch up on. So, I still didn't make it outside with them. Today, though - it was/is a pleasant day. Not too far below zero, no wind, lots of sunshine. I took a couple of plastic bags outside, and the kids found some of their balls for me to throw. They were pretty good about waiting while I did the yard - but I couldn't make them wait until I'd done the whole thing - so I took frequent breaks (better for my back that way, too) and threw a ball for them. All in all, it took me 45 minutes to get the yard caught up, and I spent another 15 outside with them getting my undivided attention.

So, I didn't spend time getting the pictures done on the computer. I spent it doing other things instead. Had an errand to do, that sort of thing. Now, I guess I should do some dishes and spend time in the room. Oh, that reminds me - I was talking about TV shows I like the other day - somehow managed to forget another of the new-but-bounced-around shows. Terra Nova. I really enjoy that one - but I'm worried that it might end up like so many other good shows, and getting an early chop... I really hope not. But they did, after all, cut two other shows I liked from last year - Sh*t My Dad Says was a good show - one of the better sitcoms to come along in a while. And Criminal Minds Suspect Behaviour. Don't know why that one died...

And speaking of buying books... There is a book that I often get from the library, because I do like several patterns in it. I am embarrassed to admit - when I was clearing the room the day before yesterday, I found the book - brand new condition - underneath some stuff. I honestly don't recall having bought it before. Fortunately, I haven't bought a second copy of it!! I also normally remember buying most things, especially something like this. I must have bought it, then it must have gotten covered up before I really had chance to look it over and make mental notes on it. The book is Debbie Bliss Toy Knits. Heck, I don't even remember where I bought it!! Had to have been from the book store, though.

I do like to buy books to support authors, when I can. And designers. I do have a limited budget, so can't buy all the books I would like to. That also wouldn't be practical. There is only so much room for books in this house, and I can only read so many... I've been slowly weeding out the ones I've collected over the years from yard sales and such. Ones that I know I'll never get around to reading, or that I have read and won't likely read again. I do have a few books that I don't mind reading over and over. And some that I'm collecting as a set. But for the most part, I'll read library books, and I'll check out pattern books at the library. Sometimes, it just isn't worth the price of a book if I only want one or two patterns - other times, the books are filled with valuable information and/or several patterns I know I would love to make, so those I try to buy when I get a little extra money. Recent purchases include the reprint/updated versions of Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting, and Encyclopedia of Crochet. Hard to keep getting them from the library when I need them. I have both now, and I know I'll use them. In fact, one of my "New Year's Resolutions" was to practice and get familiar with a colour work method in Encl. of Knitting. I still need to do that...

But at least I'm keeping up with posting to my blog daily. :) Nearly a whole month, and even though there were some close ones, I've managed to post every day! Amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it, and you have no one else to talk to ;) Of course, this isn't getting my dishes or my craft room done, so I'm off - talk again tomorrow!

shopping today

2012-01-27T15:06:00.001-06:00

So, I went and did a bit of shopping today. Had a bit of extra money, so I ordered a couple of books. Chapters, my local book store, used to have a thing where you could ask about a book that had a publishing date set, but wasn't yet available - a pre-order thing - and they would put a copy aside for you when they came in. As well as a system where you could order books that were published, but not in that particular store, and have them shipped for free. You could also access your personal account/wish list from that system. Well, they upgraded the system, and you couldn't access your wishlist anymore. Also, if you wanted to do a pre-order, you had to pay in advance by credit card and pay for shipping. Well, turns out, that they now let you do pre-orders and free ship to store now, and pay by cash if you want. :) So, I ordered Amber Benson's How to be Death :) I can hardly wait!!

I also ordered a book called "Crafting with Cat Hair". Heaven knows I have enough of that around!! I also picked up a few magazines. Two issues of Spin Off, and one of Wild Fibers.

No new knitting to report, but I did crochet several more rows on the afghan. No pics yet.

Cute doggy story: Background - the dogs knock on the door when they want to come in. Some dogs bark to be let in; I'm glad mine don't. That can get aggravating, when you are stuck in the bathroom at the wrong moment, or something like that... Anyway, I also (which you may or may not be able to tell from some of the pictures I've shared) have my laptop living in the kitchen, and I sit in front of the kitchen window while doing whatever on the computer. Which is why I can talk about things like that mouse in the yard the other day, plus it really helps because the window faces south, and I get lots of sunshine when it isn't cloudy - important for a sufferer of S.A.D. So, this morning, on another great day of mild winter weather, the dogs were outside in the yard doing what they do. I guess, as it turned out, Lady was laying in front of the door, soaking up the sunshine, and Delko wanted to come back into the house. Of course, he couldn't scratch at the door, so instead - - he popped up in the window to look at me!! :) His way of getting my attention! Not the first time he's done that. Sometimes, I know they are knocking on the door when I'm stuck in the bathroom as I mentioned above, and I can tell by the sound that he checks at the window... or if I'm on my way to the door after being delayed, he'll be just popping into the window to see if I'm there. Smart dog. Or smart @ss dog ;)

Ok. That's it for today. Hopefully, I'll do some pictures tomorrow.

No knitting

2012-01-26T12:34:00.002-06:00

And I'm not feeling up to downloading pictures. I did take them yesterday. I also found that I couldn't seem to knit last night. I did two or three rounds on the toe-up, and my hands just didn't want to keep going. I did one round on the Hermione sock - and broke the needle for the third (and final) time. I'm going to let those socks sit on the back burner until I find or free up some different needles. I picked up the mystery socks - did one round, but just didn't feel up to concentrating on the graph.

I have days like that now and again. I want to do some crafting stuff, but just don't seem to be able to settle in and do anything. I did consider trying some crochet - that afghan I'm working on. But, having just finished the baby blanket, I really wasn't sure about that, either.

I've just spent a little better than an hour upstairs in the craft room again. Came across an older padlock - one I bought when I was going to University. So, it is over 20 years old. Needless to say, I can't recall the combination. I actually came across the lock yesterday, but forgot to see if there was a way to get the combo from the makers. There is, but it isn't really worth it, in my opinion. For security reasons, you have to print out a form, fill it in, get it notarized, and provide a photocopy of the serial number (which proves it is not attached to anything, so you aren't trying to steal anything). I get it, but, then you snail mail all of that, then wait 4 to 6 weeks for them to get back to you. I figure, in four to six weeks, I can play around with the old permutations and combinations I learned back in high school, and it will give me something to do on those evenings I don't feel like knitting or crocheting.

I'm also getting a bit frustrated with the room - It really did get too full. And I did haul a bunch of stuff out to the garage in boxes, but with the cold weather returning, I'm not as enthusiastic about doing that much more... Yes, today just happens to be warm and nice and sunny again, but it would still involve a certain amount of bundling up and snow trudging. So, I'm trying to work around what space I have, and boxing and stacking boxes in the room. That may or may not end up being a mistake.... But I have to try something. Have to keep moving forward.

So, after I have a bit of a lunch break, I'm going to go back up, and see what I can get done this afternoon. I really need to maybe take a couple trash bags up with me, or something...

Making footway

2012-01-25T11:51:00.000-06:00

I know, the normal phrase is making headway. But, this is more appropriate. Besides, if I am being silly, then it is a good sign that I'm in a much better mood than I've been in lately. :)

I haven't taken pictures yet; too early in the day. BUT - I did a few more rounds on the Hermione socks. Put my hand in and stretched it out. Yes, the little purl bumps do show better now that there are more of them. Still not perfect, but I kind of like it anyway. First off, it is mindless enough to watch TV while doing them, but interesting enough not to be just another plain vanilla sock. Now, if only the needles weren't such junk...

Knitted several more rounds on the toe-up Woolie Wellies. Definitely won't be finished them - worsted weight knitting to a tighter gauge is hard on the hands. But, they are coming along nicely. I didn't get the cast on perfect - if you look close you can see some imperfections, but as I said yesterday, that sort of thing will come with practice and besides, these are a good first effort. Keepers.

Made a bunch of progress in the craft room. I cleared up a bunch of floor space, so I can actually work inside the room, instead of just from the doorway. :) See? Footway.... first talking about socks, and now floor space. :-D Today, I made it pretty much all the way to the back wall - though not on the floor. But took down some of the piles all the way to the back. Now, the piles on one side of the room are only about knee to hip height. This is mostly the area where I threw things one time when I was in full frustration - the two cats were helping me in excess one day - so that no matter where I turned, or what I tried to pick up or sort out or put down, there was a cat right there. I got so mad, I just threw the boxes back into the room, not caring which way they landed - of course, mostly upside down. That is why the room became such a disaster - reminiscent of those TV shows. Wish I had the help they get, though. Could use some help in the how to organize department, and some of the muscle - I really do get tired fast. If it weren't for passing physicals from the doc with flying colours, I'd think it was something else. I'm pretty sure it is just the physical exhaustion and lack of general exercise that comes with long term depression. Which, based on the title of this post, I'm really doing well at being on the mend from.

Today, this morning, I've already spent a whack of time in the room. Oh, right, I kind of said that... Anyway, I found.... The pattern booklet I mentioned a few posts back. It is called "Lullaby Layettes" and is a Leisure Arts Publication. :) I read the directions for "Bubbles". I was not that far off in the memory - sc, dc, dtr. But I would never have remembered the other details - which stitch to start or end with, how many chains/rows, etc. And, mine is so far different as a result, that I have no qualms about posting the pattern here :) Just need to retype the directions a little bit.

Yesterday, also continuing with the foot theme... I did something stupid. Dropped a chair on my foot. I needed to look into one of the top cupboards - not the one that might fall, one of the others. I keep the dog treats in this particular cupboard. So, I took the chair over, climbed up, and looked in the back corners trying to see if I had any chew sticks or pig ears for the dogs. Found none. So, I went to put the chair back... Trying to make sure I didn't trip over the dog, I misjudged distance, and smacked my hand between the chair and table, dropping the chair. Right on my foot. I have nice heavy wood chairs in the kitchen...

So there was some concern that I might have managed to break my foot. Which I was not looking forward to as a possibility - hours this morning getting x-rays, cast for 6 to 8 weeks, no driving!!!!!! The foot swelled up a fair bit - I had a big soft lump on top of it. And the pain was excruciating. After a while, though, I tried putting on some weight, and I tried wiggling and bending all my toes. And gently probed under the puffiness to see if I could feel anything wrong. Aside from a lot of limping and a fair amount of pain last night, though, it seems to be fine today. Only a slight puffiness this morning, and no more pain at all. PHEW!!!

Finally - when I got up this morning, and was stepping into the bathroom, my foot brushed against something. Something rubbery. Despite it being first thing in the morning, and my brain usually doesn't start functioning properly for at least an hour (I can do some things, but don't ask me to do math too early in the morning) I figured out what it was in a matter of seconds. You ever see the inside of a tennis ball? I have - far more frequently than I want to.... Sure, Bear used to kill them during play - they only last so long. Especially if you buy the really cheap ones. But Delko - much as he loves to play ball, a tennis ball doesn't last too long. And Lady likes to chew on them, too. But what is cute, is that the two dogs will play with one ball - each carrying half the ball, cheek to cheek. I keep trying to get a good picture or video of them doing that, and I will one day. But Lady started it - not sure if it helps that she's missing a tooth, but she'll manipulate a ball in her mouth so that half of it is sticking out the side, which Delko then grabs onto. Amazing strength in those jaws! They even play tug-o-war like that!

Anyway, this Christmas, I got them two toys, that I thought would survive them. One, a non-stuffed soft toy. Unfortunately, it still did have a squeaker in it. Otherwise, it was like strips of fabric tied and braided, and sort of resembled a lizard. Made by the Kong dog toy people. Delko murdered the squeaker within a week - which also meant murdering the head of the toy. One morning, I found a foot at the bottom of the stairs. I'm not sure if it is somewhere in the house or out in the yard - but it basically didn't make it to New Year's. The other toy - also made by Kong, was a cool double tennis ball. Looks, or should I say looked, sort of like a small "dumb bell" weight lifting thing. Ball on each end, square part in the middle. What I didn't know for a few days after Christmas, was that it squeaked. If it weren't for that, it would have been a perfect gift. They got a lot of use out of that toy - they could both carry it, fight over it, bring it to be thrown for them - they brought it in the house with them, took it outside to play with.... Loved it. Last night, it came in with them. Went out in the middle of the night, and came back in again. This morning - It now has a tennis ball on one end, and a square part in the middle. And there are rubbery bits all over the house, and bits of chartreuse fuzzy fabric everywhere. And it doesn't squeak anymore. And it is one month since Christmas. A new record for Delko.

I plan to take a picture of it - but it seems to have been left outside again.... I'll take a picture of that, and of the socks I've been working on. No, you can't see the craft room yet. You may get to see the foot, though. I might put a sock on it to take a picture.

TV made me late...

2012-01-24T11:41:00.001-06:00

I had to watch a TV show via computer this morning. Among my favourite new shows this year is Once Upon A Time. It's one that kind of needs to be watched in order to make proper sense of it. I set up my PVR to record it, so I won't miss one. See, one of the things that is particularly annoying, is since this past fall, when new shows and new seasons of shows started, is that some of them have been bounced around the schedule or line-up. So, just because a show is on Sunday this week, it might be on Wednesday the next. Or, two episodes shown on two days back to back - Sunday and Monday. And I won't even talk about the timing - sometimes it will be on at 7, sometimes 10. Using the PVR means less chance of missing something. Another thing they did, was to advertise a new show, but wait until nearly December before airing it. Or putting on the pilot, then waiting another month before the next episode - then rerunning the pilot on another night/time... Totally messed up.

So, why did I have to watch one by computer? Because of the NFL. Now, don't get me wrong - I do enjoy football - both CFL and NFL. And I get it that sometimes the games run overtime. Especially this close to the end of season. But - instead of ~~taping~~ recording Once Upon A Time, I ended up recording A Very Stupid Show That Is A Waste Of Time. (I keep thinking in terms of taping, but I guess really I should learn to say recording, since tape is no longer involved...)

The other problem with watching via computer - you can't fast forward through the commercials. :P

Anyway - in case anyone shares my interests, the TV shows that I enjoy: Once Upon a Time (I know, I'm repeating it), Grimm, Pan Am, Criminal Minds, (what the heck happened to Criminal Minds Suspect Behaviour?) Blue Bloods, Flashpoint, Hawaii Five-O, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, and The Big Bang Theory. There are a few other shows that if they come on, I'll watch - but if there is something better or I forget or miss them, I'm not upset. The ones I listed are the ones for mindless knitting or crocheting - the rest I can do the more difficult patterns :) I can do medium concentration patterns during reruns of BBT, but I still find myself laughing at the jokes, even though I've seen/heard them before. And sometimes, you just have to watch the expressions on Penny and Sheldon's faces.

So. I didn't take a picture yet, but last night I ripped out the toe up socks. And I restarted them without a knot. The directions from Knitty.com on Judy's Magic Cast On starts with a knot, but she rewrote it without a knot here. First time, I somehow lost a stitch in the set up row, so I had to try it again. Good thing is, that I'm getting good at it. :) I'll still need to follow the tutorials for a few more tries, though. Since I'm not likely to use it as often as most other cast on methods. Anyway, I finally got the socks going, and did the increases until it would fit my foot (not sure why it would have been way too small for me if I'd followed the pattern numbers... but that is the beauty of a toe-up sock, you make it to fit.) and have done a few rounds even. I might take the picture later today - or wait until I have even more done on it. I can't share the pattern - it is posted in a Yahoo Group - Six Sox Knitalong - and at the end of this month, the pattern may or may not be taken down by the designer to offer for free or sale. Or, it may, as some patterns have, stay in the group files indefinitely, for anyone in the group to make as often as they like. This pattern is called Woolie Wellies and are a "boot sock" done in a worsted or heavy weight sock yarn. The group, for those who aren't sure, is a knit along group that does six sock patterns in a year - two months per. I'm not sure exactly what month the group started, but the new pattern will be posted February 1, then two months later, April 1, the next pattern will begin. There are contests, too - if you post one progress picture and one completed picture in the appropriate folders as per instructions, and during the two month period for that sock, your name goes into a draw. I won one once, and have sponsored a couple of draws since then. So, there is no way that I am going to be finished these socks in time for the current draw. But that is OK. Like I said, I did win once already :) And of course, I'm not going to get the other socks done, either. Oh, well - I guess I'll just have to keep the same goals for next month.

Now, I best get off here, and get going on the craft room!!

Sock progress

2012-01-23T10:33:00.001-06:00

I'm not going to finish my socks by the end of the month. I may try to focus on just one pair, and see if I can manage that. Let's see - toe up, otherwise plain vanilla socks, working two at a time, but need to frog and restart; January mystery sock, all clues saved now, but only about one sixth of the way into clue two, working two at a time, well written, nice easy charted lace pattern (so far); Hermione socks, one at a time, wondering if it is the pattern or the yarn, but so far isn't looking like I expect, working on four dpns, one of which keeps breaking; pink sock, flora and fauna, my own new design, one sock at a time, first time with yarn, the sock is a bit loose but no problem, will use smaller needle in future but this sock is pure wool that should be hand washed, so I see potential for being able to shrink it a bit, am really liking how the design is coming now.

So, that is the progress on the four pair of socks. My January goal involved two other projects, neither of which I've been able to touch, and another sock, that I'd hoped to work on, but had to "steal" the needle from for one of the pairs above...

I will be doing the end weaving on the baby blanket tomorrow evening, then washing on Wednesday. So that will be finished. I wrote up the pattern, rough draft, so I wouldn't forget it. Now I have to polish the writing, then I'll post it here. It won't be tested, though...

Well, I guess it is too soon to post February's crafting plans - but I think I won't add any new projects to the mix. I'll focus on finishing what I started in January, and the UFO's.

As for the house - yeah, I'm feeling a little better this morning. But I'm still overwhelmed... I still don't know where or how to start. So, I guess I'm going to start doing what *I* want to do - the craft room. Then I can get it finished, organized, see what other UFO's and WIM's I have (going to call all those already bought enough yarn to make things WIM's, I guess) and maybe give me incentive to finish the ones I have going, and add in some other unfinished stuff. And then I can start some new WIM's already in existance. I have to stop looking at all the new and new-to-me patterns online, or I'll never finish everything!!

DH is going to be working late nearly every day this week, so I should manage to get a lot of crafting done. ;)

Pictures... Some may not look much different than the last time, but they really are.

The baby blanket border, but before the reverse single crochet was added. And here is the corner of the border (again before reverse single crochet):

I mostly had taken these pics to help show how it should look for the pattern publishing thing.
Now for the sock progress pictures:

I played with the editing a bit - trying to get an accurate read of the colour. When I take pictures, it comes out a nice blue. But it is really a turquoise colour. I tried adding green to the pic - getting closer. :) Think the colour of... hm... I can't think right now of anything it really reminds me of... Maybe, some pictures of resorts in the Carribbean - the swimming pools, not the ocean. That kind of turquoisy blue. I also noticed that the yarn stripes subtly - I thought it would be more mottled. No big deal. I also noticed that while I didn't attempt to make them, the colours line up rather nicely...

I know I haven't gotten very far. I'm only twelve rows past the ribbing... but I can't see the pattern coming up at all. It seemed, when I looked at the picture that accompanies the pattern, there are a lot of little purl bumps on the sock... yet, when I look at mine, I can hardly see them. Now, I'm going to continue with the socks anyway - I do like the colour for one thing. The dark bits are actually a sort of lavendar-puple, not dark blue like they seem here (no sunlight today, and I think that makes a difference - look at the missing yellow again from the baby blanket). And, I want to get further along the leg following the pattern, then put my arm in it or something - the pictures that come with the pattern are all take with the sock on a leg, so it is stretched out, not all bundled up on the needles... Speaking of which... Expensive, Lantern Moon, Ebony needles - snap like toothpicks... Not happy. Can't return them - they were a special buy from a store that no longer exists.... This is the first time I've used them. At first, I thought it might be because they've dried out. BUT - this is the same needle that broke the first time. Just in a different spot. So, the needle is at fault, not the dry air. Glad I don't own any more Lantern Moon needles.... and I won't buy more, ever, either.

I'm pleased with how this sock is turning out. I like the butterflies at the top, and I am happy with the two rows (though I think I might write up the pattern with three rows, maybe making a second pair in a different colour and with smaller needles) of eyelet flowers. I thought I could do a gansey style purl bump flower, but they just weren't showing up. That is what I ripped out the other day. I do like these little eylets, and they will be a nice segue into the lace cat's paw that I'll be doing next. In real life, it looks like the ten rows below the flowers is enough of a break, but here in the photo it looks a bit close... maybe I'll add another five rows plain first... I am pretty sure I have lots of yarn left to make the leg a little longer.

So. That's it for today. Talk again tomorrow!

Little bit of sock progress then regress.

2012-01-22T16:38:00.002-06:00

I did a bunch of rounds on one sock. Then, I ripped four of them back out.

I am working on a new design, and I thought I could try something, but didn't like how it was turning out. So, rip rip! Now I have to try something else instead. I am pretty sure I'll be happier with it.

Otherwise - has been a non-progressive weekend. I did so very little - I tried starting on the cupboards; took some things out, then put them back, since I really don't have anywhere to put the stuff right now. I really hate climbing up on a chair or ladder, then getting down with one thing or two in my hand, putting them down, climbing up, getting one or two things, climbing down, etc. My knees can't take it. And then I get frustrated again and again and again. I must admit, right now, I'm frustrated by everything to the point of tears. They are hovering just behind the eyelids right now.

I just looked out the window - thought I saw a blowing leaf coming across the neighbour's yard toward our fence - realized it was a little mouse. Now it is running through our yard... Too fast for me to go grab a camera and try to take any kind of picture or video.

Ok, so aside from little things like that - I mean, I was just collecting my next thought into a sentence to type when I was interrupted by the mouse. What I was going to say, was that I am just about to a point of wanting to walk away from this house and never come back. Except of course that I like what is inside the house - the dogs, the cats, the kitty collection, my craft stuff... most of my clothes.... I have bought clothes lately - dressy clothes for when I was working, under clothes because I needed them. But my everyday clothes are wearing out - and I don't want to ruing the dressy stuff, in case I get to work again. I was lucky to have a couple outfits I could wear the first time, and only worked part time, so I could build the wardrobe. I don't know if I'll have that type of luxury again - so I don't want to wreck the good stuff. But I'm seriously running out of things to wear around the house...

And I'm seriously not happy around the house anyway.

Wonder if it is time to go back to the councellor? I don't *feel* depressed - just frustrated. I need help with setting priorities... Not sure councelling is the way to go for that. I've taken some seminar/classes in time management. I just can't seem to figure out how to deal with everything being a priority one thing - I'm too overwhelmed...

Screw it. I've got socks to knit. The house can rot for all I care.

Accomplishments and disappointments

2012-01-21T13:38:00.003-06:00

I'm disappointed that I never quite made it to the craft room yesterday. But, what I did do, was to organize the pantry cupboard. And got some excess stuff off my kitchen table. Last time I cleaned that cupboard, I ended up with some leftovers that just didn't go back in. I put them on the table until I could figure out where else to keep them. Worked around, shuffled them back and forth... Well, finally, I cleared the cupboard and not only fit everything back in, but also ended up with a bit of leftover room :) Now, all I have to do, is use up some of the stuff that I really don't need (I was surprised at how much cocoa I own! - but when you can't find it, and need it, so keep buying more...) and I'll have even more space. :) I'm also thinking of downsizing some more of the dishes I have - like casserole dishes. I already gave several to DS and family. Now I have to decide if I really still need the ones I didn't want to part with. I mean, I've got three glass 8 by 13 type dishes - Ok, one is smaller than 8 by 13. One was a wedding gift from DH's late aunt. One came from my mother with a bacon cooking rack for the microwave that fit into it. I really only need to keep two of the three... Just need to decide which to let go... keeping the smaller one, but of the other two - one fits the bacon cooker better than the other, but the other was a gift... Ug. I hate that feeling, that you *must* keep something just because it was a gift...

Ah! Of course.... I could give the gift one to DS. Solves *my* issue - it will stay in the family. Doesn't put the same strings on it for him, because I tell him that he has first refusal in case he can use it, before I give to thrift store charity... So, he doesn't have to take on the baggage like I do. Anyway - that is why I wish there were someone here to keep me company while I do things... so I can think out loud about what to do with some stuff, and help me sort it all out in my mind.

As for the blanket - finished the border rounds. Am now doing the reverse single crochet. Yes, now, while I think of what to write next ;) It will be so nice to have this finished. Then next laundry day I can wash it, wrap it, and DH can take it to work. I've heard that the daddy is now off work, because he took his wife in to the hospital - he'll be gone a week or two. So - when he comes back, DH can give him the gift. Timing is not too bad at all. :)

I wonder if I can get all four pair of socks finished in the next week? Well, I do have ten days... two of them are being knit two at a time - so I should be able to pull it off.... Maybe. I'm going to try...

And, today being Saturday, don't know how much work I'll get done on the house. Tend to be lazy on weekends.... But, I really should try to do that other cupboard with all the heavy stuff in it. There are a lot of microwave safe dishes, and some extras of glasses and fancy serving dishes in there. Heavy, highly breakable... and DH thinks we might be able to reinforce the cupboard some, so it doesn't fall down. But we'd need to empty it first anyway... so maybe we'll get around to doing that today or tomorrow, then I can sort and maybe not put stuff back in. Just that if I don't, I'm not sure where else to put it all.... hmmm....

Oh, and I'll take/share pics of the baby blanket when I've finished washing it, just before I wrap it. So you won't get to see it for a couple days.

And I'll try to get some sock knitting done, and then I can post progress pictures, too.

I found it ;)

2012-01-20T10:44:00.002-06:00

I found the template thing, so I can edit things on the side bar. Now all I have to do is figure out how I want to edit them... ;)

Unfortunately, according to the helpful user friendly guides, I'm using an old template, and must update and use a new one. I don't know if I want to change that much... I like the pink background. But, I do like some of the new stuff, and change can be good. So, I might just go for it. Don't be too surprised if you see some changes here next week.

What has me nervous is there is a warning that some things may not move to the new template - I might "lose" some stuff. Not a good thing to tell some one with loss issues... so, before I start to play around, I need to do some copy and pasting of some stuff. Just in case... I don't know if they are referring strictly to the widgets/blog pets I have on the side bar, or if they include posts and pictures... If they do, I'll need to make some copies of all that first... Years of posts... OK, I heard that - I know some of my past postings were few and far between, and some were probably downright boring. But, some of them, are "timeless" and the only copies I have of some pictures - lost others in crashes, etc.

Which reminds me - I gotta back up some of these files....

I wanted to take a picture of the blanket - I've just started round three of the border. I've decided to do a minimum of five border rounds, then I'll see how it looks (and how long it takes, lol) I may finish it off with some reverse single crochet, too... We'll see. Then a picture for sure.

And then I can get back to knitting socks!

Today, I plan to redo that fool pantry cupboard. I think. I'd like to. I also have some dishes to catch up on. And I have to get that craft room in order, before spring thaws... Ok. So, that will be my priority - the pantry and the craft room. I need to set priorities, and stop jumping from room to room and getting discouraged.

Just wish I had someone to talk to.... besides the puppies and the brat cats...

Not much to say

2012-01-19T14:50:00.005-06:00

This thinking of something to write every day isn't as easy as it sounds!! First off, I have to feel like writing about it. Second, I have to make sure it is something fit for public consumption! Third, I have to make it somewhat interesting. I mean, yeah, sure, the blog is mostly for me - to empty out some of the random thoughts in my head, vent a little, babble in human words instead of talking to the dogs (I get a little lonely now and again, no human contact most of the time during the day - just the cats and dogs. No people...) So, I consider my audience. Sometimes, I wonder if I have one - not that it matters. But the comments are few and far between. Now, don't think you have to comment every time I write, or every time you read. I just get curious sometimes, because I read other blogs, and there are ten or more comments per post.... Am I that boring? LOL... no need to answer.

I finished doing the rows on the baby blanket last night. They didn't go as fast as I'd have liked them to. Haven't heard yet that the baby has been born, so I'm not panicking. Not that I would have - I had short notice, and it isn't like the gift is expected... Or that it has any kind of other deadline, like a baby shower. But I'd still like to complete it while the baby is still a baby ;) I'll be starting the border tonight - just a double crochet post stitch for a few rounds. At least three, but maybe four, if the yarn holds out. I don't know the yardage on the yarn - there is a website listed on the label, and it says to go there for free patterns, but all I got when I went there was an offer for cheap pharmaceuticals. (Hey, I spelled that right!! Spell checker didn't make a wiggly line under the word!! ) Anyway, there is a ball weight listed on the ball band, but not yardage. I'm thinking of writing up my pattern for the blanket and sharing it - having a better idea of the yardages would have been nice.

I'm running into another wall with the house. I know what I should be doing, I know what I'd rather be doing, but neither of those are what bothers me the most. What bothers me the most is the thing I can do the least about. And that is only making it worse. So, I'm having issues with setting priorities. The kitchen is bothering me the most, because it is the least organized. I want to get the living room into shape, because it is close. I should be working on the craft room, because when that is done, it will help with the living room, and with the garage and basement, which will give me more storage room for the excess kitchen stuff.... So, I know what I should do, but for some reason, I can't, because I end up feeling guilty because I'm not doing more "public" parts of the house.... Argh... So, I end up on the computer. Not quite depressed, but certainly not in a happy place...More like, frustrated. Every time I try to take one step forward, I take two back. I wouldn't mind so much taking two steps forward and one back... That would be slow progress, but at least it would be progress. Some forward movement. But right now, I feel like every time I try to do something, I end up worse off than before. For example, I have a pantry cupboard. It isn't a pleasant cupboard - I think it was originally designed as a broom cupboard, but got shelves put in. Very narrow, and deep. So - a couple months ago, I decided to clear out any bugged stuff, sort what was good, group like things, etc. In other words, organize and wipe down and clean it. I feel like I was dealing with a can of worms - I have things on my table and counter that used to be in that cupboard, and I honestly am not sure what I did wrong to end up that way. And I somehow messed up the grouping, because now I can't seem to find half of what I need easily... end up hauling stuff off two or three shelves before I find what I want. So, I have to start over again. :P

So instead of doing anything, I sort of wander aimlessly, listlessly, around and putter here or there, and wonder why I even bother 'cause nothing ever turns out right. Then, I check email, facebook, and ravelry instead. And now that the weather has finally turned cold and snowy, I can't even just go outside and play with the dogs -which as least something productive. I went to a councellor for a while, to help me get over the depression, and she suggested I try to learn to love my house again, the way I love my dogs. To treat the house as if it were a "rescue" and needed me as much as or at least the same sort of way the dogs do. I'm trying that - but it is awfully hard; I can see progress in the dogs' behaviour, but the house seem to get worse instead of better - the two steps back thing....

Well, all I can do is keep plugging away at it- do a little at a time, try to take those steps forward. Eventually, there will be enough progress to make it noticeable, and then I'll take some sort of pride in it again, and start to care about the house, and then I'll be able to tackle the bigger parts. At least, that is what I keep telling myself....

This date in history

2012-01-18T12:43:00.001-06:00

Ok, so not ancient history, or even distant history. But, two years ago on this date. It was a Monday.

The night before, I'd been looking on some websites, for something in particular. Something special. I didn't find what I was looking for. So, I figured, I'd try a different route... I thought I'd drive to a particular place in my city that *might* have what I wanted... DH thought I should wait instead. So, I said that I would see how I felt in the morning, when I was doing my errands, and take that as a sign. The next morning, when I woke up, I felt a strong urge to not bother going to that particular place. A few hours later, when I was getting ready to go out the door to run my usual grocery shopping errands (literally, I had my hand on the door knob), I had a sudden desire to check another store, that I knew was close to the grocery store. So, after the groceries were bought, I went to D'Arcy's A.R.C.

I went in, and was met by the store greeter dog, Fipper. (on a side note, I'm wondering now if Fipper is being retired - I don't see her anymore when I go into the store...) I pet her while walking past the kitty rooms - Normally that would be difficult, but I was there to see if they had any border collies. So, I resisted looking at the kitties, and headed around to where the dogs were - in kennel/rooms with windows into the store. As I was now no longer petting Fipper, she let her feelings be known (either a thank you or don't stop) with a single bark. Just as I reached the first window... And a dog popped up to see what the bark was about. First, the dog looked at Fipper, then up into my eyes. I read the information posted on the window - male, German shepherd cross, born July 2009. Named - Delko. I continued on - I was here to see if there was a border collie. Looked in all the little rooms, through all the windows. Some dogs were alert, watching. Some were sleeping. I went back to Delko's window. Looked at him again. Then went to the counter and asked, "So, what is Delko's story?" (Ok, wasn't my first question, but anyway....) He'd come into the shelter the end of October at three months of age with his sister and brother, and they were all given names based on characters from the TV show, CSI Miami. Calleigh and Horatio were adopted nearly right away, but Delko had been passed over because he was shy, not very outgoing or friendly. So, after some discussion, about adoption policies, Delko's history, and so on, I asked if I could meet him. I was taken to a room for that purpose, and waited for them to bring the dog in.

Delko came through the door, saw me sitting on the couch, bolted across the room, jumped up onto the couch, put his head in my lap, then turned it sort of upside down to look up at me. Love at first sight through the window - for both of us - and firmed up at that moment.

I've always said, that things happen for a reason. My sudden urge to go to D'Arcy's that day, the fact that Delko was passed over by so many - I know that it was a difficult three and a half months waiting for me, and I suspect his first three months of life weren't exactly the greatest either, but two years ago today was one of the best of both of our lives.

Then:

Not my hands in these pictures - I was holding my camera, so I could take pictures to show to DH.

Now:

Ok, so Christmas is the most recent picture I have of him, but that's close enough :) Maybe I'll try to take a picture of him later today.

Anyway - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MR D!! LOVE YOU AND GLAD YOU ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY!!

What should I write about today?

2012-01-17T13:41:00.004-06:00

Daily progress reports getting boring? Especially when not accompanied by pictures? Well...

Guess I could talk about how I finally went through the boxes of stuff that had accumulated under the bathroom sink. You know, the extra shampoos and bubble bath, the extra soaps and razors, the odds and ends that you think you should keep handy but really, all they do is take up space and get buried under the towels and such. So, I sorted it out, and found new homes for the storage stuff, and dumped the junk. A couple of things had to go back, but hopefully, they won't be a problem.

I did do some more rows on the baby blanket, but not as many as I'd have liked. But I was down to the end of the ball, and it was getting tangled, so I spent nearly as much time detangling as I did crocheting. Now I need to rip out and rewind the yarn from the first attempt, so I have enough to finish the blanket. I have thirty repeats - Ok, I started with a row of single crochet, then a row of pattern/texture stitches (the bumps), then a row of single crochet. To end up with a square, I counted the bumps across - 42. I need 42 rows of bumps - so, I can't say I've done "30 rows", but that is kind of how I think of it, for some strange reason... I guess, because I am using a sort of thinking short hand, and I mean "30 rows of bumps". Anyway - I will finish off with a row of single crochet when I have 42 bump rows. Then, I'll start the border. So, my point, is that I now have 30 bump rows done, so only 12 to go. I *think* I can manage that tonight.... If I rewind this afternoon (instead of doing boxes... hm....I could still do *some* boxes...)

So, I guess that is all I can think of - oh, wait - I've been reading some library books lately, too. Found a new-to-me series of books co-authored by Anne McCaffrey. Unfortunately, the great lady passed away recently. The books were co-written by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. I'm wondering now - a lot of the recent A.McC. books have been co-authored by E.A.S., so I wonder if the latter is planning to carry on with any? She does, after all, have a number of solo books of her own. I kind of hope so - the books I just finished were Catalyst and Catacombs - and while the second one did end in a nice closure sort of way, there is potential for other books.... And since I enjoyed the so much, I really hope there are more!!

Another book series that I was following via the library is one I'm way behind on. I did enjoy it, but for a while, I guess I sort of changed interest in the genre... That is, just as I will often exclusively knit for a long period, then suddenly put the needles down in favour of a crochet hook for months on end, or pick up a latch hook or cross stitch needle or quilt fabric and sewing machine... I read a certain type of book for a while, then get bored, only to pick it up again later. Sometimes, the spacing and timing work out - a favourite author takes a break, or something, at the same time as I need one, then a new book comes out just in time. Right now, I'm waiting on a book that will be published in February - Amber Benson's Death's Daughter series latest. I really want to read that as soon as I can get it into my hot little paws... Been "too long" since the last one ;) In the meantime, I have a Joe Grey book that I could read - but I'm not quite ready for that one yet. I could/should/is on the to do list sort out what books I've bought from that series I'm behind in. Started out reading Midnight Louie books via the library. For a variety of reasons, all of which are to support the author, I swore that when I could, I would buy the books, even if only in paperback. Well, I started doing that - but ended up with a couple out of order - so I need to take the time to make sure that I have a list of what I have/still need to get, and start filling in the gaps.

Even though that is an organizing job that needs to be done as a part of the overall whole, I always feel guilty if I attempt to do it - because it is for my pleasure as well.... and seems less visible or noticeable in the overall picture... Then again, sorting the junk that was in the bathroom cupboard wasn't/isn't exactly "in your face" either - Ah, heck, maybe that is what I'll do this afternoon - sort a couple boxes, rewind some yarn, and check what books I have...

Progressing nicely!

2012-01-16T10:33:00.002-06:00

The blanket is coming along. Got way past the half way mark. Didn't take a picture yet, though. Might wait a while.... But, at this rate, it should be done fairly soon. Once I get the piece squared up, I'll add a border made up of double crochet post stitches in white. Then, a fast wash and dry, then wrap it up!

This morning has been a bit interesting. I suspected we had a mouse in the house. And yesterday, DH thought maybe Lady had found one. Well, we do - and it was under the fridge. But, moved from there. So, just a short few minutes ago, we had a bit of "excitement" while one of the cats and one of the dogs (Mica and Lady) tried to capture it. They didn't succeed, and it is now back under the fridge. :(

So - that is my rather short post for today! See you again tomorrow. :)

I done been busy....

2012-01-15T16:16:00.002-06:00

So I'm posting late in the day. While cooking chili for supper.

I was going to crochet last night, maybe knit a little, and do some more progress picture posting. But, of course, that plan changed. Our TV bit the dust. And we know from experience, that not having a TV can be detrimental to our marital health.... Strange, but true - we can go without *watching* TV for lengthy periods, but somehow, not having the choice seems to put us both on edge... Anyway, last night was spent going out to buy a new one, then assembling and setting it up. By the time it was done, it was relatively late and I was tired. So far, though - seems like a nice enough TV. Still getting used to it - different brand than the last one. We could have gotten the same brand, but... well, the last one was less than two years old. And when it started acting up, we looked into repairs - cheaper to buy new. So, we did.

Hopefully, I'll be able to do some progress on other stuff now. Have got the special project part one completed. So I have a little time between now and part two... I could either get a head start on it, or I could do some house catch up. I think I'll do housework for a couple days, then start on part two. I like doing it, but by the time it is over, I'm glad to be done for a while.

I will try to spend time tonight on the crochet blanket. My hands are getting stronger all the time. Knitting uses different muscles and hands - which is why I could knit while one hand was broken. But the crochet muscles are out of shape, and my hands kept getting tired quickly. I'm getting back to working in longer sessions before I want to give up all together on the blanket ;) So, I crochet for as long as I can, then push myself to go till just before I start to hate working on it, then I stop for the evening. It would have been nicer to have a bit more time to work on it, or to not have hand exhaustion so frequently. But, it is what it is, and I want to finish it. :)

More updating tomorrow. :) Closer to the usual time, too.

Missed adding titles yesterday and almost today!

2012-01-14T17:14:00.000-06:00

So I have some pictures for you. I took several different angles to show the different texture of the blanket. I mean, really, it is tactile. Which is had to convey except with a lot of words, and a poor help of a photo... I also made sure to show how much of the ball of yarn was used for the tighter gauge compared to the loose one. Again, hard to see properly, but I did my best. I've now got the new version larger than the old, and have still hardly made a dent in the ball of yarn. I probably will not need to rip back the first version to finish. I'm going to be adding a border in white when it is squared up.

In these pictures, the first one I made is bigger - I hadn't really gotten very far on the new one when I took the pics. I also had one of my "helpers" - the camera hog...

She likes to climb up on things... my chair, the table, the bed, the dresser... Nothing is sacred to this dog. We *think* she gets up onto the stove, too, but we're not positive... but somehow between Lady and Delko, they manage to reach things on the back of the stove... See the edge of my chair on the right hand side of this next picture?

You can also see all the colours much better in these photos, too. Pink, blue, white, and yellow.

While I was downloading these pictures, I decided spur of the moment to show you all something I bought a few months ago. I was looking for a new sugar bowl, since mine had been on the counter and ended up on the floor, broken. I didn't see anything I liked, but I *did* find some cute animal salt and pepper shakers. They had pigs, and dogs, and duckies, no kitties, but they did have....

Sheepies :)

Aren't they cute?

So, maybe tonight I'll get a bunch more blanket done, and I'll take some pictures again tomorrow. I might even manage to do some of those socks! I've got too many projects on the go, not enough time to finish them all, and too many new ideas rattling around in my head.... I'm seriously considering making four afghans for the grand kids for next year's Christmas... But first I need to finish off some of these projects I've got started, before they become UFO's and tie up more needles and hooks :(

Late night post

2012-01-13T21:12:00.004-06:00

I was out most of today. Went for a hair cut, then to the chiropractor (bad news - the joys of getting older - osteoporosis is in my very near future - :( - I gotta do a bunch of exercises to prevent issues with my spine. )

Then, I did a little shopping, and went to the shelter I got Mr. D from. (aka Delko). They're having a fundraiser dinner next month. We went last year, and enjoyed it so much, that we are definitely going this year. One of the ladies who was working today was the first person I talked to the day I met Delko. I have taken him back for visits now and again, when I go to drop off newspapers or whatever. And I took Lady there once to get a collar for her. But this lady was never there - and lately, I've been running into her again. So, today, I decided... I took my groceries home, dropped them off in the house, loaded up the dogs, and took them back for a little visit. :)

So, by the time I finished all the errands, put the groceries away, it was nearly time to start the dinnertime routine - and I nearly forgot to post here. But, it is still Friday, and I'm posting, so I haven't missed a day yet this year :)

I did take a picture of the blanket - both the new larger stitching and the older tighter version. This time, the yellow showed up. But I didn't pull them off the camera yet, so I don't have them ready to share. I will try to get that done this weekend some time. I also did a few more rounds on the flora/fauna sock. No pictures of that, yet, but I may manage a few more rounds sometime over the weekend. I hope. I also have a few other pressing things, so I'm not sure what time I'll have. But, with all the changing of the crochet blanket, I'm kind of sick of it already... Which is why I'm working on the sock, too - so I don't get too frustrated or bored with the blanket. Baby is due this weekend give or take, so I don't want to take too long. As soon as it is done, I push on the socks. I have four pair to finish by the end of the month! And the house to get in order.

But at least I posted here today! :) Some goals are being met just fine!

Not much again

2012-01-12T12:13:00.000-06:00

Today is garbage day - I decided to tie up and toss the half bag of kitchen trash, because we had a couple meat packages in there that were starting to smell... So, I use those smaller kitchen trash bags - 24 X 30 inch or something.... When I put it into that bin I was talking about - that was the only thing in the bin this week! (Ok, so, I got two dogs and two cats - the dog stuff, I confess, didn't need to be tossed - I use one of those handled plastic grocery bags, and I didn't do the clean up a few days, because with all the melty snow, the "stuff" was too soft and mushy to pick up, and then it snowed finally, and covered most of it - plus was still snowing and blowing at the time of day yesterday I would have gone to do it, so it didn't get done. Cat stuff - small, compact, clumping litter, bagged and tied and added to regular garbage. Told you the other day I don't have a lot of trash) Meat trays are not recyclable, and I used to rinse them off. BUT - they now put in some sort of absorbant thingy, almost like a paper diaper, that soaks up whatever liquids that come from the meat (and I wonder why the meats cook up so dry?) Anyway - used to be, that the absorbant stuff was easy to pitch out, didn't really smell bad. Now, though, these new fangled things are thick, and they suck up everything - can't rinse them, I'd clog my drains. No need to rinse the trays... After a day or two, these things tend to start to "ripen". I find myself going through a lot of trash bags, because I have to tie them up and take them out so often.... Gotta get back in the habit of going to a real meat store/butcher instead of supermarket prepack stuff.

Got a good bit going on the baby blanket. I definitely like the larger, looser stitching. For softness and snuggly-ness. I sort of like the smaller, tighter, more dense stitches for looks. But, since this is to be for a baby, to be wrapped up in and stuff, I am going with the snuggle factor. If I were to use the stitch pattern for a sweater or something else, or for an older child, I'd go with the firmer fabric.

Didn't take a picture yet, and since my entire day is running late due to an early morning "emergency" trip, I won't be taking a picture now. I did plan to this morning, and would have. Tomorrow. I will for sure. Even though tomorrow is another of those run around half the day - hair and chiro appointments. But I'll still pop in here. :)

No pics, short post

2012-01-11T09:54:00.002-06:00

I didn't take pictures. DH (that is dear husband, in 'net speak) is working overtime for a while - January is inventory month. Delko loves waiting for Daddy, and takes up a position by the fence watching for him about ten minutes or so before his usual home time - now that winter had finally hit (for now, at least, not first time it got cold) I have to make sure he understands Daddy is working late - poor little guy would freeze his nose off waiting... Anyway, so, because of the late supper and all that, I spent way less time last night knitting or crocheting, so I didn't get far. Took the second ball of yarn I'd bought for the blanket, and started crocheting with a larger hook - went up two sizes - and already I'm liking it better. May be a bit too loose - but won't really know until I get more than two and a bit pattern rows done. Need something substantial to really "finger block" it into place, to get a proper idea. So, no point in taking a picture, until I have something really good to see. And, today is my "favourite", laundry day. So it will be a stressful day. Already managed to jam a sliver into my finger from one of the wood posts along side the stairwell to the basement :(

So far we've had a mild winter - a couple deep freeze days in December, but mostly little snow and lots of melting. Now we're back to deep freeze temperatures for a few days, at least. Still, nothing to complain about - it is nearly mid January, so winter is pretty much half over already.

And, it is almost D's second anniversary with us. Sometimes, hard to believe it has only been two years - other times, it is like, Two Years Already??? I still love and miss Bear, of course, and Spud, too. But I so adore having Delko in my life. :) And Lady. Two wonderful dogs... Both have come a long way. D still has a few issues, but Lady seems to have settled in now. I love them both so much :) Ah, maybe I'll share a picture of them from Christmas Eve - maybe I did already, (I've shared the pics a few other places for sure, so I can't recall and don't feel like opening another tab/window to look), but here is my favourite of the batch I took Christmas Eve: (they didn't object to wearing the props like I thought they might!)

Trash Talk

2012-01-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

I was going to post last week about how much my doggies love garbage day, and how they probably won't get as much pleasure by the end of the year. I'll be happier, but they won't.

Several years ago, our city gov't ("they") officials decided that instead of having to hire lots of people to collect residential garbage by the can/bag, (labour intensive, not cost effective, not always "easy") that they would put out large bins every few houses, to "automate" the system. Some people were putting out too many bags, others put out loose yard waste (branches, etc.) or heavy items that were not easily picked up. So, these bins were supposed to fix that problem. It didn't - the bins took up space that vehicles were to drive on, people put big heavy things beside the bins, the person whose home it was placed near got junk everywhere, they smelled bad, they were often overfilled/overflowing, and they were definitely attractive to graffiti artists and fire bugs. So, part way through converting the whole city, they stopped... some areas had the bins, some didn't. A few years ago, several ideas were tossed about for a user pay system. I personally liked the idea, but was concerned about how it would be policed - I would not want to be charged if a neighbour put there trash outside of my yard. Eventually, they came out with things like a blue box program to reduce the amount of garbage going to a landfill. Great - too bad they found it more cost effective to send about half of what they collect to the landfill than to truck it off to a recycling center. They still collect it, though. Then, they finally came up with a different automated type bin system. We now have a garbage cart. It's about four feet high, and about two or two and a half feet square (slightly tapered, and I haven't actually measured it). So, now instead of a truck driver and one, two or three men following along to toss bags and empty cans, there is just one truck driver who comes along and scoops up the cart/bins, then dumps and returns them. The blue boxes are still collected the "old fashioned" way. The dogs like to watch the truck, but they are even happier when the blue box gets emptied - they love to bark at/to the men, who I've seen smile, wave, and greet the dogs, too.

That will change.... They are going to now go to a similar cart/bin system for blue box stuff. I'll be happy - the bins hold quite a bit. They will be smaller than the trash bins (anyone else see anything wrong with that picture?) but still bigger than the boxes. And they don't have to be kept indoors to keep the recyclables out of the wind and rain...

The drawbacks? Well - besides the fact that my doggies won't get to greet the workers anymore, there is the obvious - those people will be out of work. And, it is not going to be a user pay system - we'll all be paying to have the new system put in place. Why does that bother me? Well - because the idea is to get people to reduce the trash they send to the landfill. So, where is the reward for the people who do, or are trying to reduce the waste? That is why I support user-pay trash collection - those who put the bigger burden on the system should pay more to maintain the system, in my opinion. And, again, if they want people to throw less out, and recycle more, why is the trash can bigger than the recycle can? (oh, right, because they only take about half of what can be recycled, and send a portion of that to the landfill anyway). Oh, and they are also instituting a compostable/yard waste pick up as well, which we all share in paying for. Even if we will never use the service.

See, that is what bothers me the most. I have three compost bins in my yard - and I use them year round. I've gotten a lot of good dirt for garden and yard dressing. I love my compost bins, and no way am I giving away my compost raw materials!! Second, I do use the blue box, and put my recyclable stuff in there all the time. But that is another of the things that sort of irks me - I know that "recycle" is the THIRD "R". The first is "Reduce" - - reduce the amount of waste you produce as much as possible. I try to buy bulk, look for items that do not have excess packaging, and move on frequently to the second "R" - "Reuse". A great many items that come into this house get repurposed for something else. A lot of packaging can be reused several times before finding its way to the blue box. So what this all boils down to is, people need to be educated to encourage them to reduce the waste, not just penalized with an across the board fee while the city has to deal with the problem. Heck, I've reduced my "trash" (admittedly, there are only two humans living in this house) to the point that if it weren't for the fact the dogs like to watch, I would only need to put out the bin once every two weeks. And that includes the fact that we do have two dogs, and two cats, that produce absolute waste matter....

So, that is my rant for the day. I've been posting mostly craft stuff for some time - and this blog was supposed to be more than just craft information - it was supposed to be a place for me to do this sort of venting and journaling of my opinions. But, in all fairness, I could give a progress report - if any of my craft fans are still with me ;) I did a few rounds on Hermione's Everyday Socks, and I'm a little concerned about the pattern showing up after all. The original design was done in a subtle variegated yarn, mine is a bit brighter. So, I'm afraid the texturing won't sow so much. That, or the pattern doesn't really match the picture- I'll need to inspect that a little closer, though, to be sure. And, I worked some more on the baby blanket - which I'm starting to feel uncomfortable about again.... I've gotten nearly 20 repeats done now, but have used more than half a ball of yarn - so I'll either have to go buy more (need to do 50 repeats), or I think I want to rip and restart again on a larger hook again. While this effort is not as stiff as the first, it still isn't as soft as I'd like it to be. If I'm not happy with the project, I'll start dragging my feet on it. And it will take forever to finish, and I won't be happy at all.... On the other hand, it will definitely set me back timewise to restart. *sigh*. I'll think about it today, and hopefully I'll have made a decision by the time my crafting session starts tonight. So, no pics - nothing picture worthy at the moment.

3 project progress pics

2012-01-09T10:29:00.000-06:00

Too bad the word for "3" doesn't start with a "P", or I'd have a great alliterative title :)

Anyway, here they are:

The new baby blanket - that I will write up a pattern for when it is done.

The yarn is a "print" yarn called Baby Combo, and it has blue, pink, and not visible in the pictures yellow, and white.

I'm also ready now to start clue two of the mystery socks. I thought it was kind of cool how these turned out - I mean, in the first early pictures, there was a garter stitch triangle forming, that I thought would represent leaves...

Then, when I finished off the chart, and did the "set up rows" for the next section, the directions arranged the starting point at a different place, and when I looked -

There are really cute little leaves showing :) With garter diamonds between. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next clue brings - and it will need to be done in a week. Hopefully, the crocheting goes quickly enough.

Because, I also want to get moving on these socks - a new design by me. But with the theme of flora fauna - the colour, as I've said before, is rosewood, (flora) and I'm going to knit some butterfly theme and cat theme patterning into the leg (fauna).

So, that is where I'm up to now. Today, I'm going to hit up the store for some shopping - the brand of margarine I use is being offered at a great price this week, and another store has a super special on a tool set, plus I guess I should get some more potatoes, since I'm low....Oh, and we discovered at an inconvenient time that I forgot to replace the spaghetti sauce in the cupboard.... One of the few things I still buy pre-made, since I haven't found a decent recipe we're happy with yet. I do need to pay attention to brands, though - some I can eat, others I can't. Anyway, I do like to keep a can or two in the cupboard, so that if I feel like making mock veal parmesan, or lasagne, or even just pasta and sauce (I don't make "spaghetti" as such, I tend to go for fatter cuts, more like linguine - and I do mean, "make")

See you tomorrow!!!

Hah, Almost forgot!!!

2012-01-08T16:39:00.002-06:00

I've been posting every day. Almost didn't do it today- keep shutting down before I remember to open the blogger page to post. BUT - here I am. Don't know that I have anything significant to share, but figure I will babble a bit anyway. The important thing about keeping a journal, or a diary, or anything like that, is to try to get in the habit of posting/writing daily. Even if it is only a few sentences. The idea is to form the habit.

And since this is sort of my diary (though I must confess that there are some thoughts I wish to keep private, and a blog is pretty damn public!) and sort of my craft journal, I guess I should start treating it more seriously, and posting more regular. Besides, I need the typing practice, so I can get off my lazy procrastinating butt and type up a document that needs typing up. I keep going over and over in my head what I need to write for it, but when I get in front of the keyboard, I look at the icon for MSWord, and I click on Firefox instead.

On the crafting front - I've been remembering that I need to get off my procrastinating butt and practice spinning, and start working on some of my needle felting projects. I also have to take those promised pictures of the baby blanket I'm working on (oh, right, another writing exercise - write up the pattern, since I kind of am designing it in a way) and the mystery socks before I start the next clue.

So, I will try to make sure to do that first thing tomorrow morning. :) In the meantime, here's a picture that a friend/extended family member found and shared on Facebook, that is really rather appropriate to this post:

Waste of time?

2012-01-07T11:19:00.002-06:00

Some might think so. Because I'm sort of on a deadline, I sort of think so. I always used to. I spent 2 and a half hours last night working on a crochet baby blanket. I picked a hook that was best suited to the size of the yarn, and did five and a half rows.... Realized that the blanket would be too stiff to be a soft baby blanket. Ripped it all out, and started over with a larger hook.

So, no progress pictures, as I barely restarted before it was too close to bedtime and I was too tired....

I consider it a learning experience. Not really a waste of time.... But, considering I'm on a self-imposed deadline to get it done ASAP, it is a little frustrating to have done all that work and spend the time with nothing to show for it. But, on the other hand, a larger hook means it will grow faster, so be done sooner with fewer stitches (first attempt was done over 151 chains, new one is only 101)and fewer rows... :)

So - that is my post for today. Hopefully, will have more to say tomorrow (plus, tomorrow the second clue comes out on the mystery sock, so I need to take a pic of what I have before I start on clue2.)

Ugg....

2012-01-06T10:41:00.001-06:00

Not much progress yesterday. Spent too much time away from home. BUT - the weather was unseasonably warm (6C) so I was able to get out and clean up dog stuff and play with the dogs for a while. Got them so used to me being outside with them, and having a daily play session when the weather was nice in the summer...Now that it is colder out, they don't understand that it isn't fun for me to stand shivering while they play "keep away" with the ball between tosses... I don't blame them, they both want to be the one to bring the ball back and get the praise. Sometimes, they get smart, and each one has their own ball - that really keeps me busy (and warmer, lol)

Anyway - I did finish off the complete clue for the mystery sock (will take a picture, but not today) and decided that I'm going to rip out that little toe for the Six Sox sock, and redo it without the knot. The directions said to start with a slip knot, but then I have that nasty little lump - and putting it on (I know it is really tiny, but I got a pretty good idea which part of my toes it would cover) told me that I would have that little lump in the tip of my big toe - Not a pleasant thought. And too much "work", especially doing two at once, to make sure I did a "left and right" sock (by changing the side I do the heel on) to make sure the lump never goes at the big toe side. So, I'll just rip out, consider the first attempt a learning experience (which it definitely was) and restart them tonight. About the mystery sock - I pulled it on, and discovered, that while the cast on number was what I normally would use, the style made it a bit tight.... I can still get the sock on and over my heel, but it will make for a pair of socks that I'll have to ensure I never let shrink even a tiny tiny bit, and they probably will be ones I don't wear as often as others. I have a couple pair like that - I need to sort of stretch them a bit before pulling them all the way on. Sometimes caused by the nature of the cast on/pattern, as with these socks, others because I was a little tense when I started knitting them, or had slippery needles so tightened up my knitting.

Tonight I hope to make some more progress on a few of the projects. Oh, and I have to start another new one - Turns out I have a week to whip up a baby gift again.... DH apologized - he first heard in November, but forgot again until a couple days ago, when discussion turned to inventory and overtime with a co-worker. I want to do something a little more than the usual let the yarn do the work project, so thought I'd go with a crocheted blanket I've made before - but of course, misplaced the pattern and even though I've made several, I just can't quite recall exactly how.... But, yesterday, I went ahead and bought yarn for it, and was able to go to the bookstore to pick up a book I'd special ordered - Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet - and found a stitch in there that is pretty much the same as the one I couldn't recall! The original is in a pattern leaflet from Leisure Arts with four baby layettes that I bought several years back, and is called "bubbles" or "baby bubbles" or something similar - bubble for sure in the title. The one in the book is "granule". I'm going to hybrid them - I remember a treble and I think a three stitch one row repeat, but the book uses a chain picot and two stitch two row repeat. I'll use the treble and two stitch two row repeat. I'll also dig out the link to my blog where I showed the last time I made a blanket using the pattern - it has been a few years.... But that will be tomorrow or the next day. I'm now a day behind in what I want to accomplish (well, part of what I want to do) so - on to the housework and special project!

(oh, and notice how I'm keeping up with another of my personal goals? I've been posting here every day since January 1)

Progress

2012-01-05T11:19:00.000-06:00

Y'know, I just wrote a whole pile of stuff about how today is garbage day, and how much my dogs love to greet the guys who collect our blue box stuff, but ended up deleting it all. It was turning into a rant on how much garbage some people throw out, how little we have (compost, dogs eating some leftovers, recycling, etc.) and how our city is changing the way it does things and making us pay for it...

I may still, one day, revisit that topic. But for now - I'm going to post progress pics for you. This morning I took pictures of all the projects that I am considering "current" - even though one of them has been put on hold...

First up: the one on hold. I found a single 50 gram ball of Patons Kroy sock yarn at Michaels one day, and it had been drastically reduce in price as "discontinued". I bought it, and a companion contrast ball, to make the cuffs, heel, and toe. I plan to do an afterthought heel... Anyway, I loved the colours on the ball, and I really didn't pay a lot of attention, but it was called "stripes" - and that is what it is. And much duller knit up than I expected. But, I'm going to carry on. I stopped for a bit, to see how much yarn I had left, in case I needed to make fraternal socks (striped cuff, heel, toe on black sock for second one) or if I could continue and make a matching pair. Then, I discovered that I wanted/needed the needle in this sock for one of the January socks I'm working on.... so, I put the sock on a piece of yarn, and will come back to it later.

The January sock I needed the needle for - the January mystery sock pattern. Four clues will be released a week apart - and to complete them, I wanted to do them two at a time. So, here is the progress on clue one (which covers the cuff) - 12 of 21 rows completed.

The picture came out more blue, but really the yarn is turquoise. Not a solid colour, but a tone-on-tone.

Next, the other January sock - from a featured designer. I can't remember the name of the designer, dang it, but the socks are Hermione's Everyday Socks. I've finished the 1X1 rib cuff of the first sock. This is the one I'm doing on the Lantern Moon needles, one of which broke - the glue seems to be holding, though...and this yarn is also more turquoisey than the picture.

The yarn I'm using for the January theme sock (theme is flora/fauna):

Briggs & Little Durasport in Rosewood. The pattern I'll have to design, since I couldn't find anything that grabbed me. :)
All the above January socks, as I've mentioned over the last couple days, are from the Ravelry group, Sock Knitters Anonymous. (hey, I just added my first ever "click on the word" link!!! Wuhoo!! I could never figure that out before, but this new Blogger dashboard made it super easy!!) Anyway - If you can't find the group, just search me out - I'm Catlady2 at Ravelry - and check out my projects page.

Last year, I joined the Celtic Cape KAL in another Rav. group, and started it, but didn't get very far before it ended up in the UFO pile. This is how far I got:

I know, not easy to see, but there is a repeat cable pattern, and the strip is supposed to go over the front of your head from collar bone to collar bone - using a tape measure, I need one more partial repeats - which is why I back-burnered it. Didn't want to reknit on different needles, wasn't sure how to proceed, etc. So, finally, while prepping for this year's attempts to clear up projects, I just went ahead and put the strip over my head... I am going to do one more full repeat of the pattern.

Progress on the crocheted afghan.

And, finally, a late start on some socks that I wasn't sure if I was going to make at all - but I kind of wanted to.... I'm in a yahoo group, I think I have a sidebar link to it, called "Six Sox Knitalong" - the premise is you make six pairs of socks in a year, one new pattern every two months. Now, the months aren't even with the calendar year - that is, the new pattern will be put up on February 1, 2012. The current patter, called "Woolie Wellies" was posted December 1, 2011... It is done on a heavier weight sock yarn - the recommended is "Big Fabel" from Drops. I like making the heavier socks - just didn't have any yarn handy, and was toying with the idea of doing or not doing the socks. The intriguing part is they are toe up socks. I haven't actually accomplished a pair of toe up socks yet. I've started a few, but haven't finished. So, since I now have some leftover Cascade 220 in lime green (again, the pic I'm about to post doesn't do it justice, but I think I managed to come close when I shared the hat and mitts last month), I thought I'd give the pattern a try. I started them last night, using for the first time, "Judy's Magic Cast On" (knitty.com has the directions). I followed the directions exactly, and really wish I hadn't - it involves a knot, that is quite prominent... I am not sure if I want to just go ahead with these and hope I can still wear the socks, or if I want to restart... I'm not that far along... Oh, and one toe has a stretched out stitch in one of the stitches from the cast on. I may just try to fix the toes later. I really am not wanting, despite the few rows involved, to rip it out.... I do need to get a bit further along, to determine where that knot will fall when the sock toe is on my foot, to determine if it will be a problem or not. Plus, if I want to finish them before the end of the month, along with the three other pair of socks that I want to do before the end of the month, then I really shouldn't waste too much time deciding...

Today's agenda: shopping and a bath. :)

Not as much as I'd hoped

2012-01-04T09:55:00.000-06:00

I was hoping to have pictures to post, and a few other things to report. I didn't do the housework I should have yesterday. And I didn't accomplish as much of other things as I wanted to, either... And today is my "favourite" - laundry day.

So - first of all, I guess I should explain a bit - I referred to a "special project". That somehow is starting to sound mysterious and exciting, when it really isn't. I just didn't want to go to a lot of detail, nor give any wrong impressions.... What it is, it's just a way for me to make a little pin money. Didn't want to say it was a job, lest people think I have a great source of income, or that it is in any way permanent. It is more piecework, with generous time allowance to complete... So, it really isn't anything great, but it will take me a few hours a day for the next several weeks. So, I guess, maybe, I'll just mention it now and again from now on... But it will explain how it seems that I don't have enough hours in a day to get a lot of other things done.

Then, there is the fact that today is laundry day, so that eats some of my time and energy and good mood.

Yesterday I did end up casting on for two pairs of socks - from that Ravelry group I mentioned. Sock knitters Anonymous. I've done 6 rounds in two socks for the mystery sock - clue 1 is the cuff, a 21 round pattern. I also did 12 of 20 rounds on the cuff of one sock from the featured designer. (I don't feel like looking up the details right now, sorry, will post them with the progress pic). While working on that one, I managed to break one of my ebony Lantern Moon needles, that I've hardly ever used!!! Wonder if they dried out or something? I have attempted to glue it - will not be using it again before tonight, so won't know if it will work. Hope so - if not, then I'll just sharpen the end, and have one shorter dpn than the rest.... fortunately, it was a set of five, so I can still knit the sock.... But I've gotten used to using five needles instead of four!! :(

I've also got things together ready to start or work on the other projects on the go. Everything is gathered together - patterns, needles, yarns... I was going to take a picture of those, too, but haven't yet.

So, I really have nothing much else to report today.

Oh, I wanted to share something my son wrote. It was his birthday yesterday, and I posted greetings to him on Facebook. This was his response:

34 years ago you went through pains and joy that gave me life, since then you have been there for most of my needs and alot of wants, you made my childhood great and helped me grow out of it somewhat successful, I put you through stress and made you laugh, you've always been there for me , love you mom, and with all that said IT IS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Such sweet words from a great kid :) Made *me* feel good on *his* birthday!!

And no pics to share, unless I share my favourite picture taken Christmas Eve...

Progress reports :)

2012-01-03T09:38:00.001-06:00

Finished the hats. Took pictures. Colour doesn't show well. BUT - I played with some editing features to get a bit closer. First shot is "as is", second is manipulated - but only in things like contrast and tone adjustments.

The yellow in the top picture looks closer to real; the green in the bottom was as close as I could get. Think - John Deere green and yellow.... The football uniforms are actually yellow with green - oh, wait a second...

Ok... There we go. Now, DS requested green and yellow footballs, specifying "yellow laces". So, that is what I did. The fact that I now own a "pounder" ball of yellow worsted weight acrylic that I don't have a clue what I'm going to do with (Ok, so it isn't a full ball anymore, it is missing a few yards....) means that I guess I'm acquiring a "stash".

Well, I spent 2 hours on my special project yesterday; I completed the hats and found some yarn from my sock yarn stash to make three pairs of socks for that Ravelry group I mentioned. I just need to figure out one pattern... I have the two others ready to go. One is a mystery knit, clues to be provided one per week for the month of January. Second is a "featured designer" - you can pick your own pattern from that designer. Third is a pair of socks following the stated theme - flora or fauna. I have some Durasport in Rosewood colourway that I can use. I have yet to make a pair of socks from Durasport; normally I use it for shawls. While I was winding this hank yesterday, I kept thinking it was a perfect colour for a shawl.... Going to have to buy a few more of these soon, so I can do just that. (Going to try to reduce stash/current projects before buying new - going to try to tighten up the budget some around here - let's see how long that will last). Anyway, I'm not sure what pattern to use for the theme at this time. Have been toying with a cat's paw lace patterning on the leg... but might go with some sort of cabled design, too. At first, I was thinking some cables in a representation of a stag's antlers, but the pink colour wouldn't work for that. But, now I have that sort of a cable rattling around in my head... new WIM.... Anyway, thinking might do some sort of floral lace, alternating with cat's paw... cat playing in roses? in the rosewood? Further to the progress - didn't do as much house as I wanted. Did wipe down bathroom, sorted a bit of bedroom, (Have I mentioned lately how I feel about laundry? I have a basket of clean clothes to deal with) and sorted one box of stuff that used to be under the bathroom sink. Have two more boxes to go (mostly extra shampoos and bubble bath and soaps stuff) And got nearly all the dishes caught up. We did a fondue on Dec. 30, and the company helped with clean-up, but there were a few remnants from that; DH had deep fried shrimp and french fries on 31st, and I made stew from fondue leftover meat and carrots on 1st; so there were really not a lot of dishes, especially not a lot of pots and pans, but they hadn't been done for a bit.

So, wonder what I'll accomplish today?

Yesterday's pictures I hope. And report

2012-01-02T09:09:00.001-06:00

Ok, let's try this again. I want to post pictures:

Three football beanies. Embroidering the laces is the hard part on crochet.

The hats I made for the grand daughters. The darkest one, the purple - really, the butterfly and flower look better in person.

The beanie I made for myself. I wear it over top of my earmuffs, and I find that helps to keep them on better when I'm being active outside (playing with pups, shoveling snow, etc.)

I'm further along with this afghan/lapghan. I found a great colourway of yarn one day, and fell in love with it. I thought it would come out better if it were crocheted instead of knitted, and there were only three balls of it on the shelf. So, I bought them (Red Heart Comfort in "Lipstick" - brighter than this picture shows, really) and I bought an equal amount of the off white. I'm using a larger than recommended hook to further "soften" the appearance of the scallops. Didn't want a sharp ripple. I kind of like this pattern - simple, easy to remember, good mindless work for watching TV. :) I am not totally positive which is the "right side" -

which is really cool for an afghan, 'cause then you can just cuddle without thinking too hard. :) I haven't taken a next progress pic yet, but I've finished one ball of the Lipstick, and completed nearly 3 repeats of the red strips. So - I have a rough idea of how long it will end up. I hope I can get an even number of repeats, but since it is just something for me to cuddle on the couch with, I won't worry too much if I don't.

Now, progress for today: delivered football beanie for 1 yr old; crocheted team colour beanie for GS, started team colour beanie for DS, still need to weave ends and do lace embroidery on GS's beanie. Starting special project today, that will take me probably about two months to complete. House project - slow start, I didn't do any housework yesterday. Unless you count, using some leftovers from the fridge to make a stew... But, today after I spend a few hours on the special project, I'll be able to get moving on the house.

Will report again tomorrow, and share some Christmas eve pictures.

A New Year 2012

2012-01-01T11:35:00.004-06:00

I'm going to try to post every day. I totally forgot that blogger changed up the dashboard thingy - for those of you non-bloggers, it is where I go to do this posting thing. So, I'm going to have to figure it all out again. I need to figure out the side bar stuff again...

I want to (in fact, I always wanted to) make one of those bar graph things that show what projects I'm working on, and what projects I've finished, etc. Since I'm not there yet, I'm going to have to do it in the body of the posts for now.

So - here goes. I've finished a bunch of hats for Christmas presents - and at least one type, the football beanie, generated requests for three more. So, I did finish last night making one of those. No pic, may take one today before I deliver the hat tomorrow early morning, but since it looks just like the others, I may not bother.

I have tried a few times, and pictures don't want to load today. So, will try again tomorrow.

I also made myself a hat, using the beanie pattern, but doing it in one solid colour. I'd also like to take a few minutes to give some yarn reviews - since I used some yarns for the first time recently.

I showed pics in December of the sweater I made - I couldn't find the yarn I wanted to use - Paton's Classic Wool in a tweed or aran fleck type. Finally, I was able to find it in Red Heart acrylic. I'm not a yarn snob, though I nearly became one for a while, lol... Anyway, as long as I worked on the sweater, I was fine. But, I used some scraps of sock yarns and baby yarn to hold some stitches, and one of those was a merino wool. I had no trouble with the acrylic until I had something to compare it to! But, I persevered, and I have no trouble wearing the sweater. In fact, I wore it to my son's house for Christmas Eve. :)

The hats - I used several yarns for them. First off, in my last post, I told you about the lime green set I made for someone else. I used Cascade220 for it. First time using that wool - and I was quite pleased with it. It actually feels very soft. I have leftover, and I think I'm going to try using it for some heavy socks, just to see how it holds up. I would definitely buy it again - feels at least as soft and nice as the Paton's Classic. But in solid colours, and costs a little more.

The next up - I made most of the footballs, including my "non-football", in Paton's Decor. Good quality washable acrylic wool blend. Feels nice and soft, too. I'm quite happy with it.

The girl's hats were made from Lion Brand's Vanna 's Choice acrylic, with the accessories made from Paton's Astra. I really like the Vanna's Choice. A very nice soft acrylic yarn, softer even than the Decor, in line with a wool, really. I enjoyed working with it. Vibrant colours, very good yarn. A bit more pricey, but worth the extra (as long as you're making a smaller project, lol...) As for the pink football - mostly bought that yarn for the colour. Having worked with it, I don't think I'll buy it again. It is thicker than most worsted weight yarns, and doesn't even feel as nice as Red Heart... Really. It felt all right - and the hat is fine; because of the extra thickness and the nature of the crochet, it did turn out soft enough that I had no problem giving the hat to my daughter in law, but I wouldn't buy the yarn again, unless I was again desparate for the particular colour in a washable yarn. It was called "Loops & Threads Impeccable", and acrylic found at my local Michaels store.

So ends the yarn review portion of my post.

Now, I'll start my future type project list.

I plan to finish off all the projects I have in various stages. Some are definite UFO's. They've been around for ages... Then there are the WIP's - things I've started more recently, that are not quite UFO's, or are in current progress. And the WIM's - Now, I consider it a WIP if I've bought the yarn or fabric or whatever, because that is the first step. However, since I haven't gone further than that, I guess technically it is a WIM - I have it in mind to do. Then there are the WIM's that I have downloaded, bought, or otherwise saved the pattern for - no materials bought, but I want to make them - I have a mind to. Finally, the WIM's that are original patterns - they exist so far only in my mind. I may or may not have acquired materials for them, or I may need to find just the right yarn....

So - new projects. Well, there are some KAL's, CAL's, and BOM's starting up. I kind of want to get in on some of them... But mostly, I'm going to use some of those WIM's instead of starting too many new things. I should be getting re-excited about what I have, instead of getting excited about what I see.

List:
1) to start on: 2 more football beanies, in grandson's team colours, sock KAL from Ravelry - 1 mystery, 1 theme, 1 stated designer (Ravelry group is http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sock-knitters-anonymous, Sockdown, January KAL)
2)to finish: crochet afghan "just because", two colour sock, Celtic Cape KAL started a year ago! and crochet tank and bolero set
3)Determined to get the house finished!!!! Really - I know, you're all tired of hearing about it, and I'm tired of talking about it. So, this year, I'm going to do it. I got the bathroom done around Christmas, and since I redid the bedroom and the closets, they shouldn't take much effort to whip into shape, so I'm ahead of the game. Really.
4)Finally - will get the UFO's sorted, will frog anything froggable, (hey, I actually returned some yarn to the store last year!) and will work on at least ONE UFO to bring it back to WIP status.

Ok. Now to see if I can get these pictures to load.... Tried a little while ago, and something didn't happen...

And for those who aren't sure:
UFO = UnFinished Object
WIP = Work In Progress
WIM = Work In Mind
KAL = Knit ALong
CAL = Crochet ALong
BOM = Block Of the Month (usually quilting, but could be an afghan block, I suppose)

Update

2011-12-14T11:19:00.000-06:00

Ug. I been meaning to post this update for some time. But I'm so far behind on everything....

So, I finally finished the sweater. I had to take a break for a couple things - one, I was starting to get sick of looking at the sweater yet didn't want it to turn into a UFO, two I was asked to make a hat and mittens for a lady to match her new coat, and three (I know, I said "couple") I found a pattern to crochet a hat that I wanted to try to do, which led to a series of hats.

Ok, so, first a picture of the sweater - with obligatory animal content (bad enough the cats turn into "posers" when the camera comes out!)

Now for a better shot of the sweater...

I did enjoy making this one. Nearly had trouble with the buttons - first of all, there aren't many places to buy nice buttons around here. Second, I wanted to finish the sweater, then select the buttons to be sure to get right size, right shape, right colour, etc. Well, I'd been "window shopping" for buttons, so I could shorten the hunt when the time came - turned out I needed 7 buttons, but any of the possibles I'd seen I would have been lucky to get 5 of... So, I had a brainstorm. I had come across the button tub earlier this summer, before the hand incident, and put it handy. Went through it, and found two possibilities. Then I had to decide... the other ones were an orangey beige, very nice, but blended in too well. Asked DH's opinion, and he thought these green ones were the better choice. I have to admit, I was leaning that way myself...

The hat and mitten set was done in a bright lime green - I know the thumbs look funny - I probably should have reknit them, but the lady was quite happy with them.

See? Kitty butt....

Now all I have to do is take pictures of the current projects. They are (mostly) Christmas gifts, but I'm 99% sure the recipients don't read my blog. I'm crocheting a bunch of hats... One likely won't be photographed -it is hard to get if off the head long enough, lol...

Then all I have to do is figure out what I want to work on next - I have been crocheting for a bit, but think I want to go back to knitting - I should find some of my abandoned/put aside UFO's and get them finished, as well as "stash shop" for my next project. I am discovering that I do indeed have a bit of a stash. I was in denial - I don't consider it a "stash" as such, because I don't buy yarn just because. So many people buy yarn because it is pretty, because it is on sale, because whatever... But I only buy yarn for specific projects. I do buy an extra ball at times; (this reminds me - did I remember to post pics of some prayer shawls I made in the spring? I had bought an extra ball of Lionbrand Homespun for the first one of them "just in case", and didn't need it, so I *actually returned the extra ball*) and have leftovers, so that is what a lot of my "stash" is made up of. And, I do buy a lot of sock yarn, which I do admit to buying because it is pretty, on sale, etc. but I don't think that so bad, because you can always make a pair of socks, even if you don't have a specific pattern in mind at the time you buy it. BUT - I guess working at a yarn store, you kind of lose track... I have been doing some organizing and downsizing since spring, and I've discovered that I have a lot of sock yarn. A *LOT* of sock yarn. I also discovered, that thanks to some trips to the thrift store, that I also have rather a fair amount of crochet cotton... I do tat as well as crochet... and admittedly, it does take up a lot of space because for some reason they wind it on a rather large cardboard core, so it looks like even more. But I do have a healty amount.... (or, I guess one could say "un" healthy...)

There is also the inherited and otherwise given to me stash - I will likely use a lot of that combined with my leftovers to make some scrap afghans. Haven't done that in a while.... Last ones I made were "stolen" by DS, who ended up using some (if not all, I really didn't want to ask) as dog blankets.... Guess what won't be happening again....Worst was the one that technically he was only supposed to be borrowing - I'd used a lot of my mother's stash to make it.... some of which was used up in that blanket... Yes, I've forgiven him. But I wont' be making another afghan for him. At least he's looking after the quilt I made him! Guess the word "scrap" attached to "afghan" threw him off....

Ok, will try to keep up better with the blog, now that things are settling back to "normal" now.

I'm still here

2011-10-12T08:10:00.005-05:00

And healing nicely, thank you very much. Just don't seem to have the time to sit proper and update this blog, though. Do have some pics ready - I posted my sweater progress of just before my hand was broken. I *think* (and am too lazy to check right now, don't want to lose the momentum of typing) that I mentioned I tried to figure out a way to knit with the cast on. The first cast I got had rough spots, so when they took that one off to do follow-up X-rays, I asked if something could be done about that, since when I tried to pick up my knitting, I snagged badly... The first row I did took forever! Instead of knitting all the way across the front, back, front in about 10 to 15 minutes, it took me 15 minutes to get mostly across the first front!! Well, by the time I was ready (after a total of 7 weeks) to have the cast off for good (I went through a total of 4 casts) I had knit this much:Not bad, is it? Especially when you remember that I did do other things as well, like looking after the dogs, cooking, cleaning, hanging on the computer, reading books.... Remember, I said I was seaming as I went, and knitting all parts on a long circ. I didn't seam right up to the armhole, in case I needed the extra "room" while sewing in the sleeve.
I've now completed those components, and am working on the sleeves. Also knitting them both at the same time. No pics of that yet...

I am using Red Heart acrylic yarn for this project - something I still don't mind doing, especially when I couldn't locate a wool in the right colour and gauge of yarn to make this sweater. I really wasn't having any problems with it - despite becoming a bit of a yarn snob, and preferring to use a wool or wool blend whenever possible. I find it to be adequately soft and warm...

But, as a mental note to myself... if I'm going to use an acrylic yarn, I shouldn't use some leftover merino sock yarn as a stitch holder.... not nice to have something that soft and squooshy in such direct comparison to the acrylic... I decided that instead of casting off the stitches for the underarm, that I would put them on a holder, and graft them later, like I do for the sweaters in the round (aka Lopi sweaters) instead of sewing them up after. May not work so good, but what the heck - this is a sweater for me, and if it works a new technique for finishing :)

More on how I'm coping with the healing later ;) I promise.

Need I say more?

2011-09-09T12:32:00.002-05:00

Hope that worked.... copy pasted a code thingy for an embedded video - I'll know if it worked when I publish the post...

Want to add - if you get Animal Planet in Canada, there will be a one hour documentary aired on Sunday evening, Sept. 11/2011

New cast

2011-08-01T07:58:00.002-05:00

One bone seems to have healed - the one that was only broken halfway across, rather than separated in two. So, I now have a finger back. Also, when getting the new cast, I asked if there was a way to reduce the rough edges. There is, and any final rough spots could, apparently, be taken care of with a nail file. I can knit again! BUT - ever so slowly. The sweater - doing it front-back-front the way I am - normally was taking me about ten minutes (cables) to work across the whole row. Faster on the wrong side rows, where I could knit the knits, purl the purls. Well, last night, it took me 15 minutes to do about a quarter of the row... very very slow! A bit awkward, too...

Oh, well... I will be getting this cast off again in 3 weeks, and the doctor thinks I won't need another one after that. :) I can hardly wait!

Promised pics and bonus pics..

2011-07-15T06:29:00.016-05:00

The sweater I'm doing and seaming at the same time:
Back then front

Took outdoor pictures, sun "washes out" the cables a bit...Showing the seams:

Bonus pictures: Wednesday, almost two weeks ago, I had my GD over for a day to help around the house... One of the things we did was to take the dogs for a walk. I had to go and trip...Took some pics on the Friday morning two days after it happened...

Knee:
Face: (got glasses fixed - they had been mangled, comes from using your face to break your fall... all things considered, my face was the least damaged)And hands.... First, the right hand, for comparison to "normal", then how the left hand looked....

And that is why I took the pictures. Actually, it was more swollen on the Thursday. But by Friday, it was really hurting, so I figured I should get it looked at. Oh, and there was a nice bruise on the palm, and a tiny hole where I guess a stone got driven into the hand.
So, it was off to a clinic, where they gave me this:

I've had it for just over a week now... And I can hardly wait to have it GONE!!!!! I go again this coming Friday, for a follow-up X-ray. What I know from broken bones is a minimum of 6 weeks to heal, so, I'm not going to hold my breath that I won't be coming home without the cast for a while. Oh, right, when typing one handed, I tend to forget to type in complete thoughts, lol...

I broke two bones in my hand. Those long skinny ones that connect your fingers to your wrist - the ones from the baby and ring fingers, at the base or wrist end....

Never mind one handed typing - - one handed *anything* isn't fun. Oh, well... I am sure it could have been worse. And, at least it is PINK :)

Picture laziness...

2011-07-12T06:40:00.003-05:00

I keep forgetting to take a picture of what I'm knitting right now. It isn't what I *should* be knitting, but anyway...

I'm working on a sweater, from Patons website - Pure Cable Cardi I think is the title. Of course, the yarn isn't available, so I'm subbing. It is coming along nicely, especially as I've discovered my knitting skills have improved to the point that I can knit this (well, OK, simple) aran type sweater without looking at the pattern directions constantly. I can simply look at what I've knit so far, and know what comes next!!

Ok, I'm going to have to go back to the pattern when I get to the arm hole shaping, etc. But still...

Makes me happy :)

Another thing I'm doing... I don't know what exactly inspired me to do it, other than convenience and experimentation. It was a bit of a slow start - I cast on a total of four times, and ripped three (was that last bit obvious?). But, once I kept straight in my head what I was doing, I had cast on to one long circular the right front, back, and left front in order. I began knitting on all three pieces at the same time. Then, mostly because the tails were annoying me, and after I was sure I'd gotten it right finally ;) and because I was tired of chasing each piece around the circ cord, I started sewing up the seams. So, I knit four or six rows, then I seam a few. I do not sew all the way to the "top", but leave a space still between parts. You'll see when I remember to take the picture.

I usually try to work on it in the late afternoon, while doing my quality time outside with the puppies. They like to play catch/fetch with a ball, but they also like to "fight" over who brings it back. So, rather than standing there or sitting there waiting for them, I knit between tosses. Then, I try to spend some more time in the evenings knitting, too. Depending on what is on TV.

So, I'll try to take a picture during today's outdoor session. I keep hoping to get a shot of the dogs when they are doing something extra cute, but I know if I have a camera handy, they won't do it... It involves Delko "hogging" the ball, and Lady using her paw...

Healthy Eating? Bandwagons?

2011-07-07T07:49:00.002-05:00

I like to listen to bands. Though from the comfort of my own home, usually on the TV or a CD or something. Wagons are useful items - great for playing when you are a kid, or for hauling things when you are older. But "Bandwagons"? Usually more trouble than not. Everyone jumps on the latest bandwagon. Everyone wants to be a part of what everyone else is doing. No one thinks for themselves much anymore... In my opinion.

Sure, sometimes, I agree with whatever the cause-du-jour is. But, I don't just blindly jump on like everyone else. I sit back, do whatever research, then make an informed decision and choice.

Healthy eating, for example. There tend to be a lot of knee-jerk reactions to food. Eat this, it is good for you. Wait, no, don't eat it, turns out it's bad for you. Here, take this vitamin supplement instead, to replace what you miss by not eating it.... So many people when on the NO FAT bandwagon, that they stopped getting essential fatty acids. And the cholesterol thing - there is good and bad cholesterol - Yes, I did the research, no I can't quote the sources. Back in the day, I did everything with footnotes etc. etc. However, now I just look stuff up for myself. And I look at several sources, to ensure getting good info, rather than self-serving guided testing results. If you want to know details, just google. Anyway, I am amazed at the number of people who buy one brand of product over another because it says "no cholesterol" or "cholesterol free" - - french fries. Of course potatoes don't have cholesterol. It is in the cooking method....

Now the buzzword is omega3. I don't have a clue what it is. But I'm pretty sure that it was always there in food, so I really don't care. I'm just tired of hearing I should buy one brand over another because of the omega3 and psyllium (hope I spelled that one right).

Anyway - I have made a decision to avoid "healthy eating". I refer to salad as "rabbit food". I try to avoid buying anything that has "low fat" or "low salt" labelling at the store. I stopped eating cottage cheese several years ago, because I can no longer find the kind marked 4%. I am not just spiting myself here, I just don't like the taste of the 2%. Too watery, not creamy at all. I finally broke down a couple months ago, and ate some. Still watery....

I don't go around eating junk food. Well, not regularly, anyway ;). But, what I do, is eat everything in moderation. I've been known to indulge in rabbit food now and again. Even enjoy it. When I can find it in the store, I'll sometimes indulge in a bag of my favourite tortilla chips, and a jar of jalapeno cheese dip, and I'll put a few handfulls of chips in a bowl, melt the cheese, pour it over like milk on cereal, and eat that for lunch. I haven't done that for a few years now. Can't seem to find the right cheese stuff... (Kraft used to make a jalapeno cheese that was soogood! Part of their Cheez Whiz line)

I'm thinking about this kind of thing, today, because last night DH and I had one of our hot-weather treat suppers. We do sandwiches and salad. I buy the salad stuff, and buns for him/bread for me (normally), and a few different luncheon meats. Then, we build our own meal. Well, last night, we included some fresh lettuce from the garden, chives from the garden, and a few strawberries from the garden. And, I actually ate two sandwiches, and I used buns. Healthy buns, even!! While I was picking out the buns for him, I saw these "whole grain" buns. They had a dusting on top that included rolled oats, sunflower sees, some grains, and a few other seeds that I don't know all the names of (yeah, yeah, I'm sure that there is a lovely illustrated list somewhere on that bandwagon). They actually looked good. I bought two of them, in case DH wanted to try one, too. He didn't ;) so I got to eat them both. They were quite good!!

I also tried an experiment yesterday. See, I'm not on the "healthy eating" bandwagon, in terms of I don't go around reading labels on food, trying to pick the lowest fat highest protein or whatever the current good thing is. But, I am finding that I am preferring home made food rather than ready made in a lot of areas. I am eliminating certain foods from my diet because I just plain don't like them (I blogged about dropping coffee from my diet a while ago - though I'll still enjoy the odd cup (?) of espresso now and again) or because they actually make me physically ill. I didn't come up with anything more than a mild reaction to oranges and walnuts when I got some allergy testing done, but I've begun to notice a distinct difference in things like upset tummy when I consume certain ready made products. And I've never been able to eat (or even stand the smell of) parmesan cheese. You know, that powder that comes in a can, that you sprinkle on pizza and stuff? Well, I'm beginning to believe that it isn't the food itself. I mean, I tried an experiment recently. I bought a small "brick" of real parmesan cheese.

So, in that last sentence is a key word. Real.

Anyway, back to my experiment: I've always known about oil and vinegar dressings. But never bothered before. DH didn't care for the one I made... But I love it :) Olive oil, malt vinegar, regular vinegar, and some herbs and seasonings. Interestingly - I put the seasonings in first, then the malt vinegar, then some white vinegar, and let it stand for an hour so the flavours could "mingle". Then, when I poured on the oil (side note: I cannot eat anything made with or cooked in canola oil, or I become very nauseous), the herbs all migrated out of the vinegar and took up residence in the oil! Kinda cool....

So, I'm making more and more real food. No added preservatives, no added additives. Just what I put in from my own kitchen. I've been making my own sausages for a while now. They just taste better....

I'm still restricted in my quest to make everything from scratch. Have to buy some raw materials from the store... but I am careful what brands I buy -- not because they say anything special on the ingredient label, but because I know I can eat them without feeling ill aftewards.

Since I've reduced or eliminated many of these pre-prepared items from my diet, I've been feeling healthier in general...

So, no bandwagon for me. Just real food. And the odd indulgence now and again in prepackaged safe foods :)

(I can devote a few tiny corners of my city yard to garden, but if I could only figure out how to add a pig, a cow, a couple chickens.... and of course an alpaca and a sheep or two, lol)

Sometimes...

2011-06-19T09:29:00.003-05:00

You want to post stuff, but you know it will tick someone off...

I keep reading on the big knitting lists and groups about how someone just got their new knitting magazine, and how they don't like it... Well, I know, some have subscriptions, but if you don't like it, don't buy it. Cancel the sub., don't renew, whatever. But don't sit there and say "I don't know anyone who would wear that". Or, "they aren't writing the mag. the same way they used to".

Get real, people - everyone has different taste, not everyone has the magazine from issue #1, and the world is changing - why would a magazine continue to print the same old same old - you 'd then be bitching that the keep repeating themselves.... Oh, wait, that was what you said about the articles - you already know how to do those methods, why should you read about them again.... Like I said, not everyone has been reading from the dinosaur age.

The other thing that is a recurring topic and argument is taking knitting needles on planes... People, please, get a grip - pack your precious tools, and take a nice safe paperback book. Why keep bitching about getting your knitting taken away, maybe, or buying different needles than you are used to, just in case... If you don't' like to knit with plastic needles, why buy them just to knit on a plane??? You claim you want to enjoy your knitting.... I don't care if one person "got away" with taking their needles on the plane by "fooling" the security (do you really think they can't tell a pen or pencil from a pointy object?? Double pointed, even? ) . That amounts to smuggling the item on board, and could cause a lot more trouble for you than just having your tools confiscated... As for the thing that "you" are not a threat, you just want to knit, try to remember, a very large portion of crimes are crimes of opportunity... you might not plan anything, but what about the person in the next seat or across the aisle? What is to stop them from grabbing your needle or crochet hook away from you? These rules are in place for your own safety, people - don't make it harder on the security people who are only trying to do their job.

Ok.... I feel better now... I just needed to vent. I mean, really, I agree that each should have their own opinion, but to publicly dis a magazine and insult the people who do enjoy it... If I would have posted the first paragraph above to the email group, I'd have been put on moderation or kicked off the list... I know, because I've seen others get publicly wrist-slapped for going against the flow... fifty or sixty messages on how bad the magazine is getting are fine, but one or two say they like it, and those one or two get blasted publicly and privately....

I LIKE INTERWEAVE KNITS MAGAZINE AND KNITTER'S MAGAZINE. So there. If you don't, feel free to write on your own blog that you don't. That is what free speech is all about....

FREE SOCK PATTERN!!!!

2011-06-03T08:56:00.010-05:00

Ok, first of all... I confess. I haven't finished knitting these socks yet. But, I just have to do the foot and toes...

You know how you plan things, then life happens? Well... My laptop keyboard died. I have the netbook, but couldn't get at my email properly, plus the "good" file was on the laptop - only notes and rough copy on the netbook. So, I had my hands tied for a couple days on editing the pattern. Then, you know how when you knit, the ball starts to collapse on itself, and starts to tangle? Then you drop it? And you are working two socks at once from one ball, and until that moment were quite proud of yourself for staying untangled? Well.... The last 15 rounds of foot, and the toe are going very slowly...BUT - I wanted to share anyway. Please be sure to read the notes section of the pattern. Thank you. And thank you to those who test knitted. I appreciate the help :)

I LOVE RIBS SOCKS

Easy pattern, but some sock knitting experience needed.

Materials: 420 m/100g fingering weight sock yarn(Lana Grossa Meilenweit Stile was used for the prototype); US 3/3.25mm needles (US2/2.75mm needles)
IMPORTANT material note from a test knitter: Regia sock yarn is not suitable for this pattern - it apparently is too thin.

Size: Mens' medium (ladies medium)

Gauge: 30 sts over 4 inches using the 3.25/us3 needles. I will update with the US2/2.75 gauge when I can... (need to finish foot and toe of the socks I'm working on, then do a swatch with the leftover yarn)

NOTE: I made these socks for my husband, who wears a mens' size 8. I use the same stitch counts to make socks for me, but use a smaller needle. I have tried on the leg and heel portions of the sock on myself; because of the nature of the rib, the socks even in the larger size hug my legs just fine. Any other changes for the smaller size are in brackets ( ) following the larger size directions (refer to heels and toes for size changes). All other numbers will apply to both sizes. If you wish, you may subtract groups of four stitches from the cast on to make the socks smaller, or add groups of four, but that will change the numbers for the heels. You can add or subtract rows as needed to make the socks longer or shorter for other sizes; the rib has a lot of flexibility for width.

Abbreviations:
K = knit
P = purl
K2tog = knit next two stitches together.
SSK = slip next stitch as if to knit, slip next stitch as if to knit, insert point of needle back into the front of these two stitches, knit them together through the back loops.
W&T = wrap and turn – on knit rows, move yarn to front as if to purl, slip next stitch as if to purl. Return yarn to back ready to knit, turn work ready to purl next row. On a Purl row, move yarn to back as if to knit, slip next stitch as if to purl, turn work ready to knit next row.

Using your favourite method, cast on 72 stitches.

Begin knitting in the round with P1, *K2, P2, repeating from * to last three stitches in the round, K2, P1. (You may use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round if you wish; I just use the yarn tail) Repeat this round 59 more times, for a total of 60 rounds or about 6 inches in the leg.

Begin Heel: (worked over one half of the total stitches)
With yarn in front, slip first stitch as if to purl, knit 34 stitches, W&T.
Slip first stitch as if to purl, purl 33 stitches, W&T.
Slip first stitch as if to purl, knit 32 stitches, W&T
Slip first stitch as if to purl, purl 31 stitches, W&T
Continue in this manner, working one less stitch before W&T, until you have knit a row with slip first stitch as if to purl, knit 10 (6) stitches, W&T.

Slip first stitch as if to purl, purl 10 (6) stitches, W&T
Slip first stitch as if to purl, knit 10 (6) stitches, W&T
Slip first stitch as if to purl, purl 10 (6) stitches, slip next stitch as if to purl, pick up the two wraps at the base of the stitch just slipped, return slipped stitch to left hand needle, purl the wraps together with the stitch, W&T
Slip first stitch as if to purl, knit 11 (7) stitches, slip next stitch as if to purl, pick up the two wraps at the base of the stitch just slipped, return slipped stitch to left hand needle, knit the wraps together with the stitch through the back loops, W&T
Slip first stitch as if to purl, purl 12 (8) stitches, slip next stitch as if to purl, pick up the two wraps at the base of the stitch just slipped, return slipped stitch to left hand needle, purl the wraps together with the stitch, W&T
Slip first stitch as if to purl, knit 13 (9) stitches, slip next stitch as if to purl, pick up the two wraps at the base of the stitch just slipped, return slipped stitch to left hand needle, knit the wraps together with the stitch through the back loops, W&T

Continue in this manner, working one more stitch before W&T, until you have purled a row with slip first stitch as if to purl, purl 34 stitches, slip next stitch as if to purl, pick up the two wraps at the base of the stitch just slipped, return slipped stitch to left hand needle, purl the wraps together with the stitch. Turn.
Slip first stitch as if to purl, knit 34 stitches, slip next stitch as if to purl, pick up the two wraps at the base of the stitch just slipped, return slipped stitch to left hand needle, knit the wraps together with the stitch through the back loops.

Begin knitting in the round again: Start with a make one, by picking up a stitch from the bar immediately before the first unworked purl stitch. Insert the point of the right-hand needle back to front, place this new stitch on the left hand needle, and purl this together with the first purl stitch on the instep needle. *K2, P2, repeat from * 7 more times. End with knit 2, slip last stitch as if to purl, make a stitch in the bar immediately beside the slipped stitch by inserting the point of the left hand needle back to front, place this new stitch on the left hand needle , return slipped stitch to left hand needle, purl together with the new stitch. This will reduce the gap that forms between the heel stitches and the foot stitches when you begin knitting in the round again. Blocking and time will further reduce any remaining hole.

Continue knitting in rounds, working stocking stitch (knit every round) on the bottom of the foot, and beginning and ending with p1, working k2, p2 rib on the instep (top of the foot) stitches, until the sock is the length desired. (usually 1.5 inches before tip of toe)

Begin toe decreases: K1, SSK, knit to last three stitches of first half of sock (in the first round this will be 30stitches), K2tog, K1. Repeat for second half.
Next round, knit even.

Repeat these two rounds, knitting fewer stitches between decreases each round, until there are a total of 20 (16) sts. left. Graft toe, or use the three needle bind off to close toe.

Copyright Anne Cousins 2011. You have permission to print this pattern for yourself or your friends, to distribute the pattern for free as long as you do not claim to have authored it. You may also do as you wish with the socks you make from this pattern: you can gift them, sell them, or keep them. Please do not sell the pattern, as this is not only not fair to me, but also to the person you try to sell to – I’m offering the pattern free on my blog, so all may access it.

Urge to comment on lace knitting and pattern UPDATE

2011-05-30T07:56:00.004-05:00

If you just want the UPDATE, scroll to the bottom of this post-

Ok. I have a twitter thing, but don't recall my user name on there or the password... So, I've pretty much abandoned it.

Instead, I post some of my short one or two line ramblings on Facebook. But, this comment - well, I'm not sure it would "fit" on FB. And even though it is craft related, I can't think of an appropriate group to post in on Ravelry. So, I thought I'd post here.

See, I think I'm getting spoiled. I mean, I get it that some people are nervous about learning new techniques, and sometimes you gotta sneak them in.. Like, when I first started crocheting pineapples. A former* friend who has crocheted all her life was working on a project using pineapples. I hadn't been crocheting that long at the time, only about ten years. Well, she insisted that "pineapples are really difficult to do", and only an *experienced* crocheter could handle doing them, that I shouldn't even attempt them. (*long story, really a dead issue, but with friends who do things like that who needs enemies?) Unfortunately, I bowed to her "wisdom" and resigned myself to never being able to do them, despite liking how they looked. After all, I wasn't a "full-time" crocheter, like she was, I do other crafts too. So I'd likely never have time to get to the experience level she had... Anyway - I've moped about my self esteem issues before. What ended up happening was, I crocheted a bookmark, that was called "Crystal Tear Drop". Turned out, once I really looked at it, it was a pineapple. I was tricked into finding out that pineapples aren't at all difficult, and I now have lots of gorgeous pineapple doilies in my house. :)

Anyway - lace is the same thing, really. Not difficult at all. Knitting with holes in it. I was shying away from lace, until I realized that a shawl pattern from Lionbrand, using Homespun yarn, was really a lace pattern - nothing to it!! Just knitting, plain and simple... it still uses knits, purls, yarn overs (which are just "pretend" knitting and purling) and some decreases. The only difficult part for me was reading the patterns. But that is no real hard thing - just read and follow one step at a time. (I personally found charts much easier to read, but again, had to get over that "fear" before I learned them - much shorter process though, and now with much more experience, I no longer fear any new knitting technique)

Now, for the spoiled part....

When I started knitting lace big time, I started out using an acrylic yarn, not quite baby weight, but not worsted weight (something referred to on the label as "baby sport"). It was sold for making lighter weight baby afghans. Cheap enough, and I knew I could find something afghan-like to make if I bombed at "real" lace.

I like that first stole - even though it is acrylic. I keep it for around the house use. And it looks pretty good, really... I now use thinner yarns, almost exclusively. Though, lace doesn't have to be limited to shawls and ethereal creations. It can be used to "dress up" a workhorse item such as socks, a sweater or even an afghan.

But what I always do now, is to use wool or wool blends, (though cotton would work too) so I can block the lace. Blocking makes the difference. I learned that early on, when I was crocheting all those pineapple doilies. An online friend convinced me that blocking wasn't hard to do, didn't need fancy equipment (though the equipment can help) and transformed the doily into something beautiful. Same is true of knitted lace. Blocking really turns a saggy baggy piece of knitting into a work of art. Really shows off the lace stitches and patterning, and helps to even out the stitches so your knitting talents can shine!

So, why the urge to write this today? I'm spoiled by the blocking of lace... Every morning, I check several websites that offer or point to a free pattern, that changes daily. It is all part of my morning wake-up ritual. Some people have coffee and read a news paper, or watch a TV newsy show, or read a spiritual or inspirational passage... Me, I hit the computer while I have tea...

Anyway, this morning, http://www.dailyknitter.com/day.php which points to a free pattern somewhere on the web every day, pointed me at a Caron freebee. http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_ashley_vest.html Now, that vest might be to someone's taste - just not mine. That is fine- not what the issue is here. I mean, I don't have to like every pattern every day, and sometimes, I find things that I might like but never would have thought to look for... if that makes sense... Anyway, sometimes, even though a style may not appeal to me, a stitch pattern might, and I may go ahead anyway and keep the pattern because I might adapt the style or use the stitch pattern in something entirely different. But, today, I looked at that vest, and used the zoom/magnifier thingy, and discovered it was a relatively common lace pattern (different designers often give them different names, so I tend to forget that part, just recognize the stitch patterning). The only problem - they used their Caron Simply Soft yarn. Nothing wrong with the yarn itself - but... It is an acrylic, worsted weight, and even softer spun than the kind I normally use. So, rather than blocking out nicely, it is draping all soft and saggy and baggy.... The vest suits that sort of drape; but it kind of spoils the lace for me....

I'm getting spoiled.

UPDATE: if you are still with me, that is. Sock pattern has been written, and is currently being test knit by several volunteers from the Sock knitters email group. It should be up by the end of the week.

Another finish for 2011

2011-05-26T10:58:00.009-05:00

I finished another pair of socks!! These are the ones that I made a slight mistake on - not really noticeable. In fact, even though I knew roughly where it was, I have trouble finding it...

I also discovered, while comparing foot length to the first pair I made using this pattern, that I had made a slight boo-boo on those, too... Oh, well - guess it is just one of "those" patterns, lol. I still love them. (In fact, I'm wearing the new socks today!) Finished them off last night. I was working on them two at a time on one circ, and had to make a bit of an adjustment when I worked the heel, but otherwise - I finished one toe day before yesterday, and the second toe yesterday. Wove in the tails, and took the pic, 'cause I knew if I didn't do it last night, it wouldn't get done, 'cause I knew I'd want to wear them today :)Well. So far this year I've started and finished: worsted weight socks called "hills less travelled", two pair called "sixth sense" socks, a pair of "spring lace" socks, these "Victorian lace" socks, a crocheted hat, knit gloves, crocheted net-book tote, and a knitted prayer shawl. All of them are projects that I started since Jan. 1 of this year...

Of course, it would be better if the finishes were UFO's that had been started before...

Now, I need to work on that sock pattern I'm writing. I have rewritten the tricky bit, but now need to knit the tricky bit, and maybe take a couple pictures while I do - just in case. I'm going to have to find a test knitter or two, to see if I need to add pictures or if I've explained myself well enough. :) Then I can share it! Well, maybe I should finish knitting the foot, too, lol...

Need to make another prayer shawl, then work on finishing that baby outfit, then I can maybe concentrate on some other finishes and maybe treat myself to a new start or two...

I went stash diving, (ok, honestly it was an attempt to do some organizing and tidying) and discovered that I already had the "perfect" yarn for a shawl project. It was one of my rare "must have this yarn even though I don't have a pattern yet but it can always become socks" moments. Fleece Artist yarn, merino 2/6 combined with a mohair referred to as "angel hair" that were both dyed to match... Several colourways of that yarn called to me while I was working at the yarn store, and it was a great price even before my discount.... the Merino 2/6 stuff could easily become socks, and since I've been dabbling in shawl designing and collecting other shawl patterns, I was sure the mohair would eventually come in handy... which it did :)

The colour is a beautiful pastel browns/blues/greys/greens, which remind me of a peaceful forest. And the shawl that I want to make has a forest theme.... Watch this space for future updates on it. :)

My mother's day present from my son was a miniature rose bush to plant in the yard. The weather isn't quite nice enough at night yet, so I've been putting it out during the day and keeping it sheltered at night...

Well, that's about it for now.

Needing to get some more organization done.... really seem to be getting motivated a little more when I hear of disasters - I know, that almost sounds terrible, but with all the floods happening close to home, and the fires not far (1/3 of a town turned to ashes!), and terrible tornadoes a little farther... I start thinking, why am I keeping so much stuff? What does it matter in the big picture? And if one of those disasters happened to me, it would all be gone anyway - I could save some, but not all... And what good is it sitting in boxes buried in the garage or basement?

Sure, I'm still keeping some stuff, but I'm also finding it easier to let go of others... for example, I have a lot of books on bugs - I may not like bugs, but I like to learn about them. Well, I don't have enough shelves, and they are all in boxes in the garage, and if I really need to know something, I have google.... So, I'm passing on most of the books to either my niece who could probably make better use of some of them, or to one or another of my favourite charities for fund raising efforts. :) I have a stack of boxes to go to Salvation Army thrift store tomorrow, and a box that is nearly full to go to the shelter that my beloved Delko came from - they are having a yard sale next month, and they also operate a thrift store.

I titled this picture "MY ball"....

Crafting update and some life bits

2011-05-18T08:11:00.006-05:00

So. I got a net book for Christmas. I used it on our trip, so that I could access the 'net to keep in touch, and so that I could take along some patterns to work on projects.

I've also been using for the same basic purpose at home - I have my current WIP's (W orks I n P rogress) on it, and I sometimes check stuff on the 'net in between working on the WIP's.

I also used it recently to share some pictures of the trip with a friend when we met for lunch. Figured it would be easier to see than my camera.So, basically, the net book is my "travelling computer" now. Which meant, that I needed a nice way to carry it. Most laptop bags are big - too big really to be useful for a tiny net book. So, I made one.I didn't find (didn't even look, really) for a pattern, I just made one up as I went along. Kind of what I've always done with crochet - if I can't find a pattern, I just make my own. So, I did a long rectangle that was as wide as the net book, and long enough to wrap around it, using the Tunisian Crochet technique. It was my excuse to give my Denise Interchangeable Crochet hook set a work-out :) Then, I crocheted an edging of single crochet around the whole thing. I then crocheted a handle, by starting at the base, and slip stitching each row to attach to the sides. When it was long enough to wear not as a shoulder bag, but as a sling (not sure of the proper technical terms, but I carry my purse on my left shoulder, hanging down at my left side - shoulder bag. The new net book tote I will have the strap on my right shoulder, over my head, the bag hanging on my left side - like one would wear a sling to hold a broken arm)I then made a pocket on the front, by picking up stitches and sort of working back and forth to give the pocket dimension, then making some decreases, then a chain across the top and finished off by working the front of the pocket in the round, decreasing to a small "hole" in the middle. The pocket holds the power cord.Finally, I added a flap - I still need to find "the perfect" button to hold down the flap, but for now, gravity works. :)I've finished one pair of socks, and am working on another - glad I know how to read my knitting. The socks have a lace pattern, and I'm knitting them two at once on a circular needle (fortunately!). After the heel turn, the lace continues down the top of the foot - well, I managed to mess up a bit. Not quite sure how, since I was making notes on which row of the pattern I was working on the net book (I set up a text file for each project I've got going, and label it with the name of the pattern, so I can keep track). Anyway, a lot had to do with the four stitch repeat, but the sock top starting part way through the repeat. So, I managed to mess it up a bit. It won't be noticeable to the "naked eye" on the finished sock, and they aren't a gift or anything, so I didn't bother to rip. But, it has made it so that I might be on row 4 of the pattern, but doing row 6 directions.... If that makes sense... It is an 8 stitch full repeat, four stitches of purled lace, four stitches of a sort of mock cable type stitch pattern. So, the mock cable portion is right, the background lace is a little off...

I have been neglecting a baby outfit (fortunately, making it for the 1 year old size), and neglecting a celtic cape knitalong, but have been working on socks. I'm writing a pattern for a sock I'm designing. It is a fairly simple basic sock, really, but still... When it is done, I'll be offering it free. I need to rewrite a part of the directions so that they make sense, and maybe add a picture, then I just have to finish off the knitting. Won't be long :).

And, I'm also avoiding another knit along pair of socks - may just abondon that one all together. I thought the pattern grabbed me, but in some ways, it really hasn't excited me. And the next pattern choices for that particular group not only don't grab me, but repel me.... I'll give it another month, then maybe decide not to bother at all. It's a Ravelry group - a stash busting type. Since I have sock yarn to last me a very long time, I thought it might be a good thing. Not that I need any more sock patterns either, between the sock books I've bought, and the patterns I design myself, and the plain vanilla socks that I tend to work on for portable mindless knitting... Maybe I'll just go over and leave that group now....

I'm trying to discipline myself not to start another project until I get some of these others done or caught up. Otherwise, I'd be starting another sweater. Don't want to talk about how many half-done sweaters I have, stuck into boxes during a cleaning sweep of the living room. Which I guess is a segue... Bad habit, that - related to the short attention span thing. I mean, I try to keep down to just a few projects started at once, so that I can have the variety to keep me interested, plus the variety so that I don't get carpal tunnel, but when I need to speed tidy the room, I tend to box up or bag the projects, move them "temporarily", but while they are out of sight out of mind, I find new projects to do.... *sigh*.

I"m working on improving things, though. We've had an especially unpleasant cloudy winter/spring, but finally had a few days of sunshine. I've been hanging around outside - does nothing to improve the shape of the house - and going through a lot of boxes of stuff in the garage. Some of the stuff I've been trying to get to for years, other of it can be tossed. I've been making lots of progress getting rid of unwanted junk that I've been hanging on to for various reasons, including because I just never got around to sorting it proper before. Some of it was career oriented, but is now no longer useful due to changes and/or improvements over the years.

So, some went to recycling, some went to charity, and some just had to go in the garbage. Other stuff just got re-boxed for further sorting.

I've also got to spend some quality time with the doggies - and it is really showing with Lady's behaviour. :) She is turning into a really great dog!!

pictures of recent finishes

2011-05-06T09:31:00.005-05:00

I'm trying to behave, and not buy more yarn or start more projects unless it uses stash - I try to only buy yarn for projects, not just buy yarn because it is pretty - except for sock yarn. That I bought because it appealed to me, but at least knowing that I could always whip up a pair of "plain vanilla" socks. Unfortunately, it means that I dont' have very much solid colour sock yarn, so once in a while, I've still had to buy more sock yarn to make a specific pair - like the ones for the Six Sox Knitalong group from Yahoo groups. I finished them the other day, and wore them yesterday:A bit of a complex knit, but nice socks :)

I also mentioned working on a prayer shawl. It was a Lion Brand pattern using their Homespun yarn: Called, if I recall, Splendid Triangle.I really like how it turned out :) I might just have to make another shawl for me, in a different colour... hmmm.....

So - those are the pics I have to share for now. I am going to try to get going on a pair of socks for DH, a "plain vanilla" pair using one of the stash sock yarns; I also have to remember where I stuck some Briggs & Little Tuffy I picked up to make him some heavier socks - the ones I made him a few (6) years ago wore out rather suddenly and beyond repair, so a remake is in order. He loved those socks.... I also have a pair of lace patterned socks on a needle for me, about half finished. And, I am going to make a pair for a Ravelry group sock knitalong. Then, I have to get back to the celtic cape, and I have to finish up the rest of the baby gift I started - I hate seaming up stuff....

Oh, and then there are my own designs to get cracking on.... Wow, and that is all for the month of May!!!! We wont' talk about the pattern stash organization, or the gathering of yarns and sorting them, or the housework (which I've pretty much given up on, with such a wet spring we've been having and two rambunctious doggies...)

socks socks shawl dogs

2011-05-03T13:47:00.004-05:00

Well, I needed to take a picture of the socks I'm working on - I needed a progress pic, and when I'm done, I'll need a pic of the pair. So, I have the progress pic:This is sock 1 just about half way down the gusset. I'm now finished the gusset on sock 2.

I'm also working on a pair of victorian lace socks, but didn't take that picture. I'm ready to knit the foot on them, too.

I did take a bit of a break, though - someone DH works with is currently in hospital undergoing some nasty cancer treatments. So, I suggested that I make a Prayer Shawl for her. Used a pattern from Lionbrand and some Homespun yarn, and I'll take a picture today. I love how it turned out...
A few years ago, I'm sure I posted a picture of a "not dog". Spud (RIP) had gone outside, and lay in the yard like the couch-potato she was, and got snowed on - I took a picture of the void in the white stuff where she'd been.

Well, the other morning, (about a week ago) there was a nice layer of frost on the ground. Delko went out, and lay in the yard....
Later in the week, it warmed up a lot, and we had a beautiful day on Thursday. Unfortunately, it rained all day Friday and Saturday, and snowed on Sunday. Yesterday and today the sun is shining, but apparently it is supposed to rain again for the rest of the week. Oh, well.... At least the puppies got to play on Thursday - here they are, waiting for Daddy to throw the ball.

The death of blog? Hoping not....

2011-04-21T13:30:00.002-05:00

Some time back, when Ravelry first appeared and many crafters (primarily knit and crochet) began joining, people wondered if Ravelry would kill off blogs/blogging.

Well, first of all, there are many types of blogs - they aren't just on the topics of knit and crochet. So, I really doubt that blogs are/were in any danger from Ravelry. Honestly, I use Rav. as a source, and once the novelty of it wore off, I have fallen even farther behind in my updates to my page over there. (for those who haven't found it yet, it is http://www.ravelry.com and is free to join up, and I'm "Catlady2" at Ravelry).

Considering that I am attempting to spend less time on the computer, and that I am not a great typist, I must confess that I've been neglecting my blog something fierce.... and it isn't Ravelry's fault... In fact, I have some days where I only skim the newest topics in a few of the groups/forums there... other days, I barely do that.

What is causing my blog to languish? *sigh*... The double edged sword of Facebook.

I once tried out FB, many years ago, because a good number of my online email group friends had "facebook pages". Since signing up for FB required giving more info than I was comfortable with at the time, I used an alias (the name I type in when I play computer games online - my alter ego and former pet) and my gmail account (rats, shouldn't have used that one), and looked around. Didn't see anything that impressed me, so I simply forgot about it....

Well, a couple years ago, my son had joined FB, and found some relatives that we'd lost touch with over the years. He kept bugging me to join, and "meet" these people again. So, I did - only, like I said, I'd forgotten about the "dummy" account. Well, I did get in touch with relatives, which I am grateful for. And, I did re-establish contact with email friends via FB as well as the email groups... and between my son and my friends, I was introduced to FB games....

Interestingly, there is a cross-over between FB and Ravelry - many crafters are as hooked on (pun not really intended, but apropos) some of the FB games as I am. And, since some of them require a certain amount of teamwork between "friends" and "neighbours".... *sigh*. Mind you, I've met several people who I now consider good friends, that I likely wouldn't have gotten to know, had it not been for the mutual interests discovered.

FB has indeed become a double edged sword - a lot of good has come from joining, but so has a lot of time-sucking activity.

Especially when it suddenly occurred to me that I still had a "dummy" account, and could friend myself and use it to advance the game play... a common occurrence by other gamers, too. And, more recently, I was convinced to start up a FB page for my dog - yet another game chance....

Yes, I have a problem. I am addicted to at least one FB game. I do play a few of the others, off and on, but my biggest weakness is called Frontierville. Every time I start to get a little bored, and think I can wean myself off of it, they (the designers of the game) come out with a new challenge or a new animal or building or crop or something...and I have to keep going for just one more.... Right now, I'm nearly done the pet shop, so I can buy a dog - - they better be coming out with cats, too - not that I need more excuses to keep hanging out on FB instead of doing some real life things.

I recently heard/read something about the reason for these games being so addictive: they play into people's need to be successful at something, to bolster the self-esteem. Makes sense to me - right now, I've been feeling so down and depressed, that getting that sense of achievement when I complete a mission and receive the reward is a good thing. Sometimes, though, there are glitches in the system, and the challenges don't credit properly, or something - for example, I needed to react to something 20 times, but had no control over the something, only my reaction. Well, the something didn't happen very often, and it took me over two weeks to accomplish it. Those are the times that I think I could finally just stop playing - I get too bored... But, then, it gets fixed, or something else comes up, and I just keep going back for more punishment...

So, basically - I need to figure out a better way to get out of this depression, and/or raise my self-esteem, so that I can face the real world again and stop hiding in my computer.... Mind you, things could be worse - at least I'm only turning to the computer and cyber imaginary world of Frontier Ville instead of something totally destructive like drugs or alcohol....

Marble marble every where

2011-03-28T09:26:00.006-05:00

The hotel room we stayed in was decorated in marble. Marble bathroom, marble floors, marble walls.... Felt like I was living like royalty for a while :) I mean, I already showed the bathtub!! And huge - the room was so spacious. Lots of storage - walk in closet (like, seriously, it could almost qualify as a room by itself!!) as well as a wardrobe and chest of drawers! Here are some of the pictures - I still need to resize some of the others. :)

Marble bathroom walls, floor, sink....
chest of drawers, plus the flat-screen, HD TV!!

Wardrobe, mini fridge....

Some bloggers......

2011-03-16T08:36:00.003-05:00

....do a wordless Wednesday. I am not quite that quiet, lol. But, one of my favourite things from our trip:
The bathroom (heck, the entire room) was done in marble tile. They had plants growing in the bathroom... and that tub. Now, I am not a fan of showers. I never really have been. I have a shower now and again, like, maybe once every two years or so. Maybe once a year. But I bathe regularly. This tub, in the hotel room - well, I know I'm short (5'1") but... I could lay down in this tub corner to corner....

Who needs a pool when you can swim in the tub? :)

Still sorting myself out

2011-03-12T15:05:00.003-06:00

Well, when we got back, I had a nasty cold/flu thingy. Still coughing myself silly half the day.... wish I could lose the cough. Then I will be back to "normal". Am just about back into what passes for a routine, too. See, the other thing - - when we got back from the trip, DH had also booked a couple extra weeks of holidays. So, I didn't have to get up so early in the morning. And it wasn't easy to get into a routine with him under foot. So, I basically took a "holiday" of sorts, too. Besides, I missed my babies (doggies) and they missed me. I spend some quality time snuzzling with them. And a bit of retraining - what with only just getting Lady to properly bond with me, and with all the arguments about who was alpha female, I was a bit nervous about leaving her. It could have gone two ways - it could have destroyed her (thinking she'd been abandoned again, and even though I came back, needing to re-establish the trust and bonding) or she could have reacted positively to the return, reinforcing the trust that I do love her, and that I will always come back to her. Fortunately, the latter was the case. She is very bonded to me now, and is very obedient for me. Tested a time or two, to see if I was going to cave in on the alpha thing.... Delko, however, reacted not quite as well... he seemed to become a bit more insecure - not wanting to let me out of his sight. Of course, since he is so routine-oriented, keeping to the previous routines when I need to go shopping, etc., and telling him where I'm going (I know, dog whisperer experts say that the talk is for the human's benefit and means nothing to the dog; but since body language and tone of voice *do* matter, then I'm giving him the message whether with words or actions that I'm just going shopping, and will be back soon) and such things have helped. He seems to be ok with my short errands, but when I'm home, it's joined-at-the-hip time again. Hopefully, he'll get over it. I've noticed that he is getting better; there is now some distance between us again, and he isn't waking up from naps every time I shift my weight...

Anyway - besides getting my daytimes in order, I've also got some catching up to do with emails and Facebook and some computer games. Yeah, I know -I like a few games.... Anyway, I've been trying to keep up with what is going on with the online world of crafting and kitties. I'm just about there - this blog post being all a part of that. :)

So - I should be just about ready to share some pictures from the trip, and talk about some crafting. Silly me didn't take any pictures of the gloves I knit on the beach, or the hat I crocheted, or the socks I started to knit, (and finished at home) or the "room project" I didn't spend much time on. Hey, I didn't spend a lot of time in the room, except to sleep or change clothes!! Anyway - I'll take pictures of those things soon, and post them, too.

Otherwise - going out to a fundraising dinner tonight. Bought tickets before we left, which was a good thing, 'cause they sold out. Pasta dinner - or, "Pawsta" dinner ;) It is for the shelter that Delko came from. Looking forward to it.

So - that's about it for now. Need to sign off of here, and maybe do things like, get ready for going out for supper ;)

I'm back, but not sorted out yet.....

2011-02-27T08:54:00.002-06:00

I am half unpacked, the laundry is done, and I have a cold. Yup - I got a runny nose on the last day, which turned into plugged sinuses in the airport, and the worst - you know how your ears pop on a plane? It was especially painful during the descent... to make matters worse, I had to go and sneeze during that landing part.... I thought my brain was going to come out of my ears....

Anyway - did download all the pics from my camera. Lots of pics of pretty flowers and plants and trees on the hotel grounds, some wildlife pics, and I've got a couple stories to tell. Oh, and I got a great tan on my legs, too ;)

I also crocheted a hat for myself, and knit some gloves for myself. Worked on some socks, and worked on the celtic cape pattern (though not as much as I thought I might).

Will update soon....(when I shake this cold, and get back on track with the routine here)

Just a quick note

2011-02-06T09:31:00.001-06:00

To say that you likely won't hear from me for a couple weeks or so. I'll be away on a holiday. :) Someplace warm.... (see on my sidebar, there should be some weather gadget things - one for home, one for where I'll be.)

Will try to remember to update properly when I get back. :) I still owe some explanations of where I disappeared to for a couple years!! And what sort of things went on in that time.

Quick posting

2011-02-03T08:18:00.002-06:00

I just finished a sock last night - well, except for closing the toe, since I've packed all my darning needles. (mental note: leave a few darning needles out of the tin just in case)

I'll post a pic or two here later. I'm doing a Knit A Long (KAL) from Ravelry, and have set up a new blog dedicated to that project. The socks are part of it. I've reported on some of my projects before, but have never "journaled" about anything like that. I've journaled, but not about a project. The other blog is basically that journal. If I had to handwrite it, I'd stop after one or two entries...

http://catladycelticcapejourney.blogspot.com if you are interested. :)

In the meantime, I might not blog here much for the next few weeks. First, I'm going to be super busy finished up tidying up the house, then I'm going to be in Mexico for two weeks. :) Have a house/pet sitter coming, so need to get the house in some kind of order.

Will, of course, post pics and talk about my trip when I get back - not totally sure if I'll go see dolphins again - I want to, but will have to wait and see. I also want to go on a walking tour of the area around the hotel we'll be staying at - a guided tour of the area. There is apparently some sort of craft mall not far ;)

"See" you all when I get back!!

Terrible memory...

2011-02-01T09:09:00.002-06:00

I keep thinking about posting stuff. The dogs are total clowns - they play together, and do something cute, and I think about retelling the story, but it happens in the evening or other away-from-computer times, and by the time it is morning and I'm back here, I've forgotten to do it at all, or I've forgotten the details.

Like the other week, when Ashleigh had caught a mouse.

Earlier in the day, she had a mouse cornered, but couldn't reach it because of some boxes in the way. I moved the boxes, and tried to show her where it was. Unfortunately, she took my being there as a bit of a distraction, and instead of looking where I was pointing, kept looking at my hand and rubbing it and purring. Finally, the mouse made a run for it - right past Lady's nose. Lady wanted to help catch the mouse, but just didn't have the reflexes, or else it didn't occur to her to use her reflexes. Ashleigh spent another half hour trying to re-find the mouse around the boxes.

Later in the day, she finally caught a mouse. (don't know if it was the same one or not). But, the dogs kept taking it away from her, or trying to take it away. She eventually got the mouse into the livingroom. So, I managed to get the dogs out of the livingroom, and closed it off with a baby gate. Ashleigh was able to take care of the mouse... at one point, she had flipped it into the air and it landed on top of the coffee table. She thought it had gotten away from her (it was now dead). She kept looking on the floor under the table, under a chair. So, I took down the gate, tried to keep the dogs behind me, and get Ashleigh to look up. Well, Lady just knew that if Ashleigh was looking on the floor, that must be where the mouse was. Now I had two animals under the table, and a mouse on top. My attempts to call Ashleigh out from underneath, and show her the mouse tail hanging down, were finally ended.... There I was, with a baby gate in one hand, pointing at a mouse with the other hand, when Delko finally wandered in, surveyed the situation, and picked up the mouse off the table and scooted off through the kitchen and onto the upstairs landing....

One of the things the dogs like to do, is to play "keep away" with toys, bones, whatever - one will get hold of something, and dance off teasing the other to try to take it back. Doesn't matter that they have each been given an identical toy, or that each has a bone, or a ball, or whatever - each dog *must* have the one the other dog has. And they either wrestle for the toy in the livingroom, outside in the yard, or they each have a "spot" in the house where they like to lay to gnaw on their bones or chew their toys (or chew on the things they aren't supposed to!! - makes it easy to find those items). The landing is Delko's spot - and usually, Lady will grab whatever he has, run upstairs with it, then they wrestle on the bed. Sometimes, D will run all the way up. Now. DH was upstairs sleeping.

So, since Lady and Ashleigh were still searching the floor, they didn't know that Delko had the mouse. I put the gate down, then went to retrieve the mouse from D's mouth. He was standing on the landing, waiting for the game to begin. When he saw me coming, he knew I was going to take away whatever he had.... He ran upstairs.

I had visions of DH being rudely awakened to find himself sharing a bed with a dead mouse.

And at this point, Lady became aware of the commotion, and figured out that Delko had something that she should be wanting....

Delko dropped the mouse at the top of the stairs (phew) and I was able to dispose of it quietly.

Poor Ashleigh still doesn't know what keeps becoming of her mice!!!

And now I recall the other thing I wanted to blog about - Lady making a huge progress step!!

When we got her, she didn't know how to play. Delko worked on her, poking and prodding and pulling her, until he finally got her to start playing with him. But, if you threw a ball to her, it would hit her on the head. She didn't even know to move, never mind catch it or retrieve it. Eventually, she started trying to catch the ball, so she could play keep-away with Delko. So, basically, she learned how to play, but her primary interaction was with D. If I gave either of them a tug toy, they would play tug-o-war with each other. Delko would be willing to play with us, but Lady would get a bit jealous, and want to play with D.

Two nights ago, Delko was off getting some petting /cuddle time with Daddy, and Lady was hanging in the livingroom with me. I picked up the tug toy, and handed it to her. She responed - and played tug-o-war with *ME* for about five minutes!!!!! For the first time, instead of grabbing the toy and running off to find D, she actually kept playing with me :) :)

Wuhooo - actual interaction!!! I'm so proud of her :)

The bond between us is really growing.

Some pictures to share

2011-01-11T07:15:00.009-06:00

Before and after painting the bedroom :)

Showing the old grey carpet, and parts of the underlay and wood sub-floor. Also, the wood trim.

The first one, on the left, shows closest to the wood flooring colour. The middle one shows the trim colour best.... :) And yes, the walls now have a slight pinkish tone to them :) Now the room matches the decor I have for it. This is the room that sort of decorated itself. Started out with some deep red blankets for the bed; got a deep red housecoat for Christmas soon after we moved here; pink slippers; covered a nightstand with a red and white checked table cloth; picked up some lamps from a yard sale, that had burgundy shades; realized that there was a theme happening; bought deep red/burgundy sheet sets for the bed....

I totally love my new bedroom :) Still need to buy a new bed (we are just using the mattress on the floor for now) and the fabric for the curtains. BUT - I have figured out a great new "dresser" for myself. See, the one I had (DH and I each had a dresser) I didn't really like. It was extremely long (longer than half way across that window wall.) So, once it was out of the room, there was no way it was going back in. Anyway - since it is just a bedroom, more functional than public... I am getting some plastic drawer sets - which just happen to be on sale this week at the store. I'm sure you've seen them - "organizer drawers" from [Rubbermaid]Editing here!! I don't know how other people get to do a "strike through" on their blogs - where you put a line through a mistake or a wrong word, whatever. Anyway, turns out, I was writing in the morning but when I bought the drawer units, they aren't made by Rubbermaid after all. They are from "gracious living".... (too bad they only come in white!)

Christmas and New Year's

2011-01-02T16:31:00.001-06:00

This season has been the crappiest yet....

Got a nasty flubug on the Wednesday before Christmas. It hasn't let go yet. Have been sick, sick, sick....

Plan was to paint the bedroom between Christmas and New Year's. Couldn't post pone it any longer. Had to struggle through. Not finished yet - between stopping to cough, sneeze, puke and not having the energy or stamina to get things done day to day.....

Oh, well. Should be done by Wednesday, barring any more health set backs.

Might be moving....

2010-12-12T10:40:00.002-06:00

My blog, not my home!

I'm not quite as happy with the layout here, nor with the "back-end." I mean, I am not very computer savvy, but I did figure out enough html stuffs to make my blog work. Then, they changed some stuff, and said that if I wanted to "upgrade" to the new stuffs, that I might lose older posts.

I wasn't impressed by that.... So, I stayed the same.

But, they still made it more "user friendly" in the back-end, so I don't have to know all that html stuffs anymore. That is fine with me, lol. BUT - because I didn't do that "upgrade" thingy, my blog doesn't always look right. The sidebar navigation part is all over the place.

So, I'm checking into some other blog hosting. So far, I tried out Wordpress, but that isn't for me. It is a more "professional" looking site, more for writers. Journalists and those types of people who have blogs, that want to post some pictures, but mostly write stuff.

I only ever put two posts there. I may keep it around, just in case. After all, one of my (many) hobbies that I had hoped one day to turn into something was writing - I do have some story ideas that kick around in my head now and again. So, I may turn that one into a self-publishing story site or something....

In the meantime, you can still find me here. And I'll try to keep up a bit better for now, and let everyone know if I find something else. One of the most important things, of course, is my whole reason for starting a blog (something else that didn't work on Wordpress).

I need to be able to keep my blog pets :)

Short check in...

2010-12-04T09:13:00.002-06:00

Didn't download pics yet - must do so this weekend, have some that need to be emailed to people, so will try to get them on the blog, too.

Today is going to be crazy - first thing this morning (well, sort of first thing, by 11) I'm going to a memorial service for a young (to me) couple who were killed in a car accident leaving five boys - four were with them, one is now paralyzed. I knew the father...

Then, on a more pleasant note, I'm going to my niece's for supper. :) I need to blog all about that - a year-plus adventure that happened while I wasn't blogging.....

OK. Gotta go get my morning tea, then clean up and off to the service.....

I'm lazy

2010-11-28T09:36:00.002-06:00

when it comes to editing pictures, and getting them ready to post. I keep meaning to, then get distracted, then get busy, then don't post anything....

Today is "Grey Cup Day". For those not familiar, it is the Canadian Football League's final game - the one for all the marbles. So, that means - today, I'm making hot wings and pizza. Again, too busy to edit pictures....

I am not sure what the next week will bring, but I'll try to spend some time straightening out the pics, and getting them posted. Besides - I think it is high time I got off my butt and burned them onto CD's before something awful happens...

Bizzy

2010-10-27T07:54:00.003-05:00

Been very busy with painting - am trying to remember to take some before and after pictures - not many in progress shots, though.

I had thought I'd managed to post some pics of the upstairs closet last year. I had painted it, but hadn't taken before pictures. This year, though, I took out the carpet and put down some self-stick tiles (it *is* only a closet, after all - more on that, though, after). When I did, I removed a closet rod. Where it was anchored to the wall, the original paint shows up.... Now, I'm getting older, and my eyesight just isn't what it used to be. I really need more light to see properly these days.... Used to be able to see quite well in dark or semi-dark; in fact I'm rather light sensitive. However - I do like to see what the heck I'm looking for in the far reaches of the closet.... so, I painted a nice shiny (reflects light) bright snow white. I am doing the same for the downstairs closet, and eventually the insides of the kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Anyway - here's the best I could do for showing you the difference: Yes, it was a light brown colour. Very dark and dingy....

The downstairs closet was a yellowy beige colour. I haven't downloaded from the camera, but I did take a picture of a shelf with the first coat being applied.... Will share that one later.

Anyway - just wanted to let you all know what was going on with my life.

The tile thing: I wanted to put laminate (fake wood) flooring down in the bedroom. We did that to the livingroom a couple years ago, and it was a learning experience (we didn't do a perfect job, but decided we could live with it). DH didn't want to do the laminate again. He suggested tiles - self sticking ones, even. I chose not to start a fight, but to go ahead and look.... Well, we bought the self stick tiles in white for the closets, and I almost settled for some that looked like wood inlay. But, I truly wasn't happy with it.... So, at the last minute, I didn't buy them. I'm so glad.... I ended up buying laminate flooring a few days later, on sale, in the finish I envisioned for the bedroom.

The bedroom is the next room to be done, but the carpet will likely also come off the stairs at that time. Replacement, in order of acceptability to me: a) Ceramic tile, b) wood/laminate.

We shall see what happens when we get to that part....

Almost healed and what I've been up to.

2010-10-07T08:14:00.003-05:00

Hands are still giving me trouble. But, they are just about back to normal. I still have trouble using them for long periods - I have to take many breaks from doing different things. Knitting isn't terribly hard - I just used my fingertips to hold the needles. But other things, like washing dishes, or typing, or even petting the critters, was difficult or even painful at times. Even now, the rash is mostly gone, but the skin hasn't fully recovered. There is a lot of dead, dry skin that is now peeling and flaking off. It has even managed to effect my ability to feel things with my hands.

Otherwise - things are getting done. I'm actually back on track with my redecorating plans. I redid my upstairs closet last year. Didn't blog or share the pics, 'cause I was too busy to blog back then. Anyway - I patched up some holes and scratches, and painted it. I forgot to take before pictures. But I did take some after the painting.... I am not sure where I stuck them right now - somewhere on this computer anyway.

So, I have an upstairs closet, that is between the two bedrooms, and opposite the staircase. The house is one of those one and a half story type - the upstairs rooms have half walls, then the "walls" slope because of the roof of the house. Then, the ceiling is only a couple feet wide, and I can easily touch the ceiling (I'm a short person, if that gives you an idea of how low it is). So, basically, this closet is about three feet by three feet at the bottom, but then the back wall slopes in, so that at the top, it is only about 6 inches by three feet.... A previous owner of the house put in two closet rods. One high, one lower. Basically, that maximizes closet space in some ways. As long as you only have short clothes to hang up - just shirts, for example. Or you could hang some skirts. But dresses? Not really. Sure, if you fold up the bottom part, and squash it into the hanger. And, because of this second rod, storing anything in the bottom or toward the back of the closet is awkward. Either lean over the rod, or crawl under it.

Now, since DH and I are getting on in years, and are at the ages where the eyesight is starting to weaken, I was tired of the dark dingy closet (of course, I'm tired of a lot of other things about this house, too) and dark dingy insides of cupboards and stuff. So, I looked into (sorry, no puns intended at all) finding a good quality, bright white paint that would make use of any available light and reflect it, so that it would be easier to see. Then, I painted the inside of the closet. Patched up any scratches, etc.

Well....

Speaking of allergies.... I finally got tested earlier this year. Found out that I'm not allergic to cats, like I was/my parents were told by a doctor when I was little and was getting sick all the time. Turns out, that I am allergic to the two major types of house dust mites. Now, I don't really like carpeting anyway - too high maintenance, in my opinion. So, I pointed out to my DH that removing the carpeting from the bedroom would be a good thing.

So - I am now in the process of getting rid of the carpeting in my house, as well as getting back on track with painting it and making it my home instead of just my house.

I am redoing the upstairs closet - removing the carpet and replacing it with some (bright white, of course) tile. That means, though, that I also have to do some touch up painting and patching. After all, tile is a lot thinner than carpet, so the baseboards have to be moved down. And, while I'm at it..... It finally occurred to me, that just because someone put in two closet rods, that doesn't mean that I have to keep both of them. I mean, the bottom one was pretty much empty. So, why keep it? So, after emptying the closet, I went up with a screwdriver, and took out the rod.

My next step was to pull up the carpets, and take out the baseboard, hopefully without major damage so I didn't have to replace it with new. Now, most people use finishing nails, or at the very least, small nails to attach baseboards. After all, they are primarily used to cover rough edges, and provide a smooth transition between wall and floor. Primarily decorative, not structural or overly functional. Smaller, short-short lengths are often not even nailed in; the nail would split the wood, ruining the small piece. So these can either be "friction fit", or if necessary, glued on. There were no tiny pieces in the closet. Just three nice long sections.

As I said, I wanted to be as careful as I could with the removal of these pieces. Saving money, as well as time and trouble, is a worthy goal, especially when one is planning on a variety of decorating and minor renovating to one's house. Renovations can be quite costly, especially if one cannot do the work and has to hire. Fortunately, there is little in my plan that I cannot do myself, or at least, with help from DH.

So, what did I find when I tried to remove the baseboard? It was attached with 2 inch long ardox nails. For those of you unfamiliar, they are nails that have a twist in them, so that they behave almost like screws - they are not easily pulled out. (I did a quick google search, and there are lots of pictures. Normally, ardox nails are used for their extra holding power to make sturdy crates or for major structural purposes.)

Next step on the closet - planing down a bumpy section of the floor (not a problem with underlay and carpet, but a problem for laying tile), thorough vacuuming, and starting the hole patching process.
Of course, this coming weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving, so that also means, heading out to close up the cabin. So - I may or may not get the next step finished before next week. Not to mention, the regular day to day stuff that needs doing during the day - cooking, cleaning, knitting, spending time with the critters.... (oh, and I am not in the habit of photo-documenting the process. If I remember, I will try to take a couple pics, though, before I cover up the bits of wall that the closet rod covered. Because, it shows the colour of the closet paint before I made it white.... and it really shows how dark it was!)

Pain and pics

2010-09-22T11:17:00.008-05:00

My hands are in extreme pain right now - allergic reaction (in fact, full body reaction. but doc said not to take painkiller, 'cause it might be making rash worse - when this all clears up, go back for testing)

BUT - I wanted to share some pictures... So, won't be a lot of typing, but I'll try to briefly explain it all. :)

Stash diving resulting in the finding of some yarn and a partly finished sweater. No pattern, no needles....Some interesting yarn, though:

Manmade fibres and machine washable - important factors for charity work.

So, I started with the half finished side piece, and the yarn from that, and cast on 36 stitches. I did a 4X4 rib. Knitted all the yarn from that one side. When I ran out, I checked the length by holding it against myself.... looked long enough. Then, I started on the back - when I made the second half as long as the first, I cast off (well, after checking the length again, of course)

In the bottom pictures, taken outside, the yarn looks more orangey than it really is. The inside shots are closer to the colour of the yarn.

I did find one thing interesting: Well, ok, two things. 1) It is a very nice soft yarn, that I want to use in an afghan (something crocheted, likely granny squares) and 2) it is very similar (in fact, I'll bet the exact same yarn) as some that was in my mother's stash that I inherited, that I used to make some socks from. I know this batch didn't come from Mom's stash, because all of Mom's stash that had UFO's in it, still had pattern and needle together, and Mom never used the long-tail cast on (confirmed this with my sister) and she never knotted her ends in a project. In some ways, it is too bad that this didn't come from Mom's stash, because I think that the cable-lace pattern used was gorgeous!!! Ok, I wouldn't have made a sweater in this colour, nor in this weight of yarn (worsted), but the pattern stitch is beautiful. So, that is why I kept one side of the sweater intact for now. Need to deconstruct it carefully and try to reverse engineer the pattern. :)

Ok, so - I really need to go - my hands are killing me....Nasty itchy blistery rash on both palms, and between the thumb and hand, and on several fingers. I won't go into too much detail on the legs, feet, arms, tummy, groin, chest....I can't see my back, but according to the allergy doc, it is there, too.... Only place it isn't (yet) is the neck and face. I think it is in my scalp, though.... head is itchy and if I scratch, it hurts....

ICK.

Have finished, but still need to do the pictures

2010-09-17T09:37:00.002-05:00

I finished knitting a scarf about a week ago - but still need to take pictures. I finished weaving in the ends this morning. It took two balls of yarn (more or less - I frogged an unknown project to use the yarn) to make a five foot long scarf. It's between five and six inches wide. 36 stitches wide, two by two rib.

I'll talk about it more when I post the picture in the next couple days. For now, it will be going to its new home today - a homeless shelter that provides meals, beds, and other support including job training to people in need in my city.

Tea for Two

2010-08-29T09:05:00.003-05:00

Ok, so maybe not for two... But, thought I'd babble on tea today.

I don't drink coffee. I used to. It was one of those things, that "everybody" does. Drink coffee in the morning. Go for coffee. Have a cup of coffee with friends....

So I did. Didn't really like the taste of it much. Now and again, though, I'd find a restaurant that served coffee that actually tasted all right. But, I really didn't like the taste of it overall. So, a little over three years ago, in the spring time, I finally "woke up" one morning... sorry... and realized, that I didn't *have to* drink coffee just because everyone else does.

I started making coffee in the morning for my husband, and making tea for me. I'm so much happier. I still get a shot of caffeine in the morning, and then I switch to drinking water or herbal teas.

But, we're not going to end the discussion there. ;) I've been buying an assortment of herbal teas. Trying different ones out, forcing myself to finish one type, stocking up on another. Different brands, different stores...

I really enjoy several flavoured teas. One of the store brands, called "President's Choice" has some interesting flavoured teas. As does "Stash" brand. I used to buy a lot of "Celestial Seasonings" teas, but they've gotten boring - I've shopped at a few stores, and the variety/selection isn't that great. They still have some interesting ones, which I pick up now and again.

Besides the herbals, in the "regular" tea department, I've really developed a taste for Earl Grey, Lady Grey, English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, and Traditional English. So much so, that recently, I was using some "orange pekoe" tea that I'd bought for the cabin. Finally understood something that I'd heard way back when I was a teen.

My family are immigrants. They came from England. Some of my aunts and uncles also emmigrated, but they settled in the North Eastern US. One summer, I got to go visit some of these relatives, along with meeting some who still live(d) in England. One morning, when one of my cousins asked for tea, our aunt pointed out to him that he wouldn't enjoy it anymore that day than any other, (they had arrived before me) as she had told him before that the tea in US was not the same as the tea in England. That she'd had to get used to it herself over time. Now, back then, I thought tea was tea, and didn't understand.

Of course, being of English background, I'd grown up on tea. Tea in the morning was normal. I even had (still have!) a favourite pink teacup. Recently, I've learned that the difference between white tea, green tea, and black tea is all in the picking - older leaves are used to make black tea, younger leaves for green tea, and the baby leaves for white tea. I've also learned that technically, the stuff that I call "herbal tea" is really mostly a "tisane". Not a tea at all, because there are no tea leaves in most of them. But, since they come from the store in the tea and coffee section, and since they are packaged in tea bags, and since they are made by pouring boiling water over the bag and steeping them, I'm gonna call them teas....

So - what was that last bit all about? I discovered that the English style teas do have a distinct different taste than the pekoe style teas. And I definitely prefer the English style teas over the others.

Now, what the heck am I going to do with all that orange pekoe tea?

You know you are getting old when....

2010-08-26T07:08:00.001-05:00

you start thinking about buying sympathy cards by the box instead of one at a time.

We're going to a funeral today. A very dear friend lost his father last week.

Really can't think of much else to say today.

Thank you to....

2010-08-20T07:04:00.002-05:00

"Anonymous" for posting a comment on my blog post from the other day. I had a momentary lapse of memory; I plan to track down some yarn and knit up a scarf or maybe a hat. My favourite hat pattern, quick and easy (at least in my opinion) is
http://www.needlebeetle.com/free/seacap.htm
Worked up in a nice worsted weight yarn like Patons Decor, it can be quite warm, and washable.

If I do a scarf, I'll probably just cast on 40, or 44, then do a k2 p2 rib. My standby scarf pattern.

Depending on what yarn I have laying around, I might just make a match set. We'll be going away this weekend, so I'll try to hunt up some yarn today to take along.

Finished!

2010-08-19T07:26:00.008-05:00

Well, it was two weeks later than I wanted to be done; and turned out the baby was born on the third. So - it was two weeks late. Sort of - a lot of people save the baby gift giving until after the child is born anyway.
So - this is how they turned out:
The knitted sweater. It was a free pattern from the net.

The crochet sweater - the picture on the right hand side is closer to the true colour. I didn't find out the left picture wasn't great until this morning, and the gift is no longer here, so I can't retake. Anyway - this is the crocheted sweater, and the blanket to match:
These are also from a free web pattern - I think it was from Red Heart, or Coats and Clark, whatever.

So. I finished all the stuff by Tuesday night, and washed everything yesterday morning. Wrapped it up, and then went to run errands and deliver the gift. They were very very happy with them. As I said, the baby was born - a boy. And they didn't think the scalloped edge on the sweater was too "girly" - they like it all just fine.

Well, I guess this means, onward with the rest of the baby gifts. I have two more babies coming in January that I could/should make for. I was about to describe all the gifts, in fact, just typed it all out. But I better not - I'm not 100% sure that the moms do not read my blog. I doubt they do, but just in case....

I guess it wouldn't hurt, though, to say that the next batch of gifts will be knitted. No crochet for a bit. I do want to take a bit of time to work on a project or two for me. But I doubt that will happen. I'll probably start, or work on, a shawl or two for a couple days, but then I'll start getting nervous, and feel the need to get going on the other gifts.

In case anyone is wondering - I know I posted progress pics of the gifts I just finished - that is because the recipient is slightly distanced from me - one of DH's co-workers (actually ex-co-worker, now) and is highly unlikely to be interested in my blog, or even be aware of it. The two due in January know me better - they are both extended family. So, there is a greater chance that they have seen my email sig line, and may have been curious about my blog, or may become curious in the future. It will be no surprise that I will be making something, but the surprise will be in the finished item. So - everyone will have to wait until I finish.

I can talk about the progress - but I won't be able to share pictures.

Two more pics I can share - want to see Lady? :) And Delko? Ok - here are two recent pics of them :)

I just don't understand....

2010-08-13T08:38:00.002-05:00

Ok. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Which means that I'm entitled to mine. I plan to share it here, along with the reasoning that created said opinion. Some people seem to have opinions with absolutely no basis in any reason - they just say something for the shock value, or to stir up controversy.... Anyway, I digress.

I just don't get "yarn graffiti" or "yarn bombing" or whatever it is called on any given day. The kind of thing where people knit or crochet a piece of "fabric" or a shape or whatever, then attach it to a public place. Some call it "art". I call it a waste....

I get art. I do. I get the large art installations, which use yarn or other fibre as part of the media with which the art piece is created. I get "wearable art" - which is what some people call their sweaters and garments they've made.

What I don't get, is when people will take perfectly good yarn and use it to "decorate" telephone polls, trees, lamp posts, bike racks, and other urban installations. I'm not talking about that one picture (no, I have never bothered to save the link, but I'm sure if you haven't seen it before, it won't be long before you see it again) of a tree that is nearly totally covered in yarn/crochet work. THAT is art. Same with the house that is covered, the gas station, the car, the motorcycle. Those are all art projects.

What I mean, is the people who go out and crochet a granny square, or knit a tube, or a long narrow strip, then wind it or otherwise tie it around an object. There is no rhyme or reason to the colour or shape, it is just there.

Right now, according to what I'm reading on Ravelry and on Facebook, there is a local landmark, a bridge going over a river, that many of the local knitting groups want to "knit". They are calling it "knit the bridge", and they want everyone to knit 11 stitches wide, and as long as they want/can, then meet on a certain date, where they hope to have a piece of knitting as long as the bridge.

Now. I'm thinking....

If someone has the yarn to spare, the time to spare, the energy to spare - rather than making something 11 stitches wide, why not make it 33 (or 36) stitches wide, and about 5 to 7 feet long. Then, rather than attaching it, or just draping it, or whatever means these people are going to use on the bridge project, why not give it to a homeless shelter, a charity group, a school?? See, this city where I live, this place where this bridge is located, will all too soon be in the grips of a cold harsh winter. And, just like many other urban areas, there will be adults with no job, no food, no home to shelter from the cold. There are limited beds in homeless shelters. There are also many children whose families are on welfare who don't always have the proper winter clothing. Schools are often left the enormous responsibility of caring for these children, trying to keep them from freezing during outdoor recesses in any way possible. (lost and found boxes are often called upon to temporarily supply needy children, teachers and other parents often provide for "emergency" clothing, local charities do their best to help out). There are also many families who "fall through the cracks" - the single parents, the unemployed, the laid-off workers, the "working poor" - minimum wage earners who struggle to provide basics such as food and shelter. Charity groups are always glad of anything that can be donated - not only do they try to help the aforementioned people, but several will help short term - people who lose everything to fire or flood - both of which can happen at any time of year. (we have such harsh winters, that we often have underground water main breaks, which result in flooded streets, yards, and yes, even basements in some areas in mid-winter).

So. Knit the Bridge? I don't think so. I think that I will try to find some yarn that I can spare (I don't have a lot of undetermined stash - I mostly buy for specific projects. But I do have some bits and scraps, and while I don't believe that just because you are disadvantaged that you should deserve any less, I'm sure that when it comes to warmth vs fashion, I can guess what will win out) and I think I'll knit a scarf, or a hat, or some mittens. Doesn't have to be much - even one item/pair of mittens is one more than zero - and donate it to a homeless shelter. And I'll do it in protest.

Anyone else?

Didn't make it again....

2010-08-11T08:46:00.002-05:00

Though I finished crocheting on the blanket. Now to weave in ends. I have three more buttons to sew onto the knitted sweater, and I have to sew 5 buttons on the crochet sweater, sew in the sleeves, and weave in ends. Fiddly little time consuming jobs...

But, I've already done the laundry. So, either I'll track down some things to toss in to make a small load when I'm done the finishing on the gifts, or they will be done by next laundry day... :(

We've been having super hot heatwave type temperatures, with high humidity, and no breeze for several days. I've been trying, but it is hard to find cool time to work on these things. Mostly, it has been worked on in moments between supervising new doggy outside.... Lady and Delko are getting along fabulously, but it is still a good idea for me to supervise their playtime, to make sure it doesn't get too rough. Plus, I need to work on training her for good manners outside. As in, it is perfectly all right to bark two or three times when someone walks by the house; that is what dogs do. But, after that - need to keep quiet.

I don't have to stand outside hovering over the dogs for that - I can sit at the patio type table. But, I'm the type that would go insane very quickly if I didn't have something to keep my brain or hands occupied. So, that is when I work on the projects. (I could take the laptop out, though, too, and play around.... hmm.... NO!!! Wait - discipline. The baby gifts come first!!!!)

My Grandson Has a Way With Animals

2010-08-04T08:12:00.006-05:00

Besides being a great football player, that is.

When we got Delko, he was very shy around strangers. Especially men. As for children, well - he was totally afraid of them. Didn't know what they were, or how to behave with them, or much else. Then, one day, I had GS over. Admittedly, I did make Delko let GS pet him, and scritch under Del's chin (a sure fire way to Del's heart). Within five minutes, they became bestest buddies.
I think that GS would do well to go into some sort of animal work when he's older - vet, vet tech, animal trainer, zoo work.... he really is great with dogs. I have more pics of him with dogs, and with his sisters.

Wait, what is that you say? Yes, at first glance, these pictures do look a little photoshopped. Honestly, I wish I knew how to do that. However, they are not photoshopped.

Did grandkids bring their dog with them? No, actually, their dog is some sort of shepherd cross as well, and several years older than D. Their dog is the same age as Mica, as a matter of fact, which makes him some 6 years old.

So, who is the mystery dog? Well, she's D's new little sister, Lady. She's 9 months old, a border collie rescue, and she's had a bit of a rough start in life. But, she is now in her "forever home"; at least as far as I'm concerned. So far, the dogs have hit it off well. Poor little girl doesn't know how to play, but Delko is working on that. He pokes at her, barks in her face, bows to her, challenges her, bites at her, until she finally gets pissed off enough to start chasing him. They run around the yard, and the look of joy on D's face is great -- of course, though, they only do this while the camera is out of reach.... lol.... I'll get a movie of that eventually.

Lady also got Ashleigh to like her after about ten minutes of whining and looking totally sad.... Mica on the other hand is slower to make friends. I was surprised at that - Mica is, after all, the "little black dog". Not sure what is up with her. I'm sure she'll come around soon enough.

So, I have a lot of work to do - training up the new baby - in many ways, she is like a two month old puppy in a nine month old dog body. I've still got those baby gifts to finish - have to sew buttons on the knit sweater, sew the sleeves to the crochet sweater and add the buttons, and am about two thirds of the way done on the blanket. I was hoping to have them done by last week's laundry day, then figured today was fine.... If I don't get them done by next laundry day, I'll really be late with them. :( All I knew for sure was that the baby was due in August. And I'm still working on that special project. That one is going to take more time than I first allowed - I thought I could pull it off in six months; I still might, but a more realistic timeline is 12 months, from what I've been learning while working on it. Not happy about that, to be honest, but it seems that it is not just what I want, but what really works. Oh, well, I can only do my best.

Not much to say

2010-07-30T08:00:00.002-05:00

I haven't really had a lot to say, which is why I haven't posted....

I may have more to talk about tomorrow, though. It is a long weekend this weekend, but have a wedding to go to tomorrow, so we won't be going out of town. We went last weekend, and did our annual pasta dinner.

Weather has been generally more pleasant finally - we're finally getting the sunshine and heat that we should for it being summer time.

I've been plugging away at those baby gifts - I wanted to be finished them by now, as the baby is due in August (but I'm not sure if it is beginning, middle or end). Oh, well - barring any major disasters, I should be able to be done them by next laundry day....

I've discovered that the little project I'm working on over the next few months might take much longer than that... I'll know more by the end of September how it will go. Keeping my fingers crossed about it, but also knowing that if it is meant to work out, it will.

So - that is about it. Might have something shareable by tomorrow... if not, then next week. I have to stop being lazy about prepping pictures for sharing.

Rushing around again....

2010-07-23T08:41:00.002-05:00

Haven't taken the progress pics of the projects, did take some pics of my flowers and tomato plants but haven't downloaded off the camera yet, have to do shopping, packing for weekend, major dishes, and have a bath today, not to mention the other chores before taking off for a weekend, and wanted to tell you about yesterday (which is why the major dishes)

Yesterday had DGD #2 (almost 10 yrs old) over for the day. We did some cooking together. I had hoped to do a bunch of stuff, and be able to freeze some stuff for later. Had several things planned, thinking that I'd rather have too much than not enough to keep busy with.... Well, the sugar cookie dough came out too soft to roll and cut. I've used the recipe before, so I don't know what went wrong, other than the excess humidity in the air (I *hate* rain). I have now stuck it into the freezer, and next time, I'll knead more flour into it and we can try again. We also made perogies. These are little dumpling type things, filled dough pockets, that are a Ukrainian dish. The filling we used (and is a fave around here) was potato and cheddar. I made one batch of dough in one bowl, and K made a second batch - hers turned out just as good as mine, even though she'd never made it, or anything like it, before. She took to the filling and folding, too... I sent two dozen home with her, and DH and I ate several for supper. Mmmm, MMmm, good!

I'd hoped to be able to also make a batch or two of pasta - having a helper for that is always great, since both kitties now like to eat it.... But, we were running out of time. So, we whipped up a pineapple cake instead. Sent half of that home with her, too...

So, it was not as productive a day as I'd hoped, but it was still a good bonding day with the grandkid. Which is important, too. And even though I did keep washing dishes between moments, there are still quite a few left (plus the supper dishes - wasn't doing them last night after spending all day in the kitchen!!)

Anyway - gots to go. If I have a few free moments later, I'll try to deal with pictures. If not, well, there is always next week :)

Too many temptations....

2010-07-21T09:52:00.002-05:00

All sorts of new projects screaming at me to make them... BUT I must do the baby gift stuffs first. Or, I know what will happen... I'll get excited about the new stuff, and the baby gifts will become UFO's or put off till the last minute...

I haven't sewn any seams on the knitted sweater yet. But, I did do the shoulder seams, collar, and front button bands on the crochet one. Just need to do the sleeves. When I picked this pattern, the shells that bordered the sweater looked fine - but now that I'm making it, I'm getting scared it is going to turn out too "girly". I wanted to aim for stuff that could be for a boy or girl. Dang.

Oh, well - baby number one for this couple was a girl; maybe it will turn out all right....

I did a UFO, as well. Yesterday - spent like, maybe ten minutes or less, and sewed up a seam. A few years ago, I made a latch hook piece. It was a small square - 12 inches, I think. I decided to do it as a cushion. So, I made a crocheted square backing for it. Then, I sewed three sides. I also bought a cushion form. It never got finished, though, because the pieces ended up separated from each other. So - recently, I tripped over both the cushion and the form. I put both parts in easy reach. Didn't do anything else, but yesterday, I found myself needing to kill a few moments. Didn't feel like doing computer things, so I grabbed my darning needle, the cushion parts, and... Now I have a completed project :)

So. Short post - I need to take a picture of the new cushion ;) so I can share it. Also am supposed to be downloading a video I took of the doglet, to send to DH.

Will post some progress pictures tomorrow :)

Off again....

2010-07-16T07:15:00.002-05:00

Ahh, summertime - back to heading out to the cabin for some much needed mental relaxation..... Time to relax, to recuperate, to rest, to de-stress, to crochet and knit....

Hopefully, I'll be back with some progress/completed pictures to share :)

Current WIP's

2010-07-15T13:59:00.005-05:00

Well, the two main ones - I do have a couple others, as mentioned....

This is the knitted sweater - I have to do the two underarm/side seams, then sew on some buttons.

For the second sweater, I still have to do a few rows on the back section, then the left front. Then there are a collar and button band to do, too. Not to mention, making the sleeves. When I found this pattern, I thought that it could work for either a boy or girl; and I chose a nice neutral brown/beige for a colour theme for this gift. Now, though, I'm almost wondering if the scalloped border is too girly looking.....

The blanket has the scallops at the top and bottom edge, and plain sc in the middle. I'm using a different yarn for that, though. And, I haven't started crocheting on it yet, either.

Didn't take picture of the shawl/scarf. I should, maybe.... a "before and after" picture, since I'm going to rip it out.... Well, not all out, just back a couple dozen rows. Of lace....

I also have another shawl, one I designed, that needs the ends woven in. It needs to be blocked properly, too. I did block it, sort of, but did a rush job on it. I really want it to be stretched out proper.

Then, it will be time to sort through my stuff, clear up a few things, prepare to make the next batch of baby gifts, and find those UFO's and get a bunch of them looked after.

No pictures.

2010-07-14T09:42:00.002-05:00

But I don't want to forget to keep posting here!!

I guess I could/should take some progress pictures of the two main projects I'm working on. The baby gifts for August. I have been ignoring the knit sweater, which needs seaming and button sewing, in favour of creating the crochet sweater. I keep thinking I'm getting closer to finishing, then remember I still need to make sleeves.... I have four or six rows to finish on the back, then the left front piece. Two sleeves, then the collar, button band, and seams.... Then, the matching blanket.

Working in fine yarn on small hook is nasty business... I can knit faster than I can crochet. Wish I hadn't picked this pattern :( But, the picture was cute, and I did feel like doing some crochet.

Next projects will be all knit. Or, maybe, I might crochet a blanket, but it will be on a larger hook, that is definite!!

I do have a knit lace project to work on - from the knitandknag blog. Well, the designer is Anna from knitandknag, but the pattern is a bought one. It is a shawl - but I misread the directions, and missed a repeat of a section of the pattern.... I am debating trying to rip back, or to just carry on and have a slightly smaller "scarf". Since I haven't even looked at it since realizing my mistake, I think the answer is clear - I need to rip back. Too bad; I completed one entire half (well, sort of) in one day - a very easy relaxing knit....

All my other projects qualify as UFO's; I haven't touched any of them in so long.... And then there are the ones that I have ready, but not started.... I've said it before, and I'll say it again- I really don't buy yarn just to "stash" it. I buy yarn for projects. I will buy sock yarn on a whim, since I can really use any sock pattern. But for any other project - I must have the pattern decided on so that I can buy the right amount of yarn. Yes, I do have some stash made up of leftover yarn; I do like to buy that extra ball or so of yarn "just in case". But even that "stash", can become granny square or other scrap type afghans.

I want to get some more socks knit up soon. I have some that I started, some that I dream of starting....

And I want to get some designs out of my head and down onto paper.

All while keeping up with a special project, and getting my house in order. I am determined not to just talk about it this time, but to actually make progress!!!!