Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Yes, I am still here

Wow.. last post was in November? Seriously?? So, yes I've been knitting, but not making progress on too much of anything....still working on dress for The Girl. Should be done by Christmas....(ya right). Had to have Healtherly unknit one of my Socks for Soldiers helmet liners.. I did some Vicodin knitting last month and dropped stitches, added stitches and otherwise screwed up the last few rounds of the hat... it's back on the needles all proper like now. I've also made two beanie caps from a kit I got at a WINERY in Napa.. They use sheep in the vineyard to eat the weeds, sheer them, send the fleese to Yolo Mill Works and sell about 100 kits.. Whoo Hoo.. The first hat is on it's way to Iraq and the second, after our mailman tries it on for size, will soon follow. The real purpose of this post is to say "what amazing friends I have" In the last 7 - 10 days, I've taken about 8 or 9 boxes to the post office - all headed to Iraq.. Between me, my friend, debbie, and her neighbor, we've sent home made cookies, top ramen, etc and put a smile on over 30 soldiers faces... I am not tooting my own horn here.. it just amazes me that in such short order 3 people can get so much done! I'll take pictures of the "winerey hat" before it gets sent off.. promise.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A Real Miss America


Now this is what I'm talkin' about!! It's been ages, but here I am....leaving in a few hours for a confernece..but I promise to post when I get back.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Still here/still knittin'

No pics as my camera is not with me....I just ordered some stuff from Knit Picks... the Carmen Banana money kit and the Tidings of Joy ornement kit. Why? Who knows... I need that stuff like I need a hole in my head. Still working on dress for The Girl Child, still working on the Tree of Life blanket (curses - it's a Knit PIcks pattern and with the errors in it, I swore I'd nver buy another pattern from them again. but i just did, so kids: never say "never."

While in Vegas a month back or so, my dear SIL told me, after I used the term "smoots" that I could not say it, as I was not a member of "the Tribe." - well - hells bells. I got a book last week called "If You Can't Say Anything NIce, Say it In Yiddish" - we'll just have to see whose the boss after I learn some crafty little things to say to that little whipper snapper!! Love him to death, but don't tell me I can't say smoots!! See if he ever gets hand knitted socks from ME!!

i am knitting on a helmet liner for Socks for Soldiers; knitting on a sock for me (finished one, now doing the mate); still got the dress and the blanket, what else is new..

MY LOOM: I ordered a stand for my loom, it arrived and hubby said he'd pick it up while I was outof town - he forgot and now I have to get it tomorrow.

I am making a rug for our new bathroom... setting tile this week. my hope is to weave rug this weekend!! Whoo Hooo.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

What's on the needles

Well, I've not fallen off the face of the earth - almost, but not just yet. I've been trying to knit thru the stash for some time now and at first decided to tackle big projects first, just to make a dent in the pile of yarn...but other projects call my name.. Here is what I am currently working on.. keeping in mind that socks never count - ie buying sock yarn is not adding to stash, knitting socks is not included in having "too many" projects on the needles..

Ok, Blogger is being really stupid, not loading pictures and I don't have time to wait.. Off to Knit Night. I'll post later.. but I am working on Lion Brand's Tree of Life Afgan, lots of errors in the pattern, which pisses me off...had to rip out about 4" of lace in the dress I am makin for The Girl Child..Interweave Knits, can't recall which issue.. and bum gloves for a friend. pattern is giving me fits: sl2tog, k1, psso - really? Why can't i remember how i did that.. pass what stitchover?? I don't understand. RANT RANT RANT, STOMPING FOOT..

Friday, July 3, 2009

Freedom Isn't Free



The 4th of July is not about BBQs or picnics or fireworks....it's about freedom - and it's not free. So tomorrow, as you eat your burgers and ribs and whatnot - be sure to thank a soldier for your freedom - not everyone gets to celebrate this weekend with family and friends...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Proper Thank You x 2




I received two packages recently. One from my friends at Socks for Soldiers. The basket from SFS is the one with the red, white and blue basket; the second is from my SP 13 Buddy. As you can see, I've been well spoiled of late. Can you see the green shawl in the top of the picture? That's a prayer shawl knit by one of the members of SFS....I've never had one knit something like this for me, because, thankfully, I've never in the past needed something like this. So the gift is very touching and yet bittersweet. The fiber from my SP13 buddy will come in handy. After hitting "save" on this post , I am off to our Spinning Guild meeting, where I will be shown how to use my Turkish drop spindle.. we shall see. I expect there to be cussing involved.. So, thank you both to my SP13 Buddy and to all the members of SFS for keeping me in prayer - for the kind words and just thinking good thoughts... I do appreciate it.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Thank you!!

First, to my SP13 buddy. Your box was waiting for me when I got home on Sunday. It must have arrived on Friday (I played hooky from work). I'll post proper pictures - I love all the fibery goodness!!

Second, but not least - the gift basket from my Socks For Soldiers family. WOW - I am humbled to say the least. I've never received a prayer shawl before - thank you - each and everyone of my knit-sibs! I'll take pictures and make a proper post.

I'm feeling really loved today - Thank you!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

What's New

Well, just when I think it is possible for me to rip someones face off - the sheer fustration of things not getting done....that life smacks you upside the head. I received a call today from a lovely man - a local Veteran, who had read Blake's obituary in the local paper and not wanting to call me too soon, waited until today. This nice man, Stu, is a mover and shaker of sorts in our area, and has probably worked countless hours to make this happen: www.orovilleveteransmemorialpark.org - His call was to inform me that it would be their honor to include Blake in their Veterans' Memorial Wall. We chatted for a bit. We talked about Blue Star Moms and about Socks for Soldiers. He writes a weekly article for the local paper and links can be found at the above website. Give it a visit. He said he'd write an article about Blake, if I'd give him some information. I sent him links to YouTube and told him to check out the video.

This evening I read Yarn Harlets post about her daughter turning 15 - her youngest.. a great ditty about parenthood - but it made me a bit sad at all the things I'll never do: hold a child of Blake's; attend his wedding; the joy of a new house; the joyful return after deployment - just those simple things in life that we all celebrate in some way....and I try not to be too clingy to The Girl. and I try to be thankful for the "nots" - not shot, not in a far away land, not MIA, not POW, not scared.

And then greatful - for all his military buddies - past and future - who are willing to serve our country....now I need to go pick up my pointy sticks and knit some socks for SFS - my first pair since Blake died, but there are soliers out there without handknit socks and that's just criminal!!

I continue to be amazed at how wonderful our Army is to our family and the outreach of support from guys like Stu and other Veterans...God bless 'em all.

Friday, February 13, 2009

What is on and off the needles







What have I been knitting: Well, in no particular order and you'll be able to match up picture with "report":
1. The Girl's dress. This is an Interweave Knits pattern from the Summer 2008 magazine. I am to the point in the pattern where I need to cast on some stitches for the over-lap of the lacey top. No clue how to do that and my Yarn Yenta is snow bound for a few days.. Darn that snow!!
2. Socks for Soldiers: this is a cast on of a helmet liner and a finished one. The finished one was/is an official SFS cap and was gifted to my son, he wore it a few times before he passed away. The cap will be gifted to his Army buddy when he comes home on leave from Iraq in a few weeks.
3. Bum Glove. This is a KnitPicks pattern. I am making them for my "old" assistant, who left after 2.5 years for anther career field.. this is kinda like second sock syndrom, except this is not a sock (duh). They go really fast - the palm part of the hand takes the longest and the fingers can be done in a night of knitting.. so what's my hang up?? The urge to cast on something new... I hate that...
Ohh, the mailman delivered the Spring 2009 Interweave Knits today...but it snowed this morning so it's hard to think about spring when its flippin freezing outside... brrrrrr

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Blogger is being stupid

I was going to post pictures of my current knitting projects. but blogger is being stupid....

Thursday, February 5, 2009

What's On & Off The Needles

I've been knitting. . . .

Socks for Soldiers: I've completed (weeks ago) and finally turned in a helmet liner/beanie cap! I know I need to get back to knitting socks.. that's the Mission, but somehow socks seem so personal to me...

The Girl's Dress: I am pee my pants excited about this one - I am 1/2 inch away from being at the "natural waistline"... which means I have to modify the pattern a bit and not do a repeat...i'll double check my measurments tonight..

Fingerless Mit: I've completed one and now need to do it's mate. This is a pattern from Knit PIcks, I think......ya, pretty sure. I'll have to take pictures of the bum glove and the dress and post them...

SP 13: I did send package #2 and now need to get busy on package 3.. I am so not thinking straight, i can't even recall when the swap ends.... arrggg....

Saturday, January 24, 2009

The Plan of The Master Weaver

(This is a poem that was sent to me recently. The friend who sent it has no clue that I spin or knit. Because I do, the poem is kinda extra special).

The Plan of The Master Weaver

Our lives are but fine weavings that God and we prepare
Each life becomes a fabric planned
And fashioned in His care.

We may not always see just how the weavings intertwine
But we must trust the Master's hand and follow His design.
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side
While we must look from underneath
And trust in Him to guide . . .

Sometimes a strand of sorrow is added to His plan
And though it's difficult for us, we still must understand
That it's He who fills the shuttle, it's He who knows what's best
So we must weave in patience
And leave to Him the rest . . . .

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why-
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

(I think this should be read at every fiber-friendly person's funeral, don't you think?)

Friday, January 9, 2009

My Son





Here is my favorite "civilian" picture of Blake, it was taken on our "Christmas" 12/22/08, as we did our holiday a few days early. I never post pictures of others without permission, but I think he'll forgive me this one time. My DH is doing a CD with the video that was played at the service along with a scrolling thing of the poem I read and his eulogy - we'll be putting it on YouTube and I'll put a link up here tooo, I guess.

I tried to knit a bit last night, but couldn't. I open my stash closet and all I can really see are the few projects I had for him. The sweater pattern and yarn that was never cast on. Blake saw the yarn and pattern the last time he was home and was looking forward to the sweater. For Christmas this year, he gave me knitting needles in 3 sizes and a book on afgans and a request that I make him a blanket. Then there are the socks, his socks, SFS socks, beanie caps/helmet liners.... it's just too hard to pick up the pointy sticks right now. Sorry to be such a buzz kill - my little bit of therapy...

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Thank you SP 13 Buddy




Well, I've got one clue who my buddy is....She (or is it a "he"??) sent a card with a monogram "J" on it... hmmmmmm a clue or something to throw me off track?

Here are two pics of my goodies I received the other day: Two hanks of yarn from Seacoast Handpainted - Brentwood, NH, "Big Horn" 55% mohair & 45% wool. 110 yards each. With a note that says they'd make good mittens. I agree! The other picture is of a very crafty idea - it's a kit from Knit One/Crochet Too - a pattern for Leaf Pattern Bath Mit, yarn in Italian Ice and a bar of soap in pomagranite. Yummy. The little note says I could use them as knitted gift items. Heck no. I'd love to have the bath mit and yummy soap for me. Thank you secret pal.
You can't even know how much your little bit of "normal" meant to me when the package arrived. It's been one hell of a week for me. I'll post about that later..maybe.. Thanks again and sorry for the delay in thanking you.