Random Thoughts........

 

RT#1.  5x8 index cards are the glue holding my world together.  I use them for everything.  Notes, lists, bookmarks, project/chapter outlines, paper plates, in a pinch.

RT#2.  Target is the western equivalent of Mecca.  I swear I go there 5 times a day (some days) and everyone should make the journey as least once in their life. 

RT#3.  Sewing is not for wimps.   Damned dangerous affair.  Cutters, needles and irons.  A girl could get seriously hurt!

RT#4.  Laundry rooms should be bigger!  With tables! And Cupboards! 

But, most of all...................on the same floor as the bedrooms!

RT#5.  96 days till Christmas.  KNIT!

 

Stuff I Do/Love.........

 

Tomato Salad and homemade crackers

Queen Cakes

Shrimp Tacos with black bean Salsa and

Pineapple Water

Craft time with the Grandbabies

My Big lovely bed!

Harvest time - Could it really be Autumn?

Have a Great Day!

SP11 and Sockapalooza 4

Well first off, I have to tell you I think I may have the best Secret Pal ever!
She must have read my mind because without it being on my
questionnaire,or anywhere on my blog,
she sent me just what I was going to make next!
My oldest daughter and her husband are expecting a new baby
at Christmas time. A little boy, who will be named William.
So how perfect was it, when I opened my parcel and found this?
A perfect pattern and the yarn to go with it.
Thank you so much Secret Pal!

I also received my Sockapalooza 4 socks.
You can read about them and see a picture on my Sock Pals Blog.
Have a great day!

Secret Pal 11

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love anything natural. I do not care for acrylic or microfiber
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Different containers. I am looking for some sort of DPN holder that will hold a few sets of needles for socks
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? 23 years, advanced
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes
5. What's your favorite scent? Lavendar
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Chocolate
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Spin, gardening
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Classical Music is my favorite
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? All deep, jewel and natural tones.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Children are grown, just me and my lovely husband
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, socks and shawls
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Shawls and socks
13. What are you knitting right now? A scarf for my son
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Absolutely
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circular for most things. DPN for socks
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes
17. How old is your oldest UFO? 1 month
18. What is your favorite holiday? New Years
19. Is there anything that you collect? Old knitting books, posters etc.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? My grandson will be born in December. I am looking for good baby bootie patterns.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Turkish knitting
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? YES> 9.5 inches long and 10 inches around
23. When is your birthday? August 624. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? No. I am not worthy YET.

Done --- Yeah!

Sockapalooza 4 socks are done and will be mailed tomorrow. I am 5 days late. Bad Me!

Day 6 Scrumble

Day 6 Scrumble

It's Friday. YEAH.

Highlight of the Week:

My perspective has changed. Maybe due to the ugly little scrumble. Thought of scrapping it a few times, but I don't think I will. Just because it is an ugly little thing, doesn't mean it can't serve a purpose. We'll see.

Have a great day.

Day 5 Scrumble

Day 5 of Scrumble

It is amazing how perspective changes with just one addition. Somehow I like this little mess more today.

Have a great day.

Day 4 Scrumble

Day 4 of the Scrumble

Awful picture, I will try harder tomorrow.

Don't really like this thing so far, but who knows, maybe it will grow on me.

Have a great day!

Day 3 Scrumble

Day 3

I added some crochet (had to teach myself - not too hard) I like the texture in this section. Not something I would wear, but it is a different look.

The yarn is simple Cascade 220 wool. A staple in my stash.

Have a great day.

Day 2 Scrumble and Breakfast

Day 2 of Mystery knitting:

Blue Verigates sock yarn was given to me by a friend who decided her boyfriend was no longer sock worthy. For that matter, he is not boyfriend worthy either, and has been "kicked to the curb", so to speak. So.............. I got 300g of great sock yarn. ( he had large feet, and not much else, if you get the idea)

Breakfast this morning at Chez Collins cost a whopping $1.17 in cash and about 300 in calories.

Not bad.

Have a great day!

Discovery Day 1

Day 1

P.S. I have no idea what this will become. Let's find out.

Sock Progress

One sock down and one to go. I should be done on time to ship them out the last week of July. It always amazes me that something I made will be walking around in another country. These are going to Japan. I do hope my pal likes them.

The african violets are doing well. They stay picture perfect for so long, they are worth the time it takes to care for them.

Have a Great Day!

OH MY GOSH!!

These goodies were waiting for me when I returned home from 2 weeks of business travel.

What a lovely surprise from my Secret Pal.

I have been wanting to get my greedy hands on some of this, but have not been able to find any.

The tonal beige on beige is amazing.

This will become a winter scarf for ME!


I have two other skeins of "Socks that Rock" and this colorway ties the other two together beautifully. A shawl is in store for these babies!

Gorgeous!

My two favorite scents.

Looks Yummy Huh? Gone! Good thing I took the pictures fast.

Leigh-Anne is my spoiler. Thank you Leigh-Anne, for a much needed boost to my day!

Have a great day.

Summer with Socks and Gardens

This year for, Sockapalooza 4, I am knitting " Go with the flow Socks" from the new "Favorite Socks" book from Interweave. They are extremely easy, yet have a lot of texture and give, which is always nice when you are knitting for someone's foot on the other side of the planet.

Yarn: Lorna Laces, Super sock (Thank you Knitique)
Needles: Cascade DPN, size 1 US
Started 5-16-07 at Knit Night



My Herb Garden this year consists of one hanging pot, with 5 herbs. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, chives and nasturshums. The lime & fig trees are fruiting well, but there will be no lemons this year :(. I usually go all out with the herbs and veg, but will be away too much this summer to keep up with it.

I am looking forward to this Summer. Lots to do and many fun projects to finish.

Have a great day!

SP10 and Sockapalooza 4

My SP10 received her package, finally. Sometimes it takes forever when you ship outside the US! She loved it. I am so glad as I had a great time picking things out and sending them. I am going to send out more this week. What fun this type of thing is. Gift giving for no other reason than the love of fiber.

I also have my Sockapalooza 4 person. This is a very interesting person, who lives in a fascinating country. On I know little about, but am going to do some research before I start her socks.

Check out the new Martha Stewart line at Michael's. Some seriously cute stuff there. Not as cute as my grandchildren, but cute none the less.

Have a great day!

Sockapalooooza Opens today

Don't miss the sign-ups for Sockapalooooza. They will only be open for a day or so, so don't miss out. It is great fun! Knit a pair/Get a pair. I will be traveling quite a bit in the next few months, so I will have plenty of time to knit. Maybe I'll take pictures of all the places the sock is knit.

Have a Great day!

Hello to Friends

I am okay, just very very behind. Why I picked an industry, in constant change I do not know. Except, that I love it and couldn't dream of doing anything else.

Have a great day!

Desperate Knitting

I have no idea why I made this. It is practically useless!

My mother-in-law has one in green crochet from the 50's. It sits on the back of her ca mode, next to a roll of TP (also with its own matching cover), on top of a coordinated "doily".

My kids always loved it. Maybe my own grandchildren will remember mine.

Have a great day!

SP10 Questionaire

I have joined SP10. Yeah!!
Questionaire:
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love all natural fibers and prefer not to knit with acrylic, microfibre or nylon.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use a vase to store my DPNs/straights and zip pockets in a binder for my circulars

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
22 years (my mother-in-law taught me) - advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes

5. What's your favorite scent?
Hyacinths (also my favorite flower)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
No really, but I do like chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Spinning, beading and cooking

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your
buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like all music, except rap and country. MP3s are great.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like the darker shades of all color, as well as creams and beiges. I do not care for pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
No pets.

Married 25 years and have grown children

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves, shawls and mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Sweaters, Lace shawls, curtains, throws, washcloths, socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A lace shawl for my youngest daughter.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Absolutely!!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have a full collection of needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 weeks

18. What is your favorite holiday?
New Year’s Day. I love beginnings.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Knitting artwork and books; the older the better.
Small ceramic bowls and all shapes, colors and sizes.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have been searching for wool/silk blend fingering weight yarn in black and dark brown.
I like the Interweave Knit, Vogue Knit, and Rowan magazines.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I continental knit and have always been fascinated watching English knitting. I would also love to learn the Turkish method. I have never found anyone/book to help with it.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. 9.5 inches around. 9 inches long.

23. When is your birthday?
August 6th.

My Grandma's Oatmeal Cookies

Grandma's Oatmeal Currant Walnut Cookies

Sift: 2 cups Flour, 1tsp baking soda, 1tsp baking powder, 1tsp salt, - set aside

Cream: 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown
sugar, 2 eggs, then add 1 tsp vanilla

Add Dry to wet and stir to incorporate.
Add 2 cups oatmeal (NOT QUICK type), 1 cup
currants and 1 cup Walnut pieces.

12 minutes in a 350 F oven.






Packed and ready to go
Enjoy!