Knitty Treasures

Postcard Challenge Week 04

2012-01-27T00:38:00.000-06:00

Here we are in week 4 already! I am really enjoying this challenge and look forward to every Monday morning! This week we are in China - big country with lots of people and fascinating cultures.

Connor has been walking the Great Wall for his assignment this week, trying to capture what he feels and sees as well as paying attention to what the magazine is paying him for. At one point along the way in the wall section out of Beijing, he stops to rest and daydreams about being here with someone he cares for - telling her what he imagines when he is behind the camera.

He shakes himself, smiles and gets back to work. The wind almost carries his hat away! Good thing he has quick reflexes. That is his favorite fedora!

He brought his lunch and while he sits leaning against the wall to eat, he reaches in his pocket and re-reads Melinda's last postcard. She did notice he made the postcard - perhaps he should try it again.

Connor seems to be taking Melinda's lead by ending with "Sincerely" and his first name. And perhaps he is using the same tactic of the question to be answered to keep getting postcards from Melinda. After all, it would be rude not to answer.

Photo info says:
China is mostly known for it's Great Wall - built out of stone and compacted sand that stretches for thousands of miles. The Great Wall rises and falls with the contours of the mountains westward, crossing nine provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions for 6,700 kilometers. The construction of the wall began during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) and Warring States period (475-221 BC) during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

Postcard Challenge Week 03

2012-01-23T14:10:00.001-06:00

Here we are in week 3 and Brazil.

Technically, Melinda is still in Austria when she answers Connor's postcard. She had to track down a postcard for Brazil and since Rio is one of the most popular vacation spots of the times it wasn't that difficult. She asks him a question and hopes to keep the correspondence going.

Melinda has been to Brazil before and looks forward to eating more of some of the foods that were her favorites. ‘Frango Asado’ is barbecue chicken with rice and fries. 'Prato Feito' (rice and brown beans with steak) was delicious.

Rio de Janeiro also holds Carnival – Brazil’s world-renowned celebration. It takes place 40 days before Easter. Melinda would like to stay in Brazil that long, but doesn't know if she can. Perhaps she will be able to arrange a short return trip.

The text about the photo says: The Statue of Christ the Redeemer, standing 30m (98ft) tall and overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the tallest statues in the world. The statue represents Jesus standing with outstretched arms and is one of the most famous symbols of this lively city, and of Brazil. Construction started in mid-1926 and was completed in 1931. The statue sits on top of Corcovado Mountain (Hunchback Mountain) located in Tijuca National Park, a popular area for picnics and walking. From the statue, there are superb views of Sugar Loaf Mountain, downtown Rio de Janeiro and Rio's beaches.

You can view the postcards in my Flickr here.

Postcard Challenge 2012 Week 02

2012-01-12T22:27:00.001-06:00

So here we are in week 02. My story takes place in 1956. Each postcard has a unique postmark with the appropriate date on it.

I intend to do my postcards mainly digital and may add other things to them as well as time passes. A box or altered book will be made also - to hold all the correspondence. It is also my intention to date everything - so the story can be read in order no matter if things get disarranged in the box/book.
I will also include text of my blog posts within the box/book - as I am hopeful it will add to the story as it unfolds!

Connor is pleased someone likes his photography enough to let him know it. He decides this woman should know he enjoyed receiving her postcard and assumes she is single by the "Mrs" missing in her return address. He wants to send her another photo and will turn one into a postcard.

He finds a darkroom to use via the magazine he is working for. He prints up some photographs in an appropriate size and backs his favorite with heavy cardstock. The word "PostCard" proves to be a challenge. He ends up carving a stamp from an eraser he finds in his hotel room. It took two tries because he forgot you have to carve the text backwards!

Practice stamping

Postcard Challenge 2012

2012-01-07T01:12:00.000-06:00

I have joined an interesting Challenge this year! The Postcard Challenge 2012 put on by DarcyW(UK). You can read all the details here. The challenge is based on Nick Bantock's Griffin and Sabine series - where two characters of your choice write postcards back and forth to each other every week. Darcy will post a different country for us each Monday of the year!

Our first country is Austria. Here is where my A character (Melinda Blake, author of romance novels and then some) will take the lead. She discovers a photograph in one of the library books she is using for researching her latest novel. There is the address of the photographer imprinted on the back of the photo. It's a very lovely landscape that might have been taken near her home in Tuscany. She begins to daydream about what inspired him to take that particular photograph. Perhaps he would like to have it back? she wonders. So...before she can think of a reason not to....she writes on the postcard in her purse and takes it up to the counter to ask if the clerk will post it for her.

And so we shall see where this will lead Melinda! I will do my best to keep up with the challenge and post here once a week with a new postcard and newest portion of the story. I do love to write fiction and it will be difficult for me to hold back!

Use It Up and the Last Post for 2011

2011-12-31T17:14:00.001-06:00

What a day! This computer is over 3 years old and telling the tale. Would not boot. Son2 worked on it all afternoon and finally got it to boot up. Still don't know exactly what the problem is. It may also happen again. And again. We shall see.

I have been advised to NOT put large files (videos..umhum) on the C drive. OK. Now I need to get them off and defrag. But not tonight! Already having withdrawls from non-computer-useage! So, tomorrow I shall begin "cleaning" the computer.

At the same time, the Studio is getting "cleaned". Way too much stuff in here! Well, there is good news on that front. UIU to the rescue! Use It Up! Instead of buying more and more STUFF, do as Fran suggests and go shopping in your own home! I have taken the pledge and can't wait to put it into action.

Read about the Pledge here at LadyFran's Blog. Use the supplies that have been sitting on the shelf or in a drawer. When was the last time you saw what was even IN that bottom drawer? What happened to those who-zee-what-its you bought last week? Last month? Last YEAR?

Take what you have and make it work! Re-think those projects. Re-evaluate the reason you wanted to make that "wonderful" such-and-such in the first place! And if it was so "wonderful", why didn't you make it? All good questions to ask yourself - especially BEFORE spending hard earned bucks.

I PLEDGE TO USE IT UP in 2012 and beyond! Won't you join in?

Ustream Show - December Daily Albums Past

2011-12-06T14:40:00.001-06:00

I have decided to finish my past December Daily/Journal Your Christmas Albums before trying to start a new one for this year. I will continue to take photos, collect ephemera and journal for this year - just not try to do the album until later.

So, during the rest of December, I will be working on the DD albums from 2009 and 2010. All the embellishments and photos and journaling are collected and ready to go! I know I will feel better about them when they're done!

My weekly Live Ustream Show is 11AM EST every Friday! Time Warp Art - there's a reason for the name.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/time-warp-art

NaNoJouMo for Nov 5

2011-11-06T01:09:00.002-05:00

NaNoJouMo for today : "Make a Map". Hey - another 2 pager! I'm not sure this one is completely finished. Needs more pen work.

NaNoJouMo for Nov 4

2011-11-05T01:22:00.002-05:00

NaNoJouMo for Nov 4 - "Matters of the Heart"

NaNoJouMo for Nov 3

2011-11-05T01:21:00.002-05:00

NaNoJouMo for Nov 3 - "Hopes and Fears"

Supply List for Bead Class on Ustream

2011-11-03T07:23:00.008-05:00

My beginning Peyote Stitch Bead Class will be held LIVE on my Ustream channel - Time Warp Art - on November 18 - Friday 11AM EST.

The project will be a bracelet. The pattern PDF can be downloaded HERE.

Supply List:
-bead needle to fit your beads and thread
-nylon beading thread (Nymo) (can use dental floss to learn)
-a shank button (will be used as "clasp")
-some kind of surface to bead from - piece of leather (old coat? old purse?), suede, bead mat, washcloth
-2 colors of seed beads* - contrasting (ex. black and white, ex. light and dark)

*Delicas recommended but any size #11 seed beads can be used. You may also use larger beads, just be aware the size of the bracelet will be larger in width. Almost anything can be used to learn with!

If you'd like to get a jump on things, watch our Mitzi's Ustream recording on making a Starter Strip Ruler! Taking inspiration from a starter strip I put on my bead website years back Mitzi has created a great tool for us to use in our beadwork!

So, I am looking forward to the Bead Class on November 18th! Hope to see ya'll there!

NaNoJouMo for Nov 2

2011-11-03T06:21:00.002-05:00

NaNoJouMo for Nov 2 - "See the Possibilities". Got a full 2 pages done again! I don't know how long that will happen but it is fun trying! I put the finishing touches and photographed it this morning.
This one is total collage - all pics from the same catalog. Did the text on the computer and printed it out then watercolor over it.

The 3rd prompt isn't up yet but it's very early. Can't wait to see what it is!

NaNoJouMo 2011 #1

2011-11-01T19:12:00.005-05:00

As if I'm not busy enough - I take on yet another challenge! NaNoJouMo stands for National Nonstop Journaling Month! This is hosted by Dawn DeVries Sokol and you can read about it here.

So here is my Art Journal page set for today. I have die cut leaves (from book pages and scrapbook paper) and doodled in them. Made a Fall color background with 4 layers of paint, then added some rubber stamps, painted the tree branches, stamped the message and there ya go!

Photo Mosaics on Ustream Show

2011-09-07T22:04:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know - I've ignored my poor blog all summer. It's been 100+ degrees almost every day since May! Too hot to blog. Hahaha! So the weather got nice on Monday and I have some lovely energy! Hubby and I went out to walk the city and have a picnic! Wonderful Labor Day holiday for us!

I finally decided to do a weekly Ustream show! Photo Mosaics - the project for this weeks show (my first regular weekly stream) - is something I learned years ago.

If you'd like to follow along with me while I art, here is the supply list:

old photos (these will be cut up)
detailed rubber stamps
Archival ink or Staz On - black
mica powder (Pearl Ex, Perfect Pearls...)
sponge-tip applicator like from eye shadow (brush will also work, Q-tips - not a good idea)
Xyron or other double-sided smooth adhesive (to be on front of cardstock)
cardstock - cut 6.5 x 4.5 inches (for backing) any color, won't be seen from front of postcard
spray sealer (can be hair spray)
scissors

My weekly Ustream Show will be 11AM EST every Friday! Please join me on September 9, 2011 for my first regularly scheduled show. There are also recordings to watch. Time Warp Art - there's a reason for the name.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/time-warp-art

New Art Journal - 3 Page Spread - Sanctuary

2011-05-31T13:54:00.006-05:00

These are the first started pages in this new art journal. I stayed up til 3am working on them! Fun fun FUN!

I made the journal following Teesha Moore's instructions on YouTube. It has several fold-outs - which I haven't decided if I like or not. It's interesting.

On the background I used stencils and Color Wash sprays mostly. Some stamping, a little painting. Not finished yet.

This is the cover of the Journal. Sprays, stencils, napkin, scrapbook elements. I think the cover is done. So far anyway!

Sock Yarn!

2011-05-25T22:38:00.002-05:00

We have sock yarn! Hopefully the second skein will be ok, too. I don't want to start knitting until all the spinning is done.

The top is a very fine, very long merino. I am spinning on supported spindles. Two of them I have made myself (and Zentangled the whorls). Not the fastest way to spin, but speed is not why I do it.

Journey Around The World Page Swap

2011-05-10T00:13:00.002-05:00

Wow - I can't believe April flew by so fast. Majorly busy! Many things going on - road trips, deadlines, company. Whew! I can rest now - I hope.

I finished my 6x6 pages for the ATT (All Things Tim yahoo email list) Journey Around The World Swap and turned them in! About a month early, too! The pic is a sneaky peek. More about this later - after the swap.

I am knitting and art journaling mostly right now. Although Zentangling is in there, too. It's hard to make time for everything I'd like to do! Eating is taking up a big portion of time as well - got to keep the diabetes from zapping all my energy. It takes a lot of work to eat so often. I am still learning about what I need to do for ME. Lots of reading and experimenting still.

Today has been really great! Full of energy and got lots done. Went to knitting group this morning after walking the treadmill, came home to clean my studio closet floor finally! Now I can walk in it. I still have some things to put away from the trip to DFW Fiberfest (a month ago now - uh hum) and the trip up to Archiver's to meetup with the ATT Texas members. Now THAT was fun and we're planning to do it again real soon.

I joined Facebook tonight. Never thought I'd do that but I've been having so much fun on Twitter I thought - why not? I have NO IDEA how anything works on there. More reading online I expect.

OK - that's enough for now - must get to bed. I am hoping for another energy day tomorrow!

KISS Triangle Shawlette - Free Pattern!

2011-04-04T21:36:00.004-05:00

I am publishing this free pattern today! The KISS (Keep It Simply Satisfying) Triangle Shawlette can be made in any size with any yarn you wish. It's more of a recipe style pattern in that regard. I have made 3 so far in 3 sizes and started a RED one today that will be a full-size shawl.

The link for downloading a PDF in Ravelry is in the sidebar.

Be sure to get the free KISS Row Counter Page.pdf! This sheet was made specifically for this pattern - but can also be used to count anything with 10 rows or less. It's link is in the sidebar. Do a right-click and save as (for pc). See the post before this one for how to use it.

Yarn: fingering wt yarn (sock yarn, etc…) -
blue model uses: (blue/purple) Araucania Ranco Multy #304, - 1 skn= (375 yds)#5 US (3.75mm)
Teal model: Colinette Jitterbug “Jay” #85 - 1 skn (320 yds); #7 Addi Turbo circular
Kerchief size model: Koigu Mori (50% silk/50% wool) 1 skn (185 yds); #3 (3.25mm) Addi circ
(adjust needles to yarn and personal preference as to drape)

Teal model was my beta. LOVE this colorway!

Kerchief - you can really see how easy the crocheted edging would make blocking - using wires was soooo easy to do! And fast! Waiting for it to dry on the other hand.....

Soooo- hop on over and grab the pattern. Enjoy!

KISS Triangle Shawlette - Row Counter Page

2011-04-04T21:17:00.000-05:00

Be sure to get the free KISS Row Counter Page.pdf! This sheet was made specifically for the KISS Triangle Shawlette pattern (free - see sidebar for link) - but can also be used to count anything with 10 rows or less. Download the pdf for the Shawlette pattern Row Counter - it’s in the sidebar.

How to USE the Row Counter Page:
When you see the pattern, you will understand how to use this page! It's logical!

The 'G' and 'S' row that you see across the top of the numbers stand for 'Garter' and 'Stockinette'. The numbers doing down vertically represent the rows of garter and stockinette in each 10-row section. The grayed circles represent the eyelet rows in the stockinette section.

All you have to do is mark through each number as you complete a row. Easy! The pattern is easy to memorize, too. KISS means Keep It Simply Satisfying!

Grungy Monday Challenge #1

2011-04-02T20:54:00.002-05:00

The Lovely Linda Ledbetter has granted wishes and continues to host Challenges on her web site! This round is called Grungy Monday - where every Monday she will post that week's challenge.

This is my first entry "Time to Begin". Our challenge is from Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2008, Tag #10. I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink with gold pearls (mixed in a Mini Mister as instructed). Whoa! That is such a cool technique! I love how it shimmers! The mask is a TH - the large clock face. I followed all Tim's steps for this and then over stamped the whole tag in sepia Archival ink with the large text stamp from his new Papillon set.

Next thing was to stamp, emboss on grunge board and cut out the clock face. I stamped each word with letter stamps onto some old paper I had from 1975! It was kind of crackily so I had to be careful with it - especially inking the edges. Added some metal embellies and and lens from my stash. Used my Tiny Attacher to add the ribbon at the top behind the Prima flowers and a brad from my stash.

What fun! I didn't think I was going to make it - busy, weird week - but here it is!

Sock-a-versary!

2011-03-28T10:35:00.003-05:00

My Sock-a-versary is March - so I started a new pair! Pomatomus by CookieA. Photos are kind of hard today - it's very dark outside. No rain yet but it's supposed to. Anyway, had to use the flash so you could see the patterning.
Toe up
Magic loop on #0 Addi Turbo circular
Shibui Knits Sock - colorway 323

Fun pattern! Oh - the lifeline is the white string across the toe. It just makes frogging easier (should I need to - who me? LOL!) The little dangle is my marker when I was doing toe increases. I'll be doing a PGR short-row heel (my fav).

Handspun!

2011-03-27T22:45:00.002-05:00

This is a small skein of yarn. Yes, but an important small skein of yarn.
This is my first supported spindle handspun, fine, Navajo plied yarn in years! And if it's partner spindle-full is at least this ok, I might knit socks out of it! Short socks, but socks!

CCC #35

2011-03-09T16:28:00.002-06:00

I decided to make an ATC for the last challenge! It just sort of happened. I started getting out "stuff" and - voila! I was in the zone.

Mostly Tim Holtz supplies - spinner and sticker, grunge board rectangles, Adirondack spray inks (eggplant and cranberry), phrase stamp, background paper (layer in the back). First layer of background is some paper I made and photocopied (it's kind of lumpy). The metal pieces with words I've had for a while.

This was fun! I hadn't made an ATC in a while and now I think I'm on a roll....

Art Journals Ready to Travel!

2011-03-06T18:37:00.000-06:00

Just finished painting/spraying the backgrounds on these 2 art journals. I made both - the one on the right is ala Teesha Moore - from 1 sheet of watercolor paper. The link is to her video tutorials.

The journal on the left I made a bunch of a while back (after a class) and haven't used them all yet. This one has a polymer clay medallion on the cover and a leather sewn binding. Also with watercolor paper pages.

I used Adirondack Color Wash (Ranger) sprays. I finally got the nozzles to work - these are the old bottles. I have six colors. I plan to get more after this! The sprays and stencil technique is great! I didn't want to stop once I got started but - had to let pages dry every once in a while!

This page is from the alaTeesha journal. Oh, that's a Tim Holtz clock mask. I also used some stencils (templates) from Crafter's Workshop.

These three pics above are also from the alaTeesha journal. If you watch her videos, you'll see her design has flaps. Not sure I will do this one again. Not crazy about the flaps. But it was quick and in an emergency (yes, artists' have emergencies!) it would be great knowledge to have. So, it goes in my art box of ideas.

This page is from the leather journal. I've already started some stamping.

Two of the above pages have a little problem I'll have to work out - blobbing in the center. It's from too much ink/paint and not waiting for things to dry....uhm..hmmm. Patience is virtue.... And the center one's pages stuck together (again - patience is...). I'll fix it when I'm journaling.

Well, I can't show you ALL the pages but you get the idea. I'm being influenced by Teesha Moore's style, Dyan Reaveley's style of working and also by Dina Wakley.
Feels great to be ready to stamp and keep going. They can travel with me now! Can't wait to pack them into my Tim Holtz messenger bag (see a previous post!) and take a road trip!

CCC #34 and The Martins Return

2011-03-02T19:47:00.000-06:00

We've had a Martin House for several years now and this morning, I heard a familiar song as I went out to check the mail. In the backyard, there was Mr. B (for Beardsley) sitting in front of his usual opening - that wasn't open. You see, in the winter we close the house to keep out the sparrows.

He asked (singing sweetly) for me to open up! After saying hello, I said "I can fix that if you..." and he flew off. 3 martins circled overhead while I took down the house, opened all the holes and put the house back up. Then they flew low over my head - singing what I hope was "thank you" and proceeded to fly away toward the creek where I hope they had a nice lunch.

So, in honor of the Martin clan returning from Brazil for the year, I made this tag.

This covers the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #34 - the Dimensional Collage Fragment technique from page 63 of the book. I used Tim Holtz paper and cut a tag using TH tag die and my Vagabond (love this thing!) Used TH stickers, flying bird (Ideology) and some older pieces from TH - "distressables and doo-dads" that was put out by Design Originals. Yes, I've been hoarding TH stuff!

The paper in back of the fragment was from an old dictionary, rubber stamped with a small bird in silhouette. I was stuck on this challenge until this morning when I heard my Martin friends! Now, I hope the rest of the clan arrives here safely, too.

My Tim Holtz Twitter Prize and CCC #33

2011-02-22T21:57:00.004-06:00

I was awarded one of 4 Tim Holtz Limited Edition CHA 2011 Messenger bags in a Twitter giveaway by Mario just before they left for the UK! I'm reading along on Twitter when I had to back up - wait - that's - - ME!!! Pretty Cool!
(to enlarge photos, right-click and open in a new window)

The shoulder strap was so long, the bag hung down past my knees! Well, me being me, I had to do something.

Some folds and quick cross stitches took up the strap and left a loop for my large, old split ring (from my Dad's stash) which holds the key from my first car (Ford Pinto!); a piece of old hardware on antique silver ball chain (don't know WHAT this thing is - but it has it's own green patina and threads on one end - also from my Dad's stash - thanks again Dad!); a TH "Journey" Philosophy tag on a large jump ring; a TH gear and timepiece on copper ball chain. All of these things have meaning for me and I will enjoy hearing them jingle.

The 4 and the 7 (lucky and significant numbers for me) are TH metal numbers and I used the CCC #33 challenge of Altered Metal Alcohol Inks on page 56 of the book on them. Colors used: Butterscotch, Caramel and Rust. Kind of sounds like a weird ice cream topping!

I even know how I'm going to use the bag. Yes, I am going to USE it! Why have it sitting in a box or a drawer?? It's a lovely bag and it wants to be used. I fell in love with Dyan Reaveley's Art Journal style when I saw some of the CHA videos of her demos. I have done altered books and I love the feel of the pages after they've been decorated - all thick and substantial and all. It's been a while since I've done any and now I can't wait to start a new book trying some of her techniques!
So - this means that I will carry the art journal-in-progress and the box of tools/materials in my TH Bag.

When I layed the bag on my work counter, my Vagabond tried to get in it! I caught it just in time.

Once again, Thank you Tim! Thank you Mario!

Romantique Valentine Box

2011-02-18T20:46:00.001-06:00

My "Romantique Valentine Box" is finally done! The glue dried enough to take it outside for last light photos. It was a bit windy, but I managed.

The box wanted to be shades of white. I had some papers from years ago by Hot Off The Press and they were perfect! I edged it with Tim Holtz tissue tape, punched the corner papers from parchment, and hunted for a knob for almost a week before deciding to make my own!

I edged the box with my own tatting and added a tatted butterfly, stamped metal heart, copper-colored veined leaves, metal corner charms (aged with Pitch Black dabber and wiped off), Prima/Petaloo-stacked flower in shades of snow white to ivory and a glittery bling brad center to the top.

The knob has a story. I painted the little wood knob white, aged it, then was stuck. I was standing there thinking and playing with a piece of TH tissue tape when I looked down and a word jumped out at me! Dream. Then another word and another until I had a 4 word phrase!

Mind - Dream - Idea - a Creation.

All from scraps of tissue tape! I sealed the knob with Diamond Glaze (would have used Glossy Accents - but don't have any right now) and as it dried, I played with it until it looked OLD. Like I remember some knobs in my Grandmother's house used to look. I even remember how they felt!

Hanging from the knob is a butterfly charm on ribbon, satin and organza. The front metal piece has a stone heart. This came off of a hair clip! Knew I saved it for a good reason.

The inside of the box has a bird. There are "Love notes" postcards and a Mini Album that will go inside. More on those later.

I almost put wood feet on the box, but these Tim Holtz feet were perfect after all! I really enjoyed making this and I'm sure will make more.

The design for this box is by Paper Engineer Extraordinaire Laura Denison. She does Ustream classes and sells kits and patterns. Laura is a genius! She has received high praise from the Guru of Grunge himself, Tim Holtz. Go to her blog to see what she made for his Ideology booth at Winter CHA 2011. Awesome artwork!

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge 32

2011-02-15T16:16:00.003-06:00

This is my first entry into this Challenge from the Tim Holtz book of the same name. Lots of fun! I used all TH stamps and made a foam stamp from the Heart with Wings die. Prima Flowers and bling. TH "Love" ticket, the crown from the same Heart die - cut from corrugated paper I save out of the tuna boxes on display in the grocery, Distress Inks - 3 reds and Dusty Concord (just got this one - had to use it!) and a TH Muse Token that says "Lifetime".
This tag honors Valentines Day (I made it on the 14th) and the 35 years my hubby and I have been married.
You can join in or just view others' projects by going here to Studio L3.
Great fun! I just wish I had participated in this Challenge sooner!

Tatting comes out of the box!

2011-02-05T20:16:00.002-06:00

Ah, tatting - "Hen and Chickens" pattern. My favorite easy pattern! Haven't tatted in a while. Hands have not forgotten! I can even still tat without looking.

I am trying to get all my tatting into one box in my attempt to de-clutter in the studio. Making a bit of progress but am still behind on my to do list.

Darn to do list keeps breeding when I'm not looking!

Mini Version of...

2011-02-04T16:46:00.002-06:00

a Snowman! Didn't get much but we did get SNOW! This little guy is about all I could get after the sun has been out all day. Most of the snow has melted away. It was fun watching the birds fight over the feeders this morning. The cardinal pair were top dogs of course.
So - I get to say "yes, I DID make a snowman"!

Lady Eleanor Stole - Finished!

2011-02-03T18:59:00.002-06:00

Lady Eleanor Stole is done! Not a very good photo - it is night time and dark in the house. Just wanted to document it was done! Better pics and details to come.....

Distress Ink Pad Storage

2011-01-30T17:28:00.002-06:00

This is my Tim's Tags setup - box is from Target. Labeled the Distress inks with a Dymo and they are up-side-down - but labels are on two sides and face both ways!

And um... no, my tags are NOT done.....
Neither is my December Daily Album!
There, I said it. I admit it. I am.....
behind - again.

WHERE is that Time Warp???

Lady Eleanor Stole progress

2011-01-30T14:54:00.002-06:00

I wanted to finish my Lady Eleanor Stole this weekend but the weather seems to have other ideas. The air conditioner came on a couple of hours ago and it's HOT.

Knitting on LadyE is out of the question as large as she is now. The photo is from days ago - she hangs way over the back of the chair now! So close... yet so far. Silly weather. Isn't this supposed to be January?!? It's almost 80 degrees!

Phase One - Decorating the Paper Tape Box

2011-01-29T21:27:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update: Phase One of the Decorating of the paper tape box!
I've used Tim Holtz papers, Distress ink (Vintage Photo, my fav) and of course - paper tape on the edges!
Now comes the fun part of gathering embellishments!

Paper Tape Dispenser

2011-01-27T16:43:00.007-06:00

I saw this brilliant idea on this blog: http://justsomethingimade.com/ and knew I had to make one!
I looked all over the studio and house, but no cigar box that was tall enough for the project soooo- out came the foam core board and packing tape! I was in a hurry to make the box and see if it would work so I didn't stop to cover the foam core with prettyness. I figured that could come later. Lately, I just seem to make the "bones" of a project. I know the embellishing will be fun later on!

I cut the foam core 12 inches x 3 inches for the bottom, front and back. The sides are 3 x 3, with holes for the dowel rod. I put it together with packing tape (which is clear, but will be covered by paper later). The lid is a half inch larger around 3 sides, the back of the lid sits flush with the back of the box so it will hinge upward when taped on. I plan to use Tim Holtz's die (in my new Vagabond!) and grungeboard for hinges at the decorating stage!

I had a bit of sponge roll (used to insulate pipes and faucets outdoors in winter - but that is not why I have some) and I used that to put inside each roll to fit onto the dowel rod that goes across the whole box. This stuff comes with a slit so it will fit over faucets, etc... and so all I had to do was cut it down so it would fit.
I also happened to have a replacement hacksaw blade in my tool drawer! I knew getting a 2-pack was a good idea! I put it on with long brads.

I used nuts and washers to space out the tape rolls so that each one could roll independent of the others. I just slid them on the dowel rod - making sure to balance both ends. If the dowel starts to slide, I can devise a way to "block" it from the outside. I don't think it's going to be a problem at this point. I will be able to slide the rod to add tape rolls.

I am storing the package labels from the tapes inside the box (need to remember the names of the sets!) Another benefit to the larger lid is it's easy to open!

Welted Fingerless Gloves

2011-01-26T21:48:00.002-06:00

Finished these in 2 days! I love the cuff. I will make them again with a few modifications. I used the Churchmouse pattern (found on Ravelry) and a very soft yarn - Sublime Yarns Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK with a #5 circular needle. It took less than 1 ball of yarn - it was MOST of a ball - leftover from a lace shrug.
I was going to say a bunch of other stuff in this post - but the internet has been giving me fits for several days and I forget! And we just got a letter they are raising the rates for internet. HAH! If only we could live without it.....NOT.

New Approach - Design Boards

2011-01-11T20:53:00.002-06:00

I decided to do something very different to promote my classes for the new year - design boards! It did draw a lot of interest in the shop so I guess it did what I wanted it to. I will do this again!
I used some Tim Holtz products as well as actual weaving and cards. It took quite a while to find the black photo corners! I knew they were in here SOMEwhere.
I used plastic packaging to make a re-usable banner area. I just have to open the little door and change the text page. Easy!
When it's not in the shop - it can hang on the wall or sit on a shelf as artwork! Fun.

Quick Last Post of 2010

2010-12-31T20:00:00.000-06:00

I'm at home - safe and warm - working on projects and waiting for the new year to begin. January's calendar is already starting to fill up! I hear fireworks from outside already and it's only 8pm. I am hopeful that 2011 will bring better health for the family. 4 out of 6 GrandGirls have had either broken bones or sprains recently and we won't even go into what's been up with me.
Looking toward the future: opening my Etsy Shop, finishing the re-do in my Studio, finishing MOST of the projects in the works to clear brain and physical room for more ideas, traveling and wishing I could go to CHA!

Vagabond Die Cut Machine!

2010-12-17T22:07:00.000-06:00

Tuesday my Vagabond finally arrived! Waiting was very hard and I didn't think I was going to get it before Christmas. I was thrilled when Scott from Bluemoon Scrapbooking called Friday to say it shipped!!

Here's the box - isn't it fun?

And here's the Vagabond just out of the box! You know, this little guy is very heavy! I allowed myself to play for a couple of hours (I know, I know, it's a Christmas present - but could YOU wait???)

I want to make Tim Holtz's 12 Tags - but have to finish some priorities first. I just HAD to try out the V! I am so excited! This is my first die cut machine and what a treasure! I can't wait to REALLY use it. I cut the cage and bird from grungeboard and painted the cage with silver acrylic paint. The bird is per Tim's instructions for Tag #3.

I got excited again when I saw this blog post! I dropped everything to make some! Here's what I have so far - I want to make a bunch more later. My sizing is different (see the pic below) and I didn't have any crystals so - out came the V and I cut keys from grungeboard and painted them silver. Used Tim's Fragments Charms for the hanging parts. Also used Tissue Tape instead of old book page to cover the staples.

My longest strip was 8 inches and my strips are 1 inch wide. I also used double-sided cardstock instead of paper. Here's closeups on the keys.

Oh my! Such fun! I can see lots of these ornaments in my future...must buy more grungeboard.....

December Daily/Journal Your Christmas Album 2010 Start

2010-12-01T21:52:00.002-06:00

Last year, (2009) I started Ali Edward's December Daily. I did really well until the 16th and then things got out of control around here and I lost the track. I did manage to take photos (although not as many as I wish I would have) and still journal on the computer (not as well as I would have liked to) but alas, did not finish the album. I plan to finish it - eventually.
This year, I decided to try again with December Daily and also do Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas Class!

Here is my cover all done! The word Christmas was removed from an ornament that also had the word Merry. The flowers are from Prima. I added a Tim Holtz brad to each one and put C. Red Stickles inside of it. Came out really cool cause the rim of the brad still shows! I am using Bo Bunny's Noel Collection as my foundation papers, along with some of their stickers and other embellishments. I am grunging up the album with Tim Holtz products. After gluing the papers to the chipboard pages of the Mini Edgy Album from Bo Bunny, I sanded all the edges and then added Distress Ink - Tea Dye. In the photo below, you can see an un-inked portion.

I intermingled the chipboard pages with the two-sided Noel papers (also Distress Inked).

This is the foundation for my album!

This first day of December has been very, very busy for me. I was out until 1:30 and then cleaned the living in preparation for the Christmas Tree and decorations while waiting for the plumber to arrive. We had a broken water pipe from the freeze over the weekend. Didn't discover the leak until Monday night! Luckily it was outside the concrete foundation and easily fixed. We now have water again! It's amazing how much you take for granted something so basic to us all until you are without it.
Parts of this blog post will go into my Album for today. The month is starting off with a BANG!

Quilt Top Done!

2010-11-25T00:06:00.003-06:00

I took a quilt class yesterday. The class is a Christmas Gift from my Mom. I haven't quilted in a few years so I'm rusty - ie a little slow. The class was fun! And today, I took an hour and finished sewing the blocks together. There is one more step before the top is really done - that is some hand-stitching. I'll explain that later.
I am not the most accurate with a sewing machine as I prefer to hand stitch, but time required the machine. I also prefer to hand quilt, so it will be a while before the wall quilt is that - a wall quilt! I think I may go ahead and hang it in the living room for the season anyway.
It was a very enjoyable day and was fun meeting the other ladies! Oh - my little Janome sewing machine didn't know what happened - it was actually being used!

BJ's Album - My First Mini

2010-11-16T23:41:00.002-06:00

This was my first Mini! I made it for my oldest son for Christmas 2009. I kept the flowers and female decor down to a minimum since it was for him - even though all the Grands are girls! He loved it!
I used a stripped children's board book as the base and covered all the pages with mostly papers from K & Company. Some Prima flowers and Bling. Lots of pockets so he can add photos if he wishes. And some mini-mini books in pockets. I tried to pretty much fill it with photos I had taken that he had not seen!
I thought it was about time I put this album on the blog - after a year! Sometimes it takes me a while to get around to it.... See the rest of the album in my Flickr here.

Scrapbook page - MardiGras-Oct 2007

2010-10-27T00:31:00.006-05:00

Getting in the mood for Halloween by scrapbooking the last time I got costumed up! Bought a great digital kit from scrapbookgraphics. Lots of elements and papers and Quick pages, too. The kit is called "Impressions of Fright".
It's been a while since I did any scrapbook pages at all so hopefully this will get me back into the swing of things. There are several vacations waiting in the wings.
I had a great time putting that hat together and the little kids just loved it! I don't know if I'll dress up this year yet. Still thinking on it. Been so busy I haven't even decorated yet!

Yarn Crawl 2010

2010-10-04T21:20:00.004-05:00

I picked up the tote bags and passports for the Hill Country Yarn Crawl this morning while at knitting! It starts Friday and the bus tour is on Sunday. This is the 4th year and I finally get to go again. I went the first year but missed the next 2 'cause we went on our long vacations at the "wrong time". This year, vacation isn't until the 15th (Davis Mountains - yippeee!)

I made these two I.D. tags for our tote bags. Oh - by "we" I mean Mom and me. The Hubby would NOT go with me. !!! The tags in the photo are sitting on my favorite Clapotis wrap - the one with several colorways of Noro Silk Garden. Several members of the knitting group are making Clapotis and I kind of want to make a fourth one, but I don't have time. Too many projects already in the works. Fighting Startitis!

I punched the tags out of some Tim Holtz stock - it has Bingo cards on the other side. I used a bunch of tiny scraps left-over from last years' artwork. I plan to tie them onto our tote bags with yarn. The tote bags are all folded into these cute little pouches! And this is what the "passport" looks like. Isn't it pretty? A lot of work went into the layout - it has maps to the shoppes and hours they're open and everything. I am impressed!

This is going to be a fun trip! Hopefully not too much yarn will follow me home......

Studio-Ikea Shelf

2010-09-29T20:03:00.002-05:00

Studio Peak! This is an IKEA shelf I recently installed above the pegboard that sits on a side counter. It holds MOST of my Prima flowers! I haven't finished putting the flowers in the Starbucks Frappuccino bottles (holding star box up). I am really not sure I WANT to put flowers in them - it might be hard to get them out!

Don't you love the color of the walls? It's so cozy-feeling. It's kind of a mauve/rose color. Hard to describe. The color shows a little pinker than it is on my monitor. I like Victorian colors and styles. The room was white but I just could not handle white walls again! I just went to Lowe's, picked the color and went for it all in one day. I do love it! We've been here 8 years now and I still do.

Clapotis Came Out To Play

2010-09-28T00:48:00.002-05:00

Wheee!! The weather was chilly this morning so when I went to knitting, my favorite wrap got to go too! This was my first Clapotis (I made 3 total so far) and I used multiple colorways of Silk Garden (Noro). I love this wrap! People keep wanting to buy it - no way!

I also wore my green "Pucker" top, my skinny green scarf AND my sock earrings! After knitting I ran some errands and some dude (read hippie-type-white-beard-santa-claus-looking-dude) started talking to me about the earrings. That's a nice memory for the first nice Fall day! Fun!

There were some other compliments as I went along. Makes you feel good when people notice things you do. I had a Sonic burger and ONION RINGS for a late lunch and then went back to work in the Studio. Making some nice progress! More about that later.

Easy Green Skinny Scarf

2010-09-22T10:43:00.010-05:00

I knit this little scarf with left-over Ritratto yarn and #8's.
I had made a shrug from Jane Thornley's recipe and have lots of greens left. It was quick and easy to make and the pattern is available in PDF format on Ravelry. Click the button in the sidebar!
If you're not on Ravelry, click here for pattern.
This can be made with any yarn, any size knitting needles.
I like it unblocked. See details on my Ravelry page. I forgot to put the green shrug in my Ravelry - have to do that! I think I missed some other things, too. Grin

Lizard Adventures Take Two

2010-09-22T10:31:00.003-05:00

This is the smallest baby gecko yet this year! Found him in the bathroom about 4am. I have this habitat left over from the boys' young days and I use it to put the lizzies in until I can put them outside in the eclectic garden (hubby has odd things in his garden - like a Barbie car heehee!) The pencil is for size comparison. He's more curious than scared, unlike his cousin a couple of days ago. THAT one wanted to do nothing but escape! Had to chase him 3 times - luckily it was daylight, so out he went immediately onto the Barbie car! I don't want to terrorize these little guys! Btw, the Barbie car is full of food for them - tiny spiders live in it mostly. I wonder if lizzies can see color? The car is RED and when I put them down, they always head for it!

Zentangle Space

2010-09-18T10:59:00.003-05:00

I have cleared an area - about 1 square foot - on my desk (actual desk, not virtual) for my Zentangle box and my pen box. This area is JUST for a ZT in progress! I plan to keep one in progress in the spot all the time. It encourages me to ZT and keeps the space just for ZT. If I don't have a square or ATC in progress in the spot, I will put STUFF there. BAD.

We have a disease in our family called " flat-surface-itis". ANT flat surface is subject to infection! We also have "Pile-itis". And the piles just sit on the flat surfaces for indefinite time spans.
I haven't QUITE got the cure figured out, but some things help. If I give my DH a basket - and designate it for "stuff" he will use it. However - when it gets FULL it tends to breed OVERFLOW. UhHUM.

I point out how EASY having a task basket makes GATHERING (yes, another disease) stuff to be put away. It's the actual PUTTING AWAY that is the problem at this point. Do you think anyone would EVER consider putting objects away to begin with??? My excuse for this is - I'll get it LATER, I'm too busy right now (translation = I'd rather do ___ than take the time to put ___ away). Too easy a habit to fall into.

Yes, we are collectors of STUFF. (Which puts me in mind of George Carlin's "stuff" bit - very funny guy. He is missed). We outgrow our designated spaces and then pile UP. We (and mostly I mean "I" here) - am terrible about collecting - DH calls it pack-rat-itis - and my Dad was worse! We have so much STUFF there is not enough space to store it. We have garage sales but then we see something "shiny" in the stores and home it comes. (Again reading the "we" as "I").

Since we down-sized our house several years ago, the amount of stuff is less out of necessity, but it creeps up on you. Now, my DH can be just as bad about the diseases. He doesn't collect as much "stuff" but, his piles are awful! It's paper, it's coins, it's more paper. I'm still working on this habit he has of keeping ALL the mail (including envelopes) in piles. He has a designated BOX for his stuff - keys, phone, etc - on a table by the door. However, the WHOLE TABLE (lamp? what lamp? porcelain rose? what rose?) has become PILED. (there's a table?) LOL!

Now, I AM an organized person. As long as there is a spot to put something, it will go there. Even if that is "eventually" - once the "pile" it comes from gets too far out of hand (as in falling over/off).

I must admit I am the worst of us. I love to collect art supplies. Even those things that most people do not consider 'art supplies'. Rusty metal pieces, rusty bottle caps (used in collage/assemblage), old books with no covers (used for text clipping), old tinkertoys, boxes of dominoes (necklace pendants), bag of old eyeglass lenses (thank you optometrist), well, you get the picture. And you can't just throw this stuff out because you never know when you might want to use it in an art piece. I just try to contain it all in my Iris Cart or Alex cart drawers. And fail at the attempt. More about the Studio space later.

I read this thing once and heard it on TV, too - SOMETHING OUT BEFORE SOMETHING IN. I do try, but it doesn't always work! In fact, it hasn't been working AT ALL. Yarn just seems to follow me home all by itself..... At least it's not CATS.

Now I admit - finishing some of these projects would help. More about this later, too. Right now, FALL is coming and I feel the URGE TO PURGE coming on! Time to fill trash cans and boxes to go!

ZenTangle-Zefrin

2010-08-26T19:53:00.002-05:00

Just finished this ATC! Used Micron pens and Bristol paper.

Journal Keeping

2010-08-25T19:45:00.003-05:00

Whether you journal for arts' sake, for your own enjoyment or to remember things you did, saw or experienced - journaling is a personal thing.

Ali Edwards tweeted a great article today about travel journaling.

Lavinia Spalding was asked some questions and here is my favorite part:

"That said, I don't think journals and blogs are mutually exclusive. In a way, it's the perfect combination: keep a journal for private memories and discoveries, take copious photos so you'll never forget the beautiful and bizarre, and use your blog as a tool to entertain and inform."

This is exactly how I feel about it! I like to work in my personal journals every day and enjoy writing and pasting things in my travel journal when we take trips. My everyday journal is on the computer - and it starts when I boot up so it's IN MY FACE so to speak. I see it - even if it's just before I log off for the day. I stop and take care of "business" even though it's just a sentence or two. I will sometimes "finish" the next day.

At present, I'm still trying to organize my life around new challenges so I print out my journal pages and my blog entries to paste into my moleskine. I hope to include some drawings, paintings, photos and hand-written entries (like previous journals) later on when I catch up with myself. Right now - it's just so I will DO IT. Keep the habit.

Journal Page Background

2010-08-24T22:02:00.003-05:00

This is as far as I have gotten with this page. The colors are not really true - dark room at night and all..... Hope to do more on this one tomorrow. Fun! Messy, but fun!
I have always wanted to learn these techniques and Pam Carriker's online classes are really good. I am enjoying them very much and want to take more later on!

edit:8-25-10 - forgot Pam's link.

Paper Cranes

2010-08-20T16:23:00.002-05:00

I've been folding origami cranes for about a month now - and after I started doing them I keep seeing Tweets or blog posts that refer to the crane legend from Japan. I had folded cranes before - a couple of years ago but gave up after a couple of months. I can't remember why.
I wanted to start making them again this summer and this time keep going! I am keeping track in my daily journal and stringing them to hang across the closet door in my studio. I am mostly using junk mail (cut to various sizes) as a way to recycle - it's mostly catalog pages - and to make use of a free resource for paper.
I did buy some real origami paper at Hobby Lobby (with coupon) the other day though - these papers make a nice splash of bright color in the strings. And I plan to put some papers in my purse for when I'm out. I try to fold at least 1 crane every day - mostly it's more. One day I folded 23!

BirthDay Pressies!

2010-08-17T15:20:00.002-05:00

I had a nice Birthday lunch with Mom, my oldest son is coming over in a while and these are my presents for today! I haven't even opened the book covers yet - I made myself wait for today.
I've needed the wireless keyboard and mouse for a couple of months but wanted certain ones.
I have wanted Swing, Swagger and Drape for a while. It's designs are so beautiful I can't wait to look (haven't had time yet today). Transparent Art is the other book I've wanted for a while.
My back is getting there - need Tylenol right tho - stayed out too long I guess but it was fun! I just had my birthday dessert - sugar free ice cream with sf chocolate bits. I know it doesn't sound like it tastes good - but for someone with diabetes who hasn't had much sugar in the last 2 months - it was delicious!

Lehmus Progress

2010-08-13T12:29:00.002-05:00

Hurt my back - actually right hip area - on Monday. Wednesday it seems I hit the peak of pain because yesterday it felt better! I still can't bend but at least I can stand and walk some. It's even better today (still no bending). More walking and standing! I do not know WHAT I did to it other than walk down a flight of stairs at the Mall (instead of being lazy and taking the escalator - I was proud of myself). Maybe I over-did it just a tad? Had ramped up the treadmill a bit and then walked at the Mall and took the stairs. Sheesh. I have to be SO careful! And it was such a productive day!
My Lehmus shawl is growing nicely. It's actually a few inches past what you see in this photo. It's all bunched up on the left to try to stretch it a bit. I want a large shawl so I'm going to keep knitting. This pattern is awesome! I know I'll make more of these.

Two-color Kerchief

2010-08-07T18:55:00.003-05:00

I have been asked to share my recipe for this little gem. I have put it up on my Ravelry project page. The pattern is no longer available so I had to figure it out by looking at photos. It's a pretty standard triangle shawl.

Yarn: Koigu - #716 (light), #117 (dark)
Needles: #3 Addi turbo circulars - 24 in.

This project is a take along so I don't have much knitted. It spends most of it's time in a project bag by the Studio door!

Lehmus Shawl

2010-07-30T18:21:00.006-05:00

Started this project right after finishing Woodland (still not blocked - have to get in the mood). This shawl pattern is so nicely done! It even has a chart!

Pattern: Lehmus Shawl - english version found HERE
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Alpaca Prima
Needle: #6

The shawl is worked from the bottom tip UP! I had thought to make a Kiri or Birch shawl, but it was worked from the top down with tons of stitches to start with, and I want a large shawl and not to be limited by a pattern's size. Working from the tip up, I can make it as large as I want (or have yarn for). The return row (wrong side if you will) is easy to do - purling except for edge sts. Here’s a tip - when you’re working the purl sts on the wrong side/return row, work them loosely and the k tog sts will be easier!
I have wanted a black shawl for longest time! I spent months hunting just the right yarn. The Alpaca has just enough fuzz - not too much as a mohair would - and it will be warm even though the pattern is lace. AND it doesn't shed!

Strange Toadstools

2010-07-28T22:38:00.003-05:00

Something new! These weird-looking, very flat toadstools are out by the back corner patio. I have never seen the like before! They look like plates, are very large and the grass grows through them - or do they grow around the grass......

Woodland Shawl finished

2010-07-27T19:54:00.003-05:00

Here's Woodland unblocked but finished. It's not very long so it will probably be a table runner for my antique sewing machine cabinet. I will be happy with that. I didn't expect it to be very long having read other people's projects in ravelry and in the instructions, she gives her measurements with the same yarn I used.

It's very pretty even unblocked! I am glad it's done though. I did not enjoy the pattern because every row was different and the wrong side rows were all different. I could not memorize this pattern at all! It is not hard to knit - it's very easy. It's just me. I just could not keep the rows in my head!

New Avatar!

2010-07-27T11:37:00.004-05:00

I determined it was time to update the avatar! This is a collage contained in a necklace of 2x2 glass and soldered - my first soldering! Fire/heat and I do not get along very well so I don't do much of this kind of thing - but collage I LOVE!

The piece is digital - with all elements being scanned and worked in Photoshop Elements. The lace is tatting I made, the baby is my youngest grand at age 2.

Look upper right corner for new pic!

Pucker Up!

2010-07-26T22:05:00.003-05:00

Pucker is completed! I finally got the determination to sew those seams (my least fave part) and added crocheted edgings to hem, neckline and sleeves. Whew!

Working great guns on Woodland - it's at about 28 inches. I am getting close to the end of the ball of yarn though. It won't be a large shawl, but it will block out quite a bit as it is lace. I hope to finish the knitting tomorrow.

I have some socks that are waiting on me. Not to mention some weaving and some art work. A huge TO DO List for EVERYthing else. It was like Grand Central Station around here today between the door and the phone. The good thing? Summer is going by FAST. Looking forward to FALL already!

New Project - Woodland Shawl

2010-07-21T15:00:00.004-05:00

I am just a shawl-knitting fool these days. Should be knitting socks, but I keep on making shawls and wraps! This is what the Woodland Shawl looks like after a couple of hours the first evening.
Pattern: Woodland Shawl
Yarn: Mega Boots Stretch - autumn colorway
Size 6 bamboo needles

I am actually 13 inches along right now - pics later - third evening knitting. I haven't been able to knit much this week. Life is getting in the way again!

Pucker Top

2010-07-18T14:52:00.002-05:00

Finished knitting Pucker on Wednesday. Basted it together to make sure it fits before sewing seams. It does! Feels comfy, too. I am not crazy about the Seduce yarn during the knitting - it's very wiry and springs off your fingers! This knitting took lots longer than usual because of all the readjusting of yarn.
I do like the feel of the finished top though! It feels cool and soft. I think I'll be wearing it often. And here in Texas, I can wear it all year round 'cause we very seldom have "winter". It's mostly warm all the time.
Sewing the seams coming up!

Dragons Breath Band

2010-07-08T21:01:00.002-05:00

Spent most of the morning out - physical therapy and then foraging for food at the grocery store. Before going out, I opened the front door to see how humid it was (notice I did not say IF it was humid) and it was not too bad. About 10 minutes later I was ready to go, opened the front door and it was POURING. The walkways and street were dry when I checked! Man, you know what they say about Texas, give it 5 minutes....

Anyway, I'm weaving on this band a little bit tonight. Didn't do much else this afternoon but put groceries away (still trying to rearrange some of the cabinets in the kitchen) and watch some videos on Hulu.com. I am really tired. It amazes me how tired I can get so fast.

I love this band! I want to weave a bag for it to go on on my Cricket loom with some Colinette sock yarn - Jitterbug - in RED. I have been wanting to try weaving with sock yarn. I have some black sock yarn to put with the red. That's the plan - so far. We'll see!

Pucker In Progress

2010-07-07T12:01:00.002-05:00

New top! Pucker top by Norah Gaughan (book #4) using Berrocco Seduce yarn. (rayon-linen-silk-nylon). The hand of the fabric is fabulous! I hope to finish before summer is over. Oh HAH - when is summer ever over in Texas??
Doesn't matter - I can wear it anyway.

What I SHOULD be knitting is Socks! Just haven't been in the mood. Maybe if I get out some of my sock pattern books and patterns and look at socks in Ravelry.......

Snowy Shrug

2010-07-06T21:11:00.003-05:00

Finished Object! This Shrug took about 7 hours or so total. Finished it yesterday. Couldn't keep it on very long - it's warm! Looks like it might be November before it can be worn. HaHa! Or, it might be a Christmas gift.

Started with this pattern downloaded from Ravelry:

Gaia Shrug
Yarn: 100% acrylic - Lion Jiffy
Size 13 knitting needles

Very interesting construction - it's made all in one piece and you sew up the "shoulder" seams. I did not add any crocheted edging. I had slipped the first stitch of each row and it left a nice enough edge to not need more.

Might make more of these later. Could even change the ribbing to something else. Hmmm.....

Jewel Tunisian Shrug

2010-07-02T11:33:00.003-05:00

I finally got the pattern for the Tunisian Shrug in pdf format and up for sale on Ravelry! I will have it up for sale from here as well, soon.

Pics are up in Flickr - just click on the photo and it will take you there. My Ravelry name is "knittybabe" and you can see my page by going here. The projects link is on the upper right.

Working on some free patterns into pdf right now, so keep an eye out for those, too.

Tablet Weaving on my PVC Loom

2010-06-30T11:43:00.004-05:00

This is the 4th incarnation of my loom. With the help of my brilliant son and husband, I gathered ideas for the warp roller and here it is! It works great so far and I'm loving how easy it is to move the warp forward. The back piece of PVC has holes drilled in it (I have my own drill press) and a chopstick is inserted in the holes (which are drilled across from each other) to move and hold the roller bar.
The loom has "legs" to allow more room for rolled warp. This took many trips to Lowe's and one day I was in there for so long, my DH called to see where I was!

Tablet Weaving on Cricket

2010-06-28T16:33:00.002-05:00

This is what I am doing today (after chores of course). I got it warped and began the weaving Friday, but couldn't get back to it until today. It's so much fun! I have been making short warps to sample patterns and have another warp in the threading process right now.

Making looms has also become an obsession! It's fun to puzzle out how to make the looms do different things - like how to make a warp roller on a PVC loom. I did it! Pics soon - I want to get a warp on it first.

Knitting in progress: multiple pairs of socks, a blankie from Noro Silk Garden left-overs (mostly left overs) and a new top from Norah Gaughan called Pucker - in the original yarn and color. Boy, do I need to update my Ravelry database! Waaaay behind. Been having Gremlins in my computers and having a hard time getting cooperation from software. Argh. Knitting is close by. It helps.

WaHoo!

2010-06-16T22:21:00.003-05:00

My son just came in and told me that HULU has my ABC Soaps! I have subscribed and no longer have to mess with the awful ABC player. OR the outrageously loud commercials they play. Yipeee!!! (I don't watch live TV - it's either recorded to edit out commercials or streamed online or on DVD - I H-A-T-E commercials!

Tunisian Shrug Tutorial Video

2010-06-12T21:23:00.003-05:00

I put up my first video tutorial segment on YouTube! Go HERE to view the way I carry my resting yarns up the sides of Tunisian crochet.

Class was so much FUN today! I have really missed teaching. Will do it again!

New Treadmill

2010-06-11T22:22:00.003-05:00

I gave my new treadmill a workout this morning! It was great! Not going outside in the heat and humidity was great, too. I listened to an audio book while I walked and time passed quickly. I have an appointment with my new friend every morning!

Jewel Shrug

2010-06-11T09:10:00.003-05:00

This is my island countertop with a 7-yarn Tunisian Shrug in progress. Those lovely see-thru containers are from blank DVD towers. I was 1 short, therefore the can.

I arrange them so that the 4 yarns on the left at the moment are in the left quadrant and the 3 yarns on the right are on the right. I shift and re-arrange the containers as I work. This keeps me relatively tangle-free!

Teaching Class - Tunisian Crochet

2010-06-10T23:00:00.005-05:00

I will be teaching a class this Saturday at Hill Country Weavers - a beginner's class in Tunisian Crochet. This Shrug is one of the pattern options in class. The other is a scarf. The Shrug pattern will be available to the public after the class is over.

Very exciting to be teaching again!

Diagnosis: Life

2010-06-08T22:17:00.009-05:00

Well, I've been having some major health issues the last several months and last week the cause of it all seems to have made it's presence known. I have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I am on meds with orders to walk 30 minutes a day and revise my eating habits. There is quite a learning curve involved with this. Bought a One Touch glucose meter and feel like a pincushion now. It will take some getting used to - all of this new life style - but used to it I will be! Eventually. Lots to remember, lots to read about. Oh and I am cooking, too! Now THAT IS a change.

I have been researching the heck out of the internet for the last week and walking 30 minutes almost every morning (except sat). I think I have my diet search well underway and my DH and I went out shopping for a treadmill today. After more internet research (can we say endless library?) I have made a decision to get a Horizon treadmill. I am still up in the air about the choice between 2 models, but I'm sure that will clear itself up soon. I hope to buy one this week because the weather here is sooooo HUMID you could scoop the air up with a spoon. Ick. Walking is a real challenge in this stuff!

My art has become really important, too. If I didn't have things to get excited about and to interest me I don't know what would happen. I am knitting a light blankie for my Studio in Noro Silk Garden. Here is a pic of the first block.

I'm working my own pattern for reversible mitered squares in blocks of 16, then I will put them all together later. I don't have enough yarn leftovers yet to make the whole thing, but I will!

This is how the yarn looked when I first began. I joined the yarn lengths into a single ball. I'm using #8 bamboo knitting needles.

You can find my mitered square pattern on Ravelry. I want to make it into a PDF with final revisions and more photos.

Between a Rock and.....

2010-05-13T13:46:00.002-05:00

Ah - yep. That's what my life feels like at the moment!
Too many irons in the fire from being behind with my to do list. Again. I am trying to play catch-up and sometimes end up chasing my tail.
Today, I have un-stuck a major project though - YEA for me! Now I can weave with confidence and not anxiety. (pic later).
The photo is of me, 2009 in Fort Davis, TX and in week 3 of our vacation. I just LOVE our RV! Nothing like taking your own house along with you. No unpacking, packing, unpacking. No setting up a - uh hmm - T E N T. No worrying about R A I N getting everything wet! Ah, the life. We are contemplating a new place to go for Fall. Something else on the to do list - but something fun!

Good Grief!!

2010-04-24T02:14:00.003-05:00

I just had to get a post in here. It's 2010 for pete's sake! April even! Spring is here and fading fast. The Purple Martins are nest building in the back yard birdhouse. The trees are full of leaves. I'm in physical therapy for my arms/shoulders/neck (pinched nerves in at least 3 places). I am going to be teaching in June. I'm designing knitting patterns now. My Studio is in renovation stage 2. I am keeping my journal electronic this year (trying this out - may print out for hardcover book later). I am, as usual, behind on Ravelry (need to put photos in). A Food Plan needs to be put in place (we've been eating mostly junk). The photo is from last year about this time - everyone gets outside while they can - before it gets in the 90's! (and that happens pretty fast now) Spring is our shortest season!

Time For A Makeover!

2009-12-18T19:49:00.005-06:00

My blog now has a new look! It's about time, too. The Holidays are catching up with me - or am I catching up with the Holidays??? Confusing, isn't it? [LAUGH] I have so many things I want to do I don't know which way is up! House cleaning is taking priority this week so I can relax next week and enjoy family and friends. Gifts are wrapped (most of them) and under the tree - which is all lit up and looking good (even if I do say so myself!). I didn't get the yard decorated this year - have to prioritize my time right now. Next year will all the more fun, though!

I've been trying to make Tim Holtz 12 Days of Christmas Tags - I've made 4 and have others in progress. I'm placing them on the tree as I finish. The one on the left I am especially proud of. I had to improvise the "roof" of the pin and do love the way it came out!

The background stamp I used was just the perfect thing! It's called "K1652 Holiday Birdhouse" and it's put out by Hampton Art Stamps, Inc in 1999. I don't know how long I've had it but it might still be available. Try Google, at least to see what it looks like. I was thinking about taking the pin off the tag and hanging them close to each other. I just love Tim's ideas! He is brilliant!

Breakfast???

2009-11-22T23:05:00.002-06:00

Breakfast???

This past Saturday, my mom, my cousin and I went to the Showcase of Arts and Crafts Christmas Extravaganza at the Freeman Coliseum! WOWZA!! What a blast we had! Tons of things to see, lots of inspiration, lots of people, lots of walking. Barely any food. Ugh. That is my only complaint.
This is called a "Beef Sundae" by the folks in a wagon in the so-called food court. It has shredded beef, mashed potatoes, gravy (too much) and cheese, toast on the side. Oh, the "cherry" is a tomato. Cute and original for sure.
There is a definite lack of food at these art & craft shows. No breakfast food anywhere and barely any lunch! Hot dogs mostly. No thank you. They really should have their act together before the show opens - everyone ends up waiting - and most arrive hungry! They could make a killing in the food department if they just had the right mind set!
Ok, off the soap box now.
The show was wonderful, as usual and we had a really good time. Afterward, we went to a Mexican restaurant I can't remember the name of (sorry) and ate and ate. We seem to have developed a food obsession. uh hum. Stopped at our fav meat market on the way back home for dried beef and tenderloin! Saving it for the Holiday. Well, maybe not all of it.....

Good-Bye Dear Friend

2009-11-04T20:24:00.003-06:00

K. C. - our 17+ year-old furball - died October 17. He was the best kitty ever. So loving, so smart. I am pretty torn up about it as you can imagine. This is hard for me write but I feel like I need to get it down in print.

He had degenerative kidney disease and it was irreversible. Nothing could be done. We knew K.C. was heading down the home stretch but I had hoped not yet.

We were on vacation and our son was looking after him. We cut our trip short and hurried home after our son called - leaving *2* messages (no cel towers where we were) - wondering when we were going to be home. He never calls. I knew something was up. I had told him NOT to tell me bad news over the phone.

I called him as soon as I could. He had taken K.C. to the vet that morning. I called the vet and after she confirmed it looked bad I made arrangements for our son to pick K.C. up and take him home - we'd be there before 10pm.

I feel like K.C. waited for me. No, I know he did. When we got home, he purred his last purr for me and all he wanted was for me to hold him. Which I did - all night and as long the next day as I could. He left us at 2:15pm. Hardest thing I think I've ever done. But it's what he wanted - to die peacefully at home being held by his best friend.

Goodbye, Dear One - may you live in our hearts forever....

Lacey Hedera Socks Project 1

2009-07-23T00:06:00.002-05:00

These are my latest finished socks. I've used 2 patterns online. Hedera by Cookie A
and Old Shale Two Yarn Sock Pattern for the fold-down lace cuff part. I love how these feel! So soft!
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Silk - ivory
Size 0 circular needle (Magic Loop technique)
Mods: made the Hedera pattern toe-up, used Cookie's heel from her pattern Baudelaire (which is a toe-up pattern), added a lacey fold-down cuff.
I love how these feel! So soft!

This coming Sunday, I'm going to take two classes from Cookie at my local LYS, Hill Country Weavers. I am so excited! And I'm wearing my new socks!

Blogger Absen-tia

2009-07-22T23:57:00.004-05:00

Oh my. Busy is an understatement! We have taken the RV out several times. It gets to rest now until mid-September. As do I. It's lots of fun to live in a tiny house in the woods! We didn't want to come home this last trip - to the Davis Mountains. We got to go the McDonald Observatory, too - twice! We got to see Saturn and it's rings in one of the domed telescopes! Fantastic trip.

The photos and video files are waiting for me to do something with them as they have to be edited. I'll try to get to it soon. (words of doom?)

Quick Update

2009-03-23T16:04:00.003-05:00

March is almost gone and I didn't want to let it go by without ONE post for the month! We bought an RV and are leaving on a Spring vacation Friday. No more t-e-n-t. Yes, NO MORE TENT! YipEEEE!!! We can now pull our own house behind us. Kitchen - even a microwave - and most important - our own bathroom!!

Getting it outfitted is fun. And it will be great to be able to watch movies (laptop) at night (or whenever) instead of having to go to bed when it gets dark! We're taking games, too. AND fresh veggies! I love refrigerators. Never knew just how much until I had to live in a tent.

I'm taking my drawing and painting supplies. I hope I can use them! I only got one painting and one sketch in Tennessee last Fall. And then there was the tent attack! Darn wind came from - I don't-know-where. What a night!

Canyon - here we come!!

New Heel Technique

2009-02-01T11:38:00.005-06:00

I turned a fantastic heel last night!
[pic here]
This one is so EASY and quick. It's from Charisa Cairn and she has a wonderful tutorial on YouTube that makes it even easier. She also has a blog you can learn from and see what pretty things she makes. I am now a big fan of her helpful techniques - especially the Lifestyle Socks recipe! And after viewing her blog -- uh oh -- now I want to spin again. For sock yarn. Hmmm... now where in this tiny house would I put my wheel?? (it's in storage along with my looms) Oh well, maybe I can start with my drop spindles - those are here!

WHERE did January go???

2009-01-31T13:29:00.006-06:00

This month has gone by sooooo fast. It whizzed by my poor head like a bullet. I have been knitting (perhaps that's made it go so fast?) like crazy and finished several projects this month.
I started a new KAL (knit along) on Thursday - Leyburn KAL in the Socks That Rawk group on Ravelry. You can check my progress here, too. This is the yarn in the cake:

It's "Undertoe" in Socks That Rock - Lightweight. I am to the heel on sock #1, half-way there on sock #2 and hope to get past the heels this weekend. I'm trying a new heel (more about that later). Here's the progress at the end of the first day:

and the second day:

Christmas Past

2009-01-25T12:47:00.006-06:00

Today being the 25th and I saw a Christmas tree on the Yarn Harlots' Blog (reading in Dec - I'm behind there, too) I started to think about what has happened around here over the Holidays.

On Christmas Eve I actually made dinner rolls (from SCRATCH no less) and we had our big dinner at Mom's. On Christmas Day: played with the Grand-Girls (on the floor, too and really, really enjoyed it!); didn't stress over any kind of 'schedule'; relaxed at Mom's at the end of the day and didn't have a big dinner mess to clean up (no one was very hungry after the big, delicious meal my daughter-in-law made - we snacked); - all in all it was a very restful day.

The photo is our new, much smaller tree. The one we had (and gave away) was too tall for our ceilings in this small house so smaller was in order. A perfect fit on top of the window chest and high enough to discourage the cat from munching on the branches - although I had to put enough boxes (even empty for a while) to fill in under the tree so he couldn't get up there!

As much as I love the Holidays - I am glad they are over for another year!

Bloggus Interruptus

2009-01-17T19:41:00.005-06:00

My Sweet Kitty has just "asked" me to put "his" basket back in the corner so he could lay in it. (Currently, the basket holds twigs, branches and moss I gathered from the yard). He got my attention away from reading blogs by saying "murrr" until I looked at him - then he proceeded to the baskets previous location - looked back at me and "murrred" again. Meaning quite clear.
I obey.

Lacey Scarf - Free Pattern

2008-11-10T16:35:00.004-06:00

I saw a scarf in my local LYS - no pattern, just the stitch name. OK, I can do this - so here it is. It's a very simple, one row pattern.

Pattern Inspiration: Barbara Walker - double herringbone faggot and the scarf in the store
Yarn: Ritratto (Stacy Charles) - 1 ball
Needles: size 8 - bamboo OR the shortie kind for kids

After playing with the pattern stitch for hours I came up with the right width and the laciness (is that a word?) I wanted. So here it is:

Cast on 22 sts
Patt row: k1, [YO, k2tog] x 5; k1, [YO, k2tog] x 5.
Bind off loosely, but not too loose. Add fringe.
And that's it. One row pattern.

TIPS: The needles I used are the short #8's for kids from the craft store (Hobby Lobby) and they are blue. They have a sharper tip but are not too slippery to work with this yarn. I used a #10 to cast on.

The yarn is very slippery! It had mohair, but it's not bad to frog because of all the other things in the yarn. The yarn is fingering weight, light and has sparklies! Other yarns might be Shaefer 'Anne' or 'Gioiello' by Filatura di Crosa. I sampled with these, too.

Before you begin, wind off your fringe yarn (I used a small book to wind around) and then you can just knit until you run out of yarn. I used 3 lengths doubled over and pulled through with a crochet hook (lark's head style) for each fringe and used 11 loops on each end. Make sure your loops are on the same side on each end!

The scarf is about 5-6 inches wide, depending on your blocking - it will stretch either way and 60 inches long (about 5 feet + or - to your taste).

The photo on the chair lets you see what it looks like on light or dark fabrics. The scarf has NOT been blocked yet in these pics!

Can We Say OVERWHELMED???

2008-11-10T08:43:00.002-06:00

Wow. Got back from vacation and haven't stopped yet. Tons of things to do and the Holidays on top of that! Knitting Christmas gifts like mad right now. Trying to get the house back in order has taken this long, but I am FINALLY getting somewhere with that! Now the studio is a disaster from all the knitting going on.
There's a Donation Day on Friday - so I'm trying to clean stuff out for that. I have 3 big boxes so far and a huge computer monitor (I can't WAIT to get rid of this monster). Plus - and this is the bonus - I am Fall cleaning at the same time.
I am behind on my photos and info in Ravelry - will try to catch up soon. I have knitting class this morning (changed from Thursday to Mondays) and I hope to finish a project this morning. I am very close! Speaking of - gotta go get ready!

"Baby-blanket" Shawl

2008-09-25T20:04:00.001-05:00

baby-blanket-shawl-web
Originally uploaded by bren47

Last weeks finished project springing from knitting class is a long rectangle on the bias. At the shop, the pattern was made into a baby blanket - very cute - but not what I envisioned when I saw this color. So.. the muse came out and in 4 days I had a finished shawl.
The yarn: Fandango chunky cotton by Colinette, color way jay 85 I used 4 100g hanks and had some left. I thought perhaps tassels on the corners, but in practical thinking, they would get in my way! So no tassels.

Decisions-decisions For the Trip - part 2

2008-09-25T19:50:00.002-05:00

I can never get the blogging software to put my photos where I want them so I have to use flickr to blog from - one pic at a time. Oh well, it gets the job done!

This is the pile of possible projects to take on the trip. Since we are driving from Texas to Tennessee that's a lot of drive time. I am mostly the passenger. (grin) This does not include the painting kit or watercolor pad. There are also some books I've been meaning to read in that red basket along with the old and new trip journals. Oh, and a bag of Hershey kisses! Shhhhhh....

We plan to see Graceland in Memphis on the way to the mountains. I have promised *everyone* to take photos of us in front of at least the Gate.

Noro and Cascade 220 Bag

2008-09-25T19:42:00.002-05:00

Today at knitting class I started a bag that I will felt - by machine. This will be a first for me. I tried felting years ago and was not impressed therefore did not do any more. NOW I am fascinated! There are so many beautiful bags all over the internet (especially in Ravelry) that now *I* want to make some too.

I got yarn to make a red version as well. And I have yarn (all Cascade) to make a larger one with blended colors - in the shades of mountains from deep blue to violet to dusty rose. I don't know when I'll get to start the big one since we are leaving Sunday to go to the Smoky Mountains! Our first real vacation in 2 years. I have stuff placed all over the floors so I can see what to pack. What a mess this place is, but it will be worth it when we are packed and out the door!

Remnants of Ike

2008-09-17T18:11:00.003-05:00

There was a man in the grocery store today with two carts and a long list taped to the handle of the first cart. He said he was from Houston and buying for some of his friends. They got electricity back sometime yesterday and he was going to head home.

The impact of this encounter didn't hit me until after I had been safely back in my own home for a while. I cannot fathom the reality of what they will face when they return to Houston. No grocery stores doing business. Having to do their shopping in other cities. No gas for their vehicles. The condition of their homes still in question. No telling when the every day business of living will return to normal.

Austin has been hosting evacuees in various places and the roads have been congested (more than usual). This brief encounter with a harsh reality has humbled me and I will not complain about the traffic or long lines for a long time to come.

Seraphina Shawl Greenie in Progress

2008-08-15T22:49:00.005-05:00

This is a lovely pattern - yes, it's crocheted and NOT knitted but I am a long-time crocheter, too. This pattern can be found here. If you're on Ravelry, look it up and you'll see all the wonderful shawls that have been and are being made. Just love the 'batwing' shaping.
Yarn: JoAnn's RainbowBoucle - green shades
Hook: N
No mods so far - pattern is very easy to work with. The skein of yarn is huge - no ends to weave in in the middle of work! I have put the yarn in a big clear plastic 'barrel' - like for kitchen storage - it keeps the yarn tangle-free (so far so good) and clean of cat hair and other stuff. The yarn is light and airy - which it puuurrrrrfect for a shawl. KC took a look but it wasn't interesting AND it was in my lap (which means he isn't) so he went to lay down and nap elsewhere.

Copper Liesl finished

2008-08-15T22:33:00.003-05:00

I finally got a better photo of this sweater. I tried the mirror - got flash in the pic, tried getting my son to take a shot - well it could be a better pose on my part! This works much better to see the lovely shape. It's been cloudy (no rain but at least I SMELLED rain!)
AND the TRACTOR is GONE! WaaHOOO! We can use the driveway again at last. Next week they bring the jacks and the last of the concrete action - unless of course the weather men are actually on target this time and we do get a downpour. Yeah. Right.

Thought you might like to see what KC has been up to:

PandaSilk Socks, Liesls and New PC

2008-08-13T23:20:00.002-05:00

I started these socks today with Panda Silk I bought in North Carolina. 2mm Addis and Magic Loop technique. I am loving how this yarn works up - nice and smooth and very soft! I like it much better than the Maizy which is very splitty and a larger diameter yarn.
The foot shall be just stockinette stitch and then I'll decide on a stitch pattern when I get to the legs. I need something mindless to work on - interruptions are a little too frequent around here just now.
The Blue Jean Sock I started in NC keeps getting frogged every so often because of all the interruptions every time I pick it up to work on it! I'll eventually get the pair done I guess.
The Copper Liesl and the red Liesl are below. Still trying to figure out the easiest way to blog from Flikr. Seems to be easiest to blog each photo (just have to remember to do it in the reverse way I want it to show up here) and then post it. I don't think you can put more than one photo in the blog from there. If anyone knows if there IS - please let me know!
And yes, that darn tractor is still in the driveway. They poured the concrete columns today but said they'll pick up that thing tomorrow. It will be nice to have my driveway back. But the juniper bonsai in the front are dying. Well, so would you be if you got trampled and tools thrown on you!

2008-08-13T23:16:00.002-05:00

The Copper Liesl is finished except for buttons (ignore the orange and purple thingys) and tucking in a few tails. I did the picot bind off on this one - sleeves and hem edge. I love the way the sleeves came out - they belled at the bottom just like I wanted! I think this happened because of the picot bind off.
I am going to make a cream Liesl for Mom next.

2008-08-13T23:11:00.002-05:00

Here is my red Liesl, almost done. I just have to decide how long I want it. I may stop there. All but one tail is tucked in, too. Oh, and ignore the purple thingy - the button isn't on yet.

2008-08-13T23:08:00.002-05:00

Everything we bought Saturday has BLUE LIGHTS. I don't know what the deal is, but now we have little blue fairy lights all over the house! I got a nice surprise when I fired up the computer - the front lit up, too!
This is my set-up for the moment. Have to see if this works out. My desk is an L shape and big, thank goodness!

2008-08-13T23:01:00.003-05:00

Here is a close-up of the front of my Birthday Present. Isn't it kewl! It has kind of a Steampunk look and I love it. It has a clear plexi DOOR on it and wait until you see what I do with THAT!

Tractor still here AND Birthday Present!

2008-08-12T21:05:00.004-05:00

Well, the guys finished digging the last hole yesterday and Wednesday (we had a tiny bit of rain today) the concrete is scheduled to be poured. Then it's another week or more before the next step and then after that one, another week or more until they can fill in and fix the stuff that got messed up during this whole process! Man, what a mess this is. I will be glad when it's over!

I am writing this from my Birthday Present! I was very depressed about the foundation stuff, so my wonderful hubby took me shopping Saturday for a new computer. We had a good time at the electronics store and I even got a 24 inch flat screen monitor!!! This thing is B-U-tiful to behold! It's huge! I have been loading software and playing around in between laundry today. Now, technically, my Birthday isn't until Sunday, but my terrific spouse knows what I need and do I ever feel better! I still have lots of software to add but I learned my lesson from previous computers - not to put too much on too soon. Add one, let it run for a while and get used to that then add another. And not too quickly! It will take several more days to get everything together and for my new baby to feel like "home". I love the speed and the ability to do more things at the same time. I think I will probably keep blogging from my laptop though. It's got a card reader to load photos and with wireless, I can even blog from outside. Oh my, what did we ever do without computers?? My mother's microwave went out last week - she was going nuts trying to remember how to heat things up without it. It's amazing what you get used to and then have to do without - it's like going cold turkey trying to give up Diet Coke - ain't happnin' people.