tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134670792024-03-07T03:55:17.368-05:00Knitting With Samson's HairKnitting beyond what I thought I was capable. Working beyond the hours established in the early 1900's. Laughing so as to keep my abs strong. Listening for the quiet sound of peace.Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-40141572319765118262009-04-25T18:39:00.014-04:002009-04-25T20:59:44.215-04:00Knittin' and Teachin' Knittin' and Stuff<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Entrelac</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So it seems that I've been teaching knitting about as much as I've been knitting lately. Fortunately I actually had a day off from teaching, today, so I enjoyed knitting on a couple or three other things I've had in the works. There's the Lady Eleanor in Noro's Silk Garden sock yarn - smaller, but not smaller.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKDHf8mfX73_RU7XNyB2gzi07EWgLZe-pShtQQG3mwjCPKY5At-O__RocrfHe8rDhW2Mm_LbCqxFqWM1_V_oWmsmkNfQBHJJ-lRfAWNkOoEGnZIiDH9Vk1F6nNeXdhfJw6-4i/s1600-h/IMG_0405.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKDHf8mfX73_RU7XNyB2gzi07EWgLZe-pShtQQG3mwjCPKY5At-O__RocrfHe8rDhW2Mm_LbCqxFqWM1_V_oWmsmkNfQBHJJ-lRfAWNkOoEGnZIiDH9Vk1F6nNeXdhfJw6-4i/s320/IMG_0405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328779958691982178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I was encouraged by students to whom I'd been teaching Entrelac to move forward with the beautiful Noro Silk Garden in the sock yarn. Couldn't say no to students, could I?<br /><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next Up</span><br />I'm working on an intarsia</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> scarf for a class in May. It would be better if I actually used the colors the pattern suggested, but somehow I just ended up creating my own version of the pattern . . . but my students will know how to do it well now that I'm learning to do it well.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoP63ljVXjKD7HF0c9HBf_b8BjRcgmq61BF-bcRZyrXxCi3OlnSVzld0SZu9ItaGyFVFg-Z2yTeMrToaLE7sIjIYasc4GCLbCUzjFs5vfjcSxph2mcB-nzTi5ic1-djNX-0WT/s1600-h/IMG_0403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoP63ljVXjKD7HF0c9HBf_b8BjRcgmq61BF-bcRZyrXxCi3OlnSVzld0SZu9ItaGyFVFg-Z2yTeMrToaLE7sIjIYasc4GCLbCUzjFs5vfjcSxph2mcB-nzTi5ic1-djNX-0WT/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328779961693099330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Got a New Car</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Kia is the name, Spectra is the game. I tell people I have a Kuh-Kuh-Kuh-Kia (think chia pet holiday ads on Thttp://www.tagrel.com/). I feel like a grown up - there are auto windows, auto locks, I can open the trunk from inside the 'cabin'. The fact that I am a grown up has nothing to do with what I feel like. I typically feel like I'm in my late teens or early twenties.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eOLsE-ASB9jYlFTyEhXLzP5iuGv3fazehMLCD_uC-QXtMeU6cSXdIuSxNZ3ybULQZePXvU-oY1n8vQy7JNWBz7Z80gDcrPclkPVQ4Q-umL5ehC_qdZzoGCjsiaY7d0olfNZH/s1600-h/IMG_0419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eOLsE-ASB9jYlFTyEhXLzP5iuGv3fazehMLCD_uC-QXtMeU6cSXdIuSxNZ3ybULQZePXvU-oY1n8vQy7JNWBz7Z80gDcrPclkPVQ4Q-umL5ehC_qdZzoGCjsiaY7d0olfNZH/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328783942059531762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Perhaps I would rather be THERE, but have the knowledge I have now. Isn't that many of us?<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://allears.net/index.html">WDW</a><br />My kid sister moved to <a href="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/3r1a2.jpg">Orlando, Florida</a>, finally. She's been dreaming of doing this for about 10 years. She always said she wanted to be there by the time she was 40. And she made it with 3 weeks to spare. I'm not going to say her name so you won't know WHO turned 40 (see Amy, I knew I could do it!!) but let's just say that she's a very special person in my life and I look forward to visiting her at her place that is within one mile of the Magic Kingdom. She writes for <a href="http://allears.net/index.html">allears.com</a> and is an avid poster at <a href="http://www.tagrel.com/">tagrel.com.<br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crochet</span><br />I taught a Beginning Crochet class in March. I learned how to crochet over 30 years ago, so it wasn't as easy to teach as knitting has been since I recently learned knitting and I know many "hints" and methods for making Knitting work for YOU. The Crochet, not so much. But I've enjoyed getting reacquainted with this way of creating fabric. Having to THINK about what I'm doing when I'm crocheting was a lot harder. Thanks to websites like <a href="http://crochet911.com/">Crochet911</a>, I was able to back up to what I knew students need to learn and how to explain the techniques. Here's a toddler's hat a friend MADE me crochet because she had done up such a cute sample at the store and had the pattern handy - right there - with the YARN that was used -- me? pass up a new pattern? of something so cute? that meant I had to get more YARN? Me? yep!<br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxLsE7dnrcKQm6bWYyO3XnLa0Ts1xW8vzwHJ20ESx9dHy9na-u7dMDNJ3uWFZwagLcFTx5TESukHQfIC-0BRFWzofMxs4sxN5YOvjeJS0gUMkjOCvDFVVmLMCpAZzBLtX6SHx/s1600-h/IMG_0408.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxLsE7dnrcKQm6bWYyO3XnLa0Ts1xW8vzwHJ20ESx9dHy9na-u7dMDNJ3uWFZwagLcFTx5TESukHQfIC-0BRFWzofMxs4sxN5YOvjeJS0gUMkjOCvDFVVmLMCpAZzBLtX6SHx/s320/IMG_0408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328779977722797938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Okay. I'm gonna post some pics now so you aren't just staring at TEXT and wondering to yourself, why did I want to look at this blog again?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mirasol Yarn is WONDERFUL !!</span><br />Here's a recent ongoing project (monogamy is not really a recurring theme for me) using <a href="http://www.mirasolperu.com/tupayarn.htm">Mirasol's Tupa</a> which is 50% merino wool and 50% silk. I bought the book of Judy Ellison's patterns that included this pattern (pictured on the cover of the book in a soft green and a different <a href="http://www.mirasolperu.com/">Mirasol</a> yarn) just so I could have this pattern. After finding out the pattern was a simple 3X3 checkerboard pattern I wanted to kick my self, but the shop has many other Mirasol yarns coming in this Spring so I am energized and enabled to make many other items in the book! (Thanks a lot,<a href="http://www.deescrafts.com/"> Susan and Maria!</a>).</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQdL5cVOPtJRMYH0MBzvhcFWT4Ij3r6mRuThjy12nQS3HAdc2A1NvVNHZ5kCNKuciwEOGCjVZuLS6UUvz7DqD7lwDWBRJD3DZsvVf2XlSk3ziX4PvxFnuchKCpdvf_1BPXYP3/s1600-h/IMG_0406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQdL5cVOPtJRMYH0MBzvhcFWT4Ij3r6mRuThjy12nQS3HAdc2A1NvVNHZ5kCNKuciwEOGCjVZuLS6UUvz7DqD7lwDWBRJD3DZsvVf2XlSk3ziX4PvxFnuchKCpdvf_1BPXYP3/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328779976475729026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knit-a-long</span><br />There was something about speedknitting at ravelry (or was it on facebook about ravelry or about knitty?) and I felt compelled to start on the same project. So start I did. This was when I had discretionary spending money to use on yarn so I ended up with a little more Cascade yarn in a lovely butter yellow for the project. It's hemlock and I started on it, but didn't do anything with the speed part. So here it is as I slowly move along on it:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2tdxdCOpJYz34MGeRUwX1SDRrAgYi3O2EzwzlXOOTFvu5HaOJPquScfaiUMQ-CPCfdr0TnYRQp_u_ep41qFg3nfoE2QaT7INo0PoGZttLdjYZroYCFqzDH5g8N__zFAazYSM/s1600-h/IMG_0423.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2tdxdCOpJYz34MGeRUwX1SDRrAgYi3O2EzwzlXOOTFvu5HaOJPquScfaiUMQ-CPCfdr0TnYRQp_u_ep41qFg3nfoE2QaT7INo0PoGZttLdjYZroYCFqzDH5g8N__zFAazYSM/s320/IMG_0423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328783946992360306" border="0" /></a>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-70031686093135224322008-12-27T18:39:00.007-05:002008-12-27T19:02:06.026-05:00Christmas Knitting Shall Cease Until December 1, 2009 ! ! !<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love it when Christmas . . . is over !!! Okay. Not really! But I am so so so so so so so so so so very glad to have finally delivered the "Farm Animals Sweater" to my little neighbor.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brother</span><br />Here he is modeling it for me to show that: A) It fits !, and B) He has finally received it!!!</span> <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxmVIB1RAUCoftfdtGmgFT-MnWG0wKm2If46UrdXv9bdb_0cMPhdwekY-Tyz79w4CG0GDqwq3Hib02aV7R1JEZGIUG4WnQYPgUcWXFpC0tAQ1ckTK1VkHtjG46i_5U5Qku2mv/s1600-h/IMG_0173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxmVIB1RAUCoftfdtGmgFT-MnWG0wKm2If46UrdXv9bdb_0cMPhdwekY-Tyz79w4CG0GDqwq3Hib02aV7R1JEZGIUG4WnQYPgUcWXFpC0tAQ1ckTK1VkHtjG46i_5U5Qku2mv/s320/IMG_0173.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://localhost:49641/d728df66bea2be805503e6d83ca982d8/image/67c5c1e70b640c71.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="http://localhost:49641/d728df66bea2be805503e6d83ca982d8/image/67c5c1e70b640c71.jpg?size=320" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sister</span><br />And had I mentioned that his older sister had admired my </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTknucks.html">"Knucks" </a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">when I was visiting with them in October? She admired them so that she asked for a pair for herself - and here they are. Uhm, this picture was taken moments after the half-hour weaving in ends session, after finishing the second glove which I had shown her when I delivered brother's sweater Christmas morning. These were delivered Christmas night. And were received with a big smile and a hug!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg4EFNveXq1eoyZtTW_YlW2giaLRu7f3wGP1JnjI9R13rJRyz2634Ww-OlYyD7Hd4bCuWSZ5qHP1-ZpNU36vmk-rsfK33n_yawn84fxgz-pbfggMrg7hPLTXNZwMRTXRZVj1h/s1600-h/IMG_0186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg4EFNveXq1eoyZtTW_YlW2giaLRu7f3wGP1JnjI9R13rJRyz2634Ww-OlYyD7Hd4bCuWSZ5qHP1-ZpNU36vmk-rsfK33n_yawn84fxgz-pbfggMrg7hPLTXNZwMRTXRZVj1h/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284619690072984850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Family</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">We gathered at mom's on Christmas Eve and I got to see three of my four great nieces and nephew! Here are one niece's children modeling their Santa hats from great-grandma. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdFYB7HlL2X-kps4XOdux9_azX3g1E0I9Cepm_DQQF7CzRl5o6nU_KhYfRWze-BQ9nZyUNLq8tHn94Cx6nmkAJRnDubpMAkXFD2OllwfG7G47ibpjPkcI7TseW5LnYtEYIaM9/s1600-h/IMG_0159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdFYB7HlL2X-kps4XOdux9_azX3g1E0I9Cepm_DQQF7CzRl5o6nU_KhYfRWze-BQ9nZyUNLq8tHn94Cx6nmkAJRnDubpMAkXFD2OllwfG7G47ibpjPkcI7TseW5LnYtEYIaM9/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284619694248759138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">And here is my nephew's little one playing with her cousin.<br /></span><a href="http://localhost:49641/f2e2250c876cbcd8371635af76511b64/image/71c31fb36d2bce12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="http://localhost:49641/f2e2250c876cbcd8371635af76511b64/image/71c31fb36d2bce12.jpg?size=320" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That's all for now! Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you and yours all the best in 2009 !<br /></span></div>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-22792698097421023762008-11-23T01:15:00.006-05:002008-11-23T01:32:40.500-05:00Farm Animals Sweater<span style="font-size:85%;"><strong style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Be careful what you promise!<br /><br /></strong> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My little neighbor boy has always loved farm animals. Instead of toy soldiers, his relatives have always gotten him some small version of farm animals. He would go to bed with a little bag of them tight in his hand each night, when<br />I got to babysit him and his sister.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I usually knit when I watch the kiddos. Something the boy referred to as "nutting". One day, rather innocently, he popped off the question, "Would you 'nut' me a sweater with farm animals on it?"</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hesitating with any answer, I said I would see if I could find a pattern for one.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, I never found a pattern with farm animals on it, so I was left to design my own.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Nearly a year later, I was still "working on a design", as he often heard from me when he asked about the sweater.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Knowing my propensity to procrastinate, I finally told him I'd have it for him on his sixth birthday - er, uhm, that was this past July. I had been to the library and found a book I ended up purchasing for my own library: Kate Buller's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Style-Your-Own-Kids-Knits/dp/1855859270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227421871&sr=8-1">Style Your Own Kids' Knits</a>. This is an outstanding resource and has literally hundreds and hundreds of options for design, style, motif, stitch patterns, and layouts. You will use it for years!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />With a good effort begun, I scoured the internet for anything I could see well enough to create designs from.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While vacationing at my sister's in Texas in early July, I decided on a pattern for each animal and then thought a barn and tractor would fit right in. Unfortunately, I didn't have the right yarn with me and my sister only has a Wal-Mart as a resource for yarn in her tiny town in Texas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I began, deciding to do the patterns with their original design of purl stitches on stockinette stitch for the outline and animal particulars like the Holstein's black-on-white markings, the horse's mane, etc. I was well on my way up the back of the sweater and well past the animals when I decided I just didn't like it. It was three days after his birthday and I was home in Louisville already.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The answer, "Almost," became my continuous reply when he would continue to ask about the sweater. Bless his heart !!!!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now I am ready to seam up the sweater and have finished the animals, barn, and tractor. FINALLY!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I had recently said I'd have it for him by Halloween and I did not. I've not given him other dates, but decided I had to have it for him by Thanksgiving. Considering the recent temperatures in the 30s and 40s, I thought there's no time like the present.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Here it is in progress. I hope to have a finished photo in the next couple of days.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Barn outline and tractor awaiting some duplicate stitch.</span> <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxRjeBqjSQvwSjiSvnA5VN_5_VCbD6mHiXvAYmygxiArgE36Kg5C6BarydrUY1HspNryeYzfE1933P3Xy0R9txL5NWO3iq_WKBIweyLs4N-tY0YFA6aWOJhuwlN9PwW2waCI8/s1600-h/IMG_0108.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxRjeBqjSQvwSjiSvnA5VN_5_VCbD6mHiXvAYmygxiArgE36Kg5C6BarydrUY1HspNryeYzfE1933P3Xy0R9txL5NWO3iq_WKBIweyLs4N-tY0YFA6aWOJhuwlN9PwW2waCI8/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Close up of barn before doors are done (can you tell that's a silo in the back?).</span> <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ro5UamCWGOjhBgSjPRgWtK_y0MHK9S0F_j9IGLRXgXTe-fsCyjRWqKIPogSVfNfimAnGvYoJ88xkHMfM0UH-cnqZrj67u4LYNpbofN2RoTS_ieLPdVD8IsP5D9RhznfsIR6M/s1600-h/IMG_0109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ro5UamCWGOjhBgSjPRgWtK_y0MHK9S0F_j9IGLRXgXTe-fsCyjRWqKIPogSVfNfimAnGvYoJ88xkHMfM0UH-cnqZrj67u4LYNpbofN2RoTS_ieLPdVD8IsP5D9RhznfsIR6M/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tractor before duplicate stitch on seat and smokestack</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOoupqWr12100s_8wNj0IIlM7TpF2w8IsD3N5zueCGGmdnp4RZ1CmFPl7RfSwpFwp9uZ5Q34_nO9wERPV4D2KmeKx5mEEp0GhgyYdCKWV6hUomnaV_0WrDDWRdMs7AvD6eL_j/s1600-h/IMG_0111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOoupqWr12100s_8wNj0IIlM7TpF2w8IsD3N5zueCGGmdnp4RZ1CmFPl7RfSwpFwp9uZ5Q34_nO9wERPV4D2KmeKx5mEEp0GhgyYdCKWV6hUomnaV_0WrDDWRdMs7AvD6eL_j/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="file:///C:/Users/Laptop/Pictures/OaklandSweater/IMG_0128.JPG" alt="" /> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Before the animals were finished.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The animals before duplicate stitch was added.</span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmqgHiGEqG5u3tFV_7VOd44cBNBcysUlKRS5fCKmnjMaFP9jKYTSkGbTb93Olnlpm3b1KDIbCFVSVT5HGSpcRAD_UF0F9mJduiHvEfw7IHoPcKFGS9kOH35MxGCRASh7GHx48/s1600-h/IMG_0112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; clear: both; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmqgHiGEqG5u3tFV_7VOd44cBNBcysUlKRS5fCKmnjMaFP9jKYTSkGbTb93Olnlpm3b1KDIbCFVSVT5HGSpcRAD_UF0F9mJduiHvEfw7IHoPcKFGS9kOH35MxGCRASh7GHx48/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The animals after duplicate stitching is done. The cow now looks like the cow and is headed the same way as the other animals. (Sorry this pic is on its side - silly Blogger!)</span><br /></span><div style="clear: both; text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmKvpjijhNRr6m753x4beUHoVf3jcHgZgwfqt9I_HH8rWZSUk1-stYdN_QsEJGxewLRdDNJeAY_hajyfPmehSTziKDwUgM92U4aaWwU4UxSqUiGaqKdVRC4TGhNlYXZU7HoA-/s1600-h/IMG_0128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmKvpjijhNRr6m753x4beUHoVf3jcHgZgwfqt9I_HH8rWZSUk1-stYdN_QsEJGxewLRdDNJeAY_hajyfPmehSTziKDwUgM92U4aaWwU4UxSqUiGaqKdVRC4TGhNlYXZU7HoA-/s320/IMG_0128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271734771728937682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-33954122399617735502008-04-12T21:07:00.009-04:002008-04-13T12:00:16.526-04:00Beyond Leap Day<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I had a great post all drafted up and it was waiting on pictures. Honest I did. I had waxed on poetic about Leap Day and what I did to celebrate. Alas, the draft was lost. It's just as well, since I just took pictures two days ago and will attempt to get them posted herein.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Enough Drivel . . . On To Knitting !</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I seem to be enjoying adding sock yarns to my stash and starting new socks over and over and over again. Not re-starting socks, oh no. Starting a new sock, then, "uhhhhh I see a NEW sock yarn, I think I'll start another sock!" I also started a lace shawl with Jade Sapphire 2-ply Mongolian Cashmere.</span><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aYc_vEbnC9qQyVVyVvTvF_9wP3oUSFyl77xta8gyY6H9a9cUux0aKDi9BYxD-z2nWtW9xuedJOufDjvu8SFuTPaIv5zx4wGxO7ruEtIdsn3wix1Jzsq8vSgHBf-EPVdeLxUy/s1600-h/JadeSapphireDarkDenim.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aYc_vEbnC9qQyVVyVvTvF_9wP3oUSFyl77xta8gyY6H9a9cUux0aKDi9BYxD-z2nWtW9xuedJOufDjvu8SFuTPaIv5zx4wGxO7ruEtIdsn3wix1Jzsq8vSgHBf-EPVdeLxUy/s320/JadeSapphireDarkDenim.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188757315184943506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Socks That Rock</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The yarn, not the reality. I finally ordered yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, along with the book about Fair Isle knitting. When I awoke at 3:30 this morning, it was finally time to look at the book and I was mesmerized by the possibilities described in the book. I only purchased two skeins, one lightweight and the other mediumweight. After reading the patterns, I see I'll soon be making another yarn purchase soon!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Jewel of the Nile colorway:<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vRvXYSdxOy3HRzq1AeqOu2bLQBrla8Ofkp0bsvKm9xtucsP42jJxdyxMf3TVu3JrwdtWKcMX6LLwc-ydpFCP5FPSwwJlfp_p3g37aTg97wxLqvgc66LAAvKHbFRXoWcH2cMy/s1600-h/BMFA_STR_JON.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vRvXYSdxOy3HRzq1AeqOu2bLQBrla8Ofkp0bsvKm9xtucsP42jJxdyxMf3TVu3JrwdtWKcMX6LLwc-ydpFCP5FPSwwJlfp_p3g37aTg97wxLqvgc66LAAvKHbFRXoWcH2cMy/s320/BMFA_STR_JON.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188757289415139682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Rolling Stone colorway</span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZSY3ErxxeAVtwfVhA_y0APJ94sKpDHvlAidxmxgJLMTIWaOyRDj8VoabMEwKj_Szj4U1UnE-vCLdZPsKkael-9Fm5HSiZo_iqnI29lmDxGqaSyHExNCLZMPNYKBplyww68Xf/s1600-h/BMFA_STR_RS.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZSY3ErxxeAVtwfVhA_y0APJ94sKpDHvlAidxmxgJLMTIWaOyRDj8VoabMEwKj_Szj4U1UnE-vCLdZPsKkael-9Fm5HSiZo_iqnI29lmDxGqaSyHExNCLZMPNYKBplyww68Xf/s320/BMFA_STR_RS.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188757298005074290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yarn and the books:<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4VTlHyrcU4_CIWwtU3jWdMA5snnfjajRT0h2gLvsSxyamaUjJAuDAhT_uieNZI_oNpiyzF5gW3f5Nhp5iDYYopxJoHhealChM4OlrGsiOUEWNcCKLdPqOd5_SQ9-P_CIXV_P/s1600-h/BMFA_STR_BK.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4VTlHyrcU4_CIWwtU3jWdMA5snnfjajRT0h2gLvsSxyamaUjJAuDAhT_uieNZI_oNpiyzF5gW3f5Nhp5iDYYopxJoHhealChM4OlrGsiOUEWNcCKLdPqOd5_SQ9-P_CIXV_P/s320/BMFA_STR_BK.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188757306595008898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SockPixie</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I also received a lovely Merino of the color Madame Delmas today. Just look at its loveliness:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvXdabtfZBE1x4aLz1YLVNo5gumYI46gRZ5_KXgeneyY9Ay2W8OCZDshQhfbEYZQIqlp0KzkySMqi5G-bWUI2neW3TI9onLkzzvf182jpaDFB-zvHMx4ZFBomGLU1gDHczUlR/s1600-h/SockPixie_Madame_Delmas.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvXdabtfZBE1x4aLz1YLVNo5gumYI46gRZ5_KXgeneyY9Ay2W8OCZDshQhfbEYZQIqlp0KzkySMqi5G-bWUI2neW3TI9onLkzzvf182jpaDFB-zvHMx4ZFBomGLU1gDHczUlR/s320/SockPixie_Madame_Delmas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188760089733816786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Crocheting, by a knitter?!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For some bizarre reason, after seeing a free pattern on Louet's North America website, I felt compelled to purchase the Euroflax yarn and crochet a mesh bag. The name of the pattern is EuroBag. I was amazed by the relative ease it took to complete it and look forward to making some bags for friends to carry their knitting books in (since anything the size of a half dollar or smaller would slip right out. I may have to line the bag in order to carry knitting ... or just use it to go to the pool this summer.</span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXgti_Gbe8ESAJeCNTbYhAqtPOVKG_3q9lmVhuXrBLj_h2gN-f33rNTB40uPK2jKgN4tpjE2yx5vbJTSTkAASzcNeDl5fvu4Vjtt46TBZHMgoY9h1NW-gHAtVxgCTZLNK4NdN/s1600-h/EurobagLouet.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXgti_Gbe8ESAJeCNTbYhAqtPOVKG_3q9lmVhuXrBLj_h2gN-f33rNTB40uPK2jKgN4tpjE2yx5vbJTSTkAASzcNeDl5fvu4Vjtt46TBZHMgoY9h1NW-gHAtVxgCTZLNK4NdN/s320/EurobagLouet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188760098323751394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Audiobooks and Knitting</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And work, actually. I recently listened to Dale Carnegie's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >How to Win Friends and Influence People</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> while I was at work on a Saturday afternoon. The book is 7.5 hours in length and I actually heard all but the last 20 minutes. It was 11:00 p.m., though and I had to go home so I finished it the next Monday. I've enjoyed Jimmy Carter's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Peace and Palenstine</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, Bruce McLaren's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Everything Must Change</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, Barack Obama's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Dreams of My Father</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, and </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The Audacity of Hope</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. The </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >60-Second Procrastinator</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> was good to listen to, but I think I need to listen about 20 more times to really hear it since I'm usually working when I listen.</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-35777897772162268182007-04-23T21:01:00.000-04:002007-04-23T22:16:57.305-04:00Itchy Knittin' Fingers<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To carry on from <a href="http://www.wendyknits.net/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1181">Wendy'</a>s Blogging Rules ....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rule # 48</span><br />When you don't have a lot to blog about, use a <span style="font-size:100%;">bigger FONT</span>!!!<br /><br />Oh yeah, itchy knittin' fingers. (not dermatitis or eczema) Well, I posted a reply on <a href="http://boards.diynetwork.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/4911916776">www.diynetwork.com'</a>s foum on knitting answering "How Many Projects Do YOU Have on Needles NOW?" I 'fessed up to 8, or was it 9 ....<br /><br />I have finished knitting one or two of those, but now I have to sew them up, so are they really DONE?<br /><br />I just started on a pair of socks from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Socks-Timeless-Designs-Interweave/dp/1596680326/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9947045-3617511?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177379639&sr=8-1">Favorite Socks</a>, but find I really have to concentrate so am looking for something else to start on (page 68 - with <a href="http://www.straw.com">Crystal Palace</a>'s <a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/pandawool-card.html">Panda Wool</a> after being tempted by friend and fiber artist, <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6662/2256/1600/DSC00085.jpg">Valerie)</a>. Maybe the <a href="http://icarusalong.blogspot.com/">Icarus Shawl</a>, or some other shawl with my new <a href="http://www.jadesapphire.com">Jade Sapphire</a>'s 2-ply Mongolian Cashmere lace weight yarn. But I also got a new yarn from an eBay store that I'm curious about working with. I'm not mentioning the eBay store where I found the yarn because I discovered it's "Made in China" and after watching "<a href="http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/chinablue/">China Blue</a>" on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/">PBS</a>'s Independent Lens, I hesitate to even put my jeans on for riding my motorcycle.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Motorcycle? </span><br /><br />Yes I did actually ride this weekend. UIIt was a beautiful day for riding and I have the appropriate "biker's SUNBURN" to show for it. It will turn into a Biker's Tan, but not yet (and I do not recommend this method for achieving any sort of tan). Proof that I rode this weekend? Sorry, no pictures. But I have to tell you that when I reached into my purse this morning to get my work badge out, I came across my motorcycle's license plate. Yes, it was in my purse. I was in the lobby at work. Not at home. <span style="font-style: italic;">In the lobby. </span>See, when I had my little *<a href="http://knitwit62.blogspot.com/2006/07/to-pennsyl-rain-ia-or-bust.html">hiccup</a>* riding last summer on my way to Philly, I lost my bracket that holds the license plate. Well, I did get a new license plate, but am still without the bracket.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pictures</span><br />I do still own a camera. I have uploaded knitting-related pictures to my computer. Admittedly, I'm just too lazy at this moment (again) to put the pictures on this page.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Podcasts</span><br />Have I mentioned I'm listening to podcasts lately? I love Brenda Dayne of <a href="http://www.cast-on.com/">Cast-On</a>. Her health has kept her from regular posdcasting of late, but if you listen to her 40+ episodes done so far, you'll have at least a work-week's worth of entertaining listening. (Available on iTunes.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson?<br /></span>Samson, the African Grey Parrot, is well and up to his usual antics. This morning he pulled the towel off the toilet tank (he sits on the [closed] toilet lid and talks to me while I get ready for work). Today he uncovered one of his favorite toys -- the flusher handle. He knows when he's doing something he's not supposed to because he usually laughs (my laugh) and says, "What are you doin'?" Then he starts in that motherly-reprimanding-tone, "Come on. Come on. Come on." With various postiive inflctions so it sounds like it will be fun to get OUT of trouble!!!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by... I PROMISE, pictures next time.</span><br /><br />BTW - I got into <a href="http://alison.knitsmiths.us/index.html">Sockapalooza 4</a> for the 2007 April - August tour. I couldn't tell you because YOU might get there before me and I wouldn't have been one of the 1000 to sign up for this year's exchange. Maybe I'll remind you next time. Maybe. See you soon!!!!<br /></span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-62020470791844814062007-03-15T23:20:00.000-04:002007-03-16T00:32:40.828-04:00Let Me Sum Up<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">You know that part from<span style="font-style: italic;"> The Princess Bride </span>after Westley has been brought back from near-death as follows(?) :<br /><br />Inigo: (to Fezzik) Tilt his head back. Open his mouth.<br /><br />Fezzik: How long do we have to wait before we know if the miracle works?<br /><br />[Inigo forces the "miracle pill" into Westley's mouth]<br /><br />Inigo: Your guess is as good as mine<br /><br />Westley: [Suddenly] I'll beat you at your part, I'll take you both together<br /><br />Fezzik: [matter-of-factly] I guess not very long.<br /><br />Westley: Why won't my arms move?<br /><br />Fezzik: You've been mostly dead all day.<br /><br />Inigo: We had Miracle Max make a pill to bring you back.<br /><br />Westley: (rapidly) Who are you? Are we enemies? Why am I on this wall? Where's Buttercup?<br /><br />Inigo: Let me 'splain; No, there is too much; Let me sum up. ... Buittercup is marrying Humperdinck in little less than half an hour... so all we have to do is get in, break up the wedding, steal the princess, make our escape, after I kill Count Rugen.<br /><br />Westley: That doesn't leave much time for dilly-dally.<br /><br />So away with dilly-dally, let me sum up . . .<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I've been knitting</span><br />Shocking, I know ... knitting. I had many good ideas for blog fodder, but, alas, I did not blog. Thanks for coming back to check in -- I hope you won't be disappointed.<br /><br />Well, and doing other things, too. No, not riding the motorcycle, just other things. And these days I'm teaching knitting classes for beginning knitters and project classses at a couple of local shops. I've been knitting on about six projects recently: four projects for classes, one gift poncho in seed stitch, and a partridge in a pear tree (sorry, couldn't resist ... Samson's been singing FIVE GOLD RINGS still).<br /><br />Anyway, very busy I find myself these days (and watching some Star Wars with Yoda who backwards talks from time-to-time).<br /><br />So, I need to put in some pictures.<br /><br />Certainly the Entrelac Lady Eleanor Stole is done and a favorite of many. I am writing a scarf pattern similar to it to accommodate a scarf classs. And then I've been working on some items for my fuuture great-niece or-nephew (due August-ish), which makes it all the fun.<br /><br />Uhm..... and I've been staying warm, even though all our winters have been warmer than norm.<br /><br />So now it's to my crunch time at work and I'm recovering from a cold, but just plain ol' enjoying life!!!!!<br /><br />So how the heck are you?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And to other things since "then"</span><br />I have been listenting to some podcasts on my new video iPod. I know. It's a video iPod - I should be WATCHING something. Well, some of the podcasts have pictures with them (thanks <a href="http://www.hollyspringhomespun.com/">hollyspring</a>) and some of them have sponsors with great products (thanks Brenda at <a href="http://www.cast-on.com/">Cast-On</a> for letting me know about <a href="http://damecandlecompany.com/">Dame Candles</a>) and someone suggested their lovely Green Tea which I am enjoying at this moment.<br /><br />And I've been knitting on<br /><br />Poncho for friend - like mine - Queeensland's Maldive Cathy Poncho in seed stitch in Red -- yes, just like mine. Apparently my friend is just like us knitters -- once we see the object, we fall into the trance ... "Must Make The Object" in the same color and pattern.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A friend is calling for a road trip and I think it's involving Virginia. One if by land and two if by sea -- I think we'll do this during the summer months after <a href="http://www.tnna.org/">TNNA</a> Market.<br /><br />I have received the information from TKGA for the Level 1 Handknitters Master program.<br /><br />I have been putting my hand to a drop spindle in the desire to <a href="http://www.grinnypossum.com">spin yarn</a>. Not necessarily yarn I will use, I will at least have gone from critter to garment, maybe.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br />And.... going to the <a href="http://www.dentistlouisville.1888smileinfo.com/dentist.php?ID=1273">dentist</a>. My teeth don't exactly look like those on the website, but I was in need of some dental-ist attention. Alas, I'm in love with a man-- my dentist. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">too much</span><br />so I've become like the woman I long to be like ...<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Organizing my needles so I can be like <a href="http://wendyknits.net/archives/001169.html">Wendy</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://wendyknits.net/archives/001169.html"> Knits</a>. I now have a a needle organizer like Wendy's because I found I was gathering a number of needles (many on unfinished objects) that I have set aside due to the allure of the sirens of other projects.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Sez:</span><br />"I'm fine thanks, how are you?" in a melodic tone much like, uhm, me.<br /></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1163724233830781182006-11-16T19:11:00.000-05:002006-11-18T11:22:27.950-05:00Tah Dahhhh !!!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Isn't that what your family <span style="font-style: italic;">says </span>whenever they're showing off something new?!!! Well, here it is (in its almost-complete photo). Without further ado . . .<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Thee </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lady Eleanor Stole from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scarf-Style-Innovative-Traditional-Inspirational/dp/1931499543/sr=8-1/qid=1163723607/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3491924-4154200?ie=UTF8&s=books">ScarfStyle</a></span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/LadyEleanor_C.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/LadyEleanor_C.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Huh? It's not done? Well as far as your picture shows, it is not done. However, I finished it Sunday and weaved in the ends and wore it to work on Monday!!! Huh? Why no picture of the finished product? Well, I have to find just the right model to wear it so you can see it as it drapes magnificently on someone (not me). An excuse? Uhmmm yes.<br /><br />In the meantime, I've finished the back panel of the Vogue skirt and have begun earnestly on the front panel. Having just completed the lower section of lace-stripes, I'm ready for something more like stockinette for a bit. (Picture later.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Heifer Project</span><br />In case you have some money you want to use for a good cause besides getting me an Extreme Tickle Me Elmo, hop on over to <a href="http://www.wendyknits.net">WendyKnits</a> and donate some funds to the <a href="http://www.wendyknits.net/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1064">Heifer Project</a>. So far she's doubled her initial goal of $5,000. You have a chance to win <a href="http://wendyknits.net/heifer2006.htm">something</a> for each $10 you donate. I love that Lucy's waiting (daily) for some little chicks to show up ... alas she will be disappointed, but I think Lucy (and Wendy) will rejoice with all of us as good is done with the donations. Thanks Wendy!!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Special Friends</span><br />A shout out to blog-less Donna in Indianapolis. She's become a new knittin' buddy and has shared with me about some yarn purchases she made in Switzerland while vacationing recently. She and her sister-in-law, and my friend, Roberta, gifted me in a special way after a meaningful event we shared together last weekend on behalf of their late mother-in-law. Expecting nothing but "being a part" I received a BASKET-ful of African Violets and a yummy fruit basket on Monday. See for yourselves what beautiful gifts NICE people give (besides their friendship which, truly is priceless).<br /><br />Some pics of the African Violets<br /></span></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DSCN1672.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DSCN1672.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DSCN1667.2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DSCN1667.2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/AfricanViolets1e.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/AfricanViolets1e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/AfricanViolets2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/AfricanViolets2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(There are 10 separate pots in the basket !!!!!!!)<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And the yummy fruitbasket from <a href="http://paulsfruit.com/">Paul's Fruit Market</a>.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Fruitbasket1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Fruitbasket1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Thanks gals!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now for a word or two from Samson</span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/PeekabooBirdie.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/PeekabooBirdie.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Peek a boooooo!!! (er uhm ... No, I'm not one of the chicks Lucy keeps hoping for!!!)</span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1159924336585492432006-10-03T20:52:00.000-04:002006-10-03T21:12:16.633-04:00Entrelac Progress<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, here it is. About one-third of the way done. Lady Eleanor's Stole from ScarfStyle using Noro's Silk Gardens in a variety of colorways. I suppose it's hard to tell in the photo - but from your point of view it is 24" from top edge to bottom edge. I think it will be about 6 feet long when it's done - not including the knotted fringe that goes on it.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/LadyEleanorsProgress.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/LadyEleanorsProgress.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gassy</span><br />Gas prices dropped - again. Last week I saw a sign that said $1.97 for gas and 2 hours later it said $2.13 -- so don't blink when you see this sign because the price might jump back up again.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/GasPrice100306.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/GasPrice100306.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Squirrel on a Wire (you were expecting Bird on a Wire?)</span><br />While sitting at the same stop light where I took this photo, I happened to see a small squirrel gingerly running across the wires above this busy intersection. He's kind of small, but is right above the black sign you see the side of hanging from the thick black wires. Silly squirrels!! (As with all of my pictures posted here, you can click on the picture for a larger view to open in another window.)<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SquirrelOnAWire.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SquirrelOnAWire.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PROM NIGHT</span><br />My neighbors had a prom last Saturday night. The attendees were in their late 20's at the youngest. Here's a picture of the arbor where the adults had prom photos taken. My neighbor said they raised $2000 for a scholarship program at a local catholic church school. I know they were having a good time -- the band played on until about 1:00 a.m. <yawnnnnn><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/PartyPre7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/PartyPre7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Autumn is Arriving</span><br />While waiting at church for a meeting this evening I happened to catch this lovely shot of colors and the church and... well, lovely colors.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/ChurchSide.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/ChurchSide.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Annie</span><br />I know I teased you unwittingly last post with a note about Annie - mom's African Gray Parrot -- and Samson's sister. Alas. I did not take a picture of her while there the next two evenings, either. But, mom had given me a picture of our sweet girl so here's a picture of a picture of Miss Annie. She and Samson turn 7 years old this month!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/AnniePicture.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/AnniePicture.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1159323157535148022006-09-26T21:19:00.000-04:002006-09-27T22:49:20.813-04:00The Sky, Entrelac, and Superman<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Superman</span><br />I'm watching my mom's parrot Annie for a few days. As I was leaving her house a bird flew over - contemplating if it was a bat or a bird I decided, "It's a bird". Mom lives near Louisville International Airport and I looked westward to see a plane taking off ... thinking to myself, "It's a plane." As I got into my car I realized the only thing left was for Superman to come drifting down out of the sky in front of me. (Not sure, here, if it's the <a href="http://www.supermanhomepage.com/tv/tv.php?topic=episode-guides/t-lcguide1">Dean Cain</a> or the <a href="http://www.chrisreevehomepage.com/m-movie1.html">Christopher Reeve</a> version, but either is good.) Alas. No Superman swooped. <br /><br />Then I stopped at the grocery and found my superhero there. She was about six years old and was following "mom" who was pushing a race-car-cart with two toddlers in it. The coolest thing was, this 6-year-old was a superhero. Wonder Woman to be exact. Although the WW on her chest made me think more of WWF Smackdown than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynda_Carter">Lynda Carter's</a> portayal. Nonetheless, there was my superhero[ine]. My day was complete.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Entrelac?</span><br />Oh yes - the entrelac. Gotta admit I tried this a while back to see what the stitch pattern was like. It was with bamboo (a lovely yarn but not meant for what I was doing here). So with <a href="http://www.theknittinggarden.com/no-silkgarden.htm">Noro's Silk Garden</a> I am off again. Discovered a little part of the pattern that has you make the last picked up stitch and the first at the bottom of the triangle into one. It was a magical moment. See, before, I was not reading that part and wondered why I kept coming up with about 9 rows instead of the 8 called for over and over again. So here it is. Without any further ado.<br /><br />Actual knitting progress.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/LadyEleanorEntrelacStole_SilkGarden.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/LadyEleanorEntrelacStole_SilkGarden.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Granted, it is not the <a href="http://www.lalanawools.com/yarn.php?id=33&list=1">La Lana Wools Faerie Queen</a>, but I wanted to try it with a less pricey yarn before I went full tilt with the beautiful handspun La Lana Wool.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Another Knitting Moment</span><br />Indeed I have been knitting on some other stuff -- holding out on you, I guess. Here's the <a href="http://www.artyarns.com/">ArtYarns</a> Regal Silk Diamond Shawl.<br />Close up.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DiamondShawlClose.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DiamondShawlClose.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Far away and spreading its wings.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DiamondShawl.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DiamondShawl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yet Another Knitting Moment</span><br />So I'm about to get started on the Vogue Spring/Summer 2006 cover skirt, but tried a different yarn to see if it would fill the bill. It did not, but it's good to practice and get used to doing the stitches and seeing what I have to watch so I don't have to tink like I have on the sample piece. Also tried the crocheted edge to see if I understand it before I get to the "real thing". It has its moments and a friend who is a crocheter will help me out Wednesday evening.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SkirtPisologTest.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SkirtPisologTest.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Sky</span><br />We had some rainy weather and some neat weather and some really really neat skies. Here for your viewing pleasure and thanks to <a href="http://www.sandysknitting.com/">Sandy</a> for keeping us all "looking up", here's the sky recently.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Sky1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Sky1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Sky2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Sky2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Sky3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Sky3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Annie Sez</span><br />Since Samson is not a fan of the red light on the camera, you get to see what Mom's Annie-bird looks like. She's a fluffy football looking girl -- but the personality far and away makes up for anything you think she is missing by not having all her feathers in tact. Tonight she was regaling me with her versions of "Old McDonald", "Baa Baa Black Sheep", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", among other great birdie hits. (oops a teaser there as I cannot seem to find any digitals of Miss Annie -- alas, an older Samson pic will have to do -- beg pardon.)<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SamsonDoor.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SamsonDoor.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1157720879035235092006-09-08T09:02:00.000-04:002006-09-26T22:31:40.296-04:00Yarn Fasting<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >According to <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog">yarnharlot</a>, this is when you purposely go without buying yarn. Well, I've been there. But I finally have to get some to make the skirt on the cover of Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2006 for a friend's birthday. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/vkspring2006cover.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/vkspring2006cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Yes. It was the Spring issue. </span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ></span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Yes. I am going to make it in the pink even though it will be gifted this Fall (did I mention her birthday was in August?).<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I was going to have to wait while Koigu dyed more yarn when I ordered from an online yarn shop (OYS?). However...</span></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > Thanks to <a href="http://www.patternworks.com">Patternworks </a>for having the yarn in stock, I'll get to start on this in the next week or so!!</span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ></span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >More later. And pictures, too!!</span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1153828808990579382006-07-25T07:42:00.000-04:002006-09-23T14:12:49.466-04:00To Pennsyl-RAIN-ia or BUST !!!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Indeed it was almost <span style="font-weight: bold;">"OR BUST"</span>, but I made it for the wedding and was so glad I was able to make the trip!!!<br />Here's what threatened to stop me ... (by the way, in the midst of it all I did learn to "Praise the Lord no matter my circumstances!!!")<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First </span>it was the switch to RESERVE fuel just after a potential gas-stop exit. Here are Dan (left) and Cletus looking over my bike. You may think CITGO is not a service station, but I beg to differ! (Thanks Cletus). And Dan of Ohio's DOT kept us safe with his vehicle with caution flashing lights.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/1_Cletus_Dan.1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/1_Cletus_Dan.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next - THE CHAIN INCIDENT</span><br /><br />Still in Ohio, just south of I-270 and Columbus, the engine revved and then nothing. I pulled off quickly, there to stay for over an hour. I love you <a href="http://www.progressive.com/">PROGRESSIVE</a> with roadside assistance for my motorcycle. Thanks Shamrock Towing and Carlos for getting me safely to <a href="http://www.askpowersports.com/">ASK - Grove City</a>. Thanks to Austin and the rest of the service department at ASK for getting me back on the road by Friday afternoon -- about 24 hours after I had stopped.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/5_RearView.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/5_RearView.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/4_Fender.1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/4_Fender.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/2_ChainAxle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/2_ChainAxle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Carlos of <a href="http://www.shamrocktowinginc.com/">Shamrock Towing</a> -- You're GREAT !!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.shamrocktowinginc.com/images/staff/staff16.jpg"><img style="width: 320px; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://www.shamrocktowinginc.com/images/staff/staff16.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Thanks to the ladies at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Headline Styling Salon</span> for letting me sit in their lovely shop and hear great stories all around while I knit on my Sockotta sock. Thanks to James Wheeler of <a href="http://www.hilton.com">Hilton</a>'s Guest Assistance for getting my hotel arrangements straightened out for me in the midst of my drama.<br /><br />And a VERY SPECIAL THANKS to my cousin Jon and his wife Linda for being wonderful hosts. Their home may not look like a B&B from the outside but I found this little basket of goodies sitting in my guest room.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/9b_CrainB_B.1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/9b_CrainB_B.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Weddding</span><br />Jenny and Brad were wed in Christ Church at 12:30 pm on Saturday. I was there to read scripture as originally planned.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BradJen2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BradJen2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Here's the happy couple (and perhaps they were a little hungry by this time -- Jen is posing, actually).<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BradJenFOOD.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BradJenFOOD.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The chocolate and raspberry and blueberry wedding cake.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Cake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Cake.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Here's some of the goodies we had after they cut their beautiful cake.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/YumSpread.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/YumSpread.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Oh yeah, back to the people -- really what it's all about, anyway ...<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/JoyEdCindyKerry.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/JoyEdCindyKerry.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Reception2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Reception2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Here's my brother-in-law and his youngest (oldest was the bride).<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BeckKerry1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BeckKerry1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back Home</span><br />I made it back just after midnight on Sunday. Ahh it's good to be home so I could see my little birdie. What a treat to come home to.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Samson_Home.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Samson_Home.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">More to come later this <s>week</s> year. Thanks for stopping by!!</span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1152272277586112702006-07-07T07:17:00.000-04:002006-07-07T07:37:57.620-04:00Sidetracked<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A shout out to <a href="http://psybrrr.typepad.com/kingofallremotecontrols/">Ian </a>and <a href="http://www.wendyknits.net">Wendy</a> - thanks for sharing about your all's activities on the 4th! It rained and thundered here. I snuck into the office and worked a bit to keep up with the week's taskings -- then was worn out and only vegged on the sofa working on <a href="http://knitwit62.blogspot.com/2006/06/dr-seuss-on-loose.html">the "other" two socks</a> opting to not watch Jason Alexander with the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/cap4th25_sub1.html">Capitol Fourth</a>.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I'm tempted by the <a href="http://www.simplysockyarn.com/Categories.bok?category=SOCK+YARN%3AFleece+Artist,+Merino">Fleece Artist yarn</a> Wendy is currently using for <a href="http://www.wendyknits.net/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/967">socks</a>. Must knit faster...<br /><br />Okay, I'm obviously blogging early to avoid getting ready for work -- avoidance is one of my biggest faults, followed by procrastination -- although it's likely the two are closely related, if not two sides of the same coin.<br /><br />Nuff said -- catch ya later!!<br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">PS</span> Samson sez "HI" to cousin <a href="http://www.triplettpickering.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a> and wants to say to <a href="http://psybrrr.typepad.com/kingofallremotecontrols/">KOARC</a> -- "</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I sprechen</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">" (as learned from mama repeating the line from </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351283/">Madagascar</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> by </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001674/">Marty the Zebra</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> when asked by the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0569891/">penguin leader</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> "</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >You, quadruped, sprechen ze English?</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >?")<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1151892540363722622006-07-02T21:44:00.000-04:002006-07-02T22:09:00.416-04:00Thank You www.knittinghelp.com !!!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes Indeed-y!!! I have 10 books that tell me how to do the mattress stitch, but my real hero (heroine!!) is Amy Finlay of <a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com">www.knittinghelp.com</a> !!! Her 3-minute video tells me what I needed to know to have a beautiful "invisible" seam on the sides of "the <a href="http://www.close-knitcafe.com">shop</a> sample" (as we've come to call it) of Plymouth's pattern <a href="http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cPatterns.patternGallery&pattern_id=000328&yarn_id=000038#000328">C125 - Ladie's V-Neck Shell</a> as done in <a href="http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cYarn.yarnDetail&collection_id=000005">Fantasy Naturale</a> in color 2550 (known in these parts as "UK Blue" for the University of Kentucky's school colors).<br /><br />Here's a final shot of the top now that it's done. <br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DSCN1505.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DSCN1505.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />For your reference, please <span style="font-size:100%;">please</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >please</span> learn from my mistake and be sure to do a gauge swatch!!! I should have been using a size US 7 needle (or maybe even an US 8). As it was, I used the size US 6 called for (4 mm) and had to use an additional hank of the heavy cotton yarn. <br /><br />I had to block it before I sewed it up, which put me off a couple of weeks (at least) and then I had to get the confidence to try the mattress stitch. It's not that the stitch is hard -- not at all -- it's just feeling ready to do it. And now I've done it and am ready to sew up anything I knit that needs it!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sock # 2 has begun</span><br />Work has begun on sock # 2 on the circulars. I'm doing better at getting the pattern right, but today realized I had cast on 8 less stitches than I did for the other sock. My solution? Once I'm done with this one, I'm gonna re-do the first sock (maybe). I figure I'll have them on under pants or boots and no one will see them anyway, so they may stay just the same. :-) My perogative!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DSCN1506.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DSCN1506.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The start of a beautiful friendship</span><br />We had brunch this afternoon at our friend's home after church. Here are two gals from the Bible study class -- we're all sittin' pretty awaiting the call to feast! (and feast we did -- thanks Dottie and all!!) As I prepared to leave I was asked what knitting I've been doing, and I showed the socks around. Then someone suggested a couple of us teach the class how to knit. Now there's a project! I'll let you know what becomes of that!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DSCN1504.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DSCN1504.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Sez</span><br />"Breakfast? Breakfast? Breakfast?" No really, that's what he said most of the morning today -- even after I'd given him his breakfast. Silly birdie.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Samson_1.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Samson_1.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1151548293251497252006-06-28T22:24:00.000-04:002006-06-28T22:33:29.380-04:00Another Knitted Item DONE !<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Indeed, it's true!!! I have completed another knitted item! This one is a sweet hoodie from Debbie Bliss's Simply Soft book. Done in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan with a Baby Cashmerino edging, I think my grand niece will look cool and cute in it next Spring!!</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BrooklynHoodie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BrooklynHoodie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And here's Samson taking a break from his treats to say "Hi"</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Samson0628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Samson0628.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1151428030677448642006-06-27T12:48:00.000-04:002006-06-27T13:07:10.826-04:00The Sleigh Bed<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Sleigh Bed is visiting my home until it can find a new home. Height: 35", length: 80" at bottom, 86" at top, Width: 35", Clearance: 8". Currently has a slip cover on it, but the original upholstery is beautiful, too.<br /><br />This label is underneath it:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedLabel.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedLabel.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Here's a foot:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedEndFoot.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedEndFoot.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The middle foot:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedMiddleFoot.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedMiddleFoot.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Some detail:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedFrameDetail.1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedFrameDetail.1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The end:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedEndFull2.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedEndFull2.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Another shot of the end:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedEndFull1.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedEndFull1.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Some detail along end:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedScroll.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedScroll.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Some detail along the top edge:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BedEndTop.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BedEndTop.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Pretty neat, huh? Let me know what you think. Is it an antique? How old is it? Mrs. Mendel, of the Strassel & Company business (closed late 1970s) travelled abroad - did she bring this back from somewhere? Or was it crafted in Louisville - as the label might suggest?</span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1151284194753903652006-06-25T20:30:00.000-04:002006-06-25T21:37:00.953-04:00Dr. Seuss On the Loose<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">One Sock, Two Sock ...</span><br /><br />First, let me say that THIS is what happens when one black sock goes in the wash with the white load and one goes where it was supposed to:<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One Sock, Two Sock Gray Sock, Black Sock</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/GraySockBlack.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/GraySockBlack.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Fortunately, my mom gave me a pair of snazzy Laredo boo</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ts that don't allow my socks to be seen (Thanks MOM!)<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Boots.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Boots.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One Sock, Two Sock White Sock, Green Sock</span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/WhiteSockGreen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/WhiteSockGreen.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, actual knitting has gone on. And, No, I do not plan to wear these as a pair -- their mates are beginning this week. The left sock is with Plymouth's Sockotta using pattern S121. Of course, after working on the sole (see below) I realized this would be a great yarn to knit in stockinette instead of a pattern to see the true beauty of the yarn. Alas... On the right is <a href="http://www.personalthreads.com/newsite/idetail.cfm?itemid=22747">Skacel's Trekking XXL</a> (colorway 100) with a pattern from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1564775704/qid=1151283328/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-1680384-8815861?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">Sensational Knitted Socks</a>. I knitted the former on 5" dpns and the latter on two circulars - my first go with circs for socks. It was pretty straightforward after I got going and the gusset decreases were not a problem once I <s>believed</s> understood what the pattern wanted me to do.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The one on the left - pattern and sole ...</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CloseWhitePattern.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CloseWhitePattern.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CloseSockotta.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CloseSockotta.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The one on the right - pattern and sole ...</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CloseGreenPattern.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CloseGreenPattern.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CloseTrekkerXXL.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CloseTrekkerXXL.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I learned the reason for using long circulars for socks is because the needles might otherwise be right in your way if you use 16" circs. I will have to let you know which I prefer because the circs weren't too bad, I think mostly just the learning curve was where I struggled.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not just socks</span><br />And yes, I HAVE BEEN KNITTING other things, too, even though I've not shown you pictures lately. Here's the swatch from the Multidirectional Knitting Class with <a href="http://www.artyarns.com">Iris Schreier</a> at the <a href="http://www.tnna.org">TNNA Market</a>. This is the "shapes to learn" for the Sheer One Piece Shawl in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1579906494/sr=8-1/qid=1151282973/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1680384-8815861?ie=UTF8">Modular Knitting</a>.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/ArtyarnShawlSwatch.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/ArtyarnShawlSwatch.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And here's the actual Shawl begun with Artyarns Regal Silk (loving it!!)</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SheerOnePieceShawlStart.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SheerOnePieceShawlStart.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Samson Sez:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Peek-a-booooo!"</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/PeekabooBirdie.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/PeekabooBirdie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mr. T-perch has become his favorite "hiding place". Each night before tickle-time, Samson goes behind Mr. T-perch and ducks as if I can't see him. I say, "Where's Samson?", and he pops up so his head is above the t-bar -- and I say "There he IS!!" He's quite silly about it all, really.</span><br /><br /></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1151030495607187202006-06-22T22:21:00.000-04:002006-06-22T22:41:35.626-04:00Eye of the Beholder<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As I mentioned before, cameras were not allowed inside the <a href="http://www.tnna.org">TNNA Market</a>. However, I may photograph anything at all now that I have it home!!<br /><br />So here are some pictures of the goodies I got to bring home. All of our caches look as good -- and we're tripley inspired to knit stuff up in the yarns from the Market using the books from the Market with the needles from the Market.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />First, the books:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/TNNABooksStartShot.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/TNNABooksStartShot.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Then the "Uncorrected Proofs" books:<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/TNNABooks2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/TNNABooks2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Then the goodies (see how many you can identify):</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/TNNAGiveaways.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/TNNAGiveaways.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />And of course -- the reason to come home again:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Sez:</span><br />"Are you my big fluffy bird?"<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/FluffyBirdie.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/FluffyBirdie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />And one of the three beauties at Judy's home ... Sierra is one good reason to come home again.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SierraDogPerch.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SierraDogPerch.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And tomorrow .... K N I T T I N G !!!!!</span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1150854643186313352006-06-20T21:18:00.000-04:002006-06-20T21:52:32.636-04:00Name Dropper? Me?!!!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He, he, he. Just when you thought I was done... I have <span style="font-weight: bold;">few </span>more names to share!!<br /><br />I know, I can't believe it either. Now you might understand why I was soooo exhausted when I returned home -- still coming down off the "celebrity-meetin' high"!!!<br /><br />Met the Yarn Girls: Julie Carles and Jordana Jacobs and received <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307336905/sr=8-1/qid=1150852856/ref=sr_1_1/103-1680384-8815861?%5Fencoding=UTF8">The Yarn Girl's Guide to Knits for Older Kids</a>.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.edieeckman.com">Edie Eckman</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580175988/qid=1150853054/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-1680384-8815861?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">The Crochet Answer Book</a> was great! As was <a href="http://www.maggiesrags.com/">Margaret Radcliffe</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580175996/ref=pd_bxgy_img_b/103-1680384-8815861?%5Fencoding=UTF8">The Knitting Answer Book</a>! Maggie said her 13-year-old daughter told her her book was "very encouraging"!! Now that's a compliment!!!!!!!<br /><br />When I saw the logo over the booth for <a href="http://www.iknitiative.com/">Inknitiative</a> - I suddenly felt I was at home. I've longingly looked at Natalie's designs online and got to meet her in person. I love the ruffled scarf I made from her pattern.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As I was walking through the Market, I overheard a familiar voice, and turned to see <a href="http://www.shaypendray.com/">Shay Pendray</a> of <a href="http://www.pbs.org">PBS</a>'s Needle Arts Studio !!! Once again - in the presence of greatness!!<br /><br />Juli Dewar of <a href="http://www.knitiot.com">Knitiot</a> was very personable! We love her t-shirts and other neat knitting-related "stuff".<br /><br />Winding down a bit now....<br /><br />Met <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dkng/episode/0,2046,DIY_18180_36330,00.html">Uyvonne Brigham</a> who shows double-knitting on DIY's <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com">Knitty Gritty</a>. She was at <a href="http://www.knitnet.com/sampler/oldjune/articles/lilychin/index.htm">Lily Chin</a>'s booth and invited me to come visit when I head to Philadelphia in July. I'm gonna try to get up to <a href="http://www.woolworks.org/stores/pa.html">Bucks County Knitting</a> for a visit!<br /><br />Rita Weiss signed her <a href="http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/More_Books-24-Hour_Knitting_Projects-1455.html">24-Hour Crochet Projects</a><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.helengibb.com/">Helen Gibb</a> signed her <a href="Ribbonwork:%20The%20Complete%20Guide,%20Techniques%20for%20Making%20Ribbon%20Flowers%20and%20Trimmings">Ribbonwork: The Complete Guide, Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings</a>. It's a beautiful collection of history and lessons all in one!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Claudia!!! Of <a href="http://www.claudiaco.com/">Claudia's Hand-Painted Yarns</a>. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I'm sure they all got tired of me saying excitedly, "YOU'RE __FILL IN THEIR NAME HERE__!!!" Fortunately I got polite smiles in response to my zealousness!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Sez</span><br />Supper? Supper? </span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DSCN0961.0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DSCN0961.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Talk about your one-track mind! :-)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307336905/sr=8-1/qid=1150852856/ref=sr_1_1/103-1680384-8815861?%5Fencoding=UTF8"><span class="cattitle"><span style=""></span></span></a></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1150772243471215982006-06-19T22:07:00.000-04:002006-06-19T23:06:50.946-04:00Inspired ! ! !<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The word that best describes my feeling after a weekend at the <a href="http://www.tnna.org/">TNNA</a> Market in <a href="http://www.indygov.org/home.htm">Indianapolis, Indiana</a>!!! And a HUGE SHOUT OUT to Judy for inviting me along!!!!! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks <a href="http://www.close-knitcafe.com">Judy</a>!!!!! </span> The TNNA Market is for retailers of needle arts businesses, whether it's needlepoint, cross-stitch, or other of what I think of when I hear "needle arts", or knitting or crochet or a lot in between involving fiber and creativity!<br /><br />I promised to blog when I got home, but was so worn out from being star-struck and miles-weary that I couldn't bring myself to compose. Alas, here we are...<br /><br />I mentioned star-struck? You bet. I met some wonderful authors and designers and got to see and feel a mirage of beautiful fiber calling for me to talk Judy into carrying it in the shop!! They're like sirens, those yarn skeins!!!<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Met and spoke to the following:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.debbieblissonline.com/index.htm">Debbie Bliss</a><br /><a href="http://louisaharding.co.uk/">Louisa Harding</a><br /><a href="http://www.maggiknits.com/maggiesstory/index.asp">Maggie Jackson</a><br /><a href="http://www.interweave.com/default.asp">Marilyn Murphy</a>, publisher of Interweave Press<br /><a href="http://www.vickiehowell.com/">Vickie Howell</a> of <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com">Do-It-Yourself Network</a>'s <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dkng/0,2044,DIY_18180,00.html">Knitty Gritty</a> and <a href="http://http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dsty">Stylicious</a> who rocks and is as wonderful in person as she is on air!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Kay Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne of <a href="http://www.masondixonknitting.com/">Mason-Dixon Knitting</a> b</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">log and book fame !!!<br /><a href="http://www.storey.com/authors/authors.php/author/609">Candi Jensen</a>, down-to-earth gal who <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_3148167,00.html">designs</a> great knit and crochet garments and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/homepage.html/103-1680384-8815861">bags</a> (Candi, Vickie was looking for you, did she find you?)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.tarahandknitting.com/">Tara Jon Manning</a>, who is a "real" person, too. Perhaps we can get her to hold a "Mindful Knitting Retreat" in our area?<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584794542/ref=pd_rvi_gw_2/103-1680384-8815861?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155">Melissa Leapman</a>, another designer and author I came to know through <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dkng/episode/0,2046,DIY_18180_32899,00.html">Knitty Gritty</a> and have now met <span style="font-style: italic;">in person</span>.<br /><a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dkng/episode/0,2046,DIY_18180_32899,00.html">Melanie Falick</a>, who signed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584794542/sr=8-1/qid=1150770658/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1680384-8815861?%5Fencoding=UTF8">Handknit Holidays</a> for us!!<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.bust.com/knithappens/">Debbie Stoller</a>, a rockin' chick who signed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761139850/qid=1150770773/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-1680384-8815861?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">Happy Hooker</a> for us -- and was great though it was the end of the day and she was tired.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.nickyepstein.com/">Nicky Epstein</a>, who has more energy than I don't know what!! Book signings, bag signings, up and around talking to people for a couple of days -- you go girllll!<br /><a href="http://www.artyarns.com">Iris Schreier</a>, another "real" person who was very open to talking to folks who came by and very helpful on selections for <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_4231124,00.html">projects</a> for our customers to do using those hand-painted beauties. Thanks for the class on the one-piece shawl -- our customers will love the design!!<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jane Davis, who has beautiful creations in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0873499654/qid=1150771099/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-1680384-8815861?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">Knit Ponchos, Wraps & Scarves</a>. Beautiful projects to tease the senses.<br /><a href="http://www.sussdesign.com">Suss Cousins</a>, who signed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307335917/qid=1150771184/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-1680384-8815861?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">Home Knits</a> for us. Great projects!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Met <a href="http://www.modeknit.com/blog/">Annie Modesitt</a> at the Artyarns booth showing a couple of <a href="http://www.anniemodesitt.com/">designs</a> she's made for Iris's yarns. Annie is tall and very funny!!!!!!<br /><a href="http://www.leighradford.com">Leigh Radford</a>, who signed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584794550/qid=1150771503/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-1680384-8815861?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">AlterKnits</a> for us (I've been inspired to go free-form!).<br /><br />Okay, that's enough name-dropping for one day's blogging.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where are the Pictures?!!!</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />If you know anything about retailers' trade shows, you know cameras aren't allowed!!! So you're just gonna have to take my word for it that I saw these folks. I do have other witnesses, both from the store and from the book-signing lines where I made some "line-buddies" the first couple of days. "We'll always have the 1:00 line for ...."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson ....</span><br />Samson did not get to go to Indy with me, so Grandma came over to see him and feed him and talk to him. Samson loves grandma and looks forward to mama's bike trip next month so he can see more of Grandma again! Not only can Samson talk, but looks like he likes the newspaper, too (he's reading upside down!!). Silly Samson!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SamsonPaper.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SamsonPaper.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style=""></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1150065771189612782006-06-11T18:32:00.000-04:002006-06-11T18:42:51.200-04:00Star Struck !!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Hi from the </span><a href="http://www.tnna.org/summer_show.php#buyer"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">TNNA</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> Market !!! I'm having a great time!! Seeing beautiful fibers!! Making new friends and seeing great authors and designers!!! I have been accused of becoming a namedropper!! So be it. I'll blog more once I'm home on my regular computer instead of sittin' here on the hotel room bed with a borrowed laptop.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">Shout out to <a href="http://www.needlelittlelove.com/">Marie</a> and <a href="http://knittinglizzieb.blogspot.com/">Lizzie</a> !!! A couple of my line buddies!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">More after I get home Monday evening! Thanks for stopping by -- I know some of you have lost heart since I've not blogged in so long. Well it's been about a year since I started and I'm ready to go some more.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"><strong>Samson Singz</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">"Itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout... YAY!!"</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">[sorry no picture of the big parrot, but he's there and I'm here.]</span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1142169550082424992006-03-12T07:38:00.000-05:002006-03-12T08:19:12.646-05:00Thanks for Checking Back<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >You know, if I had been blogging more regularly, I wouldn't have to put such generic titles to my blog, eh? Yes, I'm still alive and kickin'. More like still alive and KNITTIN'!!! Too many projects on needles, but finally finding joy in a couple that I want to keep working on.<br /><br />Currently knitting a v-neck shell for the <a href="http://www.close-knitcafe.com">shop</a> using Plymouth's Fantasy Naturale. Quite a thick cotton yarn -- I like it and it makes a nice fabric.<br /><br />Started my second sock class yesterday; with one student, again. God</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >'s taking care of me by not giving me too many people to work with at a time!!!! I like the pa</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >ttern and felt</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > more organized this month (sorry Evie - you were a guinea pig, I guess!!). I'm also trying socks on circs and liking it so far. The class is on DPNs ... don't want to scare away a new student.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Been Felting</span><br />I had a title for the blog I was going to post with all the felting projects pictured: If it felts good, do it!!! Well, you get the title, and some pictures, at least. I like the S 'n' B book's bag on page 172 and modified it to meet the needs I felt I had for a bigger bag. I used Noro's Iro with outstandi</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >ng results! I also did a bag in Schaefer's Elaine. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SchaeferYarn.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SchaeferYarn.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Here's the Schaefer bag before and after. You should go by the <a href="http://www.close-knitcafe.com">shop</a> to see it in person!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> BEFORE:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SchaeferBefore.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SchaeferBefore.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">AFTER:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SchaeferAfter.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SchaeferAfter.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >And if you want to see the Noro bag, you'll have to see my sister in Sulphur Springs, TX, as she'll soon be receiving it as a surprise. (girls, if you read this, don't tell your mom!!!) Well, okay,maybe a peek here:<br />BEFORE:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/NoroBefore.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/NoroBefore.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />AFTER:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/NoroAfter.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/NoroAfter.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sweater?</span><br />Yes. I knitted a sweater ... a whole sweater!!!! It's a Neck-Down pattern by Knitting Pure and Simple. The shop had a class for the sweater, but I didn't sign up. Then EVERYONE was knitting the sweater and I couldn't resist. The class generously let me join them late. Oddly, I was the first to finish my sweater (although none of us finished it during the class range). Here's an action shot:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/NeckDownSweater.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/NeckDownSweater.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Is Silly as Ever!!</span><br />While we're quickly moving into March, he's still enthralled with "HO HO HO...." to which I MUST respond, "Merry Christmas!"<br /><br />I spend $$ on toys for the silly bird and what does he play with? Plastic bags from the store. I told him it could be hazardous for him to play with it (the fine print and all) but he didn't seem to care. <br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SamsonPlay2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SamsonPlay2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1139149062347269272006-02-05T08:53:00.000-05:002006-02-05T09:20:46.263-05:00Cards and Letters<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thanks for all those cards, letters and e-mails asking how I was since I've not blogged in over a MONTH!!! Okay, just kidding. Only one person has asked me to PLEASE UPDATE THE BLOG!!!! Thanks, <a href="http://drivebyknitting.com">Holly</a>, for your continued readership. Alas, I think all others have dropped off from checking in since I've been quite remiss in posting.<br /><br />So the pictures will load later today (i.e., finding the camera, capturing the pictures, uploading...).<br /><br />I've knit and felted what we now fondly refer to as "the trivet" since it was an adventure in new yarn and short rows gone wild -- then felted (with exquisite results, I might add). From Schaefer's hand-painted Elaine. Pics later after I go to the <a href="http://www.close-knitcafe.com/">shop</a> to find said trivet and photograph it (maybe <a href="http://www.close-knitcafe.com/about.htm">Purl</a> will Vanna-tize it for us?).<br /><br />Started teaching a sock class this weekend with some lovely Plymouth Alpaca yarn. One student who is a good student, so we'll have some fun.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Working on a sweater from <a href="http://www.knittingpureandsimple.com/">Knitting Pure & Simple</a> that is in the round with no seams when done. I love the ragland sleeve and am quite adept at kf&b now (thanks Deborah!!).<br /><br />Finished reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580626548/sr=1-1/qid=1139148311/ref=sr_1_1/102-9082570-3921725?%5Fencoding=UTF8">Zen and the Art of Knitting</a> this weekend! Had to put it on my goals for the month (January) so I would actually do it!! A good read overall. Glad I made the choice to pick it up. While you're at <a href="http://www.amazon.com">amazon.com</a>, you can get a glimpse of <a href="http://www.wendyknits.net">Wendy Johnson</a>'s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452287324/qid=1139148416/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-9082570-3921725?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn</a> due out April!<br /><br />Okay, I'll have to locate the other objects I've knit up since last I blogged. Oh yeah, and I'll find shots of family stuff, too, to keep the rest of you apprised of what's up.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson? </span><br />Did I forget to mention that silly bird? He just said, "I'm fine thanks, how are YOUuuuu?" so that should tell you how he is. We've been playing "wrassling" the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately my nose has gotten bit twice so it's obvious I'm gonna have to re-think some play strategies here. How do we wrassle? Mr. Playful decides he wants to hang upside down from my hand then swings around or tucks in and says, "I tickle your belly" in his cutest little silly-mama voice. Usually he doesn't get rough, but when it gets out of hand, I find myself saying "easy" quite a bit. He's so silly and we have a lot of fun. He cracks me up with his potential threat of "I tickle your belly!" It lets me know it's time to play.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DSCN0961.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DSCN0961.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br />Gotta run, I think I'm about to be late for something.... laterz<br /></span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1135341456980339712005-12-23T07:23:00.000-05:002005-12-23T07:57:03.176-05:00Alive and Well and Celebrating My Birthday ! ! !<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes. Yes. It's true -- I'm still here. Just very busy the past few weeks and too tired to blog. I kept thinking up entries, but they didn't make it to typity-type on the blog.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's My Birthday!!! </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />After waking my mom up at 6:05 a.m. today to remind her of all the joys of childbearing she was enduring 43 years ago (actually she says I was so small I "popped out"), I got up and opened my presie from my sister in Texas.<br /><br />Here it is:</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First - a cute sticker I am to wear all day declaring my sister as a wonderful thoughtful person!!!</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BadgeOfHonor.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BadgeOfHonor.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And this lovely platter for baked goodies. THANKS SIS!!!!!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BdayGift.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BdayGift.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Minnesota is COLD!!!</span><br />Went to Minneapolis-St.Paul this past weekend to see family and visit a vendor on Monday. Fortunately my friends' home is warm since it was 1 degree Farenheit when we woke Sunday morning!!!! The boys like to have their mom hit the Celsius button on the van's outside temperature display -- it's usually in the negatives this time of year!!<br /><br />We went to the Mall of America and it did not dissapoint.<br /><br />There were beautifully decorated HUGE trees.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/MOA_Tree.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/MOA_Tree.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />And <span style="font-weight: bold;">Camp Snoopy </span>was fun!!! I rode four rides and had a blast!!!<br /><br />Roller Coaster</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CampSnoopy2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CampSnoopy2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ghost Blaster<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CampSnoopy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CampSnoopy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I got a t-shirt at the Lake Wobegon store (and a CD of Pat Donahue's). And a couple of MN magnets, plus this cute Moosehead pencil-topper.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Moosehead.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Moosehead.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Finally, my uncle has been making birdhouses and I thought he'd like the concept presented in this store front -- a video shows the birdies flying in and out of the face's nostrils -- must tickle!!<br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/BirdHouse.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/BirdHouse.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Close-Knit Cafe</span><br />Yes. I'm still hanging out there a lot!! Even went to their Christmas party the evening I got back from Minneapolis!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/FestivePearl.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/FestivePearl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I'm going to teach a sock class this winter. Here's the start of the Bed Sock by Plymouth using the Baby Alplaca DK.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SockClass.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SockClass.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Singz</span><br />"On the first...... FIVE GOLD ..... Four...... YEAY!!"<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SamsonCutie.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SamsonCutie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I thought the first five would be the easiest to learn -- he loves the FIVE GOLD rings part and he can sing at least some of the first day of Christmas... He keeps saying pomegranate instead of singing "partridge in a pear tree". I guess you go with what you know!!!<br /><br />Wishing you and yours the best this season can bring. Blessings to you!!<br /></span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1132968413151338832005-11-25T19:40:00.000-05:002005-12-23T07:57:26.876-05:00Tryptophan - Excuse of the Ages<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While the <a href="http://home.howstuffworks.com/question519.htm">"How Stuff Works" website</a> may say that tryptophan in turkey is not enough to make one sleepy, I think there really is a compounding effect when combined with the chemicals in sweet potato balls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dumplings, oriental slaw, cranberry jello salad, yeasty rolls, and dutch apple pie.<br /><br />Mom and my nephew enjoying dessert.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/Mom_LL.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/Mom_LL.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now that Bingo is no longer the post turkey-feast activity, we were all looking for a flat surface to place ourselves for napping. Apparently not everyone indulged in the turkey like I did (after all, I made it and couldn't wait to get taste after taste) and instead of napping, our heads were filled with the "sugar plums" of the Friday-sales ads. It sounded like we did when we'd get the Sears "Wish Book" catalog as kids.<br /><br />Speaking of kids, here's my 13 month old great nephew - he's such a cutie!!!!!</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/OurBigBoy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/OurBigBoy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Turkey? </span><br />Okay, I couldn't resist so here's a picture of the succulent bird. Third year of using the recipe from Alton Brown at <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_8389,00.html">foodtv.com</a>. Always a hit!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/YummyTurkey.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/YummyTurkey.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you always carry so many projects with you?</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Asked by my nephew's beautiful new wife of 5 months, as I pulled out the necklace from <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_3633037,00.html">DIY Network's Teen Knits</a> episode with author, <a href="http://www.jenniferknits.com/">Jennifer Wenger</a>:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CabledNecklace.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CabledNecklace.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The red hat with Twilleys of Stamford's Freedom Wool (to begin working on; here it is finished)<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/RedHatUpclose.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/RedHatUpclose.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/RedHat.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/RedHat.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The woven-stitch patterned coaster (which if changed t</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">o 16 stitches wide instead of the 30, could be a wonderful belt -- the fabric is sturdy and kind of looks like fair-isle without all the y</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">arn carrying):<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CarouselSample.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CarouselSample.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The Close-Knit Cafe mascot's scarf of SRK yarns:</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/CloseKnitScarf.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/CloseKnitScarf.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is it cold where you are?</span><br />I am sitting here with Cathy (red poncho) and Gigi (Elegant Gauntlets) on as the temperature reminds us that winter is on its way. It's been getting down to the low 30s at night already. I've already begun sleeping under an electric blanket, which actually causes me to have to get up when my alarm sounds. The snooze button doesn't recognize me with the odd electrical charge eminating over me, so I have to either uncover (read GET COLD) and hit the snooze, or shut off the alarm, or get up. Unfortunately the latter is the most realistic option for getting my arse out of bed and on to the day's work.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Sez</span><br />"<span style="font-size:100%;">Ha ha ha</span> ... ha ha ha ha... oh shoot ... <span style="font-size:78%;">ha ha ha.</span>"<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SamsonNoComment.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SamsonNoComment.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13467079.post-1132803926803973092005-11-23T22:10:00.000-05:002005-11-23T22:45:26.836-05:00I'm "Dying" To Show You !!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While I've not been blogging as much recently, I've been busy doing other things (forgiven?). Dying with Kool-Aid caught my attention so I had to give it a try. Using <a href="http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/16">Tahki Donegal Tweed Homespun</a> 100% Wool and four different packets of Kool-Aid, I began with microwaving the colors in: (a bit blurry, it's not your eyes, and the pan is cranberry color [how fitting?!])<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DyingStart.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DyingStart.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Became these beautiful colors after drying overnight. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yarn with a fruity smell adds a whole new level to enjoying knitting!! </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Top is Ice Blue Berry Lemonade followed, in clockwise order, by Grape, then Orange, and, finally, Lemonade. It was a fun first try, and now I think the rest of the 3.5 oz. skein is going to be done in Lemon-Lime, Berry Blue, and Black Cherry. I loved the color samples shown on <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/FEATdyedwool.html">knitty.com</a></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/DyingEnd.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/DyingEnd.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Looking Up - At Night</span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/MoonAwesome.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/MoonAwesome.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting?</span><br />The knitting continues, but I already donated the hat knitted with Baby Alpaca Grande -- it was so soft!! I'm working on a scarf for Purl, the <a href="http://www.close-knitcafe.com/">Close-Knit Cafe</a> mascot. It's in what might be considered the shop's colors: purple and gold.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chores</span><br />I have been busy with housework, since I took the day off from work. When I was doing laundry, Samson decided he needed to help. For some reason he's particularly drawn to the "red load" -- could it be his love of red (afterall his tail is certainly a lovely red!!).<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SamsonLaundry1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SamsonLaundry1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Pomegranete's are in season through December and Samson is so very happy. He's been having a little trouble transitioning from saying "papaya" to "pomegranate".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samson Sez<br /><br /></span>"Pa-pomegranate?"<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/1600/SamsonPom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6404/1184/320/SamsonPom.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(sorry for the blur - Samson hates to pose!)</span></span>Knitting with Samson's Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279453486882386259noreply@blogger.com1