Happy Holidays!

Hello folks. The prodigal blogger is back! LOL

I am well and I hope you are too. So far I have already enjoyed one fantastic Turkey dinner with good friends. What could be better? We still have three days of turkey and fun ahead! I hope for snow, however all that seems to be happening is really cold rain, so the dog is going to be disappointed if he wants a run today!

I am sorry to have had such a long hiatus, but I ran creatively dry and my computer finally gave up trying to even contact the outside world. LOL Ask how many friends were frustrated by my lack of e-mail response! Crappy.

Moving on, new computer and refreshed creative spirit, I wanted to have something to show off, but I neglected to take a photo of the Christmas stocking I knit for my nephew. I will see if I can get one from my sister to post. This one was hand-dyed green and white. I am quite proud, and I am debating getting a head start on the nest one just in case someone decides to have another munchkin! It was the only gift knitting I did. Oh, I did make two more pairs of slippers ( no I am not crazy) but that was a deal with my sister in law.This is a picture of what the stocking looked like to start. The beginning!

So Happy Holidays all, I hope to be blogging at least once a month, 

and getting caught up with your lives again. I have been up to some fun things and can't wait to share. Take care and enjoy the turkey!

Did you MIni-Maker Faire?

Thanks to an amazing Guild member the Fraser Valley Knitting Guild was at the Vancouver Mini-Maker Faire this past weekend, teaching makers to knit! Check the link in the title, but here are a few things I saw while I was there!

Yarn Bombing!

There were at least two of these knit flags! One at the top of Great Northern Way. We encountered this one on our way to the entrance.

A pedal powered sofa. Seriously, this thing moved great! It even came with music! See the folks sitting on it, there are pedals up there too, so if you want to move around, you just pedal and the legs start to take you forward!

I was told that this was fire breathing.... or perhaps it was the other object... I wasn't really clear on that.

honestly, I don't know how this could use fire at all... it has a large solar panel on the back.

There were so many fantastic things, steampunk stuff, music, a giant snake! Very neat! Important to this tale is the knitting however...

There was knitting and teaching and so many folks were eager to learn. Honestly though, it was a faire dedicated to folks who already like to MAKE... knitting wasn't such a stretch for them, I had some really fast learners, and a few who even leaned toward continental style! Very fun! There were learn to knit kits, and instruction sheets. It was fantastically put together! Thanks J! Check the guild blog for more pictures. Let's hope they do this again next year!

Garden Greenery

Another green photo for you! I really enjoy the inspiration that I get from the Project Spectrum. I have waxed poetic about it in the past, so go read one of those posts if you would like... or just check out the main link.  Next month is another colour..... brown I think. I will have to double check. Ahhhh, blue! Fantastic. But green for this week and next....  embrace the colour!

Green In June

Green is the colour of this month for Project Spectrum, so I am adding a few green shots this week. Hopefully July will be much more green. Sunny weather...... I am waiting! (So are my plants!)

WWKIP

Yesterday I was out at a local park for World Wide Knit in Public Day..... it was also the Community day for our city and honestly next year I think I will ask for a table. ;) It would be the perfect place to talk about the guild I belong to the Fraser Valley Knitting Guild stop by and check it out.

That being said, it was raining all morning, and I didn`t think I would find anyone out there. I was wrong, we didn`t need our back up spot at the coffee shop. The rain stopped just as I got there and we sat in the grey weather wondering if we will actually get Summer next week. LOL

One of my guild mates was even game enough to do a little modeling for me! Thanks Anna! This is the blocked Multnoma for my Grandmother and this next shot is of the Dover Castle shawl that I knit from some Knit Picks hand-dyed sock yarn.

We had a good time and I am glad that I went out. I hope that your WWKIP adventures were also dry.

One final shot for you of what I was knitting in the park. Inspired by this years` Project Spectrum I am knitting in the Green of June! Outside for a little photo shoot with my Chocolate mint plant. I do not pretend to be a master photographer, but hey, it`s visually interesting.

Happy knitting! and thanks to all the new folks who visited and left a comment, I appreciate it!

New things and thoughts.

As I mentioned in my last post I have been doing other crafts, not just knitting. Come to think of it, both my previous post did touch on the fact that I have several other crafts in my life. There are times when one just takes over. Lately I have been on fire about my garden, but honestly this is the time of year when you are starting little plants and hoping they survive whatever is lurking in the night. LOL Ask me why..... I lost all my bean and cucumber plants the other night!So no garden talk, I may take some pictures to share when things get really hopping. I hope they will!

Other than that I just really want to make use of all the fantastic creative items that are all over my house! The fabrics! The Paints! The sculptables! LOL

I think that my goal will be to get more all over crafts into my life, not just knitting... I haven't been doing very well. So I hope that when I re-evaluate my goals for the year next month that I can be inspired by other crafty stuff. Honestly I am trying to use this month to get as many projects completed as possible. I want to clear up a bit. so  on that note I have to finish off......

1. The Blue Top-Down Raglan
2. The Essential Cardigan
3. Christmas Stocking
4. Socks (three pairs)
5. Dover Castle Shawl
6. New Beer Gloves

Does that seem like alot? I can't think of anything else on the needles at the moment. I know that a few are less important to get finished, like the socks. I usually have a few pairs on the go so if I don't get them done, I really won't be beating myself up. The decision to re-evaluate my goals at the half year point will happen at the end of this month so I better get cracking. How is it going with your goals? I can say that I am not jogging as mush as I want and I am the only one to blame for that. How do you create a good habit. I have to look into that. Happy crafting! Let me know what you think of my list! Oh, and don't forget World Wide Knit in Public day Saturday at Douglas Park! It's Love Langley Days too, so it should be great and I think there is free hot dogs! LOL

Hello I have an update!

It has been a great time to mix it up more in my crafty time. Poly-craftual, is a good thing to be. I am sure that most folks, who dabble with one craft, find themselves drawn to another one too.


This does mean that I am making less progress on my current knitting projects, but also that I am refreshing myself with other crafty ideas. There are several just piled up in my bedroom. A few canvases waiting for paint, a bead loom strung and waiting to be given beads, fabric and a zipper intended to be a bag, not to even think of all the potential lurking in my stash of yarns. So having all kinds of goodies at my disposal I grabbed a few and got to work. These past few weeks I have been working on a tea cosy.

Inspired to improve upon one, made for a friend in a holiday swap a few years ago, it was time to get to work. There are more detailed photos of the process, so if anyone wants to give it a go they can, that post will come. A quick summary, I bought a wool sweater at a thrift shop, felted it and cut it into a shape that will work for my teapot. Layered with batting and lining fabric, and then sewn up to make a nice insulated tea cosy. The wool would keep it warm enough, but my hope is the extra layer of batting is going to keep tea piping hot for ages. I will let you know how that turns out after some testing!



There are a few other FO’s to mention, a drawstring project bag that is now wanting a string, I was going to use some lovely ribbon but, am unsure if it will be sturdy enough, so there will have to be an update on that. No sense in waiting trying it out will tell me enough. Also finished is a gift for my Grandmother, a new Multnoma shawlette. I have no idea if she will get much use out of it; personally I find that they are a handy item in the wardrobe. Who knows what she will think. I need to put it in the mail before the postal strike hits me. It has been blocked, but I am just weaving in the ends, so here is a picture of it in the bath of SOAK.

I finished off the pair of gloves that my hubby has been waiting months for. So I cast on for two more pairs, I hope that I can get a few done for him as well as the other men in my family. New projects are for another post. So that is about it for now... more soon.

Mother's Day

Hello, and hopefully yesterday was a good Mother’s Day for all you awesome Mommies out there. The un-sung heroes of many a family or child, except once a year it seems sometimes.
I often think that I don’t tell my Mom enough just how fantastic I think she is and was as I was growing up. If it weren’t for her, so many things would never have happened in my creative life. I painted a Dragon mural in my bedroom when I was 14; she was the chauffer for craft shop trips and wandered the isles with me. Encouraged me to draw, paint, knit, play with clay, bead, use fame, and sew and so many other things. Typically she was right there with me trying new things and learning some new type of craft with me, often she picked up some fantastic tool for us to “share” and never expected to be the primary user. Self-less and loving, I know I exasperated her often but she is always on my side thinking of my welfare.


Mom, I love you! I am trying to be the best grown up I can be so everyone knows what a great family I come from, and how awesome my Mom is.

I made you something! 

A project update.

The time has come to knit a Christmas stocking!
Seriously.

Here is before

and this is where I am now....

Last year I knit up a stocking for my neice quickly. I decided I don't really want to be giving this stocking to my sister Christmas Eve. So, to make less stress for me, I am on my way.
What do you think? Getting a headstart on anything yourself? I have to admit that I am suprised at myself, getting a jump on things isn't always something I do. I am a procrastinator by habit, but this year I am trying to get away from that. Dicipline can be a good thing. Especially if you have a list of things that you want to get through for the year.

Two more quick things, I did some seed starting so I can get my garden begun. I need more soil in the actual physical space but, the seeds have to sprout before I need it. I have some time.

Also a girlfriend of mine got married this past weekend and my husband and I were happy to join them. A picture for you.....

Congrats!

A Good day out

Well, today was my day at the Fibres West festival. I was super glad to be there, and tried to do my best to volunteer at the guild table, but I honestly ended up walking around for ages with my girls! YAY! Jane, Julia,  Aimee, and Anna. Thanks ladies.
It was a great day! Food was awesome, and of course there was yarn!
This was one of the free pass days that I am allowing myself this year.

Aren't they lovely!? I am super happy. I used all of the yarn I purchased last year, so I thought that this would be a good idea. I hope I am right! I can't wait to use it! Malabrigo, Indigo Moon, Sweet Georgia and West Coast Fiber Works. Yum.


Can't wait to show off some finished objects too. I am so close to being doen two sweaters, I was unhappy with the collar on one, so I am reknitting it. Socks, and fingerless gloves are on the needles too. Were you at the show? What did you get? Yarn Harvest is the next thing for me to save for! Sweet.

Not your normal post

Um, a online pal of mine, Toni mentioned on her blog that there is something going on in the United States that may eliminate public broadcasting. She seemed disturbed by this, and I can't help but feel the same.Why would you cancel Sesame Street?? This is not my normal posting, but here is the link she shared for Public Broadcasting. I can't help, but I hope that enough people out there can. Good luck.

Keeping busy

This week had flown by. I think that somtimes it's not a good thing even if work goes quick. I have stuff to get done and if my week is over so fast, how will I get to it all. I have a goal list for 2011 that I have yet to share here, and I keep forgetting honestly. Sounds silly, but the reason I wanted to make another list this year is because I felt that last year it kept my head in the goal game.

That being said I would like to share it.

But first, what I have been dabbling with this weekend.

The green/ orange/red tube is a new hat for my niece. I tried to make her one already, but it was only big enough to fit my nephew who is one month old. Ooops... take two. Good news is my sister liked the yarn, and it's a washable wool so it will keep the little head warm. I do so  love knitting for my family!
Secondly, I was trying my had at CROCHET! I love the look of granny square blankets, and it's on the list this year, so I figured I better familiarize myself. I am not understanding the instructions in the book so far, but I am going to try the Attic 24 blog tutorial and  see how that goes. She makes lovely blankets.

Okay so on with my knitterly goal list for 2011. Even though it's late Feburary, I assure you I have had this list since at least mid-Janurary. LOL

1. A Yoke Sweater (to be determined)
2. A Bog Sweater in Purple Cascade 220
3. Fair Isle Inspired vest or sweater
4. Urban Aran sweater modified to a Cardigan
5. New sweaters for the kids in my life (6)
6. Crochet Granny Square Blanket
7. Rogue Kit knit up
8. Green Superwash top-down sweater
9. Brown sweater or vest for husband
10. Nephew's Christmas Stocking
11. Wedding shawl for a special bride
12. All 2010 WIP's complete or resolved.

Ta da! There it is. I am feeling pretty good about it so far. I have my own set of rules to go with it. One of which is a re-evaluation in July, to allow myself revisions. I am keeping track of yarn used for the 100 ball challenge and I am not restricting myself to JUST THIS LIST (as you may have noticed with my other project post this month) Too much restriction = no fun. That isn't the point. I really just have a few things I want to get done, so I think that this is helpful. Three of the WIP's from last year are sweaters that were on the list. Just need some finishing.... or a front, or some sleeves...... and I'm done! Progress to come of course. Can't wait to show you wha't up next. Oh! On that note......

Here is the yarn and needles ready to begin the Christmas Stocking for my nephew. No time like the present. I anticipate begining the bridal shawl in the next month. Happy crafting!

They are done... mostly

Here they are, warm and lovely.... but they are a bit too big, so I am putting them throught the machine again. I love this process! I guess the only thing that is a problem is that felting really only goes one way. LOL

I can't wait to wear them and give them! Purple ones are for my Mother in Law. There are two pairs for me, and the one for Jen. I think that Jen is intrested in the purple yarn so I may be turning over the rest of that to her.... I don't know what to use it for, except one more pair of slippers.

Today's post is brought to you by...

The letter "B"

for Baking

Yum.

And calzones for dinner...

New Projects

A good friend of mine and I are trading skills.
She can spin....... and I can't.
So in trade for some spinning...... I am making her something warm and lovely.

Slippers! The first half of a pair of Fibre Trends Felted Clogs. I am finished most of the slipper and am on to the top cuff. Next step is the second sole and then on to slipper two!

These are pretty close to the pair that I knit for myself and finished in the beginning of January. Same colours. Aren't they nice? Patons Classic Wool for the black and Patons Soy Wool Stripes for the main foot. I love how the striping works out. Can't wait to be finished with these so I can get them felted up for her! Trades are where it's at!

Plans for the Dog

He looks so forlorn. Poor Sam, I made him a jacket.

Before Christmas I pulled out some fleece and did something I have been meaning to get to for a while. I made my dog a new jacket. To some this may sound ridiculous, or crazy. "But why would a dog that size need a jacket" or "You didn't knit him a sweater?"
To answer these unspoken but possibly considered responses; my dog Sam is a German Short haired Pointer they are a good sized dog, but lean. In Sam's case quite lean, we can't seem to get much fat on that little body. So he, hates to get wet, loves the snow and really can get cold. Knitting him a sweater is something I may consider once I finish my goals this year (another post to come). Right now I just want  a sweater for me done! LOL

Anyhow, the jacket we purchased for him is too small this year. He may be lean, but he has a broader chest than he did at 1 year old. I found a pattern in a fleece sewing book that I thought was genius. Then I cut it out....

and realised quite quickly that with his lean little frame, Sam would swim in it!So I modified it very heavily using the old jacket as a base. Snaps along the little base strap and Velcro and snaps to the front, and Voila!

This okay jacket that I know I can make work for my dog better. There are a few things about this jacket that I don't really like, so when I have made a superior jacket I will share how I did it with you. I learn best when I make mistakes. That is why knitting is such a good hobby for me. I am on the third incarnation of fingerless gloves for my husband! Hope these ones are the winners!
I mentioned above that I finally mad a bit of time to sit down and consider goals for this new year. I have 12. I will post about that when I have considered how to word that post. I think this week. I have somethings going on, but I really want to share it. Hope your crafting is going well this week. I know someone who has committed to finish over 100 projects this year! Go Toni! I have committed to 100 balls of yarn used up for sure, but other than that.... next post! I swear! LOL