America

                                             

On The Move

We've been on the move. Time to move Chemgirl out of her apartment. As you can see we were running out of room for her stuff. In a week she'll be returning to her university for another year of study. Where has time gone? Seems only yesterday she was graduating from high school.

A pair of socks on Ravelry captured the attention of my needles. Opposite yarn colorways create mis-matched socks but of the same colors. So I grabbed the dye pots and did a little painting. I really like how these are making up. Unfortunately I didn't split the skeins so I'll have a pair of each but I can match or mis-match them so all is good.

I'm calling these Fireside socks because the colors scream sitting warm by the fire.
The pattern is Socks on a Plane found in Ravelry and it's not only easy but also FREE! The original pattern is toe up but I'm a top down kinda knitting gal so I'm heavily modifying.

Another project hopped on the needles. A new cardigan for myself. I'm hoping to get this done in  time to wear in the fall. Little Miss Princess spotted wool on the table and promptly inspected. Nosey cat. Although we're already seeing leaves turn in this area and they're predicting a   harsh winter so this will get plenty of wear this year. If I ever get it finished that is ;). There's a lot more on the needles and I'll be posting as I take the time to photograph. In the meantime Knit On!

Lost and then Found

Cleaning out a drawer a few weeks ago resulted in a long lost gift certificate. Gave up on finding it months ago. I have this tendency to put things where I just know I'll remember them. Uh yeah...proof in the pudding that certainly didn't work out. 

So I took a stroll thru the Knitpicks web site when I found the certificate. This book has been on my wish list for a while but it was out of stock at the time. I signed up for the email alert the minute it was back on stock and on August 9th, the order was placed. It arrived today! Woo-Hoo!
The new Reverie is a so so soft, cowls are begging to be cast on. The grey glitter sock yarn will grow up to be a shawl. It's a bit darker than my monitor showed but you know how monitors can be. The book is wonderful and my needles are begging to cast on a sweater. Last but not least a few skeins of the Bare Hare to find their way into the dye pot. I'm one lucky knitter :D

Liberated

Life and a social networking site took time from blogging. I've done some 'housekeeping' and removed myself from the drama-fest social site and decided to concentrate on the things in Life that make me happy, like my knitting. A bit of time has also been spent contemplating the time, effort, money and thought that goes into my passion. Surprisingly even the DH had some constructive thoughts to add to this thought process. I enjoy knitting for others and while some appreciate it and wear or use the items there are those who appear to appreciate the hard work (and you knitters know what I'm talking about here) they rarely wear/use the item and choose to closet it or give it away. The time involved in any kind of needlework is unbelievable and those of you who do it know what I mean. We won't even mention how much it costs to feed my little knitting addiction (although if one asked the DH, he could be close to the cost). So after careful thought I'm eliminating most of my upcoming Christmas gift knitting. From here on out my needles will knit what I want. It may be a gift and then again it may not. So between eliminating the drama-fest site and the self mandatory knitting I feel like a weight has been lifted. Let's all say it together, Gypsyknits is Liberated! 

 First up on my needles? A sweater for self. Yes dear knitters the needles are finally knitting for self and I gotta say, I'm liking it. Yarn was from my stash purchased eons ago at the MDSW. Not the best feeling wool but durable. It's the Iced Cardigan with lots of mods including pockets. I wanted this to be a workhorse sweater around the house or a market run and this filled the bill and a workhorse sweater isn't a real workhorse without pockets.

 The traveling car socks. Spending time as a passenger in the car running to appts can be very productive when it comes to knitting. Good ole basic socks are perfect. My wee brain carries the basic sock construction so there's no need for a pattern. CO, rib/knit, divide in half for heel, pu sts and toe dec. Viola! Finished socks! These are a gift for a very dear friend who will appreciate and wear them with pride.

Jessi started this pattern and I loved how her project was looking so off to the stash bin I went. She (ever so smartly) is using a fingering weight. I (not so smartly) chose a cobweb lace from the stash bin because I convinced myself a) I need to use stash and b) it can't be that bad. After a bit of knitting I agree with my first reason but disagree with the second. Dear me this yarn is like working with a spider's web but I'm determined.
I won't promise a post everyday but I'm going to get back into the old swing of things. Books have re-entered my Life again as well as a bit of sewing/counted cross stitch and the never ending scrapbooking of my albums. All of this in between tending to Mr. Bettis (upcoming posts on his antics as well).
Please feel free to share what has liberated you to resume a passionate hobby?

MIA...but I'm back!

Big apologies to all bloggers. I've missed blog reading and posting for way too long.

But I'm back :D

We left in Feb for the birth of our third grandchild and it's a girl! ABG is a healthy bundle and her big sister loves her so (sometimes just a little too much....lol)

I spent 2 weeks enjoying every moment with the new arrival and of course the oldest grand who is a whopping 2 1/2 yrs old. I'll save details of our fun for another post.

My next stop was to the youngest son and daughter-in-law's home to visit the 2 month grandson. CD is a delight and smiled and cooed while I was there. Funny how it's a big deal no matter how many times you see a baby smile and coo for the first time.

Valentine's Day arrived while I was away but it wasn't overlooked. My eldest son had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered and a new curling iron (since mine broke within the first 24 hours of the visit) from the oldest granddaughter (with help from mom and dad).

Apparently it was quite a chore trying to keep me from ordering/purchasing one while I was there.

My youngest son took me to a quaint little yarn shop in his area and I had over an hour to admire, squeeze and smell wool :D. A relaxing bit of time. We had a great time cooking and I tasted fried pickles for the very first time. YUM!!

Chem-girl made a quick trip to visit and the eldest son and daughter-in-law took us to a lovely family owned Italian restaurant for dinner.

The next day the DH arrived to gather me and my stuff for the trip home. We dropped Chem girl off at the dorm on our way. I enjoyed the trip but was glad to come home.

Mr. Bettis certainly did not change while I was gone. I 'lost' a pillow, placemats, a magazine, one rug and who knows what else. I think his owner stashed the rest hoping I wouldn't remember what I had in the first place.

I've been knitting like a firestorm and I'll do my best to post pics soon. Hope all is well with everyone and I'll eventually catch up between pinning on pinterest, my new addiction ;)

Another lo-o-ong day

Another lo-o-ong day has begun in the neighborhood. And it began at 6 am this morning.

The equipment moving in all its' 'beeping' glory. One would think Mr. Bettis would be accustomed to it by now but no, he isn't and so the barking commences.

They accidentally cut the main line last week and we were without water for hours. The construction crew was concerned that Mr. Bettis had water. Say what??? how about Mr. Bettis's caretaker who didn't have water for coffee or tea? I need something to keep my sanity.

Mr. Bettis keeping watch on the activity. Doesn't help matters when the crew has dubbed him their mascot and whistle at him calling him, Big boy etc.

His owner is not a happy camper because he's at work and can't 'play' with the boys (as chanknits pointed out).

*sigh* we only have 2 months and 15 days to tolerate Mr. B and his incessant barking unless of course it rains/snows and backs up the process. But...hey! Mr. Bettis will have water.

The sky was beautiful at 6:30 am so I snapped a picture.

Yeah I know, 'Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning.'

It's supposed to get to a balmy 60F today. Where's winter?

p.s. Someone wanna 'splain why the construction crew MUST walk thru the front yard, inches from the window? It only causes Mr. B to run back and forth from the window to the door trying to decide which area to monitor (barking of course). And lest we not forget the 'chirper' Molly who monitors from the back of the couch :/.

Beginnings

Christmas is over and the New Year has commenced. 2010 had ups and downs and I'll try not to reflect on the downs. Christmas week was a busy one and is now a distant blur of activity but I'll give a quick run-down.

In spite of Mr. Bettis's chronicled and non-chronicled antics, Santa Paws came to visit. Mr. B is the only one who received a purchased gift, a new bed. He was a happy dog and promptly flopped down. An ortho bed is on his wish list next year so here's hoping he's a good dog for 2012.

All gifts were handmade this year (what little I managed to finish), handknit wool mittens, hats, scarves and gloves. Unfortunately the temps were 50 degrees and I felt as if I was handing a sled to kid with no snow on the ground.

Our son and DIL arrived with the grand. Santa notified my dad (her great-grand) that she was getting a doll for Christmas so he made a doll bed for her. We were able to watch her surprise on Christmas morn via webcam. We are also the proud grands of a new grandbaby who was born in early December.

Lo and behold we finally received snow (other than the Halloween freak snowstorm). It didn't amount to much but it was enough to keep Mr. Bettis entertained. I have no idea where winter is hiding but it can appear at any time. There's nothing like a cup of hot chocolate, sweatpants and knitting needles in hand on a snowy afternoon.