Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Strange Stuff Tuesday

Transfiguration homework:
Make something that would be found in
a wizarding household.
Must be steeked and freeform.

this is a mohair vest that I picked up at
Bishops Attic
(thrift store)

Decided to steek it.......
once down the middle
and then across the shoulders.
Felted it...
bother regular and
Shiboli
(Japenese felting by placing waterproof items
in fabric, securing with rubber bands and
tossing in washing machine)
In this case it was glass hearts held in place w/bitty hair rubber bands.
that is what makes the bubbles.

and finally restitching together to form...
a kitty sweater!

In this view you see my machine embroidery
and crochet edging.
there are also 4 buttons sewed on to
hold the straps in place.

here is a close up of the Shiboli.

And that is what the best dressed cats
wear while attending Hogwart's.


Knitting: and now to start the final project for this month's House Cup. A pair of socks- think that I will get them done before this week is over? What with working, cooking, eating and shopping?

someone that frequents the pool might have some toys to pass on to Bumpkins. That'll be nice!

The weather outside is atrocious! Very windy and snowy. In places the snow has drifted over the road to where you can't tell that you are driving over the yellow line until you are on top of it and mostly in the oncoming traffic's lane.


and because what I made wasn't strange enough how about this one? Wonder if it comes in minivan size.

Last night made an awesome sweet potato pie- but a bit to much nutmeg. One of my coworker's loved it! He locked himself in the kitchenette and wouldn't let anyone else near him. Made me feel extremely good!


Sunday, November 23, 2008

Sunday Quotes

"There is no psychiatrist in the world
like a puppy licking your face."
by Bern Williams

(Hugo is getting big!)


and here is picture of the mushroom hat.
(still surprises me that it fits!)
Kazul does anyone in your family
want one?


Knitting: nothing new started. Did work on the Transfiguration assignment tonight. Just 4 final touches and weave in the ends. And that will be ready to post on Tuesday.


Went for a walk with Bumpkins and Hugo, pulled Bumpkins behind me on the sled. She had a blast! Took another 2 block walk with just Hugo tonight. Hope he sleeps well.


Bumpkins decided to give Athena a bath today, even after I told her no. She went into the bathroom and shut the door. I heard splashing, but didn't think anything of it until I heard meowing. Poor kitty! Rescued almost in time. Her back end was a little bit soaked, Bumpkins reasoning was "I smelled her and her stinks. Her needed a bath."


It snowed several inches... so Tuesday DH will have to snowblow if it snows anymore.


mmmm... tomorrow will make a sweet tater pie. might also make a pumpkin pie. Bumpkins also wants cookies. Candy Cane cookies- I think what she wants is the sugar cookie that is in the shape of candy canes (alternating white w/red).

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Saturday Sky and yard

Saturday evening sky...
not sure why my late evening shots are always blue.

the road in front of my house
sunset 4:40 pm

and blogger lost my next picture!

Knitting: finally finished DH's mushroom hat. It was supposed to have been a fast knit, but didn't have much time to knit this last week. Was surprised that it fit him.
specifics:
Cast on November 14 using the Norwegian Cast on (which I really like! best tutorial is over in Youtube).
US 8 DPN's and Paton's Merino Wool.
Did 88 stitches and forgot the stockingnette row between the color change.

finished November 22 2008

this is for my House cup Herbology homework- make something in plant pattern. Now to finish find the item I am making for Transfiguration.

Been busy this last week, work and attempting to clean the house ie.. wash laundry mountain.

Supposed to snow tomorrow but today was chilly 7 F.

ETA: a chicken tractor will only be used during the summer. Raise the poor critters for fall butchering, will way to difficult to attempt to overwinter chickens.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Strange Stuff Tuesday

Athena does "Patty Cake"
(and she didn't like it either!)




Knitting: trying to finish a hat for DH it is 88 cast on and in the round with US 8 DPN's and K2 P2 ribbing. Hoping that it fits him! seems to be on the small side. Well if it doesn't than a youth in Russia might have a hat (it is Paton's wool).


been crazy around here. I knew that I was going to have a chopped up weekend, but was called in to work on Sat. yeah am loving 3.5 hrs of overtime! Did nothing on Sunday, then Monday Bumpkins wasn't feeling well. So stayed home until 4 then scrambled to do errands before heading out to work and DM's. Went grocery shopping but was careful about what to buy (the outside temps were 6 F and didn't want eggs, produce to freeze). Had training then home again. Made sure Bumpkins ate well, as she finally was going in for her dental work.

Bumpkins is fine! the tooth didn't have to be removed, only put a crown back on. Poor tyke- she had a thing across her nose, headphones on, sunglasses on, bp cuff on, finger monitor and then the Dr started drilling and squirting. Bumpkins cried almost the whole 1/2 hour LOUDLY! I had to sit in the corner of the room. Got a few rows done on the scarf for my secret sister. Got Bumpkins home around 9:30 am and she slept until after 1 pm. Then ate, she again went down for a nap around 7:30 until almost 9 pm. made for bedtime being late!

And there you have it. Hope everyone else is doing great.

and because I came across this thing.... thought I would share it everyone else. And yes I want 2 or 3 of them.
Chicken Tractors:

Thursday, November 13, 2008

a meme

This meme came to me via e-mail.
so feel free to play along
just copy and paste your answers
and link back to me please.

2008 edition of getting to know your family and friends

1. What is your occupation right now ? Swim instructor/ Life Guard
2. What color are your socks right now? White
3. What are you listening to right now? The forced air heater motor
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Sweet pickle and carrot
5. Can you drive a stick shift? yes of course
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? DH
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? yes
8. How old are you today? 41
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? swimming/ car racing
10. What is your favorite drink? anything with Pineapple in it
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yep
12. favorite food? chocolate
13. What is the last movie you watched? Little Einsteins ... not sure which one though
14. favorite day of the year? First Day of School
15. How do you vent anger? lots of yelling
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My Siamese cat Queenie- she did everything!
17. What is your favorite season? umm there is more than 1? Spring
18. Cherries or Blueberries? blueberries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Only if they post.
20. Who is the most likely to respond? Lynn
21. Who is least likely to respond? A random surfer
22. Living arrangements? house
23. When was the last time you cried? Just a second ago when I sneezed.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Which closet? They all have stuff! Dresser, changing table, plastic tote... etc..
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Kazul
26. What did you do last night? worked, came home did dishes, played w/Hugo, put Bumpkins to bed, surfed the net.
27. Who are you most afraid of displeasing? God, everyone else can just Bugger off!
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Plain w/fried mushrooms and onions
29. favorite dog breed? Golden Retrievers
30. favorite day of the week? Mondays
31. How many states have you lived in? 3
32. Diamonds or pearls? Moissanite ( a rare mineral found in meteorites)
33. What is your favorite flower? Sunflowers

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Strange Stuff Tuesday

And this is really strange....
any guesses?

it is a homemade swift that DH
manufactured for me to go w/my
new ball winder.

Knitting: finished the Hannah hat. hoping that it is acceptable for charms. This month's challenge was to knit/crochet something that opened and closed. So for those of you in Ravelry it is a free pattern.
Specifics:
Cast on Sunday November 9 2008. Used US 10 and Jiffy Mohair color Denver.
Finished Tuesday November 11 2008.
Fast knit. Unbutton buttons put over head and ponytail. Secure buttons under the pony tail. No more mussed up hair from your hat.

And who wants this one?

Still working on the Transfiguration item. not going to get done tonight.


Well I am back to work tomorrow, had an excellent mini vacation. Didn't get the bathroom re-wallpapered, or get the house cleaned up. Or even finish up this quilt. But did build another snowman today with Bumpkins (no picture as Bumpkins decided to give the poor thing a hug which resulted in the nose falling off. After not listening to me about leaving it alone, she succeeded in knocking the whole head off. After rebuilding the head, Hugo decided to knock it over.)

Bumpkins and I also made Monkey bread again. If you get the chance to try the new caramel apple pie filling do give a go. It is delish! We had it on cancakes (pancakes) and also in the monkey bread.

Have a good week folks, it is good to be back!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Random Website Monday

And here is my Fashion First Aid bag.
large enough for the laptop.
used 3 skeins of red red-heart yarn.
(none of them are of the same dye lot).
anybody takers for it for Christmas?

Knitting: been working on 2 projects still. Hope to have them both near completion by tomorrow press time. Having a blast w/the Transfiguration project.... me thinks Princess won't be to thrilled with it though.


nothing else is happening. Did spend 45 minutes cleaning out the mini van- got 2 bags of trash, a huge load of my laundry (3 swimming towels and 3 work uniforms). there is still more in there but at least now I am not afraid of stuff falling out when the doors open. Also put up the bike trailer - finally the temps were balmy 30 F.

Very odd weather day- this morning when walking Hugo. It felt warm, until a gust of wind sent ice and dust impaling into the back of my legs. Yes I was wearing shorts, jacket, hat and sorrels. You could literally hear the wind howling, Hugo had a difficult time doing his business. We then went inside and hunkered down. By 10 am the sky was clear and the wind had died way down. Very nice day outside.

Random website: Now lets see.... for an interesting cultural experience go to Living the Travel Channel. Tell her Kazul's sis sent you.

Sunday Quotes

" I don’t have pet peeves,
I have whole kennels of irritation."
Whoopi Goldberg

a washcloth...
and if you flip your computer screen upside down
you can see the M for Scorpio.
this was an assignment over in the House cup.






This is the cake that DH and Bumpkins made.
it was yummy!

knitting: am working on another House Cup Assignment- one is for charms. And the other is for Transfiguration. The transfiguration will require it's very own blog spot. Will say that steeking and felting were involved.

Today was a low key kind of day.

Now to answer some questions. No we don't have an electric car. Up here and in the Northern Climes of Canada, we plug our cars in to prevent them from freezing up. Some people have block heaters that circulates the water around the engine and others have oil pan heaters which heat up the oil. Further North the cars are left running 24 hrs a day- to prevent them from freezing completely. Thankfully I have never lived where it has been that cold, last winter I guess the tires froze on some cars. And that made some interesting driving- the tires had big old flat spots until they were unthawed. Hope that this clears up some misunderstandings.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Saturday tidings


Today I received from a lady in Ravelry this awesome box for a Birthday swap. 2 skeins of cascade 220, some other wonderfully soft yarn and Malabrigo! Oh the stuff is as soft as everyone says.
She also sent a soft bear w/candy canes, a calender, note cards and a calender to go on the fridge.




And here is Bumpkins all dressed up
for Halloween.
What an Angel.

The above picture was taken the Saturday before Halloween. For the actual holiday she was under quarantine for Hand, Foot and mouth. It was a long week.

Knitting: nothing finished but have cast on for another House cup project. This one is a washcloth w/my zodiac emblem on it. (not the scorpio creature but the M thingie).

Crocheting: finished the Fashion First Aid bag. Size is HUGE!

Quilting: nothing much going on.

Sewing: whipped up some items for the Birthday swap.


Bumpkins has had an off week w/sleeping. She is staying up until almost midnight, so I haven't been able to blog or do much of anything. Also I worked a lot of hours last week- 3 nine hour days. No new snow- but temps in the mid 20's. did discover that a few times that DH plugged my car in, I didn't notice so I backed out of the carport still plugged in. It is very hard on the cords and plug ins to be yanked apart w/force. Luckily for me that I do back out. This one lady told me about the time she drove 20 miles with her cord trailing after her. (that cord didn't survive).


Well that's all folks.