Random Website Monday

Today's knitting:
A Wee tiny Sock in Ravenclaw colors.
Fun Fur, blue acrylic and size 4 US dpns.
(cell phone is added for size comparison)
Here is the same sock inside out...
Actually it looks better!

Random Website: Because people are starting to get their gardens going... for numerous reasons the biggest is the price of food! Here are some interesting sites to enrich your soil. I would love to do the biochar one and this other one is sad but informative.

And now for another meme... this one is a word meme from over at Fiber Chics.

What is your name: Janet

4 letter word: Jump

Vehicle: Jaguar

TV Show: The Jetsons

City: Juneau

Boy name: Joe

Girl name: Jane

Occupation: Jester

Something you wear: Jeans

Food: Junk Food!

Something found in a bathroom: jammies.. (bet you thought I would say john.)

Reason for being late: Jumper cables didn't know how to use them.

Something you shout: Jeepers creepers!

And if you want to play along then you are tagged.

Sunday Quotes

"The moment may be temporary,
but the memory is forever."
By Bud MeyerDM's socks are done! all loose ends are woven in.

Knitting: finished above socks. Will be working on the pattern- as I have pattern bashed and now after another pair will have the pattern written out. Attempting a mini sock with size US 0 dpns and embroidery floss. I can honestly say that this sock is kicking my bum- have frogged 4 times now. Also did a couple of inches on Bumpkin's leggings (she has got to stop growing I can't keep up with her.)

Sewing: have got to finish up the "contest prize".

Nothing really happened today... except the XBox 360 died. Complete with red lights of death. Had to keep Bumpkin's downstairs while the thing was dismantled- she would have been stressing out because it was taken apart and she also would have been removing parts and pieces. Ie... helping. Cleaned up a portion of the counter in the craft room.

DH wants new checks... he says the last batch were a little bit much for him. What is wrong with little babies surrounded by flowers and bubbles? So what if some of them were Pink. And the photographer was Anne Geddes or her style. But no... we (him) needs less flowers, less pink, more manly type. Scenic, wildlife would be ok. Can you say BORING! That is so not me... ah but the compromise is he will do geometric! The whole point of getting new checks is to get something different. It is kind of like repainting your house or even rearranging the furniture.

Finished reading the Book started yesterday.. Quilter's Apprentice.

Dinner: Corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots. Thing 2 said that he likes his cabbage cooked with lots of butter on it. I had to inform him that the cabbage tonight was cooked in almost pure fat/ grease. Then there was a big discussion on where the grease came from. Hello ... there is a lot of fat in the corned beef that was simmered on high in water in the crockpot for 5 hours. Then all of the veggies were cooked in this high fat broth- cabbage only until crisp tender (wilted). Later the discussion was on how the leftover meat would make a sandwich. Thing 2 emphatically said that it wasn't good sandwich meat. DH and I went on to explain what a rhueben was. Still Thing 2 wasn't convinced. Thing 2 also thought that perhaps we ought to grow rice in our garden this summer. Took me telling him that we need Florida or Georgia heat to grow that stuff. LOL

Oh and Dandelions were in bloom last week.

Random Website Monday

Today was a hard day on the snow people population.......
A very busy day at the bird feeder.
We had Boreal Chickadees, Black capped Chickadees
Nuthatches.....
and this guy.

While I was airing out the house....
Athena discovered the bird feeder too.

The baby booties that will fit a 12 mos. not
3-6 mos like the pattern said.
(Athena was interested in what I was doing..
probably looking for catnip).

Knitting: Many more rows on DM's sock.
Sewing: Altered a shirt for DH's coworker. DH said he couldn't even tell where the repair was made. So I am charging $15.00. That'll pay for some new bobbins. And the rest goes into a piggy bank for Crafts. Need more knitting needles.... need more yarn.... need more material.... need time to do these things!

Anyone notice the clean tabletop the booties are sitting on? Well the sewing machine table got cleared off tonight as well. Put away patterns, threw mittens away that didn't quite make a mitten. Also found the pattern for Bumpkins cardigan so now the sleeves can be started.

Random Website: The snowman website.. Yes the "man" has a site of his own!

Sunday Quotes

"Sing a song of winter,
of frosty clouds in the air!
Sing a song of snowflakes falling everywhere."
by: N. Schlichter

4 days later.....
The Snowman melteth......

Finished! Finally....
The Scarf!

Knitting: Finally finished the scarf today. Even weaved in ends. It is only 56" long not 60" but DH likes it. Now to make a hat to go w/it and that is one gift done for Christmas. Also finished another Baby Bootie (still need to sew it together though). DM's sock has a heel and I am working on the gussets. This sock has had to be frogged back numerous times- this last time was because there was a great gaping hole before the instep. Not good, so ripped back 8 rows. Now my left bicep and wrist are sore... so no more knitting tonight.

DH brought home a co-workers shirt for me to mend. After ripping out the sleeve, realized that the whole cuff had to be removed, the shirt sleeve requires trimming before the cuff can be put back on. Tomorrow's project. Hopefully it goes back together pretty easily and I can get some money for doing this. I need to find a way to make $120.00 worth of items each week, then life would be very good.

Bumpkin's is getting so big. Today at Safeway, she told me that we were forgetting somepin. The somepin turned out to be juice... not just any juice either. Pink juice. So now we have a gallon of pink Tampico in our fridge (it is cheaper than buying a whole bunch of Crystal lights).

Weather: snow... and now I guess it is raining. (internet connection is very sporadic).

Y is for...

Y is for: Yet another cute kid/kitty picture.

Y is for: "You think that I'm to big for this box? I do to fit.. think that a nap is now in order."



Y is for: Yeppers another knitting project. This one is DM's sock being knitted on US 2 dpns and sockotta yarn. Cast on 52 and gauge is 7 sts. to an inch.








Y is for: Yes it is a fish!
Specifics: US 8 needles took about 80 yards of purple/silver acrylic remnant. 2 hrs.

Family updates: DH got a job... he is a rent-a-cop ie.. security guard. Thank you Homeland Security for this job. (It is going to be a very high risk job come summer though. Homeland Security has decided that all ports will no longer be considered beach access. One of our ports is major beach access in the summer for the commercial set net fish sites and those fisherpeople will no longer have access to their beach sites that have been in their families since set netting started. So it affects a huge group of people for their livelihood and way of providing for their families. Another hit to our local economy).
Other family updates: we are on Spring Break. Sure would like to see some Spring! The snow from 2 days ago is still on our driveway! Princess says Anchorage has almost no snow.
Bumpkins and I went to Kaladi Bros. for a Ravelry knitting meetup. She was so good! Watched Dora (Thank you Princess) drank an Italian soda and ate a cookie that was good for almost 2 hrs. And I got some knitting time in on her black leggings that are now ready for the inside leg increases. No sewing this weekend and this is going to be a long week at work.

Weather today: Sunny and maybe 37 F.

X is for...

X is for: Extra special.. this is what I received in a Pots and Tops swap over in Ravelry. A calorimetry and a coif. Both knitted in Araucania Nature Cotton. She also sent a Seafood Gumbo recipe w/notations that looks really good. All this came from Redwood City California. Thank you PalomaBella.



X is for: extra squished! (It is a VERY large stuffed dog on top of Athena- she escaped right after I took this picture).









X is for: x is for x-ray vision... you can't see me "I hiding!"









Finally finished!
Specifics:
Easy Mittens
Knitted w US size 5 dpns
Jiffy mohair bulky yarn
Started Feb 2008 finished March 9 2008
Very easy knit- when focused. Grafting is needed for the top and thumb openings.


Weather today: mid 40's lots of melting!

Dinner: was leftover picnic ham cubed w/cooked apples mixed w/leftover peas/carrots and topped w/mashed potatoes. Gravy went over the top (was supposed to go in it).
Saturday's Dinner: Picnic shoulder ham, 2 chopped apples and 1 c water in crockpot for 7 hrs. Served w/ rice (leftover) and carrots/peas.

Only 3 people have left entries for the contest!

ETA: Sorry folks but I had to go to more secure access- there was some weird/bad stuff happening.

Random Website Monday

The view that was seen as we escaped the Peninsula.

Bumpkins and myself while visiting Princess. Bumpkins snuggling w/Princess (Mott's in the background).

DH and I enjoyed our adventure into the Big City. Got new cell phones, new phones for the house. Ate out at Panda Express at the Diamond Center (won't eat there again, they charged Bumpkins full price for a buffet. Also service wasn't that great.) Hula Hands out in Mountain View was excellent as usual. They didn't have any poi for us to sample. But DH had raw salmon, rice noodle soup (that was good), shredded pork in a Tapa leaf (Bumpkins and I didn't like that one) Luau like pork and rice. I had teriyaki chicken and some kind of marinated beef and rice. Also made a couple of home cooked meals for Princess and her room mates.

Fur Rondy was going on while we were there and the only events that we saw were the tables and tables at the Diamond Center. There was seal skins, baleen, ivory and qiviut. A lady was knitting w/the stuff and allowed me to touch the stuff. OH! it was soooo soft! Made my day. We missed the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog race (Princess's apartment was about 3 blocks away from where they were starting/running).



Red thing across the top is a Coif.
And these are 2 basket weave headbands that were made for the hat swap. I have forgotten the specifics... except that they were a fast knit. Lots of I cord and used little amounts of yarn. Burgundy one is peaches and cream cotton yarn. Purple is Bernat Cottontots. Pattern on Ravelry.

The picture on the right is of a coif that I made for a hat swap.
Specifics: Cast on March 2 finished March 3
Used US 10.5 and US 11 needles
yarn was local Alpaca about 50 yards.
modified pattern for Needle size and made I cord ties.

Random Website: Check out Freecycle you will need to use your yahoo account to join the groups. But this is an awesome way to acquire new "junk" for your house or to off load some stuff that is still useful- but not to you. (currently we are waiting on a phone call about a golden retriever that is being given away).

Tuesdays strange stuff

What is this?
Knitting: Nothing, Sewing nothing.

Had a 9 hr shift at work today. Lots of swim lessons (semi privates, yikes...) and then got hair cut, supervised and taught water aerobics. Got home around 10 pm. I am so tired! Gotta' run as tomorrow is another long day.. a 10 hr shift (7 am until 5:15 pm).
This is a home video that I made on Saturday while at the pool.


Kazul asked where I got my random links... well they are just that. Stuff I surf across and consider worthy of the honor of being random.

Strange stuff: And for all the science geeks out there that want to pass their knowledge onto their kids... I bring you this really cool stuffed toy.

S is for....

S is for: Super easy!
Made this bag using corduroy from an estate/garage sale and nylon lining. Time took 4 hours. May make more for Christmas.





S is for: Saturday Birthdays! DH wanted a simple cake for his birthday. Pineapple Upside down cake. Made the recipe up. (It kind of stuck to the bottom of the pan, filled it in nicely). Used 1/4 c coconut cream in place of milk.


S is for: Super fast! Mittens are so simple and fast. Great for instant gratification.
Cast on January 13 2008 finished January 20 2008
Using US 8 dpn and jiffy mohair mutli yarn.
size is for a child around age 7
thumbs are backwards.











Mentioned to DH that I have been very domestic lately! Also made another loaf of Hawaiian Sweet bread, DH requested that one for his breakfast yesterday.

Read The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank. Good fast read about a southern multi-generation dysfunctional family and how they solve their problems.

Weather: RAIN!

First Finished Objects 2008

Saturday Sky: See we have beautiful blue skies too. (Our temp this am was -5)

Finished this scarf, just before going to the "overnighter" swap. (I intentionally chopped off her head!) She liked the scarf and it was long enough.
Specifics:
Cast on w/US 8 needles and then knitted w/US 7
Pattern: Enjoyable Rib Scarf
Length: about 50"
Time: Cast on November 2007 finished January 11 2008





Pajama pants also made for Secret Sister. She loved them
Made size 8
pattern: simplicity 8911 (SUPER EASY)
Fabric used: 5 yards of flannel (bought November 2007)




Knitting: started knitting on DH's scarf again. Another inch done. Need to find another shawl pattern for my new Secret Sister- She is an XL. If anyone knows of an easy pretty pattern please let me know.

Bumpkins did really well last night w/DM watching her then DH took over. DH let her sleep in the big bed! Now to take a shower and get ready for our day. I might even get another Saturday Sky pix w/mountains this time.

Please scroll down for the contest!! Only 4 people have entered so far and 2 of them are family!
5 more days!

Q is for....

Q is for... Quite addicting. These drawstring pouches- no two are alike either. And I did follow the pattern... kind of.




Q is for..Quilts. I was trying to make this for DH for Christmas, didn't happen so now am going to finish it up for his Birthday (January 19) Does anyone see the glaring error? I put this on hold because I hate ripping things apart and that is what I need to do. Just hope that I have enough material to finish the last 2 borders.






Q is for.... Quite a journey, on January 13 I will have been blogging one year. Wow... my posts have come a long ways.

It snowed again today so I took Bumpkins sledding, the best thing about living next to a gravel pit is the awesome sledding hills. We didn't stay out long because the temp was only about 7 above, and I got cold.

Thing 2 got his luggage picked up from the airport.

Knitting: am now officially 3/4 done w/the scarf. Today also serged a pair of pajama pants together, they still need to have a waist band put in and hemmed. Need to cut out one more pair.

Dinner: fried cube steak w/onions, steamed rice and mixed veggies. (no pictures of food for a change).

Hmm... only 2 people are up for a contest? This could be BORING! Still thinking when & what to do for a contest and the prizes.

Just another day at work

For Lynn who has 5 cats... and no Kitty Thursday pictures.
The box Athena is sitting in is an $8.90 flat rate postal box. And she jumped in there all by herself! Oops... forgot to crop out the unwrapped Christmas presents.


Knitting: Working on DH's scarf and still need to pick Secret Sister's scarf back up. DH can wait on his, but Secret Sister's scarf has a deadline (sometime in Jan.).

This is another of the drawstring pouches.
Details: Knit w/2 strands one of fun fur and the other grey acrylic.

And yes this was a Christmas present that didn't quite get done.
I did join a KAL in ravelry.... but for those of you not in Ravelry here is another:
Sounds a little better as you can set deadlines all year long ie.... Birthdays in Jan.


Today at work was interesting. A youth had a bloody nose- right in front of me. By the time I had tossed my tube and gloved up. There was blood dripping onto the deck. I controlled the bleeding and took her to First Aid. Did you know that lots of blood has a smell? It was horrible! The smell and all that blood all down her arms, face, neck, swimsuit. Nige again checked up on me frequently as I was pretty squeamish. I was considering going back to school to be a labor/delivery room nurse or midwife. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I could maybe be a Doula- but nothing else. I can't handle large quantities of BLOOD. And part of my job is dealing with large amounts of blood. I am counting one of my blessings- I have only had to deal w/2 nose bleeds (large amounts of blood) and both times the people knew more about what to do than did I.

All right for those of wondering/asking. Bumpkins and I are doing great! Today was the first day she didn't ask for "Lovins". We were already down to having 2 nursings (on weekends) one (on weekdays). So it wasn't to horribly traumatic to stop all together.

K is for ..........

Knitting: Lots of it!

This is an enjoyable scarf cast on November 16 with size US8 needles and worked with US 7 needles.





Drawstring pouches- these are so addicting! Knitted each one in a week and w/size US 6 DPNs. Stash acrylic yarn.

Edited: The bag on left was knit w/ salmon fish egg colored acrylic yarn and off white. the bag on the right was knit w/ a mauve variegated acrylic yarn from 1988. (Stash busters!).





Finished the Sara Blanche Scarf. Knitted w/US 7 needles (does it need blocking?).


Kontests: (ok so it is Contests) and there are several! First Jane's with her 300 th post. And there is Lucy's 150 posts. And another one Dandy with 500 posts ( now that is alot of blogging!) And Dandy has links to even more contests!






Random website: I sure could have used this brush last night for Athena.

D is for................

D is for Dogs






















D is for Done the Doll quilt is finished!
Details: Quilt is 15 1/2" square using 2 1/2" flannel blocks and has a flannel backed satin binding of 1 1/2". The backing is a flannel square cut from one of Bumpkin's receiving blankets. It is hand pieced and hand stitched also it is hand tied. Took over 2 years.

Random Website Monday

Bumpkins wanted Doll baby booties. So I made these w/acrylic yarn and size US 6 needles. They were a little to small- Hopefully they fit the American Girl doll baby- so they are now put up until Christmas.







So I cast on and knitted a pair w/size 10.5 US. And these are a little tight in the ankle for the 27" Gotz doll babies. (The big dolls were mine, but Bumpkins has taken over them!)







And now you can see the noticeable size difference. Same yarn- but different needle sizes.








Knitting: I was knitting a pair of leggings for Bumpkins w/Jiffy Lion Brand yarn. And wondering why w/6 US that I wasn't getting anywhere (after finding and reading label, I discovered that I was supposed to be using US10's. Big difference). So I re-cast on w/my 10 cn because, I didn't remember that I had them in DPN. And knitted straight- until I got to the point of make one in purl form (which I can't do!). So I put that project on hold, thinking that next month I will get some 10 US dpn. Well tonight I discovered my DPN's in a sewing basket- and after figuring out how to put straight onto DPN's. (Now that is another long story). I am really making progress.

Random website: Not to be morbid (though this is better than having an urn full of ashes on your dresser). But this is a very nice- EXPENSIVE- way to remember a loved one. Wish I had the 6 grand to get one for DM, Princess and Kazul. Don't think that I would spend that kind of money on a pet though. (Ok- I would if it was a million dollar race horse!).