Typicial Evening in Pictures with a surprise

After work I head toward the highway and make the drive home. It's usually I fairly short drive - less than 1/2 hour and filled with cars and little to look at. Every once in a while I get to see bad things to take note of.

Guys with longer thinning hair really shouldn't ride motorcycles without a helmet.
Once home I settle in to watch a bit of NCIS, not hard to do because it's on what seems like 24/7 now a days. Bert loves to get comfortable and watch it with me.

I LOVE Abby. She's so cool! - Bert

Tonight is special. Early July means I can go out to the backyard and grab a fresh treat. This year I ignored the raspberry bushes and that seemed to be what they wanted. Have tons of raspberries this year. Here's tonight's batch before washing. YUM! Gotta get me some ice cream this weekend. I love treats.

Mom - did I hear you say 'kitty treats'? Cause if you did, you can give me some. I love me some kitty treats - Bert

SUDDENLY -

There was a loud crash in the closet behind the Kitty Cottage.

I know I heard something back here. You hear anything? - Chief

Yeah, I did. Did it come from the cottage or behind it? I'll check the cottage. - Bert

Nope. Nothing in here. You see anything out there? - Bert

Nope. I think someone is playing a trick on us. Time to go back to sleeping. - Chief

After putting the camera down and actually checking out what happened I discovered the wire rack cubes in the closet that hold part of the stash sort of kind of fell apart on one side. Could it be trying to tell me the stash is getting too big?

Speaking of stash. There is something I have managed to avoid like the plague. I hover at the web site being careful to leave it before I can no longer turn back. I watch in glee while other people regale us with their stories of fiberly drugs from this place. I am stronger than they are. I can hold my own and not succumb to the pressures of these insidious people. They pretend to be friendly but NO - they want your soul. They send innocent people out to take picture of their main pusher at national monuments and places meant to be safe. They have invaded every nook and cranny of our knitting world and I SHALL NOT FALL PREY!

Oops - I fell off the wagon. I went. I saw. I bought. I made my first purchase and Loopy Ewe. They have me, I'm theirs. I surrender.

Cherry Tree Hill Select Supersock in Silent Night - a limited edition.

I tried - I really tried.........

20 Year Mittens

This posting magically on it's own before I was done so - sorry if it shows up as 2 posts...

What's with all the New Year's Stash Reduction Plans?!? It's kind of frightening. Don't these people know it more fun to live in denial.


My New Year's plan came from the loss of half a tooth just after Christmas. When I called the dentist for an appointment they had me on the inactive list. WHAT!!! Has it been that long since I went. Yup. But - I already told you this story. The first thing I did for the year of Jill was - make a doctor appointment for Mom, talk to 2 people from Mom's apartment about their opinions about her mental status and went shopping for Daddy diapers. There seems to be something wrong with this basic plan. But I'm in denial. I'm convinced I can still have this be my year. I made 3 dental appointments to get the tooth capped and the others cleaned. I'm sure more dental care will follow the cleaning. Then - on to the doctor get all that stuff up to date. Just think, with all these appointments I should get in some good knitting time.


I'm going to get major knitting time in the 15th. Mom is having a basal cell blob removed from near her nose. The doctor is doing a surgical technique that can take all day depending on how many times they have to remove "another layer" to get everything. They remove a little bit and then you sit around for 1 1/2 -2 hours while they process it and check to see if all the basal cell is gone. Then you start over again, then again..... Between now and the 15th I'm going to have to come up with a Mommy kit filled with magazine (with lots of pictures) and treats and drinks to keep her occupied between rounds.


20 year old Mittens
Part of my plan for myself is to go through all the old boxes of stuff I haven't looked at for a while. This weekend I found a pair of mittens that just needed the thumbs. I'm pretty sure I started knitting these 15-20 years ago. I found the yarn yesterday so finished the mittens last night. They are Elizabeth Zimmerman's mitered mittens. The pattern can be found in one of her old newsletters or in Knitter's Almanac in May. The yarn is (I think) Brunswick Germantown. I can tell tells wool and that was my wool of choice in the olden days. I knit them with a tight gauge and did the thumbs on size 5 and they appear to match the gauge pretty good. When you make them you knit all the way to the end and then go back and snip a stitch where the thumb belongs, pick up the stitches and knit away.

I grabbed the thumb picture yesterday before it got too dark but will have to get a full mitten picture till tomorrow. The mittens are too small for me so I'll give them away to some charity.

Life is real exciting in the house right now -

But wait till tomorrow - I go exercise bike shopping (It all about ME!)

Secret Pal and Stash Secrets

Quick knitting update. I finished the cotton mitered vest today. It's sitting quite soggy on the blocking mats. When it's dry tomorrow I'll get some pictures for you. I'll also post detailed at that time.

Secret Pal
Now let's talk Secret Pal 11. I've been hanging out at the Secret Pal Participant list and looking at many of the blogs. I was always one of the kids at the end of the line - the back row of the picture - the one without a date because I was taller than the other kids and normal sized (i.e. not a little skinny wimpy girl). I got a complex. So I tend to start looking at things from the back side. I take pity on the back of the line people. I started looking at the blog list with the "Z". I can say with much certainty I know some things about my Secret Pal.

You will be amazed at my deductive reasoning. Sherlock Holmes has nothing on me. My Secret Pal is from the United States. There - aren't you impressed. Beyond that- no clue.

What I can tell you is the flowers I got from my Secret Pal Labor Day weekend are still looking beautiful. One of the flowers wasn't a long term as the other and about half of it are gone but the others - just as fresh as they were almost 2 weeks ago. Amazing!

Stash

I have a few things to say about the comments I got about the stash, GIVE ME A BREAK! ;-) Deb do you really think because the boxes are in different parts of the house I don't know what's in each and every one. Ask me where the Sugar and Cream in light brown from 1986 is and I can tell you. This version of organized is what happens when you live along with 2 cats and a massive craft obsession.

Confession time - the real reason things are all over the house is because the basement isn't safe for yarn at the moment. It "leaks" when it rains outside. Until I find the cause I don't want to put anything of a fiber nature down there. I will not have my precious stash subject to potential mildew! Once is fixed I will have a well lit studio with great storage potential. The stash (both yarn and fabric); the knitting machines; the 4 heddle loom; the sewing machine; serger; cutting table, etc. will all have a new home. Until then, stash south lives in every room on the main level.

Let's tour the yarn stash

The vest is coming along but it's all smooched on the knitting needle so not a good subject for a picture. But since I haven't had knitting pictures lately - let's take a tour of the house and see what we find.

Before we start I have to let you know since moving to my new computer I don't have my graphics program. It doesn't work with Windows Vista and I need to get a new version. So - some of these pictures need a little help and I couldn't give it to them.

First the guest room - Here's some boxes filled with "antique" yarn. I brought these boxes over from the other house and they have the old acrylic, cotton, and wool yarn. I have yarn in these boxes that is well over 30 years old. Some day it WILL be used. On top of the boxes (sorry about the blurry picture) is a few t-shirts that are going to my cousins kids and an afghan that I was playing with. It's leftover acrylic knit up as a log cabin quilt pattern. I knit this in the round sort of. I used a long circular needle and knit each side before moving to the next side. I never bound off the completed round because I didn't want the bulk of the bind off and I didn't want to have to pick up stitches all the time. Not my favorite thing. Well on to the next room.

The dining room. Oh look - a box of yarn from the other house is hiding here. This is yarn that was for sale in the shop. It leftover dye lots and I'm going to have to be creative to use some of this. But I will or - it may end up in my will......

Next - the den. This room is a little frightening. It was my parents bedroom when I grew up. When I bought the house and moved back here I just couldn't have their bedroom be mine. A little bit too bizarre. I'm very comfortable with my old bedroom and their bedroom makes a great den. Plus I didn't want my memory confused parents to come over to the house and not understand that they don't live here anymore. (but that's another story) I live in the den much if the time. The computer and HD TV are in here. The cat chair is in here. My comfy chair is in here. The kitty toys are usually in here. But most importantly - the Jill toys are in here.

In the back corner - a basket with some knitting next to the bookcase. It's got a prayer shawl in progress but forgotten a month ago, a grey reversible cable. I decided I needed to figure out the reversible cable thing without buying a pattern. I figured it out, knit about 2 feet and put it aside. Under these are some afghan squares and a partly finished teddy bear.

Moving on - over to the small bookcase. In front is a box of finished but need to block items, you'll see these things some day. I promise. Behind that is some cones of baby colors from the other house. I brought them down to work on the baby boom at work knitting. The bookcase has some of my knitting magazines and patterns. If you look carefully on the middle shelf let side you can see one of my grandmother's patterns from the 1950s.

On top of the little bookcase is - yup - you guessed it - more yarn stuff. This basket has a finished EZ Baby sweater, a started sock, a green cable sweater back, my mystery shawl (clues 1-4), and a couple of items hiding in the basket. Over on the left you can kind of see the kitty cottage that Bert hangs out in a lot.

Behind the kitty cottage is the closet. Let's look in there. Surprise! more yarn stuff. These shelves are actually the good stuff. The sock yarn, my KnitPicks "to dye" yarn, some silk bamboo and other fun stuff. Some Cascade 220. This is the stash I head to first when deciding to start something new. Then I head to Amazing Threads and buy something new. Don't we all do that!

That blue and rose colored thing on the bottom is a knitting case I made about 15-20 years ago. It's the size of the three ring notebook and has lots of pockets, handles and zippers going all the way around closing it up, nice and safe. It holds all my straight needles, my grandma's needles, and many accessories. The double points and circular meendles live in a different container (a metal box from Target last year- Christmas candy!)

No pictures is the knitting hanging out around my chair - the vest, the turquoise shawl, a couple knitting test pieces. Out in the living room is a basket filled with little hats I've made to donate for this winter and a silk sweater I've been designing and got stuck on what I want to do. It's cool yarn so it sits out there in case someone drops by and I can say - "see my pretty yarn".

Sadly, all this yarn around the house is about 25-30% of my stash. The rest is still at the other house. I'm not ready to let you see that yet! Maybe someday....

Yarn and Plastic and Cats

Well, I'm not in Chicago. I didn't think I would be when I asked if anyone wanted to go. I mean really. I wouldn't take me up on something like that with 2 minutes notice. But - I had to try.
What I did do today was go to my LYS (Amazing Threads). I got a couple skeins of wool to start a pair of fair isle mittens, the latest Interweave Knits mag, and some of the Clover coil knitting needle holders. These little guys are great. They keep your double points from rolling around getting lost.

I also just got a box from KnitPicks. 2 hanks of merino wool fingerweight, 2 clearance merino fingerweight (memories - hurry only 2 color left at $2.99 a hank) and last but not least - a got the basic set of dye. Oh - looks like Chief is close by.
He spots the yarn but - wait - there's something else even better for him….
PLASTIC! There isn't a piece of plastic in this house that hasn't been inspected (chewed) by Chief.
I finished the Suri Dreams scarf but the butt-cheap batteries I bought pooped out and I have no more umph in my camera. The picture will have to wait.

Bert now begging for attention so - it's off to rub a tummy and scritch and ear.

The Pursuit of Happiness

For Independence Day Bert wants to talk the pursuit of happiness (yarn and knitting) today and promises to show up in a few of the pictures (if you look close enough!)

Last time I said how I started the Mystery Shawl 3 using KnitPicks Shimmer. (Bert's trying to to sneak in again)

Well, after 50 rows I decided the colorway didn't show the lace as well as I wanted to so, I switched to KnitPicks Bare. I also decided to use sock/fingering weight instead of the lace weight and make it a little bit bigger than the original. So far it looks like I made the right choice.

In other knitting news I have several items I'm working on that I haven't posted pics of yet. So here we go...

The sock of the month sock if coming along. I'll be starting the toe in less than an inch.

I started a vest I found in the latest Knitters magazine. It was made out of a demin cotton. I had some Bernat cotton Twister (Natural) sitting around so decided to give it a try. The pattern has a mistake in it but the correction is on the website. I've got the back and one of the sides done.

And the left front is started. The should is on the right of the picture with the neckline on the top.The yarn I'm using is a little bigger than the pattern yarn and I'm using one size up needle from the pattern. I also made it 2 inches longer than the original. I'm big and tall and don't need a tight short vest!

When the KnitPicks Shimmer arrived the box contained a few other goodies. I got some Sura Dream to make scarves for Christmas presents. I also got some Gossamer lace weight I'll be finding something pretty to make from it one of these days. (Bert tried to sneak in the picture but I was too fast)

It's okay Sweet Pea

Softball Game
The weekend went way too fast. Friday night godson's softball team "died". The game ended in the 5th inning with a score of 1 to 15. We were the "1". But it has been reported that they have played this team before several times and they are actually tied in total wins. The other team was incredibly hot Friday night. Leaping into the air and coming back with impossible catches. It was a fun game to watch. I must add the "1" was godson's making. He likes to run and slide. He managed to make a single into a 3 base run and slide home on the next hit. That was the first inning and well......... not much after that.

His Dad was supposed to fly in from New Jersey for the weekend but spent over 5 hours on the plane waiting to take off. He was supposed to arrive at 6pm but ended up going back home and getting there at 3am. I would absolutely DIE if I had to spend that much time in a plane and airport. YUCK! He plans to come next weekend so we'll see what other air traumas can happen to prevent all of us from seeing him.

Stash South
Last month I mentioned I have 2 yarn stashes. One in the current house and one up north (14 miles away) in my other house I haven't finished fixing to sell. And I haven't removed all my things until I clear out my parents things from this house. Anyway - Stash south got a face lift. I bought some of the metal grid cubes from Target and put it together. It's a 2 cube by 3 cube "wall" that contains yarn very nicely. I also got some plastic boxes to further assist with control. The yarn in the cubes looks very nice and in order. The problem is- I still have 6 boxes of yarn down here and about 2 full rooms in the other house. Yes, I said full rooms. Not a wall of shelves, not boxes under the bed. we're talking full rooms with shelving all over. One room is my personal stash the 2nd room is what remains of my shop supplies. I used to have a shop selling machine knitting yarn, machines, sewing machines, etc. I quit the shop fairly fast and didn't get around to having a clearance sale so I have yarn - yarn - yarn. And thread. And sewing notions. And patterns. and.....
Some day I'll get my act together and list some of the yarn for sale - cheap. But not today.

Greensburg
I've finished a few more blocks for Greensburg. That makes 7 so far. I need to make a few more before I mail them off. Postage is cheaper that way.

Reading
I started reading a book that may be hard to read. It's "Susanne's Garden" by Debbi Macomber. This book is in the middle of the Blossom Street Yarn books she has written. It's the story of a 50 year old who has to go to her parent's house to deal with her mother's failing memory since her father's death. Dad's not dead but with him not living in the same place as Mom, she's lost her support system and her memory is going fast. This book may be a bit too close to home or it may give me some ideas. Time will tell.

On the way to Iowa last week I got "The Thirteenth Tale" on CD to listen to. I have about 3 hours left and it's quite a tale. It's about 2 women - an older author and an amateur biographer. Both have secrets and flaws in their characters. It's written very well and has kept me interested. The 2 ladies that read the book do a wonderful job bringing it to life.

The Boys
I can't have a post without mentioning the boys. Chief has taken to waken my gently every morning when the sun comes up to snuggle next to me a pet my cheek. He does this for about a week every year a different times. I know know what starts it but it's nice to wake to a soft pet and purr!
Bert on the other hand has gotten whiny again. That's his trick. Every so often he decides we've left him and he CRIES! Not polite little kitty cries but loud harsh wailing. Cries that come from his inner most soul filled with sorrow. Unfortunately, it usually happens while he's in the hallway at about 3 or 4 am. I wake. I look into the dark and say,"It's okay sweet pea. We're in the bedroom." And he comes in and jumps on the bed. I give him one pat on the back, he wags his tail, runs off and is quiet the rest of the night. Go figure.