New Sock of the Month Club

I decided it was time to stop being a closet knitter. I don't know when it happened but it's weird. I used to have my own shop, teach people to knit, show off my designs and suddenly - it stopped. I knit in the privacy of my own house and never showed other people what I was working on. Well, that's over. Saturday I knit in front of friends at a gathering and today I went to my first Sock of the Month Club.
My local Yarn shop, Amazing Threads started a Sock of the Month Club. Tonight we got together to check out our first project and sit and knit for a couple hours. I met many new people but being the dweeb that I am I didn't get any names. Next month I'll be better. We all were very pleased to see out Sockotta yarn and pattern. The package also included a clear tote to keep the yarn nice and clean and a new acrylic gauge. Very nice. I'm going to enjoy this group.
I tried to take a couple pictures of our package but Bert had other ideas.
Then Chief saw something was happening without him and he had to check it out.
The last few days I've been working on blocks for Greensburg. I've got 3 done and a 4th almost done. I plan on getting at least 6 done before the weekend is up so I can mail them out. Please check out the web site and consider knitting some of the bits of leftover worsted weight yarn. The blocks are bias garter stitch and very easy. Take a few hours to clean out your stash and do something to show the people of Greensburg we're praying for them and wish them well.

Chief decided today it's easier to look out the window if the shades are up.

Hello and Welcome!

HI!

It's amazing what joining a ring do to your blog site. I put a stat counter on the site a few weeks ago and saw there really were a few people stopping by for a visit. No comments but still - you came and visited me and the boys. Then - the Minnesota Knitters ring kicked in yesterday or today and WOOOSH! the number of visitors went up, up up.

Hello everyone! Welcome to my world. I'm still at work so this must be very quick but - please leave a note saying you were here. Chief and Bert love to read from other people and they promise to say HI!

I'm taking Mom out for our weekly restaurant night but afterward will try and get the non-felted clogs felted and get a picture up. I also want to get a few pics up of some of my stained glass work - we'll see.

In the meantime- say HI, read the old posts and let me know if I'm absolutely crazy to be typing away about the things in my life. Is anyone intersted?!?!

Friends and Family - Bikes and Sheep

It was a good weekend for the most part. Saturday was spend with friends - that's always good. My friends and I have been together since 4th grade with others joining the "gang" over the years. We get together fairly frequently by planning games nights, evening at the theater, dining out, movie night - whatever we can to enjoy each others company.


Saturday was in memory of Laurie. Laurie was my best friend from 4th grade on. We saw each other frequently during the day at school then would rush home to call each other or go to the others house. Then after supper we'd talk on the phone about life, school, whatever. As adults we ended up going on several trips together after she divorced and I was also unattached. Her younger son is my godson. A couple years ago Laurie died very suddenly of a migraine-coma-brain bleed out. (We never got an official name for her problem). She also had MS so last year I decided we needed to get a team together and ride in the MS30/60 bike ride in memory of her. We ended up the top rookie team, mainly due to Laurie's older sister incredible fundraising abilities.

This year's ride was Saturday. We had health problems for some of us so only 5 people actually made the bike ride. Two team members started before I got a picture but - here's a picture of 3 team members.

Laurie's brother, her Dad, Laurie's son (my godson), and my cousin & friend

After the ride we got together with more of the group and enjoyed our incredible Minnesota weather. Laurie's Dad is a great cook. He made a carrot cake to die for! While we were talking I pulled out some knitting to work on afghan blocks for Greensburg. One friend kept staring at me. He couldn't quit watching my fingers move. It was pretty funny. His wife, Robyn, has decided it's time to learn how to knit. Her church has a group that meets Monday nights to work on the Prayer Shawl Ministry. I promised to teach her to knit so both of us can join the group.


Sunday I went to the Shepherds Harvest at Washington County Fairground. Lots of sheep, yarn, roving, wheels, etc. But I wasn't in the right mood and actually went home with nothing. The rest of the day was spent doing very little because I've been fighting with shooting pain in my back since the first trip to Iowa. I absolutely hate hotel beds. I got a back ache a couple weeks ago and it was just starting to get better when I had to go back down to Iowa for a couple nights. Back to a major back ache. Then I went again the third week and that did it. I hope it will go away in a couple more days if I take it easy. If not, I'll break down and go to the doctor.
My Mom wasn't feeling real good either so we're doing Mother's Day tomorrow night.
Chief was busy watching birds and ducks in the back yard so he was tired Sunday night.
The one thing I did do was finish the second surprise sweater and a pair of booties to go with.
The shower is tomorrow at lunch so I had to get this finished. The booties are from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Newsletter #22 (1969). How long have I had THAT newsletter!! The pattern was written to go with the surprise sweater. There's also a bonnet and bunting. Elizabeth ends the newsletter is a great quote -


"Now let us all take a deep breath, and forge on into the future; knitting at the ready."

Rebuilding Greensburg - block by block

I don't have time to write a full post but needed to get this link posted in case anyone is reading.
Please go to this link and start knitting a square to make afghans for the people in Greensburg, Kansas who lost their home in the tornadoes last week.
Thank you.

Sugar Bunny Boulevard - May 8th post.

Some Pictures

Yesterday I promised some pictures. I ended up dealing with some things for my folks so didn't have much time to take pictures but here's a few.

First the felted clogs for my cousin - before felted. I made them with leftover Patons wool. They'll get felted sometime this week between business trip and regular work and getting ready for a bike ride next weekend (MS30/60).

I made Elizabeth's Zimmerman's surprise baby jacket out of some leftover sport weight yarn. Slight problem- the person I made it for is having a boy and what little I know of her husband, having a baby boy wearing a sweater with a bit of pink in the colorway wouldn't make him happy. I started knitting a second one in dark denim blue and red. Manly-man colors.Finally, the boys.

This is Bert's impression of a mint on the pillow. Who wouldn't want to stay here?

And Chief getting ready to greet company.

We've had such crummy weather so far this year that we haven't had a chance to do much with the garden. Dad was always an incredible gardener so you get so see a few pictures from the past years.

Have a great Monday!

Pictures tomorrow

I put a stat counter on the site a couple days ago. I was convinced nobody every came to the site because - it's new and I'm not listed on any blog lists yet and - who would want to read about what I'm doing anyway. SURPRISE! I found out people actually are coming to the site. So- I better get my act together and give you something worth coming here to see.

Work has kept me busy traveling the last couple weeks so I haven't had time to get pictures taken of finished projects. Tomorrow I have a few things to do but hope to have time to get some pictures taken and up on the site. Stay tuned.

Chief as a baby - what a cutie!

Boys will be boys

Well, here I am back in Iowa for a few days of work. At least this time I remembered to bring knitting with me.

Chief and Bert Home Alone

The problem with traveling for work is the boys are alone for a while. That was the reason I adopted a second cat back when I got my first home. I knew I'd be traveling some and didn't want my cat to be lonely. Turned out they not only keep each other company but I've always had 2 cats that ended up with very different personalities that delighted me. My boys are both very sweet and love me but they show it in different ways. Chief is my big boy. 18 pounds of cuddle. He would spend the whole night snuggled up to my neck if I let him. He has to sleep under the covers with me at night and be where ever I am or at least within sight of me. Bert is 8 pounds of energy. He doesn't come into the den - he bounds into the den. He is like a Labrador. Thick chest-strong muscles and a tail that knocks things over when he get excited and wags it. His main problem is he's afraid of strangers. At the first sound of a car in the driveway he's under the bed. Many of my friend don't believe I actually have a second cat- they've never met him. Chief on the other hand is at the door ready to greet the guests and allow them to admire his beautiful coat. He's the perfect host. He greets guests, says "hello", will occasionally shake their hand, allow them to pet him, but doesn't jump up on them. Could you ask for any more?

I finished the felted clogs for my cousin but didn't get a chance the felt them. That will have to wait until the weekend when I'm home. I also finished Elizabeth Zimmerman's baby surprise jacket for someone at work only to find out she's going to have a boy - DEFINITELY a boy. That makes me think she would prefer very boy colors. The jacket is blue-purple-white- and unfortunately some pink. Guess I'll have to make another one and save this one for the next baby or donate it. I don't have pictures with me so I'll have to post pictures of these projects when I get home.