FO Friday: And this was supposed to be a quiet week!

DH’s Birthday, Maplefest (annual local event), Chapters book browsing, seeing Iron Man 3 (which was awesome!) watching Leafs tear your heart out, Craft group, lunch with the girls, Knittin club and Physio followed by lunch out with MiL (who has completely recovered, yay)  and through all this I am beavering away on my Dawn till Dusk Lace shawl, this has indeed been a humdinger of a week…

I’m in the middle of a pile of projects, embarrassed to say nothing done this week. Well started weeding the garden, we dug out 2 dead bushes and filled the planters with fresh soil… and making plans for the big event for my DS (more to come on this next month).

I adopted a couple of new books this week :0)

The Knitting Stitch Bible by Maria Parry-Jones

you can never have too many stitch dictionaries!

and Take-Along Knitting

Found on ravelry: Damask by Kitman Figueroa I liked this so much I bought the pattern one day I will knit it.

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting:  Peacefully knitting with Tina

Inspiration to add to my large collection of what happened next in the Austen novels.

What am I reading? Mr Darcy’s Diary by Maya Slater

Picked it up as a discard from the local library. Very entertaining so far.

Another useful tutorial:

Toe-up socks 2 at a time by Tii Casa (part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

This weeks musical interlude:

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by the Arrogant Worms another great Canadian band! :0)

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done 
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 
3. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 30%
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 15 + 1 = 16

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next week :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Adding a few to the list…

After last weeks craziness, I am hoping for a more restful week… The weather here in Ontario is lovely, and sunny. Good for sitting outside with a cuppa and knitting, while listening to Bach!

Need to move the fire pit and bring down the coffee table. and my netbook works out here too!

The Boyz put up the awning and gardening season is about to begin :0)

From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf  deadline is coming fast!

The dark pink makers are the half way point, all down hill from there :0)

Must be done by May 25th.

Mile a Minute Blanket This has been a delightful experiment!

Coming along nicely! I have another stripe ready to attach.

 Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 

The ball on the lower right has much more of the centre green than appears in this picture.

Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on

Really makes plain old stripes dance!

Found on ravelry: OctoCrush Hat by Ellen Taylor. Nice summer sun hat

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting: Of Yarny Notions: Tales of a Nerdy knitter

Another useful tutorial: A Sock Surgeon’s Afterthought Heel Technique I frequently use this technique, or knit in a waste yarn so there are no ends to darn in!

This weeks musical interlude: The Best of Bach (this is a whole album)

And last but not least what am I reading?

The Golden Thread: A Readers Journey Through the Great Books            by Bruce Meyer

A wonderful overview of the seminal works of Western literature and why we still read them. I’ve read this several times and still find new insights. Just finished the Bible and am working on Homer’s Odyssey.

Highly recommend this to literature lovers.

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done  
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal
3. Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13 + 2 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 14 + 1 = 15

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: My Treasures from the DKC Knit Frolic :0)

I didn’t get much done this week, but I promised to share my treaures from The DKC Knit Frolic in Toronto Ontario Canada April 27th.

Purchased  - 5 skeins from Grand River yarns 

Hope to make a summer tshirt from this.

2 balls of sock yarn

a pattern book

The smallest size for me ;0)

a From Sweet Paprika designs

  Theme and Variations

some smaller odds and ends

Top left clockwise: sock needle storage case, folding bag for shows, plastic safety pins, double ended crochet hook on a ring, 2 sizes of stitch markers.

A new flyer for my Lendrum Sprinning wheel and drive bands and connectors

Lendrum flyer, drive band, treadle connect.

As far as finished objects, this week was a bust…

However the weather has been splendid and Harley and I are out and about

Harley is my electric Geobike, first time out every season is a nail biter for me, till I get used to him again.

Wow!, awesome! Showed the guyz and they said NO! :0( They are no fun… Harley would so love to be yarn bombed, maybe I could start with my helmet :0)

Current WIP List (13)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done
2. Sssydney and friends two more to do
3. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
4. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
6. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
7. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
8. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
9. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
12. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 14

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Zonked!

On friday I told you about all the firsts I would be involved in last weekend…

My friend Bonnie and I went into Toronto for the DKC Knit Frolic!

2013 DKC knit frolic – Bonnie and I high on fibre fumes :0)

Lots of people and potential treasures

Some friends from home

The Girls!

 and hi Debbie D! (wish I took your picture too)

Treasures that came home with me :0)

I will highlight my purchases on Friday, so you can get a better look.

 First Communion of my Cousins little girl.

First Birthday of their little boy.

1st Birthday Party

and I actually learned to Crochet a strip of Mile a minute afghan 

Dk weight yarn

well more like a foot in and hour… Cool, my only crochet accomplishment has been granny squares to this point!

Really good video instruction!

Background for this success story: Crochet has never really appealed to me, I had a brush with brain tumors, a few years ago. Stuck in bed with mobility issues, and knitting being a little too much to wrap my head around, my darling mother brought me a crochet hook and a Ball (a round ball) of yarn, and a book… needless to say the book and hook went into beside table drawer and ball is still on vacation with the dust bunnies somewhere! Totally frustrated…who wants to crochet anyway (this was probably a really bad time to start a new skill) DH brought me a spindle and a hand full of fibre, tranquility was restored :0)

and the Scrap Jar for April

Oh and Jack is famous, he’s in the Guardian Uk news 

And after all this I am Zonked!

Current WIP List (13)

I am starting to note how close to done my WIP’s are.

1. Sssydney and friends two more to do
2. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project
3. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
4. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
6. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
7. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
8. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
9. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
12. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 14

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: It’s a secret, more clues part 3!

Yup, the Yarn Challenge continues and I am making progress!

Another Hint! Can you guess yet? Clue 3,

Clue 3

Clue 1, Clue 2, The readers that guess right win a prize!

Not a Poncho, little bag, or a tea cosy, keep guessing…

Woot! we have a winner!

Yes this is a bunny! Right this is the leg. Karen at http://nothingbutknit2.wordpress.com/ wins!

Sea of Dreams Blanket

This little blanket is for a silent auction fundraiser in June.

Love the way this is working up, thanks for the inspiration mrsmommy a friend and a really talented knitter!

Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift

My cousin is getting married in July, so lots of time to make this.

Lovely yarn!

Rereading:  Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart

A fanastical Quest, ala Princess Bride, set in ancient china. I read this many years ago. My son just finished it, so I thought I would read it again…Delightful! 

Position is everything!

Jack ran out of naughtiness and fell asleep

Current WIP List (13)

1. Soper Creek Yarn Challenge
2. Sea of Dreams Blanket
3. Dripping with Lace-Your First Knitted Lace Shawl -A wedding gift
4. Top Down Swing Pullover – One sleeve done
5. My Spring Socks – My design
6. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
7. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
8. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
9. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
12. Cozy Winter Shawl
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 22

WIPS 2013 = 11 + 2 = 13

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 35 – 7 = 28

Stash Used 2013 = 19

Books 2013 = 9 + 1 = 10

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: It’s a Secret, part 2

Yup, the Yarn Challenge continues and I am making progress!

Another Hint! Can you guess yet?

2 clues so far

The readers that get it right win a prize!

Book of the week:

“Love in the time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Beautifully written story, winner of a Nobel Prize.

Current WIP List (11)

1. Soper Creek Yarn Challenge
2. Top Down Swing Pullover – One sleeve done
3. My Spring Socks – My design
4. Beryl Blanket – Long term project (2 hexs for Cast on Mania)
5. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project (2 Box for Cast on Mania)
6. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
7. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
8. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
9. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
10. Cozy Winter Shawl
11. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 22

WIPS 2013 = 11

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 35 – 7 = 28

Stash Used 2013 = 19

Books 2013 = 9 + 1 = 10

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Weds.

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Cast on mania week 2!

I have been beavering away on wk1 and finished everything to date.

Week 2 of Cast on Mania begins!

(here’s the to do list for the month)

2/7/13 A Box of Boxes Blanket My stashbusting design!

Box #14

 2/8/13 Beryl Blanket by Juliet Bernard

56 hexes

 2/9/13 Toddler Tootsies #1My stashbusting design, I have to knit 6 pair for charity.

Weighed the last set, divided the leftover yarn in 2.

2/10/13 Toddler Tootsies #2My stashbusting design, I have to knit 6 pair for charity.

Part 2

2/11/13 Knitted Short Row Heart - For my DH for Valentines :0)

 2/12/13 Footies For my Kal group

2/13/13 Footies For my Kal group

And I finished the 2nd sleeve of my Top Down Swing Pullover

My Sweetheart gave me the pattern and yarn for this sweater at Christmas 2012.

Book of the week: English Fairytales by Joseph Jacobs (ebook)

Written in 1890, really enjoying this, interesting, amusing, short stories.

Current WIP List (13)

1. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 
2. Toddler Tootsies #4 My stashbusting design
3. Knitted Short Row Heart - For my DH for Valentines :0)
4. Footies For my Kal group
5. My Spring Socks – My design
6. Beryl Blanket – Long term project (1 hex for Cast on Mania)
7. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project (1 Box for Cast on Mania)
8. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
9. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
12. Cozy Winter Shawl 
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 10

WIPS 2013 = 11 + 2 = 13

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 34 – 7 = 27

Stash Used 2013 = 6

Books 2013 = 8 + 1 = 9

Sorry to say I will be very late posting on Friday as I have an out of town funeral to attend. My Aunt died yesterday morning, she will be greatly missed.

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: The Celebration Continues!

The festivities continue! My 2nd Blogaversary was yesterday, 

Last Friday’s gift was Toddler Tootsies pdf  so today I have a 2nd present for you :0)

Micah’s Blanky

Great gift for a Baby Shower, or child’s birthday. At 24”x36” it is the perfect size for a crib, stroller, or a car seat.This comfy little blanket is knit from the bottom-up with Garter stitch borders and a flat edge stitch detail. Knit in worsted, so works up quickly. The lace design is worked over 4 rows with only 2 lace rows to remember.

Micah’s Blankie

So on to my Works in Progress, it is Wednesday after all!

DH has been bugging for a new hat since DS pinched his. Truth is they both need a new one! Well I had been thinking about doing The Modjeska Hat that  texaspurlgurl gifted me last month. So here we go!

I modified the pattern by making a facing rather than ribbed edge. Living in Canada, my fella prefers a double thickness over his ears.

I continue to work on what I have now dubbed my Christmas sweater!

Moved to box as it is getting too large for my bag, and my furry children were getting too interested in it.

It may not be done till next Christmas ;0)

I have been Spring cleaning or fresh starting would be more accurate.

In shuffling through my Ravelry pgs.

I realized I have purchased 34 patterns and have only made 6!

New List! I love lists they make me feel so organized!

Current WIP List (9)

1. Modjeska Hat
2. Top Down Swing Pullover
3. Beryl Blanket – Long term project
4. Easy Peazy Shawl - almost done
5. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
6. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
7. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
8. Cozy Winter Shawl 
9. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

Audiobook I am reading while knitting:

Walden by Henry David Thoreau Read by Gord Mackenzie. I read this years ago, and found in it a call to simplification of life.

Book this week: The Warden by Anthony Trollope (Ebook)

I am so fond of The Barchester Chronicles Series I bought the Complete works of Anthony Trollope for my Kobo (only $2.88) There are books in this collection that are no longer in print, plus other writings and biography! This book is a particular favourite. The main character is such a nice little man and you really feel for him all the way through. Delightful, a classic worth reading!

Music offering: ”Great Big Sea” was such a success last week here is

Old Brown’s Daughter beautiful  acapella.

FO’s 2013 = 5

WIPS 2013 = 9

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 34 – 6 = 28

Stash Used 2013 = 2

Books 2013 = 8

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Top and Toes

Hello all! <wave>

Guess what I’ve been up to! It has been so warm around here, all the snow has melted off the front lawn. So much for living in the Great White North. I’ve decided to Spring clean in January…

I was looking at my Ravelry Queue and was shocked that it had 647 projects in it, so with a little trimming here and there I am down to just the essential 562 :0)

And Knitting!

Pure and Simple Top Down Swing Pullover by Diane Soucy

Working on the left sleeve, still to finish body and right sleeve.

Toddler Tootsies (my design)

Toddler Socks for my 2yr blog anniversary, gift pattern coming up :0)

Did you see this on Ravelry:   This week Modjeska Hat by Tracey Grzegorczyk  this pattern was on my queue wish list. texaspurlgurl generously gifted it to me last month. She noticed my Scrap Jar on Ravelry Radar and sent me this treat.  Hope to make it for DH soon.

Book of the week: Mr Darcy takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll

I have read this many times, a great continuation of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. This is the first of 2 books about Darcy and Elizabeth. I like how Linda Berdoll, depicted their evolving marrried relationship. I enjoyed this book so much, I purchased it for my new Ereader. Well worth it as I reread favourite books every few years. This is one of a few dozen, especially after reading “Pride and Prejudice”. (read recently)

Audiobook of the week: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Music Link: Fields of Gold Sung by Sting

FO’s 2013 =  3

WIPS 2013 = 9 + 1 = 10

Stash Used 2013 =  1

Books 2013 = 4 + 3 = 7

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

Outdoor cooking: Such a good idea!

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