WIP Weds: Victoria Day long weekend

We just had the Victoria Day Holiday weekend here in Canada. It was gorgeous, sunny, warm with a breeze, 26 degrees.

Just about everything is closed during holiday Monday, except the garden centres and coffee shops.

We planted the deck planters, Pink and white impatients, ivy, sweet peas, Bocas and some golden creepers. 

one corner of the deck, the other is the same. Except I planted some catnip for the kitties :0)

and the veggie garden.

This years garden plan

DS topped up and planted the garden for me this year. He gets better at small-scale farming every year.

Then we had a humdinger  of a storm in the evening, don’t you love when nature waters your just planted garden?

Been working on my Kal – Carry along project for May

Sassy Summer Satchel

Jack inspection

And another shrug for the church craft sale in June

Quick Knit Baby Shrug #3

This is a great little pattern!

I was thinking… always dangerous! I go to numerous knitting and spinning events in warm weather. I decided to make something for these outings:0)

Cable Braided Necklace Cool!

This cable is not really cable knitting, it is made of two simple strips with eyelet holes – amazing!

Found on ravelry: Every now and again I see something a little off the wall  pimp your car by Florentine Going to yarn bomb DH’s car one day :0) 

 Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 25% done  
2. Cable Braided Necklace - 50%
3. Quick Knit Baby Shrug - 50%
4. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal  Haven’t started yet
5. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 40%
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 = 47

WIPS 2013 =  13 + 2 = 15

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

Stash Used 2013 =  39

Books 2013 = 17

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: Canada, looking for warm weather here!

Welcome back! The weather this week has been cold, rainy with some hail, yes hail! Only in Canada, in May, can you get a sunburn one day and frostbite the next! Things are supposed to improve in the next week.

The Tulips and grape hyacinths have been glorious. The fellas have been working on the garden, weeding, mowing and preparing the veggie garden and planters. We are trying Corn Gluten on the lawn for the weeds. I am so glad I didn’t succumb to the garden centres lovely ready to plant flowers and tomatoes, must wait, must wait till May 21st, green thumbs are itching… I continue to sit inside where it is warm knitting, and watch gardening programs :0)

Meanwhile…

From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf   Almost done!

Hope to be finished by friday!

Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern

These are a travelling project. So they are progressing slowly.

Quick Knit Baby Shrug For the Craft Sale next Month

The ladies in the Craft Group provided the cotton for this. We are all working on cotton projects for the summer sale.

Found on ravelry: Oma’s wanten by huizeStinesen I know this is not the season for mittens, however they do make a good carry along project and stashbuster!

Another useful tutorial: I have been looking at beading videos lately, this one is very good. Super Easy Cross Weave Bracelet by offthebeadedpath 

Blog visiting: A Glimpse into our life

 This weeks musical interlude:

Loreena McKennitt  Marrakesh Night Market Beautiful, eclectic, music

Prayers for Tim Bosmas family and friends, he was missing since May 4. He took two men out for a test ride of a truck he was selling, and never came home. Sometimes it is impossible to understand why people do what they do.

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 25% done 
2. Sssydney and friends  6 done!
3. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 90% Done
4. Quick Knit Baby Shrug for june craft sale 30% done
5. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal  Haven’t started yet
6. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 40%
7. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
8. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
9. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
10. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
11. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
12. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
13. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
14. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
15. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
16. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36 + 6 = 42

WIPS 2013 = 16 – 1 = 15

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

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 =  16

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: 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)

WIP Weds: Working toward the Orono Fair Entries.

This is indeed  the silly season. Busy, busy, busy, the Craft Fair, Visitors, Ravellenic Games and now the Orono fair. Three items to be finished and all items to be delivered by Thursday September 6th between 8am – 10am.

This week working on #17, not sure what the artical will be yet

Superwash Merino – Gorgeous stuff I won from Rosehaven farms Picton Ontario, at Campbellford spin-in a couple of years ago.

A peek at my pocket Garden!

Garden patch on deck Grand Rapids – lettuce and 5 types of patio tomatoes

The lettuce is already finding its way into sandwiches!

This year I have a long list of entries. (items with an * are in production)

1. Tea Cosy *
2. Shawl - Afternoon Tea shawl
3. scarf - wingspan with beads
4. Cowl - horseshoe cowl
5. Cardigan Childs - Autumn cardigan
6. Headgear - Because of love beret
7. mitts – Arc mitts
8. Any other knit garment not listed – Barley Corn Newborn Cuddle Cocoon
9. Socks – Sue’s Boxes with a twist socks
10. Christmas stocking – Christmas Sock
11. decorated hat – Easter hat
12. child’s stuffed toy –  Pookies
13. small novelty item for Bazaar – Untangled #5
14. handspun skein - 2ply seawool
15. handcrafted jewellry – Rosary
16. small christmas tree decoration – Christmas Balls
17. handspun artical *

Current WIPS

•  Handspun Heptathlon – ravellenic2012 and the fair (Aug)
• Cozy Winter Shawl/scarf – my design  
• Knitting In Nature Beaded Moebius Kal forum july
• Easy Peazy Shawl 
• Kelp Forest Shawl (3/4′s done)
• handspun artical 
• Cowl  
• Tea Cosy 

FO’s 2012 =  52

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 =  3 + 4 = 7

Stash used 2012 = 63

Stash Purchased 2012 =  77

Beryl Blanket Hexes =  48

Books = 20 + 1 = 21

Take Care and cya next Friday

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Happy Birthday to me!

Well it’s been another year, it has just flown by.  My Birthday was yesterday. With a 21 yr old son, I wont burden you with the number of years I’ve been on the planet. On wednesday I had a lovely dinner with my family.

Unfortunately a thunder storm forced the cancellation of Music in the Park on my birthday.  On Saturday we have plans for lunch at “The Snug” of favourite Irish pub.

My gift to you, all my patterns on ravelry are 50% off till the end of June :0)

My hubby gave me this little purse and pen in the morning.

Sheep are my thing!

And my darling son got me a Muskoka chair for under the tree in the meadow that is my backyard.

I am so proud of my efforts this week. Four FO’s and a couple more hexes on my blanket. I am a public knitter, that adds to productivity. I never go anywhere without knitting.

Untangled #3

Untangled #4

Untangled #5

Really like this one. It’s zippy!

Ankle Socks

A fun knit, but the yarn was a little disappointing.

More Hexes

Beryl banket 42 hexes

Update Current WIP List

• Untangled (June)
• Untangled #2 – more to do. (June)
• Untangled #3 (June)
• Untangled #4 (June)
• Untangled #5 (June)
• Ankle Socks - June Carry along forum (June)
• Untangled #6
• Kelp Forest Shawl

 

FO’s 2012 =  28 + 4 = 32

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 5 – 4  + 1 = 2

Stash used 2012 = 47 + 4 = 51

Stash Purchased 2012 = 65 + 3 = 68

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46 + 2 = 48

Books = 18 + 1 = 19

Willow was feeling left out!

Willow has been gaining weight since Jack arrived. The two of them are getting along much better jack harasses, willow ignores :0)

Take Care and cya next week

for links to my blogwalk  come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

Garden Report: If you can’t grow grass, grow a meadow!

The weather has been particularly fine for growing weeds. Lots of heat, sun and rain. Our backyard was looking tatty, but daisies have been popping up.

Instructions to the lawn mowing technician, (my son) mow around anything that looks like a flower. Now we have a nicely developing meadow. The Tomatoes and Hot peppers are doing nicely, and the miniature Roses in the front garden are gorgeous.

The meadow 

Wild flowers in the backyard

My plan is to eventually mow a path to the chairs under the Tree 

The Daisies

The Tomatoes and Hot Peppers 

Left frame: Lavender, Celebrity Tomatoes and jalapeno Peppers

More Tomatoes 

Left frame: Early Girl Tomatoes, Sweet 100 tomatoes, Sage.

I am going to plant Everbearing Strawberries in the centre frame

The Roses are amazing!

miniature Roses, past gifts from my guys for special occasions :0)

Well things are popping up all over, will post more as things grow! 

WIP Weds: Sprout – Growing Roots and life gets interesting…

Let the festivities begin! MiL had her pre-op appointment yesterday, today is the eco-cardiagram (cancelled this morning, now on Friday), then a GP appointment on Thursday. Next Tuesday is the operation day, with an overnight stay due to her age. She is not a very happy camper, she thinks far too much fuss for gallbladder removal! She has no daughters, only sons so I’m it! Doing my best to help her through this. She has never had any major health issues, and like most people isn’t dealing very well with body betrayal. Hopeing she will be back to her fiesty self soon!

Meanwhile back at the ranch…

I have been working on “Sprout – Growing roots”  love the buttons and yes I know it was not on my WIP list, but it is made from stash!  I wanted something to knit in waiting rooms.

(week 3 of Yarn Diet)

Sprout – growing roots with Buttons

Some developments in the Garden as well

Shade Master Locust – 15 years old

And the flowers are up

Iris – these started as a spade full from a neighbour, they are about ready to be divided.

Sometimes things just show up

I don’t know where these Columbine came from, but they are lovely!

Book: Finally got my hands on “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Steig Larsson. My DH and DS keep pilfering it. Threats have been made, hopefully I’ll get to finish it this time.

Update Current WIP List

• Puerperium Cardigan (May)
• Wingspan (May Carry along forum)
• Chinook Scarf (May Carry along forum)
• Sprout – Growing Roots
• Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
• Pine Forest blanket
• Immie Blanket
• Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
• Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
• Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)

FO’s 2012 = 26

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 6 + 1 = 7

Stash used 2012 = 36 + 2 = 38

Yarn Diet target  21 = 18 + 2 = 20 (one to go!)

Stash Purchased 2012 = 54

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46

Books =  16

links for my blogwalk join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

Mothers Day: With my guys :0)

Mothers day with my guys! Saturday, first stop garden center. Purchased a lovely “Lambert Closse” rose bush for the naked spot in my front garden. As we live in the great white north (Canada) this Explorer Series Rose should be perfect. It has a Tea rose form, is a small shrub, multiflora, with nice sent, mold, blackspot and mildew resistant. Lucky me this rose comes with installation :0)

Each Mother received a hanging basket of flowers.

After church on Sunday, our mothers gathered here for chicken BBQ, with MiL Potato Salad, my carrot salad and Mom’s dessert. Boys BBQ’d chicken.

Gardening Report: Houston we have a problem!

 

The attack of the killer tomatoes, Jose is in there somewhere!

Frame 1: Maybe I planted too many tomatoes...

 

 

 

 

Frame 1: Jose is hidden under the ever expanding Tomato patch!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frame 1: The plants are just covered in green soon to be rippening  Tomatoes. We are going to have to adopt some out.

 

Sweet 100's looks like we will have thousands!

 

 

I planted 5 varieties and boy this has been the year to grow tomatoes.

Frame 1: Pink Lady Tomatoes

Last year they were pityful and almost no survivers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Frame 2, the carrots and onions are just about hopping out of the ground and I am thinking of making Lavender bottles for gifts.

 

Frame 2: Carrots, Onions and Lavender

 

 

 

 

And Frame 3, the beans to be named later. (ala Baseball)

I have planted to more hills of the dwarf but nothing yet.

 

Frame 3: Lima Beans (disguised as Butter beans) and Dwarf Beans