Friday: New Game!

Things are getting a little dull around here.  In an effort to perk things up I am going to start my Friday posts with a teezer, a quote or a picture. The first person to identify where or what it is gets… Drum roll please, a pattern from my Ravelry Shop! Ya, I know cool ah :0)

First lines of which book: “All the children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up and the way Wendy knew was this.”

Hill Walking Socks My design

I hope to have this pattern available soon :0)

What am I reading? Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart

Totally delightful! A ancient China that never was. Number 10 Ox and Master Li, who has a slight flaw in his character set out to save the children of Ku-fu. I read this many years ago, it’s like visiting an old friend.

WIP List = 13

1. Old Shale Scarf Kal Started Mar 14/14
2. Tweed Baby Blanket  Started Mar 7/14
3. Left over Cowl started feb 23/14
4. Cabled Hood with Pockets Started Sept 27/13
5. Foots First Sox My design Started Jul/11
6.  SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater 80% done started May 17/12
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 85% done started Mar 9/13
8. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  60% done started June 18/13
9. Rose Harbour Shawl 85% done started Jun 28/13
10. Fanflower Fling  50% done started Jul 12/13
11. Butterfly’s shawl in blue – started Jan 30/14 Test knit
12. Butterfly’s shawl in red – Feb 14/14 Test knit
13. Basic Yoke Baby Sweater 2.0 started Jan 29/14
14. Hill Walking Socks My design Started Jan 20/14 Finished Mar 20/14

FO’s 2014 = 14 + 1 = 15

WIPS 2014 = 14 – 1 = 13

 Stash Used 2014 = 34 + 1 = 35

Ravellenic 2014 FO’s =  8

Yds of Handspun 2014 =

Sewing FO’s 2014 = 

Books 2014 = 5

Thanks again 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: Flooding in TO, One down!

Toronto is recovering from the worst flooding ever! 126 mm in one hour! More rain than we get in the whole month of July
( 74.4 mm).  Thank goodness we are high and dry east of Toronto in Cda. I used to take this train everyday.

Hurray, finally kicked something off the list, happy dance!

Friday

Mile a Minute Blanket

5 strips to go

I don’t do a lot of crochet so this is a change of pace.

Saturday

Pine Forest Baby Blanket

Sunday

Ruffle Scarf – Dec 3/12 finished Jul 7/13!

This is going to a Craft sale at the church.

Monday 

Sea of Dreams Blanket

Didn’t get much done on this after chasing about looking for it.

Spent all morning hunting for this little sucker! I had the pattern, but lost the Wip. Looked in all the usual places. Arrgh! Found it behind DH’s chair under some stash!

Tuesday

SPROUT – Growing Roots sweater

I really like this pattern. Simple and straight forward.

Currently Reading: Shroud for the Archbishop (1995) by Peter Tremayne   (Sister Fidelma, #2)  Ebook 

Another great book from Peter Tremayne.

Current WIP List (13)

1. Rose Harbour Shawl 40% done started Jun 28/13
2. Eileen Dress 85% done started Jun 21/13
3. Isla lace Pillowcase edge  30% done started June 18/13
4. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (21 squares) started Jan 23/13
5. Beryl Blanket – Long term project (65 hexes) started Nov 21/11
6. Easy Peasy Shawl – 95% done started Jul 14/12
7. Mile a minute afghan – crochet 40% done started Apr 24/13
8. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 50% done  started Jan 11/12
9. Ruffle Scarf   DONE started Dec 3/12 finished Jul 7/13
10. Sea of Dreams Blanket 75% done started Mar 9/13
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60% done started May 17/12
12. Top Down Swing Pullover – 80% done started Jan 1/13
13. Cozy Winter Shawl 85% done started Dec 1/12
14. Camellia shawlette –  5% done started Mar 13/13

FO’s 2013 =  76 + 1 = 77 

+ 86 Squares & Hexes

WIPS 2013 = 14 – 1 = 13

Used of 38 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (30 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 60 + 1 = 61

Books 2013 = 21

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 Fri: It’s that time of year again…

Well today is my birthday. Pardon me if I don’t divulge my age, I can only say that the numbers add up to 8 (ok I’m not 80!) ;0)

My teaser from Friday, a Useful Umbrella Cord. 

Useful Umbrella Cord PDF Happy Birthday gifty!

Unfortunately no one won the prize this time, watch for the next contest! I still have a nice prize I want to send someone :0)

I have 2 Golf Umbrellas, so I made one for each.

I made one for my Burgundy Brolly

Unfortunately I can’t leave it on my umbrella, as the furry children can’t leave them alone.

and this one for the Blue one

I’m posting this pattern on Ravelry this weekend :0)

Super easy and useful, freebie

I am also working on Pillowcase Lace edging for wedding presents

(2) 2″ x 40″ Very happy with these.

Finished two of these Flutterby lace edgings, washing the pillowcases before application.

Harley and I are finally on the road again. 1st time out each season is always a nail-biter till I get used to him again. We made it all the way to Knitting Nite at the LYS on Wednesday night. About a 20 minute trip. We both arrived safe and sound. DS came and picked him up so I wouldn’t have to drive home in the dark, with headlights. I should add the sun had not set…lol  ;0)

Current Book: Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne

This is the first book in the Sister Fidelma series. Reading it on my Koboglo. Very good so far.

Current WIP List (12)

1. Useful Umbrella Cord Making 2 of these
2. Flutterby pillowcase lace edgings (2)
3. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 25% done 
4. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 50% Carry along Kal forum
5. Camellia shawlette –  5%
6. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
7. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
8. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
9. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
10. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
11. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
12. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
13. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
14. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 68 + 4 = 72

+ 77 Squares & Hexes

WIPS 2013 =  14 – 2 = 12

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

Stash Used 2013 = 56 + 2 = 58

Books 2013 = 18 + 1 = 19

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: 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: 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)

Reading list 2013

I hope to keep better track of my reading list this year :0)

I began the year with a new Koboglow from my MiL for Christmas, as I read several books at once, both real and virtual this could get interesting!

For review of Kobo Glo my previous ereader was a Sony

My Reading List for 2013

1. The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters by Ann Budd (Jan)
2. Wuthering Height by Emily Bronte (Audiobook)  (Jan)
3. The Complete World of Jane Austen by Lauren Nixon (Jan)
4. Persusion by Jane Austen (Audiobook) (Jan)
5. Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas (ebook) 1st in Wallflower series (Jan)
6. It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas (ebook) 2nd in Wallflower series (Jan)
7. Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas (ebook) 3rd in Wallflower series (Jan)
8. Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas (ebook) 4nd in Wallflower series (Jan)
9. Walden by Henry David Thoreau Read by Gord Mackenzie. (Audiobook)
10. The Warden by Anthony Trollope (Ebook)
11. Mr Darcy takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll 1st of 2 books
12. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (free ebook read on Koboglow)

Happy New Year 2013!

My DS usually spends New Years Eve with his friends, while DH and I go out for a romantic dinner together. Tomorrow the family will gather at our house for early dinner and celebrate the New Year. We always spend the first and last day of the year with the people we love.

I competed my MiL’s Scarf, it has ended up as a late Christmas Present

  

MiL christmas scarf finished with 2 1/2 hours to spare, New Years eve!

Where to go to see all last years projects on Ravelry.com

And the Jar, from March to December 2012

The Jar Dec 2012

I think I’ll but it in an onion bag in the spring and watch for colourful nests.

My New Years Resolutions for 2013

1. I will Complete 7 WIP’s that have been sitting around.
2. I will knit both sweater patterns my DH gave me for Christmas 2012!
3. I have given up on organizing my stash, instead I will parcel up 13 projects with pattern,  stash yarn etc that I will make this year!
4. I will make ALL items for the Church Bazaar and craft sales from stash!
5. I will not replenish my stash as it deminishes unless DH approves (well maybe this rule can be a little flexible? I need to get the yarn for #8) (update this lasted for 14 days last year) I am going to see how long I will last this year!
6. Goal this year, significant stash reduction!
7. My studio will be dumped out and made into a haven for Knitting, sewing and scrapbooking!
8. I will complete one handmade gift for each of the 11 people that will be joining us Christmas 2013
9. I will make my DH and DS each a Hat
10. Last fibre related resolution, I will spin more.

Last Years New years resolutions – How they worked out!

I begin the year with 7  WIP’s (Leftovers from last year)

• Beryl Blanket
• Cozy Winter Shawl
• Pine Forest Baby Blanket
• Easy Peazy Shawl
• Kelp Forest Shawlette
• Ruffle Scarf #6
• SPROUT – Growing Roots Cardigan

This year I’m beginning by reading

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte on my new Koboglo. This was a free download. This is an old favourite, I reread it every few years.

I had to share this with you. A friend of ours quipped,

“In 2012, you got an Ebike, and an Ebook, you should tell your Efriends”

Bye the Bye, the Koboglo has been a steep learning curve, however I am beginning to get the hang of it, and like it better than my old Sony ereader. It holds loads more books (2gb can be upgraded to 32gb), needs a lot less chargeing it lasts a month, super easy to load new books on, and Kobo offers a wide selection of free ebooks. I like the self system and connectivity to the web. I wasn’t too sure about the touch screen till I bought a rubber tipped stylus. My hands shake and this was causing problems. I have downloaded  a bunch of knitting pattern PDFs so I can carry them around when looking for yarn or knitting. I also read at night in bed, DH loves the glo feature! No more midnight bed side lamp. I would recommend this  product. Warning, needs patience to get it working, after that it is a breeze. 

FO 2011 = 105  

FO’s 2012 =  78 (I did a few more large projects)

WIPS 2013 = 7

Stash used 2012 = 88 (stunned by this total!)

I will not mention yarn Purchased last year!

Books 2011 = 45  Books 2012 = 48

Well I wish you and yours a happy, healthy, prosperous and productive

New Year

Music to end the year: Auld Lang Syne

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)