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)

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: Looking forward to a weekend of Firsts!

TGNP (Thank God No Physio) today!

Saturday promises to be a lot of fun.

Bonnie and I are heading into Toronto for the DKC Knitters Frolic!

This is a first, because I have never been on a road trip with my friend Bonnie! I will report on this Wednesday…

First Communion of my Cousins little girl. Here is her gift.

Handmade Catholic Rosary.

First Birthday of her little brother. Here is his gift.

Size 2 for 1st Birthday :0)

and  there will be a large family party on Sunday.

Finished a few friends for Sssydney!

Sssydney’s friends

and an XL Coffee Cup Sweater 

Doing these for the Craft sale in June.

Both Sssydney and XL Coffee Cup Sweater are my freebies on Ravelry.

The usual installment of found on Ravelry: Milly by Vanessa Ewing  would look rather nice over a tank top.

and I came across this rather good Crochet Tutorial for Mile a Minute Afghans. I am going to start linking anything I find that might interest you… Look under Techniques and Video Tutorials :0)

Current Book: Badger’s Moon by Peter Tremayne

The Sister Fidelma stories are set in the middle of the 7th century, mainly in Ireland. She is a Celtic religieuse, a legally recognized lawyer and sometimes Judge. So far I am really enjoying it. There is an interesting and informative introduction which explains the Celtic legal codes of the time.

Current WIP List (12)

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

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

FO’s 2013 = 30 + 6 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13

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

Stash Used 2013 =  33 + 1 = 34

Books 2013 = 12 + 2 = 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)

FO Friday: Meet Sssydney!

Here is Sssydney, I’m still working on his family…

Currently he ssslithering up a pencil, but he could wrap around just about anything.

These guyz work up really quickly!

Here is the Sydney snake and friends pdf

and Hubert the Briar Bunny has returned from his trip to the Yarn Challenge at the LYS

DH started calling him Hubert, he hasn’t commented so I guess that’s his name ;0)

Knitting technique video link:  Emily Ocker’s circular cast on, I used this for both Sssydney and Hubert

Found on Ravelry: Frigging Princess by Anna-Lena Thiel This one just tickles my fancy :0)

Current WIP List (12)

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

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

FO’s 2013 = 29 + 1 = 30

WIPS 2013 =  11 + 1 = 12

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

Stash Used 2013 =  33

Books 2013 = 12

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 Wed: Progress in the war on WIP’s

The Soper Creek Yarn Challenge

My entry unveiled!

another view of Briar Bunny

The good news, my friend Frances Ivy won with her Jubilee vest by Cecily Glowik Macdonald. See it on Soper Creek Yarns on fb.

I continue to work away on my WIP’s list.

From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf  

Working on chart C, 2nd repeat

Huston, we had a problem… Yes I had to frog from 1/2 way through chart B, transition between chart A & B run amuck! Back on track now finished 1st repeat of chart B. Life-lines! Lace weight is a pain when things start to go pear-shaped. Otherwise enjoying this project :0)

Ruffle Scarf 

and started something new for the craft sale in June

I’m thinking up a new pattern Sssydney the Sssnake and Friends

Doing a whole passle of these guyz, they are blind right now, need to put eyes on. I rather like hoe the tongues worked out.

Another installment of found on Ravelry: Sassy Summer Satchel by Tanya Thomann

This weeks musical interlude: THOMAS TALLIS, Spem in Alium, Motet for 8 Choirs, I Fagiolini/R. Hollingworth (composed in 1596)

Trent Durham Area Day of Celebration 2013 was last Saturday

here are the highlights…

Current WIP List (11)

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

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

FO’s 2013 = 29

WIPS 2013 =  11

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

Stash Used 2013 =  33

Books 2013 = 12

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: One WIP down!

Yay! Happy Dance!

Started June 10, 2012 – Finished April 3, 2012

Am conflicted about this project. It was a refreshing change from scarves. However it does not suit my voluptuous figure ;0) So it is going to the Craft Sale in June.

Kelp Forest Shawl by karinknits designs

Found on Ravelry: Sophia’s Shawl Pattern after doing the last ruffle shawl I am interested in doing this half circle version. There is also an interesting stole version Triana Intrigue by Victoria Myers

Current WIP List (12)

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

1. Playful Stripes Cardiganby Alana Dakos (due Apr) 85%
2. Camellia shawlette – A wedding gift (due July) 5%
3. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
4. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
5. My Spring Socks – My design 98%
6. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
7. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
8. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
9. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
10. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
11. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
12. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 25 + 1 = 26

WIPS 2013 = 13 – 1 = 12

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

Stash Used 2013 =  23 + 2 = 25

Books 2013 = 12

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)

FO Friday: Meet Maurice!

DH spotted this little guy on Ravelry, and really liked him.

He chose the colour, and the eye. I wanted to make the happy smiling version and was voted down…

Voodoo you love me? 

DH named him Maurice, apparently he is french :0)

So ugly he’s cute!

Jack wasn’t as impressed

 Found on Ravelry: Colourwheel Cowl as most of you know, I am a big fan of Wingspan. this is a similar sort of thing.

Current WIP List (12)

1. Voodoo you love me?
2. Sea of Dreams Blanket
3. Camellia shawlette – A wedding gift
4. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves 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 = 23 + 1 = 24

WIPS 2013 = 13 – 1 = 12

Used of 36 + 1 = 37 purchased patterns from Rav =  7 + 1 = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 21 + 1 = 22

Books 2013 = 10

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: Last weeks disasters finally sorted out

Hope you all had a Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

Well the Soper Creek Yarn Challenge entry has been finished and delivered! Will post pics and link when challenge ends.

More on that later.

All the little disasters of last week have been sorted!

Sea of Dreams Blanket

24″ x 18″ so far, great pattern.

Camellia shawlette – A wedding gift

Finally finished casting on, after a poor start! We’ll see if I recommend this pattern as I get further into it…

Found on Ravelry: Just love these little guyz! Voodoo you love me?by Susan Claudino. I love what KnittinOn did with this pattern.  Liked it so much bought it and making a few.

The guys like the X for one eye and a button, yuck! I like the smiley one…

I am making them for my fellas.

Current WIP List (13)

1. Soper Creek Yarn Challenge – Done, will post pics and links after challenge ends.
2. Voodoo you love me?
3. Sea of Dreams Blanket
4. Camellia shawlette – A wedding gift
5. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done
6. My Spring Socks – My design
7. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
8. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
9. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
10. Kelp Forest Shawlette – very close to done
11. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
12. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
13. Cozy Winter Shawl
14. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 22 + 1 = 23

WIPS 2013 =  13 – 1 + 1 = 13

Used of 36 + 1 = 37 purchased patterns from Rav =  7 = 28 to go

Stash Used 2013 = 19 + 2 = 21

Books 2013 = 10

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)

FO Friday: A really useful thing!

Good Morning all!

Hey, 25,000 views! whoohoo!

I’ve had visitors from all over, from Australia to the Ukraine and even a visitor from Cyprus! The list of followers is growing too. Thanks for your support and validation! I will endeavour to inprove improve both my spelling and my content. My Blogs anniversary is coming up on January 22, watch for a treat!

Meanwhile I continue to stashbust the little balls of leftover sock yarn in my stash tin!

I made 3 of these Yarn Ball Cosies. I tried the plastic mash ones, these are so much better!

Yarn Ball Cosy

I like to pull my yarn from the centre of the ball, needless to say this becomes a mess when the centre finally collapses. The Large one takes about 14gms, Small one about 12gms of fingering or sock yarn. I made mine 4″ long. The red one is a small ball the others are the large size.

Can you tell I really like these handy little cosies?

Did you see this on Ravelry: I am going to start linking things I see on Rav that appeal to me and that you might have missed. This week A Better Bucket by Amy Swenson. Tina at Soper Creek yarns made this. It was so much nicer than the picture!

Book of the week: The Complete World of Jane Austen by Lauren Nixon

DH gifted this to me at Christmas. What an interesting little book, full of details, and snipets on Austens live and times, pictures of places that informed her work. The tidbits on fashion, her family and overviews of her works though brief, were interesting.

I would recommend it if you are a Regency fan and particularly of Jane Austen

Music Link: Watkins Ale – Music of the English Renaissance

FO’s 2013 = 0 + 3 = 3

WIPS 2013 = 9

Stash Used 2013 = 0 + 1 = 1

Books 2013 = 3 + 1 = 4

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)