Knitting Passion

So, I KNOW that you are all dying to know what is the latest project off the needles and the latest project that is ON the needles. Or, are you too busy trying to decide just what to feed the hungry hordes on New Year’s Day? (Click that link and Lessa will tell you all about what to do and what NOT to do . . . because we all know, Lessa knows best - except for her Mama, of course.) hahaha

Okay - for the curious among us, here is the latest from the needles - both off and on:

Okay - the color is TERRIBLE, but I wanted you to see the whole thing. The piece in the background, of course, is another “stocking” cap - yup, just like the one I made Lessa for Christmas. Lessa’s friend loved hers and I offered to make her one in her favorite color. She said yellow - and I happened to have a skein of yellow on hand, so, “J”, here ya go. As soon as you get me your address - or Lessa - then it will be on its merry way to you.

The pattern, by the way, is available online from knitty.com

It is actually more of a baby yellow in color - I’ll show you in a closeup picture of the other object there.

While this picture is blurry, it does at least show the color off a bit better.

Oh, and the object still on needles? It’s a baby sock - made out of leftover sock yarn - a pair being made for a certain friend of mine who is going to be a first time Grandpa this summer.

That link will take you to my home page entry about his wedding in 2006. He and his bride and their children all came to the US from the UK in order to be married by Elvis in Vegas. And, yes, this ‘laskan went to the wedding - where, I of course melted, as temperatures were in the 120 degree range. I was thus a “baked ‘laskan”, yes indeedy.

Now as my friends come up on their second anniversary, his daughter is going to present them with a first grandchild. He’s not so sure he is ready to be a grandpa, but we will talk him through it and he will love the little tyke immensely, I’m sure.

I’ll post a pic of the finished pair - perhaps tomorrow.

Really, it’s a cap with a stocking on it . . . how much fun can that be? Well, just ask Lessa:

She looks like she is enjoying it. Her honey would have loved it - and I would have had to give it to him and make something else for her if he was still with us - or make a mathcing pair.

She like sit so much she told a friend of hers about it and now I am making one for HER, too! Her friend J wants it in yellow. I’ve already had to rip it out once because I got it twisted when I joined the circle - didn’t realize it until I had about 6 rows done. Ah, well. I can frog as well as the next person.

So, by now you are all tired of the ham and turkey leftovers, right? Well, do a pot luck Thursday with Rachael Ray! You just GOTTA love pot luck, right?

Speaking of which - I have the most awesome sisters in Christ! They have been spoling hubby and me since my surgery - bringing in meals. Tonight I have a turkey and rice casserole simmering in the oven thanks to my pastor’s wife! These lovely women wanted to bring in meals EVERY night, but I asked them to cut it back to only every other night. There are only the two of us - and well, food seems to go a lot further with only two in the house.

But, man, can they ever cook! We’ve had chicken divan and a fish casserole and chicken and rice and one couple brought dinner in already plated up - pork chops with baby potatoes, carrots and asparagus. Yummo!

Sunday someone brought a chicken stew - Christmas was skipped because of Lessa, the Girl and the neighbors cooking - and then tonight the turkey and rice casserole.

Now you might be wondering at the “no beef” appearing in any of the meals. My hubby cannot stomach beef any longer. I still love it, but we don’t eat it because it just roils up and spoils in his tummy. Nobody should be near when that happens.

Hope you are enjoying your after the holiday glow. Take care, eveyone.

Didn’t quite make it here yesterday, but I’m sure most of you did not, either.

Christmas at our house was much merriment, fun and mayhem. Same as yours, I’m sure. At least I hope you had a share in the same. There is NOTHING like a group of grandyounguns to make your heart go pitty-pat, I must say.

Grandpa worked all night so he came home and grabbed some shut-eye while I snoozed in my chair - resting up for the onslaught - and watched some Christmas telly. I did miss our local news program’s special last night - hopefully they will run it again New Year’s eve. It is always fun - music videos with local talent, music from local talent as well. Merry Christmas from Alaska 8! Hmmm - they don’t have #8 listed there yet, but it is available in local stores.

I finished up another purse, so now have two waiting to be felted. Both of these are from the One Skein Wonders book.

Oh, and how did the family like their hats/scarf/purse? Lookit here:

Yeah, there’s always (at least) one making faces - this is the best group shot I could get (out of several). They’re MY monkeys and I love ‘em - funny faces and all.

And the Boy? He LOVED his spooky hat (from knitty.com) - check it out:

He added some bugs and frogs. VERY realistic, now!
(click for larger views, of course)

Lessa put together a photo montage of the day - enjoy:

before felting . . . looks sort of shapeless, or does it? Hubby said it looks like a bell to him. He’s a funny man, that one.

I am not getting much reading done while convalescing - I seem to fall asleep too often to make good sense of what I am reading.

BUT . . . I am getting a fair amount of knitting done and that is always fun. This purse is another project from the One Skein Wonders book.

So - did you get all of your Christmas knitting finished? You do know that the big day is tomorrow, right? Right!

Actually we are having the family exchange tonight - at youngest daughter’s house. Tomorrow I will post a picture of everyone in their new finery. At least, that is the plan . . . to have everyone pose for a group shot. But, best laid plans and all that - we are talking kiddos from the age of three to nearly 16, you know. Yeah, it’s the nearly 16 that will cause the ruckus . . . NOT! They are all good kids - but it is going to be a bit much, I’m thinking. However, that will not stop me from trying.

A friend of mine - we’ve known each other since 6th grade - wrote to ask me if I was planning to cook Christmas dinner. Actually, the way she said it was YOU’RE NOT GOING TO COOK, ARE YOU?!!! LOL. The answer is no, I’m not. The oldest daughter and her daughter and the next door neighbor are cooking dinner. Well, hubby is putting a ham into the oven, but everything else is being cooked offsite. Yay!

She would mother me if she were here, but we are separated by 3000 miles (a bazillion or so) miles. It is times like these that we wish we were closer.

But, I get to see her in March when hubby and granddaughter #1 and I fly out to Ohio for a visit.

Anyway . . . I need to get out of here and put some clothes on -get myself presentable for the family doings. Have a wonderful day with your families. And, don’t forget to come back for the family picture tomorrow.

If you have visited here any amount of time, you will know that I get a kick out of whacked out things - and that Lessa generally sends me the links in the first place.

Have I got another one for you . . .

Knitted landscapes!

It looks like the idea started with one group (European) placing their knitted items in very public places, leaving them to be found, asking the inhabitants of this great blue ether to shoot off a picture of the found objects.

Apparently others have gotten into the idea and are leaving their items about and sending pictures in.

Kind of a fun idea - taking nature’s lead in showing off nature’s beauty by enhancing it with some of their own.

The taking pics part - well, that is not a new thing, either, is it? My counterpart blog has an alterego - the PurpleMoose. He rides in my car with me and is often the character in a photo montage. I have other friends who use mascots similarly.

And, then there is “Flat Stanley” of course - who often arrives at his host’s house in a legal sized envelope and is then strutted about town and has his own private photo shoots.

All in good fun - and all in good silliness. That’s what life should be about, don’t you think?

My motto is . . . I live in Alaska, I make my own fun.

You should try it, too. Laughter really IS the best medicine.

Night, folks!

The scarf was a big hit with one of the younger women at the party the other night. I was kind of hoping a teen would get it so was well pleased when she seemed to enjoy it.

After all was said and done (we do the pick a gift, someone else might take it and you pick again type exchange) she began trying it on different ways. We all had to laugh when she got to THIS pose:

She wrapped it around her head with the ends sticking straight up - well, it WOULD keep her ears warm while skiing at Alyeska, I guess.

She finally put the ends behind her neck with the flat side on top of her head. Like I said, it was just fun watching her.

So, I am finishing up the last homemade Christmas gift. It should come off the needles tonight and then I will wrap up the last of the gifts. I had planned ahead and wrapped everything before I went into the hospital - just to have it all out of the way so I could be on the mend in peace, if you know what I mean.

And, yes, still mending quite well. I am going to see my regular doc this morning - the surgeon took me off my blood pressure meds while I was in the hospital because my bp was so low - in fact, it went so low one time they almost had to intervene in the opposite direction.

Anyway - when I saw the surgeon yesterday he told me I could probably start taking the pills again, but my pressure was “normal” all last night and this morning again so I want to run that by the regular doc.

Besides, I am thinking that he could use a good dose of Christmas miracle. He needs to know just what he started when he sent me for a hernia consult.

Trusting that all of you are looking forward to good times with family, good food and great fun over the next couple of weeks. Be sure to eat some goodies for me. I’m trying to cut back and be good.

Did you know that obesity is one of the leading factors in kidney cancer? Yeah, me, either. Blood pressure is another contributing factor.

Of course, there is also the tetrachlor . . . drycleaning fluids, too. And, I had a good dose of that back in the early 80s when I was working for a drycleaner whose machine was on the blink. So, I guess it could be any of the above, or a combination of all three.

Whatever it is, I am thankful and praising God that it was discovered before it metastisized.

Thanks so much to daughter, Lessa, for posting on what has been going on. She’s a good one, but don’t tell her I said so. Haha

I am just peeking in - it hurts to sit upright for too long, so this will be a quickie - hopefully I can write the required 250 words (like THAT has ever been TOO much of a problem with the great winded one. lol)

Surgery Tuesday went well - I got out of the hospital Saturday afternoon and it felt SO good to be in my own little world again, I can tell you that! I see the doctor tomorrow to get these doggoned staples out - and to hear the pathology report. Both surgeons have told me that it was what it was - but it will be good to hear from the pathologist and to know that it was all gotten and that I am free and clear.

Since I’ve been home I’ve done a LOT of snoozing - some reading - some knitting (hey, I’m dedicated!) and some trash tv viewing. Watching other people’s concerns is a kick sometimes.

I started this scarf (from the One Skein Wonder book) Saturday evening and finished it today. I’ve wrapped it and am taking it to a Ladies Christmas Party tonight - I’m being picked up shortly by a very dear sister in Christ, who happens to be a nurse, so I’ll be in good hands.

Click to see the larger view on the right - there are knitted in loops on both ends to “tie” the scarf around your neck. Very cute - made out of wool - the same wool I made the Girl’s Christmas purse.

UPDATE: Back from the party - EXHAUSTED!!! (who knew having fun could be SO MUCH WORK?)

The young woman who received the scarf loved it. So, YAY! And, good night.

Getting closer to having all of the Christmas pressies finished.

#2 daughter’s is finished and just waiting to be wrapped. No peeking, Ladybug - the pic is behind the cut.

#1 daughter’s is on the needles in its beginning phase - you know the one where you’re thinking “is this gonna fit?” or “does this make my (enter keyword here) look fat?” But it’s in her favorite color (think Goth) and is just kinky enough that the techs at the hospital’s MRI department are clamoring for the pattern after I told them about it. Heh. Gotta love that.

And, here for your viewing pleasure is a picture of my Christmas gift from our staff holiday party last week:

as always, click for a larger view.

Isn’t he so cute? He bobbles when you touch his head. I had to whine to get him, btw. I forgot that he had been given until he was stolen (we do that steal twice - third person gets to keep thing) by a coworker’s hubby. I pouted and said “You know, I collect moose.” And he traded me for the saltwater taffy I had - but would not have been able to eat. It sticks to my crowns and they are too expensive for me to pop off in a candy frenzy, you know? Have to keep my dentist a happy fellow.

And, the staffer and family didn’t really mind. Lots of kids there and that box of taffy was pretty much gone by the time we all left for the evening. Glad they enjoyed it.

Myself? Pass the fudge - sigh, nobody brought fudge. Ah, well. I guess I really didn’t need it.

Well, you all be good to yourselves. See you on the flip side.

(more…)

It’s time to start thinking about the great 2008 Knit Out! February 17 and 18 at the Mall of America. It’s the second annual and promises to be bigger and better than last year’s event. Over 50,000 people attended in 2007 . . . were you one? Will you be there to join in the fun in 2008?

You might get the chance to see and meet author Debbie Macomber or Knitty Gritty’s Vickie Howell.

There’ll be lessons and demos and yarn “doctors” and fashion shows and all kinds of goodies like that. And, really, friends, just who would NOT want to be rubbing shoulders of 50,000 of their favorite knit-a-holics after all?

Erm, Yeah.

Okay - those big convention type things are not really my cup of tea - I’m not sure I’d even really enjoy the Mall of America - it seems a LOT bigger than my little space in the scheme of things. I mean, good grief! They have over 13,000 parking spaces!!! We don’t have 13,000 parking spaces in all of my little town - and that includes the next door neighbor’s house where they park three across and two deep and still use the street!!!!

So, here’s a thought . . . why not shop green - instead of burning the green - shop globally minded.

Of course, if you are of the mindset, you might just try the great Knit Out - or maybe hold such a function in your hometown or one nearby. No, you might not have the big names like Debbie McComber, but you surely have your own local celebrities who knit or write about knitting or crafty folks like that. Yup, I’ll just bet you do.

Drop a note here and let us know what types of things go on in your little town - who’s the craftiest person you know? Who’s the wittiest? Who would travel across state lines to meet?

One of the things I decided this year was to not go into debt for Christmas. I try very hard to stay out of debt anyway, but this year’s added expenses have just made it a very important thing to not add any others.

So, just how do we do that?

Well, there are some ideas over at Woman’s Day online magazine. And, even some ideas about how to shop for those on your list - and still save money.

One of the ideas that particularly grabbed me was to periodically throughout the year purchase a $20 gift card from your favorite shopping place. Stash them in a safe place and then when the holidays come along you will have those cards to use. Make sure, of course, that the cards don’t expire before you use them. Better yet, make sure you get ones that do NOT expire.

You might also utilize the type card that you can continue to add money to over the year, saving a plastic card tree in the process. (heh, punny, I know)

Talk with your children and extended family members - decide ahead of time your expense limit and then stick with it (ack! so hard to do!). Choose some ways WITH your family of toning down expenses so that the big headache won’t come the week after the festivities have blurred away.

Maybe you can all make your gifts - that can be so much fun. The hurried whispers and giggles and paper rustlings and the spilled paints and paper cutouts strewn across the floor - just look at it as fun and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. It’s the thought that counts, you see.

In the making of all of the grandbabies’ hats and their mamas’ goodies, I utilized some of my stash of yarn, and didn’t buy a whole lot extra. There was a cost decrease in that.

It’s getting closer . . . no, not Christmas. Well, okay, Christmas is getting closer, too. But what I was REALLY talking about is . . .

Christmas holidays for the school kids. Think of it as a mini-summer vacation time. They’ll only be home and under your feet for a couple of weeks, but they will be there.

So, the age old question is already being discussed at the dinner tables and by the parents in their rooms after the little darlings have gone on to bed . . .

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE KIDS?

Because we all know that shortly after the big guy in red leaves and heads back to the northern reaches of the world . . . shortly after the last battery goes dead . . . shortly after the teeniest pieces of the most favorite toy in the world have been lost . . . it’s then, my friends, that your kiddos and my (grand)kiddos will set up a wail that can be heard miles and miles away . . . .

I’m BORED, Mom!

So gather up your project starters and get ready now - while you still have some of your sanity firmly in check.

Here are some ideas:

How about this Snowman Door Hanger? Made with canning jar lids and paints . . . just right for your school-aged kiddos to do - and the youngers with adult supervision and help.

Continuing with the snowman theme - look at this snowman jar. Way cute - and you COULD even KNIT his hat instead of using material for it.

And, another one in the theme: Frosty Days Jar Art.

Want something INSIDE the jar to warm you up? Try this recipe for Jalapeno Jelly. Yummy!

Hey, many thanks to JM at the Fiction Scribe. I appreciate your highlighting my request.

…this is Lessa, Barbara’s daughter. I’m here in the hospital with her (WiFi! In the Hospital! In ALASKA! WHoo!) and she wanted me to post a quick note letting you all know she came through the surgery well, and is doing just fine. Thanks for all the good vibes! There will be new posts for the rest of the week, and she’ll be back in full form by next week.

Thanks Again!
~L

Loopty Loop . . . here we go loopty lie . . .

I think this looks like a fun project - a Loopy Scarf and Hatpattern found at Joann.com.

It’s at a skill level 2, so you would need SOME knitting expertise, but it looks simple enough. I always try to do projects a little outside of my comfort zone. It stretches me - AND - it teaches me as I stumble through the patterns.

That’s where a Local Yarn Shop (LYS) comes in so handy. It’s especially helpful when there are groups like the Friday Night Knitting Club held in your LYS. There is usually lots of laughter, lots of help, and lots of friendship developing. AND . . . you get rows upon rows completed - which, of course, means lots of projects completed. Way too cool, huh?

I know that every time I have been to the shop there have been people asking Zaynab questions - or asking other knitters questions - how to get out of a knitting pickle - how to do this or that stitch - sharing experiences - sharing joys and sorrows . . .

It can become a family away from your family. And, while I live 150 miles or so away, I have been made to feel more than welcome every time I have gone in. Even the hubby doesn’t have a problem going in. Well, okay, he is all right with it for a short while . . . and then he is ready to go back to the car to wait out my shopping spree.

Hope you are supporting the LYS in your neighborhood. Hope you’re getting those Christmas pressies finished, too. Have fun!

This is not something I have tried, but I thought I would check it out over at the YouTube sites.

A friend of mine gave me a pair of heavy knitted sock-booties today at church. She made them on her loom - now, I don’t know if she has the elongated one like in this video - or if she used a round one. I didn’t really know that there were different kinds.

But I am thankful for the booties - they were made with love and affection based on a long-standing friendship and Christian sisterhood. That makes them very special to me.

I will be putting them to good use as I expect to have some time on my hands in the next couple of weeks.

And, that reminds me, folks. I am still looking for some guest bloggers over the next week. If you are interested, drop me an email to santasue AT hotmail DOT com and I will get right back to you. Please do it by this evening, though. I go into the hospital first thing tomorrow morning.

Don’t worry - it’s only supposed to be for a couple of nights, but I will likely not feel like sitting up to the computer for long periods of time for a little while, anyway.

Have gotten all of the grandbabies’ Christmas gifts wrapped. Ladybug’s gift is completed, but not wrapped. Lessa’s gift is on the needles now - I may or may not take it to the hospital with me to work on - probably not - I doubt I will have wits enough about me to do the pattern correctly.

But, Lessa - it WILL get done - hopefully beFORE Christmas.

You’ve noticed over the past months that I have linked to Shelly’s Share a Square project several times. I’ve sent her a bunch of squares, pieced together 4 afthans, and have encouraged at least one person in Alaska to do the same. That is very cool.

But what is even more cool is the fact that Shelly is doing the project in the first place. Sometimes we get these ideas and then file them on the back burner for someone else to do it - to put forth the effort - to get things accomplished.

Not Shelly - she got the idea, put it out there for the great blue ether to digest and then started the hard work to get it accomplished. And it has snowballed and people from all over the US and around this great big blue ball of ours have contributed to the project.

Shelly is over half way to her goal of completed afghans for Camp Sanguinity. A lot of people are taking a bit of a break for the Christmas holidays - but will begin again after that. In the meantime, won’t you go over to All Tips and Tricks - see the link in the quote below - and put in YOUR vote for Shelly?

It can cost $20 or more to send off a box of squares to a volunteer to piece together. A lot of those boxes have been sent off on Shelly’s dime. She hasn’t complained, but I’m sure that the $100 prize for the most votes will be sure to help out. My vote goes to Shelly and I hope yours will as wel.

thanks, everyone!

Simonne at All Tips And Tricks is having a group writing project asking…’What is Your Best Blogging Achievement?’ You can see the entries here. I vote for Shelly to win.