Was I Ever That Young or That Thin???

I pulled out some old prom pictures to add to a scrapbook page I'm doing of the twins prom pictures. This is my DD and her DH (the twins mom & dad) at her Junior Prom in 1987. Diana was the Prom Queen, and she is still just as pretty and just as thin as she was then. Jayson has a lot less hair now but still a good looking guy!

And, that's me and my DH on the right - at his Senior Prom in 1960.

Notice the DA haircut on Steve?

And, yes, we are still just as pretty and as thin as we were then LOL.

Actually it's hard to believe I was ever that thin - I think I weighed around 95 pounds!

And finally my labyrinth Carpet Bag finished and felted. I'm not crazy about it. Sometimes when I put something away for awhile and then take it back out it looks better - so that's what I'm going to do!

It was fun knitting it, but if I make another one I won't use the color sequences in the pattern. Some of the rows only called for one round of a color - and those rounds didn't even show up when it was felted. Like the bottom right hexagon which looks like it only has two colors but should have a blue round. I should have realized that when I was knitting, but I followed the pattern like a good girl!

Prom Pictures

All dressed up -

My grandson and his girlfriend

My granddaughter and her boyfriend
Jacob, Sarah, Jordyn & Trevor

The twins.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I hope you are all having a wonderful Mother's Day! These beautiful flowers arrived yesterday from my son who lives in Austin. We went out for dinner last night with my daughter's family and my other son. Today I've been playing with the new laptop computer my DH gave me for Mother's Day - quite a surprise, as I wasn't expecting anything, much less a laptop!

I'm almost finished with the Labyrinth Carpet Bag - just need to finish up the I-cord handles, which I decided to make instead of the leather, since I'm not at all sure this bag is going to come out looking anything like it's supposed to. The felting is going to have to work miracles and cover up a bunch of mistakes -

Can't wait to see how it comes out!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

To all of you underpaid, overworked and sometimes under appreciated colleagues of mine, including those of you who home school, which has to be the hardest job of all!

We are fortunate to have a wonderful PTA group at our school that raises money for all those little extras that have been cut from the budget. Today they catered a luncheon for us in a building across the street from the school. Now - we don't have a cafeteria, so we eat in our classrooms with the kids every day, and never get a chance to eat lunch with the grown-ups, so this was a big treat! They had a Cinco de Mayo theme, with Mexican food, sombreros and maracas on the table and Mexican Music. There was a drawing with prizes for each of us. I won this great quilted tote bag, which I love. When it was held up I thought "That's mine!" and surprise, surprise, my name was drawn! They even had a pinata filled with school supplies for us to bring back to the kids in the classroom, who were being supervised by volunteer parents. One of the little boys in my class wanted to know what 'preciation' means. I said it means 'be nice to your teachers today.' He said, 'Oh - I thought it meant, get away from your class for a little while today.' - Yes - that too! We were scheduled to do an ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) walk with the kids this afternoon, but the postponed it until next week.

I hope all of my teacher friends out there are feeling appreciated this week!

Knitters are just the best!

What did I do before Ravelry took over my life? It's hard to imagine. But two of the places I used to hang out were The Knitter's Review and The Knitty Coffee Shop. (I'm janev on both of those). I made friends there, and brought some of them with me to Whoduknit and met some of them again on Ravelry. I was ready to toss my Labyrinth Carpet Bag in the driveway (see previous post) and back over it a few times when I couldn't find a solution on Ravelry. Than I remembered my old friends and went over to see if anyone there had an answer for me. Sure enough - within 24 hours of my post on Knitter's Review I had an answer - IT WASN'T ME!!!! The pattern was wrong. The corrected pattern makes way more sense, and after some frogging, I am back on my way again. Aren't knitters just the greatest? In case you've never been there, the Knitters Review is owned by Clara Parkes who lives in Maine - in fact just an hour from me. I've never met her but hope to one of these days. The Knitty Coffee Shop is, of course, part of Knitty.com, where all of those great free patterns are posted 4 times a year. If you haven't been to either one - I'd recommend a visit.

Knitting Slump

Yes, I'm in a knitting slump - I know, you've all been there - how do you get out of them? I was sailing right along on my Labyrinth Carpet Bag, about half done, when I realized that one of the triangles that connects the hexagons was at the wrong angle, which made the bag a very weird shape indeed. I checked on Ravelry to see who else had made this bag and only one person said that she had the same problem, the rest said the pattern was easy to follow....so I'm pretty sure it's me and not the pattern. I had to put it aside for a couple of days - just couldn't look at it! I'm going to try to pick it back up this weekend do some frogging and see if I can figure it out. My other UFO - the dresser scarf from Rachel's mystery KAL is in a slump too - just can't seem to get interested in finishing it. I did feel the need to complete something this week so I crocheted some of these coasters with left-over Sugar & Cream cotton. The pattern on Ravelry was too complicated for me to wrap my tired brain around (you know those DC around the post thingys) so I made up my own very simple pattern - simple enough to do when I am brain dead and the Red Sox are losing 13-0 and Francona has put the right fielder in to pitch and the pitcher in right field - okay I digress! I think I'll make dozens of these - and then think of something to do with them.

Crocheted Coasters:

Small amounts of worsted weight cotton yarn in two contrasting colors.

Size G or H crochet hook

With Color A Ch 4

DC in 4th chain 11 times (12 DCs)

DC twice in each DC around (24 DCs) End Off

Attach Color B, Ch2, 4 DC in next DC, Sk next DC, 5 DC in next DC, repeat around. (55 DC), end off.

Attach Color A, SC in each DC. End off.

Traveling Scarf Returns Home!

After traveling across the country and back for the past 6 months my traveling scarf has come home, with sections added by 12 different members of my Noro Knit & Crochet Traveling Scarf group #37 on Ravelry. It seems to have had a wonderful time! It spent some time in sunny California , and went to Surf City to train for a marathon with Lori, helped Lisa decorate for Christmas, visited with Liz's cat, Caesar, and also got to visit one of my special Internet friends, Nancy at the Jersey Shore. It's home now - ready to be blocked and finished off. Haven't decided yet whether or to to add any more to the end of it where it is still on the stitch holder.

It was hard to get a photo of the whole scarf - but hope you can see some of the sections (click for a larger view). It was all done with different Noro yarns, some knit and some crocheted.

I also finished my section on the last of the 12 scarves that I worked on and will be sending that out to California on Monday.

This was a fun way to try out new patterns and yarns on a small scale.

I've decided to enter a felted bag in a Fiber Arts Show that will take place in Winter Harbor from June 28-July 5 (with some encouragement from my friends!) This is the beginning of the bag I'm working on - it's the Labyrinth Carpet bag from Interweave Knits 2008 Holiday Issue. So far it looks like a mess! It's a series of hexagons that attach to each other by picking up stitches. It's a really intriguing pattern and I'm very anxious to see how it comes out. I'm trying to decide whether to add i-cord handles or leather handles like the pattern calls for. What do you think? This is what it is supposed to look like when it is done. Obviously I'm using different colors! Galway Wool in turquoise, brown and tan.

Paul Revere, Sox, Socks, Marathons, and Mom

What do they all have in common?

Today is Patriots' Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. It's observed as a holiday in Massachusettes and Maine. In our school district, our spring vacation always falls during the week of Patriots' Day - so thank you Paul Revere! In MA, it's the day of the Boston Marathon, and when the Red Sox are in town, they play a morning game. Although Patriots' Day is now celebrated on a Monday, the real date is April 19, which was my mother's birthday. It's impossible to believe that she has been gone for 17 years and I still miss her.

So, this morning I'll be knitting socks, watching the sox and the Boston Marathon, and remembering my mom.

Nobody's Perfect

Except these three girls!

The kids at school put on a variety show to raise money for our new school. The state will only pay for the basics and we have to raise the money for all the extras. We do have a stage in the new school, but no curtains, lights, or sound system. We have some very talented kids in our school and a very talented music teacher who devotes a lot of extra time and energy to develop this talent. There were funny skits, dances, talented singers and musicians....but my favorite act was (could I have been bias?) this one. Oh, and by the way, the girl on the left happens to be my granddaughter. The quality of the video is not very good - but click on the arrow and you'll get the picture!

Catching Up

I'm still ahead in my 52 in 52 goal for 2009. Some recent additions and these two baby hats that I knit for a co-worker who is having twin boys. They are knit with Opal sock yarn. Love using sock yarn for baby items, since it can be machine washed and dried.

These dishcloths are for a dishcloth swap that I am in. The square is a 'ball band' cloth - so named because it is the pattern on the back of the band on Peaches & Cream cotton yarn. It's Navy, not black, like it looks in the photo. The other two are crochet patterns from coatsandclark.com.

So, wow! That counts as five projects! (My rules, remember?)

Set Another Place at the Easter Brunch Table

I thought I was really organized for a 10 o'clock Easter Brunch this year. Easter baskets all ready - a basket of Bath & Body products for Jordyn with a gift card to Aeropostle, a 6-can cooler for Jacob filled with fishing stuff and a gift card to Olympia Sports, and a High School Musical suitcase filled with goodies from Staples for Tori (she loves that kind of stuff!) and a Walmart Gift Card. The pink bag at the top was for DH filled with handmade soap, sea salt scrub, etc. and a gift card for a pedicure. The clues for the Egg hunt were printed out, put in the plastic eggs and hidden by 8 o'clock this morning. I made a breakfast casserole last night, ready to go in the oven with the ham, along with oven baked french toast. All I had to do was set the table cook the home fries, put out the fruit salad, muffins, juice, coffee, etc.

Then the phone rings.....It's DD - is it okay if Jordyn brings her boyfriend. Sure! Scramble around - add his name to her egg hunt, fix up a small Easter basket, add another plate and another chair - all set. Phone rings again.....Since Jordyn is bringing her boyfriend, Jacob wants to know if it's okay to bring his girlfriend - okay - add her name to his egg hunt - put together an Easter basket for her, add a leaf to the table, another chair, another plate. Phone rings again...

I answered - "Don't tell me Tori is bringing a boyfriend" (she's 9) - No, just asking if I needed anything. Of course I was really thrilled that they all came - and we had a great time. In the photo they are playing Wii. Below Diana and Tori go through her goodies.

And Whoo Hoo - look at my Easter Basket (well, mine and DH's). He's already taken some gardening stuff out - an upsidedown tomato planter, seeds, etc. Guess what's left for me?

And since they have all left - I can spend the rest of the day knitting!

I hope that your Easter was as wonderful as mine - spent with family and friends.

Opening Day at Fenway

One day late, but worth the wait!

BECKKKKKKKKKKETT!

A Prize? I didn't even know there was a contest!

In my last post I showed you my Mystery Yarn Ball from my swap pal, Robbbie, on my Whoduknit Group and the really cute mug cozy I made with the yarn and the pattern.

This was the yarn ball I sent to my pal, Bonnie. Now, technically everything was supposed to be wrapped inside the yarn (and I made the rules!) But since there were a few strands of yarn wrapped around the hat I decided it was legal (and like I said, I make the rules!). That's a pink Red Sox hat in case you can't tell - and NO, she is NOT a Yankee fan! She is actually a Red Sox Fan. After she knit the drawstring bag from the mystery pattern I sent, using the purple yarn, these goodies fell out, including a small ball of lace yarn, which she used to knit the Cat's Paw scarf. Did I tell you she loves cats? That was pretty much the theme of the yarn ball. I had so much fun putting this mystery yarn ball together for her!

So, anyway - here is the finished lace scarf (I cut off your head Bonnie, only because I didn't have permission from you to post your photo!) And today - look what I received in the mail from Bonnie! A prize for putting the best Mystery Yarn Ball together. Now like I said, I make the rules - and I didn't even know there was a prize for the best mystery ball! LOL

There are two balls of Regia Galaxy sock yarn - great colors since I wear a lot of brown. And a beautiful skein of what looks like hand-dyed yarn in absolutely gorgeous colors! And, can you see the adorable little lamb? Thank you Bonnie! And thanks again Robbie. This was a great swap!

April Showers

The weather map for the next 8 days has rain coming down! I guess we should be happy it is not white. I've got a couple more FOs to add to my 52 in 52 list. This coffee cup cozy was knit with the pattern and yarn in my Whoduknit Mystery Yarn Ball swap package. It's a great cable pattern, one I've never done before.

the yarn is Paton's Decor. I had enough left over to knit another baby hat, and I think maybe even enough for a pair of booties to go with it.

These are the goodies that fell out of the yarn as I knit.

This swap is always a favorite of mine!

Prospect Harbor Light

I've got nothing for you today! So, I'll borrow an idea from Aunt Kathy and show you what I'm looking at on my desktop. (click on it to see the full size photo) The sky today is not nearly that blue - in fact it's pretty gray with a promise of rain for the next couple of days. Which will bring us, not to spring, we really don't have that season here, but to "Mud Season". This photo was taken by a friend of a friend and he gave her permission to share it - so feel free to save it to your own computer!

To Bind Off or Not to Bind Off & Other Mysteries

This is Day 13 of the Mystery KAL on Rachel's Knitting Room Yahoo Group.
Today we have a choice. We can finish it off by knitting 4 more rows of garter and binding off - or continue on...forever and ever, I think, since it called for a whole cone of cotton yarn.
It would make a really large dishcloth, but I'm tempted to keep on going - what do you think?

I received my Mystery Yarn Ball from the Whoduknit swap. It's from Robbie and the yarn is Paton's Decor in very pretty colors and the pattern is for a cabled cup cozy. There are little goodies sticking out of it and I'm anxious to see what mysterious objects will fall out as I knit.

I checked out the first season of Knitting Daily on CDs from the library since it's not being shown in this area, so I think I may settle down and watch it while I knit up my cup cozy, and see what falls out of the ball!

A Little bit of Knitting to relieve the stress

Last week at school was stressful and this week is starting out the same way - involving DHS (Department of Human Services), and bad parenting, and kids suffering because of it. It's really heartbreaking.

And so, on to the knitting.............

Above is the first 8 days of the mystery KAL on Rachel's Knitting Group. This group usually knits dishcloths - but this mystery KAL calls for a whole cone of Peaches & Cream cotton. It's a very interesting pattern. I think it must be a runner and will take a very long time to complete!

I finally finished the booties to go with the hat for a baby shower I am going to next week. Notice the booties are fraternal twins? After three tries to get them to match using the self-striping yarn, I finally gave up and decided it would be more fun if they didn't match. Hope the new mommy feels the same way!

Where is your cell phone?

My blogging mind has been pretty blank lately - so here is a one word meme for you. This weekend I'll have some blog awards to give out so come back!


Where is your cell phone? charging
spouse? sleeping
Your hair? graying
Your mother? Heaven
Your favorite thing? knitting
Your favorite drink? merlot
Your dream/goal? retirement
What room are you in? addition
Where do you want to be in 6 years? alive
Something that you aren't? young
Muffins? blueberry
Wish list item? yarn
Where you grew up? Clifton
Last thing you did? eat
What are you wearing? clothes
TV? Knitting
Your pets? none
Friends? good
life? hard
Your mood? tired
Your car? outback
Something you're not wearing? glasses
Your favorite store? acmoore
When is the last time you laughed? today
Last time you cried? yesterday
Where do you go to over and over? work
Favorite place to eat? Chippers
Favorite place you'd like to be at right now? bed

Knit Something Green Today!

Here is my 'green'. I knit a skinny scarf with the leftover Plymouth Happy Feet yarn from my Old Shale Smoke Ring. It knit it in the Old Shale pattern (so simple!) CO 22 stitches, Row 1: K Row 2: K2,P18,K2

Row 3: K2, (K2tog) 3x (YO,K1)6x (K2tog)3x Row 4: K

Repeat these 4 rows until it is as long as you want or you run out of yarn.

I had enough yarn left over for Vickie Howell's shamrock (the link for the pattern is in the post below). I just glued the beads on it.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Irish Blessings

May you always have

Walls for the wind

A roof for the rain

Walls for the wind,

A roof for the rain,

Fine yarn to knit

A good book to read

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire

And... It's not too late to whip up some

of Vickie Howell's bejeweled shamrocks in your home with walls and a roof, with fine yarn, by the fire, drinking tea,while reading a book, with good friends near you and laughter to cheer you!

Spring Ahead

Daylight savings time begins today and spring is in the air this weekend, in spite of the snow still on the ground. We've had weather in the 40s, and sunny skies. To celebrate I knit this springy hat. True, it's being modeled by a snowman, and he really needs to be put away, but he's so cute I'll probably let him stick around awhile - at least until the snow melts! The hat will be gifted to our school secretary who is expecting her first baby in April. It's made with sock yarn (I think it's Lion Brand). The pattern is a Ravelry pattern called Baby Beanie and was really fun to knit. What was not fun to knit was the baby sock I tried for two hours this morning to figure out. I've been wanting to try toe-up socks and thought this would be an easy way - NOT. After 5 tries I did figure out the cast on and it was going great until I got to the heel. I have no problem turning a heel on a top down sock - but going the other way with all the wrap & turns drove me crazy and to the frog pond the sock went.

I think I'll make booties instead.

What's Your Word?

My Word is "Peace"

You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of. Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you. While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life. You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

What's" Your Word?

Greening it up

I decided to go with the green theme today - probably with the hope we would be seeing some soon! One of my favorite instant gratification projects - The Clutch You'll Never Give Up from One Skein. I've actually given quite a few of these up - but maybe I'll keep this one! I knit it with two strands of Patons Classic Merino in Heather Green.





And I felted Jeanne's bag - from this to this. I love felting - it's like magic!

Do You Like Green Eggs and Ham?

The kids in my 2nd grade class do! We celebrate 'Cat in the Hat Day' every year with a Reading Cafe, where the older students serve the younger students Dr. Seuss books and green eggs and ham - they love it!
And I have no problem taking this pledge right along with them. Take it along with me!

Read Across America Reading Pledge

I promise to read
Each day and each night.
I know it's the key
To growing up right.
I'll read to myself,
I'll read to a crowd.
If silent or loud.
I'll read at my desk,
At home and at school,
On my bean bag or bed,
By the fire or pool.
Each book that I read
Puts smarts in my head,'
Cause brains grow more thoughts
The more they are fed.
So I take this oath
To make reading my way
Of feeding my brain
What it needs everyday

In fact - I would take the same pledge changing the word read to knit. And since school has been cancelled once again, I might celebrate the day by knitting some Dr. Seusseque wrist warmers by Susan Flockhart Designs. Or my own version of this fun Dr. Seuss scarf by Not Martha. Or maybe going with the green theme and knitting one of these St. Paddy's Day patterns from Moorehouse Farms?

And, did you know that today is also Cat Bordhi's birthday? So maybe I'll CO for a Moebius Cowl or a Denise Bag or some Socks that Soar on Two Circular Needles. While all the while, reading the March Whoduknit book - Winter Study by Nevada Barr.

But, I will not be eating Green Eggs and Ham!

In Like A Lion

Another storm on the way - snow, ice, power outages, school closings........

Take me Away!!!!!

This is my friend Dot who sent me the bear. She is wearing the red hat I sent her. It doesn't sing That's What Friends are For - but it was made with love!

And my manikin friend modeling my Smoke Ring made with the Happy Feet Plymouth yarn I won in BJ's contest. I just love this color! I have enough left to make a skinny scarf that I can wear in warmer weather (see - I'm being optomistic - it IS going to get warmer!) The smoke ring will probably be perfect for St. Patrick's day.

I'm going to hit 'escape' now!!!