The Yarnarian

Hi, again.

2012-01-24T16:05:00.000-05:00

I've been gone sooooo long. I guess I just wasn't in the mood for blogging.

What's new here? A most wonderful knitting project that is, of course, a mystery. Suffice it to say that I'm loving this so much. And I can't even show you a picture. I will tell you that the yarn is Carrie Lace yarn, 1300 yards of 80/20 merino/silk, and soft and drapey and delicious. This one is for the Light and Dark Lace club's April-ish edition.

Socks are back in my hands again. Nothing terribly interesting to photograph. I just want soothing, mindless sock knitting, but not in stockinette. That's boring beyond belief, so some ribbing, some lace, etc. Two pairs went to eldest Grandkid; turns out that he loves my cosy socks. And 2 prs to Miss P, who also has fallen in love with Gram's socks. When she was here last April, we went to the Statue of Liberty one soggy day, and came home soaking wet. To warm her up, I lent her a pair of my woolly socks, and it was love at first wear. She absconded with a bunch of them. The child grew, and her foot is now an adult size 8, and my size 6 socks are a bit too small for her. So, I've been pressed into sock mania. And then, His Hubbo needed a new pair of sleeping socks, so that's what I'm working on at the moment.

I'd show you pics, but it turns out that the patterns I unvented for the lace socks turned out so nice, that I'm incorporating them in the Mystery Shawl. So, no pics here either. Sigh.

Here's what I can show you: a doll outfit, a doll quilt in progress, and the first block that I'm making for Dear Jane, also in progress.

Miss P has been pestering me for a kimono, so I bought Joan Hind's kimono pattern and just finished it today.

Isn't it adorable? Lots of mistakes, but I hope she won't notice. If she wants another one, I'll be happy to do it. I haven't sewn doll clothing in a few months, and got somewhat rusty, but did enjoy this a lot.

I have always wanted to make a log cabin quilt, even as far back as high school. So, I finally got brave and made 8 little blocks, and sewed 4 of them together for a doll quilt. I'll do the same with the leftover ones. One to Miss P and one to Miss R. You'll notice some blue lines; that's where I'm doing some fake quilting. It'll all wash out with cold water when I'm done.

I'm going to take a class in hand quilting at The City Quilter early in Feb. I don't know if my hands can handle it, but I'll give it a try. I'm pretty sure I'll never become Wonder Quilter, but it would be nice to know how to actually do it properly, and I always like learning new things.

Speaking of new things, I am taking a Dear Jane class also at TCQ. Help! Teensy, weensy little bits of fabric. Hand stitched. Turning me into a crazy lady. These little guys will finish up to around 4.5 inches. Here's the first one I'm doing. This is block A-13, and it has 21 pieces in it. It's so tiny that I am using a magnifying lamp to see where I am. Even the little needle is hard to thread, and I can still thread the sewing machine needle without difficulty. This is some learning experience. Take a look at the Dear Jane website to get an idea of the complexity of this project. No, I don't plan on doing the entire thing; it'll take me years and years to finish it. But I thought that some little wall hangings would be fun, or even a doll quilt. Maybe no on the doll quilt; I'd be hysterical if one of the blocks fell apart in play. Anyhow, this is what I have done since last Fri's class. It's taken me hours to work this, although today's stitching went faster and better than the previous work.

It looks huge in the picture. Nope, it's not. I have a class once a month for the next 3 months, and each time we'll learn a new technique. I'd like to go next time with 4 blocks done. I'm going to look for the easiest ones. BTW, there are no instructions, just a drawing of the block and a picture of Jane's block. What a learning experience.

All the candles were lit.

2011-12-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

This was the last night to light the Chanukah candles. Aren't they pretty?

Time to watch my Dresden Plate

2011-12-22T12:34:00.001-05:00

Look what the Hubs found:

I can hear you saying: "So what? It's an old watch. Big deal!" Well, it happens to be a big deal. His Royal Hubserooni has a thing on wind-up watches, and looks for them wherever he goes. We know they are out there because that's what we used before battery-operated watches. You'd think they'd be all over the place. Nope, they're not. So, anyhow, he ordered a bunch of watches from Ebay, and this ladies' watch was in the pile. And it's a wind-up watch and it fits my small wrist. Every morning I wind it, and then it keeps perfect time all day long. I rather like it as a retro-watch. I really want a new, snazzy one, but this one makes me smile at the moment, so I'll use it until I find the perfect watch.

And what are we watching? OK, looking at? This!

My first Dresden Plate quilt. Appliqued by moi, and hand-quilted also by moi. Not quilted in the ordinary way that hand quilters quilt, just in my method, which is probably wrong, but it worked for me. I think I might have quilted it a bit too closely, but it's all a learning experience for me. After many struggles with trying to pull through a knot, and failing and cursing miserably, I played around with one of my old embroidery skills of threading it ahead of my line, taking a tiny back stitch, and then quilting through all the layers. So, the back is kind of messy, but boy did I learn from it!

I loved the entire process of the hand-work. I seem to like all the quilting processes with selecting the fabric the most, of course. I like the machine sewing the least, mostly because straight lines and I don't mix. I swear I'm going to become a hand patchwork sewer. Growl.

I truly adored making the Dresden Plate and now want to make many things with it or part of it as the design. So easy and such fun, and I didn't louse up the machine piecing on it either, which really surprised me. I backed it with a solid fabric. Not a good idea because you can see my messy white thread stitches on that deep teal background. Ick. Next time I use a print for the back side. The other thing I did which I won't do again is apply the binding to each side rather than go around the piece. It was fast, but I made really messes on the back with trying to get the pieces to go together without raw edges showing. I'll do the regular double binding the next time. And I really really like to do the hand binding part. And I think binding clips are fun and adorable.

We are having a nice Chanukah. Quiet, just the 2 of us. Light the candles, say the prayers and sing a song or two. Miss P has taken to calling me a couple of times every day and she brings me up to date with her presents and such.

Happy Chanukah!

2011-12-20T19:40:00.000-05:00

First night. Yep, candles are burning, but you can't see the shames. That's the candle that lights the other candles.

Said the prayers, sang the songs. No latkes, however. We went to Mom's residence's Chanukah party on Sunday and consumed enough tasty fried food for the rest of the year.

Our menorah was bought a few years ago and depicts an immigrant family setting out for New York.

Finished and crinkled!

2011-12-14T13:13:00.000-05:00

She's finished! The little doll quilt for a certain grand is done! Here's the before the crinkle:

And here she is after a nice tumble in the dryer, crinkly and cute as can be!

I must say that the crinkle effect really hides a lot of messes I made.

I learned a lot from this quilt.

When you piece the half-square triangles, it helps to have that seam on top so that you have a prayer of a chance of sewing at the right spot. Good thing to learn.
Little polka dot binding really ups the adorable factor.
I need to make smaller quilting sts. This may be impossible for me. I'm taking a hand quilting class at The City Quilter in February. Hopefully I can do it and quilt smaller sts and not get my wrists into major ache mode.
I loved doing this, all of it. From selecting and buying the fabric, cutting, sewing and then all the hand-work, it was such fun to do.

What's new?

2011-12-13T09:32:00.000-05:00

We went to the NY Botanical Gardens on Sunday to see the train show. The trains were OK, nothing to write home about, not even worth the wait, BUT the buildings were amazing! They are fashioned out of twigs, leaves, acorns, etc, etc and are adorable beyond belief. I half expected to see a little elf or fairy pop out of a door.

You cannot imagine how charming this all is! It was tons of fun watching the little kids taking pictures and exclaiming over the trains. Kids like the trains a lot. Me? Eh on the trains, but oh, the buildings!

Sewing news: DD's Fruit Cup quilt is coming along quite nicely. It's about 1/4 done, and I'm zooming along at odd moments of the day to work on it. All those nice straight seems.

It certainly isn't a shy quilt at all. Bright and cheery, and perfect for a dark NY apartment. The blocks are on my design floor, aka the living room floor, and are just set up to get an idea of size. Not the final placement. And of course I'm now thinking of a bunch more quilts to do. This stuff gets into your head and I obsess about it, even dreaming about it.

Knitting news: It's time to sign up for the next edition of the Light & Dark Club. Roxanne is doing the dyeing, and I've finished and blocked the shawl. Yes, it is a mystery shawl, but I'll give you a teensy sneak peak.

The yarn is a singles, and works up beautifully. My wonderful test knitter, DragonYady, tells me that this is her favorite shawl! I love it, myself. I'm not a good blocker mostly because I have no patience, but if you make this, you can block those gentle points very very well. And then you can reblock my piece. tee hee.

Fruit Cup

2011-12-08T23:36:00.000-05:00

Some pics of the Fruit Cup quilt for elder DD taken late today. It sure is bright and cheery.

Why didn't anyone tell me that strips were easy to sew? I'm even getting my seams straight. Gasp!

Dear Jane

2011-12-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

If you would like to see some Dear Jane quilts, look here. I figure it'll take me 10 years to do it, and by then I might be dead. So then, Miss P will have to finish it. After all, she's my total inspiration for quilting.

Here's the original Dear Jane website. Go drool on that one!

Whoo hoo!

2011-12-06T18:32:00.002-05:00

I got into a Dear Jane class at The City Quilter! Yes, indeed! I've been checking their site for days and days, because the classes fill very quickly. And this one in particular is extremely hard to get into. I'm so excited I could just jump up and down. But then my rotten right knee would hurt. So, I'll be mature and not jump.

I also signed up for a hand-quilting class. This should be interesting given that I have cranky wrists. But I'd like to try and anyhow, it's an adventure.

I finally decided on a quilt for elder DD, and started cutting out the pieces. This is going to take forever. Good thing I like to do it.

Yippee! And leftovers for dinner, too. And the Biggest Loser on TV tonight. What a day!

scrapperjen - These little blocks finish at 4.5". Can you just imagine it? I'm so psyched. I think I'll learn a ton of information.

Warning!

2011-12-03T14:52:00.000-05:00

Get that towel out; you're going to need it.

This post is heavy on drool. Keep that towel handy as you salivate over my new fabric. Don't say I didn't warn you, either.

The peachy/rosy/orangy colors.

The green colors.

Put them all together and you get cantelope, cucumber, honeydew, and other assorted sorbet colors. What I did not show you is the soft off-white polka dot on soft off-white. Figured it wouldn't show up well. BTW, the colors are softer than what my camera is showing. It really is pretty.

Elder DD wants a quilt! And not in black or gray or neutrals! Whoopie! The New Yorker likes color! I always knew she was a classy dame!

So what to make with it all? I have tons of fabric here, although I think I'll need more of that off-white. Easy enough to get. Rail block with that off-white as one of the strips? Some sort of diagonal strippy thing? I have no idea. Clearly it'll need white to keep it under control. Otherwise it'll tend to look like the great pumpkin, only with more peachy tones.

More sewing stuff: here are the 2 doll quilts now at the hand quilting part. I'm not terribly good at this. Can't do the hand under the quilt thing because it hurts my hands. So I slowly do a running stitch. It's quite pleasant to do, although I have learned never to quilt through seam allowances unless I have to. So far I can't seem to get more than 10-11 sts/inch, although going down to a size 9 between is helping. Well, so it goes. I'm certainly never going to enter anything in a competition. I'm just doing this for the fun of it.

I started another doll quilt, also. This is from a Schnibbles pattern, only I'm going to make it smaller for a doll. I'm learning how to make flying geese. Ack. What a mess it is, except that I seem to be able to fudge it well. Just don't look on the wrong side. Next time, I'll really spray with more starch!

I have another row of geese to sew, and then add all the cute sashing in-between, etc, etc.

Here's my take on quilting: I love picking out the fabrics and looking for patterns. I actually like some of the cutting out very much. I love arranging the blocks, and then hand-quilting them. The machine sewing part is OK; not my greatest love, mostly because I'm so totally inaccurate. And basting the layers together is not grand fun, although on these little pieces, it's kind of pleasant.

I was chatting with the shop owner about how much I'm loving this craft even with my crummy cutting and sewing, and she told me that she can barely knit. So there you have it: Different skills and some of us are great at one thing, and others of us excel at other things. It's a challenge to step out of your comfort zone, and it keeps the brain alive. Plus all those colors! What can I say? It's all about the color!

Knitting? I'm working on the next shawl of the Light & Dark Lace Club. I had this gorgeous border planned, but I know I won't have enough yarn, so I'll put the pattern aside for another shawl, and come up with a cute little guy. Can't show you pics, BUT I can finally show you Arachne's Delight, the current shawl in progress. I had the best time knitting it, and don't you love that adorable border?

Arachne's Delight will go up for sale in Feb.

And that's enough of my blather.

New pattern

2011-11-30T10:43:00.000-05:00

Here's the August selection for the Light & Dark Lace Club: Wandering. This is a charming scarf with lots of patterns and a border that is not never-ending. A bit of neat shaping, and some cute knitting tricks, but basically not very difficult to knit at all. And the bonus is that you get pretty patterns that you can use elsewhere!

Menu change

2011-11-23T12:40:00.002-05:00

I just found a crock pot recipe for potatoes and fennel. Takes about 3 hours on high. My crocks cook very quickly, so I estimate about 2-2.5 hours. I can do that and not worry about the oven. Yes, indeed.

Scrabblequeen - The potatoes and fennel were pretty bad. Not disgusting, just not good. We tossed the leftovers, and we never toss leftovers. Nice try, but no cigar.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2011-11-23T10:53:00.002-05:00

A day early, but hey, tomorrow I'll be too busy to blog.

Just a small intimate turkey day with best friends and eldest DD and the Hubs and me. Perfect. Easy? No. Still gotta do all the cooking, but compared to the big crowds I used to have, 5 people is a piece of cake. I don't have to cut up veggies ad infinitum, or make any recipe in quadruplicate. Sometimes I miss the family crowd, but given that I did 99% of the work, I don't miss the exhaustion any more. I can sit down and eat happily with everybody, they all arrive on time, they help out. What could be better.

The menu?

Cheese and crackers and veggies for starters.

Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, brussel sprouts (a new recipe this year. I got so tired of haricoats verts.), sweet potatoes with pineapple, roasted red-skinned potatoes, pickles, olives, all the other stuff.

Dessert? Whatever Judy is bringing, plus we bought (gasp!) an apple pie from Trader Joe's, and I will probably make some meringue kisses. Coffee, tea, the usual.

BTW, Trader Joe's apple pie is wonderful.

And that's it. Lots of stuff, but pretty simple. All checked out to not mes with Judy's allergies. Relatively low sodium and low cholesterol for those of us at that stage of life. Probably not too too caloric. OK, caloric, but it could be a lot worse. We never did the green bean casserole, mostly because it's dairy and doesn't fit in with a kosher meal. I think I'll cook up the sprouts, halve them, and then mix them up with sauteed and browned onions. Or something like that. The sweets? Cut up, mixed with some pineapple tidbits, and baked. Regular potatoes? Roasted with rosemary and garlic, just cause we all love them.

Any how, you get the picture, and I'm off to the icky part of the day's work: Putting away all the sewing stuff that lives on the dining room table.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving, be grateful for what you have, and don't eat too, too much. And stay away from the malls on Black Friday.

Projects!

2011-11-17T11:52:00.004-05:00

All of a sudden, I have pics to show you. Moms of grands who are getting Chanukah presents from me, do NOT show your kids. Or else! I'm the Gram; I rule.

A pink and white doll quilt for one of the grands. Moms, you know which grand I mean. Don't show it to her.

As you can see, it is in progress. I'm attempting to hand-quilt it. I have to tell you that half-square triangles are really hard for me, with my wonky cutting and sewing. I did trim the blocks a bit, and starched the fabric, and that helped a lot. I think that doing these things in miniature is a lot harder than in full size. But what do I know? I'm so new at this that I have very little sense of what is hard and what is easy. It's all difficult for me. So? I like doing it.

A Dresden Plate quilt for the other grand. You know who she is, too. The one who is totally done with pink.

Ignore the bad picture-taking. The light was weird this morning. I've sewn down the circle, and am now appliqueing the blades. Then, I'll make my quilt sandwich with batting and some neat backing. And then, I'll hand quilt.

Knitting news: Yesterday I blocked the second Petticoat Shawl. I am not happy with the edging on the first one; but I really don't want to redo it. It's find for me to wear. But in this shawl, I made sure I did that center point correctly. So, now I'm writing up the instructions and will send out to a tester. When we have it in good order, then I'll sell project packages for it.

Here's the original Petticoat Shawl. I love the color combination, but as you can see, that center spot is not wonderful. I'll wear it anyhow.

And that's the story, Morning Glory. Off to actually sew a doll outfit. It's been ages since I was motivated, so I have to grab the moment while I can.

Wall-to-wall books - It was very pleasant to knit, even twice. I think I have to explore this kind of shawl more. It's not as lacy as most of mine, but lacy enough and does give a bit of warmth.

scrapperjen - Thanks.

knitting kitty - Hang in there. I've charted only a bit of it. I need an 8-day week.

YES!!!!!

2011-11-15T16:18:00.004-05:00

Feast your eyes on this, oh great quilters! I actually made a Dresden Plate. Whew. What a relief. I may do nothing but DPs from now on.

Even the ugly colors don't look too too bad here. Now onto doing some cute ones for a doll quilt. I'm thinking that for the little quilt, I might want to make them a bit smaller, maybe from 4" squares. I don't know. I can practice on more of these charms.

Now to set it onto a block and sew it down. What do you think? I haven't the foggiest idea on how to put in the batting and backing. All at once? Gah. Knitting is so much easier, but I did it. Happy Dance around the house.

CarolynJean - They're growing on me. My mother likes olives and browns. Maybe I'll put it on a creamy piece of fabric.

beebee - I think it'll become an addiction!

Wall-to-wall books - It's actually much much prettier in real life. I think I'll keep it and make a little wall hanging out of it. Or something.

Grace - Thanks. I do too. ;-)

2nd post today!

2011-11-15T14:24:00.001-05:00

It's either feast or famine here. So, here's a thought about quilting.

I need a group of newbies who can't sew straight seams or cut perfectly. My eyes simply don't see the wonkiness until I try to put things together. That's what turned me off from sewing way back when. I can thread a needle without magnification or a needle threader. I can embroider very well. I can knit very very well. But I cannot sew. Please tell me why!

Are there any crummy sewers out there who want to form a support group? Our motto can be: "Piffle upon experts. We revel in our clumsiness." Am I the only one in the world who has trouble with this? And I really want to be good at it. Hah!

Good Grief!

2011-11-15T13:28:00.000-05:00

I've been gone so long I practically forgot how to blog. I'm fine, just haven't been in the mood for my scribbles.

Knitting news: All secret. Yawn for you, but I'm loving it.

Mommie news: She turned 97 on Nov. 4. She's in remarkably good shape for such an old lady. She's very fuzzy until after she eats, and then the brain totally kicks in.

Kiddle news: Elder DD turned 41, SDD turned 40 and so did her hubs. The grands had no birthdays. They are, of course, more fun than you can imagine.

Sewing news: I've lost my doll-sewing mojo, but I think it might come back. I pieced a doll quilt for one of the grands and am attempting to hand quilt it with pretty decent results (for me. not for the rest of the quilting world.) No pics because it is a gift for someone, and I don't want the little twerp-ette to see it yet. So, mom of kid, do NOT show her this post.

I started a disappearing 9 patch for another doll quilt and I really hate it. I'm not going to finish it. So there. I think that these little patchwork pieces are much harder than those with larger blocks. My wonky cutting and sewing shows up much more on them. Still, I like playing with them. It's just that this particular project is ugly. Sometimes ugly happens.

So, today I'm stitching a Dresden Plate made from charm squares, and if I like it, I'll do one a bit smaller for the next doll quilt. I'm doing it in some batiks I bought from ConnectingThreads. I'm not fond of them; most are way too muddy for my liking, but they were soooo cheap, and I added them to another order. Perfect for experimentation, I think.

So that's it. Boring, no? And that's why I haven't blogged.

Thanks all for any comments you've sent since the last post. No answer 'cause I lost my blogging mojo. Maybe now it'll come back!

And what's new with all of you?

Snowball Rail Fence. Quilt-As-You-Go quilt

2011-10-10T16:16:00.004-04:00

I started a class last week Tues at The City Quilter in New York. This one is a Snowball Rail Fence, and it is constructed as a quilt-As-You-Go quilt. I'm having such fun with it. I can make my mismatched seams and wonky lines, and it looks adorable. Clearly I'm not meant to be a traditional quilter. I'm too innacurate for that, but I have mastered wonky. Not by choice, but because that's the way I sew. So here's a pic of what I have so far. I don't think it will be much larger since it's meant to be a little wall hanging.

Those turquoise corners turn the square into a snowball. Neat, huh? Yep, all you experience quilters, I know. This is not brain surgery type of quilting, but it suits me just fine. There will be a little bit of that turq fabric put in where the blocks come together. Cute and fun as can be.

Here's another layout:

I'm using all batiks. I just love them to pieces, literally. And the colors are glorious.

So which do you like better? I'm leaning toward the top layout. I did try alternating vertical and horizontal blocks, but it looked too mish-mash for me. If you look at each block, you'll see that none of my stripes are the same width. This was actually done on purpose. I decided to embrace wonky-ness. Also, some of them are on a bit of an angle. That was also done on purpose. OK, I lied. That's the way I sew, but I've also embraced that bit of off centered stuff, and I like it.

Am I ever going to be an ace quilter? Are you kidding? But I'm having the time of my life with this. Elder DD already wants a real quilt made this way. For that, I'd make the blocks bigger. She'll have to pick out fabric with me. It's a tough life, but someone has to make these decisions. And then I thought I could make place mats using this strip method. A busy print on the other side (these things are reversible), which would hide the Hub's food messes (evil laugh here), and an assortment of something or other on the front side. Again, I'll have to make the sacrifice of buying more fabric, but I'm tough and can handle that.

Knitting is proceeding apace. I made an idiotic mistake on the charting for Arachne's Delight (see previous post), but I think I fixed it. DragonYady, the poor soul, gets to test knit it, so keep your fingers crossed that I've repaired my goof.

Otherwise, I'm making socks for me. Nothing exciting, in fact I'm using some of my patterns which are on Ravelry. I like the patterns, haven't knit anything beyond basketweave in many months, so I'm happy to repeat some of what I've already done. Pics? Boring. They are just cute socks.

Sharon - I wonk; therefor I am, I guess. I think wonk comes naturally to me, precision is totally not me.
Henya - It's not particularly difficult, the problem lies in my inability to both cut straight lines and sew a straight seam. So, to compensate for that, I've decided that wonky quilts will be my forte. If you can't beat 'em, you might as well join 'em.

Light and Dark Lace Club - October is here

2011-10-05T09:37:00.002-04:00

It's time to sign up for the October shipment of the Light and Dark Lace Club! This month, we're using real lace yarn as a change from the fingering yarns we've been knitting. Here are the colorways:

In order from left to right: Hot Chocolate, Woods Edge, Moody Blues, Bodacious, Roasted Pepper, and Toffee.

The yarn is Lili Lace yarn. 100% SW merino, 2 ply and slightly heavier than regular lace yarn. 850+ yards of lacy goodness. It knits up so beautifully, you get all these lovely lacy holes, and it's a joy to work with. Because it's superwash, it loves dye. Hand wash even though it's superwash.

If you are new to lace weight yarn, this is a great way to get your feet wet. If you are an old hand at lace, you'll love this weight.

The mystery pattern is called Arachne's Delight, and it's as airy as can be. Three lovely patterns, the first one being rather sneaky. A less sneaky pattern for the second one, and the border (aka the NEB - the never-ending border) is such fun to work.

Price for the package is $35 + shipping. I mail out first class, both domestic and international. I have a lot of yarn, so you can purchase whatever you wish. If you buy more than one skein, I'll refund you the extra pattern cost.

Questions? Ask me here or in our Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/light--dark-lace-club

Where to purchase? http://fritzl.etsy.com

Do the Day - Steam is my best friend! Got a pic?

Lacy Angles is here.

2011-10-02T01:11:00.003-04:00

Do you need a lacy little shawl to keep your shoulders warm and to look elegant and lovely? Look no farther than here. Presenting Lacy Angles Shawl, a shawl of slanted stitches. A mere $6, and you can knit it too.

And she's now available for purchase. This was the June selection for the Light & Dark Lace Club, and I've released it on Ravelry. Yay, Ravelry. I love Rav to pieces.

Lacy Angles is knit top down with a center and a wing on either side of the center pattern. The shawl is ended with a NEB (never-ending border), which is fun and finishes the shawl as you knit along. When you are done with the NEB, all you have to do is weave in the beginning thread and the last stitch. Block, and then you are done.

It takes one 400 yard skein of fingering weight yarn, size 5 circular needle, tapestry needle, stitch markers. An intermediate pattern, although a confident beginner could do it too.

Thanks, Henya!
krayolakris - I kept saying it as Angeles.
Wall-to-wall books - They're not that difficult. I've had beginners knit them with great success. I'm about to post the Oct edition. Wait until you see that one! Well, you won't see it 'cause it's a mystery KAL, but you'll get to see the yarns!

Shanah Tovah to you and your family!

2011-09-28T08:29:00.002-04:00

Or Shana Tova, which ever way you want to spell it. For non-Jews, a good year to you and yours, also.

Busy, busy. Gotta make the tejes kolacs, the chicken for tonight, neato meatloaf on a bed of potatoes for tomorrow after synagogue. Pay bills. ick, boring. Stuff.

Sister and niece coming this afternoon. Elder DD joining us tomorrow.

Totally off topic, but then I've never stayed on topic: here's what Miss P gave her mom for her birthday. A spa visit! Now, you may ask yourselves, how does a 9 year old manage that? She gave her mom a spa visit at home. Bubble bath, cucumbers on eyes, foot massage and back massage. How sweet is that? What a kid!

Gotta run. Gotta bake. Thank goodness, a colleague of the Hubs gave him a challah, so I don't need to bake that.

scrapperjen - She really is a wonderful child. Very caring, very kind. And her eyes always dance with mischief and fun. All the grands are wonderful, each in his/her own way. She received the latest set of doll clothes and especially loved the ones that I'm most fond of. Whadda kid!

Scrabblequeen - She is that. More energy that the other 4 put together, and the brain is constantly going.

Where I like to live.

2011-09-27T20:03:00.002-04:00

Right here in what passes for suburban NJ. Suburban, my foot. We are still on top of each other, but less so than some neighboring towns. I'm a city girl, like being somewhere where I can easily get to a train to take me into New York. I like having neighbors. I like going for a walk and being able to say hi to someone. I like having shops, banks, drug stores near me. I like that I could actually take the train to Madison and walk a few blocks to my doctor's office. I like living somewhere where there are colleges. We have 3 within 2 miles. I like all that being in the new York metro area offers me.

I'm sort of urban/suburban, i.e. not cheek to jowl as in Brooklyn or Manhattan. I like having a nice piece of land which we pretty much ignore, not being gardeners. Our land acts a a buffer between neighbors, but i can still go outside and see my neighbors. I would be terrified if I lived in the middle of nowhere.

I love to take the train. I can go to NYC on an express and be there in 45 minutes. Weekend, the locals run, so it takes about 70 minutes. I sit on the train and knit and daydream. If I've walked miles in the city, I rest on the ride home. No traffic problems, no crazy drivers, just pure relaxation. And then, being a couple of blocks from the rr station, I just walk home. This is my idea of heaven. Of course I don't commute; I'm retired, and that commute would get old pretty quickly, but in my working days, I did drive the half hour to work. Can't say that I liked it, but it worked. Now I have the luxury of taking a train to wherever. I like taking the train to my local quilt shop, Aardvark Quilts. It's 2 stations beyond me. 8 minutes, and there I am, in downtown Morris Plains, with a quilt shop, good lunch foods, very very pleasant.

In a pinch, I could take the train to Madison (the next town eastbound) and walk to the Stop and Shop, or to downtown. That much training I don't do, but the option is there. The other day, when I went to Aardvark, I chatted with a lady who gave up driving. Got sick and tired of it. She takes the train or bus everywhere.

So where is this all coming from? I love to read Judy Laquidara's blog. She's a delight to read. Good writing, wonderful quilts (I wanna be her when I grow up), loves to cook, tells great husband stories. She recently moved to Texas and has hair-raising stories of trying to find a house. She, unlike me, wants to live out in the middle of nowhere. The last place she would want is to live is in the metro New York area. Cool, isn't it? I could never live out in no-where Texas, and I bet she'd tear her hair out if she had to live in northern New Jersey. (I specify northern NJ because the shore and the Philly areas are just not the same state. It's pretty neat to live in a state with low mountains (very low), rivers, parks, cities, the ocean. But I digress.)

I guess, when all is said and done, it's wonderful to live in a country where there is so much diversity. Me with urban areas, Judy with total country, and all that's in between.

And now I'm off to watch The Biggest Loser. Not that I'm heavy. I could probably lose 3-4 lbs, but I love watching how these amazing people work so hard and end up so amazingly fit.

Jo - Hi, neighbor! Thanks for reading my blog.

Ria - South Jersey is like a different state. Totally different, isn't it.

Oh frabjous day

2011-09-26T16:52:00.005-04:00

Calloo callay
I chortle in my joy!

I just finished sewing my first non-mini quilt top! I"m happily chortling in my joy. I should be cleaning up this mess of a house, but needed a break, so I finished up the top.

Is it perfect? What, are you kidding? I'm glad that it all sort of came together and that I mismatched only about 6 points. Nope, I'm not redoing those points. It is what it is. I've given up perfection.

But it's good enough. Indeed, it's more than good enough. Needs a bit of better pressing, that's for sure. And if you look towards the bottom, some of those long rectangular blocks seemed skewed. I think that's the pressing. And you can see this horizontal line just toward the bottom, but that's pressing, I'm pretty sure. Anyhow, when it's quilted, all the quilting will take care of the wonkiness. Not that I have any idea on how to quilt it. This much I know: I'm hand doing it. Or else sending it out.

There. See the wonkiness? Oh, don't look. Just enjoy the frabjousness of it all.

Happy dance. Chortling with joy. Oh frabjous day, calloo, callay!

And now back to the mess. If I ever get this house straightened up, I'm so NOT ever going to let it get this bad again.

Chortle, chortle, gleeful chortle.

Thanks to Lewis Carroll for Jabberwocky. 'Twas brillig and I sewed a quilt top.

merrilymarylee - I'm still chortling, although now I'm finding a lot more messiness, or wonkieness

Scrabblequeen - Calloo, Callay! What should I do next? Decisions!

CarolynJean - It was a "mimsy" moment.

scrapperjen - Thanks. I saw a d9p done so that you didn't have to match any points at all. That is now on my to-do list.

Knitting!

2011-09-24T10:21:00.001-04:00

Something that I can actually show you: a brand-new, hot-off-the needles dolls shawl. A shawl with great possibilities for a people shawl. People shawls start with the same numbers and then grow and grow. So a doll shawl is a wonderful place to play.

A mere .6 oz! Enough left over for a pair of socks for me! Or another shawl or a sweater or a hat. Is this not fun?

Embiggen to see it large.

Happy weekend. It's only drizzling after yesterday's downpour. Drizzle is good.

CarolynJean - It's a great way to try out patterns. You never know if one of these little guys is going to grow up to be an adult shawl.

Scrabblequeen - We'll be glad to send you a bit of rain. We're all pretty waterlogged at the moment. There are the most amazing fungi springing up in my grass.

Busy me

2011-09-22T16:50:00.001-04:00

I have been sewing up a storm of doll clothing and working on my disappearing 9 patch, too. And knitting a bunch of projects also.

First of all, the girls:

Ignore the way they are looking up. They are rolling their eyes at the constant photography, plus Miss Tish on the left looks 3 sheets to the wind the way she is lollying around. Plus she's showing a bit too much leg. She really is a shameless hussy. I'm not thrilled with how her stand up collar top came out. I have plenty of fabric, so I might make another top. Or not.

Here are the 2 well-behaved girls. Notice that they are upright. Barefoot, of course. They don't do shoes.

I started a shawl in a matching yarn for the cutie on the left. Did about 1/2 inch so far, but I think it's too open, so I'm switching needles from a 4 to a 3. No pics, because what can you see with a teensy bit of shawl showing? Not much. Different shaping, so it might become a little prototype for an adult shawl.

Also on the knitting needles with no pics because they are boring: 2nd sock for His Royal Hubbo. Men's socks go on forever. Good TV knitting. Working my way on the mitered border of the Modified Cardigan. Took me 4 tries to get the shaping right on the 2nd miter. Just didn't want to sink into my head, I guess. And then, I want to knit me a pair of socks out of this amazing 75/25 SW Falkland merino/nylon I just bought. Great hand. I might actually put in a more compicated pattern than what I've been doing.

And the quilt! Here's a pic of how it's coming along. I rather like it. It's bright and cheery, and not subtle in the least, but I think it would be brilliant to cuddle under such pretty colors in the middle of winter.

By the way, the shawl behind the girls is my Avira Shawl, pattern available on Ravelry. I thought the color fit in nicely with the center doll.

And that's the story, Morning Glory.

And the last dress is

2011-09-17T02:02:00.001-04:00

This one. Made from a batik I found somewhere and I have enough leftover for something, maybe a top. Or maybe I'll just cut up into squares for a scrappy quilt.

I'm still pulling fabric for the Rose Collection. I love having stash. And I was bad because I did buy a wee bit of fabric on sale. So far I think I have made a teensy dent in the collection. But it is such fun decided what to make and what fabric to use.

If anyone had told me that I would love sewing, I would have hit them over the head with the machine. It's a treat to have 2 crafts going on simultaneously. The crochet is languishing, and I haven't stitched in maybe 10 years, but now I'm looking at floss and the mind is thinking.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Thanks, ladies. Yep, it's time to do some warm knitting, especially considering that it was about 59 today, and I was really chilly. So, I suppose the girls are chilly, too.

A new dress for a blurry doll.

2011-09-15T16:32:00.004-04:00

She was up partying 'till the wee hours of the morning and is a but blurry even at 4:30 in the afternoon. I keep telling her that she has to get her act together. But does she? Noooo. Cavorting around at all hours in some of the toniest bars in Manhattan. Stayed out so late that she missed her train home. Good thing her aunt doesn't live too far away. And that's why she's blurry. Me? I went to sleep at around midnight, for once had a good night's snooze, and am not in the least blurry.

Scrabblequeen - She finally sobered up. I took away her clothes to mail them to Miss P, and now she's nekkid and embarrassed.

scrapperjen - The dolls are pretty much nekkid again. So now I'll have to start sewing the fall collection for Miss Rose. I'm telling you, there is no rest for the wicked here.

I'm so good, I can hardly stand myself.

2011-09-14T15:14:00.001-04:00

I haven't bought a single piece of fabric this week. Not to worry though, or feel sorry for me, I have a bit of fabric and some books in the mail. I have to make room in the fabric tub before I can buy any more.

Look at this combo that I got a few weeks ago for a certain ballerina in the family. Isn't it darling? I'm thinking a sweet little 2 fabric dress with the little flowers as the bodice, and the ballet shoes as the skirt, and maybe a jacket out of the ballet slippers, too.

There there is this fabric combination. A little top out of the solid, and a jumper from the floral, and wouldn't it be fun to do a bit of embroidery over the flowers? Maybe a bit of blanket stitching around one of the inner circles. Or French knots. I haven't stitched in maybe 10 years, and the urge is growing.

Knitting news: Just to prove that I'm knitting something other than mystery shawls, here's what I just started this afternoon. It's going to be the Mitered Cardigan from Knit one, knit all. At this rate, it'll be finished sometime in the next year or two. The yarn is Rowan's Felted Tweed, and I'm loving the woolliness of it. I've wanted to knit something in it for a long time, and then I saw this sweater, and I love anything by Elizabeth Zimmermann, so the time is right.

And you know I cannot resist some lace, so here's a play bit of knitting. It might turn into a shawl or it might get frogged. I don't know. I can't tell yet if I like the pattern, even stretching out the sample. It's fun; what do I care.

Mommie news: I went to the doc yesterday with a UTI, and talked to him about my mom and how very frail she was. He asked if she was eating, and I said yes. Her aide cuts up her food, or anyone wandering by also cuts up the food, and then she eats. I actually got weepy with him, and believe me, I rarely cry. I guess I'm i the letting-go process.

scrapperjen and Scrabblequeen- Weepy is helpful for me. What I love is the connection between her and her great-granddaughter. It's just charming to see. Thanks for all your words of support; they help so much.

The girls, yet again.

2011-09-13T16:47:00.001-04:00

It's nice and toasty here in northern NJ, but the girls are getting ready for fall weather.

Yep, the sleeves on the left hand doll are a trifle too long. So it goes. I'm not ripping. I do enough ripping, as in totally messing up one of the sleeves. Besides, that outfit it going to MN, where she'll need all the warmth she can get. The fabric on the top is a Kona cotton, and it is beyond wonderful. I love this stuff with a passion. The skirt and trim are a pretty fabric I found on E-Quilter.com. Bought them before I swore I wasn't buying any more fabric.

The cutie on the right is wearing a dress from a stunning batik I bought at The City Quilter, and for the life of me, I can't remember where I got the jacket fabric.

Here's the dress all by itself and with the Shawl To Go doll shawl. I think she's quite elegant, myself. These are heading to Minnesota, also. Miss P is going to score big on doll clothing, but don't feel sorry for Miss Rose. She gets the next batch.

Patterns are by Joan Hinds. I do like sewing her designs. Can't say I like setting in sleeves, but hey, dolls do not live by sleeveless garments alone.

Miss Penny and Miss Rose have different color senses, and it's such fun for me because I get to indulge in all sorts of fabric choices.

If I were a good Gram, I'd make the kids jeans, but I really don't like sewing on heavy denim, and chambray just doesn't cut it. So, dorky pants are what the dolls get. Hey, if the pants are too dumb, the kids can always use them as jammie pants. That works just fine.

Knitting, knitting, and more knitting: Can't show you a single thing because they are all mysteries. But I can tell you that I'm so loving knitting on lace yarn again. Just wait until you see what's coming next in the Light and Dark Lace Club! Just wait. And don't cry to me if you don't join and then have to wait for the pattern. This one is my favorite; oh, they are all my favorites. And the dimensions are approx 42 x 104! This is not a little shawlette. I have to finalize my yarn colors, but I will tell you that for once, they are not pastels. We have a bit of medium colorways here. Well, fall is coming up, and I need more color.

I am thinking of knitting the Mitered Cardigan pattern from Knit One Knit All. It's calling me. Garter stitch for pure delightful mindless knitting. Skinny yarn, too. 6 sts/inch. Just my speed. And I really need cardigans. I think a visit to the Stitching Bee is in order tomorrow.

Kitten With a Whiplash - My resident guy person, AKA the Hubbo, really likes these doll outfits. It makes me giggle, but he really appreciates them. And he doesn't laugh at me either, well not to my face or else I'd deck him!
And the girls like being barefoot because otherwise, I'd spend all my money on shoes and not on fabric. So barefoot they are. Whoa, is barefoot a bad word? My serious giggle of the day. I can't write "bare" in my blog? The blog police are going to get me? I love it; I really love it. X-rated blog because she wrote "barefoot".. You have made my day. I may never stop chortling over this.

How come?

2011-09-12T19:32:00.000-04:00

I'm terrified of using my gorgeous new stash for quilts? Huh? I'm perfectly happy to cut for doll clothing, but touching the fabric for a real quilt? Ack! At least with knitting I can always frog, and I do, constantly. But how can you frog if you've cut the fabric?

And that's enough blogging for the century. 3 posts in one day is a bit much. I'll probably have nothing to say for a month or two.

My mom.

2011-09-12T17:49:00.002-04:00

I had lunch with my mom today. She's so old, almost 97, and fragile, and tiny and frail, and I'm sitting here typing this with tears running down my face because I miss the Mommie of old. I would so love to have last year's Mommie. She's gone way downhill in the last few months. Still in good spirits and eats well (if the folks cut up her food, which they do), and certainly knows who I am, who the Hubs is, and who Penny is. She knows my sister and our kids, but The Hubs, Miss P and I are the ones who seem to most resonate with her. Funny how that is. She's clearly got a connection to her 9 year old granddaughter. And I give Pen full credit for that. That child is so sweet and kind and gentle with old folks. She's a marvel. Could be because she has ancient great grandparents. On her dad's side, she has her great grandma and Leonard, who is about 102. and on my side she has my mom. But little kids are often impatient with or don't uncomfortable with elderly folks. Not this kid.

But I do miss my mom of last year. Of last winter. And I wonder how long she'll be with us. The beauty of blogland is that I can write this, where I would not cry in front of friends or relatives. I rarely cry. But because you are all anonymous, I can let go here. Funny thing, no? I don't have to do the tower of strength thing here. If we passed each other on the street, you wouldn't know who I am.

The sweetest thing my mom says to me with every visit, well, when she's awake, is "I love you." I'm so fortunate to have her. '

Scrabblequeen - That's my relationship with my mom, too. I've fought with her from 13 to forever, and I've never won an argument. Ever. She used to tell me that the day I won a battle with her, she's be in her grave. How I would dearly love to have an argument with her now. Still, to have your mother for 67 years is wonderful, and I'll take what I have.

Grace - I was at the doctor's today with a UTI, and I just had to talk to him about my mom. He's also her doctor, and he really understands her issues. He told me that 2 things would get her: an infection, or she would stop eating. She's still eating, but is so frail that any infection would probably do her in. He was so kind and understanding. He's not a geriatrician; she's his oldest patient, but he knows old people. Great guy, indeed.

Repaired breakfast

2011-09-12T10:25:00.000-04:00

I made 2 sweet breads the other day, each one half of the dough. Both rolled out and one smeared with lekvar, and the other with a bit of melted butter and cinnamon and sugar. Scarfed down the lekvar bread. Froze the cinnamon one.

Defrosted the cinnamon bread on Saturday, and today attempted to consume the last little bit of it. Stale, really stale.

Here I am with a lovely cup of ctc Assam tea and stale cinnamon bread. However, I had a brilliant idea: I would dunk the bits of bread into the tea. Hey, they were almost as stale as a cracker. Guess what? The bread is delicious. Whadda woman!

9/11

2011-09-11T09:30:00.000-04:00

Today I have to share my 9/11 memories. They are as alive for me as if they just happened.

10 years ago, I was driving to work. It was a glorious September day; the sun was shining, the trees were still green, the kind of day that made you happy to be alive. I'm not a big organized religion person, although I am most definitely Jewish and love my religion very much. I pray, but not asking for things, but in gratitude for whatever I want to be thankful for. I'm rarely in synagogue, because I'm not a group person, but I have a relationship with G-d that is at the core of my being. So, on 9/11/01, I was driving along 124 in New Jersey and thanking G-d for such a beautiful day and for me being able to appreciate it.

The radio was on, as usual, and I was listening to my favorite classical music station. And then the music was interrupted and on came the news. At that point I was stopped at a light. And I was in a state of disbelief. What, the Twin Towers had been attacked? No. Not possible. But this is the radio station of the New York Times; they don't play tricks on listeners. So the light changed and I drove on, and as I made my way under a bridge, the news continued and I started to cry. And pray. And hope. I can remember it as if it were today.

All those innocent people. Those poor folks on the planes. The firefighters. The horror. And all because some bastards want to destroy the US in the name of their G-d. Folks, there are many paths to G-d for many people. And none of them demand that innocent lives be destroyed. G-d didn't create us to have us destroy each other in His/Her name. People go to battle and say that G-d will grant them victory. That's how battles are decided. Right. Uh huh. By G-d choosing one side or another. Would G-d really do that? We ate of the Tree of Knowledge, and this is now our responsibility to be humane. We were created in G-d's image, and now we take that image and destroy it. And G-d weeps because people use Her/His name in vain to destroy G-d's creation.

There is nothing else to say. May G-d, who made us, keep us safe and secure in our homes. May G-d. who loves us, never have to weep again at the deaths of innocents. May there be peace among the nations, and may the lion and the lamb lie down together, and may all humanity say Amen.

Nope, not me.

2011-09-09T11:50:00.000-04:00

I will NOT look at more fabric. I will stay away from quilt shops and Joanne's. I will NOT look at Hawthorne Threads, or E-Quilter, or Fat Quarter Shop. I will not even think of checking out Charmpacksplus, or Green Fairy Quilts or Fabric.com or Fabric Depot or Hancock's of Paducah or Missouri Star Quilt or anyplace else. I will stay away from Etsy fabric shops. I will NOT buy anything any more! I will not add any more online shops to my list. I will behave as a responsible adult.

You believe that? Sigh. I have an entire tub plus innumerable zip lock bags of fabric. I need Fabric Anonymous. I'm not looking, you bad enablers. Did you read that? No fabric for me any more. And forget responsibility. I'm 67; I don't have to act as an adult any more. I will be a curmudgeon. and not buy any more fabric. Did you hear me? No more!

Did you notice that innumerable has 2 "n" and only one "m"? I do love spell check; it's like recommendation. That one has 2 "m". why? The English language is such fun to spell. Good thing that I love it dearly. Wouldn't want to have any other language as my mother tongue.

Shawl To Go

2011-09-08T13:51:00.002-04:00

I was happily futzing around with sock yarn and making the beginnings of a shawl when it occurred to me that doll shawls start off with the same numbers as people shawls! Now I get to have lots of fun with very little work, and can make all sorts of cutie designs and now worry that people will find them too fussy or silly or whatever. The dolls don't care; I can assure you of that.

BTW, if you think I'm going off the deep end with all this doll clothing stuff, guess what? It is such fun. They garments go quickly, almost instant gratification, and I get to play. If knitting and crocheting and sewing can't be play, then what's the point of it all. So, go find a cute doll at a garage sale. If you are embarrassed to buy it, tell folks that the doll is for your niece, daughter, grand, whatever. And then you too can have all this fun.

Shawl To Go: a wherever and whenever shawl. Pretty functional, ties around the back if you wish so that those ends don't end up in your soup or kneading bowl. Or you can wear it in a number of other ways.

And here she is with her buddy, who is also wearing new duds.

Scrabblequeen - Sometimes I'm so smart I scare myself. Finished objects, indeed! I think I might do another one tonight.
Wall-to-wall books - Isn't it adorable? Now I want to do more and more. My grands are the beneficiaries of all this doll madness.

Alive and well.

2011-09-06T14:09:00.000-04:00

Yep, I'm back to whatever passes for normal around here. Thanks for all your good wishes; they helped a lot.

We survived Irene very well. Lucky for us, there are no rivers nearby, we are a good hour from the coast, and the Hubbo The Great had 2 pumps going plus his bilge pump, so the flood at the top of the driveway did not cause damage. Don't even ask why it floods there; we don't know. We called in 3 folks to give us estimates and tell us what to do. Big joke. We hired one, and we're still waiting and waiting to hear from him. This was about 2 months ago! Good thing we didn't give a deposit.

Off to sew. I finished a cutie patootie shawl for the dolls, and I'm also doing a neato sweater for them. I'll post pics when the light is better.

Happy September to you all!

Finally!

2011-08-26T14:02:00.001-04:00

After a solid week of feeling really disgusting, I am now very much better. I hate when I feel sick. Hate it. I whine, whinge, complain, kvetch, grouse, you name it, I do it. The poor Hubbs has to listen to it all, but I listen to him when he's grumpy so it's fair play.

At any rate, I'm now pretty much human, and thank you very much, but I don't need to do this again for a year.

To celebrate my lovely good health, I'm taking the day off and playing. I should be doing tons of stuff and I know it. But one week of gross and pain needs a reward. So, I'm sewing a doll dress, and then I think I'll bake a loaf of bread, and then some delicious knitting.

No pics 'cause I have nothing to show you except me as a happy camper. ;-)

You know what's coming tomorrow: Yep, Hurricane Irene is heading our way. The wind will blow, the rain will flow, the driveway will overflow, and I'm trying to convince His Nibs to put the backyard furniture into the garage. He figures he'll tie it all together and that will make it safe from 90 mph winds. I think the winds will pick the mess up and swing it against a window and we'll have serious ventilation. Let's hope he's right, 'cause if he's not, he'll never hear the end of it from me. Not that I would pick on him or anything. Not me.

All you east coasters, batten down your hatches, make sure you have flashlights, candles and matches, books to read, knitting to do, and a good supply of water. Yep, I know: bottled water. Sometimes you just have to buy the stuff. If there's any left at the market. As much as I'd love a summer house down the shore, am I ever glad I live inland and miles from the ocean.

Stay safe, all! And if you are across the pond or somewhere where you are not going to have weather, enjoy the peace!

scrapperjen - Thanks. I'm feeling much better although I still have to watch that dairy moment. We were so lucky with Irene! No damage and a power outtage of only about 5 hours!

Everybody else with comments: Thank you. We are just fine, my body is behaving again, and I'm back in the world. Yippee!

Disappearing Nine Patch or The Yarnarian is in Love!

2011-08-25T16:52:00.000-04:00

I just made my first disappearing nine patch. Yep, it's been around for a long while, but I'm new at this, so it's all fresh and delightful to me. This has got to be the way new knitters feel when they discover something wonderful.

First pic: the original 9 patch cut in half lengthwise and widthwise. So you see what it looked like originally. Embiggen to get the full picture.

First variation:

I like this one very much. For one thing, those green hearts are all in the same direction now, which I like.

Next two variations. The hearts are kind of all over the place, but they are little squares, so I don't know if it matters very much.

Eh, on the next one. Looks kind of disjointed to me. Perhaps if the little hearts were not mixed up? Although I do like the stripy effect of the long rectangles.

What about these next two? Is this not neat? And what happens when I make some more 9 patches, cut them the same with more or less the same colors and then put them together?

I'm not great at statistics, but I can see lots of permutations here, and all from one very simple block. I think this is my kind of patchwork. I totally admire traditional work, but the fact is that I really cannot sew a straight line. It looks like I can, but you can't see the inside, and I'm not showing you. This I can do, and think of all the varieties of blocks I can make.

What about if I made a 9 patch and then cut diagonally from corner to corner? Oh my word, my head is spinning.

Now to get to the yarny end of all this stuff: Think of the colorways I can come up with from 9 patches. What about if I made garter stitch pieces to match the sizes in one of these variations. Garter would be perfect, and I could use some variegated yarn and some almost solid. Oh dear, the head is spinning some more.

Folks, if you have never tried to make a 9 patch, it's easy peasy. Even the woman whose seams are wonky can say that. Go try it out. Hey, you don't even need a machine. Go sew by hand.

Chit chat

2011-08-23T10:59:00.004-04:00

Look what I dyed yesterday for a Ravelry group. The colorways are exclusive to them, and the second two are clearly influenced by my fabric collecting. Isn't it neat how one activity can lead into another?

There is a color sensibility in quilting fabrics that isnot seen in yarn dyeing, at least not by me. I never would have put together the middle colorway had it not been for a batik I used. I wonder where this is all going to lead me? I seem to be back in variegated mode after a long spell of almost solids, and it's good to be there.

Want a good freebie pattern for variegated yarns? This one works with everything! You can get it on Ravelry.

Picture? I can't fine one. bizarre, I know, but if you click on the Ravelry link you'll get both pic and pattern.

Sewing news: The lastest blocks from the FWQAL:

They're laid out on point because that's how they will appear on the quilt. Eventually. Sometime in the far far future.

A couple of cutie outfits for the girls. The one on the left has the most adorable little pleated skirt. Not hard to sew at all, which surprised me. Now I want to do lots of them! The one on the right is wearing the top made for the pleated skirt. Hey, these things are interchangeable. I spread out the pleated one so that you could actually see the pleats, but it does lay nice and flat when I'm not fooling around with it.

And now I'm off to finish the dyeing for the Ravelry group. Yes, the back is considerably better. Still twinges, but after Thurs and Fri, this is a piece of cake. I could do without it entirely, but this is tolerable. By Fri it should all be gone.

Gotta run. Talk to you soon.

Wall-to-wall books - I don't call it playing with dolls 'cause they'd all think I was daft. I call it "sewing for the grandkids' dolls". Sneaky, aren't I? I know someone who makes the most wonderful doll clothes and she donates all of them to a local charity. She gets the fun, some kid gets a treat and everyone is happy. So, you can do it too. Tell people that you are making them for your daughter.

Kate - Thanks, Kate.

scrapperjen - Thanks. You know I'm having fun here.

Do the Day - I based that one a new fabric I bought. This fabric buying is neat for new colorways!

The woman can now walk upright!

2011-08-20T16:29:00.000-04:00

This, boys and girls, is a major improvement. Yep, the back is still in spasm mode, but now I can actually stand up straight, so I'm on the mend.

I did a little bit of sewing today. It hurt to sit at the machine, and to get up, but the walk down to the basement to press was good. I know, I should have an ironing board near me, but this way, I get an aerobic moment out of my sewing.

So here's what I did: 2 blocks from the Farmer's Wife Quilt-a-long. So far, I've sewn doll garments, and 2 quilt tops with my fabric cut with a rotary cutter. This is the first time I'm working from templates and I'm not sure I like it. It's different, and yet it seems to work fine. The advantage of being a novice quilty person is that I don't know anything, so everything is new to me, and I get to see how I like doing things. I know that there are pieced patterns for this QAL, and I'm going to try that next.

I love picking out the fabrics. I'm using some charm squares, fresh fabric, and some odds and ends. It's grand fun, especially since you know how much I love to play with color. This is totally different from yarn dyeing, and it's a neat challenge.

The book shows the blocks on point, and I like that, so that's why the patches are placed that way. I don't know what I'll use for the sashing, binding and backing, but I have years to go before I worry about that.

Knitting is happy: I'm winging a cardigan for the dolls out of my fingering wt yarn left over from some long-gone project. I'll show pics when I get something done. I'm totally fooling around with this. Not pattern, just holding it ho to a doll to see the fit. That's the beauty of garter stitch.

Look at this fabric I bought to make the girls Halloween cloaks. I may or may not do that, but I have to figure out how to use this witchy fabric; it's so adorable.

OK, going off to sit and knit. Sitting is not great for the back, but I'm tired of walking around and standing. Happiness is a back on the mend! Those lucky folks who have never had a back spasm, have no idea what they are missing!

I'm still selling my back.

2011-08-19T15:42:00.005-04:00

Any takers? I can sit, stand sort of, lie down, but boy does it hurt whenever I try to switch positions. Better than yesterday, but not much better. I have a long way to go, here. Growl.

Kitten With a Whiplash - Blech is all I have to say. Good thing I am supplied with books, Kindle, and lovely knitting. Piffle upon bad backs!

CarolynJean - Yep, I have done chiropractic, PT, you name it. It just comes on when I eat too much dairy. I am lactose intolerant, and usually behave myself and take Lactaid before eating dairy. But this week I was a wise-guy, and didn't and now my back is seriously unhappy. Weird, I know, but there is a correlation, Only I'm the only one who knows it. The doctors think I'm nuts, but I know when I overdo dairy, that I'm going to have back pain. It's as if gas pain moves around to the back. Ah well, it will go away and then I have to get back to doing core-strengthening exercises.

Scrabblequeen - What a pair we are!

merrilymarylee - Might be related it IBS. Who knows? I would just like it to go away already. It's getting mighty boring.

Want a used back? I'll sell it to you.

2011-08-18T13:24:00.002-04:00

I have this lower back, really just above the buttocks, and every once in a while, it goes into serious orbit. Spasms and other wonderful things. Ick. Double Ick! I hurt. Took 2 Advil, and nothing else hurts, but the back is not any better. Do I sit or stand, walk or not? It doesn't matter; it just plain hurts. I'm walking around bent over like a very very old lady. Hey, even the Mommie isn't bent over. If I had a wart on my nose and a witchy hat on my head, I could pass for an evil witch, that bent over.

Enough of that kvetch, Here's one of the girls in her new top. Made it yesterday, didn't miter the middle of the top, but too bad on that. I can't figure out if I should sew or read or knit today. Gotta find the right position for that rotten back.

Growl, grump, complain nonstop.

I have some pretty yarn from my stash (bought before I dyed yarn) and it matches the colors on this outfit very well. Seems to me that the doll needs a shawl.

Ruth and Jo - got any good swear words that I can use? I've pretty much used up my supply of good ones, and my cursing is getting boring. I think when this is over, that I shall go back to working on my core muscles; that's got to help the next time the back is bad. Growl!

Wall-to-wall books - It is so much fun, even when I mess up, which is very often. Good thing you don't see the insides of the clothing!

Wish I could show you, but I can't.

2011-08-17T11:10:00.000-04:00

Knitting! I bet you thought I forgot all about it, but I'm still happily knitting away. The thing is that I can't show you what I'm working on because it's the Oct/Nov edition of the Light and Dark Lace Club mystery KAL.

What I can tell you is that I have the most wonderful NEB going. This one is different from other borders I've done, very very easy, although you do have to pay a bit of attention on the wrong side rows, but really neat. And that's all the info you get at the moment. Hah!

Here are a couple of patterns from the L&D Lace club that are now available for purchase. The one and only Diadem!

And the very pretty Avira.

In the sewing box are 3 new outfits for the girls. I'm starting to think fall fabrics; I'm royally sick of all the summer colors. Not a great pic, but I was in a hurry.

Back to playing. Today is my Unbirthday. In 6 months it'll be my birthday, so I'm celebrating my Unbirthday today.

Fabric purchase.

2011-08-15T22:10:00.000-04:00

I didn't buy one single piece of fabric today. Not one.

I did cut out a pleated skirt and a ruffled top for one of the girls.

Didn't knit one stitch today either.

Did prep a bunch of yarn for a dye in this week.

I'm doomed, totally doomed. Doomy doomy doomy doomed!

2011-08-15T11:28:00.001-04:00

First I had a fabric, thread, and stitchery collection. I still have it even though I'm not doing any of that lovely stuff. But someday.....

Then I had a yarn/knitting book collection. Still have it of course, although I'm putting a lot of knitting books in tubs today because I need the shelf room.

Then, my bad sister visited, and got me crocheting, so of course, I have a crochet book collection.

And now? Doom, ladies and gents, Doom! The worst kind of obsessive compulsive disorder there is: fabric collection. Shoot me know. I'm totally addicted. At least once or twice a week, I haul out all my bags and admire my ever-growing collection. This is sex at its rawest! (Uh oh, now I'll get the dreaded not suitable for kids reading injunction.) I have to look at it, fondle it, drool over it, pair it up with matching or mismatching mates. It's a sickness of the worst sort, and it's all Miss P's fault.

Miss P: are you reading this? You had to visit me in April and bring me The Quilt. You must have planned this wicked behavior forever. Says your gram: if an 8 year old can do it, so can a 67 year old. Well, now you're 9, and taking a break from sewing, and your poor, lonely, much-maligned Grammie is totally caught up in fabric and sewing. I'm doomed, I tell you, doomed.

Let's get to the meat, ahem, fabric of the matter. Saturday, Hiz Hubboness and I went into the city (aka New York for those poor unfortunate folks not lucky enough to live near the city) for a trip to The City Quilter. We took the train of course, got out at 32 St, and walked down to 25th to The City Quilter. Oh my gosh. Fabric. lots of fabric. my favorite fabrics of all: batiks. And the best part? Competitive prices. New York prices can be higher than out in the burbs, but not this store. And they will cut a 1/4, 3/8, etc cuts of fabric. So, for the great price of $25 and change, this is what I scored:

7 pieces of fabric, each enough to make doll clothing for less than what an outfit from the AG store would cost. And they are quality fabrics! I may use them for quilts or for doll clothing. Doesn't matter, at that price I can always buy more. And if the fabric is no longer there, there are tons more to choose from.

I'm very lucky in my location. I can drive or take a 2-stop train ride to Aardvark Quilt Shop in Morris Plains, and they have a ginormous selection of fabric. Beyond amazing! Also nicely priced, and they are lovely people, to boot. And I can drive about 45 min to a Joanne's, although I'm so lazy that I don't do that unless I can convince the Hubs that he wants to take me.

And then there is the internet. Online shopping is fabulous. Here's what I scored this week.

All bought from sewfreshfabrics on Etsy., and at incredible prices, even with the shipping! Are they not weird and wonderful. I think they are for quilts just because of the size of the prints, although the last 3 might be OK for dolls.

And then more from Sew Fresh Fabrics:

Don't ask what I'm going to do with these, but they are so cool!

And finally, these pretties bought from I can't remember where.

So I think I maybe have enough for the rest of the year. Yep. Not. But I haven't ordered any fabric yet today. The day is still young, however.

Off to tubify more knitting books, and then move the quilting books to the empty shelves.

Scrabblequeen - I swore way back when that I was never going to sew again. Famous last words. The neatest part about this all is that the fabrics are now showing up in my head as yarn colorways. This never ends, does it?

My first block

2011-08-12T13:58:00.001-04:00

Here's the first block for the Farmer's Wife Quilt-a-long, hereafter known as the fwqal. Notice that I can't sew a straight line. I think my seams match, but the rest is not great. This is me at my best. I think I will put sashing between the blocks if I ever turn it into a quilt. This way I hope to hide my wonky edges. Sigh. BTW, this is a baby simple block, and it still took me forever. I had fun, so that's what counts.

You real quilters out there, I'm no threat to you. Just in case you were worrying. tee hee.

The big, big lesson from all my sewing is that I'm not great at it. I'm adequate, occasionally. That's not the lesson. The lesson is that I can really enjoy myself and not be good at something. A large dose of humility, but that's good for everyone.

Good projects

2011-08-12T09:56:00.001-04:00

I'm very happy with all my WIPs these days. I'm doing the next mystery shawl for the Light and Dark Lace Club (the next edition is probably in Oct.) with lace yarn, and loving every minute of it. Even the occasional tinking doesn't bother me. Can't show you pics because it is a mystery, but trust me, it's pretty and very pleasant to knit. I'm knitting on this in the evening while we're watching Castle on DVD.

Then I have my crochet afghan. I'm at the crocheting the border around each square part of it. Not exciting, but pleasant donkey work. Again in the evening while watching Dr. Who or Lost. Since I really pay attention to the tube, I can work on this pretty mindlessly.

Sewing! I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying this, and how much I'm learning. This week I learned that lengthwise grain barely stretches as opposed to crosswise grain. I read this in a book by Marti Mitchell, but me being me, I had to find out the hard way. That was the Chicken and Eggs bag of the previous post.

I finished the top to my latest Schnibble. There is a serious goof here. I bet you can find it, too. I was thinking about taking out a few sts and redoing the messy part, but then I realized that it's close to the stitching line, and when I finally quilt it, I'll make sure to fudge it with my stitches. Yep, I can do that. I did embroidery for centuries. In fact, when I was in 5th grade and in a boring summer, my mom taught me how, and I've done it for years and years. Not these days; but probably at some point again.

Can you see my goof? It's in a pale green section. Embiggen to really see it. Oh, piffle, I can see it even this small. Growl.

What did I learn from this little quilt? I think it would have helped had I starched the fabric first, at least my own cuts, and not the charm pack ones. That green was a devil to work with. Kinda floppy and now I wish I had starched it. I've not done starching before, but I'll try it out the next time.

I also learned about getting those teensy little points to come together. Man, that was hard. In fact, I found the whole piece to be hard. It got easier as I went along, however. Good learning project, and now I'm not so afraid of little points matching up. OK, I'm still scared of them, but I've done it a bunch of times on this piece, so I think I could do it again.

Doll clothing? The girls are nekkid again. The clothing is going to Miss Rose when we visit her the next time. I'm alternating between Pen and Rose to make things equal. Plus, Miss Rose tends to like girlie stuff, while Miss P likes black backgrounds. It's nice for me 'cause I can work with different fabrics and enjoy myself.
I made a pair of pants yesterday from an old pair of twills that are totally out of style. I never realized just how heavy twill fabric is. Duh! Jeans are twills, so why I didn't think of it is beyond me. I was going to put on pockets. Made them, but the fabric is so heavy that I couldn't turn them right-side out. So no pockets. Like the doll cares.

And today I'm going to get brave and start the Farmer's Wife Quilt-a-long, AKA fwqal. I have the book, but out the patterns for the second block, picked out the fabrics, and in a little while I'm going to start to work on it. Wish me luck.

scrapperjen - It's there. Look at a light green block with white polka dots in the second row about a block or two in from the left. See that little bulge, pleaty thingie? That's it.

Chickens!

2011-08-09T17:03:00.004-04:00

Chickens and Eggs!

We have a running joke with the grands about chickens. We're always telling them awful chicken jokes, and we tease them nonstop about the birds. They are now old enough to totally ignore us when we get on chicken toots. Too bad. We had fun with them.

I'm wild about chickens, myself. I like to eat them, drink soup from them, admire their general chicken-ness. So when I saw this crazy fabric, I had to get some. Clearly I needed a chicken project bag. And then I thought: Well chickens and eggs go together (duh!), so I also had to get this one.

And here is my new clucky chicken and egg bag in progress:

How do you like your eggs? These are sunny-side up. mmmmmm. I like mine over medium, with a bit of runny yoke but no runny white.

Here's the bag all finished. It wasn't that hard, given that I can't sew a straight seam, but getting the stupid ties into it just about put me over the edge. And then I realized that the ribbon was navy and not black. Too bad, 'cause I'm not doing that again. My bag, my rules.

I can't seem to get the photography of the yellow right. Think egg yolk, and sort of a batik fabric, and that's the color of the yellow next to the black stripes.

I got the idea from this blog. Didn't have the fabric, but I did have my chickens, eggs, polka dots and lots of weird yellows.

It was a lot of fun and here's what I learned:

     a. Fabric really stretches much more when cut crosswise rather than lengthwise. I had read that somewhere, and I can tell you that it's the truth. Good thing to know because I have the feeling that I'm going to do more log cabin projects, and cutting those logs, particularly the long ones, will be done on the lengthwise grain. This one is important. And now I know it from experience.

     b. Fussy cutting (that's where I deliberately cut out my chicken) is neat. Wastes a lot of fabric, but I have 1/2 yard of my chickens so I can probably make a dozen of these chickie bags.

     c. Cursing when attempting to get that little safety pin through the side holes is entirely appropriate. I had a good vent.

And now there's a project in it already: a little cardigan for Miss P's AG doll.

Kitten With a Whiplash - All I have to say is cluck cluck.

Scrabblequeen - I already put a project in it, and I'm happily knitting away. I knit at night when it's too dark to sew.

merrilymarylee - Cluck to you too. I'm happy to say that I am indeed wearing a bra today. I'm at the age where there is a bit of droop factor.

I dye for you.

2011-08-08T13:09:00.002-04:00

I truly do. And the dyeing mojo is back, thank goodness. It sort of disappeared over the summer, but now my fingers are itching to dye a lot, so, I'm happily dyeing for you.

Here's this week's collection: A Potpourri of Penny Yarns. All are OOAK, and Penny, as you now, has over 450 yards of 75/25 SW merino/nylon goodness. It's soft, durable, and takes dyes beautifully. Penny is my go-to yarn for everything from socks, to scarves and shawls to sweaters to tops for American Girl Dolls. And it feels so nice when you knit with it, too.

The 3 greens on the left are Highlands, Lowlands and Terrain.

You can see how they progress from dark to a nice medium set of greens. They are not pure green; there are blues of varying kinds tossed in. Fun for me, and fun for you to knit.

The two in the middle are Heather and Citrus: Heather sold immediately. Sorry, all you Heather lovers.

And the final two are Peachy Keen and Butterscotch. Peachy Keen is done in a new type of dyeing for me that produces a very neat yarn. Butterscotch reminds me of butterscotch and vanilla ice cream with caramel on top.

Where? In my Etsy shop:

http://fritzl.etsy.com

I'm off to sew some more. Between the sewing and the knitting and the crochet, I barely have time to read, and I have the latest George Martin book and keep falling asleep over it. This may be a great book that I've slept through.

Wall-to-wall books - Boy, do I ever understand! I'm not this way with yarn anymore, but now that I've rediscovered sewing, I'm buying frabric like it's going out of style. We're both serious fiber junkies, no?
Do the Day - Alas, Heather sold instantly, and I can't do it again. It was a mish mash of colors that looked awful, so I added a bit of other colors and this is what came out. If I could do it again, I would.

The beginnings of another little quilt

2011-08-07T09:34:00.003-04:00

This one is Little Red from Nelson, Carrie - Schnibbles times two

You'll notice that my fabrics are totally different from the ones in the pattern. I never make anything in knitting, crocheting, or sewing that is exactly like a pattern. My curiosity always leads me to use other fabrics or yarns. And you know how easily I get bored, so why do something the way it's already been done?

These are early days here. I think I can finish up the blocks today. My sewing hasn't improved unfortunately. I'm afraid this is as good as it's ever going to get. We have a few blocks that look wonky to me, but not terribly so, and I do have lots of fabric if I need to substitute a block. But I'm having a grand time playing, and I'm never entering anything in any competition, so it's all fine with me. The Hubbo likes what I do, not that he's any judge of my abilities.

And that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Scrabblequeen - I kinda like it too. I sewed the first row together and by golly, most of those little points came together. 5 more rows to go and then sew the entire thing together. Then I have to pick out a border or two and such. I really really like doing this.

LivvyLove - I love to use different color schemes than what was originally used.

Girls are thinking about late summer.

2011-08-04T16:40:00.002-04:00

Yep; they're starting to get tired of all the pastelly goodness, and get serious about clothing. After all, summer is half over and enough already of the heat. So here they are, not quite pastel (well, except for the summer jammies).

Girl on left is wearing a cutie dress from Liberty Jane. The pattern was actually not that difficult; I must be getting used to sewing, finally. Cutie on the right is wearing her jammy top from Liberty Jane (yep, I really really like doing this one, and use it mostly as a top), and pants from a Joan Hinds pattern.

Then we have these 3 ladies:

All patterns from Liberty Jane. Can you tell that I really like these patterns. Easy for the most part, except for those bias binding moments. But now I think I've conquered that bit. Whew!

The denim skirt was from a huge denim dress that I bought at a thrift shop on Cape Cod (one of those stuff-a-bag-full-of-merchandise for $5). I have tons of the fabric left, too.

scrapperjen - It's becoming an addiction! I can sew these so much faster than I can knit them in skinny yarn.

merrilymarylee - You need to get a doll of your own. I know; it's beyond dorky and silly, but it is such fun. Even the Hubbo, who knows I'm daft, likes these little things. You can always donate them to a toy charity! Or find someone with grandgirls, and give them to her.

Diadem is Here!

2011-08-02T10:01:00.004-04:00

It's August, and I promised that I would release the pattern this month. Diadem was the April pattern for the Light and Dark Lace Club. She's been exclusive to the club for 4 months, and now it's time for her to make her appearance for everyone.

Isn't she pretty? Here are the specs:

Intermediate pattern.

Style: Shawl is knitted top down, and is semi-circular in shape.

Yarn: 450 yards of fingering or sock yarn. My shawl was knitted in Zen Yarn Garden Serenity (80% SW merino/10% cashmere/10% silk, 2-Ply Fingering Weight).

Notions: At least 2 stitch markers, preferable many more to set off the patterns so that you won’t have to count them. Tapestry needle.

Needles: 5 (3.50mm).
Finished Measurements: approx 12” X 74”

Cost: $6.00

And where can you buy the pattern?

Ravelry, of course!

Scrabblequeen - Of course it's a NEB! Hah!

Wall-to-wall books - Thanks!

How come?

2011-07-06T11:00:00.001-04:00

People now use the word "sewist" instead of "sewer"? I'm not a sewist; I'm a woman who sews, badly, but I persevere. My mom would never use the word "sewist". She was a sewer. Oh wait, could the problem be that sewer could also mean the place where sewage goes? Ack. Do we say that a knitter is a "knitist", or that a crocheter is a "crochetist"? Strange, bizarre.

Way back in the middle ages, when I began to embroider (stitch?), those who did this were called "embroiderers". Then somehow, embroidery became a no-no, and so people then became "stitchers". I don't think they've become "stitchists" yet, but I could be wrong.

Enough of this bloedel (badly typed Viennese German for "foolishness")! Here is what this sewer, sewist, sewing person made this week. Notice that you are looking at the good side of the garments, and not at the inside or the backs. Velcro and I have a hard time together, but the dolls don't care.

Left outfit: The t-shirt is made from an old tee of mine. What I learned: Don't forget to change your needle to a ball-point needle; use the actual hem of my tee to make the hem of the shirt. Sometimes I'm smart. I should have used that part of the shirt also for the sleeves. Next one.

Middle outfit: This is a cutie tee shirt from Liberty Jane that I lengthened into a dress length and added a border to match the sleeves and belt. The real pattern has elastic around the sleeves, but I'm too lazy to do that and anyhow, it's easier to get on the doll this way and more fun to do. If you take the belt off, it looks like a nightie. Hey, a multi-purpose dress!

The dress on the right drove me bananas! It has a complex instruction (at least to my non-sewer/sewist mind) of doing the waistband. Never again. I like the dress, but the next time I do it, I'm attaching the gathered skirt to the bodice, and then making a little belt that I'll either sew on, or tie on in the back, maybe with ribbon.

So now, when Miss P comes, she'll have 5 new outfits to use on the girls.

And now here is my very first quilt top. I haven't gotten the courage up to start the quilting process. Right now I'm admiring it as it. Yep, there are places where the points don't come together, and my perfectionist self finds every one of them, but I like it, and am not ripping it out. I hope I'll get better as I do more of these, but I'm afraid that this is my peak patchwork talent.

The fool thing came out smaller than it was supposed to (and I'm not surprised at this. I told you that this is not my great talent.), so then I had to fudge all the borders, but as a good knitter, I can fudge with the best of them. If you embiggen it, you'll see my non-meeting points. Just smile and look at the rest of it.

I've loved doing this so much, that I've cut out another Schnibble pattern, with 10 zillion little pieces attached to the corners of blocks, stitched, and then cut. I spent a chunk of time just drawing the sewing line on the little pieces. I think the best part of all this patchwork stuff is handling the fabric and admiring it.

Did you take a peak at yesterday's post about brand new Lili Lace Yarn? Go and do it. The pics on the blog are 100 times better than the ones in the Etsy shop!

Sharon V - You poor thing, if you think you can learn something from me when it comes to sewing. I'm a frogging sewer, and everything I sew, gets a couple of seams ripped, sometimes more than once. But I'm having fun, and the grands are a bit impressed.

Go, grab a towel.

2011-07-05T14:29:00.003-04:00

Why? Because you'll need it when you look at the latest lace yarn and colorways! This is drool city here! The pictures will not do the yarns justice, but then they never do. In real life, there is so much vitality to each colorway. And if you don't buy them, then they are Mine, all Mine! Mwahahahaha!

The new yarn is called Lili Yarn: 100 grams, approx 875 yards, 100% SW merino*, and a slightly heavier lace weight than my usual lace yarns. If you've been reluctant to try lace yarns, this is a great place to begin. There's more heft to Lili Yarn, and yet it still is pretty skinny. I'm knitting up a design on it, very very early stages, and as usual I've frogged it at least 5 times. The yarn looks as good as new, and is so pleasant to work with. I may never go back to lighter lace yarn again! Price? $33 a skein of incredible wonderful yarn, hand dyed by me, and in one-of-a-kind colorways.

*About that superwash merino: I would never wash a shawl in the washing machine, especially one is lace weight yarn. So why even buy sw yarn for dyeing? Because it takes color so quickly and so easily, and I love dyeing it. So it's there for your information, but I never machine wash lace.

So here's the yarn. Get your towel ready so you don't get your keyboard soggy! You might want to click on them to get the full effect. Each colorway consists of at least 2 colors, and the greens have 3-4 colors in each skein.

In order: Carnation, Pink, Grape Juice, and Wild Orchid.

In order: Sea Spell, Evergreen, and Grass.

In order: Toffee, Rose Bouquet, and Light Coral.

OK, all yarns are now posted in my Etsy Shop. Go forth and buy!

Henya - I live to be a wicked enabler!

The girls ain't nekkid anymore.

2011-06-29T11:41:00.003-04:00

Did that get your attention? Do you think I might be on the banned blog list from now on? Evil laugh.

Here are 2 of them. Doll on left is wearing a mini skirt and the Poet's Darling Top from Liberty Jane. I don't bother with fancy front seams on the skirt, and the original patterns is too short for my liking. I kind of like the skirt to cover the doll's bottom, so I made a teeny adjustment and now I have it at the right length. It's my go-to pattern for easy skirts. The top was a bit of a challenge for me, but now I understand it, and want to do it again. However, I think that the sleeve is way too small at the top, so I will make it a bit longer. And I'll also try for a short sleeve. I did get to be an expert (!) in attaching bias binding. I think I might actually understand it after attaching it in this pattern. I think I will use a contrasting binding the next time, just for the fun of it, and maybe put a border on the skirt in the basic fabric of the top. I can't tell you just how much fun this is, even with my cursing at the bias binding.

Next to it is the freebie doll dress. This was my first attempt at attaching bias binding, and I didn't do a great job of it at all. Now I understand the method. There's a lot of fudging in that binding here, but I don't think it's noticeable, and anyhow, does the doll really care? This is a pattern that can take a lot of playing around. Make it shorter and you have a cute summer top; use a contrast material on the straps, make it shorter and then add a ruffle to the bottom. Put on a pocket. Whatever. I find that I'm using knitting knowledge on the sewn clothing and sewing knowledge on the knitting. Cross-cultural experience.

I've been buying most of my patterns on Liberty Jane, and for the most part, I think they are very well done. Plus I like the more modern feel to the patterns. I can't see the grands liking froofy goofy dresses and 2 layer-ruffles on the bottoms of pants. I also like Joan Hind's patterns very much. She has good instructions that I can understand, and her designs are also contemporary. Another great designer is Carpatina. Her dolls are simply lovely; they are skinny 18" dolls and need their own patterns, but she makes her patterns to fit both her dolls and the AG doll. Haven't made any yet, but I have some of her historical patterns. I'm not ready for them yet, but my knowledge increases with every garment, and I think I can tackle her patterns in a little while.

The quilt is coming along. I'm about to attach the inner border, and then work on all the little pieces for the next border. I'm truly loving this, and I'm constantly looking for new patterns. But first, I'd like to make my way through a bunch in the Schnibbles book. I'm using charm squares because the quilts are wall hanging size and a lot cheaper for a beginning quilter to make. I'm still doing a lot of cutting and sewing, but I like doing small things (hence the doll clothing), and it's easy enough to make any of these with layer cakes, which are 10" squares. Same technique, only bed-sized quilts.

Here it is, ready for the first border. Nope, it's not perfect, a couple of seams don't match very well, but I'm happy enough with it. I tend to be a perfectionist in these things, so ridding myself of that silliness is good for me.

Here are a couple more projects that I've completed: a couple of pillowcases to match my new sheets, and a wonky little bag that I misread the instructions on, and cut it a lot smaller than it was supposed to be. But it came together OK, and only you know what a mess I made following the instructions. BTW, I cannot follow directions. Neither can my mother. So following any directions for any of these projects is really hard for me. Still, it's good for my brain.

The other pillowcase is the opposite of this one. The border of this one became the body of the other one, and I switched the border also.

Knitting is going along fine. A mystery project. In fact, the next project in the Light And Dark Lace Club series.

Dyeing: After a long spell of not dyeing, my mojo came back and was influenced by some batik fabric I bought. Here's a pic of all of them, and they are all available on Etsy, of course.

scrapperjen - Thanks. Aren't they fun?

Scrabblequeen - You know that I cannot read directions, and it took me 2, yes 2, hours to figure out how to cut out this simple pattern. Next time I'm going to use tissue paper and make a real pattern up. Once I started sewing, it was a piece of cake, but you have to see me cutting to see real confusion!

It's good to be back again.

2011-06-21T14:03:00.005-04:00

I just haven't been bloggy lately. Not in the mood, I guess.

My MIL has been very poorly and is in the hospital undergoing all sorts of treatments for all sorts of ailments. She seems to be coming along, we hope, but she is 87 and not in great health to begin with. Very sad and very worrisome.

On a much lighter note, I'm still knitting on a secret project and crocheting the never-ending afghan. All the doll clothing is now given to the grands, and the poor dolls are nekkid. Gotta make some more.

What's obsessing me these days is patchwork. I bought a book called Schnibbles Times Two: Quilts from 5" or 10" Squares.

I love it! It tells you how to make quilts from either layer cakes or charm squares. it seemed easy, so I'm making the first project in the book, Bennington, out of charm squares, and it's adorable. Since I'm a beginner here, and I don't have any sense of what is hard or easy, I just went with it, and so far, so good. I could do this kind of work for hours. Indeed, as soon as I get off the computer, I'm going back to it.

Here's a pic of a bunch of the blocks laid out just so I can get a sense of how they will look. This is a bowtie pattern, and the original called for the bowties to be done in dark colors, and the rest to be done in lights. Naturally I reversed it, and to me, it looks like Japanese temari balls.

So that's what's going on. I didn't want you to think I'd dropped off the face of the universe.

Kv - I think I also lost my bloggy mojo.
FoFo - Thanks for your prayers. We do appreciate it. This is such a little quilt that I'll probably finish it, if only to see what it finally looks like.

Henya - The dyeing is really sleeping. All I want to do is sew. I've gone over to the dark side here!

Infinity Quilter/Knitter - Thanks. I joined up all the blocks yesterday. I made a couple of goofs, but I'm pretty satisfied, at least for the first one I've done.

LivvyLove - Well, your comment makes me want to go back to the quilt. I think we have our own support group.

The Dolls, yet again.

2011-06-07T21:09:00.002-04:00

What can I tell you? I'm obsessed with sewing. It's not my fault. Blame Miss P, who started me on the downward spiral of sewing.

This is all I want to do. Forget meals. That's why eggs and yogurt were invented. Laundry? Hah! Errands? Only if they include a quilt shop or Joanne's. Straightening up my mess? Are you serious here? Whatever is the point of it? I'll only make more of a mess tomorrow.

So, here are the latest dolls and their clothing. His Most Royal Hubboness, He who shops at rummage sales, found 2 AG dolls, both with "hair cuts". One of them is Kit; I'm not sure who the other one is, but she's lovely. 2 dolls for a total of $15!

Kit, on the left, is wearing an outfit from the last post, but this time embellished with a teensy weensy yo yo. And the unknown AG doll has a yo yo on the top of her little dress.

Here are the 3 "embellished" ladies.

So, now I spend my time looking at patterns for the gals. And I'm also getting ready to actually attempt to sew a knitting project bag. Given that it's a bunch of straight lines, it should be much easier than little armholes and such.

And I'm seriously thinking of starting to do some patchwork. My poor knitting and crocheting are languishing. But looking at all the fabric colors makes me want to dye yarn. I'm thinking of a summer collection in Bambi, merino and bamboo. Maybe bright summery looks, with the bamboo, which doesn't take the dye, to soften the colors. Hmmmmm. I need an 8 day week and a 30 hour day. The more I play, the more I want to play.

Wall-to-wall books - In your dreams! Making the little outfits is more than enough. I'm not particularly good at this. Yeah, they look fine on the outside, but turn them over and we have a mess.

Dolly Friday

2011-06-03T10:46:00.003-04:00

I'm having such a grand time sewing these AG doll clothes. Not that I'm a great sewer, but these little items don't have to be perfect, and anyhow, I'm an expert on ripping out. I'm so used to it with knitting design, that it doesn't even bother me any more.

So here are the girls in their new outfits. Most of these have been made twice: the first time I ripped, and then almost got it right the second time. tee hee.

This skirt was a pain in the neck to do. I used a pattern that called for charm squares (5" squares), and I bought a package at Joanne's. Some of the squares were not square, and it drove me batty. Plus there were cut with a pinking shears, which also did not make me happy. So I had to attach them to each other, then do a bit of ruffling (which I kind of like), and sew all those seams. I'm not fond of how it wants to stick out at the end of the first tier. I'd like to do something like this again, but either do it with my own 5" blocks, or just use large strips of fabric. I was smart enough to measure each finished strip, so I can do this again. The top was kind of odd to do, but all in all, it seems to work, and The Principessa will like it, I hope. And if she doesn't, I'll take it back and give it to Miss P. Between the 2 kids, somebody will like something.

I loved doing the little halter top and skirt. That's the one on the left. I used some batik also from Joannes, and the pieces were fun and easy to do. I may not have actually ripped this one the first time. This one will go to Miss P. I want to do one in pinks for the Principessa, since she is at that stage of loving pink. Miss P has moved past pink and onto maybe greens? I don't know. Again, if it doesn't please her, I'll take it back and give it to the Principessa.

Aren't these cute? The tops are done with that little top from the first outfit I made, and the skirts are miniskirts from somebody's pattern. The left on is for Miss P, and the right one for the Principessa. I got both outfits out of 2 fat quarters. I love fat quarters. Inexpensive, and fun and enough yardage for lots of things. I think the fabric came from a wonderful quilt shop on the Cape - Heartbeat Quilts. An amazing shop with more fabric that you can begin to imagine. A bit pricey, but wonderful stuff.

This last little outfit is a combo of 2 patterns. The top is from Liberty Jane, and I do not like the fit. It is awkward to get on and way too tight at the bottom. So tight that I can't get it over the skirt. Plus turning under the edge at the armhole (on the right) was a huge pain in the butt. With these little 1/4" seams, there not much space for cutting, so I had to seriously fudge. I think the pattern would work well in a knit, but I suspect that the bottom would still be very tight to put on. I'm going to add a bit onto each side of the pattern to get it to fit better. But I don't know what to do about that armhole. I do love almost all the Liberty Jane patterns, so I think this was me trying to work a woven into a knitted pattern. Oh well, I bought the fabric at Joanne's, and I know there is more out there. I kinda like the way the top looks with the little ruffle on the skirt, but to really work, the top needs to be worn outside and it doesn't fit over the skirt. Grumble grumble. Whatever. I can give the skirt to a kid, but they will scream with frustration with the top.

And that's the story, Morning Glory.

Whoops, I didn't tell you all about this year's trip to Cape Cod. I'll post that another time. It was beyond wonderful. I could go back in an instant. And I'll tell you all about The Platinum Pebble Inn. I'm in love.

Scrabblequeen - We knitters are experts at ripping, aren't we. After you do it over and over, it ceases to be a pain and just becomes part of the project. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Wall-to-wall books - I'm having such fun doing this. Now I'm looking into a bit of quilting, maybe a log cabin. Also going to find fabric for a sock project bag and a large tote. I need my head examined. Clearly I'm on the road to ruin here.

Wall-to-wall books - Me too. Now to get the courage to actually make a block! I'm such a scaredy cat.

Henya - Thank you.

Avira is published.

2011-05-31T23:58:00.001-04:00

Here she is in all her glory: Avira. A lovely shawl knit from the bottom up, so that your rows get shorter and shorter.

Avira was the first shawl for the Light and Dark Lace Club, and now she's making her public appearance.

Would you like a copy?

Here's where you can buy one: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/avira

Avira is knit in PennyRose Yarns Benji, 3 ply fingering weight with approx 450 yards.

Henya and Scrabblequeen - Pshaw, it was nothing.

An exercise in humility.

2011-05-11T16:32:00.001-04:00

I can knit almost anything I want with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back. It's that easy for me. Yep, I frog plenty, but almost always because I'm designing and don't like what I'm doing. And I'm getting better at crochet. OK, I'm pretty good at flat pieces; haven't ventured forth into sweaters and such, and I suspect that may be a challenge for me because I don't think in crochet terms, I think in knitting. But I can crochet lots of patterns.

And many years ago I was an ace embroiderer. Hardanger, cut work, canvas work, I could do it all.

And I say this in all modesty: you have to know what you are good at. And I'm good at all of those nice yarny/thready hand-worked crafts.

And then there is sewing. Gah! What can I say? I haven't sewn a garment in over 20 years, maybe even 25 years. The last time I used a sewing machine was maybe 15-20 years ago when I went through my Fair Isle phase and steeked everything.

So last Saturday we went into Stroudsburg, PA to the Pocono Sewing and Vac Shop and I bought a little, portable Janome. Fine. Good. I can do this, right?

At first my goal was to try piecing. I have no desire to do actual quilting, at least not at this time, or probably forever. But I adore patchwork quilts and I want to try something out there. And hey, it's mostly sewing a straight line, unless you are doing curves, and that's beyond me at the moment.

And then, in a moment of total lunacy, I bought some AG doll patterns online, and the rest is history. So far I've made one outfit: a reversible wrap skirt and a top from a Liberty Jane pattern. It's taken me at least 4 hours per pattern to make each garment. You have to see me in action to watch me try to figure out the pattern. I can't read instructions. Well, I can, but have no patience for it. Yes. Well. Uh huh. Go figure this out without reading the instructions, ruth.

The humility part? I now totally understand how a beginning knitter feels. What I can do without a thought, is not so simple for the beginner or for someone who is learning a new technique. I feel so clumsy and so dopey, and I'm so grateful that I actually made 2 pieces of clothing and didn't sew my fingers together or jam up the machine more than twice. I have learned how to thread the needle many times; how to put in the bobbin also a few times. When and how not to do a little zigzag. 1/4 inch seam is not a 1/2 inch seam. Yup, I've learned that. Sewing velcro on is not all that hard, but getting the 2 pieces to meet is another story. Cutting out with a scissors is not too painful, but learning the rotary cutter is another story. Oh, I am such a novice at this. I have laughed so much at myself today. It's a riot to watch me in action.

But I did it. Not terribly well. Those velcro pieces are not lined up, but Miss P can figure it out.

Look, Ma, I did it. Notice that the top goes with the skirt. Did you see that little ribbon that goes around the neck?

Reversible skirt. Whoo hoo. Notice that the velcro part is hidden in the back. What, I'm going to show you the mismatched stuff? No way.

OK, the top stitching on the bottom of the top has a bit of a wave to it. But it could be much worse.

Doesn't Josefina look cute? I'm exhausted. I could have run a marathon for how tired I am. Clearly this is a major lesson in humility, but it is such fun. No, not the humility part, the sewing part, goofs, velcro and all.

So now I'm thinking that I ought to dye some yarn to match the many fat quarters I bought and make little cardigans or hats or a bolero.

If I were a drinking woman, I have a large swig right about now.

So what should I do next?

Linda W - Can't you just see that? And we'd all walk down the street together in our finery.

New projects

2011-05-06T10:29:00.001-04:00

While I'm dyeing up for the Light and Dark Lace Club, I'm also working on some projects for fun. By the way, there are lots of opening left. I have tons of yarn, so go and join. We'll have fun. Easy pattern for summer knitting, pretty colors, good price. You can purchase in my Etsy shop.

Here's a neat, optical illusion blankie in progress. This one is based on Lily Chin's Mosaic Afghans, and is such fun to do. And thick! I'm working on Encore DK, and let me tell you, this blankie is going to be toasty warm. I'm thinking it would be nice in worsted wt, even though I much prefer the look of DK. Well, when I finish it, and am still in the mood to make another one, maybe I'll do one in Encore. Yep, I know. Acrylic, but these acrylics are lovely, and I want a blankie to just toss into the washer and dryer. Easy care.

Looks like it's out of focus, but that's the pattern. The red portion has a different pattern. I'm aiming for 3 strips, with the middle one starting with white as opposed to this strip where the charcoal started. It's not narrower on the top; my camera decided to foreshorten it. Bet you didn't know that I had an artistic camera, did you?

Here's the wrong side of it, also very interesting.

And this one shows the wrong side with the right side folded on top of it. Talk about making you dizzy! This will do it. Funnily enough, it doesn't look weird while you are working on it.

And here's a lace scarf that I'm working on. The body of the scarf is being done in this basic ground pattern. Almost mindless. I'll add on a nice long border to each end when done. I can't stretch it out to show you how much it opens up, but it really really opens.

There. You get sort of the idea.

Tomorrow we're off to possibly buy the little Janome sewing machine. It gets great reviews, weighs only 12 lbs, so I can take it to a class. I'm hoping to take a beginner piecing class. And now I'm looking at American Girl Doll patterns. Exactly when all this sewing is to take place is beyond me, but hey, it should be fun, and what do I have to lose anyway? We could use a sewing machine. The Hubs wants to learn. Such fun. Isn't it amazing what new things there are to learn? I love to learn new crafts.

Light & Dark Lace Club!

2011-05-01T19:25:00.001-04:00

It's my turn again to do the dyeing for the Light & Dark Lace Club, and I've chosen 5 summery colors for you. They are, in order, Tiger Lily, Mint, Sky, Violet, and Rosa.

Tiger Lily is an orange softened with a secret color to make it a bit gentler of an orange. Bright, but not overpowering.

Mint is a green that leans towards the blue family rather than the yellow family.

Sky is the color of a summer sky. You might think it's turquoise, but it is not. It is a pure lovely blue.

Violet is just that - violet.

Rosa is the color of that light part of watermelon, the part near the rind.

The colors are all so pretty and sweet. Not baby pastels, but adult pastels. Light and perfect for a bit of summer knitting.

If you click on the yarn pic, you'll be able to see that wonderful little twist.

The yarn is Rachel yarn, 100% SW merino with a lovely twist. It's so soft that it feels like cotton in your hand, but it's wool so you know it's going to knit so easily. 100 grams, 400 yards. Such a simple yarn that you will love. You know that I love all my yarns, but a few months ago I knitted myself a pair of socks in this yarn, and totally fell wildly in love with it. Great stitch definition, and just about the nicest twisted yarn I know of. This is a treat of a yarn!

The pattern, which, of course is a secret, is also easy and great for summer knitting. Enough pattern interest to keep you from getting bored, but not hard on your brain or fingers. The shape is my favorite shawl shape: triangular with the outer edges increased so that the shawl has a swoopy shape. I love wearing this shape. It stays on the shoulders, swoops beautifully around your neck should you wish to drape it (that's how I wear it), and very feminine and pretty. I like to use shawl pins with this shape and even use double pronged hair pins.

Where can you sign up for this edition of the Light & Dark Lace Club?

Right in my Etsy shop: http://fritzl.etsy.com

The yarn will be dyed in May and we'll start knitting in early June, probably around June 5. Roxanne and I have a forum on Ravelry, http://www.ravelry.com/groups/light--dark-lace-club where you can discuss the pattern and yarn and get help and chat about it all. We have lots of lovely members, and we'd be most pleased if you would join our group.

Questions? Ask me here, and I'll answer. Or join the Ravelry Group, and I'll happily tell you all right there.

Working away.

2011-04-28T10:27:00.000-04:00

3 projects that I'm currently working on. We are not going to discuss the ones that are hiding in bags all over the house.

My granny afghan that younger DD wants. My kids never want anything I make, so when one of them says she'd like something, I practically wag my tail in excitement. So here's the latest on the granny for Em. There are 3 more squares that I forgot to lay out. I'm thinking a total of 80 squares: 8 across and 10 down. And I have more than a quarter of it done. I might actually finish this before the fall.

I try to do a square/day. This way I'll have a lot done when I reach the boredom stage.

Here's a sock I'm doing in my all-time favorite pattern, basketweave. I've done socks in all sorts of patterns, but this is by far my fave. It always looks good no matter the yarn, it works well with variegateds, and looks good stretched on the leg as well as off the leg. I know, you've seen this pattern all over the web, but it really is a great auto-pilot sock.

And my fun new lace project: a scarf in an easy-peasy ground that will have nice borders added to it. This ground is so stretchy, looks good on both sides of the scarf, and is pretty quick to work up. You do have to pay attention on the right side rows, and I found that a bamboo needle solved the "falling off the slippery needle" problem. Wait until you see this stretched out! The Hubs finds it fascinating!

Safety pin is so I know how much I've knitted since Saturday. I like to do this sort of stuff when I'm repeating row after row. Makes me feel that I've accomplished a lot.

I'm trying to decide on yarn for the Square a Day project for May. I don't want worsted because the extra motion working with a larger hook bothers my hands, and I generally don't like crocheted afghans made of worsted weight. I have enough SW merino DK in the house to dye up the colors. But it would be nice to be lazy on this. Another decision: I'm not fond of afghans with every block being different. But if I don't make a blankie, then what do I do with 31 different blocks? Lots of choices here, and my knitting/crocheting time is limited. Maybe, I'll make it into a 31 blocks over the course of 3 months kind of thing. At any rate, it does intrigue me, so I have to make some sort of yarn decision pretty soon.

And then there's the color choice. Something pastel, I think, so that I can really see the patterns. I even briefly thought of fingering wt yarn, which could be lots of fun. Then it would be a lap blankie. OK, very possibly baby yarn in a sport or skinny DK weight, but not baby colors. Ack! I'm driving myself crazy over this. Says the bad Hubbo: I don't have far to go. Bad Hubbo!

A square a day in May

2011-04-27T22:20:00.000-04:00

Did you click on the link over to the right about A square a day in May? This is such a neat idea. I really want to do it, but I'm not sure if I have the time. I'm about to go into big KAL yarn dyeing, and I must finish 3 projects on hook and needles. But still...

You know what I think will happen with me? I'll fall so in love with one of the blocks and will then focus on it and say Piffle to the rest. But on the other hand, wouldn't it be fun to do a different block each day? I need a longer day, that's all.

I might have to force myself to go to my LYS and buy yet more DK yarn. Or, I could dye up almost solids in sock yarn and use that. That would make a very light-weight blankie, but it could be neat to dye up the colors. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

No pics again today. The tripod flatly refuses to leave the photography corner. We had words, and it won. Besides I was way too busy with the gym, and the dyeing, and the supper making, and the computing. I never did get around to baking bread, but we have about 1/2 box of matzohs left, so we're OK.

And one more gym note: No tush pain today, but I might have shin splints or some such pain on the outside of both legs. I did go to the gym, and today I used the weight machines instead of free weights, just for a change and also to work different muscles.

The bottom

2011-04-26T10:19:00.002-04:00

No pics because of the delicate nature of the topic: my posterior.

Yesterday at the gym, I started a teensy bit of interval training, and in between my walking, I did some running. I think the last time I ran at all was about 20 years ago. Holey moley am I out of shape. End (ahem, notice that pun) result is that my bottom is achy today from all the muscle use. And I'm not showing you pics of my tush, so no pics.

BTW, if you want to get a kid to giggle, use the word "butt" around that kid. They just howl with laughter. At least our grands do, and each grand is totally different from the others. The only one who doesn't find it funny (yet) is Little Lili, who is 2, and doesn't know yet that butt is a very funny word.

Off to prep yarn.

Kitten With a Whiplash - My endses is letting me know that there is a muscle or two in that area. It's pretty funny.

Wall-to-wall books - I felt like such a clod on that treadmill. Couldn't find my rhythm. But I'm going to do it again. Always glad to oblige you with no pics. tee hee.

What's the worst that can happen?

2011-04-25T09:27:00.002-04:00

I'm terrified of sewing and the sewing machine. There. I said it. I do know how to sew, but it causes me terror and heart palpitations and shaking in the limbs and nightmares. My mom used to be an ace sewer. She sewed everything for us except for our bras. She made all our clothing from undies to coats. Needless to say, I was a brat and wanted a dress that I could just walk in and buy and wear. I did get one as a present from an aunt, and knew instantly what a treasure it was to have a mom who clothed me. I got to pick out the patterns, the fabrics, everything. In fact, she did it so well that I never really bothered to learn as long as I was living home. For one thing, she wouldn't let us touch her sewing machine. For another, why do it when your mom is a pro? (Maybe that's why my kids don't like to knit?)

Skip to when my eldest was into Barbie dolls and I decided I wanted to learn how. Bought a spiffy little portable Elna, and proceeded to sew clothing for the doll. Took a class at Stretch & Sew, bought a big Elna, and proceeded to sew tons of stuff for us.

Skip to now. The Elna is long gone; the big Elna gave up the ghost a few years ago and I never fixed it and eventually got rid of it. The Hubbo found a Bernina 900 at a house sale for pennies, and now I own it.

So I started to look at quilting blogs and such and began a mania of fabric admiration and drool. Oh, do I ever want to be able to do this! Big time! And I'm scared down to my little toes. Where do I begin? At the beginning. But I wanna be able to do this and skip the beginner phase. Much whining and whinging.

Then I remembered my retirement mantra: what's the worst that can happen? I mean, really, what's the very worst that can happen? I don't like it. I've wasted a bit of money. It's ugly. I'm lousy at it. So? If this is the worst that can happen, then why not do it?

Saturday's purchases.

I can do this, right? It would be nice to take classes. The bloody Bernina weighs a ton. So much for my taking the train to the quilt shop. OK, I can drive. Schlep the machine. Learn. I can do this. Break it down into little steps, just do it, ruth, and stop whinging already.

And if I fail? Wait a minute here. What failure? The worst that can happen is that I'm lousy at it. So?

Signing up for classes the next time I can get to the quilt shop. If nothing else, the classes will break down the process for me, and just give me the necessary push.

In the meantime, I'm bookmarking gorgeous quilt blogs and online shops. And suddenly I'm knitting and crocheting a lot too.

Off to the gym. Gotta lose 4-5 lbs so that I can fit into my spring and summer clothing without a huge tummy bulge. I can do that too.

Scrabblequeen - I think the worst part is trying to decide what to do first. I'm going to take a group of classes on a log cabin quilt, and I'm looking into buying a 12 lb Janome machine. Much lighter than my Bernina. But there is so much I'd like to try. I swear it's worse than going into a yarn shop. Too many choices. Arrgh.

New Blossom Colorways.

2011-04-22T12:39:00.002-04:00

I didn't have jury duty yesterday, so I treated myself to a bit of a Blossom dye-in. This batch runs the gamut from very pale to bright, something for everyone. Hey, I just dye them, I have no control over the process. You know perfectly well that the dyes do what they want; I'm just the hands being controlled.

Pale yarns. Not white, or even off white, but soft and very pretty and with a touch of white in them. Melon, Dream, Lady and Sweet Blossoms.

A bit more zip: Garden, and Bahama Blossoms.

And even brighter: Pansy, Foliage, and Carnival Blossoms.

Actually, the only real bright one is Carnival Blossoms. Cheery and fun!

All going to be listed on Etsy in a little while. The specs: Penny Yarn (75/25 SW merino/nylon; 100g, over 450 yards) On the skinny side of fingering yarn.

Colleen - Thanks! That might be my favorite too.

Scrabblequeen - You can NEVER have too much sock yarn. Ever!

Checking in

2011-04-17T10:06:00.000-04:00

Just letting you know that I'm still here. The company arrived, we did the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island yesterday, in the rain and the unbelievable wind. Got soaked, and laughed an awful lot.

Passover is on my head today, the company is going off to visit the ex, and the Hubbo and I have a day to sort things out here.

Tomorrow is the first seder, and I'm sort of ready. Miss P and I will make the matzo balls tomorrow, and I'm doing some cooking also today. Good thing we had Chicken Soup Sunday a few weeks ago; I don't have to worry about that.

If I haven't answered all your comments (& I haven't), it's because I'm out of time. But I'm reading them and enjoying them very much.

Off to do the dishes. Again and again and again.

Hold me to it!

2011-04-13T10:37:00.001-04:00

Here's what I have to do today:

1. Pay those bills. I hate doing this with a passion. I have the money, but the job is boring beyond belief.

2. Fold the laundry. Not quite as boring.

3. Straighten up the dining room table. Totally dependent on #1, and it has to be done. They're coming tomorrow and Mr and Ms Slobbo need to get our acts together. yep. right. Except that the table will be used for the seder on Monday night. So there is no choice here.

4. Go to the library and bring back the books and get new ones. OK, this is fun.

5. Go to Judy's and pick up more yarn for the crochet blankie. Also fun.

6. Bake bread. This is it before Passover. Then it's strictly Matzo Land.

7. Do my banking.

8. Figure out a cool ground pattern for a new scarf/shawl.

9. Decide if it is going to be a scarf or a shawl.

10. Start a new shawl! Reward time for me.

11. Work on my new shawl.

12. Probably frog my new shawl.

13. Start new shawl all over again.

Now you all hold me to this. You are responsible if I fail to get 1-7 done. Notice how I place blame squarely on your shoulders.

Grace -I want the assistant to do the bills and the cleaning. I'll happily do the knitting. Maybe we could share.

Ma Nishtanah This Week Ha Zeh Mikol Other Weeks?

2011-04-12T12:38:00.005-04:00

Why is this week different from all other weeks? Passover Cleaning.

Take a look at this; it's beyond hilarious!

Scrabblequeen - As much as I hate it, I have to admit that seeing the living room mess reduced by 3/4 is wonderful. Enjoy (?) the guests.

Wall-to-wall books - isn't it hilarious? And the creativity involved!

Books and Hooks

2011-04-11T08:48:00.005-04:00

Books

The Hubbo and I have to clean up this house before the super-neat kids arrive. Not that our form of cleaning will impress them, but hey, at least I can say that we did OK for the two of us. Besides, they know how messy we are. But this is our chance to toss and straighten, and we have to do it. And then we'll feel so virtuous that we'll keep it neat forever. If you believe that, I know a bridge I can sell you.

So one of my problems is that I cannot stop buying crafty books. I am pretty picky these days, but if it looks interesting, I buy it. The result is a huge pile of books next to the coffee table, and on the coffee table, and on the couch and in the TV room. Books everywhere, and all precious. Well, I'm not going to toss the existing books in their book cases. So, what's a girl to do? Tubs! Life's answer to everything. When in doubt, tubify it. So, down into the basement I went, 2 tubs in tow, and schlepped 2 shelves of very heavy books downstairs and tubified them. Away, gorgeous embroidery books. Knitting and Crochet rule at the moment. And the end result is no more piles of books everywhere. Here are some very blurry pics. The tripod refused to leave the living room.

And that, boys and girls, is just the tip of the iceberg. What you can't see is that in the last 2 pics, there are shelves below with doors on them. We are not going to talk about the books and magazines in them, either. In my dream house, I would have a beautiful, sun-lit library with couches, tables and chairs, and all my books and projects.

Hooks

I had a lovely hooky day on Saturday. We did our usual field trip, this time to Wycoff, had a lovely lunch, wandered about for a bit and I happily crocheted along the way. And came home, and hooked some more.

I'm really loving this. I keep finding long lost skeins of acrylic DK, and adding them to the mixture. At the moment, the plan is to make a blankie, lap cover, whatever, 5 squares by 8. I have to pick out a color to edge them and then put on a border, but I'm a long way from that. Maybe white? Who knows, but I have lots of time to decide.

Did a bunch of knitting, too. I'm working on a mystery project, and I'm at the point of 382 sts. I worked about an inch of the border, and don't like it, so frog I go. Lately I design right on the needles, and I'm quite used to tinking and frogging. It's just part of the design process for me.

And now here's my problem yarn. I dyed this maybe last summer, and totally fell in love with the colorway and decided to keep it. But here's the thing: I don't like it worked up in anything other than socks. And I don't feel like knitting socks at all or wristers or mitts. Growl. Any ideas?

And on that note I'm off to continue the never-ending process of putting my house in order. Gah!

Kitten With a Whiplash - What a great idea. Imagine the size of the thing, and how many project bags I'd have to use and how much yarn and all those orts. Boggles the mind. My giggle for the day!

PandaBearofDoom - DD and SIL are super neat. Miss P understands our general slovenliness. It's pretty funny.

Henya - Pain in the neck, isn't it? I have 5 more tubs to fill, too. All those project bags will be tubified!

Scrabblequeen - The answer is to use clear plastic tubs. You are totally doooooomed if you use boxes or solid color tubs. Totally. I'm still not happy about that yarn and motif.

More Blossoms

2011-04-08T15:40:00.001-04:00

Here's what's coming Sun or Mon: Ran out of steam to post on Etsy today, so I thought I'd give you a heads up.

Azalea Blossoms, Baby Blossoms and Sunny Blossoms.

Next are Cheery Blossoms, Early Blossoms, and Pretty Blossoms.

Followed by Sea Blossoms and Light Meadow Blossoms.

And Tender Blossoms and Bright Blossoms

Have a good weekend, everybody.

The Blossoms are flying away!

2011-04-06T22:26:00.000-04:00

Boy did those Blossom yarns fly outta here. I'll dye some more tomorrow, and photograph them on Fri. I think I'll play with some yellow notes here too.

The Pastel Queen is back, at least temporarily.

2011-04-05T11:32:00.002-04:00

I was in such a mood to do pastel variegateds on Sunday. This time of year, I eat, breathe and sleep soft pretty colors.

Three have already been sold. What's left are the 4 above. In order: Golden Blossoms, Green Blossoms, Lilac Blossoms, and Pink Blossoms. As you can see, they are all gently variegated yarns, and would look especially lovely in scarves and shawlettes. Of course, given that they are Penny Sock Yarn, they would also make charming socks. They would look great in both knit and crochet, and would make lovely wefts if you are into weaving.

Penny Yarn: 100g, approx 450 yards, 75/25 SW merino/nylon. Soft and strong and is my all-time favorite fingering wt yarn. You can work anything in this yarn, it's that good.

Where? here: http://fritzl.etsy.com

Any crochet yesterday? Nope; I have to finish a secret shawl design, and devoted what time I had left to it after running all over the joint on errands.

Mommie News: The Mommie seems to have taken a turn for the BETTER! Yep, better! Her aide is now with her through lunch and then cones back and gets her ready for dinner and then for bed. She's eating much more, mostly because the staff wanders by her table and cuts up her food. And she's lively and for a very confused lady, pretty with it. She forgets that I have kids, but marches into the dining room and announces to the group that "The queen is here!" Her Hebrew name is Esther, so of course, she's Queen Esther. And she's back to quipping with the staff and the residents. Go, Mommie, go!

All of this is due to her amazing aide and the staff at Charles Bierman! They are the most caring, responsible people in the world of geriatrics. If you need a home for a parent who can no longer live at home, but isn't ready for a nursing home, this is THE place to send her/him. Nothing fancy. You won't walk into the Bierman section and pass out with the glory of the place. But substance is what you get here.

More pretty yarns later this week, but not the pastels. I had some darks that happened mostly because i didn't dilute the dye solution nearly enough. So I kept the yarns because they are so pretty. I can't be the Pastel Queen all the time, you know.

Scrabblequeen - Wasn't that nice news? Usually I get the other kind of news, so this was a major happy surprise. And you know my yarn mantra: there's always more yarn. tee hee.

The Yarnarian Crochets.

2011-04-04T09:59:00.005-04:00

Oh, boy! Am I ever sucked into my annual crochet binge. In addition to the 3 blankies in progress, I decided to start another one.

This was a trial run in a variegated yarn. I like it, but an entire blankie out of it would be way, way too busy. I think that knitting handles variegated yarns better than crochet most of the time. Here's another motif that is also too busy.

Pretty, maybe as a scarf, but not as a blanket. Actually, now that I'm looking at it here, I think I'll make more of these and really do a scarf. But maybe not in this yarn. Who knows? Whatever.

So then I went off to the Stitching Bee, and bought a bunch of DK yarns, all machine washable and mostly acrylic, 'cause you know that is what I like to do blankies in. Decided to use the pattern for the first pic, More V's, please. I found it on Ravelry, it's free (always delightful), and beyond fun to hook.

I changed the pattern only in that I did 2 rows instead of 3 on the v-stitch area.

I also did a bunch of dyeing yesterday, but I'll post that later, just so you can enjoy all this hooky goodness.

Susie - The squares are actually about 7", so they are not teensy, and they will get another row or two with my outline color, maybe off-white. I'm not sure yet of what I want to use, so I'll do some more and then decide. Once I pick the border color, then I'll start joining them as I go along. Otherwise I'll yell and scream if I have to do these all at the same time.

PandaBearofDoom - I like the first one as a stand-alone piece. Maybe If I did a few row border in a solid, I'd like it more for a blankie, but I only have one skein of the yarn, dyed it a long time ago, and have no idea what I did, so I can't duplicate it.

katiemckinna - Thanks.

myhookandyarnadventure - It is very tricky using variegateds on crochet, especially on these granny squares. I have had great luck using them in scarves, particularly in a ziazag pattern. Those yarns work if you are looking for a sort of Monet look to your scarf.

Aspirations! Day 6

2011-04-02T22:01:00.000-04:00

A quickie post because I want to climb into bed and read my book.

What do I aspire to? I want to learn how to weave, and then make scarves from my yarns. I want to go back to sewing and make some project bags or pillows or something. No garments; just patchwork and stuff. I'm a crummy sewer, but there is an awesome quilt shop not too far from me, and I can even take the train there. I wandered into it a couple of weeks ago and was flabbergasted at all the gorgeous fabrics. Color on top of color! I want to finish the dopey fingering wt yan sweater I started in time to actually wear the thing this spring.

I aspire to clue into reality. Hah!

And now for something completely different Day 5 2KCBWDAY5

2011-04-01T10:43:00.002-04:00

There's nothing different today. Any inspiration I might have had has vanished. Hm. That could be my topic: Inspiration and perspiration.

My world is about 100% inspiration, 50% confusion, and 50% perspiration. Yep, that adds up to 200%. I get inspired all the time. I see color and I want to dye it or knit or crochet in it. That goes on 24/7. I look, I want to dye. I see a lovely little demitasse cup, and I want those colors in my life. Please excuse the blurry pics; my tripod was on vacation.

How about paper napkins?

Or Elvis the Rooster?

Or the quilt the kids got me for a significant birthday?

Or a couple of very blurry kaleidoscope pics?

Or a pretty silk flower arrangement?

That';s a teensy bit of inspiration; believe me, it goes on all day. I live, eat and breathe color. I can almost taste it.

The other 100%:

Perspiration: Well you have to work at getting those colors right. some colors that look wonderful together in the real world, look pretty darn awful together in a skein of yarn or a garment. And designing is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration, at least it is for me.

Confusion: Sometimes I get so carried away with color, that I can't decide what to do with it? This is especially true when I crochet. I get these ideas in my head, buy the yarn, come home, and then can't figure out where I want to begin.

I'll tell you one thing: I'm rarely bored! Because, if I get bored, I just start something new. And that, boys and girls, is why I have a gazillion project bags and yarns all over the joint!

Moonie - I hate being bored.

Scrabblequeen - Bordom! Why do you think I have so many projects? Sigh.

Where are they now? Day 4 2KCBWDAY4

2011-03-31T09:01:00.002-04:00

Ah, reflecting on old knits! This one is a tough one. Where did they go? Considering that I learned to knit 50 years ago, I have made more garments than I can remember. Who even has pics of stuff I knit ages ago?

Miss P, who is 8 1/2 years old, got most of the baby knits. The second I heard that her mom was pregnant, I went into knitting overdrive. I started with teensy knits and worked up to knits for 2 year olds. Do I have any pics? Yeah, right. Who even blogged 8 years ago? Alex, who is almost 11, got lots of hand-knits, too. Do I have any pics? Nope. After those two, I was done with little kid knits, so the poor deprived other 3 grands got a Baby Surprise Jacket at birth and that was it. Now, of course, I'd love to knit little baby things, but no babies in sight. We may be done. On the other hand, we do have 2 year old Little Lili. But I want to do baby gear, not toddler gear.

I will tell you the story of my first knit, done when I was a senior in high school. It was a vest, knitted side to side and all done in garter stitch. Back and front the same. You did a section for one side, the middle and the other side. So I used 2 colors of some worsted wt yarn. I remember that it took me forever. My grandma told me that at the rate I was going, I'd be her age by the time I finished (and she was in her late 80's). But I did finish it, and wore it too. Pics? You have got to be kidding.

So that's my story, no pics, only words. Snore.

Scrabblequeen and Kepanie - I remember it because my grandmother was convinced that I would never finish it. But I did!

scrapperjen - I agree totally.

Tidy mind, tidy stitches - Day3 2KCBWDAY3

2011-03-30T09:17:00.003-04:00

Tidy mind? Tidy stitches? Huh? They can't be talking about me, the most disorganized woman in the knitting world. Tidy, my foot. The miracle is that I actually do finish these babies sooner or later. Some are way later. Some get frogged.

My method of organization is to have a project bag, plastic bag, large humongous plastic bag, paper bag with handles, baskets for every project I've started. Snort. Howl with laughter. No, I do have each and every project in its separate container, and occasionally I include my notes and charts. The problem is that I have too many bags.

Brace yourselves. Here come the pics.

And this doesn't include the projects in bags in plastic tubs that I may or may not finish. I'm going to do a load of laundry and hide while you are snickering.

To all of you who are as disorganized as me: Isn't it grand? You never know what you might find in any project bag! I do sort of know what I'm working on at the moment. At least I know that those bags are not in my tubs.

Vivianne - I don't remember what's in each bag. Given however that at least 3-4 are current and need to get done, I know that those bags are on top of other bags or in the scrimmage on the chair (4th pic from the top), although that's not always true. Memory? What's memory? I don't remember.

fig - I guess those bags do organize it a bit. At least there is one project/bag.

Skill - Day2 2KCBWDAY2

2011-03-29T04:09:00.005-04:00

What have I learned in the last year? Gosh, so much. I'm always learning new skills. Every time I design something, I also learn something. If I'm not doing something new, then I get bored, and I like each garment I knit to have some sort of challenge for me. Keeps the gray matter working.

I love designing. I love finding a yarn I've dyed, and then turning that bit of string into something pretty or elegant or practical. I've been on a shawl binge for more than a year, and I'm still learning and trying things out.

Here are some pics of stuff I've designed. I have 2 designs that are mysteries because they are for the Light and Dark Lace club, but I can tell you that I learned more than a minimal amount with them.

Here's what I am working on: actually writing up the design. I really hate writing it all up, but it's just gotta get done. So with a lot of cursing, I plod away on it. Why is it so easy to design and such a pain in the tush to write it up?

CraftyCripple - You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly the issue. Two different uses of the brain. It's a real challenge!

Sarah - That's the first shawl for a Lace club I'm doing with Roxanne of ZenYarn Garden. The challenge on that one was to go from the bottom to the top without running out of yarn. I did it, too!

knitabulous - It would cost a fortune to outsource it, and anyhow, only I can read my notes and charts!

Kasia & scrapperjen - Thank you.
Kepanie - Hard work! I often design on the needle as I go along. I work up graphs and try them out. I frog a lot.

A Tale of Two Yarns - 2KCBWDAY1

2011-03-28T10:10:00.004-04:00

Is this not cool? Bloggers all over the globe are participating, so this gives all of us a chance to find new knitting and crocheting blogs. Such fun!

Today's topic is A Tale of Two Yarns (2KCBWDAY1) Ignore that code thingie. It's supposed to like up to something in Google if I have it right. And if I don't, somebody email me.

I'm going to talk about 2 yarns that I love. One I dye, the other I buy. The one I buy is Encore DK. Yep, mostly acrylic but you can't beat it for blankies that will get dragged around or baby gear. The stuff is indestructible, comes in lots of colors, cheap, and is pretty, really pretty. Yep, there's only a bit of wool in it, but that bit seems to predominate over the acrylic. I"m not a yarn snob; I've been knitting for 50 years (gasp) and have learned that different yarns have different uses. You wouldn't use a microwave oven to grill burgers, and blankets that get schlepped around need to go into a washing machine. I could use superwash wool I suppose, but this yarn is so darn handy to find and works so well. Eh, it's great for a dyer to get lazy and not always dye her yarns.

Here it is from Friday's post. I got another hexie done yesterday. It's soft, cuddly, and I really really love it. It doesn't pretend to be elegant, just a fine acrylic yarn.

I'll admit that it isn't what I would use for a brand new baby. Too woolly for that, but when the munchkin gets a bit older, and runs around and gets dirty big time, bingo! here's the yarn to use.

Yarn I dye: I love all the yarn I dye. I don't sell anything that I can't or won't use (so no alpaca because it itches me, and I just can't wear it). But here's my latest love: Rachel yarn. This one is 100% SW merino 100g approx 400 yards with a nice little twist to it.

This is the fichu made from the yarn above.

Socks that I'm wearing at the moment and a crochet scarf.

What I love about this yarn is that it is wool but feels like soft cotton in the hand. It's my current craze and I can't get enough of it. Plus it dyes like a dream.

And those are two yarns that I love.

PandaBearofDoom - Thanks! It started out as a retirement hobby, and then grew into a business. Who every would have thunk it? Off to check out your blog.
nursenikkiknits - I know loony Grammies who knit in cashmere for their precious babies. Just what a mom of little ones has time for! And there's nothing like a white cashmere baby sweater with baby upchuck on it!
CrochetBlogger - Speaking of different uses for different yarns, I have a confession: I did knit Miss P (the grand who live in MN) a shawl in 50/50 merino/silk last year for her birthday. Just because she wanted it. No, silly, I didn't spend a fortune on a shawl for an 8 year old, but I get the yarn at wholesale, so it was quite affordable. I have no idea on whether she has worn it since, but I had fun doing it.
AND to every one else who has responded - Thanks for all your lovely words.

When the weather gets warmer, I start to work on crochet blankies!

2011-03-25T09:18:00.001-04:00

Back asswards, that's for sure, but there is something about those longer days with clear bright sunlight that makes me want to crochet. I have a bunch of unfinished crochet blankies and one knit blankie that I started last summer and put away in Oct., and I dug them out the other day. They are all going to be blankies just because the thought of making a full cover for a queen size bed or a big afghan is more than I can handle. I get bored very very easily, and besides I love startitis, so small lap covers these are all going to be.

So, here's the first one: this is done with Encore DK weight which is my favorite blankie weight. Easy on my wrists, and yet it doesn't take forever. OK, it takes forever, but not as in fingering weight forever. This one is just chugging along. It's a perfect size for a lap cover, and it'll get finished when I'm totally bored with it.

Then there's the Linus blankie that I started for the Linus project. It's a good thing that those babies have lots of other blankies available to them because at the rate I'm going, they'll be parents of their own babies by the time I'm finished. I've decided to do a row/day in the hopes of finishing it before my grands have their own grands.

Here's the African flower one that I started at the end of July last summer. This one is a keeper. I love the colors. Not practical, but then it is totally machine washable, and if it gets dirty, then it gets dirty. I did those 6 hexies while I was visiting the MN relatives, and then put it away. When I dug it out, I thought: hey, this is pretty. Might be nice if I finished it some century or other.

Here's the Ten Stitch Blankie that I'm doing in Silk Garden. This one is knit and is a pure pleasure and great mindless TV knitting project. You just motor along on it. I might finish it one of these days.

It seriously needs a good wash and blocking but you get the idea.

Every year around this time, I wander into Michaels looking for the ultimate cheapy yarn, and get sucked in by some, come home, start a grannie, and then dislike it.

This is so not calling me. In the skein, the colors just sang together, but here they look blah. Ah well, it cost me very little since 2 of the skeins were on sale. And anyhow, this is worsted weight, which I don't like to work on, so why I bought it in the first place is anybody's guess. Give me good old DK weight, not worsted.
I don't think I'll do any more on this.

I have 2 lovely shawls that I can't show you plus one in process, and I can't show you that either. They are all for the Light & Dark Lace Club and are mystery shawls. You'll see them one of these months.

The skinny yarn sweater is proceeding very slowly. I'm sooooo sick of it. I've done the whole thing in lace, including the sleeves, and I'm tired of the pattern big time. I'm going to do 3/4 sleeves with a bit of a ruffle on the bottom of the sleeves just to finish it before the end of time. One sleeve is almost there, and then I'll do the second one, put a finishing touch on the neckline, wash and block it, and then that's that!

On the Mommie front, she seems to be aging very quickly now. I swear that there is a change in her from one week to the next. I've hired her morning companion to help her out before, during and after dinner, getting her ready for bed, and that's a very good idea. I do wish Medicare covered some of this. It's so much cheaper hiring an aide than paying for a nursing home. And she's at home here with her own furniture and apartment. The staff is the greatest staff in the world! and I mean that with all my heart. They want to keep her here until she passes away, so that's our goal. But she is so fragile and old. She's so much older than she was on her birthday on Nov. 4. Clearly she's winding down, but I still bet that she'll make it to her 97th birthday. For all her fragility and fuzziness, she's still one tough old lady. The physical therapist came yesterday morning to see her, and she refused to get out of bed. Christina and Evelyn are the only people who can get her up; she fights with everyone else. It's pretty funny and shows that the core Mommie is still in there.

Thanks to all of you for your lovely encouraging words about elder care. It's really, really hard, and she doesn't even live with me. I still think I'm blessed to do it, though. I love her to pieces.

Have a good weekend, everybody. Maybe our snow will melt? Of not.

Spring Poem, yet again.

2011-03-22T14:04:00.001-04:00

Here it is! The Spring Poem

High up, over the tops
Of the feathery grasses, the grasshoppers hop.
They won't eat their suppers,
They will not obey
Their grasshopper mothers and fathers who say:
"Listen my children, this must be stopped.
Now is the time your last hop should be hopped.
So come eat your suppers and go to your beds."
But the little grasshoppers just shake their green heads.
"no, no," the naughty ones say.

"All we have time to do now is to play.

If we are hungry we'll nip at a fly,
Or nibble a blueberry as we go by.
But not now. Now we must hop.
And no one, but no one can make us stop."

The end

Henya add Scrabblequeen - Is this not the silliest spring poem?

Whew, relief!

2011-03-21T11:58:00.004-04:00

We have had 3 ER visits in the last 3 weeks with the Mommie. She's at that stage where she falls a lot, gets confused, has blank moments. No, this is not all the time, thank goodness, but when you are 96+, that's what can happen.

First ER visit was a small stroke. They don't refer to these things as TIAs any more. They did find evidence of a little one in the left side of the brain, and that controls the right side. So she was really out of it and unresponsive, and the next day, she was just fine. Had total control of her right side, good strong grip, able to lift her right let up high, etc. They kept her a few days to check on her but sent her home on Wed. Whew, relief.

Then on Fri, she was totally out of it, not responsive, basically in blob form. Back to the ER, where she recovered nicely and no problems. All the tests were fine, ER doc told us we could take her home, which we did. Whew, relief.

Next Fri, she was found sitting on the floor in her bathroom. Responsive but had no idea how she got there. She does have a very wonky memory, lots of time she remembers little and then other times, she's right on target. So back to the ER. This time I went alone, no need for the Hubbo. And she was just fine! Not even a bruise. Competent, with it, although again she didn't remember how she got on the floor. Was released in about 4 hours with is a really short time for ER visits. So now she's back home. Whew, relief.

The hospital has a good out-patient service. The VN nurse saw her, and so did the physical therapist. Medicare cover these visits, but only for a little while. The goal with her residence (which is independent living) and with us is to keep here there as long as possible. She is very much loved there. Her room is right outside the dining room. They help her to the table and bring her back. She has a wonderful aide who helps her shower and get dressed, and now they think that she could use an additional person from 1-3 in the afternoon. That aide would keep her company, take her outside when the weather is good, walk with her and her walker, and such. No medicare help for that, but it would keep her out of the nursing home, and that's what we want to do. And at the end of the stint, she could help Mom back into bed for a nap, and then at supper time, the ladies would help her up and to the table for dinner. The evening chef actually puts her to bed on her way out. When I say that the Charles Bierman home is the best thing going, I really mean it. I have never seen a more caring and professional group of people. The care they give the residents goes way beyond what anyone could expect. They are the tops!

The physical therapist gave us some ideas on making her apartment better for her, and the hospital will send out an occupational therapist for more ideas. I suspect that the hospital folks want her to go into a nursing home with her falls, but my feeling is that she will fall anywhere, in her apartment or in a nursing home, and she's not ready yet for a wheel chair.

So that's the Mommie news. I'm pretty realistic about her condition. She's befuddled a lot of the time, but she's so well taken care of and loved, and it doesn't particularly bother her. And as she has said many many times: she's had a good life and continues to enjoy her life. Is she the Mommie of old? No, but she is the Mommie of Now, and that's good enough for me.

ER note for anyone doing the ER tango: Make sure you always have a book or knitting or crochet with you. It really makes all that time hanging out bearable. Trust me on that one.

Yarny news: In between all the hospital visits, I've been dyeing and knitting. Most of what I'm knitting, I can't show you because it's all for the Light & Dark Lace club, but here's a pic of the shawl and scarf pattern for the Feb edition of the club. The patterns won't be sold until June, just to keep them a bit exclusive. Here's Avira Shawl:

And here's the little Avira scarf that I tossed into the pattern bundle just for the fun of it!

They'll be available for purchase around the beginning of June.
I can't show you anything else; it's all hush hush, but I can tell you that the shawls are pretty!

And here are the reds that I just listed in the Etsy shop.

In order, they are Red, Petunia, Vermillion and Orchid. Yep, Orchid is more towards the purple end of the spectrum, but here it is anyhow.

Hi, Grace - It's an interesting situation, but fortunately I can do it, and the Hubs is a rock that I can lean on. In a very strange way, it's been almost a pleasure in that I can do for my mom what she needs. I know her wants and I am her ombudsman, her champion. I know that the nursing home would drag her way down, and am doing whatever I can for however long I can to keep her out of it. Daughters of Israel is a very good nursing home, and Charles Bierman is part of Daughters, so when she needs to go there, I know that she will get the best of care. I'm really hoping, and so are the folks at Bierman, that she will die while still at Bierman. And on a lighter note, it finally stopped snowing here in Morristown!

Scrabblequeen - When it became time for her to not live alone any more,we moved her here, where we could do the work. I was still working at the time, but only in the next town over from her, so it was easy to get to her. Fortunately I worked in a place where my schedule was somewhat flexible, and everyone helped me out if I were called away.

Carol - I think that she is now going down hill more quickly physically. It's a blessing that she is fuzzy a lot of the time. If she really knew her situation, it would bother her immensely. I've learned that elder care, even when she doesn't live with us, is far harder that I ever imagined, especially now when the crises seem to come very quickly. Like you, I'm glad I have a great support system, and online support is wonderful. We all know what this is about and can help each other out.

Wall-to-wall books - My mom lives in the best place imaginable. I think she's really getting to the nursing home stage, but if she went in now, she would slide down so quickly. Here, she knows the staff, who are beyond wonderful. They care about her as if she were their mom. So my solution is to hire as much support staff as we can (and still afford it). Whenever she leaves Bierman and then comes home, she has no idea where she lives. But the minute she steps into her room, she says: "Oh, that's my furniture. I'm so glad to be home." And it makes her happy.

Light & Dark Lace Club!

2011-03-09T10:27:00.002-05:00

It's Roxanne's turn and wait until you see her yarn! I can tell you that it is wonderfully soft and knits and blocks like a dream. Here is all her information.

And wait until you see the shawlette I designed for this yarn. I did it totally on the go, and on the needles, sort of like design as you knit. And it is different from anything else I've done. Really, really pretty!

Scrabblequeen - I won't release this one until August. We decided to keep the shawls "exclusive" for 4 months. You could join the Light and Dark forum on Ravelry and watch the KAL as it moves along. It'll start around April 8, I think.

Knitting progress.

2011-03-07T11:23:00.001-05:00

The sweater is coming along. I should have the body finished in a couple of days, and then onto the sleeves. I will admit that this feels like it's taking forever, but it really isn't. But I think the next sweater will be on DK yarn.

Here's another new green/blue yarn: Aquarium. I found a bit of leftover Benji yarn ( 100% SW merino 100g Approx 470 yards and softer than you can even imagine!)

$21 + shipping and soon to be available on Etsy.

Scrabblequeen - I have to admit that I'm totally sick of this sweater. But I really want a light weight one for early spring, so I shall finish it. But the next one is going to be a heavier wt of yarn!

Green!

2011-03-06T11:19:00.006-05:00

I love green, especially after the white winter we have had. On a gray, rainy day like today, green is the only color out there. OK, it's a dull, dull green, but at least it's a spot of color.

So what's a dyer to do when it's this gray and she's hungry for color and St. Patrick's Day is coming?

Mallard, Black Watch, and Emerald!

Sage, Lime, and Beach Glass

I feel better already, just looking at all those gorgeous greens! You can find Emerald, Black Watch and Mallard in my Etsy shop today. I'll list the others this coming week. I don't want to overwhelm you with too my green goodness.

http://fritzl.etsy.com

Have a wonderful green day. You know that spring is coming!

Wall-to-wall books - We often have a killer snow storm in March, but I think it's going to skip us this year. You just live way too far north; you need to move downstate. ;-)

Wall-to-wall books - I'm so sorry! Well, nobody will scream drought this year for you, or for us. Think downstate!

Etsy shop open with brand new colorways!

2011-03-02T11:17:00.003-05:00

Check out my Etsy shop! I've listed new colorways! And the neat thing is that you can order any amount of any of the new colors because I can repeat the colorways. Cool, huh?

Want to see lovely large pictures of the yarns? Go to my PennyRose Yarns website for big pics and ideas of what goes with what.

Meanwhile, we're waiting for the word from the hospital on when they will discharge the Mommie!

Scrabblequeen - Now to sit here and wait for someone to buy. You'd think I'd be used to this by now. Nope.

Grace - Thanks, Grace! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this idea works.

Aspecialgal - And many more colors to come. I have about 16 to list.

Yes!

2011-03-01T14:22:00.004-05:00

I just talked to the case management person, and she's coming home tomorrow. Oh frabjous day, calloo callay!

Kitten With a Whiplash - Thanks. Any prayers are always accepted, especially when it comes to the Mommie!

Scrabblequeen - 'Twas brillig, 'twasn't it?

She's coming home tomorrow!

2011-03-01T13:29:00.001-05:00

Ah hah, a bit of magical thinking! I groused here, and lo and behold, they called me from the hospital, and she's being released tomorrow! Maybe my kvetching did it?

Yippee!

Somebody cheer me up, please.

2011-03-01T12:55:00.003-05:00

I'm in hospital hell here. The Mommie (96.25 years old) had a minor stroke Friday morning, and was off to the ER. Many hours later, she was back to normal, and got moved to the telemetry floor. OK, so now she is totally functional on her right side, her brain is happy again, and she's plopped in bed, where she loves to be. To my mind, she is the way she was before the stroke. Sleeps enormous hours, toddles around with her walker, sometimes is really fuzzy, and other times right on target. In short, she's 96, and doing pretty well for her age.

So, I'm waiting for her to be released so that the Hubs and I can bring her home. Not. Now they want to do physical therapy with her. Good luck, PT people. The Mommie does what the Mommie wants, and she hates exercise with a passion. So, they'll get her to move, and then the second she's released, she'll go back to being a lazy lady again. And why not? She's 96. Do they think she's going to tap dance down the dining room floor? Eh, what do I know?

On the other hand, they are truly doing what they think is best for her, and it is a gray and fuzzy area. She's not going to reverse her stage; but do you let her go home as wobbly as she is? At home, she uses her walker and is fine with it. Here, she's in bed, loving every second of laziness, and she should be sitting up and toddling around with a walker. But then, maybe PT will help.

And I can't get any answers. Nobody will sit down and talk to me. I suspect that they are as confused as I am, but they are the professionals, and want to get her mountain climbing again. Eh, what do I know? I do wish someone would listen to me. That's the most frustrating part of this; nobody listens to the daughter. But they are all very nice and well-meaning, and I'm grinding my teeth in frustration.

I'm so stressed that I can barely concentrate on anything. Good thing I'm a knitter. I have my hospital bag with me, and it's filled with 2 knitting projects so I can keep my fingers occupied and lower my stress. If any of you wants a bit of stress, I can give you some.

I know: I'm whining here. I sound like I'm kidding around. What I'm not saying is that I'm terribly worried about my mom. I think she came through this latest crisis with flying colors, but that might not be the case the next time around. Does staying in the hospital do good things for her? Is she ready for a nursing home? I don't think so since she gets extraordinary care at her independent living facility. They don't allow her to stay in bed. They get her up for meals, and she has a helper who gives her a hand with showering and getting dressed. And they all love her. Is a nursing home better than this?

Thanks for reading this; it feels better to let it out a bit.

Scrabblequeen - It's been quite a ride. It does put a lot of things into perspective: I don't need a vacation; I need just normal living. ;-)

Caryn - She has totally bounced back. She is one amazing woman!