Where to Start? (Watch the Subtitles)

It's hot! It's September, for pity's sake, but it's hot! Of course, it's not Labour Day yet, so perhaps the Weather thinks there's still time for July weather. Whatever it is, I am enjoying it -- particularly sitting out under my trees in the late afternoon, knitting, stitching, or reading. Right now, however, it's 27C, according to the Red Deer Airport, but apparently feels like 32C, given the 34% relative humidity.

So...I am more comfortable being here in the house, ceiling fan on, tapping away and finally posting photos of various summer activities.

Simple Pleasures

Last weekend,

my kids and my son's girlfriend travelled from both ends of the province to me et for a few days at my sis' place in Sylvan Lake. They were stopping here to pick up my keys for the place, so I thought I'd send them off with some baking. I'd been given a great bag of fresh apples from the tree of my friend, B's, neighbour...which became this pie.

My main baking counter is next to my sink, i

n front of a large window. From there, I can see a good part of my garden, including the wanderings therein of my sweet Diesel-cat.

Each day, too, I do what I call the "Garden Tour", surveying the land and the

results of hard work -- whether at my hands, or at the hands of the elderly couple who lived here almost 30 years. I've intentionally foregone a vegetable garden, because I share one with W in Sylvan, but I the cherry tomatoes I've planted have come along way, and have begun to produce these gems. Today I picked half a dozen, to be shared tomorrow with B.

After almost a year here, I am at last beginning to breathe, to relax, to face mornings -- more often than not -- with an "Aaaaah...." sigh of bliss and gratitude, rather than with a weight of melancholy that needs to be lifted off my chest before I can get out of bed.

Simple pleasures have brought me home.

Fibrey Goodness

At the end of May, when I was helping B, D, A and J at the wool fleece judging at the Olds Fibre Festival, I went woolgathering. Despite the fact that, according to the Mirriam Webster, this means "daydreaming", originally this term referred to gathering bits of wool left behind on shrubbery by wandering sheep.

The last time I'd wool-gathered, I was in

Kilsyth (I have yet to card that wool up), and the gatherings were from mainly Blackface sheep. This time, though, the bits were several and varied -- and carded up quite attractively, I thought. Last week, I proceeded to spin up this fibre, and I ended up with a small spindle of a fairly firm, rather DK like, yarn. I am uncertain what to do with it as yet, but tend toward leaving it as singles.

The same goes for this spindle of Romney I spun up recently from a small sack of

fleece that B gave me.

At the same time, I've tackled the clean white Shetland, and have carded up quite a bit. If it's very fine when I spin it (like the wee bit of brown Shetland was), I will likely ply it. Depending on the amount, too, I will likely dye a good part of it once it is yarn, with a view to doing a bit of Fair Isle knitting with it -- something (like the tam) from the first version of Homespun, Handknit I bought years ago, simply because it was such a yummy book.

Startitis

This spate of carding and spinning (and perhaps the fact that September was fast

approaching) triggered a significant bout of startitis, that disorder that afflicts knitters from time to time, without reason. In fact, becoming someone without reason is often one of the symptoms of a startitis infection. To wit: these socks for my friend, H, who put up with me once a month for the past year when I needed somewhere to stay after our fibre arts group meeting.

The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock 100% Superwash Merino in the "Scottish Highlands" colourway -- which I bought at River City Yarns in Edmonton. I chose it because H uses these colours a lot in her fibre art.

The pattern, RPM, is from knitty.com, and I'm really loving how it's coming together with the way the yarn is dyed.

Also from knitty, I'm making Verdigris fingerless gloves, as one of my Christmas gifts. I've bought a wonderful, elegant "indoor" yarn for these, because they're meant to be worn to evening social functions, and I think they'll look great: it's Hempathy from Elsebeth Lavold in Colour #017, "Vivid Green", which is a favourite colour of the recipient. I got this at the wee LYS in Bashaw, along with a skein of "Fancy Free" merino-alpaca-nylon for a pair of Hedgerow Mitts designed by Amy Ripton, another Christmas gift, in colour #102 -- "Chestnut Silk". And yes, it is as delicious as it sounds.

Moreover, the short versions of each of these patterns requires only 1 ball/skein of yarn, making the gifts very cost-effective -- and making me feel better about having to go outside my stash, because I didn't have those kinds of colours on hand.

Finally, I've speeding along on 9 mm needles to make a simple triangular prayer shawl for someone in immediate need of comfort, using two yarns together: SRK Collection "Kitty Yarn", a ladder yarn in a royal blue mix, and Austermann "Acapella", a kid mohair-acrylic blend, also in a deep royal blue. The pattern is "Beautiful Shawl" from The Prayer ShawlCompanion by Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo, simple, elegant, a quick knit and perfect in this yarn.

In the Sewing Studio

I am 'way behind on this project, but I am learning what I want to learn: paper piecing and the use of templates. This is the fifth block of the "The Quilter's Palette" quilt, Annie Smith's first online quilting class. Ideally, I'd have done the homework each week and have it finished by now, but (as I may have mentioned in an earlier post) "life got in the way" as they say...so I am taking my time. The next challenge in this project? "The Carnival Ride" block, which includes the use of templates -- another learning curve for me.

In the meantime, I have also taken a 4-week class with Susan Brubaker Knapp: "Tyvek (r) Explorations" from Joggles.com. I'd already played a bit with this erstwhile construction and stationery material, but wanted to learn more -- and I have. I've painted it and stitched it, and have set some tiny squares aside for beading. The last lesson of the course, though, was my favourite: treating the Tyvek (r) like painted fabric in this piece, which I call "Prairie Autumn". The first one is a detail of the Tyvek (r) leaves and my quilting; the second is the full front of the piece, and the third is the back, quilted. It's not yet bound, but I plan to do so, and to add a sleeve so that I can hang it on my front door. I am particularly proud of the 'pebbles' -- those round quilted shapes -- because up to now, they have been a real challenge for me, as has much free-motion stitching.

Though it's cooling off now...

For the past couple of weeks, we've had some lovely, warm summer days that have stretched into gentle, warm evenings -- such that I could read, knit and/or stitch outside until dark, citron candle glowing to keep the bugs away, and a sip of something cool at my elbow. Diesel often enjoyed this time with me, finding relief for his hot, furry body in the cool of the sidewalk near my back shed. He still likes to spend more time outdoors than in, and I don't blame him!

Shoot 'em up!

Friday, August 7th, I drove 4 1/2 hours south to Lethbridge, to see my son in his latest role -- the varmint, Fred Kanouse -- in "Siege at Fort Whoop-Up!" This is the third summer he's played a role in the Fort's annual historical fictions -- the people existed but the stories are made up -- and as usual, a great time was had

by all. This year they provided a barbeque buffet as well as the usual wide variety of saloon-fare to quench the palate, but the part the kids liked best was the guns and canon used in the shoot-out. And, in true Western form, in the end, the 'good guys' win. Fred, alas, wasn't one of 'em. Sigh. What's a mama to do? ;-)

It may have just let up...

It's been raining almost continually for the past 3 days and, much as we need it, right now I'm longing for some sunshine to balance it off. I don't know about you, but I seem to run out of energy more quickly when the skies are dark and gloomy. If's certainly easier to fall prey to my "demons" when the rain can't seem to let up. To compound the sense of darkness, the sun is already rising a lot later the past few mornings. I mean, I figure if I get up at 6:00 a.m., the sun should be there to greet me!

But enough Pity Party-ing. What have I been exploring to keep my spirits up? Well... something old and something(s) new.

First, in honour of the First Annual Sock Summit, which I'm not attending, I'm knitting...er...a sock! Sorry; no photo. It's a variegated greens-and-browns, the second of a pair, being knit up for C, a friend from church. She chose the yarn, which is always a nice thing -- knitting without having to buy the yarn, that is. Actually, this pair of socks is simply one of the five pair I have on the go.

Second, on Monday I went to a local "U-Pick" farm -- Billyco Junction -- for Saskatoons. A fairly new operation, their Saskatoons won't be ready until next year, but I did pick five pounds of strawberries! As a result,

This... Became this...

Which became this... And finally, these...

It's been a few years since I've made strawberry jam, and then, it was always from store-bought berries. The quality, the scent, the sweetness of these fresh-from-the-patch is so much better! And when the rain lets up...I'll be off to find similar bounty in the form of Saskatoons!

Third, on the quilting front, I've been playing catch-up with my online class, "The Quilter's Palette", from Annie's Quilting Stash. The main reason? Fear of paper piecing! Yep, I've tried this technique several times; I've attended

demonstrations of it, a full in-person class on it, and still...it makes my brain hurt! This time, though, the quilt I'm making is so gorgeous that I just had to sign up and give it one more try. I continue to find paper piecing a real challenge -- particularly the first 2 pieces. I get easily turned around and tend to transpose pattern pieces and fabric. This time, I took even more time than usual to figure things out, and ended up ripping out a few times -- and tossing fabric into the scrap bag! -- but I persevered. What helped most was the detailed notes I took from the class, combined with remembering the simple fact that the paper side of the piece is the wrong side. I've managed to finish one (of eight) "Sunburst" semi-circles and two (of four) pieces of the "Thistle Blossom Block" -- and I'm pretty proud of myself!

What's next? Well...I'm waiting for my painted Tyvek (R) to dry...and then it's off to apply some heat and some stitching. This is all part of my Lesson 1 homework for my latest online class: Tyvek Explorations at Joggles.com. More later!

How's Your Summer?

Mine has been very busy so far, with 3 guests between June 9 and July 9.

First, there was my cousin J from Scotland. I took him to see the Columbia Icefields near Jasper, where we walked on the Athabasca Glacier. I hadn't been there in years, so the Interpretive Centre, hotel and gift shop were all new experiences. We both learned a great deal, and were totally bowled over by the beauty of the fields. Now *this* is what is meant by "awesome"!

A week after J left -- he was touring north-central Alberta on a Rotary Friendship Exchange -- my friend, P, arrived from Montreal. Our friendship dates back to our university days, and she was one of the bride's maids at my wedding. Here we are in the beautiful butterfly garden at the Ellis Bird Farm, which is only a few miles from my home. My friend B joined us (she's taking the photo), and we enjoyed a delightful tea at the tea house there. Hint: The Saskatoon berry scones are to die for!

P was with me a week, during which we visited Sylvan Lake, Rochon Sands, the Bashaw

Farmers' Market (yummy tomatoes and B.C. cherries!), slept, read, walked and talked a lot. Although we e-mail and speak on the 'phone frequently, it isn't quite the same as having a face-to-face conversation with someone so dear. Between P and B, I'm truly blessed!

Another week flew by, and then I welcomed Sr. Jessica, SSJD, into my home. She is one of the Sisters of St. John the Divine, head-quartered in Toronto for 125 years -- but she's been living at St. John's House in B.C., and has become a dear friend and mentor. I took her to the bird farm too -- for a delicious lunch -- and she met some of the other critters there!

During her visit, she gave a talk at my church on the Sunday and the following day, led a Quiet Day that was very well attended. It was a gift to us all.

On July 9th, I took Sister up to Edmonton to visit Associates of the Order there, and got ready for the third annual dye-in weekend with my friends, the Free Spirit Artisans -- at C's farm west of Calgary. No photos to show you yet, but I'm pleased with my items over all, especially the parfait dyeing and rusted fabric.

In a similar vein, I finished my first commissioned piece -- a crazy quilt block designed to showcase a few of the hand-dyed silk ribbons available now at Addie's Creative Fabrics, designed by Annette of Nature's Colours in Red Deer.

Here's a wee bit of block detail. The ribbons were in 3 widths and 3 colours -- but just 1 of each. The

shop carries an absolute rainbow of them, in all three widths -- yummy! I do confess that the red ribbon -- only 2 mm wide -- was the toughest to work with. I managed to do some spider roses with it, though, and then some seed stitch. The laying tool was a must to work with it, as it was so narrow.

While I was dyeing fabric, my DD was returning from Nova Scotia, where she spent a week with close friends of hers who moved there last year from Edmonton (the former parents of my Diesel cat). During the visit, the gals got up to Shelburne to see the SAQA exhibit, "Synthesis", in which I have a piece. My DD was gracious enough to take photos. Here, she's indicating the size of the piece! I can't tell you the thrill of seeing my work actually on display in a gallery!!

I haven't done a great deal of knitting lately; we finally have heat this summer, and with 25C

to 30C days, it's been too hot to think about it -- spinning, too. I'm makeing my daughter the

"Sweet Tee" from Interweave Knits, Spring 2009, and am about ready to do the waist decrease. This is my second approach to the waist. The first time, I got about 6" finished (of 9" -- my daughter likes her tops longer than called f0r), and discovered I was knitting a mobius! AARGH!

This is due in large part to the fact that the garter stitch trim

at the bottom is knit back and forth before you join to knit the

body in the round. Sigh. To prevent a second occurance of this

problem, I got an idea. I pinned a pretty brooch -- one that had

belonged to my mother, I think -- on the garter stitch band to

hold the ends together and keep them from twisting while I

joined the round. Nice accent, don't you think? And useful, too!

I have now knit up past where I erred in the first place, and all

is well. If I can, I'll have the top finished so she can wear it back

to work in the fall.

Come October 1st, I'm going to be very busy with SAQA University's "Visioning Project", in which I am participating. It's a 12-month project designed to help SAQA members identify and accomplish specific goals. My goal is "to build a cohesive body of work that can be proposed to a gallery for a show". Consequently, I am currently trying to clear out of my studio all sorts of quilting and stitchery projects, to make way for this focus.

Another part of this process with be the development of a website, so watch this space for more about it in the coming weeks and months.

Almost Summer...

And we're still having frost warnings! Nonetheless, my garden is thriving (we finally had a good rain yesterday afternoon) and I'm loving the view from my kitchen window. This is my lilac, at the end of the back yard. To the right and up the yard from it are two flowering crabapple trees -- one pink and one deep burgundy (with matching leaves), and there's another one -- white -- on the east side of the yard, too.

I've been doing some stitching outside when it's been warm enough -- and when I wasn't totally absorbed in pruning trees and planting perennials. I am also the lucky recipient of some re-cycled bark chips from my friend B, which I've been using to mulch the perennial bed. A couple more bagsful and I should be set.

I've also been busy washing fleece, finishing a project for the Heritage Park show, taking a stitching class, and knitting, knitting, knitting. No photos of the cleaned fleece -- but suffice it to say that I have enough to pick, card and spin to keep me going for a good long while!

The stitching class was "Turkish Delight", given by Gary Clarke from Australia, at the annual Fibre Potpourri at Olds College (not to be confused with Fibre Week, which is at the end of June). This year the Potpourri was organized by the Edmonton Needle Arts Guild, but

there was a good turn-out from Calgary too -- and some gals came in from Saskatchewan and others from B.C.

The weather was fabulous, the food was pretty good,

and the company was tops. I'd thought it was a canvas-work class,

but the technique used photo transfer on closely-woven fabric,

so there was no counting. Each of us chose our own colours; I went

with an autumn theme and used mainly threads from a sample pack I'd been given by Jeannette Douglas on the cruise I took with her in January. To the right is a photo of our class' work, taken near the end of the weekend. Since I got back, I've added more

satin stitch in a variegated silk from Gloriana Threads (#115 - "Topiary"), finished inserting the 'crystals' around the central motif, and have begun couching some narrow gold and rust-coloured braid around the outside edge. The cord is from a bundle of Oliver Twist 'One-offs' in the 'Chocolate' colourway that I bought somewhere some time ago -- don't ask for details! LOL!

"Where's the knitting?" you might well ask. It's been a full and inspiring month for knitting, too. I've finished one of the "Ilene Bags" (a free pattern in Ravelry, designed by Hannah Ingalls) in elann.com Esprit Print -- a gift for my BFF, P, who will be visiting later this month from Montreal; I've finished the Sierra Breeze prayer shawl from The Prayer Shawl Companion, and have started another PS in basketweave. I've also finished several dishcloths! My next goal is to finish up the four (count 'em -- four) pair of socks I've got stacked in my WIP pile, so I can move easily on to the Sweet Tee (Interweave Knits, Spring 2009) for my daughter. The photos are posted in my Ravelry FO set in my flickr photostream, here. :-) That's all the catching up I have energy for today. I need to get going on a small commission I have taken on for a local quilt shop.

More later!

Planned to be Obsolete

Sigh. My two-and-a-half year-old bread-maker is having a problem. The parts that secure one of the bread-mixing paddles to the bread pan have come loose, and fall off during bread-making, with sometimes troublesome results -- such as incomplete mixing -- so that sometimes I end up with a full loaf, sometimes a 1/2 loaf, and sometimes just "cooked flour".

Sigh. I've hammered the piece back together 3 times now, and after yesterday's 1/2 loaf (I know; it's better than none!) thought I'd try to get it fixed. Dumb idea. I called the company's 1-800 number, and was advised that "we don't have those repair centres any more" and that I could buy a new part -- i.e., an entirely new bread pan, paddles and all for a mere $40.86 CAD, including shipping from Ontario. It'll be here within 10 days.

Sigh.

Catchin' Up with Photos

I've been knitting away -- and working in my yard/garden -- so haven't taken time to post. However, today is cloudy and cool, presenting the perfect opportunity to do a bit of desk-and-computer work.


First, to the pending garden -- AKA the sunny counter in my back room -- where the cherry tomatoes have been transplanted to larger pots and are growing apace!






Not to be outdone, so is the spaghetti squash, given to my by my friend, C, in exchange for a couple of the tomatoes once they are large enough. In fact, since I took this photo, the squash has developed buds that will soon want to bloom. I hope it'll hang on for another 3 weeks or so -- so that it will be warm enough to transplant it outdoors!


On the knitting front, I finished the April Mid-month washcloth -- April Showers -- and it has taken up residence in my kitchen. The May cloth, which I've just begun (this morning!) will follow suit, as I move away from disposable dishcloths. I knit this one in Bernat "Handicrafter Cotton" and really like its softness and absorbancy.


I managed to finish my Mitred Scarf in time for the Library's silent auction fund-raiser -- and I know that it sold, but not for how much. I'm a bit nervous to ask the librarian, too, as that seems...well...rather forward -- plus I don't think I really want to know if the price was low-balled! Darn it; I was certain I'd taken a photo of the finished article, but don't know where it is -- and my camera is empty. Sigh.... I guess that's all for now. Stayed tuned, though; there's more Work in Progress!

I Keep Forgetting

That I'm not a kid; that almost-57 is closer to 60 than it looks... Yesterday I took advantage of the great weather and spend 4 1/2 hours raking my back yard and getting the leaf mulch off my plants and bushes. I swear I took breaks -- 1/2 hour after the first 2 hours, and another hour (for dinner) after the 3rd...but I awoke at 3 a.m. with a nasty surprise.

Now, I've been gardening since I was a kid, and did the same sort of work as recently as a year ago. However, in the wee hours of this morning, I was wakened with pain -- achy muscles and joints -- in both shoulders, right down to my finger tips! Granted, I had postponed my after-garden bath till this morning, because I also wanted to wash my hair, and didn't want to risk a serious case of bed-head. The alternative? There I was at 3 a.m., slathering leg-and-muscle lotion on my arms and shoulders, followed by a dose of Ibuprofen. Eventually, I went to sleep -- and got up this morning feeling much better. Then I did have my bath -- with lovely White Tea epsom salts (a gift from a dear friend) -- and washed my hair, and feel pretty fit.

That said, I'm going to take my walk today, but leave the front yard for Monday! LOL!

Earth Day

What have you been doing?

I haven't done anything...out of the ordinary. Why?

1. I compost. I've done so for years. Even after my move out of the city, I have at least 1/2 a compost bin of lovely stuff with which to fertilize my new garden beds;
2. I have a blue box. Even before the City took over recycling (and put my private recyling company out of business by not hiring it on a contract), I paid $10 per month for the removal of my paper, plastic, metal (cans) and glass. Now that I am in a hamlet, I put the stuff in my blue box and take it to the recycle bins myself -- in a village about 10 minutes away -- making sure I have another reason to go to that village, or that it's on my way somewhere else;
3. I shop -- especially for groceries -- with green plastic boxes and fabric bags;
4. I use a local thrift store for nearly-new (i.e. "gently used") clothing, yarn, and household goods. I volunteer at one once a month -- and on Saturday, someone contributed $13.00 worth of energy-saver lightbulbs. Go figure. His environmental irresponsibility is someone else's environmental gain.
5. I re-use paper bags and ziplock bags; I store food in re-usable containers, cutting down on plastic wrap and tin foil.
6. I return empty cans and bottles via a local Bottle Depot.
7. I drive a small, fuel-efficient car; I keep it maintained and running smoothly.
8. I pick up litter when I go on walks, and take it home to throw out properly.
9. I give away re-usable clothing and furnishings, rather than throw them out.
10. I take old and non-functioning electronics to a proper electronics recycling depot.

What's your plan for today? Tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year?

"Live Green."

Sheepy Saturday!

The weather was gr-r-r-eat, the company was too...and I came home with about 5 lb. of Shetland fleece, too boot. Here are the photos:

These wee guys (gals?) were excited to be watching the action in the shearing area. I think they're Cotswolds, or CotswoldXes. Aren't they cute?!

Tracy, the shearer, began with Penelope, which I think is either a Shetland or a Columbian. After shearing, Tracy clips the sheeps' hooves and administers shots (immunizations?). Apparently, T Burns a couple hundred calories per sheeep that she shears!



Here's my buddy, B, getting ready to teach me how to 'skirt' a fleece. This means we're going to go around it, pulling off and throwing away the 'nasty bits' -- dirt, poop etc. -- that collect around the butt, legs etc. This is done prior to the fleece being weight and priced, so that the buyer doesn't pay for this waste.




All hands on deck as fleece is checked for any last bit of unwanted materials.












These sheep were shorn the day before we got there. Although the sun was warm, I thought they looked pretty disgruntled in there 'nekked' state! LOL!





There are alpaca and lamas on the farm, too. The black and white one seemed to ask, "You lookin' at me?!"





Here's the smaller of my two fleece, about 1.5 lbs, from a fellow named 'Ulrick'. He's an 'intermediate' Shetland. Very pretty!



And here's my 3 lb., 12 0z. fleece from Rebecka, an off-white Shetland; I saw Tracy shear here with my own eyes, and everyone agreed I got a very good fleece in this one. As for what I want to do with them...well, I definitely want to dye some of the white one, but I'm not sure whether I'll do that in the pre-spun stage or after spinning.

My goal is to have at least some of the fleece ready to take to the Twisted Sisters' retreat in mid-June, so I can learn to used the drum carder with it. Next year, I'd like to be ready to spin a slightly trickier fleece -- such as the shorter-haired South African Meat Merino (SAMS). It's going to be a real learning curve -- but fun -- and that's not a ba-a-a-ad combination! ;-)

Ah, Well...

Maybe next time. My entry, "Picked for the Ripening", wasn't selected for The 2010 Quilting Arts calendar...but the subject matter (tomatoes) was popular. I'm looking forward to actually seeing the pieces. The tricky bit with entering a 12" square piece using 8"x10" photographs (that's right -- no e-mailed images) is that colour is really an issue. While I did my best with the photography, it could be that it isn't going to work in a glossy calendar.

The good news is -- it's the perfect size for a donation to the 2009 SAQA auction -- so next week I'll be putting a sleeve on it and sending it out.

Now I must away -- I'm off to Crossfield to watch sheep shearing today!

A Shawl and a Sock











I've decided I need another pair of hands to do all of the knitting I want to do. I've finished the first of my pair of Guernsey Socks from Clara Parke's Knitter's Book of Yarn (pattern by Amy King) and have cast on my first toe-up sock -- a Little Shells sock, also from KBOY, designed by Shelia January. So far, the toe is proceeding as directed. It's been great to have a wee bit of hand-holding by the designer, courtesy of Ravelry!

As for the shawl-in-progress, it looked like this after I finished Clue #3:










I am now almost 3/4 through Clue 4 (on the third of 4 pattern repeats), and it's even lacier and lovelier than I could have imagined -- particularly for a pattern that's amazingly easy. I say 'easy' because the repeats are regular, and it's quite easy to see what you are trying to accomplish with each pattern grouping. That takes some of the mystery out of its creation. As I go along, too, I've been enjoying the inspiring photos of those in the "Celebrate Spring" group on Ravelry, and the benefit of their experience and tips. Thanks to all!

Speaking of spring, it was warm enough yesterday to vacuum out my car in the driveway, and to nap later on in the sunshine on my lounge chair in my back yard! My tomato seedlings have a second set of leaves and are working on thirds. If it's less breezy tomorrow, I'll bring out the rake and start on the back lawn.

All Manner of Things

I've had some photos sitting on my camera for some time, so I thought I'd share them with you. Even though there's snow still all over the place here, I am feeling cheered because Sunday afternoon, when I got home from church, my cherry tomatoes had sprouted!











A second harbinger of spring? It was so warm that afternoon that I gave in to an impulse, hauled the work table out of my studio to my back stoop, and set up shop.

I puddled about for over an hour with my watercolours, producing two small pieces that showed how out of practice I was, before it got too cool to stay there. Out of practice or not, I'm leaving the table there, and plan to use it all summer long for whatever art work strikes my fancy. :-)

There's been quite a bit of knitting going on chez moi as well. Ravelry has me pumped! My mid-March dishcloth is finished:


It will accompany the first one to the home of my girlfriend, D, when I see her in May for our final Vertigo Theatre matinee of the season. I worked on it when I was virtually snowed in at her place a few weeks ago, and she admired it. She's especially keen on the green. Both of us agreed the pattern would make a pretty candle mat, as well as a dish- or washcloth.

I am making great strides on my Mitred Scarf in that KAL, too. Here's my first photo, with the first row of three modules, completed:










Not too long after that, I had 2 full-module rows finished -- and now I have four -- but have yet to take another photo. I want to complete the scarf for a silent auction fundraiser coming up April 24 in support of the Mirror Library. Any opinions on the amount to ask as a reserve bid? The yarn is 100% "Rainbow-dyed" 4-ply alpaca from a local Alberta ranch.

Finally, there are projects proceeding apace without photos. The first is my pair of Guernsey Socks, from the KBOY KAL on Ravelry. I am almost finished the gusset on Sock #1. The next is the Vernal Equinox Shawl by Lankakomero, the lace project being undertaken by those of us who have chosen, snow or no snow, to Celebrate Spring with a KAL -- also on Ravelry. I'm knitting mine in Artisan NZ Merino Lace Weight from Margaret Stove, distributed by Malvern Fibre Studio in Lyttelton, New Zealand. I bought it here in Canada eons ago and it's been languishing in my stash, just waiting for the perfect shawl pattern to call its name! (In fact, I've had it so long that I can't locate the specific colourway on the website; however, the closest thing to it, I'd say, is the "Hyacinth" -- pinks and purples.

If this weren't enough, the April KBOY KAL will be starting tomorrow -- and the selected pattern is "Little Shells Socks" by Shelia January. I've pretty much settled on making my pair with a sage-coloured wool/cotton/polyamide blend -- Jawoll Superwash from Lang. Again, it's been in my stash so long that not only has the colour been discontinued, the shop from which I bought it has closed! Ah well, not to worry -- I have enough of it to make 2 pair of socks.

Then there was the temptation of last week's "Free Friday" pattern from Berroco, "Nimbus". I found another batch of perfect yarn in my stash: "Kabir" from FILTES/Rosina Filati -- another discontinued yarn, of which I have plenty to make this little topper. I have 'modified' the pattern by deciding to knit it in one piece to the armholes; I'm just not that fond of seaming.

Oh yeah -- the April dishcloths will be out tomorrow too. I have some sunny yellow and orange Sugar 'n' Cream cotton for those...

Ongoing: the top section of the IK "Pub Sweater" for my son, from the Spring 2009 issue....and I await the arrival of some Berroco Comfort for the "Sweet Tee" in that same issue -- for my DD. It looks like my 'bl0g is aptly titled; my hands aren't due to be idle for quite some time!

It Opens Tomorrow!

At the Cumberland Gallery in Ottawa, Ontario...The 'flip side' of the SAQA Synthesis exhibit.
The "original" exhibit opens later this week in Cape Breton; there are two because the Cumberland wanted the exhibit in its gallery at the same time.
Solution? Get as many of the same artists as possible to provide pieces for the Ottawa location too. There are 22 of us; my piece,
"In the Beginning" will be there -- and I am thrilled to bits!

In the Pink

I've been Ravelling all week, embarrassed by my stash, and working to reduce it. In the process, I've made these two "Rollin' Baby Berets" -- so cute, doncha think? They'll be going to the Family Services in Lacombe.

Next, I joined the Monthly Dishcloth group, and produced a Pot o' Gold in time for St. Paddy's day yesterday. I'm now working on the mid-month project, awaiting 'Day 2' of the KAL pattern. There's touch of mystery to this, which makes it even more fun, as you don't really know what design you're knitting till you get close to the end of it.

Meanwhile, as I wait, the stash burning continues, with the start of the back section of Jeff's Pub Jacket for my son. I'm enjoying the Peace Fleece for this project, but changed from the 4 mm needles used for the ribbing, to 5 mm for the body. It was getting too dense, and for reasons unknown, the pattern didn't mention going up a needle size. Nothing in IK errata either. Go Figure.

I'm off to Calgary now for a day with The Applique Society. TTFN!

Start as Many New Projects as You Can

That's the title of an article in the Spring 2009 issue of Interweave Knits -- and I'm likin' it! I am on a knitting jag right now; I put it down to the unusually cold (for March) weather we've been experiencing up here in the Great White North.

Projects? Have I got projects?! I've got a 2nd sock to start for the pair of "Hope" Socks I've been working on. Meanwhile those lovely Guernsey Socks (scroll down) are taking shape, and the front of my Climbing Vines Pullover is just rows away from the armhole shaping (for a glimpse, scroll down some more). And yesterday I started Jeff's Pub Sweater (IK, Spring 2009; see the link above) for my son. If I work hard at it, he might just get it for his 24th birthday in June. Yeah, it gets really hot in Lethbridge during the summer, but with the autumn...he'll get plenty of wear out of it. What? Me worry?

Having joined Ravelry (I'm MarginMirror), jumping in with both feet, I've copied out a pattern for a circular blanket and a baby hat to try and catch up with the rest of the BUTS -- that's Burning Up The Stash... 'scuse me. I have to get back to my knitting.

Gone to Guernsey...

In my mind, anyway. My invitation to Ravelry came through yesterday! I joined specifically to be part of the Guernsey Socks KAL under the auspices of the "Fans of Knitter's Book of Yarn" group, and I'm lovin' this pattern. Here's the beginning of my first sock, my effort so far. Yarn: Regia Nomotta 3, 75% wool and 25% polyamid. Pretty. Very pretty (if I do say so m'self.)

Winter Musings

1. How much snow could a snow-blower blow while the wind is blowing the snow?

You got it. My retired neighbour is out in the snow and blowing snow (-15C with a wind chill that takes it to -28C), blowing snow off his sidewalk and blowing a path across his lawn from front to back -- with his snow-blower! What's up with that?! (By the way, he just did my front walk too! Crazy!)

2. "Undo". It's a word I've been pondering awhile now. I began to use it when I was playing computer 'Solitaire' -- and then realized that in real 'Solitaire', "undo" or "do over" is against the rules. If you blow it, you blow it. If you see a mistake after you've made it, too bad. You can't go back to correct it; you have to live with it and try to play the reat of the game, to win, "as is". So why does virtual 'Solitaire' lack the same discipline? I'm just asking...

A Touch of the Lion

March is one of the most unpredictable months, weatherwise, in our Fair Alberta. If truth be told, March weather is unpredictable just about anywhere in Canada! This is what I saw today on the Weather Network:

"Weather Watches & Warnings: Mirror, Alberta

WINTER STORM WARNING: Red Deer - Ponoka - Innisfail - StettlerIssued at 4:26 AM MST TUESDAY 3 MARCH 2009
SNOW RAIN AND FREEZING RAIN...THIS IS A WARNING THAT DANGEROUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS...LISTEN FOR UPDATED STATEMENTS"

I feel sorry for anyone who has to drive today. Me? I'm staying in to knit and work on my latest art project. Just a hint: it involves fabric collage. I'm studying The Art of Fabric Collage by Rosemary Eichkorn to help me out. I've had the book for some time, but this is the first time I've been inspired to use the technique. Stay tuned!

On the knitting front, I'm lurking on the "Guernsey Socks KAL" on Ravelry. I've only just requested an invitation to Ravelry, and await the response, which should take another couple of days. I was put on to the KAL in the Knit-alongs section at Knitter's Review and because I have Clara's book and a stashful of sock yarn, I've jumped in anyway.

I say 'jumped' because right off the bat, the ribbing calls for single-stitch cabling. This is very difficult to do with a cable needle in the second round of ribbing on 3 dpns. Time to learn to (shudder) knit without a cable needle. In all my 48 years of knitting, I've never done this. Like steeking, cabling without a cable needle can be scary. Now that I have the internet, though, I sought online help, and found this excellent video on YouTube. I had to watch it 3 times and then practice doing the technique along with the knitter, but it was worth it. I'm now very comfortable with the process -- and very proud of myself!

What's next? Steeking?!

Coulda Fooled Me!

I got this quiz from Sharon Williams, my former watercolour teacher, whose blog I follow. The words describing 'me' make some sense (especially the first couple of sentences) -- but the colours!?!

Your rainbow is intensely shaded yellow, green, and brown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are a deep thinking person. You appreciate optimism. You're good at getting people to like you. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Sharon challenged herself to paint using her colour palette. I think I might just have to use mine in a fibre project...sometime...