Another top finished

Here is Meghan's next gift spread out and drying. For some reason I had a difficult time getting a picture and will try to do better later but I really did get it done. For some reason Lady Jane seems to think that wet or not this is a good place to stretch out and rest so I have been guarding the spare room. Today there was sun. Thank-you thank-you thank-you God. We are supposed to have snow again Monday leaving me in quite quandary. I can't put my car in the garage behind my house because I can't make it up the hill which is all ice. I can't leave it in the drive if it snows because the plow can't get in and I might not be able to get out to help matters. OHHHHHHHHH This has truly been a long winter. Last week, when I was still using the garage, I couldn't get the car out because of the ice rink hill. The next day I hit the garage door opener to give it a try and the opener went up but the door didn't tearing off the top part of the door and, picture this, bending the metal frame. I keep thinking that spring has to come soon. Chewie and Sera and blowing their coats. I only hope that their biology knows something I don't. Meanwhile, back to doing a little work on the quilt and reading.

Gilbert

I finished my Gnome and his name is Gilbert. I'm not sure why but it seems to fit him. Sorry about the picture but it is another overcast day here in Wisconsin. Gilbert kind of matches my house so he blends in and even with sunshine I am not sure he would be too outstanding. I think that is what Gnomes do though...hide. Hopefully, I will get Meghan's sweater blocked this afternoon and then I can post a picture of that. Meanwhile here is the further saga of the Chew and Lady Jane. He chases her enough that she has managed to get off some of that weight and is now becoming a jumping cat. No, I don't think he is trying to get her but to play. At least they don't run all the time as you can see by the picture. Now off to bake. Another one of those days with heavy rains causing flooding and snow expected soon. What a winter!

The Good Part of Bad Weather

We are really being blasted with the cold. But after feeling down and depressed I finally found a good reason for being stuck in the house. I had made poopie paths for the dog so he could get out and be somewhat protected from the bitter winds but they weren't deep enough to protect me and I really needed something different to do. I have finished all but 7 inches on the back of the top I am making Meghan and my eyes were crossing so I went back to one of my oldest friends the sewing machine. Last summer while rummaging I found a pattern that I just haven't had the time to work on. Look hard because it will be a while before you see it again. I have managed to get the basic done but there will be hours and hours of handwork before I get to the quilting. I got this because I was feeling like a rotton gram because it was easier to make Jade something then Logan. All the boys are harder. Jade is just close in distance so she gets the quick to put together goodies. Slender Meghan is getting to the point where she looks like a model so it is fun to knit for her. Then I saw this I thought it was something that a boy could keep until he was a man grown. If I get it done I will have to see that all the other grands that are male get something similar. These are for the long haul and so it will be a while before the finish line is in sight but hopefully it will be worth it.

What the "kids" think of this winter

It is plain to see that both Chewie and Lady Jane are not impressed with the Wisconsin Winter this year. Meanwhile, as the wind blows I continue to work on Meghan's spring top. Right now the sun is shining but the wind is picking up. This morning was used get the ice chunks the plow put in the driveway moved so that they didn't freeze there this evening. The brownies are in the oven. By now you know I always seem to bake when it is cold outside. No wonder people in this climate gain weight in the winter. The yarn has arrived for the gnomes but they will have to wait until I finish the top. I always wonder how people can have a dozen projects going at one time. I would never finish anything. More power to them.

Pictures are worth a 1000 words

Thinking of Texas

I started a sweater for the Texas grand-daughter the other day. I was going to make something simple and had emailed her the pattern for approval. When they were sold out of the yarn I wanted I got a great buy on some Noro cotton and silk blend so decided to stick with a pattern that I know she likes. It reminds me of the fresh green color of spring. This will be a bit sturdier then one I made her out of hemp so maybe she will be able to wear it without something underneath for that warm Texas springtime. Meanwhile in the Midwest we are having snow again and it looks like the forecast is snow every day this week so I pulled out my Typically Texas Cookbook. It was put together by our electric Coop when I lived in Texas and has some really great recipies. I ended up making the poppy seed coffee cake rolls. I love the smell of baking bread in the house when it is overcast and snowy outside. Time in my part of the country to start thinking of ways to fight off SAD. Baking is one of the ways for me. Back to knitting and if you see this Jacki you know I switched patterns. But I know Meghan loves this one and it looks really different in this light spring color.

The snake

I managed to finish one sock and wouldn't you know it, it's snowing again with no one around to take a picture. I really wanted a picture of the heel. It is the old eye of the partridge but with this yarn it really makes a nice pattern. Now off to make another one. Oh, the Packers lost last night. I am trying to convince myself that there were millions of people watching the game and it isn't my fault just because I had tea and muffins instead of beer and brats while watching. Talk about being responsible for the world. I know it's a "woman thing" but when do we ever get over that responsibility factor.

Salamander

My co-worker, Peaknit, who I think of as one of the sock queens is always singing the praises of Wollmeise so I had to try some. Wow, it is hard to get because it always seems to be sold out. Salamander was one of their new offerings and I managed to get a skein. She knows what she is talking about. It really is nice to work with. I think this looks a bit like snake skin. That's a compliment by the way. You can't see the pattern very well in the picture but when the socks are finished I will post again...this time on a foot. Meanwhile back to the kitchen. The temperatures are way below zero if you take into consideration the wind chill. That's supposed to be Packers weather and although I am not a huge football fan even I might have to watch this game. So Poppy Seed Muffins and tea as I knit and watch the game.

the hat on a head

Here is my beautiful daughter in law Melissa wearing her cap. My boys were both lucky in the girls they married and the girls, I should say women, both are great looking. I couldn't resist putting this on as I thought it fit the way her hair flips up.

Another cap

I forgot to put on the picture of the seaman's cap I made. Can't give a hat to one person and not the other when they are in the same household. Plus, the last time my son came by he was taking the kids snow tubing and didn't have a hat. I hope he just leaves this one in the car. I have also added a picture of Lady Jane and Chewie. They seem to getting along fine and take turns give each other baths. Returned to work to be overwhelmed. That is not a good excuse for not blogging as often as I should but it is an excuse. We have been short someone for almost a year now and hopefully we will be back at full staff in a couple of months. So off to the library and pet food store. Clothes to Wash and beds to make. Wow, does anyone besides me think that this never ends?

the newsboy hat

I have all this lovely yarn that I have received in swaps that I really must use up. This is another great swap gift. It is wool, angora and silk. I think the silk is what shows up shiny in the picture. It doesn't have quite that shine in person. Anyway, I thought I would surprise my Wisconsin daughter-in-law with this. It should go great with her hair and her husband (my son you understand) said I can't make her any old lady hats. I think this will qualify as youthful. The yarn knit up fast and just slide off the needles. I made the majority of this yesterday and finished the bill this AM. I have resolved to use up some of this great yarn and am glad I did. So many projects can be made with a skein or two and I have been avoiding them for larger things. Sometimes I need to be reminded of the old saying that the best gifts can come in small packages.

A contribution to Green

I wrote yesterday that I was making myself a book bag to take to the library. Thanks to a wonderful swap partner I had hand spun, hand dyed yarn in such a great color. I started out wanting to make myself a Doctor's satchel but didn't have enough yarn and I did want it all in one color. However, I did have enough that with a little combination of yarn I could make a book bag and here are the results. I am thinking of sending it through one more cycle to make it just a hair smaller. I have to keep it big enough to drag home all those large size craft and pattern books as well as my weekly reading material. Thanks again Maggie, I love the yarn and it felted up great!

When you don't have to go anywhere,,,It's Beautiful

Just a couple of snapshots taken at dusk from the patio door. Winter has once again hit Wisconsin. I am working on a book bag to take my books to the library. I am not the most green person around. There are things I am willing to do and things I am not. For example, I am not willing to give up my AC and have my head stuffed up all summer. I am willing and able to have my own garden and buy from the farmer's market. So...the library in our towns gives you wonderful heavy plastic book bags. Because I am there so often they are replaced about every 2 or three months. Here is a place I can go green. I am knitting and felting a book bag so it won't have to be replaced. Hopefully it is true that every little bit helps. I'll post again when it's finished and you can give me your opinion.

One more pair

I just finished what I think is the last pair of felted mittens for this year. This pair is more classic and not as "femme" as the ones I posted a few days ago. I try to make the gift match the recipient. Now I am working on a large tote to handle dragging my books back and forth to the library on a weekly basis. I have some wonderful hand spun yarn that I received from a swap that reminds me of a creamsicle and that is going to be the basis with some other bits and pieces. I love to felt because you really don't know what you have until it comes out of the washer. It is kind of a mystery process. You start out with something that to me is large and usually kind of ugly looking. Soap, water and a little beating up and it comes out beautiful. Come to think of it, life is like that. Often the things that you fear or hate the most come to be the things that are the best thing that ever happened. They just need soap, water and a little beating up. Off to clean my years accumulation of junk hidden in my roll top desk. I have added a picture of the family members. Lady Jane is showing her "svelte" figure and Chewie is asking can I get her just once. (He has found that if he runs at her she takes off to get out of the way. Some times she just stops and sits down instead of running and hiding. In this case Chewie, who does not have the best brake system, ends up running right past her. What a crew. Hopefully the demon Jealousy will soon be gone and I won't have to be petting with both hands whenever one or the other comes for loving.

Getting Closer

Here is the felted mittens and I have another in the works. Logan's sweater is all packed. Of course I forget to take a picture in the frenzy of getting gifts wrapped. I managed to get the flu again. My son came and said, "Oh, I had that last week." I think that was just before he came and gave me a big hug and kiss on leaving. I also have added a new member to the family. Lady Jane, a rather plump, okay let's say obese cat is now in control of the house. She persists in rubbing against the Chew so that he will smell of her. She also decided that he needed a bath today. Pictures will follow. Right now wrapping takes priority as I lost a day or so there sitting on the throne.

Forging Onward

I just finished hammering out a few more Christmas Projects. Actually, I only have a couple left so I can take a nice deep breath and slow down. Logan's sweater will be dry soon and then to just put on the sleeves and sew up the sides. Yea... I also made him a nightshirt this morning but forgot to take a picture. No problem, I am sure you have all seen a nightshirt. The bag holds a special gift for my daughter in law that mowed the yard for me and picked raspberries when I had the bum knee. I bought a new sewing machine over a year ago. It converts to a full embroidery machine and I really haven't had time to play around with it so yesterday I played. I have some things to figure out yet but it is good enough for a Christmas gift bag and who knows what I will accomplish next - if I take the time that is. Wisconsin is having quite a winter. Lots of snow and ice. I don't like driving in the stuff but I have to say it is really beautiful outside. Talk about a picture postcard. I think I will go and made a pot of tea before rolling up some Kahlua truffles I have chilling in the refrigerator. I will take the tea and sit and admire the sparkling landscape. Sometimes I have to remind myself that holidays are to enjoy. Tea and truffles anyone?

What is a Princess?

Jade and Logan have been visiting quite a bit last week while Mom and Dad were in rehearsals and preformance of the Christmas Band. She always brought with her a book called what is a Princess? It says things like a princess is brave. Jade said she was brave. A princess is polite. Jade said she was polite. A princess likes clothes. Jade said she definitely like clothes. We were doing fine until we got to a princess is smart. Jade said, "I'm not sure about that one Grandma." Of course that makes me think she is very smart. Meanwhile, I made her an Elizabethan Christmas dress for her Christmas Performance. I lost the pattern for a while so part of it is by guess but it sparkles like a Princess so I think she will like it. I'm on the sleeves to Logan's sweater and that just leaves his nightshirt and a pair of felted mittens for a friend. I still have some shopping but I keep reminding myself I have a couple of weeks yet. Now I will go and get my cup of tea. Wisconsin was hit with another winter storm. It looks like it is going to be an "old time" winter. right now it looks like a picture postcard outside. Peace and Christmas, they seem to go together.

Winter Hits Wisconsin

We finally got our first storm yesterday. That made it a great day to cook, sew and knit. Here is a casual outfit I made for the princess. I am still working on Logan's sweater so nothing new to report on that front. I am also getting together a package for the Secret Santa Swap. Of course, I forgot some things I have to put in and the package is all sealed so today I will have to try to make a slit in the tape and stuff in the other items. when the kids were little and my husband, who wasn't a ex yet, was home there was nothing that made me feel better then a nice winter storm. I was crazy until everyone got home safe but after that there was such a nice cozy feeling. I still get that. I made cardamon cookies and spritz so the smell filled the house and it was a time to be a peace. When I lived in TX. everyone because upset over a winter storm, even one that I saw as very mild. I think they miss that nice safe feeling of being warm and cozy and watching the wind blow outside. So let it snow.....as long as the roads are all cleared for work on Monday. Oh, yes that is a real blue pointsetta. I love the new colors.

Another gift done

Yesterday I had to work the most of the morning but this skirt is quick so I managed to finish it in the PM. I don't see Jade wearing this much but with her 50's bobbed hair and a pair of saddle shoes she will be retro all the way.

so here is the poodle, or should I say Kitty skirt.

Stocking Stuffers

This morning I did stocking stuffers. Well, the stockings will have to be large but I got some bears material the other day and decided that some of the kids would like throw pillows for their teams too. then you can't send two out of three boys pillows for their rooms so construction truck pillows seemed in order. I did manage to get the cat done for Jade's poodle skirt but got no further. Maybe tomorrow. Remember slow and steady wins the race, even when it is the race to get things done for the holidays.