new grandbaby due in March

hey Liz you can't be peaking if I post baby stuff here. sort of waitIng till Oct 29 to see if I should knit pink or blue!!!

Knitter's Day out

I went to this again this year with my sister. I always love seeing her and going to this by Harrisburg Pa. My classes were entralac and tatting. I was not too successful at either but still had a wonderful day with my sister and niece.
My Sprout baby blanket is about 2/3 done and going slowly. I started a Paton's Monkey Business today . My Kindle continues to take away from knitting. I have been reading like crazy instead of knitting. This too will pass once I find out the sex of the next grandchild...

TJ 5 months old in my Pea Pod sweater

I went to visit the little guy today while my son was babysitting. We went to Trader Joes' shopping and it was chilly outside today. My son put this sweater on him that I made..the Pea Pod one from Interweave that was one tricky pattern....

Isn't this little guy the cutest? I love being his grandma!

summer comes to an end

It is September already..................

scary Life is going by so fast one season after another. Another school year starting this week and hard to believe I will be retired 3 years now. In 3 years I have accomplished a lot of knitting and a huge stash !

Knitting mojo has started up again. I am making this baby sweater called Duck Soup found on Ravelry. It looks like a blob here without a sleeve and frog closings plus hood needs to be finished. I made a size 18 months that is huge. This pattern is really interesting with hardly any finishing. I am using up my stash with this Blue sky organic yarn I bought while on vacation last year.

This month is Knitter's Day Out down by my sister's in Lancaster, Pa. Next month is Rhinebeck bus trip with a local yearn shop. I am afraid the stash may get bigger!

I had to try the new Knitpicks acrylic needles so bought a few pairs this week and will try them with next projects. I love the new stand to hold the Knitpick needles too. while I was ordering got the Knitted Gifts Book by Ann Budd and love it with So many projects to choose from!

I want to look for a Christmas stocking kit to make for TJ. I saw him yesterday..5 months old and so alert and happy. Maybe TJwill have a cousin soon???hint hint hint...

pictures of Sprout Baby Cardigan

not sure of sex or buttons yet..but looks pretty girlie..
outside picture shows the color better.

Just started the Sprout Broken Rib baby blanket . Doesn't this looks bigger than a 6months size?

August 2009

This month is flying by and my knitting progress continues to be slow. But - Tonight I finished up a baby sweater from Clara Parkes book called Baby Soft Cardigan and used lime sprout yarn. right now Stinky is plopped on top of it not letting me wash and block it yet. I am not so sure this was the best pattern for this nubby cotton yarn. I would not do this pattern again as it involves way too much sewing for me .
Someone on the facebook ravelry group mentioned mouse hunt - an addictive game about 3 months ago. Well- I am an official mouse hunt addict and it is taking up way too much of my time.I am up to hero level which involves many sounding of horns and buying the correct trap and cheese combination. I have made mouse hunt friends form all over the world. My kids are teasing me because I am always checking my blackberry to sound my mouse hunt horn. Bejeweled Blitz is another game that has me hooked. This is crazy as I am not even a game person!

My new electronic book Kindle from Amazon has taken away from knitting too. I have read 2 books in the last few days. Some knitting books are even on the kindle ....
August 29 there is a Fiber Festival down the stress at Fort Delaware. I am going to sell some of the items I have t hat have not given away as gifts. This is a new event in the area and it should be interesting.


I am going to make a baby hat to go with this sweater and if enough yarn maybe a small easy baby blanket that I can do without thinking while I am reading my Kindle or mouse hunting!

I am in a funk!

Last few weeks I have been suffering from some kind of blah blah feeling. I have not had the gumption to even knit. This last few days I forced myself to take long walks to get more energy but think it is more mental. Also- Facebook , Mouse Hunt and Bejeweled do have me addicted.

I did get some good news though yesterday which made me go and pull out my baby patterns. Maybe this will bring back my knitting feeling ....I don't feel like doing my lace projects or Sally Mellvile Topher sweater that was started at camp. Instead- I am starting
Clara Parkes ' Baby soft Cardigan in lime Sprout.
I ordered a Kindle yesterday....

lazy blogger

This is the toddler sweater started at knitting camp after learning Sally Mellville's tweed stitch. Look at all the mess keeping 6 different working yarns going.yes- I need to cut 2 yard lengths instead of using big balls that get tangled.

This was fun to learn and it does look better than this picture -I think

I made this little sweater while driving to Fla. It has pink ribbon to put in eyelets. It is the nursery color Encore. It looks sort of limp to me although the pattern was very well written. I would like to do it in a thicker yarn.

I am way......behind on the summermysteryshawl 09 Kal. Only on clue 2- could not work on it at camp while chatting and drinking the wine.

Here are the other amazing knitters at Knitting Camp.

Have not been blogging and feeling lazy last month in general. Knitting is being done but very sporadic. I was away in Fla for 16 days ; had to get caught up at home and then just got back from knitting camp. This years theme was Sally Melville's Styles book and I learned simple fair ilse and the tweed stitch .

kitty pi- Stinky likes it !

I made this once before for my daughter's cats and is about time I made one for Stinky. The pattern and a gallery of pictures are free on Wendy Knits site or in her book . I am using my stash for this and not even done but can tell Stinky loves it. I leave the room and find him inside it. Can you tell I love this little guy? He just keeps me laughing and happy! I just hope it is not too small after I felt it. I have about 5 more rows to go .

Tote - dry and handles on

double pictures for some reason and can't cut?

I am so happy with this cute tote and the colors are me!

felting in progress

Still needs to dry and then put handles on..

Cabin Fever Fair isle Tote- done using 2 hands- so cool and fun

bulky Lambs Pride knits up fast on size 13 needles

Next I am making a bed for Stinky because the whole time making ithe just wanted to sleep on it.

Did I metnion I am still addicted to MouseHunt, Bejewled and Facebook?

I can knit with two hands....<3

I took a class at JillDeal in Milford Pa. I went because my sister and friend were going with out any expectations of following along. I am not good at these classes because I get frustrated very easily and need lots of visuals with my hearing loss. Well- Jill is an amazing teacher that made it easy even for me! This is a Cabin Fever pattern called Fairisle Tote that was part of the class along with a delicious lunch.

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Click here to view these pictures larger

Owl vest done!

This is an adorable litte vest for a baby boy . Mine came out more toddler size which is perfect for TJ next fall or winter. I used KnitPicks Comfy which is a nice washable yarn for babies. Pattern is free at Ravlery.

One mistake showed up in back that looks like a purl or dropped stitch. I am going to try ti put a small stitch in there if it will make it look less noticable.

Now I am off to East Stroudsburg to the Annie Modesitt class on Embellishments. I hope the class is not too big and I will be able to hear. I don't know anyone else going and it is a 2 hour drive. I am leaving early to check out Knit and Purls Shop.

dont play mouse hunt

someone on Facebook group in ravelry told me about this game..If you want a life without checking the computer every 15 minutes - dont be like me and dont even start..it is so addictive! I knit with a timer next to me..pathetic!

әuop ɟɹɐɔs ʞu!d

Pink scarf was completed last night while watching tv and playing MouseHunt.hat is where I learned how to write upside down...my computer educations continues while playing games.. Now I need to block scarf and finish owl vest. Knitting mojo very low..

I have to get it back for knitting camp next month. Oh I am taking two more class this week so maybe that will help too.

mouse hunt

still not blogging like old days... still addicted to Facebook. Someone on ravlery mentioned Mouse Hunt on Facebook and how addictive it was..oh well now I spend every 15 minutes setting my traps and buying new cheese. crazy! no wonder I am so chubbly and not losing that winter flab!
Off to Havestraw to spend a few hours with the baby TJ. Trafffic will be a killer coming back so wont stay too late. 2 hours down and 2 hours back to spend 2 hours there ..but worth every precious minute with him.
Knitting is still going very very slow...At night I don't seem to have the motivation or energy that I had before. I hope I snap out of it soon..I need to clear my plate of ufo's' to start Summer mystery shawl 09 Kal in June.

knitting

So I have not been blogging lately. Blame it on Facebook or this nasty emotional funk I can't shake lately. I have no energy and my back still is keeping me awake at night. PT is not helping. I feel old..

I took a class this past Sat at Milford Pa ( JillDeals) and made a pretty beaded scarf on the diagonal. It was fun and met my daughter afterwards for dinner so very nice time.. Scarf is almost done and good pattern to use up your stash with only 200 yards needed. I signed up for 2 more classes this month. One is at the same shop learning fair isle using 2 hands, ) This one will be a challenge for this uncoordinated left handed person. The other class is with Annie Modeset in Stoudsburg working with embellishments.

I decided not to do the GoddessKnits Anniversary shawl that looks like Dracula's Bride. That is not my style at all. Instead -I am doing her Summer Mystery Shawl that can be square of triangular. I ordered the yarn she suggested for the group in dark green and now patiently awaiting the first clue on June 20th. I will be away then but will have to find a place where I can print the first clue .

radiating star

well- it is done but not my finest work. . The Radiating Star ( free ravelry) with cheapo Lion Brand yarn. I don't think all those extra holes ( YO's) are supposed to be there. This is a reminder to check my work more as I go along. sort of embarrassing..............

Still working on the Owl Vest but knitting progress has be

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4/27/09

TJ 6 days old (so close up makes him look 3 months but not really in person)
DH totaled his his brand new Honda Ridge- line truck but who cares because he is ok. Truck can be replaced.He fell asleep and luckily ended up hitting a huge sign and the side of a hill.


I am feeling a bit nostalgic this am. 28 years ago my daughter was born on a Monday just like this beautiful sunny morning. Who would have know how important that little baby would become in my life. My daughter is so beautiful, hard working , creative and such a caring human being. She is my best friend that I love unconditionally ( even when she was a teenager)


I think this bout of "where has the time gone in my life" was a result of looking a baby pictures and baby books that I pulled out yesterday. My daughter -in -law wanted to see baby pictures of my son to compare them with the new baby. I can't remember some of the info and people but smart me had written everything out and wrote on bottom of pictures.





Such an e motional week last week with being a grandma and almost became a widow. 1 am call on to inform me DH had fallen asleep at wheel driving home from Fla . He was less than an hour away. I dorve over there not knowing what I would find with ambulances and all kinds of fire trucks flashing and firemen.

Spent all night and the rest of the day in the Er but he is ok. His back and chest are painful but that is improving fast. He is up and about and no fractures.

with all this week - not calm enough to do much knitting . Plus neede dto catch up on my sleep so went to bed early instead of knitting.I did work onRadiating Star last night and frogged out the Owl Vest becuase I noticed a mistake and want it perfect.

back to kntting

I actually was knitting Friday night in the hospital while waiting for Tj to arrive. I was working on the Radiating Star Blanket that I am bored with - not the pattern but with the yucky Lion Brand yarn that is too thick and stiff.
Last night I started the Baby Owl Vest http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owl-baby-vest that is not boring. This Knit Picks Comfy Sport is very soft and the Cashew color is very boyish. This is made in the round which I love! I only have the ribbing and a few rows of stockinette done but think it should be an adorable vest for the baby. What size he will be in the fall is tricky as he is so big already at 9 pounds! The pattern says 9-12 months so think it should be big enough. He has a closet full of adorable clothes from all the showers but wonder if some will even fit him!

welcome Thomas Joseph 4/18/09 9 pounds 1 oz

Here is his first picture- Mom and baby are doing well. He was big and had some fluid issues so in ICU today - Hoping he is out tomorrow. I could only peak at him but already love him . Watching my son become a father is some special feeling.Thomas is special as it is my son's,dad's, husband's and brother's name.

I am pooped after staying up all last night. I am off to bed with a smile on my face.

Grand baby taking his time

This little guy was due Sunday but still has not arrived. Waiting and waiting and not planning anything till this happens. They will induce next Wed 5pm if she does not deliver by then.. My daughter has been visiting..lots of eating, talking, dvd's and shopping- very little knitting...

tax day baby??

maybe he will come today??? They will induce next week if he does not come soon...

come on Baby!

My son's baby and my first grandchild was due yesterday. The suspense is driving me nuts. I worry about not hearing the phone call in the middle of the night or while I am showering.. needed groceries so left today for awhile. Cell phones don't work up here so have to keep that in mind.The Boy is still in Fla going on two weeks so he is not here to listen for phone in middle of night so I am waking up all hours checking the answering machine in case I missed a call. I feel sleep deprived... Poor Daughter -in - law is really ready!

So come on little guy .....let's get hatching! You were supposed to be an Easter Baby . Seriously just hope this little boy is healthy. ( actually big boy according to last sonogram he was 8 and half pounds!)

Day before Easter/ I COM

I am up very early today .. it is still dark and this is not me! One of the joys of retirement is sleeping in but these pugs don't remember that. My son's is the main culprit. He is here until after his new baby is born and settled. I stayed awake to check the phone and email in case they called during the night.Without the Boy here to listen for phone - I am afraid I wont here it. I have the phone next to my bed as close as possible but without my hearing aids on - I barely hear anything. This started at age 30 and has continued to decline . Anyways I am awake to if that baby phone calls comes I am directly off to Nyack Hospital which is about 2 hours away.
anyways this little guy is due tomorrow on Easter so maybe that will happen!





Technology for people with hearing loss has continued to improve. I am so lucky to live in a time of closed captions, cap tel on computer and now my new I com. I am trying out new hearing aids this past week which sometimes can be a struggle. Eye tests are so much more black and white - you can read the letters or not.Hearing has so many different levels to it so not easy.





With these new ones: I can hear for the first time in a long time the pugs snoring , footsteps , wind , the dishwasher ect but forget hearing anyone in Applebees because the aids pickup all the back ground noise that smoother out the sounds needed to carry on a conversation.





But the thing I am so excited about is the Icom which is a Blue tooth necklace I wear under my shirt. I now can answer my Blue tooth land line and cell phone with just tapping this necklace and the phone goes directly into my hearing aids. I don't even lift the receiver cell. The cell can be in my purse. The best thing about it is hearing so much better on the phones .. It is like clear fm sound. I wont get a ticket either because it is hands free! My Blackberry Storm has the Slacker.com App and so I can listen to music on Slacker.com via the cell phone and my Blue tooth ICom. This is just so exciting for me because I have not really listened to music in ages because it sounded like noise- not music. But now every night I have to charge my cell phone, my I Com and my hearing aid remote.....lots of paraphernalia to carry around but so worth it! I ordered a Bluetooth usb adapter for my computers so I can hear video and sound on them too hopefully. Figuring all this out is a major accomplishment on my part.





Yesterday I was in Milfrd Pa and stopped at JillDeal Yarn Shop. My will power for using my stash up has gone out the window as I purchased this yarn called Sprout. I just fell in love with the gold and green Color 3 colors. I have had my eye on a DellaQ bag for long time along with 10 skeins of another baby yarn. I had been in the Monticello Yarn Store last week and spent way too much . Gotta get back on track and use this stash. Best to stay out of yarn stores for awhile!

April 2009

Ravelry, facebook and yahoo mail seem to take more of my time and less is going here.

It is not intentional just happens .



Knitting progress has been slower this week due to a hand that is hurting, doctor appts and having to take care of everything in the house because the Boy is away. We bought a condo in Pine Island, Florida and he closed on it last week. He loves it so much down there that hope he comes back! It is a fishing area so he is in fishing heaven. The reason I am not down there is the waiting the arrival of my first grandson due this Sunday on Easter. As soon as he is settled Hope to make a quick trip to Florida if I can make some kind of last minute pet sitter arrangements. So next year I will be an official snow bird. MANY things to work out though like pets and parents.



Thanks to Sue from NJhttp://craftitagain.blogspot.com/ I am working on a practice baby blanket called Radiating Star.( free from Ravelry) I am using worsted weight Lion Brand in white. The yarn is too thick and awkward but going to finish it and give it away .

I am knitting the other Fleece Artist Legging. for Sea Baby Set. This sea cell wool is reviewed this week by Knitter's Review. I love the colors of the yarn but have this issue with the yarn always getting tangled up and little nubs all over the place that don't look so pretty . I am putting off finishing this legging for some reason it is not fun.\


Happy Easter and Spring to all! I hope my little grandson arrives soon and mostly that he arrives healthy.

sea baby pics

still working on leggings
actually looks better than this awful picture. Needs some blocking.

sea baby messed up assembly

Remind me - no more sweaters that involved lots of sewing.. seamless from now on!

Last night I worked so carefully putting on this one sleeve and had enough for one night. This am I look at it and realize it is sewn to the wrong ( narrow cuff end next to shoulder ) I tired to take it out this am but can't even find a place to start ripping as I did such a good job weaving in ends. The yarn changes color so cant' tell which is the sweater or the sewing yarn. I blocked it and tried to stretch it. I am leaving it the way it is although it looks a little weird.


oops pictures wont upload on this #*!@ Gateway and the Boy has the Dell in Florida.

spring yarn cleaning..

Stinky - my helper ....

This past week my knitting stuff was reorganized again. The whole closet is officially taken over by this hobby. This was not an easy task and took 2 full days to sort and clean. My stash is slowly going down ;tring to be practical and save money . It helps to know what I actually have!

Before I had a desk in half of the closet that kept papers, passports etc.. Well- that was moved to the other room and this space is totally dedicated to KNITTING. Even the spinning wheel is out of it now. I found 2 cubicle storage ( wine) shelves in Target. They are on top of each other. An old bookcase in the garage was carted in for books and bins. The green cloth bins were found in Target on sale for 5.99!


I took all my sock yarns out of the bins and put them in one of the hanging shoe holders.

My Knit Picks Options , Harmony,Denise and new Addi click are all put back together and in the green bins . Button boxes and gadgets in a bin with all my baby patterns in one too.

All my project bags were emptied and organized with only 3 ufo's now.

Looking at this photos ;it still looks messy but what an improvement. All my lace yarns are in one row too.

I use natural Moth-A- Way but need to get some new replacements. I missed Rhinebeck this year and wont be going to Maryland so have to search for it someplace else?

Sea Baby

I bought a Fleece Artist Kit called Sea Baby while I was in Nova Scotia this past fall. It is adorable and made with Sea Cell and Merino. I finished one sleeve tonight while watching Idol. The neck edge had to be ripped and redone because it looked sloppy where the stitches were picked up..also problem with little holes. Maybe there is a better method of picking up stitches.....
The baby is due soon so have to get hat and matching socks done pronto. It is almost midnight so off to bed. Pictures will be posted soon. It has been a marathon of baby knitting this past 8 months.

FISH

This is what I am working on all morning. Taking a break from all the *#!^ sewing. Did I mention I hate to sew because my skills are so awful.

HOPING....Will this will look better blocked and hoping the neck opening and sleeves are big enough? sleeves sort of long....I love the colors and the GGH fuzzy yarn that came in this kits BY MELISSA. She was very helpful when I contacted her and the price of kit was cheap. The pattern is called Fish . Her site is www.melissa.net

The fin of the fish flaps...cute huh? I did not add tail that came with pattern ..looked too big on mine..

piglet done just in time for shower today

My d- in law due April 12, 2009

one of my sweaters....

my daughter, son and d in-law

my firstborn and me

piglet

mouse done - now on to piglet...

Mr. Mouse
Lion Brand color: Linen

the family

mouse in works

I am working on mouse puppet. Last night at my knitting group we did more talking than knitting. Today I am checking out another knitting group that is meeting at Roasters , the local coffee shop in Narrowsburg , NY. It is a short walk over the bridge into NY to get to shop. Hope it works out .

Way too much of my time has been spent on Facebook lately! It is very addictive. You find one friend , then another from that friend etc... I have found many of my former students whom are all grown up!!

My knitting has been mainly new grand baby stuff.. Shower is this weekend .This is going ot be so much fun!
After the puppets are done I need to go in another direction. The lace shawl for Aunt Dottie needs finished and I love the new pattern in Interweave Knits by Susan Pierce Lawrence Fountain Pen Shawl.
I love her Forest Canopy pattern.

lion puppet done (: cute

I am on a roll with these little guys. Next it is the mouse and elephant. There is extra patterns on line from Creative knitting for piglet too. I have till Sunday for the baby shower so hopefully can get at least 2 more done.
This one does not look so lion like but still is adorable. A cute tail with the Lion brand eye lash yarn is not in the pictures. I used more of the Lion Brand yarn for this. With one skein you could make 2 puppets so I have supplies to make another little zoo for next grandchild..