This top is "Shrug This" from One Skein Wonders done in Lion Brand Cool Wool on the left - added about 4 additional length inches. Same item in a silk blend on the right - only added about an inch to the length. Our family is well - some projects for the growing children have been completed.
A new pumpkin hat for Miss JE and a candy corn hat for her birthday buddy CH rounded out the Halloween knitting. Children are still deciding on costumes - soon the machines will be humming and the fabric flying so all can be finished in time. My favorite sewing has always been the costumes - so creative.
Miss JE's sweater has been completed and it's even more adorable when worn by a special cutie. I loved the smocking - something I've never done before. I believe it's a Sirdar pattern, color obviously purple.
The socks turned out well - two knit at the same time on two circulars. A new tecnique for me from Antje Gillingham's book "Knitting Circles around Socks". It worked and I happily completed the two - no longer suffering from 'one sock' syndrome.
Sewing class will begin soon and I'll be teaching a lined vest this semester. It's going to be interesting to see the look on the faces of people who have never used a sewing machine before - planning to make a lined piece of clothing! 
Fresh off the needles (last night) One More Row pattern by Jill Vosburg "Hearbeat Sweater". The yarn is Summer Soft by Filatura Lanarota, a worsted weight rayon/acrylic color 202.
Some charity baby hats, a 'flag bag' for scout flags for our son-in-law, FINALLY finishing repairs and reworking of nephew Phil's quilt from Grandma, and two pink modular knit baby carseat blankets rounded out the recently completed craft list.
The past few months have been exciting. Our youngest grandson, CH was christened and within a few weeks, he and his parents moved further west - out where the snow and sun are one.
We visited JC, JE, BD and their parents and had fun seeing our first professional soccer game with them. This August they spent some time with us and had a great time experiencing the south shore beaches.
We've all installed webcams on our computers so that we can see the family and just how quickly the children grow (ok, some new laptops come with them built in). BD was quite surprised to see me on his mom's computer - didn't quite understand it yet. JC is missing his two front teeth (they fell out naturally) has started school - already in 2nd grade. The time goes so fast! JE has orientation on Wednesday and class starting on Thursday. She's ready to go! BD will be spending time with his mom and missing JE and JC. Out west, CH is eating cereal and trying other new foods. He spends lots of time with mom and dad and has made a friend in his daycare program. He's sporting at least 1 new tooth!
BBQ season has been in full force and we're just back from New Holland, PA where Chris was a judge at a BBQ competition. Good food, good people, good time.
The next few months will mean more commuter traffic for Chris, now that school is in session.
Some fall plans for me include sewing classes, knitting classes and reorganizing our genealogy files (recently completed is my portion of a database documenting the Kings County Deaths index for 1881).
Summer has been a corn lover's delight - we thought last year's crop was good, but this season it was even better! We're looking forward to the cool nights and have decided to keep fuel costs down by using our coal stoves this winter. A bit more work, but so cozy! Till next time....
