Random Thoughts

How can Bon be 37 years old? Happy Birthday, Bon
Spring is in the air - the chipmunks are chasing each other around the yard
I'm finally knitting a Baby Surprise Jacket
The inside of my car looks as if I live in it - it needs to be cleaned out - maybe tomorrow...
Change of weather/season allergies stink
Took a walk in the sunshine on Sunken Meadow boardwalk
Smiley's - here I come - sale next Wednesday!
Time passes too quickly
Going to the sewing room to cut out JE's skating outfit

Fundamental Pleasures

JC's birthday - he's 9!
Sun shine - melting the snow
Successful registration for Sew Expo classes
Pizza on a Friday night in Lent
1 fat tuxedo cat - snoring....
Teaching sewing classes on Monday and Wednesday nights]
Learning to use a long arm quilting machine

Old Cat

Rest in peace Old Cat - you are missed.

It's What Month???

Recently I've received a few "when are you going to update your blog" inquiries. After checking back it was a surprise to see the last posting was in March. So, with summer almost over, I'll give my blogging the old "back to school" organization plan. To those who have lived in our house, remember vitamins, vegetables and healthy eating. Hopefully blogging will do better!!

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....

Too small!

JC's socks are too small! The same size I made him at Christmas, but I forget how fast kid's feet grow! I've brought them (the socks) back home and will expand the foot portion - thank heavens they were not toe up! Will have to quickly repair them - JC took them off his feet (not happy about that) for me to make bigger - "Grandma, I'm growing!!"

Expand on, Grandma! Deb

How Lucky Are We???

This past Tuesday, my husband and I became GRANDPARENTS for the FOURTH time! A beautiful healthy baby boy, CH, was born to our son and daughter-in-law. We welcome CH into our family with love. CH joins our grandsons JC and BD and granddaughter the Divine Miss JE. We are very blessed.

What have I been doing? Knitting for me! This is the EZ Rib Warmer, partially finished. I plan to do an attached ICORD edging - hopefully will start that this evening.

Socks for CH (so tiny in blue print), BD (white multi), Miss JE (purple of course), and JC (who likes "Crazy mixed up socks") for Easter.

OTN - 2 socks at 1 time on circs - hoping to eliminate 'second sock syndrome' - these are for me!

A new smock for art class for Miss JE is fresh out from under the sewing machine needle.

Have several items almost at the completion point - now that we're home, will try to make completion a reality.

Thank heavens for grandchildren - they are the reminders of how good life really is! Knit on! D

WIPs and other Stuff

Here we are celebrating our birthday (both the same day, same year) at Killington. Took it easy and only skied one day, but had a good time. Who ever thought we'd still be skiing at 59! I love being in VT - I find peace there.

This past week brought the passing of a good friend and father figure - Roger. Friend - neighbor - dad and grandfather - an all around good guy. His passing leaves a huge empty spot in our lives. Be in peace with those who have gone before you, Rog.

Baby boy car seat throw - modular - on the blocking table! Bernat Softee chunky yarn in color Circus. I love the way the varigated yarn flows when done in this modular throw. ( Update 3/08 - This blanket was made for our new grandchild CH)

Update on J's sweater. Putting it together today, then need to add the hood. Miss J has requested a zipper rather than buttons - her wish is my command (happily)!

OTN is an EZ Rib Warmer. I'm attempting to understand "Pithy" directions on my first EZ project. Yarn being used is Caron One Pound "Pure Fisherman". I don't know if they still make this color - I dug VERY deep into my stash for it.

Also OTN is the EZ Baby surprise jacket. I'm using Plymouth Encore Colorspun for this project. I always try to use machine wash/dry yarns for baby items - quite honestly most mom's don't have the time to hand wash anything! I've only just started and will need lots of help with this one.



Completed this Crochet Pot Scrubber yesterday just for fun. It's made out of nylon and it will be interesting to see if it actually works!

Also completed and being blocked is my version of the 2008 St. Baldrick's hat made from Karabella yarn. I'm thinking of putting some 'curls' on the top. (Didn't figure out how to flip the photo yet - sorry it's sideways!)

On the sewing front, I've gotten a new dressmaking model. My Double Deluxe arrived this past week and I'm thrilled. I've had models before, but never one which was my size, which made them more of a 'coat rack' rather than a dressmaking asset. I've twisted the dials to my size ( no photo here - no one needs to see that size), gave Trudy a fancy hat and I'm ready to sew. First on the list are a few summer tees. Also thinking of a few summer dresses - when the weather is hot, they're so much more comfortable than shorts and tees. Then the almost impossible - pants that fit the way I want them to! If I EVER get that pattern perfect, I will have attained nirvana.

Until next time, knit (and sew) on! Deb