Time with my mom and sister

A lot of you know that we ha to put my dad in the nursing home w/ Alzeheimer ( think I spelled that right). It got where we had too, we had no choice. We stuck in there as long as we physically could, all of us! Well mom decided that she needed a few days off, so we planned a trip to Branson,Mo. about a 3-1/2 hour drive from here. Monday morning we went by the nursing home to see Dad on the way out of town, with the guys promising that they would also be checking on dad as well. We left a 7:00 that morning, stopped to see Dad, then stopped for breakfast and we were off. At some point in the curves on the highway, I had to switch and drive until we pulled into Branson as the roads are curvy and up and down and I tend to get car sick. We pulled in there in time to get checked into the Condo and go eat lunch. This was going to be a wonderful trip for all of us!!!! We did a little shopping after lunch including picking up tickets to the "Baldknobbers". They were the first live theater to open in Branson when it was just a little wee of a town. My sis and I decided that whatever mom wanted to do that is what we would do!!! Dad had gotten where he didn't want to see the Baldknobbers anymore and she wanted to, so off we went after eating supper. It was so good to see her laugh!!! Did my heart good. Then back to the condo. We didn't know it, but she didn't sleep good that night. My sis and I slept in one king size bed and mom in the other room in a king. The next day we were off to hit the outlet malls and took photos of us setting in a hughe chair at one place we stopped for lunch. I'm on the right ( in the white), mom in the middle and my sis is on the right in the red shirt ( where there's the three of us). I took the camera, but didn't take many photos, just these. We decided not to see a show Tues night. Instead we went out to eat at a really nice place and came back and set on the balcony of the condo and talked till way past dark. It was a wonderful and relaxing time for all of us. Didn't know how much all of us needed that until much later. Then off to bed for the night. Up the next morning to pack, eat breakfast and leave town. We stopped at a place in Clinton, AR. that had the most unique western, log cabin type furniture. I love it!!! My sis fell in love with it and so did mom. I had seen it before when hubby and I had stopped to inquire about land for sale in the area. While hubby was talking to the owner I looked around. So I suggested we stop. While there we ate lunch and then stopped by to see Dad on the way home. He never missed us. Seems he can take a nap and wake up and think it's a new day. The boys were good about checking in on him. Boy what good memories and it sure did mom as well me good. Mom took me, my sis and my SIL on a cruise in 1995 and 1996 and I have such good memories of that as well as albums of photos that we took. Somethings we never forget, so never forget to make memories while you can!!!!!!! Mom says we're going to do more of going off for a few days at a time. Don't know what she has up her sleeve, but I'm not telling hubby yet as he's one that does not like me gone!!!! LOL. But it will do us all good. And she needs it as much as I do!!!! One of the photos of the three of us, you will see mom and myelf making a face, we didn't realize it was a rocking chair and it started rocking backwarss and we just knew the chair was going over with us all. We had a good laugh when we discovered that it was indeed a rocking chair. Enough for now.
Don't forget make memories while you can!!!!!!!

Shearing Day and the Gardens

Well I've been emailing a friend, Brenda H., for almost 2 years now on one of my knitting groups and finally got to meet her when she told me she was coming up for shearing day. She's just as sweet as she seemed over the net!!!!! Maybe even more so. Shearing Day is something I didn't know anything about and I live here. She lives out of state. So I made plans with her, my daughter, son-in-love and 2-1/2 yr. old granddaughter to go to "Shearing Day at the Farm", about 20 min. from my house. My daughter loves new things like this. It's such a good experience!!!! So we met up and got to watch them shear the "Jacob Sheep" and the Alpaca's and pet some Angora Bunnies that were for sale. And Brenda went home with one making her 4 bunnies now. My little angel wanted the one that Ms. Brenda got. But she will have to wait and maybe she can have one of Mr. Smokey's offsprings. The Jacob sheep orginated from Jerusalem and they are very rare in the US. Less than 5000, I believe the owner said. He's the one in the blue holding down the young male alpaca's neck. It was very interesting. Almost made me want a farm, so I could have some. The shearing that they got off of the sheep and the alpaca was wonderful. They will clean it and so forth ( not really sure what all goes on there) and it will be for sale. I'm going to have to learn to spin so I can have some of it. Next my daughter (6 months pregnant w/ baby brother ~ Sawyer) and my precious angel went to the Gardens for the third year in a row to take my angel's photo's in front of the tulips. Her first photo was when she was 7 months old in front of them. Next year baby brother will be in the photos. While we were taking photos of her in front of the red tulips, we noticed a man snapping photos of her right and left and then he handed my daughter his business card and said to look in tomorrow paper, there was a chance that my angels photo would be in there. And sure enough it was front page. So you know this Mimi called and ordered 8 more copies. Tehehehehe. I'll scan it and add it to the slide show later. Just had to share. Oh yeah, I've got 3 different pairs of socks OTN at the moment, that go with me in the car. And a sweater for me. But I've got to get busy with baby brother something. But being born in mid July he won't need anything for a little while yet.
WHOOPS ~ forgot, if the slide show should stop and ask for your email addy, just click on the the little red X at the top right hand corner and it will start again. Or if it's not running you can do the same thing. And I think you can clik on a particular photo to enlarge it as well.

My dad in the nursing home w/ my baby doll

 

Took this today at the nursing home. You can see dad in his wheel chair. He's been there 2 weeks now I think. It's a new nursing home close to my mom so she can visit often during the day!!! I placed my baby girl in Dad's lap to get a photo of them together. She didn't like it at all. She's scared of the wheelchair and of the nursing home. She see's little old ladies running around holding baby dolls wrapped in blankets, mumbling and you can see her little mind working. But then she will get to playing with a toy that I've brought in and be fine. I take her by now on Monday's after going by to have coffee with mom from 8:30 to 10:30. It was a every Monday ritual we had ~ to go see mom and dad every Monday and they loved seeing me and their great-granddaughter come through the door. Mom always had and still does have choc. cake made for her. My girl calls it "Granny cake". She loves her Granny cake. It's the only thing in mom's life that is staying the same. Having her great-granddaughter come on Monday mornings. Then we head to the nursing home to visit Dad for a little bit, with mom usually joining us. Today mom wanted us to go to lunch with her. She stated that it's not fun to eat by yourself!! Here I've been thinking of poor dad and he does not even know where he's at, his mind is going. He still recognizes us, but that's about it. Not even realizing that I needed to be asking mom how she is. Well I have changed that. I can't do anything for dad but visit and pray, but I can do for mom. I will now be taking my precious little granddaughter on Friday's and mom and my girl and myself on nice days will take Dad out and go for a long walk and get him out in the fresh air. Mom needs the exercise and my girl loves her walks. She finds such treasures, like leaves, rocks, etc. that she willingly shares with me. And I know she will share w/ mom as well. I marvel that she willingly shares what she thinks are treasures with others. No selfishness at all. Giving up her precious finds so easily. Makes me examine myself and what I give or don't give and my motives. Makes me stop and think how much we take for granted. The beauty that surrounds us and life itself. It makes me stop and think ~~ slow down and enjoy life itself and those I love. Enjoy the simple things!!!!! I can't imagine how it must feel to go home to a empty house, except for their 13 yr. old Schnauzer. A home that they just built a year and a half ago for their retirement and now it's just her. Knowing that he will never come home again. It must be terribly hard on her!!!!!!!!!! So now I concentrate on her and helping her and pray that the Lord will show me what I can do to help her make it through this!!!!! Thank you all for letting me share this on my blog.

This weekend my daughter and granddaughter and I will be going to a farm ( tried to talk mom into going) about 35 minutes from here to watch alpaca's and sheep being sheared. Angora bunnies being combed for their fur. And then to watch spinning. They will have arts and crafts for the kids. I know my little precious one will love it!!!!!!!!!!!!! She loves animals as does her mom and mimi (me). Then of course you know I will visit the gift store to explore the yarn made from the alpaca and angora. More about that later. I'm sure I'll be taking photos. Then next week, we'll make our yearly pilgramidge to take my little ones photo in the tulips. This will be the third year we've taken photo's of her in the Gardens. Next year we will be adding a baby brother in the photo as my daugher is exspecting a baby boy in July. Yes my little gril is growing up and becoming a big sister. She moved into her big girl bed and she's so proud to share her crib with a baby brother and be a big sister. She's already making plans of helping mommy by putting his paci in his mouth when he cries and feeding him and going to get a diaper when he needs changing, etc., etc., etc!!! LOL. She's my sweetheart and my joy!!!!!!!! What would I do without her????? I don't know and I hope I never have to face that situation.

Next socks up

 

This will be my next socks. I've already got them cast on. It's Colinette Yarn ~ Jitterbug, Colorway Popsicle #146. It's white with a hint of lavender and moss green. Hope the photo shows the true color. I think this pattern ( from Stitches of Violet ~ Shetland Lace Rib Sock ) will look good in it. Oh well what do I know???? LOL. It will just be my third set of socks. I'm HOPING this pattern will look good in it, is more like it!!!!!!! Don't forget you can click on the photo to see it better!!!!!!!!!!

I have too much going on in my life at the moment and hardly any time for knitting. My daughter is 18 weeks pregnant with our grandson. And my princess who I keep 3 days a weeks is now almost 30 months old. It's hard to imagine that I can love another like I love her!!!! But I know I will!!! My nephew is exspecting twins, one boy, one girl, so I need to be knitting things for them. And my other nephew is exspecting a litle girl in about 3 weeks. And my dad, if you look a couple of photos down, we have just put into a Gereatric Physc Ward. He started doing goofy stuff and we had to take turns spending the night with mom and some times she was there by herself. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's. (Wrong diagnosis) He shuffled his feet and fell a lot and was beginning to get forgetful and then started imagining things. He would stay up all night or most of the night and mom was getting no sleep. If she slept he would tear the house up. It's a long story. Anyway, after being there last Monday night all by herself and him keeping her up all night hallucinating, she called Tues morning and said it was time to do something. So Tues morning he was checked in at the Physc Ward. It's so heart breaking to see such a strong man in this condition. The Dr. said he has Lewy Body Disease, a aggresive form of Dementia that does turn into Parkinsons as well. It came on fast and seems to be getting no better. He has been very aggresive at the ward and very little sleep at all. He's slipped out of every device they've put on him. Slipped out of his wheelchair while he was strapped in. They have nicknamed him Houdini. He even got behind the nurses station the other day and emptied out their drawers and was throwing stuff at them. They have a tent bed they put him in at night and sedate him. They changed him meds yesterday and we thought it was helping. They had him in a recliner not belted in and he made a little more sense, but tonight he was bad again. They already had him sedated and in him bed when visitatioon time came. He was making no sense whatsoever. Before we can take him to a nursing home, they have to find a med that will make him sleep all night and not be aggresive. I just set and cry and cry and cry. I told my hubby the other night, I was scared and don't want to lose my dad, but truth is that's not my dad as I knew him and never will be again. So I've already lost him. I know there are some of you out there that know what I'm talking about. I have a good friend Janet B. that I can talk to, that does help a lot as she went through the same thing. Take care my friends and make the most of every precious moment you have with your loved ones. Whether your grandkids, kids or parents.

2nd. pair of socks finished

 
Well FINALLY I got my second pair of socks finished!!!!! Click on the photo to see it better!!!! They are just plain vanilla sock pattern, made out of Trekking Zitron Yarn that my adopted sis Chappy gave me!!!!! How do they look Chappy? Gail D. from Sockamaniac Yahoo Group told me how to do the swirl toe, so I tried it on this sock. But I kitchnered the toe at 8 stitches and don't think I was suppose to do that. I think I was suppose to draw the yarn through all 8 stitches. I'll have to ask her. Oh well, they look pretty good though. Not near as square toed as the first pair. I did forget a hint another lady told me about the first stitch of the last eight. Makes sense huh?????? LOL. No she told me when I get to 8 stitches on each side ( top and bottom) to take the outside stitch and pass it over, leaving 6 sts. total. Does that make sense??? Suppose to round of the toe some. Oh well I'll keep practicing.

My Grandson to be in the womb

 
Well IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's 17 weeks and 2 days in the womb. Everything is perfect. She checked everything from spina bifida to anything else she could and he's perfect. he'll be a little bigger than my baby girl was. She was 5 lbs. 15 oz. Long and slender. He was very active while she was doing the ultrasound, which is a good sign!!! I knew it was going to be a boy!!!! You should have seen my son-in-law. he was grinning like the cat that ate the bird!!!!!!! He was on the phone in noe time telling his parents which live close to 3 hrs. away!!! But not to be out done, so was Mimi telling everyone she could think of to call. I was going to include one more to show that he was a boy, but thought that offend some people, so I'll leave it off!!!! My daughter let me bring home the film to scan and then to email to her as she does not have a scanner and then she can email who she wants as well!!!! Like there's anyone else to tell, but you, the people who might read my blog. Now to knit for a boy!!!!!!! Thanks for listening to me brag!!!! He's due the mid of July. No name yet, although their thinking of Sawyer!!!

Our family photo at Christmas

 
Well this a photo of my Mom (79) and Dad (81) and to the left of the photo in the back is my sister, she's the oldest. Then there's me in the middle, I'm the middle child as well. And then my brother, he's the baby. Don't forget you can click on the photo to make it larger if you need to. This was taken at Christmas this year. I just wanted to post this to my blog and I'm not even sure why. Dad's health is not very good. They believe he's got Parkinson's Disease. He shufles his feet so bad that he's fallen several times now. So mom and my sister went and got several wheelchairs for him. He has an electric one. He also has another for just in the house to use and then a fold up one that mom can lift out of the back of the car. My little granddaughter and I go out to see them every Monday and they seem to wait in great anticipation for our visit. I want her to know and hopefully remember her Granny and Papa , her great-grandparents. I got to know and remember 3 of mine. I'm hoping that all goes normal so that my next grand baby due in mid July will get to know them as well. My princess loves going to see her Granny and Papa. She knows that every Monday Granny has Choc. cake made just for her. She loves Granny Choc. cake!!!!! I think it wears them out, but yet they love it so much!!! Dad will forget what day it is and ask if she's coming to see him that morning. And mom will have to tell him what day it is and tell him not yet. I take her to Library Day on Wen. to do arts and crafts and learn about different Countries and the animals, etc that live there. She loves Library day and then she wants to come here for a little while and play. So I bring her home with me!!!! Then take her home in time to feed her lunch and put her down for her nap. She will be 29 months the 1st. of Feb. Just seems the other day she was born. Gosh how I love that little stink. It's hard to imagine that I can love another one as much as her. But I know I will. We'll find out Feb. 7th what my daughter is having. And of course it will be on here.
Up top you will notice I've posted another photo as well of my great-grandparetns that I went to see every Sat. when I was little. It was about a one hour drive if I remember correctly, since there were no freeways back then. This is my dad's grand parents on his mom's side. He looks a lot like his grandad I think. Mama Ben as we called her was 1/2 Cherokee Indian. Although she looks full blooded. Everyone refused to talk much about it, back then it was not good!!!! Oh well the times they have changed. Then also on my dad's side, but this time on his dad's side ( is this confusing) Pocahontas was my 8th great grandmother. A fact I'm very proud of!!!!! My aunt (dad's sister) wanted to join a group called "Daughter's of the American Revolution" and to do this she had to research and brings papers showing certain facts. While she and my grandfather were researching the info, they ran across this interesting fact. And yes I have the papers to prove it!!!! I love it!!! Oh well enough for now. I'll be posting about my new grand baby to be soon. So watch for the up coming news. You might even hear me shout. I don't know I have a feeling it's a boy. My daughter thinks it's another girl. They don't care as long as it's healthy!!!! And after all that's the important part.

Baby blanket finished

 
Well the baby blanket is finished just in time for the shower. And it has red on it like she wanted. Actually it's really small, it will cover the baby~ like in a car seat or infant seat. Next time I make it I'll at least double it. The pattern is from Sweaterbabe.com and it's called 16 chunky knit baby blanket. I love the pattern, but not crazy about adding the red for the trim. But to each their own. Someone sent me the pattern from SweaterBabe.com. It's called 16 chunky knit baby blanket. Don't know why the 16. I'll be doing 2 more of these now for my husband's nephew. he's exspecting twins. One boy, one girl!!!! Another shower. LOL. Then my daughter is exspecting. Don't know yet what she's having.

Booby Sock ~ Cancer Awareness sock

I've copied and pasted this article from another blog to mine as I feel this is a important message to get out as well. This is From Cathy H. site. http://dreaminthenightaway.blogspot.com/
There is a woman I know via the internet, a wonderful talented designer named Chappy. Now Chappy has designed many patterns over the years, but none as special as the booby sock. Thats right you heard me the booby sock,a sock designed for woman by a woman in support of breast cancer awarness/ i would love if all of you could take a look at this pattern and order it , part of the proceeds go to the Susan B Cancer reasearch foundation a very worthy cause indeed.


We all have to do our part in finding a cure for breast cancer. woman and men alike as it is not just a disease for woman. men too can get breast cancer.


So hop aboard and order your pattern from Chappy, you wont regret it, its a wonderful design from a talented designer for a cause that needs our help. we all know some one somewho has either suffered from breast cancer or who has had a family member or friend devistated from this disease. Won't you please do your part and help?


BOOBY SOCKS!
You've all heard of bobby socks; well, this is booby sock! Besides making you smile, or even giggle, there is a purpose for this sock. It is to give awareness to breast cancer. Along with keeping your feet warm, the booby socks will give you a gentle reminder to do your monthly self-breast exams and to get that annual mammogram!
The booby sock has several features - a cabled cuff, 4 different pattern bands and a star toe. Some info on these choices:
1st pattern band represents our tireless, unending footsteps to raise money to help find a cure.
2nd pattern band represents the pink ribbon which is known internationally as a symbol to help raise awareness of breast cancer.
3rd pattern band represents a pair of breasts. (okay, you gotta stretch the imagination a tad here!)
4th pattern band represents a pair of mammogrammed breasts. (there's a giggle!)
A star toe was used since every woman is a star! And yes, the toe is anatomically correct!
$7.50 - $3.50 of the purchase price will be donated to the Susan Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. I will keep a running total posted of what is being donated.
ALL PAGES OF THIS PATTERN ARE PRINTED ON HEAVY WHITE CARDSTOCK AND ENCLOSED IN A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC COVER.

chappyhttp://www.purrfectlycatchydesigns.com/http://community.webshots.com/user/chappywomanhttp://stores.ebay.com/CHAPPYS-FIBER-ARTS-AND-CRAFTS

Slow progress on socks

 
For some reason Blogger is not letting me add photos of the socks and sweater to my article below. So I'm having to add them by themselves. Sorry!!! The socks are made from Trekking yarn by Zitron, color #21. A friend of mine when I first started knitting socks sent a lot of sock yarn and this was part of it!!! Thanks Chappy!!! Don't forget you can click on the photos to enlarge them to help you see them better. See you next time!!!

Sweater in progress

 

The yarn for this sweater is Debbie Bliss, cashmerino dk in the color 18006. The pattern is from the book "Cashmerino DK" by Debbie Bliss. Just thought I would come back and add the info. not only for any viewers, but for myself in the future.

What's on the needles for now!!

Well this is the Baby afghan that I'm working on for this next Saturday. My daughter and I are throwing my sister's daughter-in-law a baby shower and I'm trying to get this thing knitted. But during the pattern if you lay it down you could be in trouble. I've ripped it totally out once and started all over again. Then I've ripped back 4 times and now guess what, that's right!!!! I set it down to fix supper just knowing I would remember where I was at and of course I didn't and now I get to rip it back again for several rows. Rats. I hope it gets made before Sat. Maybe from now on I'll remember to write down which row I'm on before I lay it aside!!!! Running out of time on it and have a very busy week ahead!!! Second photo is of a sweater I'm knitting for me. This will be my very first sweater for me. You can see a photo of the back of it in the book. I think it's going to be beautiful!!! It's very form fitting! And now that I've lost 45-1/2 lbs and still need to go another 10 to 20, it should look good on me. LOL. And third but not last I'm making slow progress on the socks. I'll do a couple of rows in between something, like when I need to rip out the baby blanket. UGH!!!

I just wanted to tell you I found a site that I had lost when my computer crashed. Yes it crashed!!!! Right before Christmas. It had been going in and out!! Lost everything. All my patterns, those I found on the net, those shared from friends and those I paid for that were PDF's. Photos, web sites that I love to visit, etc. Had 4 different techs, all from different places look at it and got nothing. Not one thing!! I had backed it up on an external hardrive with a program that encoded it. I told it not to, but it did anyway. And the software company said there was nothing they could do for me. The encryption code was over 500,000 letters and figures. Anyway one of my favorite sites was of Terry M., the Sailing Knitter. Her and her husband sold their home and bought a sail boat and are sailing all over the ocean. I'm living my life through her. I had lost this site and loved looking at her photos and reading her adventures. Someone posted it the other day on one of my yahoo groups and I found it again. I'm so happy, can you tell?????? I wish I could do that, but instead I'll live it through her. Thanks Terry!!
Anyway just wanted to post my works in progress or my OTN ( on the needles). Off to work on the baby afghan again!!

My sock progress

 
Thanks to Karen for driving around 45 minutes to come help me with my 2 socks on the ML!!!!!! You can see I'm making progress again. I've not had a lot of time to knit on my socks. I'm trying to make a afghan for my sis's new grandbaby and I'm way behind, so I got this far and set down the socks for a couple of weeks until after the shower. Just had to try them on to see what they will look like. I'm going to like them. I love the Magic Loop!!!!! And the Magic Loop group who have been such help as well reading the posts. Started another pair while Karen was there to help me remember ( and I had forgotten) how to get started. I've got lots of sock yarn to knit with. I love a good stash. And now am involved with a sock yarn exchange on one of my groups. Sock-a-maniacs. It's a "Pedicured Foot Sock Yarn Swap". We're swapping enough yarn to make a pair of socks, a pattern and some goodies that have to do with a pedicured foot. Perfect!!!! Can't wait to get my pkg. off to my partner. In fact I love the yarn so much I really want to keep it for myself. She wanted something wild. I love it!!!!! Oh well, just a little note to let you know my progress. Still slow, but getting there. Next week I go back to keeping my granddaughter 3 days a week, so no knitting then. Being 2 she keeps me very busy. But I love every second of it!!!!!!!

Socks ~ In slow progress

 

Well I started this set of socks a while back and set them down when I got to this point, because I could not figure it out. I wanted to take a photo of them, because tomorrow I have a friend driving 1 hr. to our LYS to show me where to go from here. I really want to learn this 2 socks on one needle ~ The Magic Loop. I have the book, but still get lost, so I'm making notes tomorrow while I have her help. I don't want 2nd. sock syndrome, so I really want to knit 2 at once. I've got all kinds of yarn from sock yarn exchanges from my various sock yahoo groups, not counting what I've bought from my LYS. So I need to get busy on these again. Can't wait till tomorrow. I'll post photos tomorrow and let you know how it's going. Right now I've started a baby afghan for my sister's new grandbaby to be. Gotta really get going on it, as I have a short time to get it done before the shower. Plus my daughter is now exspecting as well, so I've got to get busy there too, although she's just 3 months at the moment. However I don't want to lay the socks down and forget what I've learned. So I'm probably going to start another pair of sock tomorrow while I have Karen's help to refresh my memory on how to do it as well. sorry I've not posted much lately. Been so busy!!! Plus hubby has the camera with him most of the time to take photos of farms that he has listed for sale. Have to grab it out of his truck and then be sure it gets back in there. Tehehehehehe.

My princess w/ Santa

 

Well they set her with 2 different Santa's and she didn't like it at all and then they all three went to the mall one evening and she decided she wanted to see Santa. So off they went. While in line my little princess wanted to know when it was going to be her turn. When it finally came her turn up she went and mommy had to instruct her to tell him what she wanted for Christmas, to which she replied engines. She loves Thomas the train and her Bob Bob ( my SIL's dad) has a big set of trains which she LOVES. My daughter had to explain to Santa that was Thomas the train. She has a lot of them already. My daughter then explained to her to tell him which one's she wanted. She told him, James, Mavis and Boco and another that I can't remember. For her to talk to a stranger is highly unusual. She does not warm up to people at all, but she is getting better. Anyway wanted to share this photo of her with Santa. She's still my love!!!!!
Merry Christmas everyone and have a blessed new year.

I'm going to be a grandmother again

 
Well my precious princess who is now 27 month's is going to have a baby brother or sister. My daughter is 10 weeks pregnant today. I have to tell yawl this, my Son-in-Love, my granddaughter and daughter went to the Dr. today to hear the babies heartbeat and when they couldn't hear it, they did a ultrasound. My little Princess who is always curious wanted to know what was on the screen (the ultrasound). Daddy told her that was her baby brother or sister inside mommy's tummy. Her reply was "You mean like Calliou's sister Rosie?" One of the cartoons she watches from time to time. Not very much though because Caillou pitches too many fits. To which her daddy replied yes. She became very serious and told him to get it out of mommy's tummy. Too funny!!!!!

Anyway, sorry I have not posted for a while. I've had horrible computer problem. It finally died on me with all my info. Everything from knitting pattern, photo's and email addresses. So we had to go out and buy another and just got it up and running yesterday, so I just had to post the photo of my newest grandbaby to be. Now I'll go scan the one of my Princess with her visit to Santa.

If you have not heard from me in a while, please email me with your email address as I've lost them all.
Merry Christmas to all my friends.

PS I'm working on knitting a sweater for me, plus I have several pairs of socks I need to finish. But I have to lay it all aside, because my sister is exspecting her a grandbaby to which I have to have a baby gift made by shower time, Jan. 26th. Will post photos of those later.

Information on Needle felting on my bags

A lot of you have asked me about how to needle felt on your bags, or how I did mine, but I have no way of contacting you. You either have to leave your email info on your comment or if you click on my profile, it shows you can email me! Hopefully soon, I will have time to set down and do a tutorial on my blog. Right now, I'm lucky to have time to breathe. That's why I've not blogged lately. Besides keeping my grand daughter 5 days a week till 2:00, I've been doing transctiptions for our local Police Department, the Detective Division. I'm doing 30 right, now and they have 200 more. I work until 11:00 at night and then have to get some rest. I've not even had time for knitting. Just letting you know what's going on in my life. I have started a bag on which I will do another needle felted animal. This time a cartoonish Macaw!!!!! The purse will be in a soft butter yellow. I thinks it's going to be another winner.

Julia's Mother Day gift

 
Mimi and I decided we wanted to do something special for Mother's Day for Mommy. So we went to a pottery place. They painted my hands different colors (we got to pick out the colors) and placed them on the platter that we had picked out especially for Mommy. Then they made them ( my hand prints) look like flowers. They added a bee , a butterfly and a lady bug and signed my name and the year on the front. And on the back it has a big heart with my name. So now Mommy will forever have my hand prints when I was 20 months old. I think mommy loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So Mimi and me did real good!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Mother's Day Mommy!!!!!!!!!!!

Back in the Garden's again ~ one year later

Boy how the time has passed. One year later and we're back the Garden's where the tulips are blooming again and look at how my little sweetie pie has grown. She's growing so fast. And smart!!!!! Now really I'm not prejudice!!!!! Even her Dr. says so. She's 19 months now and can count from 1 -14. She sings her ABC's. Knows various songs!! Does the cutest things!!!! I've got a few photos to add to this later, however I have to finish the film off first. Think I will take her to an old mill tomorrow and try to get that roll finished. I'm not a very good photo taker. Drat it all!!!!! Will add those as soon as I get the developed! That's all for now on my love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sweetie in front of her Tulip tree

 
This is the little tulip tree I bought for her right before she was born. It's planted in her front yard. We were going walking the other day and my daughter had ask that I take a photo of her in front of it. I thought this one was so cute!! The hat I knitted her even goes with the color of the blooms and that was not planned! It just shows a little of the blooms, but as you would know I was not focused too much on the tree or the blooms. Sorry babe!! ( my daughter). Is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen????? Now I ask you truly!!! Gosh I love this little girl! Can you tell?????? 

My Sweetie

 
This is my favorite photo of her with the daffadils. She was so easy with them. I thought you might enjoy the smaller photo as well. It shows just a little of how many daffadils there were and this is just a small portion of them. Double click on the photos to get a better look. There was a fenced off section where you allowed to pick some of the flowers. And then there is a cross at the top of the hill with seating around it, where you can set and rest or meditate, or just enjoy people watching. And while there were no dogs allowed, a stray seem to find his way in. He looked half pit, half lab. He seem to think that everyone was there to see him. Being the animal lover that I am, along with my daughter, we could not pass up the opportunity to show him a little love!!!! Before we left,we decided to enjoy a BBQ that they were serving at the entrance of the field and then went our way to our next adventure. Life is such a wonderful adventure. There's a song by Lee Ann Womack, I think the name of it is: "I hope you Dance". It's one of my favorites. One of the verses goes something like this: "When you have the chance to set it out or dance, I hope you dance." She's talking about life. Enjoy every second of it. Cherish it. Make good memories. Memories cost you nothing and yet they are priceless!!!!! One more memory with little love joy!! I' think that's what I'll start calling her. My little love joy!!!!!!!!  

The Mountain & the Daffadils

Well we visited The Mountain with all the Daffadils in bloom. For two weekends, there are hundreds of hundreds that are in bloom at the same time. It was my first time there, although I was born and raised in this state. My daughter, son-in-love, myself & my grandbaby went around 10:00 that morning. A perfect time. As we left people were just pouring in. My little sweetie was so cute to watch. She was so careful not to step on any of the flowers, and no one every said a word to her about it, either. She would lift her leg up as high as she could to step over them. And of course, I've got to post photos. She's 18 months now. Counts from 1-13. Sings several songs, including her ABC's. Putting four word sentences together. She's extremely smart and you all know I'm not a bit partial. Tehehehehehe. But seriously even her Dr. says how smart she is. She loves the library. And her books!!!!!

Well be going back to the gardens this week where we took photos of my sweetie in front of the tulips at this same time last year. Can't wait to post those photos next to the ones we took last year. Time passes so fast. She's growing up so fast. I love my time with her. She brings me such joy!!!! I'll blink my eyes and she'll be starting school on her Mimi. I'm trying to enjoy everything about her. I watch her little face as she looks and play reads her books. And try to memorize those little eyes that are so serious looking at all the photos. I try to memorize the way her little mouth moves as she sings Twinkle, twinkle little star. She loves to walk! So we take our walks and she knows when she's close to home. About a block away, she will start saying home, home. She will pick up leaves as if they are a treasure and hand them to me. They are a treasure to her, that she's sharing with her Mimi. Such wonderful memories!!!



I've not posted lately because of starting to work from my computer. I'm doing transcription for a lady out of New Jersey. Gotta earn a little extra. And I'm sure there are some of you know how that is as well! Keeps me really busy!!!

From The Heart Swap from Linda

 
Oh my goodness, I just got the best swap package from my partner Linda in Baltimore. Thank you so very much Linda. Where do I start??? The Portable Crafter KNITTING book,Clear Bag for my knitting supplies, Slly hansen 28 hr. hadn cream, 8 emery boards, 3 of the cutest pencils, 2 sheep ( so I can make my own wool) LOL>>>. Pinky Poo Keychain, I think my little Lake will take this one away from Mimi. (ME)! Gyvlia Tea ~ oh my goodness, it smells so good!! Honey Mint Ginsing!!! Can't wait to try it. Strawberry chapstick,(5) five sock patterns. The cutest wooden box with all kinds of beads in it. I'm going to make you some stitch markers and send them back to you. And sorry there was 3 lolly pops. They immediately went into the ole' purse. ROFL. And Betty Crocker Warm Delights Hot Fudge Brownie Mix ( which will be eaten tonight). And definitely last not but not least the most beautiful yarn I have ever laid my eyes on. A skein of Lisa Souza Sock Yarn!!!!!! The color is called Violet Pink Ribbon Color Way. A percentage of the purchase of this yarn went to good cause as well. Which makes me doubly glad!!!!!!!!! Liza Souza gave the proceeds from tese to a fund for either violet ( Linda thinks that's right) or lime from lime and vilet podcast, when one of them found a lump and needed to raise money. Linda I abosleutly LOVE THIS YARN. 

My Son, and grandchildren

 
I don't get many photos of my son, his wife and their two children. My grandson, Tyler is 12 and my grand daughter Ashley is 8 yrs. old. Just thought I would post a photo from Christmas of them. 

My new hat my Mimi made me

 
I do love my hats and especially the one Mimi made me. However Mimi is not happy with the sweater. My arms are very slender and it does not fit right. So once again, she is going to take it home and redo the sleeves. 

Progress on socks

 
Well I'm making a little progress on my two socks on the magic loop. Being sick does not help the knitting time. But I will definitely knit my socks this way again. Two at one time on the magic loop for me is the only way to go. No SSS ( Second Sock Syndrome) for me. When they are done, their done!!! This is Zitron Trekking yarn my sis sent me in a big ole surprise pkg. w/ different kinds of sock yarns. The color is #21. I think they are turning out cute. I like the way the color's are blending. Once again I'm just doing a plain vanilla sock pattern. Next sock thou, I'm doing a pattern one. I love my sock groups. Sock knitters really rock. They are some of the best people. Thanks again Sis for the yarn!!!!!!!!!! 

Finshed the sweter and hat

 
Well I finally finished the hat and sweater. I had to take the sleeves back out and legthen them~ as they of course were too short. Then had to try the hat on and see where to turn the brim up at. Then sew the butterfly on. Now just gotta try them on the model and take photos. I'll be sure and post them as well!! You know I will!
The sweater is called "Salsa" Child Cardigan by Skacel Collection, Inc. done in Labrador yarn by Crystal Palace,in color #9583. The hat is called Butterflies by Lisa Knits. www.lisaknits.com 

2 Socks at one time on the Magic Loop

 
Well today I learned how to knit 2 socks ~at the same time~ on one needle. The technique is called the Magic Loop. Prevents SSS ( Second Sock Syndrome). If you've ever knitted socks, you know that once you have the first sock done, it's hard to get the second one started, much less finished. This way they are both finished at the same time. A scok group that I'm on "For the love of Socks" try to get you to learn new techniques. This is what they are doing. I tried and tried the night B4 last and finally pulled them all out. Not to mention a few of the hairs on my hear!! LOL>>>>> I had mentioned the name of our Loyal Yarn Shop on another sock group I'm on " Townsend Sock Group" and a lady on there, emailed me to say is that the one in ???" Come to find out she worked about 5 min. from my house. So yesterday I went by her work and introduced myself. It's nice to put a face to someone you know on the groups. I've only done this with one other lady!!! Too fun!! I had mentioned I was trying to learn this tech., when what do you think she pulled out of her knitting bag???? You got it!!!! Socks ~ two socks on the magic loop!!!! When she found out that I was having trouble, she told me she would meet me at the LYS and teach me how. How sweet is that???? She was off on Thurs. So this morning, we met and she taught me how. And that's not all. She also taught the new owner of the shop!!! She was interested in learning as well. Anything that she can help her customers with, she's interested in learning. That's the kind of shop this is. I love all the ladies that work there and the owner. Neat ~ sweet and fun people. Anyway, THANK YOU KAREN!!!!! I had to come home and do some computer work, check my emails and then cook supper. But I'm off to magic loop baby!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Ornaments from Kirsten in Denmark

 
I just wanted to post photos of the two ornaments that Kirsten had sent me from Denmark. They are the two wooden figures. Thank you again Kirsten. Everytime I look at them I think of you! Merry Christmas and happy New Year. 

1st. pair of socks finished

 
Well I've got them on and I don't like the toes at all!!!! Too Square!!! Other than that I love them. They feel wonderful! Love the colors. But I really was wanting something more rounded on the toes. But it's my first pair and you learn what you do and don't like on them. So I'll be looking for a different toe pattern on the next one's. Well actually I've got one sock on the needles that's a toe up pattern. So I guess they will be square as well. Darn! Then I also have another sock on that I'll change the toe when I get to it!!! 

Potholder help

Anonymous left a comment about finding the potholder pattern, when she got home. However you did not leave me your email addy. to respond to your question. Would you email me at rpageserv@sbcglobal.net. Thanks for your help.

Mystery Triangle Potholder

I'm hoping someone can help me on this potholder. I call it my mystery potholder, because I did not post information about it on my blog when I received it. I was on several exchanges at the time and did not post any of them. Now I wish I had. I love this potholder!!! It fit's my hand perfectly and I can pick up my cast iron skillet out of the oven and the heat does not go thru. I'm hoping the person that gave it to me will see this and leave me a way ( comment section) to get ahold of them. I would love to have the pattern, if they would be so kind as to share it. You can see by the photo, that I've used it a LOT and have washed it a lot. I need to weave the ends back in. Anyway, that's my mystery potholder story for today.

Socks are finished

 
Don't know why it took me so long just to kitchener the toe of the last one. I think it's been a couple of weeks, if not longer since I've finished them. Guess I had tooooo many iron's in the fire and just kept putting it off. So (last night)Christmas night after all the storm was over I set down in front of my computer and looked up knittinghelp.com and watched the viedo one more time and kitchenered the toe. And Wala, they are a finished!!!!! Whoopee!!!!! Since it's around 1:27 in the afternoon, I'll put these on tomorrow and wear them. Can't wait to wear my first pair of hand knitted socks. Everyone talks about how wonderful they are to wear. Don't know if your suppose to wash them first or not. Maybe I'll hand wash them and let them dry overnight. Anyway I'm proud of myself for finishing them. I've got two other pairs on the needles. So off I got to knit. I've not had much time for that as of lately. 

My girl's sweater almost finished

 
Other than having to weave two ends in and find the buttons, it's finished. I had some in mind, but alas I did not get them while my LYS had them in and they are gone. Just my luck. So I've got to go look around tomorrow to find some really cute buttons to go on it. But this really shows the color better. It's a size 2. Pattern is from Skacel Collection called "Salsa" Children's Cardigan. And the yarn is Crystal Palace yarn called "Labrador", color# 9583. As soon as I get it finished and the hat made I'll take a photo of her in it and post. I've got some purple (to match the purple in the sweater)yarn to make the hat out of and I'm making the butterfly out of orange. Should be tooooooo cute on her! She loves her hats. 

Merry Christmas from my house to yours

New sweater and hat in the works for my girl

Well I'm in the process of knitting my girl a sweater. I'm close to being finished with the one sleeve, then just have to pickup stitches on the other side and do it. I've got the buttons somewhere here to put on it. Now to find them. LOL>>>>>This does not show the color of the yarn very well, but it's really cute. It's Crystal Palace yarn in Labrador. In orange, lavender, green, blue. I bought some cotton yarn to make the hat you see in the photo as well. Bought lavender to match the same color in the sweater and orange ( same as sweater) to do the butterfly!!!! My gurl loves her hats. I think this will be too cute on her. Can't wait to get it done and see her in it!

Rudolph Shirt

 
Well I said I can not sew and as you can see, it's true. Don't look too close!! ROFL. After seeing shirts a friend was making for her little girl, my daughter decided we could do it for my GD. After seeing some we had made, my SIL in OR, ask us to make one for her GD. Must not be to bad. Hehehehe. This shirt is for my SIL's ( Carol's) little granddaughter & will leave for Oregon tomorrow. I'll be doing two more tomorrow~ 1 for Maribeth's ( my other SIL) GD & of course one for mine!!! My daughter buys the shirts and material, ribbons, etc. I draw the figure's, she cuts them out & iron's them on & then I zig-zag them on. Sew on ribbon for a tie in back. WaaLa! Not too hard. Just something fun and different and not expensive at all! I'll try to post photo's of the other two tomorrow. Hope you like it! 

Hot Sock Swap from Courtney W.

 
Well I just had to post the photo of my Hot Sock Swap from Courtney from OK. She was my orginal partner for the swap. I added the other two from out of the US. All I have to say is WOW: Look at everything I got. It's Christmas!!!!!! I kind of feel bad, as I did not give her near as much! I got Sock shaped point protectors, Knit Picks double pointed needles ( Size 3), the cutest knitted sweater key chain from lantern Moom, a needle inventory book, the cutest little lamb. And it only gets better. Extra Delicious White Hot Choc w/ marshmallos and peppermint sticks to stir with. Cocoa Chocolate Chip scones mix. And talk about patterns. ( 5) of them. A cabled bag pattern, Fingerless Gloves pattern,Ribs on the side sock pattern, Pure and simple beginners socks, and the neatess Basic socks mini book. LOL. All sizes * variety of gauges and styles w/ tips for a successful project. Not to mention the Knitting 2007 calenar. So I have another 365 days of patterns. Whoopee!!!! Now to get to the next part. My yarn. Two skeins of Regia Jacquard color. Love it!!!!!! Two skeins of Regia Mini Ringel Color, and my very first skein of Lisa Souza in Electra!!!!!!!!!!! Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming. I love this color. It's me all over. Thank you so much Courtney. Your the best partner ever!!!! Who ever gets you next time will be the winner as well. 

Here's my girls again!!!!!!!

Second photo of pkg. from Germany.

I do not know why I have so much trouble getting photos to line up on my post. Oh well. Just a little better photo of the sleeve the pkg. was in. Not that nayone cares. ROFL

Pkg. from Tina in Germany

I just received a pkg from Tina Schlenker in Germany. I wish I could Thank her for the Pudding she sent. I can't wait to try it out. She had sent me a email about four weeks ago, when our little buddy had has passed away and I was having such a hard time, asking for my address. She stated she just wanted to a little something for me. You have really belssed me, Tina, if by nothing else , just the thought. Since she emailed me,I have changed email server's from Outlook Express to Incredimail. And in the process I lost some of the emials I was saving with some addresses, information, etc. on them. It did not transfer all of them. And upon re-checking the Outlook Express, it deleted, what it did not transfer. So I'm sorry Tina, if your reading this, that I could not email you privately. You can see by the photo, that your pkg. went thru some rough stuff. The Post office had to re-package it in a plastic sleeve to get it on to me! But the inside pkg. was in tact and I'm going to make the purdding. Just think Pudding from Germany!!!!! Thank you again so much, and gosh I hope you read this!!!!!!! Your kindness was greatly appreciated!

PS> I had a DUH moment. I did look at the back of the envelope and found Tina's address in Germany, so I will write her a thank you note!!!!!

My girl in her hat!!!!

 
Well it's still a little big for her, but she had to wear it to Mimi's house this morning. I knitted her hat to match the sweater she has on. My daughter had bought the sweater at a Arts & Craft Fair we have every year. Supposedly Indians made the sweater and she wanted a hat to match. So I picked this one and added the chicken like on the front of her sweater. I made this before she was even born. Guess her little head needs to feel out a little. 

Works in progress

I've got three different socks on the needles at the moment. I'm knitting the mate to my very first sock. I think it's called the "Basic Vanilla Sock". I was told to get the second sock cast on fast, as I might be tempted to not finish the set. So you can see I'm coming along slowly on it. But i am doing it!! Can't wait to get a pair finished , so I care wear them. The second sock is a test pattern for Jeanne Townsend on the T Sock Knit A Long Yahoo Group. It's her own design and when she ask for test knitters, I ask her if I could try. Seeing how I had only just started knitting socks. Her response was "try????". LOL. She was very sweet to let me be one of her test knitters. I'm really liking this pattern. And the third sock I have just cast on. It's the Iris Garden Sock. I love the sock!!! Kind of scary, as I've never read a chart when knitting. But I think I can do it! And the socks are lovely. In fact I've already got more yarn lined up to do another one of the iris Garden socks, I like them so much. Well just wanted to post to let you know what I'm up to at the moment.

Hot Sock Swap from Sweden

Whoopee!!!! I'm jumping for joy here!!! I tell you ~ partners from outside the US are wonderful. ( And so are the ones from inside). LOL. I had three partners for the Hot Sock Swap, one in Oklahoma, one in Denmark and one in Sweden. This one is from Sweden. I struck gold!!!! Pure gold!! First Gevalia Cappuccino ~ 8 pkgs. I love Gevalia!!!!!!!!!!!! I instantly started drooling!!! How did you know Klara??? Then on top of that she sent roving, beads ( which the pkg. broke and they were all inside the bag. Look at the sticky part of the big evelope. But I saved them and put them in a plastic bag.) And a instruction pamplet on how to make jewely with the roving and beads. I've wanted to know how to do this for a long time! I can't wait to get started on this!!!! The wonderful sock yarn called Flotte Socke. Hope you can see the color! Double click on the photo to make it bigger. The pattern includes two sock patterns, both equally lovely. Can't wait to do these. Some lovely stitch markers. I'll have to hide these from my sister, as they are her favorite color. Don't know if she made them herself or not. I'll have to ask. And last but not least a Christmas Moose all the way from Stockholm, Sweden, to paint and decorate!!!!!!! He's tooooo cute. I'm going to do him like the photo of him. Thank you Klara. I'll be your partner anythime. 

November kit for the Whenever Yahoo Group

 
Well I got in my kit for the slipper. I'm a member of a group called the Whenever group. You get the kits and make the socks "whenever" you get around to it. This time I'll be knitting with roving, instead of yarn. A first for me. But a good experience, none the less. I just loved the looks of the slippers. It's a Nancy Wild design. And I guess you could say I'm just wild about the design. Sorry, could not help myself. But it's gonig to have to wait as I have three different sets of socks going on needles at the moment. One of them is a test pattern for Jeanie Townsend of the Townsend Sock Knit A Long Yahoo Group. If you take a look at my yahoo groups I belong to ( and I might have left off a few) over on the right hand side, you will soon see why I'm behind on my knitting. I come home to a couple of hundred emails every day. And then at night there's more. But I hate to stop on anyof them as I know several people on each group. Or at least feel like I do. More later. 

Hot Sock Swap from Denmark

 
Well I just got my Hot Sock Swap from Kirsten in Denmark. I was so excited!!!!! Three skeins of yarn. I love them all, especially the varigated ones. I think I'm going to knit the Iris Garden Socks out of them. Two sock patterns, stitchmarkers, dpn's size 2.5, (2) christmas ornatments, santa chocolate and cocoa. Those will be gone as of this evening. LOL>>> Three brochures which I will read while eating my chocolate and drinking my cocoa. HAHAHA! Red flowers, with the prettiest napkins and candles for a romantic evening or for Christmas. And the napkins have fancy folding instructions for several different styles on the back. How cool is that. Thank you so much Kirsten. This swap was so much fun. This is a fun sock yahoo group. it's Townsend Sock Knit A Long Yahoo Group. you can find the site over on the left, in Yahoo Groups I belong to. Come join us. 

A gift for a friend

 
There is a very special friend who also lost her fur baby ~ that this purse is for. She has helped my hubby and I many, many, many hours on the computers. Correcting mistakes we've made, teaching us shortcuts, and doing artwork for us as well. I'm talking a LOT of hours!!!!! Days and maybe even weeks of hours. Could be a month's worth. When she lost her fur baby, ours was still alive. It's taken me a long time to do this. I got the purse knitted and felted and then Skeeter started needing a lot of attention and this purse got laid to the side. Then after he passed away, it was hard to pick this up and start needle felting "Misty". I was partial to Misty, even thou she was Elaine's (my friend's)dog. Ever time we went to visit for quite some time, she would not have anything to do with me, until I started bribeing her with treats. She was a very intellegent and beautiful dog. I'm afraid I could not do her justice!! She was truly the most beautiful poodle I've ever seen. And she was a Momma's dog. She loved her Momma!! So to thank my precious friend ( the only way I knew how), I decided to do this bag for her. (She's not asked for one thing in return for all her hard work. ) I'm taking it to her tonight, with the hopes that she loves it. It was certainly made out of love not only for her, but for her beloved "Misty" as well. It's made out of Cacade Patasza. Single stranded and the pattern if from Two Old Bags. I love the pattern and will do it again. It was the first time I had done short rows in knitting. It has a wooden button for closure ( pattern included a loop) and two leather handles. 

Iris Garden Sock yarn

 
Ok I finally went out and got some yarn to start the Iris Garden Socks. I had plenty of beautiful sock yarn thanks to a friend that blessed me with it. ( Thanks sis)!!! One I liked for this paticular sock, but could not find any contrasting color I thought would go with it. So I found some at my LYS today and bought it and the needles to start it. I promised Ang.W that I would at least get cast on tonight. They look awfully hard, but I'm going to give it a shot as I love these socks. They are on a yahoo group I belong to "Six Sock Knitalong". Go there and check it out: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Six_Sox_Knitalong/ 

Our baby is running free in heaven

Our beloved Skeeter ( our dog of 16 yrs and 3mo.) passed away sometime between 7:00pm Sat. night and 7:00am Sun. morning. We had taken him to the vet again Friday morning ( he had just been there last Fri and Fri. night the week before, on IV's) and he wanted to keep him to put him on IV's, yet again. He kept him thru Friday night. Sat morning, he was a little better, however he wanted to keep him a while longer and see how he was. He said he would be checking on him around 7:00pm that night. So my hubby and I were at the vet's office at 7:00pm hoping to take our baby home with us. Only to find out that Dr. Allen wanted to keep him longer. He ate for the first time since Thur. So we got to go in and see him just for a few minutes. It would be the last time we got to see our baby alive. Dr. Allen had said he would call before church around 7:00am to let us know how he was doing, and when we could pick him up. When he called around 7;15 it was to advise us he was gone. He had been bleeding in his intestines. We will miss him greatly!!!!!!!!! It's very lonely here without him, although he had been sick for some time. It's really hard right now, so if your reading this , please be praying for us. I know I will see him again when we meet in heaven one of these days. And he's no longer in any pain. Good bye our little buddy.
PS. Our daughter ( who loves animals as much as her mom) made our little buddy a headstone. We have a area that has different shrubs, etc and that's where we layed Skeeter to rest. Thought I would take a photo of it as well. It says "Skeeter AKA Buddy, 1990 to 2006. It's been rainy yesterday and today. And that's how I feel right now.

Finished

 
Well I just finished the sock. The color is off on this photo, so I might delete it later, and try another photo of it. The first photo is true to color. But it's late and I'm tired. I'm casting on for another sock. A test pattern for a lady, but I'll be casting the mate to this one as well. Gotta get busy on the test one thou. Our little furry baby is back at the vets as of this morning and back on IV's. He'll be spending the night again and hopefully we can pick him back up tomorrow. I hate leaving him like that, although I'm sure they have him knocked out. He was so weak, again from not wanting to eat or drink. We've tried everyway we know, from treats to force feeding. Nothing is working for very long. We just keep hoping and praying!!!!!! Will update you later. 

Felted black purse

 
Well it's felted and dry. No grommets, handles or button yet. I'm going to needle felt on it first, then add the grommets and find a handle for it. Not sure what kind of handle I want for it. I've thought about a silver chain, however I don't know how comfortable that would be to carry it. So I think the best thing to do would be to finish the needle felting and then take a look at it again. Does not look like the photo thou. Don't know what happened there. And it turned out really hairy. ROFL. I use Pataza. I think that's how you spell it. Might have to come back and edit this. It's made by Cascasde and felt's a lot thicker using one strand. I'll post photos of the needle felting, maybe in progress.. 

Black Bag b4 felting

 
Well I finally finished knitting the black bag. Now just gotta go felt it and then do the needle felting, the grommets and then decide on the handle. Just a few minor details. ROFL Seriously can't wait to do the needle felting and show ya'll how it turned out. Can't tell you what it is, in case she checks my blog. But you'll get to see it soon!!! I'll post felted photos thou before I start the needle felting. 

Update on socks

 
Well I am finally getting around to posting the photos of my socks knitted up to the little toe. I've been rather busy as our little dog has been seriously sick. He's been to the Emergency Vet Clinic overnight and then to our vet's for the day. They both had him on IV's. Said he was dehydrated. With what he has, he does not know where he is or who we are right now, much less being able to find his food and water. And when we lead him to it, sometime he still does not know what to do with it and other times, he eats and drinks like he's starving. Our vet (which I have gone to since I was a teen and I'm now 56 yrs. old.) says he has Cognitive Dysfuntion which is the same as Alzeheimer in humans. Also his heart is not pumping enough blood to the brain. So we went home with three meds. So we watch and wait.

Getting back to the sock. I've not had a whole lot of time to work on anything. Just got thru knitting the purse that will be given as a gift, when I'm thru with it. I'll post photos of it in a minute, unfelted. I'm loving the socks. They are much easier that I thought. I've got a good size stash of sock yarn, thanks to my friend / sis Chappy. So I'm anxious to start another pair already and I have not even gotten the second sock to this pair started. I'm liking the colorway better since I've gotten this much done. They will look cute with jeans. I can't believe I finally got up the nerve to start them. There again a lot of the credit goes to Chappy and those on my sock groups. 

The Pumkin Patch

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Chappy, Shela & Me

 
That's my sister Shela wearing the soft yellow ~ Chappy in the middle wearing the blue and me (Mimi or Deb)in the black on the right.
I finally got to meet my on line friend Chappy!!! She came to Arkansas in Sept. with her husband John to spend some time fishing and knitting. Last time she was here, we tried to get together , but it never worked out. But this time, bingo. We had such fun!!!! We arranged to meet at a certain spot, around a 3 hr. drive for her and John and around 1-1/2 to 2 hrs. for my sister Shela and I. We met in town ( Heber Springs, AR.) and then drove about 5 min. to my sisters house boat to set and knit and visit. The weather was absolutly beautiful, with a little breeze blowing. I think we were the only ones on the dock, seeing it was a weekday. We chatted the whole time. It is a very fond memory I have and I'm so glad that John took this photo of us. I intend to print it off and frame it and put it right beside my computer. We intend to get together again the next time she comes this way and hopefully many more times. And who knows, maybe this time John will bring his boat and fish while we knit. We had the best time!!!!!!!!! It was so wonderful to put a face on the person that has become my friend on the net. She has helped me in more ways than I can count. I admire her knitting and needle felting. It was she that influenced me to start needle felting. I know I can ask her for any kind of knitting help and she'll be right there. I now call her my sis. My sister and I now have another sister. Thanks Chappy!!!!! Can't wait till next time. 

Heels done

 
I'm so excited. I've finally got the heel done and crusing on now. I'll post photos a little further along. This is too much fun. Someone asked me what yarn this was. It's called "On Line". One of the sock yarns my LYS carries.  

Socks are ready to start the heel

 
I'm so excited!! So far this is much easier that I thought. Of course, now things could get complicated. Don't know since this is my first pair of socks ever. I'm loving it thou. I'm ready to start the heel. I'll post progress as I go. If anyone out there is thinking of knitting socks, but kind of afraid, go for it!!!! I was afraid too and had even cast them on the needle, but kept putting it off. I'm having so much fun. After this pair, I'm going for a harder pair. LOL 

New purse on the needles

 
Well I've got a new purse on the needles. And as you can see it's in black. My favorite color, especially as far as bags go. This one is a surprise for a friend. I'll be doing needle felting on it. I'll post a photo before I get ready to felt it and then after. However I'll not post a photo with the needle felted object on it, until I have given it to this friend. She has no idea it's coming her way. But she does check the blog from time to time. The pattern is by "Two Old Bags". It's the "Oval Bottom Handbag". I've got the sides done ~ up to the short rows. I'm doing the short rows on one side now. Then just have to do the other short rows on the other side. I love the way the bag looks on the pattern. Lets hope this one turns out as well. Very classy looking bag. The yarn I'm using is Cascade Pastaza. Compared to Cascade 220, it felts a lot thicker. My LYS had made a swatch with the cascade 220 doubled and the Pastaza side by side and it was such a difference. Don't think I'm going back to the 220. I've ordered enough Pastaza to do another bag that I will be needle felting a Macaw on. Can't wait to get the yarn in for that one. Progress on one of my other bags: If you look at the bottom of my blog you'll see a hot pink Lucy bag. I'm slowly adding some rows on that. It's just so boring going around in circles. And I've bought another pattern that I'll be ordering yarn for as well, as soon as I make up my mind which colors I want to use. Take a look: http://feltedhandbagworkshop.blogspot.com/ . Scroll down and look for the Trellis Tote and Flap Bag. It's the purple, pink and orange flap bag. Don't know if I'll be doing those colors or not. Love the bag!!!!!! PS. Someone asked about using one strand of yarn on the bag. Yes with Pastaza you only use one strand as compared to two strands with 220. And it's still twice as thick using just one strand.  

My first pair of socks on the needle

 
While I do not like the color of the yarn, I am still having fun learning how to knit socks. As you can see I've not gotten far with them. I think I was just scared to start. I went to knittinghelp.com and watched a video showing you how to work with the two circular needles instead of the small three and four sock needles. I really am having fun. Progressing a little slow, but I'm getting there. I would like to thank a yahoo friend for helping me. Colleen P. She has encouraged me and is going to walk me thru it, when I get a little further along. Thank you Colleen. Like I said, I'm not crazy about the colors, but my LYS did not have any of my colors as far as sock yarn goes. Oh well. It's good experience. Maybe it will be a gift to someone. Who knows. I post progress after I get to the heel. 

Sweet thing

 
This is my Son-in-Love's and my favorite of all her birthday photos. I agree with my SIL. It looks as if she's seen God and He's looking down at her. I'd like to carry this everywhere I go just to look at it. Think I've got to order another one of this. 

Sweet thing in her birthday dress

 
This of course is my "JOY". She's wearing her birthday dress, Mimi bought her for this special occasion. Isn't she lovely??? 

Another one of sweet thing

  

Sweet thing ~ 1 yr. old

  

Four generations of women

 
This is a recent photo of my mother, my self ( Mimi), my daughter and my granddaughter. I wanted to have it done for a lot of reasons. I think my mom is still a beautiful woman, even at 78. And of course I think my daughter is beautiful!!! And what can I say about that granddaughter. She's the light of my life! This was taken a couple of days after sweet things 1st. birthday. 

My granddaughter ~ 1 year old

Taken all names off my blog!!!!!

I have been advised to take all names off my blog for safety sake. My granddaughters, daughters, and son-in-law's and any others that I had put on here. With this sick world out there and such great access to blogs, etc. I think it would better to do it this way. Most of you will know who I am and the name of my love ones. But I felt it better to do this. God bless each and every one of you and Ps. 91 covers us all.

Changed the Name of My Blog

I had another person contact me to let me know that I had the same name of her blog. She wondered if I would consider changing the name of mine. She had , had her blog going since Jan. 2005 and mine was started June 2006. She was concerned that there may be problems later on with blogger, etc. So after a little thought I decided to change it to For Me & Mimi. My blog is about my granddaughter and myself. My daughter had given me a scrapbook at Christmas thats says' "Mimi & Me". My husband thinks I should give my bags with the needle felting a name, in case I wanted to sell them. He came up with "For Me". This bag's For Me. Get it???? Lol. I kind of liked it, so there it is!!!!! A combination of Mimi & Me and For Me and Mimi. My bags will a piece of my precious little granddaughter in them. Only we will know it. Everyone that might be interested in one of "For Me" will think it's for me ( them). I've named my Toucan Bag "Toucy'". So if it sells, someone will be able to say: "Toucy For Me". ROFL.
The address will stay the same, as it is not the same URL as hers.

Toucan Bag ~ Materials used

I've been asked by more than one person, what pattern I used and so forth. So I thought I would post it here. I went to : http://www.kraemeryarns.com/patterns/pdfs/romanticruffles.pdf . That link should take you right to the purse. I have to tell you, my sister knitted and felted this purse first and it was way shorter than what I wanted. So I just started knitting and I think I tripled the length of what it called for. I used doubled Knit Picks "Wool of the Andes" yarn, which by the way I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And on the ruffle, I knitted a couple of rows more and added Knit Picks "Butterfly Kisses" doubled in with the yarn. Hope this helps. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment with your email addy.

They moved my Purse!

Well they have moved my purse off of the Home Page of Creative Corner Yahoo Site. BooHoo!!!!!!!!! Well it was nice for a short time!!!! I really can't complain because it took a place of honor, even if it was for a short time. And it was a wonderful woman, who's necklace, she designed and made, that won first place in a contest that took my Toucans' place. She deserves it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for having it on your site. And I mean that!!!!!! They are a great bunch of ladies. All of them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SON-IN-LOVE!!!!!

Sunday the 27th of Aug. is my Son-In-Love's 30th birthday!!!! So Happy Birthday to you!!! He checks my blog fairly often. Now what kind of son-in-love does that?? Only the best!!!!!!!!! And I get a birthday present. I get to keep my granddaughter and give her her bath and put her to bed. Any time I get to spend with her is a gift to me!!!!! Once again Happy Birthday to the Most Wonderful Son-In-Love on the face of this earth.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My grandaughter's Walking !!!!

For those of you who do not know, this is my granddaughter. She is the joy of my life!!!!! She's the one this blog is really about. She started out with just a few steps ( of course) and then went to 10 really fast. I took a whole roll of film and only a few turned out good. Oh well. That's my car keys she has in her mouth. She has 8 teeth now and looks like she cutting more. She constantly wants to chew on something and loves my keychain. And as you can see she's toy poor. NOT!!! But my kids ( my daughter and son-in-love) are thrifty. She hits the garage sells. She tries really hard to make their salaries go as far as it can. And my son-in-love works hard too, besides his regular job, he does side jobs, like helping my nephew on the weekends landscaping. ( Just started that). I'll put up a small slide show of her walking and a close up of her.

Homepage of Creative Korner Yahoo Group

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Homepage of Creative Korner Yahoo Group has featured my Red Ruffle Toucan Bag as their homepage photo. You can see it at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CreativeKorner/ . They are the sweetest bunch of ladies. Thank you ladies. Thank you Galene!!!! I think I'm walking on water here, only ya'll can't see it. It's such a privledge!!!!!!!! WoooooooHoooooooo!

Finished Toucan Purse

Well I tore all the other out. Took off the yellow chest and the green beak and the green around the eye. I was just not satified with what I had done. Even thou the photo was showing those colors. So I googled again and came up with another Toucan with a different color scheme. I like this one better. I still have some tweaking to do however. But for the most part I'm thru. I think I might add a leaf or maybe a nut in his beak. Just a thought. I had no idea there was that many varities of Toucan's. I'm liking this one much better. Thank you ~ everyone for all your help in voting. I'll have to try the other two on different colored bags. The Cockatoo and the Macaw. Needle felting is so much fun and it's another addictive hobby. Oh by the way ~ guess what my Daughter and Son-in-love and Son gave me for my birthday. A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO MY LOCAL YARN MART!!!!!!!!!!! WooHoooooooo. How well do they know their mom??? LOL
Well it's after midnight and I'm thru for tonight. 

Toucan Bag

Well I started with the Cockatoo, since it had the most votes. But did not like how it was needle felting on the dark red. So I pulled that out. Took a vote at the LYS> The Toucan had it. I've worked two hours all total and am just half way happy with what I see. When I took a picture of it, I can see all kinds of things that are wrong!!!! The orange in the bill is too dark. Gotta lighten that. The bill / beak is too thick, gotta skinny that up. Gotta lot more work to do on it, besides finishing the end of the beak. Just a little updateing. Hopefully I'll finish it this weekend.

OK ~ Which one?????

OK~~~~~~~ Which one?????? The toucan on the right would be needle felted larger than the photo. About the size of the mac aw. Don't forget you can click on the photo itself to enlarge it, to see it better. The blue macaw is about the size I would do. The cockatoos are to the left ~ if I did him, I would only do the one to the right of the photo. Time to vote. I need your input. Which one do you think would go better.

Handles and ribbon for purse

Well you know I said I did not want to felt a handle for this purse. Soooooo I went to Hobby Lobby today and was looking at purse handles. This one jumped out at me. ( So to speak). Then I remembered some ribbon I had at home. Perfect. I can attach the handle to the inside of the bag with this ribbon. The top of the bag reminds me of feathers, so that's where I came up with needle felting a bird on it. Don't know if I'm going to be able to offer this one on ebay or not. LOL>>> I'm seriously thinking of doing the head shot of the toucan, because he has a lot of black on him. Green around his eye and some on his beak. Then brunt red / rust on the end of his beak. I think he'll do better than the cobalt blue macaw. But then maybe the cockatoo with the yellow head feathers would look good. 

Red Bag Felted

Well I finished knitting and felting my red bag. It's drying in this photo. I'll go get a handle for it tomorrow. I just did not want to do a felted handle. This photo does not do it justice. Here I go again. It's the photographer. LOL>>>>> I'm looking at needle felting either a Blue Macaw or a white cockatoo or a toucan. I love birds, although I do not have, nor have I ever had a bird. Just love them!!!! What do ya'll think???? The Macaw is electric blue or cobalt blue with a white face. And of course everyone knows what a cockatoo and a toucan looks like. I haven't made up my mind yet. I've got photos of each and will more than likely needle felt it Thur. when my sister and I go to the Knit shop. So I'll post photos when I get thru with it. This one might go on ebay for sale. That's what my husband would like. And you can only carry so many purses. But oh boy, how I hate to part with any of the items I make. Then I'll be on to another project (a purse, with needle felting) which I can not say what the needle felting will be, as it's for a special friend. It's going to be a surprise for her. Boy I hope she likes it. Not many people appreciate all the hard work that goes into these babies, unless your into hand crafts yourself. 

Stitch marker Exchange

My first stitch marker exchange was with Andi ~ the moderator and I believe the orginator of the Yahoo Group Monthly Dishcloth, of which I am a member there as well!!! She was my exchange partner. I got the best end of the deal. She sent me a bag big enough to hold a small knitting project, ( like a dishcloth). A cute magnetic message pad, which I can always use!!! A postcard of Ocean City, Maryland, which she stated she would like be at knitting and I have to say I also would love to be there. Never been to Maryland before. A simmering wax~ mandarin Sage, which smells wonderful. My daughter would love this one!!! And my stitch markers. They are dragonflies!!! Turqouise Blue and light brown. Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Andi!!!!!!! She got the short end of the deal!!! I had other things to mail with her markers that I had made her and was mailing three different exchanges at one time and all she got was the markers. Think I might have to make this up to her. I had things to add to all of them and only she did not get them. Rats. Oh well I think I'll have to rectify this in the morning. 

Lighthouse Dishcloth KAL

Just completed the mystery KAL for the 1st. of Aug. for Monthly Dishcloth Yahoo Group. It turned out to be a lighthouse. Don't know if you can see it good in this photo or not. Think I'll save this one as a gift for Christmas and I know just who it will go to. I've got some other ones to do as well that will go with this theme. A sealion, seahorse and Starfish. The mystery person lives by the ocean. Hope they will enjoy it. I've got it blocking for now. Can't wait till the middle of Aug. to another mystery KAL for another dishcloth. Usually that one is a design in the cloth and not a object. This give you something to do that's fast and easy while your doing a big project. And they give you 10 rows a day to do. 

Purse touched up

I went back and touched up the top of his neck and back, which I was not happy with. I think he looks better now. He was too thick thru there. Like I said I left some of the eyebrow,whiskers and chest hair long and loose like his. I placed the photo that I did him from to the right. I'm not very good at photo taking, so this is about as good / clear as it gets. Hope it's clear enough for you to see. I've already had several people ask about doing them one. In fact I took it over to my daughters this morning to show her and she wants me to do one with her dog ( my granddog) on it. Her husband (Drew) called while I was over there taking care of Lake and told me how much he liked it. He watches my blog. I told you he was a wonderful son-in-law. How many son-in-laws would check your blog to see what your doing. Of course his baby girl is on here too. He also said don't show it to his wife or she would want one. I had to laugh and tell him, I already had and she had already said she wanted one. They've only been married 5 yrs., but I'd say he knows her pretty good.

Finished my Bag

Well today I needle felted my dog's photo on my bag. You can find his photo down further in my blog. It's the one that I did this off of. How did I do????? This is my first attempt at doing this and I did it free handed. I went to my LYS to have some peace and quiet to try and do this and to have some help if I needed it. Only things was the only lady that does it, was not there today. Just my luck. She'll be there tomorrow. Oh well, I just plunged right in. Be honest with me, you will not hurt my fellings. Well maybe you will. Be gentle. LOL> Like I said when I was bloging about him, he's 16 years old now and has been a treasure to my husband and I. Actually he is really my husbands dog, he just tolerates me. So don't know why I would dedicate a place on my purse to him. Really I do!!!!! He is a vital part of our family. He's the second schnauzer we have had. The one before him was 10-1/2 yrs. old when he got Liver Cancer and we lost him. It tears a whole in your heart. Enough said about that. You can tell I'm a real animal lover, particularly Schnauzers.

My Son-in-Love and my granddaughter

This is a photo of my son- in-love ( not law). I often say and will continue to say, he is the best son-in-law a person could have. He loves my daughter and granddaughter very, very much. He's a daddy that gets down in the floor and plays with his daughter. He can be silly for her and she just loves it!!!! It's one of the few times she does a real belly laugh. He takes care of her when mommy needs some time at the gym in the afternoons. He takes her swimming and is teaching her how to swim. He's a wonderful daddy!!!!! He helps my daughter with the cooking and I could go on & on. Now, before you start your head going and thinking, Oh boy, I'm not sayng he's perfect, neither am I or anyone else for that matter. He's still gets my vote for #1. I saw this photo at my daughter's today while I was keeping my grandgirl. It's from the 4th of July weekend. He, my daughter and granddaughter had been at the lake with his family all weekend. Looks like he got a little sunburn. But I wanted everyone to see where my grandaughter gets those big beautiful eyes at. She looks good in that color, does she not. Here goes the Mimi in me. LOL 

Next round of Stitch markers made

Well I just finished 6 more sets. Click on the photo to enlarge. I've got two more sets on the table working on them. One of them is for my partner for the stitch marker exchange, so I will not be posting photos of it when I'm finished, till I'm sure she has received them first.  

Dreadlock Bag finished

Well it's felted, however still a little damp. And I'm wondering where in the heck I'm going to needle felt Skeeter's photo at. I quess where the yarn swings to the right and there's a hole. (Bottom Photo) LOL> I do love all the dreadlocks though. Call me strange. Now I have to figure out what kind of handle I want. It turned out shorter than what I wanted and wider than I wanted. Oh well, live and learn. You can't see the dark grey underneath. Oh well, when I do it again, I'll know to add a lot more rows and maybe make it shorter width wise. Gotta go revise my pattern now, before I forget.

Prefelted Dreadlock Bag

Well I finally finished knitting my bag. It's getting ready to go into the washer in a hot bath. You can tell how big it is by looking at the tin of gum on the purse. The white fringe on top will actually become matted like dreadlocks. I've seen this done on a bag in our group called "The Bob Marley" bag. It's a beautiful bag. I wanted something just a little wider and a little larger, so I could needle felt the photo of my dog onto the purse. It's the photo that you see on this blog. Well see how it goes. It will be my first attempt to needle felt. I'll have to call on a email buddie, Chappy to help I'm sure. She has some wonderful purses with needle felting, you can look at her photos at: http://community.webshots.com/user/chappywoman. However I don't believe she's posted all her latest additions. Beautiful work, and I especially love the needle felting. I ran out of black yarn to do the handle, so I'll be going to the LYS tomorrow to pick up a skein. I'll post a photo of the felted bag, before the needle felting hopefully tomorrow.

Two more sets of Stitch markers

Ok, I have made two more sets of stitch markers made. On the left is a pink and green one that seems to me to be very dainty and femine. Which I am not! It would be idea for someone that has those qualites or maybe even a young knitter. As with all my other stitch markers, these also will fit up to a size 11 knitting needle. Then on the top is my copper and brown's. I really like this one!!!!! It would be idea for anyone that happens to love animals or animal stuff. Like me!!!! LOL> I think it's toooooo cute. Excuse for me bragging, I'm just so excited about doing these. I've wanted to for so long. And can't believe there coming together for me. My creative juices are flowing. Just hoping there flowing in a good direction. ROFL>>>>> There a lot of fun, but they are work as well. OK, back to the drawing board!

The fifth set

Another set tonight. This is acutally a little off white bead on each end, with a shell added after that and then ( I guess), it's a stone in the center. You need to click on it to see the detail well!!! Kind of interesting. Good neutral color

Fourth set finished

Here's another one. Did two tonight. I've gotta improve in a lot of areas. One being the twist at the top that attaches to the "O" Ring. Can't seem to get those really smooth. This is "Just Silver". I'm thinking of naming my stitch markers. I started with twisting the wire to make the circle at the bottom, added a small silver bead, larger middle section, then another silver bead and closed it off. For the longer one, I've added three black beads to tell it apart. That being used to mark a specific place, like the beginning of a row.

3rd. Set of Stitch markers made

Just finished my 3rd set of stitch markers tonight. Click on it it enlarge. Silverbeads w/ blue glass beads and paua shells. I've made one stitch marker longer than the others, in case for ex.: you need to mark the beginning of a row and then use the others to mark differences in the pattern. On this one I've added a dolphin, instead of the shell. Once again, the photo does not do this one justice. I think it's my favorite of all I've made

2nd. set of Stitch Markers finished

I just finished my 2nd. set of markers and posted them to the exchange site. Don't know yet when we're going to start the exchange, however I don't know that I'll use any of the one's I've posted so far. I would like for my partner to have a surprise when she gets her stitch markers. I'm off to Hobby Lobby tomorrow for more stones. I still have plenty left, however H.L. is having a sell. 50% off their stones. LOL> I want to have plenty of variety to chose from. Got several ideas in mind. Well it's late, so I'm off for the night. 

My first stitch markers

I just made my first set of stitch markers. They are in various shades of green. For some reason I can not get a good photo. Operators problem again! LOL> Double click on it to take a closer look. Not bad, I guess for the first set. On to the next. 

Mid July KAL for Monthly Dishcloths

Well I finally finished it last night. Monthly Dishcloths ( a yahoo group) had a Knit-A-Long. The finished product was a surprise. You had to pick some yarn - any color- and then everyday, they would give you so many rows to knit. I got a little behind, what with keeping my "Lake" and then coming home to over 100 email to go thru. Whew!!!! That's from all the yahoo groups I belong too and then some personal ones as well. So I just finished my KAL. But I love the finished product!!!! I'll do this one again, although I feel like this one is too pretty to use. LOL. I picked a yellow and white varigated cotton thread. Don't know why, but I like it!!! I love this pattern. It's a mock cable. I only had to frog two rows and that's from watching TV and not paying attention during the hardest row. The one with so many changes. Oh well, off to work on my purse. I've just changed colors to the dark gray.

Knitting Charms from Maile

I've joined a new Yahoo Group that teaches you how to make stitch markers. We will be exchanging on this group as well. I just went out today and bought some tools, round nose pliers, some wire, beads, jump rings, etc. to start my path down this road. I love to do things with my hands!!!!! And this is something that I've been wanting to do. When I saw Maile post on another group, I immediately went over and signed up. I'm so excited to have someone like her teaching / helping me. I'll have more info. up later on the side bar about this group and her blog site. I received a puffy ( a large envelope) with some charms in it to help me get started. I think to really get us excited and I AM>!!!!!!!!!! You will see 2 sheep, 2 balls of thread with knitting needles and 2, I love knitting. I had asked her about these particular chams earlier and guess what, that's waht I got. I love it. Thanks, Maile. I'm looking forward to this adventure with you and the rest of the girls.
FOR THOSE OF YOUR INTERESTED IN JOINING US ~ LOOK AT THE SIDE BAR UNDER YAHOO GROUPS I BELONG TO ~ "STUFF KNITTERS WANT AND GOTTA HAVE" AND CLICK ON THAT.

My First Scarf Exchange

This is my very first scarf exhcange. In case some of your are wondering. On one of the yahoo groups I'm a member of, you can sign up for different exchanges. I signed up for the dishcloth and scarf exchange. Newbies ( like me) can only sign up for two, until they prove they will make what they've signed up for and get it sent by a certain date. My partner for this exchange was Joye Summers from Gleason, TN. Didn't she do a fantastic job!!! She designed the scarf herself. I'm impressed!!!!! I don't know if you can see the colors well, however you can click on the photo and it will enlarge for you. It's kind of sherbet colored. It's two different yarns. One is a ribbon, called Ibiza and the other is Maxime, which looks like two yarns/ thread put together. Lots of fringe on it, which is totally me. LOL> She also wrote down the pattern for the scarf for me and sent the yarn that was left, so if I want to I can make my granddaughter something with it. She also sent my little "Lake" a peach and silver bracelet. I will tell her it's from Joye, however she's 10-1/2 months and will not know what I'm talking about. LOL. She also sent a pattern for the cutest hat to make for Lake. You'll see it at the top right corner of the photo. And a calendar photo album for 2007. You know who's photos will be in there. And last, but certainly not least she sent me my very first stitch markers in the cutest little silk satchel. Their green stones of various kinds. It's one of my daughters favorite colors, so I will have to watch them carefully. Just kidding, she does not have time to knit right now with "Lake" and teaching college part time. But she'll love the colors. Thank you so much Joye. I will enjoy everything you sent. I hope to be your partner again real soon!

My First Dishcloth Exchange

My very first dishcloth exchange was with Cindi Scruggs from KC, MO. Didn't she do a beautiful job!!!!! Look at the colors. I love them. She sent me a note that said she had a small ball of leftover yarn that she really liked and decided to make me the angel. She can make anything she wants for me with any leftovers she has! I've got the angel hanging in my kitchen. It's really too pretty to use. It looks like Ice Cream Sherbet. The colors in the round one are equally as pretty. I mean look at them!!!! I love them both. Plus she sent me three tea bags. I love hot tea!!!!! Two of the bags I have never tried before, so this be will an interesting experiment. Thank you Cindi for being my dishcloth exchange partner. I love them! I hope we will be partners again someday! 

Another purse in the works

This is another purse I'm working on. It's a mixture of two different purse patterns. It starts with a black bottom working in black up the side till I run out, then I'll add on the dark gray till it runs out, then light grey. After I complete all the knitting in the round, I'll add the off white in strings for fringe on the top . Then felt. After felting, I plan to needle felt a photo of my Schnauzer. The one's that on a previous post here. Take a look at the photo. I'm planning on doing him from the neck up. Since he's a salt & pepper I think it will look good needle felted on the colors I've chosen. I'm working on this while I'm doing the dishcloth. I have not forgotten I've still have a hot pink purse from a previous post that I've not finished. It gets really boring just going in circles. So I have to have several things going at one time. I think that's why I'm enjoying the dishcloths, because I finish them so fast. I'll post some more as I go along. 

Mid July Dishcloth in the works

This is the beginning of a mid July dishcloth pattern from a group called "Monthly Dishcloth Yahoo Group" of which ( of course) I'm a member of. The pattern is a secret when you start. Of course you have the opetions to participate or not. They give you the type of yarn, not color and daily instructions. 10 rows every day. It's exciting to see the pattern come together. I'm loving this one and will do it again. It almost looks like a cable. Click on the photo to enlarge. 

Bee Hive Dishcloth

Just finished my Bee Hive ( skep) Dishcloth. It really turned out well!! I don't seem to be able to capture these very well with my camera. Don't know if the light is not any good or it's the operator. LOL. More than likely the operator. I'm thinking this will be a Christmas gift, or maybe another Dishcloth Exchange???? The pattern comes from Leisure Arts, "Garden Dishcloths to Knit" by: Melissa Bergland Burnham. She has some wonderful patterns in her book and they are very well written from the one that I have made so far and the one's that I have gone over with full intentions of making. She has a wonderful Frog, really cute, a Hummingbird & Trumpet Vine, the Bee Skep, Sunflower, Rose, Topiary with heart, Butterfly, Michigan Cherries, Ladybug ( one of my personal favorites), Tulip, Cardinal, and a Birdhouse. Plus I like the fact that in the back of the book, she has written down the name of the colors she used. I might add she did a wonderful job of the color selection as well. At least that's the opinion of this humble knitter. http://home.earthlink.net/~oscarsdotter/id2.html. Go take a look!!! I think you will love them, if you like Dishcloths at all. I've posted two views of the dishcloth, hoping you can see it. You can also click on the photo and it will enlarge it to get a better look.

Dragonfly Washcloth

This is the dishcloth that I had orginally intended to use as a dishcloth exchange. However it came out really large and open and you could not tell the details. So I made another one ( the bobble sheep) and mailed it off. But now that I have washed and dryed it, it shrunk and you can tell the details! Sorry the camera does not show it very well!!!! I first saw this pattern on : MesmerEyed Knitting Page. I have the link on the side of my blog on : "Sites I like to Visit". I fell in love with hers and she gave me the info to get the pattern from the lady that created it. Oops, Looks like I need to snip the end that's now hanging down after the washing and drying. I'm doing another one now that has a bee hive on it. I'm thinking about doing several different ones to give as little Christmas gifts to friends.

My knitted items made for my granddaughter to be!!! LOL

Sheep Dishcloth

Not a very good photo, however this is a sheep dishcloth for a Dishcloth exchange I'm doing.
I hope Cindi likes it. I tried to do a dragon fly for it and it turned out really bad. Went to a smaller needle and decided to do this bobble sheep. Kind of hard to tell what it is thou. I think next time I will do the face and legs in black or brown, so you call really see them. I think after I have used up the white on something really plain / simple, I'll get some color yarn for anything that has a design to it. Oh well off it goes to it's new owner.
PS. Just got a email from it's new owner(Cindi ) and she loves it. She says she will NOT be using it on dishes thou. LOL. I'm so glad she liked it. Now I'm off to start a scarf for a scarf exchange I'm in. To Knit, to Knit , I go!!!! ROFL

Mimi & Me ~ 4th of July

Other side of Noni

I decided to do a smaller chrysanthemum on the other side and do it in light pink. Kind of wished I had gone ahead and done the bigger one. I do like the color though. I'm seriously thinking about making a bigger one in the light pink and adding it to the right of this one. What do you think??? I think I need something for the bottom to give it support, but have no idea since it's a round bag. Any ideas, please post in the comment section. Even though I did line it, I don't think it's enough support. it looks like the lines are leaning, but they are not. I think it's the bottom sagging in the middle. I will definetely carry this bag and enjoy every moment of it.

Noni Finished

Well, It's finished!!!!!! Felted the last two flowers last night and as soon as they were dry, I started putting them on the purse. I really like this purse. Now to go find several pink things to wear, so I can carry it!!! LOL> It's a little longer than I thought it would be . Pre-felted size was 30" long by 30" circumferance and the ends were 9". Felted size is 16" long by 16" circumference and the ends are 7-1/2". I tack down some of the petals, not all. All in all, I think it turned out well. I did notice that Nora ( the creator of the pattern) had her's stitched around the top. Not sure what that was for. I also noticed that the Cascade 220 felted different in different colors. Really odd. The top edges on each side was really rough & uneven, not sure why, although I think it was the way I was switching from color to color. So I might try to do the adding of different colors during the knitting process a little different next time.

My Girl

I can not let my granddaughter be out done by any bags or my baby boy ( dog)!!! Isn't she the cutest things you've every seen? She's modeling one of her swimming pool hats for Mimi. I'll be posting more of her in her different hats later. Gosh I love this girl!!!!!! Look at those two teeth. She now has 4. She'll be 10 months old July 1st. Mimi's girl!!!!! I also have a granddog. Can't forget her. She's a little jealous. Her name is Evie and my daughter adopted her form a group that rescue's abandoned dogs. She's spoiled too like mine.

Skeeter ~ Our baby of 16yrs.

Just had to show another photo of one of our family, our Schnauzer. Sounds funny calling him a schnauzer. We've always told everyone to spell DOG around him, because he has no idea he is one. He'll be 16 yrs. old next week, the first week of July. You sure get attached to them, especially in 16 years!!!!! He's got a little arthritis now in his back hips and cataracts on both eyes, but he's still our little boy!!!! Speaking of Arthritis, If you have Arthritis or know someone who does, I have a link over to the side on "Sites I Visit." If you would like more info on it or have questions or would like to donate, please visit that site. It might help to understand that disease a little better. 

Noni lined and almost there

A little better view from the side with the handles and the inside with pockets. Gotta have pockets for all the necessaries. Lipstick, etc. Can't wait till I get the flowers done. As one email buddy said, her's looked like tarantulas. LOL. I'll post again, going to work on the flowers.

Noni lined ~ handles added

Well I don't sew very good at all, BUT here it is. I finished the lining , with pockets, and got it sewn in the bag. I put a magnetic button, since the bag was so long to make sure it stay closed. Attached the handles and am now working on the first of three flowers to add. Well as you can see I'm at the computer. LOL. Will post some more of the inside along with this one. 

MY TWO GIRLS!!!!!!!

Just could not resist posting a photo of my two girls. They are both my joy and the loves of my life. My daughter and her daughter. They are both so beautiful and what joy they bring to my life!!!!!!! Look at those big baby blues on my baby girl. She looks like her daddy!!!! And what a joy he is to me as well. He is with a doubt the best son-in-love ( not law) a woman could have. He loves my daughter and his daughter so much. He can make my granddaughter laugh just being around him. She loves her daddy and mommy. I love this photo taken by his mom!!! Thanks for sharing Bebe!!! I'm Mimi and she's Bebe. She's in France right now. She's a French teacher and taking some kind of classes over there. She sent a post card to my daughter and my son-in-love. Oh the view, it was beautiful! Take some more good photos over the fourth of July and be sure and share, Bebe. Have a safe trip home. Mimi

Material and handles for NONI

This is the material I've picked out to line my baquette with. It's the only thing I could find that even half way went. It has little, little pink polk-a-dot's as well. And the handles of course are similiar to those on the pattern. Now to get to knitting the flowers. I'm going to my chair now and begin. Tomorrow will be busy, other two grandchildren's birthday party, as well as Mon. I'm keeping my grandaughter. I'll get back on it Mon evening. LOL 

Noni Baquette After felting ~ Still drying

Well it's finally about finished. I just got thru felting it and it's drying as I type. Now to start on the flowers!!!!! As soon as it's dry, I intend to line it and then add the bamboo handles, flowers, & magnets to help it stay closed. The lining I bought was off white, with pink and green polk-a-dots. I think that will be cute!!!! Was not real happy with the top of it. If you look at the photo, there's an indention in several spots that I had to take back in and re-stuff it right. It seems a little uneven and I think I followed the instructions right. LOL. Maybe I did not felt it right. It had felting tips included in the pattern. However I elected not to sew it shut at the opening. All the stripes lined up correct after felting and that's something. LOLA. Ask my LYS to take a look at the patterm to make sure I was doing the addition of colors right as I knitted it. They thought I was, however I now find out after reading a comment on the Noni Felted Blog site, http://nonikal.blogspot.com/ that I was not doing the cast off right. I had made a trip just for that purpose to my LYS to make sure I was. And guess what. NO!!! LOL. Finished measurements are 16-3/4" long by 17-1/2" circumferance. End circles are 7-1/2". Still it will be a pretty bag!!!! Can't wait till I get thru with this one. It will have to wait a couple of days as I will be really busy until Mon. afternoon. Shucks as they say in Arkansas.

Lucy Bag

Well I'm about half way thru my Lucy Bag. Pattern is from "Two Old Bags". It's hot pink with a pink and green ladder yarn knit thru here and there. Don't know how that's going to felt. Then I plan on adding the Popcorn Yarn ( double stranded) about the last 8-10". But I laid it aside to work on my NONI. Just pick it up when I need a break. I'm going to love this one as well thou. Will post more later. 

Noni Bag ~ Three Sassy, Skinny, Tube Baquettes

I love this bag. I'm thru with the body of the bag itself except binding off. Don't understand the directions. I guess I'm going to have to take it to my LYS for help. I made it in the orginal colors. Bright pink, natural pink, green and cream. When I know I like the size of it, I intend to make another one. This time the colors will be Black, Dark Grey, Light Gray and Cream. The Spider Crysanthemum Flower for that one will be Cream. I'll stick to the orginal ones on this one, with the exception of one light pink cry. I bought the bamboo handles like the pattern shows at Hobby Lobby. Very reasonable. Finished size B4 felting is: 30" long by 30" circumference and the circle on the end is 9".

Black Feather Pin ~ Yarn Fringe ~ My own creation

Another one of my pins that I created!!!! Black feathers (of course) and with black, white and rust colored yarns. Added color contrasting feathers to the center of this one. Once again I'm telling you, my sister and I love things that are different!!!!! Can you tell??? LOL I hope you enjoy seeing them. I really enjoy wearing them. I've thought about selling them, but have no idea of what to ask. Any Ideas from any of you?????? Don't ask ~ I'm not giving this idea away! But you could more than likely figure it out!

Olive Green Feather pin w/ yarn fringe

This is a pin that I made for my jacket. My own creation. This particular one is Olive green feathers, with a purple medal hand in the middle of the feathers. Don't know if you can see that or not. Then picked up the olive green in the yarn with some purple yarn and mingled with other colors. A good way to use up your stash!!!! It's fun to do and if you looked at my earlier posting you will see that I like different stuff, like the Gypsy purse. Like the black feather pin, only different. Each one I make is a one of a kind. No two alike. Still thinking about selling them. Don't have any ideas of how to advertise or what to ask????? Who knows, maybe I'll make a small fortune. LOL
No pattern. I just create!!

My B4 Bags

Two B4 bags I've knitted. Here is the site where you can go and see several variations, plus description of the bag as well as order from the lady that created it, Trish: http://bloominknitiot.blogspot.com/. I love this bag!! The instructions are well written and should you have any problem understanding any of it, all you have to do is email her and she will be glad to help you with it. When you order from her, she uploads the pattern direct to you, so you have it in a matter of minutes. I love the internet!!!! The 1st. bag I made which is to the right of this, is made from a yarn called 127 Print. Came out a little fuzzy and the slight color variation did not really show up too good. I made the handles a little longer than the pattern called for. Used metals buttons and added a little key at the top. The second bag I made ( the one at the top of this article) is made from Noro Kuryeon, doubled stranded, still a little fuzzy. Made the handles according to directions. Bought two different buttons, choose the lighter ones, now wish I had chose the really odd ones. There goes the gypsy again. LOL. Still getting use to this blog thing. Afraid I posted my photos a little odd. Not too sure on how to do a lot of things on blogs. However I will definetly make another one of Trish's bags. Thank you Trish for this pattern!!!!

Buttonhole Bag

Buttonhole bag made with Cascade 220. Bottom is before felting and of course top is felted. Novelty yarn did not felt to good!!! Looked a little worn out. But still the bag is really cute with jeans.

Gypsy Bag

This is a photo of a purse I've named "Gypsy". My sister and I tease about being part Gypsy because we like things that are different or unusal. Stuff with splash!!!!! Guess it's the Indian in us really, instead of the gypsy. Our eight great grandmother was Pocahantas. Our Aunt Evelyn wanted to join a group called "Daughters of the American Revolution" and to do that had to prove her heritage. They have to go to great length to prove it and then it has to be certified, is my understanding. It was in doing their ( Aunt Evelyn and our grandfather) research that they found out about our great grandmother. Plus our great grandmother ( both grandmothers are on our Fathers side) was half Indian. I love my heritage!!!! My Aunt passed away before they could welcome her in. To get back to the purse, I found what I used to top the purse with first and designed the purse around it. It is by far my favorite purse. It gets a lot of attention. LOL.

A journey of my granddaughter forward

My very first felted bag

First felted purse I ever made. Love it!!!! Black Cascade 220, again doubled!!!! With a bright copper metallic and black fringe added in on top. I tend to wear a lot of black, so you more than likely in the days ahead will see more black. I intend to knit / felt a black bag coming up next with a cream dreadlock fringe ( it's a pattern that one of the ladies on one of my favorite felted bag site's created) on top and needle felt my Schnauzer on it. "Skeeter" named after Skeeter Bass Boats. Can you tell my husband named him??? LOL. He will be 16 years old the first week of July. He's our baby, since our kids are married and have children of theie own. As I make each bag, I will name the creator / owner of the pattern. This is a Fiber Trend bag and I just changed up the handles. The pattern is AC44 Party Purse at http://www.fibertrends.com Hope you like it!

Two more of the felted baskets / purses made for a friends two granddaughters. Blue is Cascasde 220 and the Red is New Zealand Wool Pak. You can see the size as compared to a coaster. Lots of fun to make and knits really fast. Makes greats gifts. My sister (Shela) made three for a baby shower for triplets. One boy, two girls. Made a med. blue for the boy and one light pink and one bright pink for the two girls. Filled them with pacifers, diaper rash cream, etc. They were a hit!!

This is the felted purse / basket my grandaughter is holding. It's made out of Casecade 220, with Fizz ~ Stardust novelty yarn, both double stranded with an I-cord handle. Could be used as a basket or purse.

My granddaughter "Lake", holding a purse / basket her "Mimi" knitted / felted for her. She sure puts a smile on my face and lights up my whole day!!! What a joy grandkids can be!!!! You'll be seeing & hearing more of her I'm sure. She's almost 10 months old and pulling up on things and trying to run. You read that right, RUN!!! And when she smiles, everthing in the whole world is made right with her "Mimi". Needless to say you can see I'm crazy about her!!!!!! Both my girls actually. My daughter and grandaughter!!!!!!!!! I don't get to see much of my son and daughter-in-law and their two children. So I lavish all my attention and love of this one! Gosh she's cute!!! Enough of that. I'll be off to the lake in just a moment, so I'll be posting some of my felted purses when I get back. I'll try to get a few done before I leave. Hope you enjoy reading my everyday journal.