Tag: books

Knitting

WIPW 3/13/13, A Bump in the Olivia Petit Road and Library Whimsies

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ON THE NEEDLES

I have a couple of things, as usual, in the process of knitting up, frogging or time out.  The first one up today went through all three stages yesterday, the Lolita vest.  Here’s what went down – Rewind to Monday evening.  Happily knitting, patting myself on the back for doing such a good job of staying on Task Lolita, even when the new yarn on the block, Knitpicks Comfy Sport in Honeydew, was calling me out to get acquainted and get started on the   sweater(s) I had planned for it.  Final pat on the back and then to bed.  On inspection of my progress yesterday morning, I noticed that somehow I’d gotten a few, surely not more than three or so, stitches off in the pattern and now part of the openwork was wonky and didn’t match up with the previous openwork.   Tinked back to correct, fixed – still not right, tinked back and tried again – still didn’t suit me, tinked back one more time, reknit and finally produced something I can live with.  Since it’s knitted side to side, at the moment it’s just a wad of knitted fabric, but the spring sunshine was too great to pass up this morning and I took a pic anyway.

I’ve hit a pothole in the road on the sweet Olivia Petit sweater and haven’t been able to figure out what’s going on.  I cast on, did the set up row for the neck and raglan increase, so far so good, worked the next increase row and that’s where the wheels came off.  Too many stitches when I went to count.  OK, operator error, frogged and started again.  Same thing, too many stitches.  Must have misread pattern.  Frogged and started again after going over the pattern with a fine toothed comb, counting and recounting, reading and rereading.  Still screwed, went to bed.  I’m knitting the smallest size, so I’m thinking maybe going up one pattern size will work.  Please.  Will frog one last time and start again.  If no go this time, I’m swallowing my pride, taking it to Yarn Mart and letting them figure it out.  Frustration overload.

BY THE BOOK

I finished an absolutely, positively wonderful book yesterday, I started it Monday and couldn’t stop listening until it was finished, An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11 Year Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny, by Laura Schroff.  Goosebumps though the whole thing!  Incredible heartache, incredible joy, incredible book!

AT THE LIBRARY

I’m a huge library fan and not just for the books; it’s a favorite place for me to sit, knit and people watch for an hour or so whenever I can and I’m always excited to check out the collections on display.  This week was a particular treat, with a collection of pottery.  Surprisingly, my iPhone pictures through the glass turned out really well.  I’m disappointed that there was no artist or artists mentioned but that didn’t cut the cool.

Library exhibits 3-11-13

Library exhibits 3-11-13
Library exhibits 3-11-13
Library exhibits 3-11-13

Library exhibits 3-11-13

Love the paper pumps but Birthday Cake Grandma is my all time favorite.  I’m crazy for her skull purse!

Don’t forget to head to Tami Amis for more WIPW stuff!

To study and not think is a waste.  To think and not study is dangerous.  Confucius

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Knitting

Tiny Dancer, Pacy Covet and New Project Excitement

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IF YOU’VE MISSED OUT

on seeing a naked two and a half year old ballerina stopping mid pirouette to potty, you’ve truly missed out on the highest form of funny cuteness. That’s right friends, the Papoose is in the midst of potty training and I think it might have clicked yesterday. Then, just when our giggles were starting to slow, she ran into the bathroom to flush – her potty chair is in the den, getting us going all over again. Thanks to the wonders of the digital age, it’s all on video. If you’re wondering why her potty’s in the den, you need to know that potty training at this stage is more about timing and convenience and less about location. What’s true in real estate, location, location, location ain’t necessarily so in potty training.

BY THE BOOK

Way way invested in Robert Massie‘s biography, Catherine the Great. I’m just right at her arranged marriage to 17 year old Peter of Holstein. I’ve mentioned my fascination with the Russian imperial family before and finished Nicholas and Alexandra a little bit ago. Loved it and am loving CTG just as much.

BUSTING TO BE

on the needles is Olivia Petit, a sweater I blogged about in How Come.  I got the yarn ordered this morning (13 skeins) and am anxious to see it in person and start gauging.  After a little more thought over the past few days, I think I’m going to scale back my grand plans just a little and just go for a Easter sweater for the Sprout, I’ve not knitted anything for this poor babe.  I guess that comes from being #3 in the grandbaby line up, so I’m giving her first dibs.  Check my blog post How Come? to see the project picture.  It’s the cutest thing!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON

the much coveted monkey pacifier that the Sprout got as a baby gift.  It is really, really cute, a pacifier with a soft, floppy monkey (think Beanie Baby) attached, making it easy for little hands to hang on to.  Well, let me tell you, this monkey pacy is much admired and coveted within the Coleman/Vaughan circle of grands and is fair game if it gets dropped or somehow laid aside and forgotten.  See what I mean?

From the Sprout

To Babydiva

and finally

Back to the Sprout via Babydaddy

A word to the wise – if you come across one of these pacies, buy multiples!

You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.  Mary Morrissey

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Knitting

Inevitable

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THE GRANDS

As of yesterday, all three grands have the sniffles and little fevers.  The Papoose and the Sprout came to visit on Friday so, of course, Babydiva and her mommy joined us for lunch and a nice, long afternoon of play.  The Papoose had a little runny nose, but that was all.  None of us is particularly germ conscious; there were perhaps more sneezes than usual, but everyone felt well and like I said, played nice.  I did catch Babydiva and Papoose swapping paccies back and forth, but that’s pretty par for the course with a two year old and an 11 month old, it’s going to happen, no big deal.  Now all three grands have the sniffles and sneezes, along with me and Mr. Iknead.  I, for one, caught a couple of sneezes full in the face but that’s the price you sometimes pay for two year old kisses and hugs.  Totally, totally worth it.  The Papoose did progress to croup and wheezing and got a tour of the Stuttgart ER Friday evening, but after a breathing treatment and some cough syrup, went home and resumed normal two year old activities.

BY THE BOOK

I started The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society yesterday and am totally enthralled.  The setting is Guernsey (duh), a channel island off the coast of England, during World War II.  The letters sent back and forth between these friends are sometimes funny, sometimes poignant and always interesting.  Remember when you actually had to compose a letter, stamp it and take it to the post office to send it?  Remember the anticipation of getting a letter in return and then doing it all over again?  I still love getting and reading real letters, on paper, with pen and ink.  The mailbox is so much more exciting than my inbox, I think.

ON THE NEEDLES

I finally got the Metalico yarn sorted out and rewound.  With encouragement from vocalizard, I decided to salvage it and keep using it for my project and I have to admit, it looks a lot better than I thought it would; maybe a little fuzzy in spots, but that’s about it.  Here’s a look at the one of the fuzzy spots.  I don’t think it’s too terribly noticeable, do you?

I’m dying to start a new pair of socks with the lost then found Parakeet yarn but just can’t seem to settle on one pattern.  The yarn here is the star, not really the pattern, so I want it to be fairly straightforward, so the yarn can shine on its own, but fancy enough to catch the attention of admirers.  Does this make any sense?  I’m always in search of the perfect pattern for the perfect yarn for the perfect sock.  Must be a knitter thing.  Suggestions?

Question:  When’s the last time you sent a real pen and ink letter?  Mine was to an aunt a few weeks ago, along with some old photos I found and thought she’d enjoy.

Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.  Mae West

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 10/31/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

New shawl started, the pattern is Adamas, using Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk in a soft gray.  Very pretty.  Pretty Maids is officially finished, blocked and waiting for a nice day for a picture.  I’m very pleased with it, especially since it’s really my first all lace project.  It blocked really well and turned out way better than I expected.  My patience with blocking anything is pretty limited anyway and with the Papoose helping me, I wasn’t sure what the result was going to be.  I’ll have it up for FO Friday for sure.  In the meantime, here’s Adamas –

BY THE BOOK

Still working on the Six Wives of Henry the Eighth, up to Catherine Parr.  It amazes me how the monarchy works.  I know it’s different now, I mean, what’s it been 500 or so years since Henry the Eighth, but even now, what would it be like to have the power and responsibility of a royal?  Would having your every wish fulfilled get tiresome after a while?  Probably so, but I’d love to try and see what it’s like!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The Cancer Registry’s newest employee:

 

For more WIP Wednesday projects, head on over to Tami Ami’s WIPW blog.  Enjoy!

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won.  There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they may seem invincible, but in the end they always fall, always.  Gandhi

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Knitting

What’s up

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COMING UP

Three months ago or so I had to have a tooth pulled and tomorrow morning I’m scheduled to have the first stage of a dental implant to take its place. I’ll be glad to get the ball rolling on this, even though where my tooth was isn’t noticeable, I hate having that empty space. It hurts when I forget not to chew on that side (how does anyone who is toothless and without dentures eat anything??) and just feels odd.

THE GRANDS

51F1BEB1-9474-41A2-ABE9-A2C7612CFC48.JPG

Babydiva

The Papoose

Babysis

Our precious babies! The Papoose is coming for an overnight tomorrow and Saturday and I have a Susannah grocery list going, with her fave foods. I am trying to keep the junk food to a minimum but I confess, I love it as much as she does, so along with stuff like yogurt, Cheerios and fruit, there’s instant mac and cheese, Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream and chocolate milk. Can’t wait!

BY THE BOOK

I’m very much immersed in

    The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth

      . Anne Boleyn has just been executed and he’s married Catherine Howard (I think). I love the intrigue.

      One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say. Will Durant

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 10/24/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

I’m on the downhill side of Pretty Maids, I think I have about ten rows left to complete, bearing in mind, though, that these are long, long rows, approximately 350 stitches and increasing by two stitches each row.  I’m enjoying this second go round so much more than the first, I’m sure it’s because I’m not having to constantly check the pattern and the symbol guide.  It’s not flying off the needles by any stretch of the imagination, but it is moving faster this time.

BY THE BOOK

I finished Opium Fiend yesterday during my daily treadmill and have moved on to The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth by Alison Weir.  Very interesting, up to Anne Boleyn at the moment.  I’m finishing my books much slower than I’m adding them and they’re beginning to pile up, but I can’t resist a new book.  I keep telling myself that I’ll get caught up in December and January, when I’ve retired and the weather is too cold and nasty to be anywhere but inside by the fire. 

VIOLET

Lately I’ve become obsessed with everything violet and I’m blaming it all on getting my tat, which is a violet ball of yarn and knitting needles.  So last weekend, when I was prowling Goodwill, looking for odd and ends to craft with, I saw these and pounced –

They don’t match anything in my house – yet.  Is it over the top to paint a room around the color of a couple of candlesticks from Goodwill instead of the other way around?  It could totally happen.  My research tells me that people who are drawn to the color violet are usually nuclear physicists or performance artists.  That’s me in a nutshell.  OK, maybe not the physicist part, but performance artist?  Absolutely and I have embarrassing pictures to prove it.

THE GRANDS

The Papoose wants Babysis to sleep in her bed with her.  Bigmommy sent me this yesterday.

Susannah and Annabelle

Is this not the sweetest thing?

 No man is rich enough to buy back his past.  Oscar Wilde (see above paragraph)

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Knitting

Well that sucks take 2

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AS AN ASIDE

I seem to be having challenges in other areas, not just the 9 to 5 socks.  So, I hit publish instead of scrolling down.

ON THE NEEDLES, TAKE TWO

Where was I?  I frogged the whole sock and recast on, intent on this being the last time.  This is what I have so far-

Nine to Five Socks Take Two

BY THE BOOK

I’ve been sort of in a rut as far as my reading is concerned, I’ve just not found anything that really piques my interest, but I am getting ready to start The 36 Hour Day, a recommended read from a friend.  This book deals with dementia, my mother is in a nursing home suffering with this; the past couple of months or so, she’s had a more rapid decline.  My friend has gone through the same thing, she said it’s a really easy, informative read, so it’s gone to the top of my reading list.

COMING UP

Yesterday was my daughter’s 32nd birthday and they are coming to Little Rock today to officially celebrate.  As usual, I can’t wait to see the Papoose.  Today is dinner out at her fav restaurant, tomorrow is swimming and a cookout with friends.  So, Mr. Iknead is taking the afternoon off from work and we will spend a fun couple of days with all our chicks back in the nest.  Love having them an hour away instead of three.

Life is good.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.  William Butler Yeats

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Knitting

Hot Hot Hot

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AT THE MOMENT

Need I say more?  It’s not as hot as yesterday according to iPhone weather, but let’s get real, shall we, anytime you get over 100 degrees, the actual temperature is irrelevant.  iPhone says 104.  Whatever.  All I know is that I’m not getting out again today, even though I’ve spent most of the afternoon working on my grocery list.  I just can’t brave the asphalt parking lot this afternoon.  Most of the afternoon has been taken up by alternately knitting and surfing Pinterest.

BY THE BOOK

As usual, I have several books I’m trying to read, two audiobooks, two Nook books and two paper books.  They run the gamut, a couple of novels, a memoir and a book of essays on knitting.  I do this at buffets too, a case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach.  I’m particularly in love with Inconceivable, by Carolyn Savage, the memoir.  A synopsis can be found in all the usual places (I apologize for not knowing how to put in a link, that’s on my list to learn this weekend).  I started out with it being my “on the treadmill” book but very quickly decided that it’s my “read every free moment” book.  It’s a definite repeater.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’ve started the seventh of eight triangles on Wingspan, I’m anxious to get it finished.  It’s supposed to take only one skein, I hope that’s right, since I only bought one skein when I decided to knit it.  If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just finish up with a different yarn and call it a “design feature”.  I’ve done it before.  ; )

JOSIE THE PUG

I love this picture, with her sweet face.  She brings much joy!

Tell me and I’ll forget.  Show me and I may not remember.  Involve me and I’ll understand.  Native American proverb

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Knitting

The one where I try to catch up.

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Once again I’ve gotten behind on posting but I admit that it’s not anywhere near the top of my to-do list.  What with work, knitting, exercising, reading and most important, a new grandbaby who should appear in the next couple of weeks, it has just not been a priority, but I’m making time for it today.

On the reading front, I started a new book yesterday evening that I’ve fallen in love with only 68 pages in – In the Sanctuary of Outcasts, authored by Neil White.  I do most of my actual reading walking on the treadmill (thank you Santa for the Nook), and yesterday, I had a hard time stopping because I was so into my book.  I’m not going to put in any spoilers, but it’s set in a Louisiana leper colony/prison.  Tweaks the imagination, doesn’t it?

Eighty percent of success is just showing up.  Woody Allen

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Uncategorized

The one where I finished

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one of the best books I’ve listened to in a long time:  Dark Places, byGillian Flynn.  It kept me guessing until the very end.  I’m totally addicted to audiobooks, it goes along with my issues of always multi-tasking, but as much as I love them, sometimes I want to feel the weight of a book in my hands and smell the paper and ink.  I’ll probably always be a little old school for books, always on the lookout for odds and ends, my current favorite bookstore is Dickson Street Used Books in Fayetteville.  Can’t make a trip to the ‘ville without dropping by Dickson Street at least once.

I’ve had a challenge the past few weeks keeping up with my blog resolution.  Suffice it to say that that particular goal has fallen by the wayside.  Now I’m happy if I can get one entry posted every few days.  I’ve been running to and from my parents’ house, a three hour drive away, trying to tie up loose ends and just being there for my folks, making sure they’re (somewhat) OK.  All that, coupled with no internet access down in the wilds of southwest Arkansas, has my blogging on the back burner.  Sigh…..

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.  John A. Shedd (1859-1928)

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Knitting

The one where the first

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day at work after being under the weather goes smoothly.  I was three days behind but have managed to catch up without too much trouble.  Without jinxing myself, I think the Brittany Jumper has been beaten into submission (finally) and the eyelet  border is behind me.  Now, 6 1/2 inches of st st before the bodice.

I finished The Uncoupling today.  Very interesting book, a takeoff on Lysistrata.  Without spoiling it, the play is about ancient women who get tired of the men’s warring and go on a sex strike until peace is restored.  Like I said, very interesting.  The author is Meg Wolitzer.  Good read.

Here’s some stitch detail on Brittany.  Looks great if I do say so myself.

This is the eyelet picot pattern that nearly drove me batty last week.  I think putting the whole project into time out did the trick.

Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.  H.G. Wells (1866-1946)

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Uncategorized

The one where she decides

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to catch her blog up on her current reading/listening material since books are something I wanted to include in my blog.  At this moment, I have four books going, two actual paper books, one audiobook and one Nookbook.  The two book books (I can’t think of anything more precise than that) are “Madness, A Bipolar Life” by Marya Hornbacher and the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text.  Just noticed how odd these books seem when put together.  The third is an audiobook, “The Stand” by Stephen King and I’ve actually lost count of the number of times I’ve read/listened to it, and last is “The Girl in the Green Sweater: A Life in Holocaust’s Shadow” by Krystyna Chiger and Daniel Paisner.  I know that book titles are supposed to be underlined but I can’t figure out how to do it.  If someone stumbles upon this post and can clue me in, I’d appreciate it.

It’s now 9:49 p.m.  I’m so glad I got started on today’s post this afternoon because I’ve had computer challenges this evening.  My computer and I definitely have a love/hate relationship.  Let’s hear it for thinking ahead!!

Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.  John Updike (1932-    )

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