Tag: Frontier Dreams

Knitting

Whatcha Workin’ On? #9, Booklove 1/21/15, myPod

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ON MY NEEDLES

Nothing current, but I plan to change that very soon, like within the next hour or so.  Yep, you heard it first from me, Tulips are finished, but you’ll have to tune in again on Friday to see the finished product.  Mark your calendar.  📅😉

SAY IT AIN’T SO

My close to constant companion for the past several years (besides Mr. iknead), my trusty 160 gig iPod Classic fell ill the end of last week.  😱😭💔  It hasn’t been diagnosed as terminal – yet.  Both Mr. iknead and I tried about a 1000 times over the next two days to resuscitate it with no success and I finally gave up and took it to You Break I Fix on Sunday afternoon for a diagnosis.  I’m not handling it well.  Seriously.  I wish I was kidding.  Here’s why it’s been traumatic:  Apple discontinued the 160 gig Classic in 2009; this means that to fit all my data, I’ll need to buy five new iPods.  That’s what I said, FIVE new iPods to house the 2000 or so songs and a couple hundred audiobooks.  The guy at the repair shop seemed to think it could be fixed, I hope he’s right.

BOOKLOVE

I’m excited about starting My Antonia.  I’m really kind of surprised I’ve never read it before.  Once again, my library rocks!

I’m linking with Yarn Along and Frontier Dreams today.

If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.  Andy Rooney

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Knitting

Whatcha Workin’ On Wednesday #8, Booklove, You Just Keep Me Hanging On

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ON MY NEEDLES

The second Tulip is ready for the heel and so am I.  I have raging sock envy, seeing so many amazing sock projects other knitters are working on. This happens on every project, the bright “new” wears off whatever I’m working on and my head is turned by other, “shinier” yarns and patterns.  The only thing keeping me from having an untold number of unfinished second socks is my obsession with finishing whatever I start, which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending upon which side of the obsessive fence you happen to stand on.  

Tulips

Red Bird Knits

Candyskein Yarn Acai Berry

PAGES

So many books!  Here’s what I’m reading:

I’ll Drink to That by Betty Halbreich

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Kentz

The Alienist by Caleb Carr

Genius on the Edge By Gerald Imber

I don’t know if I’ll finish all of these, I’m as easily distracted by new books as I am by new knitting.  

THE BUG

Whatever respiratory bug that’s been bugging me is hopefully on its way out, with the cough hanging on.  I’m just glad to be feeling better.  Babydiva has had the same bug at the same time, glad she’s on the mend too.

I’m linking with Ginny’s Yarn Along and Frontier Dreams today, don’t forget to visit! 

Never mistake motion for action.  Ernest Hemingway

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Knitting

Whatcha Workin’ On? Wednesday 12/31/14

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ON MY NEEDLES

Red Bird Knits Tulips, after some cat vs. sock in progress drama, but, it’s coming right along.

BOOKLOVE

The Alienist, by Caleb Carr, a library book that I’m enjoying enough to renew.  There hasn’t been much reading going on the last week or so. Hopefully this will change for the better this week.  I miss reading, but I do have to sleep sometimes!  📚💤

MORE MIXED MEDIA

I started this yesterday.

So far, acrylic paint, stencils, stamps and hand drawn and colored flower.

I’m linking with Yarn Along, Frontier Dreams and Gracey’s Goodies today.

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.  Kahlil Gibran


Happy New Year!

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Knitting

Whatcha Workin’ On? Wednesday #4, Booklove, Zero to 120

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ON MY NEEDLES

Just in case you missed it yesterday, here it is again: Christmas knitting is complete and with the new crazy beautiful yarn Ms. Postalcarrier delivered Monday, I’m loaded for bear.   I briefly flirted with the idea of starting three new pairs of socks since I was having a hard time choosing which to knit first, but had a moment of clarity, shuffled the yarn, closed my eyes and grabbed.  OK, ok, part of this is a fib… the reason I only started one pair is because I only had one circular needle that met the size and length the pattern called for.  I know!!!!  It’s hard to believe that   there isn’t at least one more sock needle stashed in the drawers and assorted project bags in (and it’s always in caps) The Yarn Room.  Well, that particularly nasty situation will be remedied by the end of today, I can promise you that.  Anyway, here’s what I’m working on now.

Tulips

Red Bird Knits

Candyskein Yummy Series, Acai Berry

BOOKLOVE

The Night Circus – if you haven’t read it yet and you like a little mystery/suspense/fantasy on your pages, you’ll love it, I bet.  It’s a little twisted (like me) and I had a hard time putting it down.

 

ZERO TO WARP SPEED

Life with a two year old – The Elf and Babydiva

9:00 a.m.

 

9:02 a.m.

I’m linking with Ginny’s Yarn Along and Frontier Dreams today.  Visit and prepare to be inspired!

Man invented language to satisy his deep need to complain.  Lily Tomlin


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Whatcha Workin’ On Wednesday Participants

1. Sarah

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Knitting

Whatcha Workin’ On? Wednesday #3, Booklove 12/10/14, Two Weeks left

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ON MY NEEDLES

Christmas knitting continues, but slowly.  Next year, I’m starting holiday knitting in January! My  rule of one knitted gift per year will stand, I’m just trying to minimize the stress of “down to the wire” knitting.  We’ll see how it goes.  Once again, my WIP is this:

 

BOOKLOVE

I’m immersed in Ann Hood’s An Italian Wife, which I’m enjoying very much and have The Night Circus at the head of the queue when Wife is finished.  After that, who knows???

JUST TWO MORE!

I can hardly believe that the 2014 Documented Life Art Journal has just two more weeks, two more prompts and bang, 2014 shuffles off stage and the brand spanking new 2015 project will take its place.  Know what I’m most proud of?  I stuck with it, even with only the vaguest idea of what an art journal is, and learned more than I ever thought possible.  The most amazing thing I learned?  I’m an artist and I love art!  This is a huge take away for me, who has always had problems with “staying in the lines” and always “marched to the beat of a different drummer”.

I’m linking with Ginny’s Yarn Along and Frontier Dreams today.  Visit  and be inspired!

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.  Lao Tzu 


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It’s that day again!

Click below to add your link then link back here to share the love!

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Knitting

WIPW 11-04-14, Booklove

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ON THE NEEDLES (TECHNICALLY)

Simplex Shawl

Since my nitpicky, obsessive side insists that a project isn’t finished until washed, blocked and dried, my WIP this week continues to be Simplex, although I expect that tomorrow it will be transformed into an FO, thanks to the ceiling fan.  Please excuse the wonky photo– I had to stand on the Papoose’s little stool to take the picture.  The way it was moaning and groaning, the photo session could have gone really bad, really fast and I’m happy that I managed to get a marginally OK photo without breaking a hip.  Better photos Friday.

BOOKLOVE

I finished an amazing book today, Labor Day, by Joyce Maynard.  I loved this book and became totally immersed in the story.  Thumbs up all around.

I’m linking today with Frontier Dreams, Tami and Ginny’s Yarn Along

It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.  Isaac Asimov 

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday, Booklove 10/14/14

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ON THE NEEDLES

 My Simplex Shawl continues to grow.  According to the pattern, it’s more than halfway finished.  More about it here.

BOOKLOVE

Where do I start?  I’m rereading Stephen King’s Dark Tower series and am up to Book Three, The Waste Lands.  I read The Wind Through the Keyhole in Florida, a book that technically falls between Books Four and Five, but was released in February, 2012.  This series continues to be my all time favorite.  Crazy love them all.

THE DOCUMENTED LIFE

I got a little behind in my art journal while on vacation and am just finishing up last week’s prompt, which was Polka Dots.  After a couple of false starts, I got into the groove, using a circle stencil to draw flowers, then handcoloring them and cutting them out to layer with stenciled dots, spray ink and, probably some stamps.  I drew and colored these flowers just for fun today.  I don’t have a current plan for these, but I thought they turned out well.

 I love drawing and coloring flowers – they’re probably my favorite, but I’ve been sort of down on myself because I’m not good at faces and because lettering also isn’t something I feel I do well, especially when I compare my stuff to projects others post, but I’m adjusting my attitude starting now.  New mindset:  So what if all I can draw is flowers – I love doing them.  So what if every face I draw is weird and more than a little wonky – I’ll never be commissioned to do a portrait.  So what if my lettering leaves something to be desired – I can practice and get better at it and if that doesn’t pan out, I’ll use my computer.  So what if my journal pages will never be hung in the Museum of Modern Art or the Louvre – they make me happy and creating them feeds my soul, just like they’re supposed to and because of that, I am an artist!

Linking with Tami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Yarn Along

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.  T.S. Eliot

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday, Birthday Sprout, Booklove

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ON THE NEEDLES

 Sock.JPG

Feuillettes

from Red Bird Knits

Lorna’s Laces Solemates

Watercolor

Several years ago I took part in Red Bird Knits sock club and received this particular sock pattern.  I long ago forgot what yarn was included, but I picked up a couple of skeins of Solemate a few weeks ago and it seemed to be a great match for this pattern.  Solemate is to die for, so soft!  I glad I bought a second skein because I’m already thinking about my next project using it!

BOOKLOVE

TWO

Our sweet Sprout turned two yesterday! All the grands are especially amazing and Miss Annabelle is no exception.  In a nutshell – you always know where you stand with her.  She either loves it or hates it and wants you to know it in no uncertain terms.  She’s a snuggler, a giggler and has had us right where she wants us from the very minute she was born.  She is a joyful blessing!

GREEN GROWING THINGS

Our flowers have never looked so good!

The Norfolk pine I’d given up for dead has come back with a vengence and has doubled in size!

I don’t know what this is called, but the hummingbirds love it!

Impatiens has nearly taken over our flower bed!

ALL BETTER

As you can tell, I can once again post photos and this makes me happy.  Happy is good.  Mr. Iknead was getting tired of hearing me talk ugly to my iPad.

Linking with Tami, Frontier Dreams and Ginny’s Yarn Along.

Life is change.  Growth is optional.  Choose wisely.  Karen Clark

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Knitting

I Do Redo, WIP Wednesday and Grands

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I DO REDO

Mr. Iknead and I renewed our wedding vows last Friday for our 35th anniversary.  It was surprisingly emotional, both for me and for him.  I’m not a crier at all, so to just break down with happy tears was unusual.  We had Holy Communion – again, surprisingly emotional and just special.  That’s the only word I can find to describe it, special.

Aren’t we beautiful! Seriously!

Trio of Blessings

L to R – The Sprout, Babydiva and The Papoose

 

 After pics, we all went out to dinner and it was just joyous…..until the nasty little incident with Babydiva.

Here’s what happened:  we had to wait for a table, not unusual, we were a big group and it was Friday evening.  Waiting for a table with three hungry children had ugly potential, so Babydaddy and Bigmommy took the big girls outside to wait.  Lots of little girl fun, with hopping, skipping attempts, chattering, laughing, squealing – little girl stuff.  During a round of hopping, Babydiva tripped and faceplanted on the sidewalk.  Lots of blood and little girl hysterics, both from Babydiva and the Papoose.  Luckily, no broken or loose teeth, just a fat lip and we were able to get it iced quickly. I think Babydaddy was more traumatized than Babydiva, luckily for them, I just happened to have a Tide pen in my pocketbook and his bloody shirt was taken care of and Babydiva just happened to have some Barbie stickers and what didn’t come out with the pen, she put stickers over.

Poor Baby

Anyhow, it didn’t affect her appetite and by the end of the meal, all were happy again.   Parenting in the Trenches or Never A Dull Moment. : )

ON THE NEEDLES

Slip Stitch Felted Bag

Irina Poludnenko, Designer

Kureyon #352 and Cascade 220 #7801

Linking with Tami and Frontier Dreams.

Imagination rules the world.  Napoleon Bonaparte

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Knitting

FO Friday, What To Do Next?, Pretty!

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OFF THE NEEDLES

My Guernsey Wrap

It’s unblocked and I’m sure the stitches will really pop after blocking, but I’m so excited to have something finished for today  that I couldn’t wait.  I’ll post another photo, I promise.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

What next? Socks maybe? Another wrap? A sweater?  Maybe one of each?

SHINY!

This is my anniversary gift from Mr. Iknead. We’re renewing our vows next week with son in law Clefton officiating.  Thirty-five years and he’s still my best friend.  (I’m leaving out the lover stuff because it grosses the kids out.) He’s getting better at his gift giving, but he still needs more practice ;).  I saw this when we went to get our wedding rings cleaned and resized, and I loved it. I never dreamed I’d have it on my finger!  I can’t stop admiring it!

Knitting

WIP Wednesday, Booklove

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ON THE NEEDLES

Though it looks the same as it did last week, I have made progress on My Guernsey Wrap and hopefully will have knitted the last stitch in time to post it as a FO on Friday.  If I didn’t jinx it by saying that, that is.  You can read more about it here.

BOOKLOVE

Man, I’ve been burning through the downloaded library books this week.  So far, I’ve finished Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg, Grey Wolf by Simon Dunstan, Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld and started Delicious, by Ruth Reichl.  All great books, but I  think my favorite is going to be Delicious, but really, it’s too soon to tell.

FIXED

I had a challenge or two with my last post with a couple of pictures missing.  It’s fixed (I hope) and if you’d like to give it another look, it’s here.

I’m linking with Ginny’s Yarn Along, Tami and Frontier Dreams.

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.  Booker Washington

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday, Booklove and Waiting

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ON THE NEEDLES

image

Guernsey Wrap, designed by Jared Flood

Classic Elite Yarns

Brooklyn Tweed

Color #5012

I’m really enjoying this project.  It’s the perfect balance of complicated and simple – complicated enough to keep me engaged, but simple enough that it doesn’t interfere with whatever I’m doing at the same time.

3 7/8 GRANDS

We’re still on baby watch here.  Charlee’s due date was Monday, but she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to vacate the premises.  Babymama, on the other hand, was ready for her to vacate a week ago.  She has an OB appointment this afternoon and the best case scenario would be for her doctor to exclaim “Oh my goodness!  You’re fully dilated and must go right to the hospital!”  Then, Babymama pushes once or twice and Charlee is here.  That’s how it would play out if I were in charge, anyway.

BOOKLOVE

I’m currently listening to Snowblind, by Christopher Golden, so far, it has a great beginning chapter.  I plan on really getting started on it this afternoon, since it’s too hot to do anything but sit around under the air conditioning and wait for Charlee.

Linking with Tami, Ginny and Frontier Dreams KCCO.

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.  John Adams

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