Knitting

Oh No, No FO, Should I MYOB?, Grands

January 17, 2014 mud&stringLeave a comment

OFF THE NEEDLES

Nothing, despite a serious case of startitis and my resolve to not start anything new until I get at least one of my current WIPs off the needles.

ON THE NEEDLES

First sleeve of Mariella Cardi

Best Friend Scarf using a ball of Jojoland Melody I found in one of my stash dives.

The second sock of a pair for me; the yarn is a mystery, the pattern is in my head.

I need to bust a move on at least one of these projects, I have a pattern and yarn that is calling me like a sideshow barker, “Hurry, hurry, hurry! Step right this way! Get ready for the most fabulous project of your life! Hurry, hurry, hurry!

QUESTION

Should I (diplomatically) point out typos in a friend’s otherwise beautiful website? They’re nothing serious, nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a simple proofread; wouldn’t you want something that represents you to be perfect? Should I mention it or should I MYOB? What would you do?

TUESDAY WITH THE GRANDS

The Sprout and the Slide

Babydiva Daredevil

A thing well said will be wit in all languages

Knitting

Cray Cray Christmas, Life Change

December 27, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHEW!

Our (usual) cray cray Christmas has come and gone and from the pics, we were all very very good the past year. What was the best part? The Iknead/Coleman/Vaughan family had not one, but two Christmases, The Iknead/Vaughans in the morning and the Iknead/Coleman/Vaughans in the evening.

We went to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service:

Where I learned that hearing a precious three year old grand singing “Oh Come Let Us Adore Him” will move me to tears, then and now; reminding me of the joy of the real gifts of Christmas, past, present and future. (Excuse me, I need a tissue).

Bigdaddy, as always, set a beautiful table for us Christmas morning:

Again, the food was delish and the company, delightful!

We had a visit from Santa:

and were able to squeeze in a Christmas snuggle or two:

Babydaddy was gracious enough to play Santa for Round 2:

I finally can post a Christmas knitting FO:

Babydaddy’s Handknit Socks

Santa made another stop at Babydiva’s house:

and found that Babydiva had also been very good!

What’s the over the top, greatest thing ever, long time coming and more than well deserved gift for all of the family this Christmas season? Are you sitting down?

(Cue the fanfare)

Mr. Iknead is retired as of December 19, 2013! Retired as in the ceremonial turning off of the alarm clock, sitting around, reading the newspaper and drinking coffee in the morning and what shall I do today retired.

Congratulations, sweetie! You’ve more than earned it! I can’t wait to get started on this new life chapter with you!

More to follow………

When the solution is simple, God is answering. Albert Einstein

Knitting

Random Tuesday

December 17, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

RANDOMLY

We got a new mailbox! The house siding is finished, yay; but with the new siding, the old mailbox looked very old and sad, so it retired to the great recycle bin in the sky and was replaced by this:

New kid in town. Isn’t it pretty??

OUT FOR A SPIN

Here’s a look at my newest spinning project:

The roving came from Greenwood Fiberworks. For more info, see this post.

THE GRANDS

In no particular order:

The Sprout loves Josie Pug’s kennel. Look at her new teeth!

The Papoose loves G-grandma and G-grandma loves her back, although you can’t tell it in this pic. Mema looks like she wants to escape! BTW, Mema is Mr. Iknead’s mommy.

Babydiva visits her minions!

Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Satchel Paige

Knitting

Exit Thanksgiving, We Love Surprises!

December 2, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

THANKSGIVING

I hope everyone had as wonderful a Thanksgiving as the Iknead crew did. As it happens every year, I overate, overplayed with the grands, overtalked and just all around over busied and basked in the company of loved ones. I finished the Scapula scarf (yay!) and worked on Christmas knitting when I wasn’t overdoing whatever it was that I was overdoing at that moment.

Did you know that Stuttgart, Arkansas (home of the Papoose and Sprout) is the Duck and Rice Capital of the World? Did you know that the World Championship Duck Calling Contest coincided with Thanksgiving this year? I didn’t think so. There were so many duck callers around that I expected every duck on the planet to swoop down and pay us a visit, but fortunately, that didn’t happen. There was, however, the obligatory person in a duck suit.

The grands had matching PJs –

L to R

Babydiva, the Papoose and the Sprout

Everyone played nice:

The Sprout showed off her two new teeth –

and showed what the Le Miz poster looked like live and in person

We got a photo of something other than the back of the Babydiva’s head –

And best of all…….

Babydaddy and Babymama announced that Babydiva will be a big sister next year! That’s right – we’ll be welcoming a new grand around July, 2014 and we couldn’t be more excited! Let the baby knitting begin!

Life is the art of drawing without an eraser. John Gardner

Knitting

Spiral

November 26, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHAT’S UP

I have some knitting projects that I’m anxious to share and a book recommendation, but that has to wait until tomorrow, the official WIP/Knit A Long day. A couple of these projects are Christmas knits, so I have to keep them on the down low. The Iknead bunch will stoop to anything to figure out what’s under the tree for them. But – A bowl I made in my pottery class was out of the kiln (FINALLY) after a few false starts from the potter (me). I’m SO happy with how it turned out.

Spiral Bowl

A Surprise Inside

This bowl was completely dipped in New Clear Glaze, with a top dip and a bottom dip in Caramel. Who knew that the New Clear glaze would turn out to be such a lovely bluish gray??! I’m in love with this pot!

THE GRANDS

Tub Time with the Grand Trio, right before the kid in the middle dropped a special delivery and the other two made a hasty exit!

Left to Right:

Babydiva, the Sprout and the Papoose

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of algebra. Unknown

Knitting

A Confession, Just Grand

November 5, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?

A certain family member requested some type of scarf (she’s not picky) to go with a new red winter coat. My cerebral cogs started meshing and here’s what they came up with.

Mochi Plus

80% Merino/20% Nylon

Cherries Jubilee

To make a long story short, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with this yarn and am having separation anxiety over the thought of using it for a Christmas gift. I want to clutch it to my breast and croon, “don’t worry, you’re staying with me.” Is this weird?

Truly, though, the red in this yarn is the wrong red to go with the coat. The coat is a blue undertones red and while this yarn does have red, it’s red with orange undertones. Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Off to my LYS sometime today to find a more appropriate bluey red for the gift. I think this is called a “rationalization”.

THE GRANDS

Mr. Iknead and I had the ultimate grandbaby experience over the weekend. Bigdaddy had a wedding to officiate up in Branson, Missouri and took Bigmommy along. Mr. Iknead and I had the Papoose and Sprout solo from Friday morning until late Sunday afternoon. What a treat!

A good time had by all!

Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. Lewis Carroll

Knitting

September 29, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

THE GRANDS

Mr. Iknead and I had the pleasure of some two on one time yesterday with Babydiva while Babymama and Babydaddy caught a matinee (did I spell that right?) of Wicked and it’s hard to tell who had the better time. We went on a field trip to Good Earth Garden Center and we had a blast. I took lots of pictures of the back of Babydiva’s head, since she never quits moving and her philosophy is “why sit when you can walk and why walk when you can run?” Note to self – wear running shoes next time. See what I mean?

Look at that sweet hand!

I got it, Pawpaw.

Then, there’s the Papoose and Sprout.

Precious Sprout

The Papoose and cookie dough love.

What did we do before we had grands?

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

Knitting

Looky here, Grands and Cookies

September 20, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

LOOK WHAT I MADE!

A very kind friend donated some fabric scraps a couple of weeks ago when she found out I was doing some crafty sewing – we’re talking high end stuff. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’d forgotten all about them, which happens a lot around here. It doesn’t help that I have fabric and yarn and quite a bit of found stuff that I found intriguing and brought home from who knows where. Really, I do know where, I find stuff on my walks all.the.time. Stuff I can’t resist picking up and examining, always wondering about the backstory. My children keep reminding me that this is how hoarders get started. But I digress. Backing it up… I started digging around in some fabric that I had laid aside a while ago and found this really cool upholstery fabric. Thanks Jean! Look what I made!

A new needle roll to corral at least a few of the (knitting) needles I have at any given time close to hand.

Here’s a look at the outside

A peek inside

I put a big pocket on the end to hold circulars

Rolled up

I like it!

THE GRANDS

I had the joy of one on one time with a couple of the grands yesterday – The Sprout and I, along with Babymama and Babydiva, visited the library for Book Babies and a good time was had by all. Books, babies, songs, rhymes, it was so fun! I probably had more fun than anyone else. Sometimes, my enthusiam embarrasses my kids, but my grands love it and I have no plans to scale back any time soon.

After lunch, I put the Sprout down for a nap and the Papoose and I made chocolate chip cookies, best I’d ever tasted! I took pictures:

Just getting started – modeling her apron

Making sure the sugar is still sweet

Ready to scrape the bowl

Pretty close to perfect, Susie says.

One more scrape

The Closing Ceremonies

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is. Albert Einstein

Knitting

Jump Down Turnaround, The Great Kitchen Rug Experiment, Book Babies

September 17, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

CAUTION! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT ZONE!

I’ve been enmeshed in THAT sort of day today, a “somedays it’s not worth chewing through the restraints” kind of day and for no reason. OK, maybe I’m a little bummed because I’ve no fiber to spin, or I just haven’t hit on the new project that makes the heavens open and the angels sing, kind of bored, kind of tired, exactly that type of day. Then, book junkie that I am, I was on our local library website, trolling for books and happened to see this on the calender – Book Babies. Clicked on it and found that it’s a special story time for babies up to 24 months and their caregivers with stories, rhymes and songs. Meets 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Perfect! Bigmommy and the Papoose have dental appointments that day at 9:00 a.m. and I’m one on one with the Sprout. We’re going and it’s going to be a blast, I just know. So, that’s how you make a turnaround in your day, make an investment and get excited.

As an aside, my doorbell just rung, of course I ran like an idiot because I’m expecting some fiber here in the next day or two (see first paragraph) and much to my disappointment, it’s not my friendly mailman, Fedex man or UPS man. It’s two kids who immediately start what feels like a hustle. I finally asked right out what they needed, still felt hustled and so shut the door in their faces. Probably, in all honesty, they’re out fundraising, but when I ask outright what they need and still get hustled, I’m done. Sorry Charlie as the old tuna commercial used to say. Not harshing my mellow, though. Nope.

Back to our regularly scheduled post….

THE KITCHEN RUG EXPERIMENT

My kitchen needs a new rug. Oh, by the way, did I ever mention that I get my best ideas in the middle of the night, or that Mr. Iknead never thinks they’re as great as I do when I wake him with something new? Anyway…. Since this new rug needs to be washable and dryable, I start thinking cotton yarn. Then, I replace the image of cotton yarn in my head with the image of some other type of cotton cording, like rope. Moving right along, knitter that I am, I start wondering what size needles (big) and exactly how manageable something would be in real life, using needles about as big around as my wrist and maybe 1-2 inch rope. Stop. Take a breath. Fortunately, I’ve been able to dial my enthusiasm back (this time) and contented myself with knitting this swatch, using size 15 needles and three strands of Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn held together.

Swatch #1

Vital Statistics BEFORE Washing

Cast on 20

20 rows

7.5 x 9 inches

I’m throwing it in with a load of towels here in a minute. I’m really just hoping to see about how much shrinkage there is after a couple of rounds in the dryer. I’m still thinking rope and huge needles, but before I make the investment in a couple of miles of cotton rope and two fenceposts, I thought I’d try this. Mr. Iknead’s Austerity Plan thanks me, I know.

RAKU+MINI MOCHI = EYE CANDY

My Newest Raku Pot and Mini Mochi Yarn

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it. Mark Twain

Knitting

Junior High Rewind

September 15, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

JITTERS? AT MY AGE?

The first day of my new pottery class is tomorrow. My Monday schedule is turning upside down -class starts at 12:30 and runs to 3:30 instead of 9 to 12. I have to keep reminding myself of the time change. This semester it’s Introduction to Throwing and Independent Study. I’m very excited but why do I feel like is the first day in junior high? For the last two semesters, my classmates and I have been a group of five, comfortable and acquainted now, asking about kids, colleges and vacations. We have a history. Who will I talk to? Who will I sit with? Nice to know that some things never change. I guess.

ON THE NEEDLES

As for the continuing saga of the Blue Day Socks, I’m happy I frogged them and restarted with a different yarn. It’s going much more smoothly and I’m so much happier with the result. See?

THE GRANDS

A week from tomorrow, our babiest of grandbabies, the Sprout, will turn one. She’s number three in the line up and Mr. Iknead and I should probably be getting a handle on this grandparent thing, but you know what? It never gets old, never gets routine and her firsts are exactly that for us, firsts. She made her debut in this post. Time doesn’t fly anymore – it’s jet propelled, rocket boosted and don’t blink, you’ll miss it. She’s very enthusiastic and I can’t wait to see her with a cake ALL her own!

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving. Anatole France

Knitting

Vacay and Kindersongs

August 26, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

A LITTLE BUMMED

Today is our last pottery class for this semester, ;(, but I’ve already signed up for the next one. I’m going to learn the wheel next and am excited to learn something new. I think we raku again today. The firebug in me is always excited to raku!

KINDERSONG

The Kindersong concert was totally AWESOME! Silly songs, silly hats, silly dancing – I loved it! Oh yeah, the grands loved it too. The papoose danced the whole time. I’ve already decided to keep an eye out so we can go again. Mr. Iknead took lots of pictures, but since the papoose and babydiva were in constant motion, most of them are just blurs. Oh, well, better pics next time.

LONG AWAITED, MUCH ANTICIPATED

Are you ready?? Cause here are a few of our vacay pics:

The Sprout and the Papoose

Babydiva

All of us!

Sprout

Mr. Iknead, the grands and me, in our dreams.

Mr. Iknead, the grands and me – real life

Corny? Absolutely! Probably my favorite of all!

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. Lao Tzu

Knitting

Beach 2013

August 13, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

I NEEDED AN OUTLET

Mr. Iknead and I took advantage of the cool, rainy morning to check out a yarn store in Destin. Actually, it was me that wanted to check out the yarn store, Mr. Iknead was kind enough to drive – the traffic around Destin is hideous at any time and the yarn store didn’t pan out, so we went to the outlets instead. I bought a nice pair of thong sandals at the Columbia outlet (shoe whore that I am) and a great new purse at Fossil.