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Friday, August 30, 2013

On the Needles: Frogging and Slogging!

Last weekend we visited a new yarn shop in West Seattle called Seattle Yarn.  Oh my, I could have spent a fortune there, but didn't....quite.  Just as I was checking out, I spotted this fun red yarn (Feza, Candy) that had colorful felt balls every few yards or so, and it called my name.  Well, 1 skein wasn't quite enough to finish the prescribed shawl, so I ripped it back this morning  and changed the pattern slightly.  I also have made negative progress on the cape that I started a few weeks ago because I messed up on the seed stitch border and couldn't fix it.  Do you think the cats are searching for frogs?



Sothia is quickly outgrowing my 36" circular needle.  The endless ruffle, now 618 stitches-worth, is taking forever as I slog across the row, worrying about running out of yarn.  I do have a plan, however, if that happens so stay tuned as I work my way  up to 793 stitches. YIKES!


Max  isn't worried though.  Just give him a car or Mega Block, he's a happy guy.  It won't be much longer that he'll fit under this stool, will it?
                                                                               ~~~
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, and don't forget to visit Patchwork Times to see if anyone else is besieged by frogs.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Off the Needles and a Bit More

I've just about wrapped up the baby knitting for a while.  There are lots of other big-people UFOs waiting for some attention!


I used the leftovers from Max's baseball sweater to make this matching hat, and



these booties are waiting to be sent off to a friend's newest grand daughter. The birth sampler is finished and ready to be framed.  No photos here because DD sometimes reads my blog. So, UFOs, here I come!



Meanwhile, Stella finally opened her eyes for Opa!  It's hard to believe she's already more than one week old.

Here's big brother concentrating on his favorite food
.

It was a big week in Chicago for this little lady.  Sophia (pink shirt) started school, had a birthday and was so thrilled to finally have a girl cousin. She looks happy, doesn't she?



And out in the garden, the black-eyed Susan vine is on its way to our upstairs bedroom!  That's all for now.  We're off to work in the church choir library before heading over to help DD. Bye! But, before you head off, stop by Patchwork Times and see what others have on their needles today!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Welcome to the World, Stella!

Our newest grand daughter, little Stella, arrived by C-section on Tuesday, the 13th, at nearly 1 PM.



She weighed 8 lb 5 oz and is 20 inches long. Mommy looks pretty happy, doesn't she?



And so does Daddy!



And Opa!



And Oma!

They all came home this afternoon, so pretty soon we should see what Max thinks of his little sister.

Friday, August 9, 2013

On, No, Off the Needles!

Nothing new on the needles this week but a hat to match the baseball jacket which I finally finished.  The pattern is from a Debbie Bliss book called Baby Cashmerino 4 and was a fun project.  I never did figure out about the required Poppas but used some flat silver buttons with snaps beneath them.


I tried to use Mariners' colors and could only fine this insignia which my sister convinced me to use on the back.


The other things that were finished are booties and a hat to match Tea Leaves. (See last week's post.)  There are still TWO untouched full balls of this yarn left plus some leftovers, but I am done knitting with speckles!





Now, back to work finishing that birth sampler! Baby is due very soon. Meanwhile, stop by Patchwork Times to see what others are knitting!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Flower Power to Make You Smile!

What is there about flowers that makes me so happy?  Is it their cheery colors, or the fact that they are announcing one of the best summers ever?


These green-edged petunias make me smile.  I think they are called "Purely Picasso". 


Gerbera daisies that survived the winter in our garage show their pretty colors happily.


This geranium was pleased to spend the winter in the garage also and is thanking us with some pretty blooms.


The garden is full of surprises daily, like these yellow coreopsis.


The black-eyed Susan vine, one of my favorites, is climbing a string to out second story.  (It's much prettier than Jack's bean stalk, don't you think?


Lily of the Nile  has at least twenty blossoms just like this one. It was a gift from the garden of a quilting friend, who tells me the deer love these tasty morsels.  So far our deer hasn't discovered them, and the pesky rabbits can't reach.


Our newest hydrangea is so pretty in pink,and we are wondering whether it'll stay that way. All of our other pink ones are now a brilliant blue, thanks to our acid soil.


And this tiny tree was a Mother's Day gift from DD#2.  I just love it!


Obviously not a flower, this guy which we think is a red-breasted sapsucker, paid us a visit last week and stayed long enough for several photos. He was happily searching for bugs in the birch tree. (Check out that impressive beak!)


And speaking of things that make me smile, here's Max trying to figure out how to get out of this very inviting box.  Opa finally helped him.


Have a Happy Day!

Friday, August 2, 2013

On the Needles and Off~~~

This is the beginnings of a hooded capelet from the book Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger. (Thanks, Kathy B., for suggesting it!) Can't you just see a red cape for the holidays?


Finished! The Tea Leaves cardigan is done, and would you believe I have enough yarn left to make a hat and some booties? Even then I think there will still be one more ball, untouched to put away. 



Just one year ago yesterday this little gal arrived one month early. We are so glad to see how well she has thrived!  Happy First Birthday, Madeline! (She's our tenth grand niece along with three grand nephews, and soon to be five grandchildren.  We feel truly blessed!)



Now it's back to work on that hat and booties! Don't forget to stop by Patchwork Times
to see what others are knitting!