The Week that Was~

Last week was an interesting one! We found a January rose in our garden, and soon after the temperature dropped to the upper twenties, the coldest yet this winter.

I finally finished the Monster sweater just in time for Max's first birthday celebration. How can he be one already?

And it fits with room to grow!

A couple other projects were completed, too, this dishcloth

and these Pocket Book Slippers:

They work well, too. Thanks, Kathy for the pattern link! It's a great way to use up leftover yarn.

Sunbonnet Sue even got a bit of attention. I cut apart the blocks and arranged them. Now they are almost ready to sash, but first I have to rinse out the embroidery "blue lines". Wish me luck!

Stay tuned!

First post of 2013, finally!

Happy New Year!  Our computer has been acting strange all day but seems to have decided to cooperate in the last few minutes, so I can finally show my remaining Christmas projects.  It took forever to finish this sweater which was from a Mary Maxim kit purchased when Sophia still wore a size 4.  I gambled and cast on the size six and was delighted to discover the kit contained enough yarn.  (Nevermind that I now have a brand new back up skein and am totally sick of this "super pink" yarn..)

It fits! And with room to grow. Yay!

I took a few liberties with the pattern, did ribbing on the sleeves and at the bottom instead of a roll like on the neck.and added a white stripe on the cuffs. I used tiny black buttons instead of french knots for the eyes and buttons.  The scarf was supposed to be striped but by the time I got to that part I couldn't imagine more ends to sew in and made it plain blue.

The back, I think, was supposed to be a repeat of the motif on the front, but I decided to make the back view of the snowman.  The pattern was unclear about what to do exactly and this seemed like more fun. 

With this crazy project, I  gained new respect for shoemakers! Remind me not to go there ever again!

This doll bed has a history.  My sister and I played with it as did our girls.  It took a bit of polishing and a bit of sewing to make it usable, and we sent it on its way.  Poor thing nearly was demolished during the trip, but Michael repaired it so that Sophia and Red Bear can put it to use. Hopefully, it'll survive a little longer!

And now I have to get back to my project for this little guy who just turned ONE! Can you believe it? And can you believe I find a project with even more ends to sew in than the last one? Go figure.

Wrapping Up 2012 ~ ~ ~

Here it is, the very last day of 2012, a year that zipped by with uncanny speed.  We just got back from a couple of relaxing days on the Oregon Coast.  The weather was chilly and grey, but we had fun anyway.

That water looked really cold!

We stayed warm and cozy though, and I finished this project and got a good start on another one which can't be mentioned just yet.

I also finished my last Sunbonnet Sue block and will spend the month of January making all of them into a quilt.

It tickles me that this last block shows Sue with an umbrella. Actually it's probably a parasol, but for Seattle Sue, it's has to be an umbrella! Well, gotta get to work. Some time soon I will post the few Christmas projects that couldn't be shown. Till then, have a fun and safe New Year's Eve.

PS: We found a great yarn shop in Newport, OR, near the Aquarium. (Yarn for All Seasons)

On and Off the Needles

DD#2 requested an Infinity Scarf for her birthday which comes a few days after Christmas. Wish me luck!

Ginger looks like she is trying to decide which one of these little socks she wants, but doesn't she know she needs four?

And Princess  Mocha could care less.  Do you think she's dreaming of sugarplums or tuna?

~~~

Merry Christmas everyone!  I'm off to do some serious gift wrapping!

Off the Needles~ Phew!

Lots of elf work happening at this house lately....and some can't be shown till after Christmas. Something I finally finished this week included this little guy. (And a whole lot of ends to secure!)

I do have a pair of brown socks on the needles but no photo. Two more ruffled scarves are done, and the rest of the time has been spent at the sewing machine. Will that project get finished? I sure hope so!

If you've not tried the ruffle "yarn," it's a fun and quick project.

Now, back to work.......

Winter's Coming!

How do I know?  For starters, it is only 4:40 PM and it's pitch dark. Sunset is at 4:18 PM today, and the sun doesn't rise until 7:48 AM tomorrow! And our days will keep getting shorter for at least another week.....

Many mornings are very foggy. Sometimes the fog burns off, and the temperature drops. Today's fog stuck around all day long.

All of the leaves are pretty much gone; the big leaf maples and the ginkos are among the first to fall.

Rabbits are seldom seen, but there are lots more places to hide.

Last minute road projects are everywhere. This mess is just around the corner; they are doing something to the cell towner that has required tearing up these folks' frontyard.

The two-colored Christmas Cactus is blooming right on schedule. And I have projects everywhere! Which one first? Oh my! How's your week going?

Off the Hook and 2 Curious Kitties

One of the things I finished this week was a crocheted scarf that I started quite a while ago. It's done with Noro Silk Garden yarn which makes for interesting colors.

Mocha just had to inspect another project which was quite fun because it combined knitting and crocheting. It's a headband in Berroco Flicker which is really soft and has a bit of sparkle.

Not  to be outdone in the inspecting department, Ginger is studying my newest and last Sunbonnet Sue block.  This is the Seattle block because she's holding, you guessed it, an umbrella.

~~~

Dick just got home from volunteering, so I have to run.  We have choir tonight and Saturday morning to rehearse for Sunday's Worship through Music service.  Catch you later.....