Not Only

did we have a great time shopping in Texas, but I accomplished alot of knitting.

While on the plane and in the car, I got to knit quite a bit too. I am so pleased with what I managed to knit.

The Wrapper from Cheryl's book had it's back finished and one of the fronts as well. Prior to Texas this one was just what I worked on at lunch at work. Now, it is so big it will have to stay at home.

The Wabi Sabi panels are done and now I am finally able to start knitting with the other color.

I still think I might have to find one more skein of this yarn as I don't think I will have enough to complete this one. I'll start with calling the Yarn Shop in Iowa where I bought the yarn last February.

When In Texas

Our fellow radical since moving to Texas has become quite the quilter. She has almost a whole great room upstairs devoted to it among other things.

I used to be a quilter 15 years ago. Then, life took over and I did not have as much time to devote to it. And knitting became my passion. But, when in Rome one must do as the Romans do.
Given that and the fact that the yarn shops are okay in Texas, but far and few between. So we shopped at a couple of quilt shops where I could not resist this little pack of baby fabrics already cut into squares. There was a cute little quilt made out of them in Granbury and I just could not resist them.

We were introduced to jelly rolls at Friday's Bee and I almost bought one on Monday, but put it back. If I decide to quilt it is going be on a real a slow basis. And the fact that I still have quilting fabrics from my stint in the quilt shop 15 years ago.

One of the things I could not resist and I don't know why, but was this pair of serrated scissors. They seemed like a good idea at the time.

Now, I am wondering why?

Last but not least, I found two pairs of sandals that felt good right from the first try on. It would have been three if they would have had them in brown.

Shoes are like pants. If I find a pair that fits well and looks good, I have to buy them in every color available! Heck, yarn is like that too, isn't it?

We Are Back

We had a great time. Jan and Jack took us to all kinds of places and we did alot of shopping. In the next couple of days I'll show you some of the finds and tell the blog all about it.

We ate ourselves silly and I enjoyed several different beers to add to my beer tastings. We spent time with Jan's Quilting Bee and salvated that nearly all of them have either great rooms or studios to pursue their art.

We saw the Pecan Plantation where they live and all of the great things their community has to offer, including golf, pools, an airstrip, tennis courts and more deer in one place than one could ever see. One evening on our way home I counted 16 all in one spot.

We went to the Comedy Club in Ft Worth and had a hoot of a time. Our friend Jack was called out of the audience to participate on the stage.

All I can say is this is a great place to retire! But, for me tomorrow it is back to work. Only for two days though, because I am taking Friday off to judge PASG knitting entries.

Better Than A Bed and Breakfast!

I have never actually stayed at one, but this week has to be better than one!

Norma and I have our own private wing almost. Our friends have seen to everything. Hair dryer, lotions, toothbrush if we need one etc.

Yesterday, we went to Ft Worth. Saw Cow town and the running of the cattle. Visited Billy Bob's and had a great night at the Comedy Club where we laughed til we cried.

Today, we are going to kick back and tomorrow a tour of Granbury.

You would all die if you saw Jan's bonus room....okay I am just plain lusting over it!

Having A Great Time!

Got in yesterday and did a tour of Ft Worth. I could live here.

Went the Gaylord Texan --wow.

Went to a yarn shop, bought some Atlanta Braves colors yarn for a baby sweater...okay it's not the Cardinals, but this is for a special baby.

Went to Central Market! --Double WoW! Makes me want to cook!

Our friends house in fantastic! Their community is double fantastic!

Weather nice...food, fun...friends.

Off To Texas!

Norma and I are off to visit a friend in Texas. My bags are packed and I have way too much knitting for six days, but....one must be prepared.

I am taking The Wrapper, Wabi Sabi and the Pleated Wrap from Debbie Bliss. I really want to make lots of progress on the first two. I'd like to come home and have the Wabi Sabi ready for the solid colors. And the Wrapper, well, that would be nice if it was close to being done.

See you next week!

Just Playin Around

On Saturday, at Knit 4 Together, we got to talking about a class that they are going to have in June. I had alreay bought the variegated yarn sometime ago, and stumbled upon this green that looked good in the shop together. The plan on Saturday was to do a little scarf for me out of it.

After I started the scarf, I'm not so sure that I want to do a scarf out of it. I thought it might look good as a the baby bonnet, but there are no babies that I really want to put that much work into it anytime soon.

I really like the looks of some of the sweaters in the book, but there are so many other things that I want to be knitting right now that I think I'll put the book back on the shelf for now.

I Can Change My Mind

When last we visited the tank, it had seed stitch at the top. After a trip to Dunlap on Saturday and discovering that there wasn't any more of the blue, and looking at the tank, I decided that the seed stitch was using too much of the blue and it really did not add anything to the look. It just made it look busy in the light of day.

So I have now ripped it back and am hoping that I will have enough of the blue to get me through to the end.

Happy 26th Birthday Baby Boy A and Baby Boy B!

Sometimes It Takes A Picture

When I look at this tank straight on, I can't decide whether I wanted to do as originally intended and do the seed stitch at the top. I couldn't tell whether I liked it or not.

So, for the blog I took a picture and I think I really do like it. It is kind of like when I painted by numbers. Up close yuck, get away from it and not so bad.

I am hoping to be done with the tank before we go to Texas on Thursday so I can start the sweater that goes with it.

I'm going out to Dunlap today to get the Belagio to throw with the Soleil. This picture doesn't help me decide if I like the two sweater thoughts go together. In this instance, it takes looking at in person and the light of day.

15 Years

Tonight at a Banquet at work, I got my 15 year award and a really cool portfolio with a little 15 year plaque on it. Where did those 15 years go?

Also, I was nominated for the Rose Award. This was the first year for the award. An award that is given out to an employee who possesses some of the qualities that a deceased co-worker (Rose Bacon) had. What a honor it was to be nominated! No, really...the winner was very deserving.

They gave me my papers showing who nominated me and what they said. I was touched by the three nomination letters. Have I said lately how blessed I am?

Boring Knitting

At the moment, I have some boring knitting on my needles. Both are things I want to be knitting, but frankly they are quite boring. And I find my mind wandering thinking of other things I'd like to be knitting. I must stay focused.

Of course, both of these would have been good Texas knitting projects, but both would be harder to take with in terms of the yarn that might need to accompany me.

Wabi Sabi.....as I have said before the start of this is slow. It is like knitting four scarves, then you get to do the fun stuff. I'm not there yet.

Boring for now.

The tank top. This one I used EPS in reverse. Since I need a wider hip and belly and then narrow to the waist and slightly up for the bust, I decided to cast on 95% of knit and then do the increase to knit. I knitted past the belly length and then decreased for the waist/bust. We will see how that turns out.

Right now, it is just boring knitting in the round. Hopefully, by tomorrow night, I'll have it to the split and am going to see how seed stitch looks in the two yarns. If not, I'll rip back and continue knitting back and forth.

At least for now, I can watch the Cardinals while I knit the boring stuff.

A Brief Interlude

I am taking some time away from the Wabi Sabi and Tweed Jacket to work on a little spring. Even though, Spring has been toying with us in Central IL a little lately.

I truly have put my winter coat away! I AM NOT getting it back out!

Knit Campers

Thanks to Nancy who let me know that the t-shirts and sweatshirts are ready to be ordered through the link that we were sent for Knit Camp.

I need to double check what size I bought last year for my tshirt and I am going to order a hoodie this year too!

Only three months and we'll be in Wisconsin!

Finally With A Little Help

from my knitting pals Linda and Nancy and some dumb luck, I am up and running and typing this from my comfy chair on my new laptop. It was quite the experience that we finally got it rolling right before dinner tonight!

And I did it, without knowing much. I sure wish I did know more about this whole tech thing.

I keep reaching to the side to grab my mouse, instead of this thing at the bottom of the keyboard. This is going to be a little tough using it, but I'll get the hang of it soon with a little practice.


It sure was nice to sit and watch t.v. and check out some blogs at the same time. A little later, I got to catch up on Grey's Anatomy while sitting in the same chair. This is the life!



And my login features a little puppy. It's been quite the ordeal,but I am in love with this thing. I thought the keyboard would be hard to get used to, but so far it is not so bad either. It is that practice thing.

Don't you just love the Spring Green color? And yes, Nancy it is now time to think about searching for a cool pattern for a laptop cover to knit!

I'm Frustrated!

I got the new laptop yesterday....whatever happened to opening it, setting it up and voila it works! Right now, it's a great solitaire player!

We can't seem to get the wireless to work. We bought an access point and I can get to the network, but cannot get from the network to the internet either hooked up or wireless. Some problem with the IP that keeps switchin to 169.254 no matter how many times we correct it.

Now is when I need a really good computer tech in the house. Sort of like when the kids were babies and I wished for a Pediatrician in the family. Now, we have a Pediatrician in the family and need a computer tech!

The Laptop Shipped

The on again off again saga. I emailed Dell to see if it would be a shorter ship time if I changed to a black top. They responded with telling me the laptop shipped.

I am hoping it comes into work tomorrow, so I will have something to play with on Sunday. Saturday is going to be filled with Knitting in Dunlap in the morning, a baby shower in the afternoon and grocery shopping at night.

Before you know the weekend will be over and it hasn't even started yet!