Seize The Good Moments

I have come to realize that saying I am going on a Yarn Diet or for that matter a diet of any kind should just not be in my vocabulary.  The minute the words come out of my mouth, I know they are a lie.  My Saturday realization is that I need to be content with how I am and just seize every good moment, because one never knows how quickly or slowly for that matter, life can change. 

And keeping with my new attitude, here is this week's Stash Enhancement!!

Koi Pond from Must Stash Yarns.  My friend Sue was at the Dallas Fiber Fest this past week and went shopping for me.  I've always wanted to try yarn from Must Stash and Sue could not have picked a better one for me.  I am anxious to cast this one one, but my needles have a sock on them right now, sooooo I am going find another set of needles and cast it on pretty darn quick…seize the good moments.

On Tuesdays for lunch, I head down to The Fiber Universe (seize the good moments) to meet up with some knitters and knit a bit.  While we were there, a new dyer to me, brought in some newly dyed yarns.  I could not resist the color ways in this one, so I picked up two skeins of it.

 The dyer is Chicken Knits, and just look at this up close, there is some aqua in it as well as some coral. I am seeing a trend in my purchases with the coral!

Before the newly dyed yarn came in, Erin had this lovely sitting on the table just as you come into the shop (seize the good moments) .  This is now currently being knitted up into the Art Nouveau Poncho.

I had already bought a yarn for the poncho and had cast it on a week or so back. But, the yarn just was not saying to me that it really wanted to be a poncho, it really wanted to be a top or a tank.

I'm so glad I switched the yarn up.  It was perfect and so what I imagined the poncho looking like!

Here's hoping this weekend and always,  you seize the good moments!  I am!

Finally Finished Friday

Miss M will have her Holi Festival Poncho when next we see her.

Wednesday Websites

For the next few weeks, Wednesday Website is going to feature Podcasts and Videocasts that I love, listen to and watch.  Enjoy!

Grocery Girls

It's Opening Day!

And when you cannot decide what you want to start knitting on (now that you have a project off of the needles), you knit on a little bit of everything to get a feel for what you might want your next main focus to be on.

Currently, the sun is shining in Central IL, it is windy, but not as windy as yesterday, the temp is 73 degrees which is the warmest it is going to be here this week and there are a few more flowers on the bushes out front.  And we've got some windows open for some much needed fresh air!

Spring will stay eventually, I know it will!  Until then, Happy Sunny Day!

Oh No, Not Another Sweater Post

The other morning on my way into work, I was listening to a new podcast that I stumbled upon.  I just loved the title, Knitting Boutique's Saturday Morning Breakfast Club Podcast.  Isn't that a cool name?  It so much would be a title of a podcast, the Saturday Knit Wits could do, since some of us get together  and knit almost every Saturday around 10 am.  Back in the day, when the shop in Dunlap was open, we would meet there, then we moved to Thirty One Coffee downtown (which I liked, but more times than not, we were fighting to get a big table for all of us), and now I think we've found out new home at Panera's at Westlake.   There is a nice oval table that more than accommodates us, they have coffee (the absolute essential for me) and food, a really nice perk as well.

Sorry, I had a bit of squirrel moment, back to the podcast that I was listening to.  The shop, the Knitting Boutique had just sponsored a retreat and their guest was Amy Herzog.  During the podcast, they interviewed Amy and it got me to thinking once again about sweaters.  Amy and a few others inspire me to knit sweaters, but that is another post.   I've not been knitting any sweaters lately, rather waiting until I lose weight.  What a waste!  There are so many cool sweaters out there to be knit and seriously, I've got plenty of yarn for multiple sweaters in multiple yarns so why wait until someday to knit them!

At work, when I do training for our purchasing systems, I can occasionally get on my soapbox about staff learning the systems.  I believe that, yes, you should train for the job you have, but more importantly, I believe staff should learn the skills for the job they may some day have.  You know, so when that golden opportunity arises, they will be ready to test and interview for the job they always wanted.  Kind of like the Dress for Success mentality.

I know, I can hear someone somewhere saying, geesh, long post - get to the point.   I'm going to knit sweaters that fit me now.  Sweaters that look good on me now.  And should I lose the 20 pounds and my Spring sweaters not fit me next Spring, well you know what?!  I'll knit me some more in a new color or a new yarn.  Maybe, I'll donate the ones that don't fit, or hey, maybe I'll take them on the road with me as a traveling sweater show, who knows.

I'll just call it, training for the job I may someday have.

No Foolin It's Finally Finished Friday

Some of this post was slated for over a week ago, but it just didn't happen.  Partly, well you know, I was sick, and the other part, well, a couple of the items were not blocked yet and well, the others weren't done.  But, now we have a fairly nice assortment of Finally Finished Friday Projects this week.

The 3 Color Cashmere Cowl that is not out of Cashmere but Araucania Mana.  The yarn pools to look like velvet.  I like the finished project, but next time I would do it out of a yarn that would show off of the patterning in the mulberry spot and the lace section.

I had every intention of having this Hospice Prayer Blanket done for last week's ministry, but that didn't happen, but it is all ready to go for the next one.  The pattern is a simple one from Stephen West, his Garter Squishy Blanket.

And finally, the Big Girl Yellow Blanket.  Although not done in time, for Miss M to take back with her, but it is all ready to go for later this month when we head over there!  

There are several things on the needles for next week's Friday edition already. All of them just need a bit of knitting to complete.  Happy April Fools Day!

Is This Enticing You?

My yarn for a project that I am just dyeing to cast on.  And no, dear readers, it is not in a shade of blue.

Except, could this be considered a blue red?  I never did quite get that whole blue/red thingy.  I just like it.

Are you wondering what it is going to be?  Stay tuned, I'll tell you about it next week.

Wednesday Website

Easy Make Stitch Markers

I have a great assortment of stitch markers from varied places, but I think maybe some day I'll try these out.  How about you?  Do you make/collect stitch markers?

Through Fuzzy Eyes

Just a gorgeous day in Central Illinois.  And before I headed to my eye appointment for an eye dilation, I bopped home to take advantage of the sun and wind to take some pictures for later posts. I could not resist though posting one of the trees in the back in full bloom.

I love these trees and try to snap pictures and enjoy them for their such short beauty season.  Pretty soon, the flowers will drop and behind it will be some nice green leaves for late Spring and Summer.  The leaves will make some nice shade to sit under and watch birds and squirrels.  If you look really close, you can see a Hospice Prayer Blanket hanging from the tree, I'll show that full pic on Friday.

While out there, I did a little video, that I am adding here, I am not sure how it will turn out or if readers can watch it, but I'm giving it the college try.

I am hoping it comes through well, as seeing the Vet Hospice Blanket blowing in the breeze just really felt right and renews my interest in knitting a few more these red, white and blue ones.

Have a great evening, catch you tomorrow for Wednesday Website!

Just A Quick Post

I'm back to the land of the living after almost a week of being the worst sick I can recall in many, many years!  I've still got a bit of a cough and if I do it too much or too hard, I have this really strong pain under one of my ribs, but I'm trying to not to do either.

And I am finally back to knitting.  The entire time I was down with this stuff, I had absolutely no desire to knit.  Until  Saturday night, I knit quite a bit on a Hospice Prayer Blanket while the other half of my NCAA bracket took a dump.

Yesterday, I tried a couple of new cast ons that I have never done before and promptly tossed the samples.  Both of them are for a wrap that I want to cast on, but neither are ready for prime time.

Right now, I'm just knitting on a bit of a poncho for Mona Lisa.  I may be back to the living, but my hands just wants some nice easy no thinking knitting right now.

My brain, however, is on over drive. I've got some drop dead gorgeous yarn that came to me along with an even more drop dead gorgeous book (that I want to knit almost everything in it)  while I was down with "the worst sick ever".  I am anxious to take some pictures of the yarn (I think you all will be surprised at the color) and blog about a really exciting adventure that I am undertaking.

For now, I'm off to take my nightly cough syrup (thank the gods for codeine) and a good nights sleep.

Thanks for stopping by for this quick post.

AWOL

I've been out of commission since Monday night.  The Tall Guy was starting to get sick last weekend, but of course was never as sick as what he passed onto me.  I finally had to go to the doctor yesterday and I really am not exaggerating when I say I have never been so sick.  Now, I am hearing from all corners of the earth that others have been this sick too.

You know it is bad, when you don't even want to pick up the needles or open a brand new book and yarn that comes in the mail.  It wasn't until this morning that I even could stand the lights on for a very long time.

But, I believe I am on the mend, but going to take it easy this weekend and hopefully get back to work on Monday.  I'll, of course, have lots to blog about next week.

Until then, stay healthy and have a great Easter weekend should you be so inclined.  Otherwise, kick back and knit.

The First Day of Spring 2016

Okay, so it isn't the warmest first day of Spring, and at this final posting, the clouds have moved in and the sun is all but gone, but before it totally tucked away, I was out taking some pics for Fridays Finally Finished blogpost,  and I looked down amongst these bushes of almost solid brown sticks, I saw some orangey/red peeking out at me!

Yesterday, this sight greeted me as I came home from a morning of knitting.  The Tall Guy threatens to cut them down, like he pruned a corner bush a couple of weeks ago (I am still not over that one enough to blog about it in a coherent way).  Blue skies and sprouts are a sure thing that we will be knitting on the porch very soon!

Since it is the first day of Spring and because I have a project off of the needle and blocking, I am just dyeing to cast on something new for Spring.

It's Friday Night

What are you all up to?

Every where around me, it is March Madness.  As previously posted last week, you all know that I am a fan of high school basketball at this time of year.  Yep, I'm watching the second weekend of March Madness in Central Illinois and knitting of course.  Right now, I am watching two teams that have just one point between them that in the first few minutes were at a 15 point deficit.  I love when there is a comeback and the score is so close!

In between commercials and after tonight's high school games are over, I'll switch over to the NCAA.  I really don't do collegiate basketball, but I do fill out my bracket and keep pretty close contact with it.  Lost City Knits got me started on this bracket filling out thing last year f! While watching the college teams play, I'm knitting some more.

My bracket is a little bit better this year, but I do have to say, that darn Michigan State screwed me again this year.  Frankly, that whole quarter of the bracket has been a tad bit sucky this year.  But, hey, it is still fun.

And it makes great t.v. to knit by.  Have a great weekend and knit something!

Happy St Patty's Day

May all your yarn today be green!

Wednesday Website

http://www.edinyarnfest.com

Another place for the bucket list.

What's On The Needles This Week So Far

The Three Color Cowl by Joji Locatelli.  Hoping that I'll get some time to get this one done by the 20th to take advantage of the Self Indulgence KAL.

The Poncho for Mona Lisa.  It started out to be a birthday present for my great niece but I came up with an alternative plan.

And finally, the Big Girl Blankie that is going on forever.  I am down to my last ball.  The plan is to have this one done and bound off and ready for it's blocking by Tuesday night.

Once this big project is over, I've got one waiting in the wings to cast on.  And I can hardly wait!

Where Did That Long Weekend Go

The Tall Guy and I both had Friday off.  We had some things to do around the house in anticipation of the kids coming home Friday night.  It was a drop dead gorgeous day!  We got moving early and went grocery shopping.  Both of us remarked that this must what it feels like to be retired and how we could totally get it into it!

After getting our chores down, I spent the rest of the day and the evening watching the State high school basket ball small school tournaments on t.v. (something I have loved watching since I was a kid).  We had all the windows open in the house until almost dark!  Who does that in mid March?

It was the best day just hanging out, drinking coffee and

knitting my fool heart out on Mona Lisa's big girl blanket. I was not successful in finishing it yet (when I showed it to her on Saturday, she remarked that it wasn't big enough, Grandma)

 Poppy is growing so fast at 5 months old.

And Mona Lisa, well, she is so dang smart and proudly announced that Uncle Roger was her best friend (at least for the weekend) and that Grandma was pretty smart.

Too quickly it all passed by and the rain came and the kids went home.

It was way too quiet in the house so I took solace in a cuppa with everything.

Caught up on some podcasts and I am still knitting on the big girl blanket.

The End.

Another Bashert Moment

Today was Hospice.  Something so super amazing happened today.  And to think, yesterday, I wasn't sure that I would be able to go and might have to miss for a work meeting.  But, something pulled me out to the Hospice Home today.  You know that feeling you get when you just feel like you need to do or say something.  This was one of those days.

At the last Hospice meeting, I turned in my red, white and blue Heavenly Heathers Prayer Blanket.  I really didn't give it a whole lot of thought, other than how much I like knitting that particular pattern in whatever colors of Pacific I have.  It is a pretty quick knit and it makes me smile as I watch the different colors play off of each other.

I was pretty certain that it would go to a Vet and now I know it did.  This morning, Judy was telling us about how she was able to take part in a ceremony with one of the patients who was a Vet, how a red, white and blue blanket was laying over the patient during the ceremony, how poignant it was to be a part of the ceremony watching the patient being saluted.  She did not know whose blanket it was, but my friend, Becky said, I'll bet it was yours.  I smiled and thought she may be right, but perhaps not, and maybe at a time down the road, I may find out for sure.  

But, then sometime later, Victoria came in and told us that the patient that Judy had spoken of was actively dying and that his wife and daughter wanted to come down and possibly thank the knitter for the blanket.  They had went back to the room to get the card so they would know who knit it.  (pass the kleenex, please).  While they were doing so, I hear amongst the conversation "okay stiff upper lip".  These ladies don't know me very well, but I cry at the National Anthem, communions, births of babies, good news, bad news, weddings, funny things, when people hug me, hellos and good-byes.  What are the chances that if it is me, that I am going to remain composed!

It turned out just his wife came down.  I am going to surmise it was because he was very close to the end of his life and the family wanted him not to be alone.  If you can, I want you to picture in your mind, a slight woman with white short hair and a silver cane in her hand, taking precious time away from the final hours of her husband's life to come down to our room because  she wanted to thank and just hug the knitter, Penny, who knit the blanket.  

You know what?  I am not sure what I said to her, but I can tell you that I held it together, until she left when Victoria said something so moving, you are now a part of their lives, just by the blanket that you knit.

To think that if I had not went out to the Prayer Shawl Ministry, I would have missed this moment in time that, yes, brings tears, but also comfort to not only those who receive the prayer shawls and blankets, but their families and to us the knitters as well.  I am so blessed to be a part of this ministry of women knitting and crocheting, they all are simply amazing! 

Wednesday Website

Shetland Museum Textiles

I have become quite smitten with Hap Shawls and feel myself wanting to embark on the quest.  They are a piece of history and a place that is on my bucket list to visit some day.

Although, not your soft and fluffy yarn that some prefer for shawls, the yarn and the patterns are calling me.  The ones I would like to knit are not going to be quick knits but still I want to knit them.

Ah, the perils of being a knitter!

Weather Report

I'm sorry, but it is the start of March and look at this weather report!  You can't help but wonder if this is the start of an early Spring and that I am seriously behind in my Spring knitting!

I've had a few projects on the to-do list and they are still not done, but I couldn't help it, I've started seriously thinking about what to cast on as soon as my weekend is over.   This morning, I really gave thought to as whether or not I needed a coat at all on my way to work.  Sometimes, a sure fire way to put an end to unseasonably warm weather, is to start putting away some of the wool blazers and mittens.  But, for the sake of all of us in Central IL, I am not going to do that quite yet.  Just as last night, I didn't have the gal doing my pedicure put any polish on yet (another one I took for the team).

But, have no fear, eventually it will really be Spring (March 20th), so how about we  start planning our Spring knits.  These are the Pantone colors for Spring 2016.  See any you like?

 Those who know me well, will know that Limpet Shell is really my fave, but looking at these colors, I am a bit partial to both Peach Echo and Fiesta, I get compliments when I wear these colors.  And I have always loved light pink, even though, back in the day when I had my colors done, the pastels were off my go to list of colors.

Next up for  Spring sweater planning,  check my stash and see what I have available to knit or if shopping is required.  That would be sad if I had to do that, now wouldn't it.  And of course, I'll need to check the trends of new patterns coming out to see what is hot in knitting and the catalogs of ready- to- wear I get to see if there is something Knit Knock Off Worthy.

Back in the day when I sewed all my own clothes and worked in an upscale fabric shop, we spent a lot of time perusing W and Vogue magazines and the pattern catalogs to scope out the latest fashions that we could reproduce.  I have to admit, I liked that part of the job the most, I could vision the fabrics, the pattern, the buttons, the sewing and the completed project on my body.  It wasn't necessarily the sewing I liked but the whole vision.

Thank goodness, some of that is still true, but I like the knitting equal to the planning of the project.  And with the warm weather at least for now, I'm ready to start my Spring planning.  Are you?