View?

Not Today!

Today we have heavy rolling fog.

It's so thick , I can't even see the building in the photos today!

I hope it burns off before the afternoon commute!

Everybody's Doing It.

Well maybe not everybody - but certainly lots of people. Angie even had a tutorial. It wasn't nearly as horrible as it sounded. First I wound 2 bobbins with white elastic thread. Then, I stitched row after row of straight stitches. Separated only by between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch. It's not exact and it's not always straight. Fabric came from Marjie last summer. She had it - didn't love it. I already used half of it to make a skirt for me that needs hemming. So I used the rest to make a skirt/dress/swimsuit cover up for the Princess. It looks tiny - but it fit over my hips so it'll fit you fine ;)

DoT

Yesterday we got a lovely card from our vet.

Also in the mail was a smallish (about 6" square) heavy, box.

It worried me and I wouldn't open it.

In the box was this lovely memorial stone - sent by our vet's office.

Made me smile - through tears.

Best First Dog Ever!

**Warning - sad post ahead**

Last Thursday when we got home, Dudley wasn't doing so well at all.

The glands in his throat were the size of softballs and he didn't want to do anything.

He wouldn't even eat his all time favorite treats.

and he missed dinner.

First thing Friday morning we were at our vet. Where she listened to him and said that his lungs where no affected by the cancer. He ate a can of stinky wet TD and enjoyed every bite. We agreed with the vet that it was the right thing to do for him. He was no longer having fun. He wasn't being a dog. He was miserable. So, we said goodby and helped him over the Rainbow Bridge. I miss you buddy! You were the best first dog ever.

Fun and Flirty

Last Saturday after my monthly ASG meeting, I had errands to run. One of those errands was going to get more vacuum cleaner bags. I managed to pick up a few new sewing notions while I was there. Also, the vacuum store is right next to Pacific Fabrics. I went in looking for some skull quilting cotton to make a long overdue project bag - instead I bought this lovely red and white floral quilting cotton.

I immediately put it in the washer when I got home and hung it on the clothesline. This is the softest cotton.

Sunday afternoon found me down in the studio. After finishing the orange skirt - except for the hem - I decided to make a quick version of KS3337 (seriously - buy this pattern - although in the first photo I look a bit like a huge triangle).

After putting the skirt together, I decided that maybe it was a bit thin and needed a lining. So off to the cupboard I went. I found a nice piece of white poly lining - most likely from JoAnns and cut out a lining. I sewed the invisible zipper between the fashion fabric and the lining. Then I decided to cut a strip of the fashion fabric and used it to hem the lining. I put the strip right side to wrong side of the lining and sewed a 1/4" seam, flipped it to the right side of the lining and then top stitched it down. Then I went back and added some tiny cotton "tatting" trim. The lining is about 2" shorter than the skirt so this little design element is just for me. But - it so dang cute I had to show just about everyone today!

My Old Man

He's doing well all things considered.

He's eating with gusto still, although the pred is about at the end of its working limit.

He still loves to go explore and wags his tail often.

We appreciate all the good wishes.

Declutter?

JB and I are getting ready to embark on some serious declutter. We have both "vowed" not to buy unnecessary items (says the girl who bought 4 cuts of fabric on Saturday - thank you stress shopping!) Anyway - I'm sure you're asking what these little lovelies have to do with that vow?

Well - Friday there was a package in the mail for me from IrishGirlieKnits. See she emailed me and asked if I'd test knit another pattern. Of course I said yes - she has the best patterns! She then mentioned that she had some kollage Sock-a-licious that she would be sending to her test knitters. ::love::

She also slipped in an extra ball of yarn just because she's nice like that (and she's in the middle of her own declutter).

Then on Saturday - there was another package for me. I swear I haven't been shopping (except for the 4 cuts of fabric - and one's already made into a new skirt).

What was it, you ask? This adorable little project bag loaded with exterior pockets. It's polka dotted - which is one of my favorite things ever and completely lined with a lovely glen plaid.

Now to find a project worthy of it? Hmmmm - maybe the new test knit?

Snapshot of my Life

It has been said before that I don't elaborate on things gone wrong. So, I just thought I'd share.

I mentioned to JB that we were going to have to do something about the washer soon. I was getting tired of my white tees coming out stained. And I was quite irritated when my brand new orange tank come out of the washer with grease all over it today! I put stain stick on it before drying and it came out in the second wash - but really? Should I have to wash everything twice?

So - anyway - after telling him what was happening. This Sunday after working in the yard all afternoon, JB came in and took the washer apart. I don't know if it will behave any better - but what I do know is appliances aren't made like they used to be. This one is only 11 years old and is acting up? My last washer is probably still going strong in my old house and we gave it up after 18 years. Throw-away society indeed.

Dotty for

I gifted these on Saturday. I almost forgot - they have been done for a couple of months.

The pattern is Dotty by IrishGirlieKnits (for some unknown reason I cannot past on my computer at home any more - so no working links - sorry).

I test knit this pattern for her and I love it!

The yarn is Yarn Love Marianne Dashwood in the strawberry shortcake colorway.

edited to add links - now if I could just get the line spacing to behave . . . .

Left Overs

The pictures aren't very good. I was playing with the settings on JB's camera. Guess I'm going to have to learn to "photoshop" my pictures - now can somebody send me some extra time? Anyway - this yarn was left over from a mystery sock I participated in last year. It was Pagewood Farms - which is lovely and squishy and makes a fabulously comfy sock. I recently purchased a couple of harmony guides - so for these socks, I picked a pattern and just knit. It's an eyelet that travels across a rib background. The book only had it going in one direction so I did have to modify the pattern and figure out how to make it go the other way. But I managed. The green foot was the contrast color on the first pair of socks and I didn't realize I had so much of the brown left - it goes quite high up the leg, but I'll just wear them folded over. The eyelet only goes over the top of the foot. These were fun to knit and I'm enjoying taking a stitch pattern and manipulating it to get what I want. Watch out knitting!

Erin's First Bear

The owner of my local yarn store is very involved with the local hospice. Each year the hospice works in connection with the Moyer Foundation to provide bears for the kids at the local Camp Erin. the bears are donated by various radio stations and local business and then Fontelle asks her customers to dress them. This year I decided to do a bedtime bear. She's wearing a nightgown that I sewed (broke the rules, I know). She also has bunny slippers and a bunny woobie. I'm sure some child will love her - dontcha think?

Instant Oatmeal

Instant Oatmeal

::3 cups quick oats

::1/2 cup packed brown sugar

::1/4 cup banachips

::1/4 raisins (but I used cherries)

cinnamon

Dump everything together in a bowl

mix well.

Put in a closed container.

Take 1/2 cup put in a microwave safe dish.

Just cover with water.

Cook for 30 seconds, stir, cook an additional 25 seconds.

Enjoy.

I was thrilled when I found a recipe for making my own instant oatmeal.

It's not all that exciting, but since I'll eat oatmeal for breakfast most days it's a huge savings.

and I can put whatever dried fruit I wish in.

If you make your own - let me know what flavors you enjoy.

Fireworks

Big fun was had by all.

The photos are getting better.

But man, was it cold here!

Mexican Tablecloth Skirt

This is the Mexican Tablecloth Skirt. There's not a lot left to say about it. I wanted the lining to just barely peak out of the bottom, but I think it's a bit too much and I might need to take a tuck in it. Hard to tell.

This is a bit shorter than I usually make my TNT (although really I think you have to make variations that aren't just different fabric) KS 3337 skirt because the fabric shrunk when I washed it. Bu it's not indecently short and it was comfortable to wear all day.

The guy who works at the coffee shop in my building came out and said I looked absolutely adorable today - so JB must be wrong about it looking like a tablecloth. More sewing to come.

Cry of Hounds

Yesterday our friend Fudge posted about what different groups of animals are called. A group of hounds is a cry. Mom said I could "cry" for Sissy and Gretchen's Mom because it's her birthday today. And since mom is too lame to make her own video's well link to this one of us singing from last year - posted by Mom's friend Coffee Yarn. Happy Birthday! -- Beau

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs

They are all there. Can you find 4 dogs?

We are adjusting. We spend alot of time up and down, opening and closing doors.

but we are still a 4 dog household and that makes me happy.