For the Love of Fiber

Knit Trip To Richmond

I went to Richmond, VA today for the River City Knitters Guild monthly meeting.  The program was on knitting podcasts and audiobooks.  It was great seeing everyone - even though there are so many whose names I don't know.  It's a big group! 

After the program, we had show and tell.  I took the Mystery Shawl 7 that I did for Mom.  Margaret brought hers that she knit out of a gorgeous green yarn.  There was another shawl shown that was by Bad Cat Designs called Queen Anne's Lace.  I have searched but can't find that particular pattern.  I'll keep looking.  It was very pretty as you can see in the picture to the right.

One of the members showed a pair of socks she was knitting - two socks at a time on one needle - with Flat Feet from Conjoined Creations.  Very clever name for this product!!  Katie had just purchased a "flat" and held it up to show everyone how it comes.  A "flat" consists of two panels of preknitted fabric.  The two panels are joined in the center.  You cut across this join area and unravel the preknitted fabric as you knit.  Sounds like a lot like quilting - cut up big pieces of fabric to make smaller pieces of fabric only to sew them back together again to make a big piece of fabric.  This time, you unravel just to knit it back up again.  Flat Feet comes in wonderful colors!  And, I would think it would be very interesting to watch how your knitted design develops as compared to the flat version. 

Other projects shown were these wonderful projects -

a modular pillow,

these two sweaters,

and this cute baby hat.

After the meeting, Rosanne, Chan, Katie, and I went to PF Chang's for lunch.  Mary and Alice joined us. 

Lunch was delicious and Alice wowed us with her newest weaving project - this waffle weave handtowel.  VERY professional looking!  Had a terrific feel to it -- just really nice.  I kept looking at it - can hardly believe it didn't come from Bed, Bath, and Beyond!  Great job, Alice!

As I left for home, I passed the sunflower field I mentioned in a previous post.  You cut your own and it's an honor system.  Three sunflowers = $1.00 and you put your money in the box with the slot.  The clippers are on the table - you return them once you've cut your flowers.  I cut six and stuck them in my empty travel coffee mug with some water.  I rode with them in the cup holder all the way home! 

Check out the signs.  I love the one on the left that shows pictures of three sunflowers = $1.00.  The other sign says "Not responsible for any accidents" at the bottom.  See the three pairs of clippers on the table and the slot for money on the sign on the right??

They didn't have the variety of colors like they have had in the past but they were still great!  I just love the whole idea that someone would offer a field of sunflowers for public enjoyment / purchase on an honor system in this day and time. 

They made the trip home and into a vase.  I added other "friends" from my garden and ended up with a pretty summer arrangement.

I LOVE sunflowers!!!  I love the way they turn towards the sun to follow its path across the sky.

Such happy flowers!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Spoke Too Soon

Didn't I just post the other day that after catching two sparrows I hadn't seen anymore???

Well, while I was busy not seeing, they did this!

Looks like I'm going to be setting the trap tomorrow. 

In the meantime, I'm a nest robber!

I moved the lemon tree to the porch for the spring/summer.  This is its third year.  Last year, I kept it inside and only got two or three lemons - less than the first year when it was outside.  The leaves are a bit sunburned but it has enjoyed the heat and humidity.  This year, I see at least half a dozen tiny lemons and it's still blooming.  Hope they all make it.  Hard to make a pitcher of lemonade with just two or three lemons! 

And, here's yet another bouquet of flowers.  Echinacea, two kinds of daisies, mint, roses, and lavender.

Earl Gray knew I had the camera and he posed for me!  He's just had a good brushing.  I'll be so glad when whatever weed it is that produces those little sticky balls stops!  All three of the cats stay covered in the things.  They're not burrs -- just little balls that stick in their fur.  I brush them with a dog brush and they come right out.  If I'm not careful, they all fly back on me! 

Then, not to be left out ------ Gracie spotted the swinging camera strap and was entralled! 

So, here's lookin' at ya!

Busy, Busy Day!

What a full day this was!!!! 

I'm a Certified Case Manager which means I have to renew my certification every 5 years.  I have to have 80 CCM credits.  My company offers programs online and I have been putting off doing them.  I did all six of them this morning.  Took about 3 hours.  The first five went quickly but the last one was a booger - all about Medicare, set-asides, life care plans, etc. - very technical.  Yuck!  One was on Rotator Cuff Tears and another on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder -- these and the other three were very interesting and included stuff I can use.  I still need about 24 credits to make 80!  YIKES!  I have until October but the way time is flying, October will be here before I know it!  Certainly don't want to miss the deadline -- definitely don't want to retake that exam!

After I finished the courses, I headed down the driveway to the studio.  I turned the soap out of the mold and then went outside. 

With garden gloves on, I dug in --- literally -- or tried to.  The dirt was hard as a brick!  I had to go get the big shovel - my garden spade wouldn't budge it.  I planted the plants I bought earlier this week - St. John's Wort, Foxglove, a variety of sedum, a mini-hosta, something tall named Lucifer that I'm not sure I like, parsley, and a small sage, several thymes, etc.  I finally got all but two pots of ornamental grass planted. 

My goal with the garden was to fill it full so the plants would choke out the weeds!  It is so full this year that we didn't even put down mulch.  I'm not sure I like it - it's beginning to look a little too jungle-like.  Some tall plants are planted in front of the smaller ones or are leaning over the smaller ones.  One sedum and a ground cover is trying to take over.  I have three or four varieties of daisies and one group is really huge this year.  The lavender and the verbena have both gone crazy!  And, my calla lilies have more blooms than ever.  Everything must have really liked the rainy Spring and the HOT temps that followed.   

The mint always takes over but I forgive it because it smells sooooooo good!  There's nothing like fresh mint!  I LOVE the fragrance!  I dry the leaves and use it in my soap.  I bring it in and set vases around so I can pinch it when I pass by.  Love that smell!  It lasts a long time in a vase.  I also love it in iced tea. 

Yes, I could thin stuff and divide stuff but that's a lot of work!  Maybe this fall......

I also planted this miniature garden.  I need small rocks for the pathway and then it will be done.  Raywood Garden Center in Danville, VA sells the mini accessories - little gates, wheelbarrows, chairs, buckets, birdhouses, bee skeps, birdbaths, etc.  I thought I had a fence but evidently I don't.  I think I'll get one and add that, too.  Mom has planted two.  She placed one of those little - oh what do you call it??? - the ball on a pedestal that I see in people's yards and gardens??  Oh well, can't think of it.  I think she used a golf tee and a marble!  Cute!  Be sure you click on the picture so you can better see the mini-garden.

Although I didn't see them last time I was there, on Courthouse Road in Midlothian, VA there are two fields that plant sunflowers for the public to pick.  There is a mailbox on a post (like a rural mailbox) with the door sealed shut.  There's a slot in the door and a pair of garden shears hanging from the box.  You cut the sunflowers you want, hang the shears back on their hook, and put your money in the box.  The fields are beautiful!  All varieties of sunflowers - big ones, little ones, rusty-red, brown, and yellow ones.  Just beautiful! 

The birds plant my sunflowers and they're usually little scrawny spindly things.  Thanks to the bird that planted this one!  Nothing puny about this one.  I'm really enjoying it!

Something else I've enjoyed this weekend while putzing around outside ---- the chickadees!  The tree in front of the studio where the birdfeeder hangs has been full of them all weekend.  I think they're the Momma and her four new babies that hatched this Spring.  I've loved listening to their chatter. 

I peeked in the bluebird house today and the nesting cup is overflowing with bluebirds!!!  They look as if they're past ready to fledge.  I expect they'll be gone in a day or two.  I kept seeing Momma go in and out of the box.  I can't believe there was enough room in there for her, too!  Maybe she was trying to encourage them to leave!  Daddy was perched on top of the box.  I placed a saucer near the box and filled it with shelled sunflower seeds and crumbled up bluebird nuggets.  Bluebirds have soft beaks and don't like the black oil sunflower seeds I put in the feeders.

Of course, I wasn't in the garden alone.  The cats LOVE to join me and today was no exception.  Earl Gray and George had fun hiding from each other underneath the plants and then pouncing on each other.  Then, George was good for nothing  - collapsed on the picnic table!  Gracie missed out.  She must have been around in front of the house where she likes to hang out there under the boxwoods. 

AND, here is the Mystery Shawl 8 so far.  I draped it over a boxwood for this picture and couldn't stretch it out much or it would come off the needles.  I'm on Row 161.  Slow but sure!  I'm also still working on the market bag.  I've almost reached the 26 inches required before I do the basketweave stitch section for the other half of the top.  Then, I'll have to do the straps.  I'm also working on a Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf with Noro Silk Garden, of course!  That's my standard "knit-while-I-wait-in-doctors'-waiting-rooms" project.  No counting!

Well, better run!  This is going to be a BUSY week with lots of work appointments and computer stuff to do since it's coming up on the end of the month.  End of June!  My goodness, where has the year gone!

Have a good week and thanks for visiting!

   

Soapy Saturday

Today, I finally finished up two orders of soap.  I also made another batch full and divided it into Oak, Orange, & Oats, Citrus Basil, and Almond Biscotti.   

One order is for Joe at On The Lamb in Staunton, VA.  I visited his store the weekend Andy and I went up for the Cestari Wool Fair and to visit the Frontier Museum. 

Located in an old house, the shop was packed with great yarns, books, and knitting notions.  Joe was expecting Lucy Neatby that very next week!!!

I hope the soaps sell well for him.  Joe ordered eight different fragrances - including a plain one for those who are sensitive to fragrances.  He will be offering Garter Stitch, Magnolia Morning, Southern Mint, and more.  If any of you reading are in the Staunton, VA area, run by and sit and knit at On The Lamb.  Tell Joe I sent you!

The second order is for Pam and Diane at Wakefield Station Antiques.  Pam knits with the group that meets in and around Colonial Heights, VA.  She has made up some spa cloths to sell with the soap in the antique shop.  Pam also ordered bags of bath salts - in rose, lavender, and mint.  The soaps have antique-y sounding names - Lavender and Lace, Vintage Spice, Antique Rose. Primitive Pear, etc.  Click on the picture to see the cute clip-art designs.  I think they turned out well.

I did sneak in a little spinning today.  Nothing new,however --- just same old stuff!!.     

Friday, Finally!

Just a quick post this morning! 

It's finally Friday and the first day of SUMMER!  I'm not as excited about this as I sound - with the exclamation point and all.  Summer is my LEAST favorite season.  I do NOT like the heat or the humidity.  In fact, "do not like" really doesn't let on how much I REALLY do NOT like it.  Oh well - it's here and there's nothing I can do about it.  In fact, our late Spring with it's 105 degree temps was WAY too much for me!  Give me a COLD Winter!!  Brrrrrrrr!  Sweater weather!!!  Yep!  That's for me!

Another garden bouquet - two varieties of daisies, three kinds of roses, echinacea, mint, and the little button flowers are santolina (great to use in an herbal moth repellant mix). 

Some of you asked about the sparrow trap.  The sparrow can be very mean to bluebirds -- they try to take over their nest box, peck the eggs, peck in the heads of the momma and babies, etc.  The trap fits inside a nesting box and stays in place by hooking on the hole.  You set the spring trap and gently close the door.  The sparrow flies in and hits the perch.  This springs the trap - a little thin piece of metal slides across the hole of the nest box.  This traps the sparrow inside the box.  Then, you take a plastic bag and place it over the box and open the front.  The bird flies out into the bag.  If it's another kind of bird, you just let him go.  If it's a sparrow --- I won't discuss what I do with the poor unwanted bird.  I have one nesting box that the sparrows are attracted to and have caught two sparrows this year.  They say if you get rid of the male, the female bird will move on.  I think that's so since I haven't had anymore sparrows in that house. 

I have to note, the sparrows kept building a nest.  I would tear out the nest whenever they started in hopes that they would get tired and move on.  They didn't so I used the trap.  After catching two, I haven't seen anymore.  If you're local and need a trap - we sell them through Raywood Garden Center in Danville, VA.  If you need one but are not local, email me. 

Also, some of you wondered what Andy's flux spoon is for.  A blacksmith uses a flux spoon when he has something in the fire and there's an area he doesn't want to burn / overheat.  Overheating causes the metal to oxidize and produces black scale.  He takes the long spoon and dips some flux (a powder) and reaches the spoon into the forge.  He spoons the flux over the area and this provides a glass-like protective coating over the area.  So, the long handled spoon allows him to reach into the hot fire and place the flux exactly where it needs to be.

I leave you with a nice quote I heard on the radio this morning ---

"I can be angry that a rose has thorns or I can rejoice that the thorns have a rose."

Have a GREAT Friday!!

Smithing and Knitting

Andy went to his blacksmith meeting last Saturday.  The meeting, held in Floyd , VA, was hands-on and focused on forge welding.  Hands-on meetings allow for everyone to actually work at a forge.  This is great for members who don't yet have forges of their own.  Andy made a flux spoon and a hook.  I really like the twisted handle on the spoon. 

Today, after a work appointment, I ran by Raywood Garden Center and ended up buying some different sedums, an herb or two, and prennual or two.  Also, Andy has made sparrow traps for them so I had to drop those off. 

Next, it was time for my Toyota Highlander to have its 90,000 mile check-up.  I bought the car in November 2005.  It was a 2004 model with only 250 miles on it.  Now, it is nearing 95,000.  The check-up was costly but I hate NOT to do it if they say I need it.  This car has to last!!!

Tonight was Monday night knitting with the group that meets at the Starbucks in Danville.  There were nine of us there and lots of pretty things! 

Laura and Wendy were both working on and modeling their socks. Great colors and I think both pairs are Jaywalkers.   

Kelly finished her sleeveless sweater.  I love the cable accents. 

Diane was very color coordinated tonight.  The sweater she was knitting matched what she was wearing exactly!  What a nice coooool color!  This is a neat pattern that incorporates a lot of different stitches - kind of like a sampler.  I'm not sure what yarn she's using but it is wonderfully soft. 

Deb was crocheting a scarf. 

Wanda was knitting a swatch for her Central Park Hoodie. 

Timmie and Page were also knitting socks. 

I worked on my Mystery Shawl 8.  It really is beautiful!  So lacey!  I can hardly wait to finish it!

Better run - my eyes are drifting closed and I have early apointments on the schedule for tomorrow.

Have a great Tuesday!

Puppyless And More

Well, I'm puppyless - no more Gracie.  When Brian left this morning, I headed to Danville to put in an  appearance at the rug hooking meeting at Mom's house.  This was our last monthly meeting until September.  It's hard to believe that we've been meeting for 14-15 years!!!  We had a great crowd - 17 members were present.  Everyone was braving the heat and meeting out on the patio.  I didn't stay long - grabbed a quick lunch, held a brief meeting, and was off to Greensboro, NC with Gracie to meet Taylor.

Gracie rides like a champ!  I put her bed in the passenger seat and she curls up and sleeps.  Except, when you use the turn signal.  Then, she wakes up - thinking you're going to stop somewhere and she's going to miss something!

We met Taylor at Friendly Pets at Friendly Shopping Center.  He was glad to see her!  And, she was glad to see him!

Today was Knit In Public Day!  I KIP'ed with Gracie at Friendly Shopping Center at one of their great little outdoor tables with a bright yellow umbrella while waiting for Taylor who had run in one of the stores.  I got a few rows done on my linen market bag.  I like this pattern and can hardly wait to finish and use it. 

I tried to go to Yarns, Etc. and This & That but both knitting stores were closed.  They both closed at 4:00 PM on Saturday!  What's with that????  I did discover that This & That is moving to a new space near the Fresh Market on Lawndale.  There was no moving / opening date on their sign so I have no idea when this is going to happen.  I'll have to make a point to call them to find out.

On the way down Highway 29 South from Danville, VA to Greensboro,  there was a definite bright spot in the median.  NC really knows how to dress up their highways!  VA could learn a thing or two.  There are a couple of places where I've noticed that VA tries but they don't get the weeds out first so it ends up being more weeds than flowers.  This section of median was FULL of a mass of daylilies!  (Please ignore the dirty windshield!)

A few more things are blooming in my garden. 

Remember the Calla Lily I showed you the other day??  It was creamy white.  Well, today it must have been embarrassed!  It was blushing!

This batch of bluebirds seems to be growing up faster to me for some reason.  They amaze me!  You're probably sick of seeing pictures of half-naked baby birds but here's another one!!  A small one.  You can click on it for a larger view.  Last year, she hatched three batches of eggs - 5 - 5 - and then 4.  So far this year, she's had two batches - 5 and 5.  Momma Bluebird is never far away from the box / nest.  I can always spot her up in a nearby tree keeping an eye on me.  Daddy has 4 eggs in his box and when he opens it to check the nest, Momma swoops at him.  Funny, mine has never minded.

A couple other new things were blooming in the garden on today's visit. 

The Clematis was very showy.  Something's eating the leaves but the blooms are pretty. 

Also, one of the daylilies bordering the garden was in bloom.   

I got home about 6:00 PM or so and announced to the kitties that Gracie Pup had been returned to Taylor - finally. 

Earl Gray was a little sad because he REALLY liked Gracie Pup and would head butt her whenever he saw her just like he was greeting another cat!

George narrowed his eyes at me and wondered if I was joking!  George was trying to decide if Gracie not returning with me was a good thing or a bad thing.  He kind of like her, too.  Kind of. 

Gracie Kitty's eyes grew wide with excitement and she was thrilled with the news of no more Gracie Pup!  She'd gotten tired of hissing and arching her back!

On a more serious note, I found out about Nate's blog, "Confessions of a CF Husband", several months ago and posted about it.  He has a web site now, too.  Long story short, this young couple (in their 20's) has been through a lifetime of trials and tribulations.  Tricia has cystic fibrosis.  In 2007, she was on the list for a double lung transplant when they found out she was pregnant.  Against the advice of her physicians, she and Nate decided to NOT abort the pregnancy.  She was taken off the transplant list.  Baby Gwyneth Rose was delivered in January 2008 at 24 weeks gestation weighing just under 1 lb. 6 oz. Tricia went back on the transplant list and received a double lung transplant this spring.  Duke University Medical Center was this family's home for MONTHS - Tricia was discharged in April and Gwyneth in May.  NOW, the doctors have discovered atypical cells in Tricia's lungs.  A biopsy has been done and cancer is suspected.  This is all very new so they don't have a lot of info up yet on the blog.  Please keep this young family from Eastern North Carolina in your thoughts and send lots of positive energy their way.  

Gracie Pup --- sleep tight tonight!!!

Gracie's Last Night

Friday night was Gracie Pup's last night in the country.  She spent it lounging about and playing with her toys.  Oh, and checking on the cats!!

I'll miss her but, at least I'll be able to take a shower without a pup on the other side of the curtain crying because I disappeared!!

Brian came home Friday, so Gracie played with him, also.  Andy, Brian, and I met Mom and Dad in South Boston for dinner at Four Oaks.  A quick Happy Father's Day dinner while Brian is here.  He will go back home Saturday morning. 

I took George to the vet Friday for his almost white gums and tongue.  Blood tests were run and everything was completely normal.  His gums and tongue used to be pink!  Now, he's a white cat with gums to match!

As Brian watched TV and Gracie slept / played, I spun!

Rug hooking meeting Saturday and then on to Greensboro, NC with Gracie to meet Taylor and Rachael. 

The Wanderer

The wanderer, Earl Gray, showed up last night right after I posted he was missing.  I don't understand where he could have been.  All three cats come running when I call them and when I'm outside, they follow me everywhere.  They are almost always on the back porch or not too far away in the backyard.  I have to wonder if someone takes him inside so he can't get back home.  Then I wonder - who would that be??  We live up on a hill on a major highway - not like we're in a neighborhood with houses close on either side of us. 

Here's Earl Gray, aka 'the wanderer', hanging out today while I was planting petunias. 

Today was terribly stinky outside!  And, it was very hazy.  We were getting smoke from the fire happening in Eastern North Carolina.  The fire has burned over 40,000 acres so far.  This is happening 4-5 hours from us.  I can only imagine what it's like for all those closer.  I wish them a really good rain.   

Tomorrow, I'm taking George to the vet.  He's my Flame Point Siamese - white with orange markings.  His gums are very very very pale.  May be anemic??  He's fairly lethargic but it's hard to tell if that's due to the hellish heat or something else.  What is with these animals!??  Annie is due for her annual and Earl Gray has to have his third and final - thank goodness! - FIV.   

I have to share some of the flower shots from the garden today. 

First, there are pictures of two Echinacea plants,

then Verbena (which goes all over my garden and comes back every year),

and the first bloom from my white Calla Lily.

Here are pictures of Mr. Happy just waiting for a bird to come take a bath!

Finally, here are my bloomin' boots! 

These are fun to make!  You can take any old shoe or boot.  These two, I've just really loosened the laces and filled the boot with soil.  Then, I plant some type of succulent in the top.  You can also cut the top of the foot out and plant there and in the top of the boot.  The UPS man just loves these.  He said he told his wife about them and now they have a pair, too. 

The lilies along the sides of the garden are still holding back.  They're full of buds but no blooms yet. 

I saw the season's first Japanese Beetles on the roses today.  So, the war is on!!!!!!!

Looks like Brian will be coming home tomorrow late afternoon.  He'll spend the night and go back home Saturday morning.  A quick trip. 

Saturday, I'll make an appearance at Mom's.  She's hostessing the rug hooking meeting for June. 

Then, Gracie Pup and I will head to Greensboro, NC.  We're going to meet Taylor and Rachael at Friendly Shopping Center at the pet store where I'll hand off Miss Pup.  If I have time, I might try to run by Yarns, Etc. and Spinners' Ridge.  These two stores are located in the same store space.  There are also LOTS of interesting stores along the same street - galleries, a bakery, an art store, antique shops, lots of unique restaurants, etc.  The bad part is finding a parking place!  It's the type of area where you need to just park your car, get out and walk.  The street is too busy and congested to look at everything as you drive - so walking is best.   

It's hard to post knitting stuff when there are so many other pretty things.  I hope to have some knitting time this weekend.  I really want to make tracks on the Mystery Shawl 8. 

I've finished the soap orders - just need to get the special names for the labels.  I still need to make a batch of cream and lip butter.  OH, I need more than 24 hours in my days!  Do you feel like that??

Here are the soaps that I made for Brandy's wedding reception.  These are my half-bar size - approximately 2 oz.  I thought they were cute with the clip-art on the labels.  My favorite was the car with the "Just Married" on the back.  Click on the picture for a better view.  Hope the wedding and reception went well and they'll be very happy together. 

Well, better run - going to knit with David Letterman!

Cold Front

Well, thank goodness, today was cooler!  The past 3-4 days have been 100 degrees and then some.  This morning the breeze felt almost cool at 88 degrees.  I think it got up to about 98 this afternoon but funny how that feels so cool compared to the last several days.  I'm watering my gardens and potted plants like crazy!  The garden is just lush!  My lavender has never bloomed like this and everything else is doing well, too. 

Today when I visited the garden, the butterflies and bumblebees were also there.  The butterflies really like the echinacea and the bumbles just liked everything!  If you look closely to the left of the butterfly, you'll see a bumblebee in flight.  In the picture below, there are two butterflies on the flower to the left.  One butterfly has closed it's wings so you can hardly notice it.

Checking in on the bluebird box, I found all five babies awake and squirming.  I looked around for Momma Bluebird and there she was ----- up in the tree watching me. 

On the knitty front, I am still working on the Mystery Shawl 8.  I'm on Row 145 out of 214 so I have a ways to go.  I'm trying to do a few rows every night.  I need to get moving - I have two others in the works and two more are mystery ones are starting soon. 

I'm also still working on the linen market bag.  I save that project for my work appointments when I'm sitting in the waiting rooms. 

Gracie pup is 100% back to her old self!  She's bouncing everywhere and is just soooo sweet.  I'm going to meet Taylor in Greensboro, NC on Saturday and turn her over to him.  I'm going to miss her and worry about her in his apartment with a bark collar on.  Oh well!  She's his dog and he loves her and does what he has to do.  He's mentioned possibly renting a room from a friend who has a house with acreage when his apartment lease is up.  Gracie pup would like that!!!  She loves to run!

On a curious note -- I can't find Earl Gray.  I haven't seen him since Monday night.  It's been so hot and I'm worried about him.  Every now and then, he disappears for a day or so - but usually not this long.  I have to wonder if someone takes him in.  I call and ride around and walk around calling him and nothing.  Then, all of a sudden he's on the backporch again.  Well, let's hope that happens this time!

I think it's my second blogiversary this month.  I can't remember the exact day.  Was it June 16th??  I might just need to have a contest!!!!!!!!