Stop Knitting?

The Nurse sent me this.....thanks daughter. I've had a great time with you the past few weeks - I'll miss you lots!

Opps I did it again

I strayed from the pledge not to start anything new...instead I took a break from the sweater and clipped these out....Another pair of Serpentine Mitts.
These are such a fast knit. Might have to do a pair for me.

Went to the Bookstore last night - had no intention of buying anything - went with REI Girl. But this just jumped into my arms....Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting....Oh it's beautiful. AFTER the sweater and AFTER the shawl - then a Fair Isle Project.

Maybe something like this....
This is from this site Beautiful things - but in Swedish. I just like the colorway of this...so may use the new book to design my own!

I also started a quick hat for REI girl out of the left over Noro from my bag - it matches her jacket perfectly so I just had to do it...duh.

I have an empty house today so will knit and stay warm by the fire!!

inquiring minds

Anonymous wants to know what the bag shrunk to....

It started out at 35 inches across and now is 20....so a third? Just right.

Haven't even had a chance to call the leather strap guy yet...eventually. Have been working on the Shawl Collar Lacy Rib sweater - finding errors in the pattern but figuring them out. Almost finished with the first sleeve. I might actually get to wear this this year!

College Girl (AKA The Nurse) has brought home the new BF - I think I'm going to have to find a blogging name for him as he fits right in the family!! A Hugger to boot! Oh gosh the kids are growing up on me...

REI Girl is having a thriving time...world is looking pretty good for her these days. Moving out was a good thing. Her new house is just perfect and she is totally enjoying her independence.

Don't ask about the Geek - he has his own life - boys - what are you going to do!

I'm thinking of my frigid friends in the east - sorry it's so cold. But now you really get to put all your efforts to good use!! We've had freezing fog/rain - which I really hate because it's dangerous and dreary - especially for sunny Central Oregon. The sun will return!!

Second Post of the Day...

I'm just whipping out these WIP's - only two more projects left on the needles. It's the sweater next - more about that later. But here's the Stitch and B*tch socks - the yarn was a wonderful gift from my knitting group....OK - I'll come next week - I've been really busy with kids home etc.

Part 2

OK - this is the next stage. It will be awhile before I get the finished product. Leather straps are next!

Finally

This has been the longest project - started June 2008. Now it is in the finishing process. This is before felting...you'll have to wait for the after. I finally figured out how to make my washer use all hot water - switch the hoses and tell the washer to use cold - fooled it - it's all hot. (Thanks Paul) So now the felting is in process and it's actually working. I'll have more pictures later. I think I'm going to have leather straps put on it - take it to a saddle maker (there are many around here). I'm glad to have this off the WIP list.

I had a great Christmas - lots of heart felt gifts that were really appreciated. My best partner in crime at work (a man no less) even gave me some new yarn - alpaca silk lace weight - Oh I can't wait to get started on a shawl. My boss got me a great Audubon print of a Great Blue Heron (which we have on the Ranch) - it is framed in a wonderful old frame that sets it off perfectly. Both these presents took time and effort - I was really surprised and really honored by their efforts.

Being with the kids was lots of fun. REI Girls roommate was with us too - what a silly girl - she fit right in! I am a very lucky mom! We did things a little different this year. Traditionally we have our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve - but we all worked that day. So instead I made homemade clam chowder. On Christmas day we cooked the big meal together. I've always thought cooking on Christmas day was too stressful - too much going on - but this worked out fine since it was just us.

The drama at work is almost over....decisions are being made. I do know that I'm in for at least three more months - then things may change - but I bet it works out for me anyway! So am really looking forward to a positive New Year. Cleaning up my WIP list and starting a new shawl - maybe this one - Ene's Scarf - I think it's more shawl like...we'll have to see when I get at least one more WIP out of the basket!

Hope everyone's Holiday was merry and best wishes for the best New Year!!

I lied...or changed my mind

OK - I decided to do one more gift. I had the yarn, the pattern and luckily it turns out the time! Now everything is finished and everything is even all wrapped. I rock! Details in my Ravelry projects. Eight gift items finished since Thanksgiving. All from stash but one!

Am looking forward to the holiday - I sent an invite to the kids to bring their favorite jammies and their ugliest Christmas sweater (I'm the only one who has those). All the food is ready to be prepared, the house is clean and Christmas is two days away. Again I rock!

Check this out

Merry Christmas to all!!

Done

Actually finished - (isn't it cakes that are done?) But I can't talk about them...so you'll have to check out my Project Notebook on Ravelry...skip the WIP's (I am now working on them) and just go to the next 6 items. Whew - it was a race but I did it! All started just after Thanksgiving - see what you can do when you don't have a life?

All my gifts are made or bought - nothings wrapped - tomorrow. I've even done some of the grocery shopping. We are doing things a little different this year. Usually we have our big Christmas dinner on Christmas eve...but since most of us are working that day (and need to work..) there just isn't time. So we're making a big pot of homemade clam chowder for Christmas Eve and will do the full on Turkey dinner on Christmas Day. It will just be me and the kids and I thought it was time they learned how to cook this meal - they do know the family tradition parts - homemade cranberry sauce and Satin Sauce for the pies. It will be a fun day of old movies and good smells from the kitchen. It will be good to have all three of them here.

REI Girl moved into her new place last weekend. She has a great roommate and a darling little house. She can walk to work and to school. She is in heaven. It is quiet around here but I'm enjoying it. Will enjoy it more when the Nurse comes home next week. It will be nice to have her around for 6 weeks!! I doubt she'll be able to stand the quietness of life here so will probably run up to Portland a few times to see her friends (including a new beau!). But I am looking forward to having her around.

Here's to a wonderful Holiday and a much better new year!! Knit on!!