G'ma's Grapevine!

Fall Splendor!!!

2010-10-05T07:56:00.002-06:00

Fall is here!! i love the changing colors on the trees. the air is fresh and cool - no humidity. the sky is filled with various shades of white to gray-blue billowy cotton fluffs. and the perfect knitting season...getting to enjoy this season and make knitted gems for family and friends. alas, always too many on my list, not enough time!

am making Hawkeye handpainted black/gold socks for g'sons E & E. H & S got theirs last Christmas! leftover yarn will go into a lacey scarf for me. i need to knit from my sock yarn stash as a couple pair have sprung holes in the soles ;-(

have a request to make the gdaughters sweater-jackets this fall. they are growing out of their clothes fast!

am in midst of building a new home in wooded area...the scenery is beautiful around the lot! can't wait to finish and move in...everything on one level, but have access to unfinished lower level...lots of storage space and craft area.

will try to post more often than i have during this past couple of years. i need to write more. but i HAVE been reading a lot of t's books inbetween spurts of knitting!

in stitches...
hawknitr13

back home again!!

2010-04-14T06:52:00.001-06:00

WOW!! i don't blog as much as a used to...i blog'd daily for a while b4 Ravelry & Facebook hit the cyber-waves!! i just watch'd a great video on Ravelry and learned 2 new knitting tip/techniques that should help improve my knitting! 1) how to decrease the size of the last BO stitche and 2) how to purl more efficiently continentally. i think it's the same method that i've seen in a tv commercial but could not figure out how it was done! purling cont.style has always been my sore spot and makes me knit English-throwing most of the time, but my purls tend to be a bit looser...

still within gauge, but looser. so now i have 2 things to try today on my day-off of cleaning/

sorting/packing ... spring housing-cleaning is moving ahead 'full-steam' these days!!! i cleaned the garage yesterday...loaded up the garbage can + 3 bags full for the 'guys' this morning! i'm purging 'junk'!!! but i STILL have too much stuff all over this condo! i guess each year i will need to rid myself of yet more stuff, aka: JUNK!!! i'm too much of a sentimental romantic. i save too much stuff. it's this stuff that i've purchased in past years that brings back memories of travels, people/friends, etc. my entire condo is decorated w/art that i've purchased here and elsewhere during travels...esp my "Colorado" hummingbird/mountain bedroom!! and my LR/kitchen is Italian...I LOVE ITALY!!! both it's cities and food!!

ok, back to the real world... i promise (to myself) i will blog more regularly.

rain in AZ!!

2010-02-23T08:00:00.003-06:00

i can't beleive it rains in AZ!! 3 days now! and cold! i almost feel i'm getting 'cabin fever' like in an IOWA snowstorm!! which, of course, i'm NOT missing at this moment!! LOL
i'm just about finished with the 2nd 'pumpkin vine' lace sock! i've frog'd at least once on each sock! but i want to make a matching 'pumpkin vine' skinny scarf and submit the set to the Johnson Co Fair this summer ... i think i'm ready for a critique!! the yarn is handpainted with all the fall colors! it's perfect for this pattern! will post pic when finished...
~~the fair thing is a 'no-go'!!! my 2nd sock was knit tighter and is smaller than the 1st!! ;-(
i hope one of my feet is smaller!! LOL oh well, they're pretty anway!!

yarn quest

2010-02-10T07:08:00.002-06:00

good morning world!
here we are in sunny Mesa,AZ w/rain in the forecast for today! but nevertheless, we are going to gps our way to Scotsdale in search of the yarn shop there! we have a newly remodeled condo this year...new chocolate brown leather furniture, granite-top dining table, and chocolate brown bedding/towels! long & narrow and taupe, it looks/sounds like a cave!! (no pics on walls yet)
we know the grocery store and coffee shop from past yrs! so broadening our horizons!! hubby has been to all the surrounding towns in years past from away CUB spring training games, but this year i want to check a few of them out! since i won $35 at bingo last week, i can splurge a little again on yarn!!
made 6 'grape-bunch' dishcloths on the 3-day drive out here. then a lace baby sweater, 2 hats and working on a pr of 'rainy day' lace socks in navyblue nylon/acrylic. i'm using up my 'scraps' for baby hats,mitts to donate. b4 we left home i donated 15 baby sweaters, mostly lacey, to UIHC volunteers to distribute to babies in hospital. i received a very nice thank you note from the ladies!! makes me want to knit/donate more!! baby sweaters are small and easy to finish quickly! will post some pics soon!
well, that's all for now...i promise to try to post more regularly!
^)^ linda

New Year ~ 2010

2010-01-12T08:59:00.002-06:00

hello world!!
i can't beleive i haven't been here since April of 2009!!! i can't possibly update 9 months in one post, so i won't! i'll just start anew!!
it's cold here...18 above... salvationArmy is coming for a pickup today. downsizing even more. we decided to build...got the last corner lot on susan's street...good for her since she is our builder! there is a wooded park in the backyard which is less for us to mow! plus deer/wildlife!! a new firestation will be built across the street this year so that's comforting.
i designed a basic ranch -one level(w/unfinished basement) that is ADA accessible. no steps for either of us unless we venture down to the cementCave!!
so far i'm loving the process of deciding on cabinets, counters, tile, carpet, paint, etc. my kitchen will be Italian --winecolored cherry cabinets, beautiful quartz counters. corner fireplace in greatRoom. tiled walk-in showers, double sinks, corner tub w/glass window blocks in masterBath. island w/drawers. stainless appliances. i want a floor drain in the garage. everything new! i can't wait to start digging! that will start when we're in Mesa,AZ for 2 months (planned b4 our 'build' decision!)
so my knitting has kept me 'employed' parttime w/yarn $$$... i will update my knitting project pics soon... i need to do that on Ravelry too! i made the 6 g'kids each a pair of handknit socks. i know E&E love theirs!! also got some 'hawkeye' black/gold sock yarn...it pools a lot but 'that's life!' my BKFF cindy is a real gem! we try to get together every wed during her lunch. and i have a couple of good knitting friends online...valli in maine, anita in queens,NY. i treasure their friendship!
ok, that's all for now...
^)^linda

Knitting: Stress Reducer!

2009-04-05T08:15:00.003-06:00

April 5~
i missed a whole month(March) because while in Mesa,AZ we did not have internet access unless we took this laptop to Starbucks!! that was not fun...not having access ;(
so now, i'm trying to get back in my 'mo-jo'...computing (raveling) in the mornings w/my java b4 i do anything else! i just joined Twitterthis morning! i hope i use it!
i tried to embed a CBS special about knitting reducing stress...it didn't work. but it's nice that Harry Smith on GMA featured 'what's old is new again!'
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4917058n
i will get my pics of my Elsebeth Lavold hempathy (sage & lilac) Daphne's posted soon and my butterfly stitch pullover summer top i'm currently working on out of dbstrand crochet cotton.
Shannon/John gave me a bottle of CopperRidge wine and some shower gel for my (friday)march 13 bday!...the day i had to take my DH to the hospital in the Valley...high white count and very dehydrated...he ended up w/colitis and UT infection and a 4day hospital stay. thank goodness the UrgentCare dr recommended a brand new hospital...it had very good drs and great facilities!
but now we are home and i'm so glad!! still unpacking and going to get groceries b4 the (winter)
storm approaches this afternoon...
more soon...

2009-02-05T16:23:00.012-06:00

i've been getting really behind at bloggin' since i've been busy knitting for family, friends and my 1st craft show! i vow to blog once a week in this new year! i'm still catching up from Christmas so here are 'a few of my favorite things'!!!

teresa's 'EUPATHIA from elsebeth lavold's 'Enchanted Garden Collection'. i let her pick the yarn/color. it turned out to be a 'jacket' type of sweater w/belt. she has worn it and says it keeps her nice and warm!

i made susan a 'Meandering Vines' stole in black. she wears a lot of black. the designer, who lives in Germany, emailed me (w/compliments!) after i posted this pic on Ravelry!

this is ethan & greta posing for g'ma's camera with ethan's Texas Longhorn's hat on greta!

upon meeting Nora at Christmas i brought over a bolero for her!

this is a very soft db brested vest that i sold to a 'neighboring' vendor at the Regina St.Nick Market. isn't he a cutie??

this window-paned pullover w/button shoulder was traded to the Regina elem media specialist for a snowman she made! she was hopeful for g'kids sometime. at Christmas she learned she WOULD be a g'ma!

this is a tye-dye yarn top on the cover of 'Knit-n-Style' that appeals to my desire to make myself a few new things for summer! i like this pattern AND yarn!

more hearts...

2009-02-04T20:07:00.017-06:00

some of the projects/activities i've been working on/doing since Christmas...

Daphne by ElsebethLavold 'Enchanted Garden Collection' that i am making for myself in lt.sage hempathy(cotton/hemp).

Noro Kureyon little 'booga bag' for knitting accessories - felted by knit'n budde CindyV

knit'n at Coralville Crazy Girl Yarn Shoppe w/friends!

Evan at his piano recital...GOOD JOB!

'Reid' lacey sweater for my eyeDr's daughter!

my 1st use of Sweater Wizard CD to make matching 4T 'Provence' for older sister of whom baby sister already received one this past summer!

knit'n at HomeEc on a Sunday afternoon w/friends!

my favorite pic of Zoey at G'ma & G'pa's house!

Ethan's 1st 5th grade band concert (Dec 2008)

Ethan plays percussion!

Faith Hill sings America before SuperBowl Feb 1, 09

Kurt Warner (from Cedar Rapids,IA) QB Arizona Cardinals in SuperBowl Feb 1, 2009

Baby BSJ for SilasSuchomel's 'New Member of the Family' pic Jan '09
Baby BSJ,pants,hat,mitts,socks for JvF's g'baby due in March '09

the 'rest of the outfit'!!

one of two LUNA MOTH lace shawls 1~purple for Regina Gala in Feb 09 2~black for JvF's expectant daughter due in March

practicing 'butterfly' stitch on dishcloths!

February Hearts!

2009-02-04T18:01:00.034-06:00

Some of my favorite inauguration pictures...

Blogoversary!

2009-01-15T08:29:00.002-06:00

i should have blog'd yesterday on my 'blogoversary' but wasn't feeling like doing much except catching up on sleep! so now, it's 364 days until my next one! i have a LOT of posting to do here and on Ravelry...i need to print pics before uploading to the computer.
i've recently finished 2 toddler sweater orders and a LUNA-MOTH shawl for my g'kids' school's Feb Gala auction. the principal said she appreciated a 'heads-up' to know what i made so she can bid on it. i also got and order from the vice-principal for a baby sweater and shawl for the expectant mother(daughter of VP)!! these to be done/delivered before we leave for Mesa,AZ to 'visit' the CUBS at spring training!! she bought a sage green lace sweater for her 1st g'daughter and everyone loved it! i am glad to get feedback on my knitting, esp that the item fit!
i have to admit that i spend more time on Ravelry than i do here on my own blog. my bad!!!
i love that there is such a resource for meeting other knitters, viewing pics, searching/saving patterns! i have a knitn' budd, Cindy, who found me on Ravelry! actually, i asked her about her name~Toulouse~ because i had gone by the MoulinRouge in Paris on a bustour when my husband/i chaperoned his students to Europe back in the 80's! so we talk everyday now on Ravelry! and knit together whenever we can!
also, the shawl i'm going to make for the VP is the same 'meandering vines' that i made susan for Christmas. after posting it to Ravelry, the designer (who is from Germany) emailed me back! that's what i mean by loving Ravelry!!! i've talked to knitters all over the world! even Australia!
it's 22 below zero here in Iowa today...schools closed...a very good day to stay in and knit!!!

Season Greetings 2008

2008-12-14T13:39:00.010-06:00

'Heart-of-the-Hawkeyes' display at Regina's St.Nick's Market 7Dec08

display goods before the show!
Regina fancy fur scarves!

Cranberry almond biscotti!

3 sets of necklets/lace wristwarmer orders

Zoey in G'ma Linda's knit'n recliner!

G'ma Linda fix'd my toys!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

i aplogize for the Smilebox music "What Child Is This?" conflicting w/the preprogram'd music on my blog!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!

2008-11-19T11:35:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

November knits...

2008-11-18T14:54:00.013-06:00

President Elect...

2008-11-05T07:33:00.012-06:00

President Elect Barack Obama
November 4, 2008
1st African-American President!

new fall knits...2008

2008-11-02T07:17:00.011-06:00

the 'COLLECTION' July 2008~~

this is my 'COLLECTION' on Nov 1, 2008~~~
i've been replendishing after a donation for a preemie benefit this fall. i'm knitting a lot of new patterns.

this is on my 'to-do' list!!

Official Campaign Photo Nov 2008

2008-11-01T10:24:00.001-06:00

this is just hilarious!!! i got it from a (retired) colleague! no matter what your political affiliation, it is cute!!

baby 'diaper cake'!!!

2008-10-19T16:47:00.005-06:00

this is the baby boy 'diaper' cake that sd teresa made for her sil's baby shower today!! i was happy to have some country blue ribbon on hand that she could use to help secure the diapers!! what a cute idea!!!

i also went knitting to HomeEc today w/cindy and met val, beth, beth, ann(who i already knew from CG) and a new gal who was learning to knit her 1st sock!! it was great to meet some new local knitters! val makes/sells purses w/another gal...just had an open house and sold a lot! will display them dec 6 at HomeEc again! met cindy's daughter, carrie, and gs max ...i forgot to take the next skein for my aran sweater and forgot my camera as i wanted to get a pic of this activity... next time!!

home from the hospital...

2008-10-10T08:08:00.004-06:00

i haven't been blogging lately...in fact, i haven't been knitting much lately...we have just had a 10-day ordeal in UIHC when my dh went in for a total (left)hip replacement on wed Sep 24...we knew, because of his DISH syndrome(his bones build extra bone tissue) that the intubation(breathing tube prep) would be difficult...his skeleton system has so much extra bone that it is fused in places, two of which are his neck/lower back...so he cannot bend his head back for the anesthesia team to intubate easily...in addition to the immobility, the opening in his throat was very small...it took 40+ minutes just for this to be done...
the hip surgery went well...the tube was left in for an extra day for the swelling to go down and prevent a re-intubation...that raised his high anxiety even higher and started the delay in a normal recovery... after 2 days in SICU he was moved to the orthopedic floor where he started to retain fluid, his blood pressure fell, and breathing became an issue along w/his heart pumping function...back up to SICU and iv lascis starting removing some fluid...he was followed by renal(kidney), cardiac(heart), respiratory(breathing), orthopedic(hip) and internal medicine teams... we should have included the psychic dept for the drs/nurses to understand how to treat someone w/high anxiety-panic disorder and DISH...i had to 'educate' everyone on those two medical issues the whole time...
while in SICU they put a Cpap mask on him at night and restrained him...and did NOT call me at home to come in after he repeated requested me...that was the really bad move on the hospital's part and i certainly let them know it... the night nurse told my husband she called me but did not! he was fearful the rest of the time in the hospital.
after stabalizing he was again moved to the ortho floor and i had to re-educate the nursing staff about his two conditions...i stayed in his room for 5 days...he did have some caring nurses there...
after a heart and kidney ultrasound, some physical therapy he was up walking enough for them to discharge them, but WITHOUT his pain med prescription! i had to make a trip back to the hospital to personally get the narcotic prescription to get filled...it did cause some family dissent...mostly due to my totally exhaustion & the other presciptions being taken to the wrong pharmacy by a family member trying to help! we certainly did not need that on the day we were going home friday Oct 3!!
all-in-all, things now are going well w/home health care nurse, PT and OT visits to our home!

Sweetheart Lace & Eupathia!

2008-09-21T11:38:00.008-06:00

Eupathia (bramble) stitch jacket/sweater for Teresa at her 'fitting'! it fit great for the specifications she desired! i have it pinned together w/coil-less knitting pins and now just need to seam it together and crochet an edging around it~

i started & finished it in the middle of Greta's Sweetheart Lace dress which i just finished last night! the red pic is the pattern pick which i will make in red for Charlotte to wear at her kgt Christmas program!

CUBS win!!! clinch N.L. title!!!

2008-09-20T17:18:00.003-06:00

Hurricane IKE

2008-09-12T13:37:00.004-06:00

...is moving toward Galveston, TX ... evacuations saw snail's pace car lines going north on interstate...

a lot has been happening these past few days... the Presidential campaign continues...

Remembering 9-11

2008-09-11T15:01:00.012-06:00

Ringing bell for each victim at Pentagon, roses on Pentagon Memorial bench

Barack Obama and John McCain pause their campaigns and meet together at WTC Sep 11, 2008

cousin Mark in Iraq

2008-09-02T07:16:00.013-06:00

cousin Mark Dieter(chaplin) poses before an Iraqi sunrise...
the Euphrates river close behind...
i am so PROUD of him for serving our country and guiding our service men/women in their spiritual needs!!!
mobilization means his days in Iraq will soon come to an end...

Barack Obama's National Democratic Convention @ Unesco Field, Denver, Colorado Aug 25-28, 2008

2008-08-29T06:55:00.013-06:00

Barack Obama's historic Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America as the 1st Black American~~~

Aug 27, 2008 Political History!!!

2008-08-27T16:25:00.044-06:00

Michelle Obama's speech Monday Aug 25, 2008

Hillary's speech before the Democratic National Convention Tuesday Aug 26, 2008

Bill Clinton listening to Hillary's speech

Senator Ted Kennedy, suffering from brain cancer, addresses the Democratic National Convention Tue, Aug 26, 2008

Bill Clinton's speech before the Democratic National Convention Tue Aug 26, 2008 declares Barack Obama IS ready to be President of the United States!!!

"...in a place called Hope"...

Hillary & Chelsea listening to Bill Clinton's speech Wed Aug 27, 2008

and now, on this historic political day, Wed Aug 27, 2008, Hillary Rodham Clinton, moved to suspend the roll call and nominate Barack Obama by acclamation and the Democratic National Convention erupted!!!

it's finished!!! this was a trial of concentration vs distraction!! an all-over lace design was both challenging and an accomplishment!! w/a crochet picot edging as the final touch! it will be on display at the craft show in Dec...

i'm looking forward to making a 'toasted almond' textured cardigan for my stepdaughter Teresa and a 'Sweetheart' dress for each of my 2 g'daughters, one in pink for Greta, one in red for Charlotte!! i hope to have them finished so they can wear them during the Christmas holiday season and school programs!
i have enjoyed tremendously the friendship of a new knitting friend, Cindy, whom i met on Ravelry and found she lives right here in my city!! we try to get together once/week to knit... just today i received several Ravelry messages from my Maine knitting friend, Berit, whom i was worried about since i hadn't heard from her for several months... her daughter just presented her w/ Baby Bella last friday!!!
now as the football season begins at high school/college level my knitting will accompany me to a lot of football games as it did to baseball/youth baseball games this summer!!! whenever possible i knit on my deck and enjoy the ponds, ducks...

my pic of Angel's Tempe,AZ Diablo Stadium

2008-08-14T08:10:00.004-06:00

http://www.schmap.com/phoenix/sights_outandabout/#p=84146&i=84146_5.jpg

this link takes you to a Phoenix,AZ area display of sights of interest...my pic of Tempe Diablo Stadium was chosen to be included!!

this is my 'frog'n' green baby sweater that took me 3 weeks due to my gall bladder deciding it was time to aggravate me greatly!! it's a great little pattern which i will make again soon!

this little top is tied at the shoulders. the colors, of course, are Regina's!!

August 2008

2008-08-08T05:40:00.013-06:00

well, August has brought several changes in my schedule...i had a sudden gall bladder attack on Sun July 27, went to ER at 4pm and was admitted at 11pm w/inflamed gall bladder...i had never been in so much pain...fever dictated waiting a day for surgery...Tue July 29, came home Wed, July 30!! my gall bladder was partially dead! my surgeon was the Head of General Surgery at UIHC!!! it's no wonder i haven't really been feeling good this summer...i'm even losing some weight because i'm eating smaller amounts, 6 small meals a day, writing down what/amount i eat and drinking lots of water, which i didn't use to do! also trying to get out and walk everyday...so this was a wake-up call to me!!! GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!
i also experienced my 1st back spasm Aug 6...my back muscles have been tight since i got home from UIHC...thank goodness for Motrin and a heating pad!

i did get this bobble flower lace sweater finished in july...next time i make this pattern i will lenthen it for a dress/jumper!
have been working on a green lace cardigan, but frogg'd it several times due to mistakes (drugs make for a foggy mind!)... lace section is complete now sans/mistakes--have to finish the sleeves and ties...it will forever be my 'frogg'n baby lace'!!! pic to post soon...
my knitting/nurse girlfriend, Cindy, and my sister, Pat, have been a great inspiration and a wonderful source for medical info...i thank them both!!
i also actually sold 3 outfits to my dental asst who cleans my teeth! i'm going to try to get a table at Regina's Dec craft show and share table space w/my good "hook'r" friend Anne!!! i knit, she crochets...

July Knitting 2008

2008-07-18T08:57:00.017-06:00

"The COLLECTION"!!!

Here are a few of my knitted outfits...

pastel bolero

lilac lacey
Brooklyntweed Cobblestone vest

5-hr

BSJ

sage lacey

sundress

mint Baby Fern

Rowan bobble Flower

Happy 4th of JULY!!!

2008-07-01T10:00:00.003-06:00

There are so many patriotic pictures to choose from but this one pays tribute to those service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms that we enjoy this day...our nation's birthday~July 4th~ and every day.

Oh, my, it's June!!!

2008-06-23T09:05:00.010-06:00

the beauty after the storm ................... then the FLOOD!!!!!

rainbow in Iowa City after Condo meeting June 11, 2008

Tuscan Rose in tuscan pot ~
tomatoes in tuscan pot on front porch

i have seriously been neglecting my blog! BUT, i HAVE been knitting obsessively (as my DH would tell you!) ~ i am trying to make a selection of baby sweaters to sell at my g'kids' school's St.Nicholas Mart in December ~ i've been gifting them to susan/teresa's 'mother' friends and received many nice compliments, so i figured 'why not?' ~ i also have 2 close knitting friends now that i socialize with: jackie & cindy ~ so now i will not be a knitter 'alone' ~ i still love my back deck for knitting so i can watch the fountains, birds, ducks, rabbits, etc in the neighborhood ~ this pic is the Knitting Daily post i made yesterday re: using the "it's in the bag" w/2 balls to make 2 baby sweater sleeves on 1 circular...(to prevent one from being too short!) ~ it worked beautifully! ~ & i received a really nice comment back!
my cousin, Mark, is a chaplain in Iraq and received a high honor! my sisters, pat & deb, are going in w/me to send his troop a box of 'requested' jerky! i pray he can come home soon ~ his wife, catherine, is suffering thru cancer treatments... another friend's son, dan, found out he can retire from the military in august as planned ~ & of course, the midwest is reeling from the Great Flood of 2008!!! cedar rapids, iowa city, etc are beginning the cleanup...so much in ruin! the mississippi now is in flood mode...the saga continues...

this is NOT something i really want to include from my past ~ my sister deb sent it because it shows flood damage to 12AveSW bldg (1 block from Cedar River) in Cedar Rapids where my grandfather, Deda, first worked (in curved doorway on right) for Western Fraternal Life Association (insurance) when we were little kids ~ and yrs later i(+my 1st husband) operated a bar in the left side(doorway)... past history i'd like to forget ~ the entire bldg may have to be demolished...???

now back to my knitting.......

my 1st try at 'dreadlocks' on a child size 'rasta' hat from annieModesitt's pattern!
baby shrug in 'bambi' colorway from DebbieBliss pattern 'Baby Picchu' from Berrocco free patterns!
this is my 'one arm longer!' raglan that prompted the KD post on 2 sleeves/1 circ!!!
Preemie Sleeper Sack #1 from Bernat Softee
Preemie Sleeper Sack #2 from Bernat Softee
'Provence' #3 for baby S. (family pic at Cattleyard Regina bb game)
Watercolor Bolero 2T from Caron Simply Soft - i LOVE the colors!!
Evan's (in red) last soccer game in June...his baseball was suspended indefinitely due to the flooded City Park in Iowa City... Ethan still plays at the Cattleyard

May...knits and more!!!

2008-05-12T07:08:00.018-06:00

Evan 1st Communion w/Father Jeff May 3, 2008

Henry 1st communion w/Father Mike April 2008

Baseball season is here!!! Ethan swings at the plate at City Park tourney May 3-4, 2008

Lace Leaf shawl from Colinette Jitterbug Toscana sock yarn April 2008

Provence lace cardigan from Classic Elite Yarn site 6-9mo Caron Simply Soft May 2008

Lace Leaf shawl b4 blocking

Sweetheart ruffled db strand(green & white) Bernat Baby Softee 3-6mo from Rainbow Knits for Kids book May 2008

3rd Sirdar lace May 2008 Bernat Baby Softee pearl buttons May 2008

started my 1st shawl - Lace Leaf by Evelyn Clark April 2008

Picot-edged Tulip lace started in Mesa (March) sewn together May 2008 ~ Bernat Baby Softee 3-6mo Daddy's Little Girl book

Knitting, knitting, knitting everyday!!!

2008-04-14T23:01:00.009-06:00

Sirdar lacey bonnet to accompany the sweater (Caron Simply Soft) finished April 15, 2008 w/icord ties #5 needles

Watercolor worsted acrylic (RedHeart) made up in a 2nd garter stitch (Beribboned) pattern using 10.5 needles...3T (28" chest) for my gd Greta!

Caron Simply Soft in garter stitch (Beribboned) baby sweater pattern using #9 needles...2T finished April 12, '08

this is the 2nd lacey Sirdar sweater set (hat finished 4-15-08) just like Monica's outfit!

pastel cotton 'Petal' dishcloths that i made in Mesa (march'08)...could be used as baby dresser doilies

this is Monica in her lacey sweater/hat set i made her for her birth! she has finally grown into it! her mom, Sheri, says she gets lots of compliments on it! i was so glad she wore it to the Regina music program so i could take this pic of her April 6, '08.

Birthday Jewelry-Making!

2008-03-13T10:05:00.018-06:00

Alison at her bench @ Museum of Art in Mesa!

'3rd hand'

heating up the back

sawing the edges

rasping the back

burnishing the stone

2nd polish w/rouge

Gaspiite stone from Australia! This is the ring Alison made me for my birthday today! Thank you Alison!!!

Harmonica Band!!!

2008-03-06T00:06:00.021-06:00

Nostalgics Trio + One provided entertainment at Fiesta Village March 5, 2008...I had never heard a harmonica band and loved their music! I visited w/them after...these are serious musical instruments!!
modulating harmonica

& expensive gold harmonica

world's 'tiniest' harmonica
and he played it for me!!

plus his stone covered harmonica
the Chicago drummer said I was a 'knit'wit!!!

bass harmonica - just like rhythm/blues!!

The Armed Forces medley and Maleguena were my fav!

MESA at last!!!

2008-03-04T07:37:00.006-06:00

These pics should be a contrast to the snow pics!

"Play Ball!" statues in front of Hohokam Park in Mesa...
Reniassance Theatre provides the Star Spangled Banner...

Derrek Lee @ bat!!!

Feb ICE~SNOW~COLD~and 'Robin'!!

2008-02-19T13:20:00.016-06:00

We have truly had the Winter of '08!

Several blizzards left 6-10"

My neighbors will marvel at the size of this icicle!!!

A 'well-endowed' robin sat on the tree branch today, then perched on St.Francis' head for a respite! (in Feb below zero)

Ethan's BB tournament...

2008-02-03T16:22:00.000-06:00

Ethan's Regina 4th grade BB team @ tournament in WestBranch
Feb 2, 2008

Regina won the tourney w/medals!

Ethan

Ethan's cheering section:

Evan, Ethan,

mom-Teresa, Gma Sandy,
Gma Bev, GGmaWilliams,

Papa Terry, Gpa Terry, dad-Chris

(cousin Henry-not pictured)

G'ma & Greta to exercise class!!

2008-01-20T23:30:00.000-06:00

G'ma Linda took Greta to her 1st 'gym' class earlier in Jan!! This is the 'jungle party room' mural where b-day parties happen!! We went around the gym circuit and Greta jumped in the 'pit' 3 times!! She is growing up so fast!!

Golf Club covers...

2008-01-02T23:05:00.000-06:00

I made golf club covers for my son-in-laws since they both golf seriously. As more gsons start playing golf more seriously, I'm sure I will be making more of these~~ 'Spiral Rib' pattern from the web.

end of 2007 ... a very good year!

2007-12-27T09:09:00.001-06:00

Character...

2007-12-20T16:29:00.001-06:00

IOWA CITY!

2007-12-15T08:35:00.000-06:00

from the Yahoo homepage today...

http://promo.realestate.yahoo.com/best_cities_to_educate_your_child.html

...4. College Town
Colleges and universities are great white-collar employers. In fact, there is a big connection between research-oriented universities and healthy economies. Two historic examples are Stanford University's boost to the growth of Silicon Valley high-tech enterprises in San Jose and the Bay Area, and MIT's faculty and alumni, who started electronics firms along Route 128 outside Boston.
Any place can be a college town if it has at least one institution of higher education.But if you weight each person attending local colleges by the number of years needed to get the highest degree offered (that is, associate of arts enrollment is weighted by two, bachelor degree enrollment by four, master's degree enrollment by six and doctoral enrollment by nine), you come up with a wide range of numbers.
Places like College Station-Bryan, Texas; Iowa City, Iowa; Lawrence, Kan.; and Columbia, Mo., come out very high on this criterion. Alas, there's only one game in town in Ames, Iowa (Iowa State University), in College Station-Bryan (Texas A&M), in Lawrence (University of Kansas) and in Columbia (University of Missouri). Something else is needed to reward higher-education variety.

The Interview with GOD...

2007-12-10T13:27:00.000-06:00

If you need something beautiful and meaningful to watch click on the link below...
http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/
and then send it to your special friends...I received this from one of my special cousins... Sharon!

I've just 'elf'd myself!!

2007-12-01T17:08:00.000-06:00

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1132840560

This is soooo much fun to send to your friends!! Make one for yourself to spread some holiday joy!

Christmas Nativity in knit!

2007-11-19T14:32:00.000-06:00

Look what I found! A miniature Christmas nativity set to knit at
http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/

Mr/Mrs Claus!

knitted Tea Party set!

Coco & Greta @ G'ma's 'Beary' Tea Party house!

knitted tea party treats!

baby's 1st Christmas sock!

Christmas sock ornaments!

and thimbles and buttons galore at http://www.buttondrawer.com/

Little Sheep Yoke Cardigan!

2007-11-10T10:48:00.000-06:00

I am browsing this morning waiting for the IOWA Hawkeyes to play...and look what I've found...!!!!

http://lookingglassknits.blogspot.com/2007/10/sheep-yoke-baby-cardigan-pattern.html

I absolutely love this and am going to make it! The sheep are just darling! I've started collecting a few sheep ornaments since I'm knitting more than quilting. Thanks to Jen for this pattern on her blog.

Go HAWKS!! The Hawks were victorious and the 'pig' has been returned to IOWA from Minnesota!!

Also, the Regina Regals were victorious and proceed farther into the state semifinals!!

I just read a very interesting article on the Lion Brand Yarn site from a woman who lives here in Iowa City and knits for veterans!

http://www.michelledwards.com/

Volunteering @ Regina!

2007-11-03T06:17:00.000-06:00

I went to the annual Carver-Hawkeye craft bazaar w/Susan- bought 'knit' Santa #3!! Since I knit more now, I'm always looking for Santas who KNIT!!!! I still want to take some old sweaters and make Christmas stockings from them-I love recycling! I'm volunteering now @ Regina HS to help the counselor w/filing. It is one of those jobs that needs to be done, takes a lot of time and always gets 'put on the back burner'...plus some typing when it comes up. She emailed me that just knowing I'm helping do some things she doesn't have time for has relieved some of her stress, both mentally and physically. That makes ME feel great!

Completed projects ~ Oct 07

2007-11-02T14:15:00.000-06:00

Greta models knit jumper Nov 7'07 @ G'ma's house!
Sirdar 3009 lacey baby sweater/bonnet Bernat Softee Baby (db strand) newborn-3mo for Sheri Roggy (my eyeDr)
Knitting Pure & Simple
Collared Topdown Bolero
Acrylic worsted rust
(2T)
Coco's pink ruffle heart sweater Oct 07
4T
Coco's Monet watercolor ruffled heart sweater Oct 07
4T
'Emma's' lacey jumper pattern for Greta's birthday Oct 07
Joanna's Poncho pattern
9-12 mo
acrylic worsted
"hawkeye" garter-ridge for Coco Sept 07

Halloween Haunts!!!

2007-10-27T16:41:00.001-06:00

'The Headless Horseman' & 'Sumo Guy' are enjoying the parade of fun(& scary!) costumes at the elementary Halloween parade! (just 2 of my g'sons!)

Long time...

2007-10-06T12:23:00.000-06:00

I can't beleive it's been a month (30 days!) since I last posted! I guess the passing of my favorite tenor saddened me more than I knew...
I am still 'knitting daily' but also doing a few 'jobs' for friends/relatives...(1)will post pic of my g'dog's 1st sweater when I get one from her 'mom' since I forgot to take it myself. (2)I also mended Zoey's (g'dog) toys that she has chewed/played with plus (3)hemmed up a couple of 'hawkeye' scarves for her! (4)I revamped some bedroom drapes and (5)quilted a wallhanging for my son-in-law's mom that she had pieced, (6)sent some baby sweaters to my sis in VA, (7)finishing up a 2nd sweater (pink, ruffled heart) for Coco ((8)after a Monet ruffled heart one for Greta & (9)Monet raglan for Coco), )10)restocked my yarn supply yesterday (yes, I was lucky and even got it on sale!) - 13 in color, 5 black and (11)delivered a cream BSJ w/antique buttons to a friend for her little baby girl!! (12)I'm also trying to finish up a few flannel patchwork quilts for ThePreemieProject from scraps I was given. (The machine quilting is getting much harder on my wrists! I don't do much quilting anymore because of that) and (13)green lace knitted jumper for Greta's birthday. So I think this is why I haven't been blogging much this past 30 days!! lol

Pavarotti passes...

2007-09-06T10:30:00.000-06:00

Luciano Pavarotti ...

my favorite tenor...I LOVED the '3 Tenors' when I first heard them while on tour in Italy (the bus driver played their music as we entered Italy in 1990--1st tour in '85)
more photos: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070906/ap_on_en_mu/pavarotti

CB balloons-cemetary-BLACK BEAR!-museum

2007-08-20T20:04:00.001-06:00

Baby Sweater collection

2007-08-19T18:16:00.001-06:00

SOCKS!!!

2007-08-19T17:38:00.001-06:00

African Fav!

2007-08-17T16:29:00.000-06:00

I have a CD of Angelique Kidjo and simply LOVE it!! very rhythmic and African!!

http://music.yahoo.com/ar-254179-bio--Angelique-Kidjo

Summer Baseball '07

2007-08-08T13:08:00.001-06:00

Cool Slideshows!

Mtn morning!! & knitting...

2007-08-07T10:57:00.001-06:00

Cool Slideshows!

Crested Butte ART FESTIVAL - Aug 07

2007-08-06T19:05:00.001-06:00

Cool Slideshows!

Mt.Crested Butte summer vacation Aug '07

2007-08-06T18:19:00.001-06:00

Cool Slideshows!

Relaxxxxing on the Mtn!!

2007-08-03T17:38:00.000-06:00

this is day 3 of my vacation on the mtn~~i've finished baby sweater #2! altho i haven't gone out taking pics of the beautiful scenery, i'm enjoying it tremendously up here on the mtn! i've just found an interesting article re: knitting socks for diabetics, of which my husband is one.
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/FEATdiabeticfeet.html
it is very informative...my husband just ordered some new diabetic socks on the web before we came here...they seem to be fitting ok. it is something i will seriously look into in the future~~ when i figure out how to adjust a sock pattern. i'm going to try knitting some socks for my g'kids this month...we'll see how those progress!
i've also decided to put any pics this month onto a photowheel...i really like its format--includes short captions so the viewer will know a little bit about the pic.
we're going the Crested Butte Arts Festival tomorrow on Elk Avenue (main st)... the street is lined with artists' booths...i'll try to get some pics, esp the Santa booth, of which i bought (2 yrs ago) a Santa's teddy bear workbench (since i've made lots of teddies!) it cost, but i love it!
well, until the next post... TTYL...

Columbine At Mt.Crested Butte!

2007-08-01T18:53:00.001-06:00

This is Crested Butte in the winter! Nestled down in a valley! It is an old 1800's mining town, reburbished with a ski resort up on Mt. Crested Butte mountain! We just arrived this afternoon and checked into our Columbine condo for the month of August! It is the highest and oldest condo building on the mountain. We are in the end unit right next to the ski lift! and also have side windows where we can view the peak everyday! Hummingbirds dart, chipmunks scurry and wild flowers abound!! And the weather...it is gorgeous!! cool and breezy that make the aspen leaves glitter in the sun!! The top of the aspen tree is right next to the front window! I love it here!! especially at night...looking down at the lights of both towns down the mountain! So long--hot, humid weather back in IOWA!! I will miss my neighbors, family and friends, but NOT the weather!! Oh, yes, we get WGN here so can keep up on some of the CUBS games! They are doing so well...1 game out of 1st!! Stay tuned for more of one of the Greatest Places on Earth!! COLORADO!!
ps: we had the door open and a little bird flew in & visited for a time tonight!!

6 Fairisles FINISHED!!!

2007-07-20T17:18:00.001-06:00

all 6 Fairisles finished!!

Greta and Charlotte's

Ethan (Regina baseball) and Evan's (Dallas Cowboys)

Sam (Iowa Hawkeyes) and Henry's PGA Golfer

Regina baseball Fairisle!

2007-07-12T06:37:00.000-06:00

i finished Ethan's Regina baseball stocking last night!

~~~frogged the toe (Fri) and added some baseballs...still don't like the toe...may frog it again...post when i'm satisfied!!

Deck tomato!

2007-07-12T06:34:00.000-06:00

i'm going to have tomatoes for my salad!!

Paris cemetary...

2007-07-12T06:09:00.000-06:00

New questions about Jim Morrison's death

"Jim Morrison, rock singer, was buried in Pere Lachaise cemetery, in a small ceremony without fanfare, on July 7, 1971. No autopsy was ever performed"

this was from an article this morning on Yahoo homepage re: Jim Morrison's death, 36 yrs ago. i pulled this quote from it only because while my husband & i were on a tour in Paris in the '80's, i went on a walking tour and the guide took us to the same cemetery gate where Morrison is buried!! we could not go in. it was, in my mind's recollection, a very dismal-looking cemetery, old and dark. i've always remembered that i was at the gate of Jim Morrison's final resting place!!

Coco's Fairisle finished!!

2007-07-07T18:13:00.000-06:00

I finished g'daughter Charlotte's Fairisle Christmas stocking today !! I did several designs before deciding on this... I love the overall pattern and using only 2 colors!! She requested only blue & yellow which are Regina's colors too! 4 more to go!!

Do you remember the pic on the right side of pictures in blue & white? That was one of my goals ...to knit in Fairisle color!!

1000 visitors!!!!

2007-07-04T06:41:00.000-06:00

My 'grape' visitors map is at 1000 right now!!! and it's July 4, 2007!!! Let the fireworks begin!!!

World "Grapes"!!!

2007-07-03T11:41:00.000-06:00

i just checked my big world map...991 visitors!!!!!! so i may pass 1000 today!!! it will be a 'bumper' crop for 'wine-making' this year! lol!!! thanks a 'bunch'!!! ;)

Finished Fairisle!!!

2007-07-03T09:34:00.000-06:00

yesterday i finished the toe of Greta's Christmas Fairisle stocking! many compliments have been passed to me re:colors!

i think they are adorable for a little toddler! now, onto Charlotte's in Regina blue/yellow, as per her request.

i still have to finish G'pa Terry's CUBBIE!!

i've also decided to put each month's extra pics into a slideshow for easy viewing...baseball season is ending this Thur w/Evan & Henry's world series' games!!! great job everyone!!! we are so proud of Ethan, Evan, Henry, Sam, & Charlotte's participation, plus Greta who clapped & cheered!!

Saturday Sky...

2007-06-30T20:48:00.000-06:00

this was the sky about 4am while i was sitting on my deck w/my 1st cup of java! isn't it beautiful?? as soon as it started to get lighter i was knitting away!

Fairisle stitching...

2007-06-22T11:32:00.000-06:00

I am taking a Fairisle knitting class and this was my 2-week assignment!! We had to design our own stocking and knit 2-color for at least 10" before we work on the heel. My husband's "CUB" stocking has red, white, blue plus Christmas green/varigated. My white yarn was smaller than the blue, thus it lets the blue peek which I don't like, but am NOT going to frog!! I made the bear pattern myself and tried to copy a batter I found on the internet. There are baseballs w/stitching in between the bear & batter. We use worsted weight which is a little trying on my wrists.

I finished his so early (in a couple of days!) so I started the first of 6 for my g'kids!! Greta had a short name and doesn't have a stocking, so she was first! These are the colors in her bedroom. Below the girls I put Regina w/small crown (Regina Regals' school symbol). These are so fun!

"Olde" folks!!!

2007-06-12T15:30:00.000-06:00

my 1st retiree luncheon w/my "olde" (Intermediate) colleagues! what fun to see them again!!! my 'principal' sang us his own, original retirement song!! it was so amusing to hear those acronyms again!!! well, maybe, 'not so much'!!!

Pat, Jim/Mary, Kathy, Lin and Dave

Board of Directors 2007

2007-06-12T08:55:00.000-06:00

This is the 1st Board of Directors for the Mayfield Condo Assoc that I served on this year!! (i'm in black) We had the awesome task of organizing ourselves and hiring a property mrg, Dave, (white shirt) who did a terrific job (along with his office gals!) I had a few 'interesting' occurances in this first year. As no one volunteered to take my place on the Board at our Annual meeting last night, I will remain. This 2nd year should be much easier re: # meetings, etc.~~I have since resigned and been 'replaced'!! No more phone calls!!

Christmastime in June~~

2007-06-11T15:37:00.000-06:00

Crazy Girl Knitting Shoppe

what gorgeous Christmas stockings!!! our instructor brought her stockings to our 1st class to give us ideas/samples to whet our appetite for Fairisle knitting: knitting w/2 colors (or more). each had its own personality!! several had eyelash yarns and glitter to add a little glitz for its position on the fireplace!!

Regina Blue & Gold 2007

2007-06-10T13:32:00.001-06:00

IOWA Black & Gold 2007

2007-06-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

Cubby!

2007-06-09T08:09:00.000-06:00

i've just created a few personalized Avatars to represent ME!!! since we are in the midst of the baseball season, i can be seen in capris, tshirt and sandals WITH my knitting IN PUBLIC, of course!!! i have finished my Toscana 'wine goblet' socks and will post a pic soon. now i'm finishing a set of 4 brown dishcloths for a retired colleague: 1 plain, 1 basketweave, 1 ?? and 1 ?? maybe i'll try the IOWA pattern! we are going to baseball games 5 nites/week!! that's our social life for this month!! lol!!!

TPP Craft/Bake Sale

2007-06-07T11:34:00.000-06:00

This is the top of a (sample) 'memory box' that TPP will be making on Sat, June 9. I can't paint artistically, but will give it a try!

could these be square instead of round if no pattern is found???

These are a darling idea for the TPP Craft/Bake Sale!

mini (toddler) basketweave socks!!

how cute for Christmas gifts!!!

IOWA
dishcloths

These are a few things I might look into trying to do for the ThePreemieProject Craft/Bake Sale in August.

Memory Box workshop
June 9, 2007 basecoating boxes

World Wide Knit in Public Day!!

2007-06-06T12:34:00.001-06:00

i had seen this mentioned in the Aussie blogs... but didn't know much about it...Sat June 9, 2007

i ALWAYS knit in public!!!

Hawkeye Black & Gold sock yarn!!!

2007-06-06T08:58:00.000-06:00

I have just found the perfect "Hawkeye" black & gold sock yarn online from my friends 'down under'!!!! I will have to spend some $$ to order it!! I am collecting pics and items I've made for my 'black & gold' collection!!

Patience...

2007-06-05T09:45:00.000-06:00

today is tuesday, june 5... i've been seriously frustrated trying to find my way thru the explorer 7.0 security issues so i can access my edit mode here !@#$^&* thank goodness, thru trial/error i've been able to find some blogger comments that gave me some direction!! thank you! while i've set up 'Iowa Black & Gold' as a backup blog, i will continue here as long as possible.

it is amazing that when a person loses something valuable to them that they feel a part of their world has been devastated! while having the services of a computer and blog are fantastic, it is the feeling of having lost contact with friends that crushes the human spirit. the creative aspect of any person's psychi is valuable should they desire to express themselves in some acceptable manner. that is what i felt during the past week, having lost 'easy' access to my blog. i sincerely hope no one experiences what happened to me.

i forced myself to remain calm, knowing there HAD to be a way around all this!! for me, this is one record of what i am doing since i ended my 'working' phase of life. retirement activities are so very important, and this was especially valuable to me. trust in the LORD. patience is one of the strongest virtues...i practice it everyday!

LOST, but now Im Found!!

2007-06-03T15:34:00.000-06:00

OMG!!! i thought i had REALLY lost my blog today!@#$% i updated my Internet Explorer from 6.0 to 7.0 and then i could not access my blog's dashboard to do anything!! i couldn't even login! let me see if this publishes b4 i go any farther!

'...on the road again!...'

2007-05-25T08:59:00.000-06:00

Yet another pair of socks!! When will this craze end?? I haven't even tried these on yet, and this pic does not do justice to the 'heart' design that is the namesake...Cairi's Sweetheart Socks. This is the 1st lacey design I've ever attempted...I enjoyed it! and used 2-strand crochet cotton !!

Yesterday bought some 'Toscana' olive green/multi(anything 'Italian' draws my eye!!) for yet another pair...I haven't decided what pattern yet as we will be 'on the road again' w/Jay Buckley's Baseball Tours going into Chicago to see the Cubs and Sox this Memorial Day weekend! So a lot of knitting time ahead! I hope the weather stays cool...it was really chilly here this morning! I didn't even sit out on the deck to knit like I do every morning. (I'm knitting "Queen of Cups" by Nanthia Apple which looks like 'wine goblets' to coincide w/my love of 'grapes'!!!)

ok, here is the traveling Regina Regals baseball team that G'pa & I have been following in addition to Evan & Henry's teams too! What else can a proud G'ma say?!! The team got 2nd place trophy in a tournament...Ethan is peaking thru in center helping hold the trophy!! They've got great coaches, one being his Dad, Chris!

This is Evan & Ethan at their tournament last weekend...they got to play together on the same team!

Ethan is #2. He pitches, catches, plays 1st base, and fields.

And he does great in the batter's box too!

Also, see my (G')ma's Day present??(from the boys/parents) This 'humongous' umbrella came in great that weekend as it was extremely hot & sunny! We had lots of inquiring looks and questions as to where we got it... at Chris' 'Play It Again' sports store he owns!!

Socks, socks, socks!!!

2007-05-16T07:06:00.000-06:00

I have been busy knitting, 'sitting', listening and 'ducking'!!!

Mama & ducklings on Notting Hill~on the way to the ponds!!

G'pa & Zoey

Evan @ piano

Ethan @ piano

'confetti' garter ridge 3-6mo

Coco & Sherri

Monkey slipper socks#4

~Plymouth Italian Sockatta(cotton/wool/nylon) on sock 'hangers'!!!

Monkeys #3 Clown ~cotton/wool/nylon #2 dbpts

Monkeys #2 Clown ~cotton/wool/nylon #2dbpts

2strand cotton in 'Cairi's Sweetheart' pattern #1dbpts #5

PANIC!!!

2007-05-04T10:10:00.000-06:00

PANIC!!! my computer would not work this morning ;-( but thanks to the helpful reps at Mediacom and Netgear I am back in working condition (((((hugs!))))) and like the pic, some days I compute in my nightgown/slippers!! I thank those visitors to my blog who take the time to put their cities on my world map! I LOVE seeing where you are from around the world! I check it everyday! A line from the movie 'Dear Frankie': ..."Remember, Frankie, we are all connected." I am working on socks#3, almost finished...just this morning I found lots of sock patterns on Magknits.com!! so I am set for a long while!! It's rainy & cold here...good day to stay in and knit!

Surf the Knit World...

2007-04-29T10:57:00.000-06:00

and...all things IOWA!

My 'heart of the hawkeyes!' logo

hawkeye donation

hawk onsies & hat/booty sets

13 hawk hat/booty sets

hawkeye colored markers online

hawkeye needles online

lovingly I've renamed:
"G'ma and me"

and I've added a map below to highlight world visitors to my IOWA space!

SOCKS 101

2007-04-21T15:12:00.000-06:00

SOCKS 101: completed April 2007! I will be anxious to wear them next winter!

Tragic Monday @ Vtech...

2007-04-17T09:05:00.000-06:00

My heart goes out to the people in Virgina regarding the tragedy at VTech. I am one of thousands who are watching the events unfold on CNN. It can happen anywhere as it did several years ago in my city's university.

Peppermint Sunday!

2007-04-15T08:38:00.000-06:00

The weather here is getting to be more like spring! I hope to get out and do more walking for my 'grass-ladybug' o'meter!!! OK!! I got my MILE done!!

I have the back on the needles for #5 baby sweater using RedHeart Soft Baby 'New Mint Twinkle'!! It looks like confetti! It's a V-neck cardigan w/Garter Stitch Ridge from "Rainbow Knits for Kids" by Cheryl Potter. (same as the blue one, just larger)

I just finished updating our deck furniture...we got new wicker style seating/tables today! I put together the tables and now we both can sit out there in comfort and enjoy the 2 ponds behind our home, complete w/ducks & geese! The cushions have two coordinating fabrics & can be mixed! This will be a terrific place to get a lot of knitting done!!

Yarn 'Replacement'...

2007-04-13T08:13:00.000-06:00

I went on a yarn 'replacement' trip yesterday...for baby sweaters! My g'daughter, Greta, has outgrown her Christmas sweater and her mom has requested a 'replacement'!!! Charlotte was watching me knit on my O p a l sock and now wants some socks AND to have me teach her how to knit!!
I visited our new 'Crazy Girl Yarn Shop' and registered for Fair Isle Christmas stocking class in June!! I still have my knitted stocking that my mom had someone knit for my brother/sisters back in 50's!!! So now, I will be able to create one for each of my g'kids! It may take me a while~ maybe deciding on which designs each g'child wants will be the most time-consuming!!
Also, I received an email from Dorothy in Australia yesterday!!
She was amazed that 'someone visited her blog'!! I plan to continue visiting her often. I am facsinated w/AussieLand & am going to write to my cousins who live in Australia!

And I need to work on the scrap quilts for The Preemie Project...
TPP List G'ma Linda gave me flannel and batting, so it's time to get my sewing machine rev'd up!!
I just finished a baby sweater from yarn I received from Andrea. (Caron Simply Soft-Country Blue from "Rainbow Knits for Kids" by Cheryl Potter) Thanks Andrea!!
(ps: I have a cousin named Cheryl & cousins w/last name Potter!!)

CUBS home opener!

2007-04-09T14:01:00.000-06:00

I just viewed the Army parachuters landing on Wrigley Field w/Cubs retired players banners!! What a site!

I blog-read all morning AND did 15min and .75mi on the treadmill listening to Angelique Kudjo...she is a great walker CD...esp when I closed my eyes, concentrated on listening & keeping in rhythm (easy for me since I am a retired band director!) and not being distracted from watching the ducks-on-the-pond on my backyard!!

A walk everyday...

2007-04-07T18:19:00.000-06:00

Ok, I've put a exercise ticker here...I NEED to get off my (____) and get movin'!!!!

And now, back to my...

Mesa,AZ ~Cubs & Preemies! March 2007

2007-04-06T13:20:00.001-06:00

Weights & Measures!!

2007-04-04T15:41:00.000-06:00

Today it was 20 degrees when I got up!! and snow fluttering outside in the fierce wind! Last night sounded just like 'ole man winter' returned for a final 'hurrah'!!

I'm reorganizing my laptop pics...so I know where to find things & delete olde items! It's a form of 'spring house cleaning'!! Alas, I have not yet been on the treadmill...OR the scale! As you can see, I THINK I'VE BEEN WEIGHING MYSELF INCORRECTLY ALL THESE YEARS!! lol :)

Wow, I just checked my Vistor's world map...213 visitors since March 27!! That's amazing!!

I keep reading more blogs, find new pics to add (thank you if I borrowed) and now added the MOON Phases ~~ I also figured out (while in Mesa) how to add Flickr photos and Universe clock!! I'm still not sure why some of my buttons(uploaded but not necessarily mine) are not clickable but feel extremely proud that I've figured all of this blogging stuff out on my own thru 'trial & error'...mostly by error!! I love the knitting blogs, esp the creative names!! As you can tell, I L O V E C O L O R !!! Thank you and please stop back again!!

Gotta get my Preemie Project outfits ready for the April donation!!

Going Home!!

2007-04-01T06:53:00.000-06:00

We are finally home!! Really, we arrived home April 1st!! Made stops at the g'kids' for XoXoX's!!! Then lugged in all that was stuffed into the car...and after 2 days of laundry, I'm finally caught up! Oh yes, and a trip to HyVee for restocking the pantry/frig too!!

Wool Winder!!

2007-03-26T11:45:00.000-06:00

This is my new Wool Winder! I love it! I was getting very frustrated untangling yarn. It saves a lot of stress on my already weak wrists...I spun several balls of yarn just for the fun of it!

Next are my Preemie Sleeper Sacks completed to date:

Bernat Softee Yellow: 2

Baby Bee Sweet Delight: 3 (my favorite!!!)

White Bunny button detail

Blue Sailboat button detail

Bernat Softee blue: 2

Bernat Softee Green: 2

Bernat Softee Blue/White: 2

John & Shannon

2007-03-25T09:20:00.000-06:00

I met some new friends...Max and Beau!! They are so cute! Shannon and John invited us to their home and out for dinner while we were here in Mesa! I love their home...it feels so refreshing here in the desert!

B-day Sidetrip to Sedona and Jerome, AZ

2007-03-14T17:45:00.000-06:00

Here are the RED ROCKS as we approach entering Sedona, AZ! The locals have named many formations from 'Snoopy' to 'mother w/child'... all are spectacular! Hampton Inn desk clerk, BJ, helped to make my March 13 Bday very special ...she's from Iowa too!

'Tlaquepaque' ~~ enclosed (European style) boutique mall where shop doors open inside to various courtyards and streets with large cobblestones as they do in Europe.

Chapel of the Holy Cross outside Sedona, AZ built into rock w/help of Barry Goldwater when he was in office!

Husband, Terry, lighting candle and signed the guest book. I bought hand-painted Christmas ornament of chapel to add to my 'travel' collection of ornaments.

Jerome, the oldest town in AZ, is nestled into the side of the mtn...hairpin turns, very narrow streets, buildings practically touching each other, and very old, old, old!!!

This is the view from Jerome looking down the hair-pin mtn road. Jerome now attracts artists of various mediums... oil, watercolor, pottery, glass, jewelry, wood, etc...

One of Jerome's facinating businesses! Unique architecture! Bordellos combine w/Pizza!!

Knitting on Vacation!

2007-03-09T10:13:00.000-06:00

2 yellow, 1 green of Bernat Softee using Debbie Cowerd's adaptation of Lois Walter's Preemie Baby Kimono from pattern link on
ThePreemieProject.com
#6 needles, eyelet at neck and hem, 11" from arm to hem. My own hand-made knitting markers identify button placement when I get home along with adding satin ribbon in eyelet rows.

Here I am...on the patio outside our apartment @ Fiesta Village in Mesa,AZ working on the first 3 preemie outfits completed while 'visiting' the Cubs - March '07!

#4 outfit is finished 3/10/07!
I used BabyBee 'sweet
delight' yarn, white flecked w/blue & green...it's simply adorable!
#6 needles. Knitting markers for buttons & satin ribbon also in eyelet rows.

Sunny Arizona!

2007-03-07T19:17:00.000-06:00

Here we are in sunny Mesa, Az!! We are 'visiting' the Cubs during spring training...as of this writing (3/7/07) they have won 2 games!!

IS THIS THE YEAR???

Cub banner in Hohokam Park (Mesa,AZ)
Spring Training March 2007

1st pitch Giants vs Cubs March 1, 2007