First post of 2008

Sorry I've been mia from bloglandia even though there has been much knitting and craftiness since I posted last. If you're looking for knitting and pictures, skip to the bottom of this post.

As you know, 2007 ended on a sad note and it was very hard to get out from under it. There were and still are many tears. We ended the year with three fewer family pets than what we started with and I think it was too much for all of us. The ban on new pets didn't even last a month. I caved and let the boys buy two fire bellied frogs at PetSmart yesterday. They're beyond happy and that's all that matters. We're NOT getting any more dogs, guinea pigs or cute fuzzy critters. Those are the ones that end up breaking your heart in the long run even though we love them dearly.

Many thanks for everyone's love, empathy, tears and support through our pet crisies this year. We are so grateful to have so many friends both far and near. Your friendship is a blessing to our family.

And my promise not to knit anyone Christmas prezzies was not held this year either. However, I did not engage in any stressed out deadline knitting for the first time in many years. My motto for the holidays was: "it is what it is and nothing more". I think because of that attitude, I finished every gift that I decided at the last minute to knit.

A comfort lamb (knit before, during and after the loss of Mavis) for me



A Tam for Mom



Handspun Socks for Hubby





Baby gifts for both of Thing 2's teachers who are expecting





Now on the sewing front, I didn't do so hot and several things were finished after the holidays. I was lucky that I didn't see some of the people they were intended for until then. In addition to making and gifting well over a dozen wrist therapy wraps, my favorite sewing project for Holiday 2007 was The P3 - Pyramid Project Pouch.



These and the wrist therapy wraps will be available soon in my Etsy shop. The P3 is perfect for a sock or lace project or to tuck just a couple of things into and zip to the store. There's a detachable wrist strap toggle that can easily clip to a belt or to a larger knitting bag. I've got some yummy Anna Maria Horner fabric that I'll be making some out of before the end of the month. I hope that the recipients enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed making them.

After the holidays, I got in some much needed leisure knitting and spinning. I cast on for Jeanie using Prism Lace Wool in the Copper Penny colorway.



The yarn is as soft as most cashmere but the laceweight is quite wispy and this is not a speedy knit. I did some math (in and of itself a major feat) and found that at the rate I'm knitting (8 rows = 1 inch/per two hours), I'll finish the entire project in 140 hours. I'm 6", 1 1/2 repeats and 12 hours in. I'm shooting for the end of March unless the magic fairies come and help me. (((Sigh))) If I finish Jeanie, it will be the first major project in laceweight I've ever completed. Stay tuned.

I now have a whole shelf full of handspun yarn that I can't figure out what to knit with. I love the process so very much that I can't stop but I know that I should commit these babies to projects. I added two more to the pile since Christmas.

Creatively Dyed Yarn/Roving



My original hand-dyed yarn named "Mermaid"



If you're looking for details on any of these projects, click on the photos or check out Ravelry (Indigomuse).

I only posted 36 times last year. I hope to do a better job this year. Thanks for continuing to read about my fiber adventures.

Stuffie butts and such

You asked for it. Here's a butt shot:


Stuffie Butt

Still can't guess what it is? Well, its supposed to be a puppy. Yeah, I know. It DOES kinda look like a pig and a bunnie. Thanks Grace and Renee for figuring out that its a puppy dog. (((sigh))) The original Japanese pattern offered a couple of options to make it a bunny or a cat. But I wanted a dog. If I had made the ears bigger, they would have flopped better and it MIGHT have looked more like a dog. I'm still learning. Trust me, there have been numerous failed attempts. Like this cute mouse pattern from Sewing Stars and my not so cute mouselike creature. A word of advice - don't drink and embroider.


Exhibit A - Sad Purple Mousie (I'm really really mad because she stitched my eyes on all wonky)

Go figure. I'm not even going to show you some of the others. They are true misfit toys. I have had some successes since I posted the puppy. I'll post them soon so you can see that I HAVE learned something about sewing toys.

So what else have I been up to lately? Plenty. I've been...

Felting stuff for a book that I can't show you yet.

Tickled pink because two of my patterns made it into the 2008 Knitting Pattern-A-Day calendar.



Finished a store sample for the Trinity class that I taught last week at SereKnity.


Finished Autumnal Trinity

Attended VA's 2007 Dustbowl err Fall Fiber Festival. Saw Robin and her sweet hubby and sucked a friend into spinning at the same fiber festival (Waves at Heather sheepishly).


H and the sheepies


H and me kickin' it at Monticello

Watched my "baby" go to his first Homecoming dance and play in drumline in marching band just like his momma did a bazillion years ago.







How is this kid almost 15?

Baked cupcakes for a special friend's birthday. YUM!


From the book "Cupcakes!". Thanks for the book TE!

Watching the Autumn sky whilst enjoying the Indian Summer weather (wish it would never end) and wondering where the time goes every single day.


Autumn sky pic taken by my surprisingly observant Thing 1 at 7 am.
Come to think of it, perhaps he missed the bus because he was taking this picture...

Finished objects so far this year

Wowzers! My last post put you right to sleep. Not a peep outta anyone. I guess no comments are better than some of the fur that's flying on some other blogs these days. I read this post a week or so ago and it truly spoke volumes to me about how I can lead a happier blog life. That's all I'm saying lest I too get flamed.

Anyhoo, for what its worth, here are a few of my 2007 goal related FO's that have popped off my needles in recent weeks.

Sheepy Zune Cozy

Specs...
Pattern: My own based on the measurements for my Zune (Microsoft version of iPod)
Yarn: Tweedy wool reclaimed from thrift store sweater and my own handspun Finnsheep
Needles: Size 3 Inox circulars







Notes:

This was great practice toward my goal of mastering stranded knitting this year. I also recycled some yarn, incorporated handspun yarn into the project and practiced pattern writing using a chart. Plus, I got to knit sheep with sheep. How kewl is that? If anyone is interested, I'm happy to post the pattern. Just drop me a line.

Chinese New Year Piggie/Boar

Specs...

Pattern: my own based on a Chinese New Year photo of ceramic boars
Fiber: Dave Simpson "Dharma" - silk/merino blend in pinks, peach and orange and a smidge of black merino for the eyes and detailing
Needles: Clover needle felting tool with fine (size 34 I think) felting needles
Finished size: 1 1/2" h x 1 1/2" w





Notes: I love how piggie turned out. And he's so tiny. Can't think of a good name for him though. This is the first time that I've needle felted with my Clover tool though I bought it over 6 months ago. It is a dream to use and makes quick work of needle felting projects. I still like using a single needle for the detail work, though.

The body is a a needle felted ball made with several layers of fiber. I then made two triangles for the ears and attached them to the head. Next, I affixed a small ball for the nose and felted it into place. Four pyramid shapes for the legs were felted and attached. The tail was a twisted piece of fiber that was knotted and attached. The nose, eyes and toes were added last. Took about an hour or so to leisurely finish while watching Pirates of the Carribean - Dead Man's Chest (I sure hope the final installment ties up all of the weird loose ends from this one) in January.

This project doesn't fall under any of my goals for 07. It was just simple fun!

Noni Patterns "Ruffs and Cuffs"

Specs...

Pattern: Noni Patterns (Formerly Noni Bags) Ruffs and Cuffs
Yarn: Cascade Pastaza
Needles: Size 10 Clover bamboo









Notes: The construction on this pattern is freaking sweet. Each flower is knit as a chain (see the photo above) and then stitched together. Then all of the flowers are lightly felted, assembled and a velvet backing is stitched on the inside of the collar. Add a magnetic snap and you're already to hit the town in your new accessory. I've worn this one quite a bit to keep my neck warm and gotten lots of great compliments. A truly fun pattern to knit and would make great gifts for the holidays next year (Its not to early to start planning now).

Got some fiber to flash you with in the next post. Hope to see some of you at RVS&K in Salem tonight!