Finally got the computer back...

My DD has been using the computer at night and I can't seem to find time in the morning so she is at drama practice so I get the computer tonight. I also took pictures too....WAhhhooooo....

This is my faroese shawl...It is in Knitpicks shadow in sweetpea. I love the color and it is very simple but now that is 500+ stitches it takes a while to do a row. But down to the last 20 or so odd rows. Looking forward to getting it done.

This is my MS 3. I am only on like the beginning of the second clue. But I did have to frog once so that the pattern was clearer. This is my first serious lace project. I like a challenge so I think it is coming along great. I like to use the beads too. But this is taking a backseat to the one above. I am thinking that shawls will be my forte. I like to do them and am enjoying the portablity and that fact that how can a shawl NOT fit..... I am already starting to think of my next shawl project.

Not too much going on here...it is raining here today so that slows harvest for a few days. Since it is raining it feels cold too. So the propane heaters are going and I am finally warm today. I have been cold all day. I think I might go and enjoy my evening by sitting in bed and watching TV and knitting. Might even do the cup of tea thing...just feels like the night for it.

Wish me luck with finishing either one of these before the year is out.

Fall is arriving and winter is coming....

Fall is starting to make itself more apparent every day. The sunsets earlier and colder mornings. You never know what kind of day it will be could be cold or warm. Hard to dress for the day when it is freezing in the morning and by noon it is hot.

Oh well, making some head way on the Faroese shawl. About halfway done on the border.... Everything else is on the back burner for now. Busy with life and running everyone everywhere.
Just trying to get one project finished before I start something else. I am taking a quilting class tomorrow so that will be a fun thing to do for a change. It is nearby so it is easy to get to class after work.

Not much else going on here. Just busy with work and kids in school. Things are getting back to normal. I am going to scrap today and clean my craft room. It is such a Mess.....

Pastor Bill Fretwell

He died suddenly last week at the age of 48 which is way too young if you ask me. But God didn't ask me so he called his servant home. I knew this man thru a committee we served on together for the youth of our community. He had a passion for Christ and for his family including every Christian and person in town. He was always ready for a laugh and told funny stories. He was also a peacemaker and wanted to see every side of problem and understand it to effect a fair and reasonable solution. It is so hard to believe that he is gone and will only be remembered from recorded sermons and family memories. He won't get to see his younger children grow up and become adults. He won't get to hold anymore grandchildren which he so loved.

I know he made an impact on my life that I will be forever grateful. He was a good example of how a Christian should be and so very dedicated to his family and his job. I hope that his church will grow and fly on their own. I think that they are well on their way to that. You see the night the of his death there was a tornado that ripped thru the town. His church and his little corner of town were spared for the most part but that allowed his concregation to devote themselves to helping others and giving of themselves like their pastor did all the time. I think that he would have been more than proud of his flock and he would say "Well done".

Please keep thoughts and prayers for this family and the town as well. The next few weeks are going to hard and hectic. For those interested I will have links to the stories.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/collections/index.cfm?collection=northwood_tornado

Time for updating the UFO list....

Unfinished objects are beginning to pile up again.

Here is the list so far:

Faroese Shawl-- about 20 rows from being finished...

Bristow left front - actually saw light of day yesterday morning when I couldn't sleep...I think it was calling me. Knitting goes faster than I thought it would.

Mystery Stole 3(swan lake)- put it down on the beginning of Clue 2 and haven't touched...probably has to do with the fact that I have be too tired to think clearly don't want to have to rip back again.

Irish cabled scarf- still haven't touched it in a very LONG time

prayer shawl in merino wool-- worked on this the other day was a nice change simple knitting and purling.

Second sock- dropped a stitch while in car and haven't touched it since...maybe to day...

Cozy from Knitty in silk-Worked a few rows the other day but do need to have full attention on it because the rows change and I don't remember where I am.

Well, that is seven projects in just knitting but my spinning is still in the learning stages so I dont' count that.

I have scrapbooking too but won't get into that either. Maybe I should just clean my craft room and see what I have where because I know I have bought yarn for about 3 more projects and keep forgetting about the projects.

Tomorrow is the first day of school for the kiddos...so today will be spent getting all the supplies rounded up and ready for tomorrow's craziness.

As soon as I find my camera I will take pictures of all of these and post them.

8 for SP 11

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without? stitch markers, they are like little way points in your knitting. Helps to keep me on track

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? Yes If so, how much and what type of project? It depends on how long I am going for...when we went on our LONG trip..I took a sock, begininnings of MS3, and my Faroese shawl. Now when we went on our shorter trip I just took MS3.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot? in my lifetime, I would have to say the White Mtns in Arizona, very peaceful and beautiful scenery.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? I am reading the EZ series. Very good reading and encouraging to do your own thing. Do you own it? Yes

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Yes Which is your favorite(s)? Lime N Violet but I also love Pixie Purls.

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be? cream color it goes with everything and is for everyone.
7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do? Depends on how big the mistake, does it affect the knitting now or can it be written off as a design element....Depending on the answers either ripping it back or just doing the mistake again to help the design element work.

8. Where is the most unsual spot you've ever knit? Let's see I knit everywhere, including my DD basketball games(jr varsity and varsity), during wrestling meets, and work when it is really slow.(I work at a grain elevator). So I guess you could pick one and say that is it. I don't think they that unusual but maybe for some they are. It is funny because now when I go to various events I see more people bringing their Knitting with them than I did before.

Harvest Time!!!

Finally, the weather has cooperated enought that the farmers can bring the wheat without too much rain. So I am going to work this morning to deal with some scale tickets and then taking my children along with my dh in search of school clothes. I am not looking forward to it. My boys can't decide or don't care what we buy but do care the minute we try to get them to wear it. My girl has most of her stuff done but she needs jeans and getting her to buy jeans is just as bad as the boys. Heaven forbid she actually try something on.....it might fit.....lol

So that is my busy day, I am just itching for a fiber fix....but don't have time to go thru my fibers. I think I might just bring a ball to work to take the edge off. I knitting relaxing time......

I have started working on my Faroese shawl again. I just have to do about 30 rows on the border and I am DONE! Can't hardly believe it....Only started it around Christmas time last year. Maybe I can get it done. Let's hope then I will have something to post.....

Have a safe and profitable harvest....

Today is my DH's 40th birthday

It is hard to believe that we are this old. Just seems like yesterday we were 20 something. But I guess time marches on, doesn't it. We aren't doing too much today. Just relaxing with the kids and I will make him a steak dinner with all the trimmings. So just a low key relaxing day for him. Tomorrow we will go to a casino for some adult style fun. It will be nice to get away for a few hours. I still need to do some paperwork for the youth organization I am on the board of but hopefully, that won't take too long. Since it has been raining for the last few days harvest is slow in coming but I am sure it will hit with a vengance soon enough.

Better go do some housework and then Knit the MS 3. I just finished Clue 1 last night after I started over last week. So I started Clue 2 this morning. Hope to get some more done on it today sometime. I will finish this it is a fun and interesting knit.

Secret Pal Questionnaire 11

. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?I like to knit with wool and most natural fibers but I love to knit with Alpaca/wool or Alpaca silk or etc. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Nothing really scratchy or rough.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I just bought the KnitPicks circular set.(love it) I also use an old knitting container that was my mother's.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I taught myself to both crochet and knit. Crocheting I learned 20 years ago. Knitting just 2 years ago. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Knitting wise I am an advanced beginner

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?Yes I do have one

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=yourlists_pop_1/002-4335336-9426412


5. What's your favorite scent? lily of the valley is a favorite; cucumber melon from Bath and body works too really anything fresh and floral.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? sort of I like sweets Favorite candy? Hot Tamales(cinnamon candy) or Ferre Rocher(hazelnut candy with chocolate)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I scrapbook too Do you spin? Yes I am learning to spin. I have my own wheel and lots of fiber to play with.

8. What kind of music do you like?Everything except Rap Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)Yes, I can do mp3.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? I love all colors I tend to like pinks, blues,and greens But I am game for just about any colors Any colors you just can't stand? The only ones are muddy or mid tone colors

10. What is your family situation? I am married (20 years) and have 3 kids (dd15,ds 12, and ds 5) Do you have any pets? I have 2 dogs.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I live in North Dakota. I wear everything in the winter except ponchos...just never really liked them

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Right now I have been knitting shawls among other things.

13. What are you knitting right now? The list is long ...I am knitting Mystery Stole 3,
finshing a Faroese shawl, Left front of a Bristow cardi (knitty pattern) and a second sock There are others but these are the ones I am actively doing.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, Please and Thank you

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? I think both have their place but am loving circular needles right now. I bought the Knit Picks set not too long ago. So loving those.
Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like wood for sock dpns Have lots of aluminum and haven't really tried plastic yet.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No and No...someday....

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Bristow (1 year plus)

18. What is your favorite holiday? Easter because it is time for new beginnings

19. Is there anything that you collect? Teapots

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?This one http://www.twoswansyarns.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=N1090&template=pattern ,Euroflax linen, bamboo yarn, Faroese shawl book, The book list will be on Amazon.com also Kauni Cardi yarn.


What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I receive Interweave Knits.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Magic Sock, Fair Isle

22. Are you a sock knitter?Barely
What are your foot measurements? Wear a Size 10 US

23. When is your birthday? January

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? I am on the waiting list near the end

If you are my Secret Pal, just let me know if you want more details.

I am looking forward to getting to know someone new and spoiling someone new too.

Gotta go things are getting busy. Hope to get back here later this week.

Been a busy time....and hot.....

I am excited I finally found another Secret Pal going on. I missed the last few but that is okay was too busy to do it justice anyway. So I trying to come up with things to do for my Secret Pal who I don't know yet.

Knitting wise not doing too much but working on my Mystery Stole 3. I'm almost done with Clue 1 but I am way behind. It started while I was on vacation and didn't get to do it then. Then catching up from vacation...etc. Life got in the way but I am liking it more as it gets bigger. Plus I have been working on it at work so I get a few hours to work without distractions except for the occaisonal phone call.

Just a pic of spring!

I was thinking today about how many things I have on the needles well...here is the list

Faroese Shawl--down to the border part and soon the beaded picot edging

Cozy stole(knitty pattern)- about 1/4 into it but haven't touched it in months.

Cabled scarf-halfway need to add the new ball to continue.

Second sock-3/4 of the way done just need to do the foot and toe part.

Baby sweater-1/4 done just lost interest in this one.

Bristow- still working on that left front. I think that will be my next stick to it until its done project.

I have bought some yarn with projects in mind and some just because.

I also have a lot of fiber to spin up and to mention the fleece to get ready to spin. Generally speaking if I didn't do anything for a year I would have yarn aplenty.

I will have to get some pics up. Took lots of them while on vacation it was nice to see family and renew relationships.

Thinking of ways to repay some kindnesses but don't know if I am that fast of a knitter. Probably not.....someday.

I am a bad blogger!!!!

I missed the entire month of May! Well,I guess I was busy with end of school year stuff and spring planting. Oh, Well!!! I haven't done too much knitting though or spinning for that matter. But did do some today even though it is sooo flipping hot here. From really cold to really hot.... can't be happy medium. Any way, I am still working on Bristow even though I frogged the front again. I should just do it and finish so I can start the right. I am still working on the Faroese shawl. That is coming along almost to the border now. I did do a bad thing and ordered a whole cone of Zephyr yarn. It was half the price of anywhere else and so far great service at Sarah's yarns. Looking forward to my yarn should be here at the end of the week. This is for the Mystery Stole 3. Great idea and can't wait to finish my swatch and see what I did to do either go up or down a needle size. Well, when my son's camera battery gets charged I will post pictures of my shawl and other things.

May Already!!!

I know, I know...not really original but hey who cares....I have been super busy these last few weeks. I work for a grain elevator so it is spring planting time finally and so my job goes nutso for a few weeks. So I work ten hours not a lot of time left for knitting and blogging and such.

Knitting wise I seem to be addicted to knitting the Faroese shawl...it is easy and challenging all at the same time. I like the lace gusset so that is the only challenging part and the rest is garter stitch so ....easy and you please and with my brain needing a vacation it is the perfect project for all those busy days. I don't think I have knit anything else this entire month. I did sew up half a kimono and one sock. I did do a few rounds on my second sock but it looks pretty much like it does in the photo on the last entry. Everything else is the same too. I should do a second baby sock to go with the first but don't know if that is happening any time soon.

I have exciting news....I was able to win an ebay bid for a wheel....I am so excited in a few weeks a new wheel....I can't wait I might clean the house for the new addition. Well, got to go and decide what is my UFO for this month. I am thinking Bristow cardi really REALLY need to get that front done.

See ya....

April Already!!!!

Wow the month of March went by way too fast. Between finishing up
Basketball for DD to starting wrestling for DS. It has been a lot of traveling, not so great weather and changes at work. It was alot running around and such. I did almost exclusively knit on my Faroese Shawl. I am up to about 300 stitches so far only have to get to around 500 when it will be almost done. At increasing 4 stitches every other row. It might be a while. I think for the month of April I WILL get my left front done. I need to get that done some time this century. I love the yarn(knitpicks andean silk) just feel like I have to concentrate on what I am doing with all the cables and watching the pattern. I think I will start the left sleeve too.

I will take pics soon and see what progress i have made on the shawl and then be able to see the progrees of the cardi too.

I have been researching spinning wheels. I have two spindles and like that but am finding it slow to figuring it out. I think I have got the idea just need a bit of a reassurance as to the technique. I am trying to find a guild in the area. I do know of a women who spins near me I just have to ask around for her name. I am going to start a spinning wheel fund and maybe by the end of summer I will have enough to buy either a Louet S10 or S15. I just bought more merino roving on ebay. May try my hand at dyeing some of it since it is white.

I have also been scrapbooking lately too. I went to a weekend retreat a couple of weekends ago. It was wonderful to get away and just relax and do something I enjoy without all the worry of dinner, kids and guilt about not being with my family. It was well worth the money. I got 28 8x8pages done. I just have to finish the albums I started not to mention the thousand other things I have to do. I should make a list. ...

I will try to post more but don't count on it. It is getting busier here all the time. Especially with spring planting right around the corner.

Snow Day and March UFO challenge

cozy

cabled scarf
bristow left cardi
my second sock....

I finally got the pics uploaded...Yeah!!!! We had about 7" of snow last night and more to follow today so no work or school today.

This month I want to concentrate on getting my cabled scarf done and the left front of Bristow done. I have started 2 new projects this month. I am doing well with that. The list is ever growing. We now have: Faroese shawl, cabled scarf, Cozy(lacy shawl), Bristow cardi, and second sock. Five projects on the needles. Hopefully, I can get this down to about 3 this month.

But I am knitting so that is good now I have to some scrapbooking too. Maybe this snowy weekend I can get something done there as well.

Update on the UFO Challenge

I have bee working on my Cozy pattern from Knitty. Cozy is coming a long I am on the second skein so that is good and the pattern is looking better than the first time I did it. I am using bigger needles this time and it is making all the difference.

Bristow is at a point that I am going to just have to finish it so I don't forget where I am in the pattern. It might be this weekend. We are scheduled to have a winter storm so that means staying home and knitting and crafting. Hope it won't be too crazy with 3 kids and hubby stuck home too.

The Faroese shawl is coming a long as well. It is beside my bed waiting patiently for me to finish. It is easier than I thought so it is an easy knit.

I also started my second sock so that is easy too. I am hoping it comes out close to the first one.
Someday I will find my camera and post pictures of my finished objects.

Well I have to go I will post what my next month's concentrated objects will be later.

I have a dr appt and various other errands .

Things started and things finished....

Well, I went to a crop this weekend and got 3 2pg layouts done so that was good. I finished my sock today at work....yes...work is a little slow. I started and finished in a week a baby sock. I still have to sew it together but it is done. I also finished my baby kimono from MSD book in purple I need to sew that one together too. But I did finish knitting it though so that was a good accomplishment this month. So unfinished object challenge is working.

Baby kimono done.
baby sock done.
my first sock done.

Working on
left front of Bristow
Faroese shawl
Irish hiking scarf
Cozy...(this maybe be headed for the frog pond though)

Feb will be Bristow and Shawl still I think.

It is still cold here and getting colder. I also have some great movies for knitting maybe when I find a few minutes this week. I don't know though. Maybe tomorrow will be movie night. DD has a thing she is going to. I don't have to take her yeah!!! Thurs is a Bball game. Friday possible movie night...too. Sat bball game again Sunday afternoon and evening...prime knitting time ....Superbowl....

I will post pics when I find my digi camera....misplaced it somewhere.

Lots to blog about...

Not liking this winter idea....but it has warmed up a bit so I really can't complain.

I have been listening to Pixiepurls podcast. She found a blog that is encouraging everyone to finish some of those UFO's. So I will follow that. I have finally finished the baby kimono. Just have to stitch it up. So one down just another 7 or so to go.

Let's see what are my UFO's....

Irish cabled Hiking scarf
Bristow cardi..back is done bout half way on the left front.
Faorese lace shawl
A simple sock
prayer shawl in merino wool.

These are all that I can think of right now.
Wanted to get some scrapping books done too.
Cards to do and such.

Should also work on some dishcloths/washcloths. ..

There is always something I can find to do.
I have lots of cotton and some sock yarn in my stash to do something with have to work on that.

I will be working on Bristow predominately for the rest of the month. With a few rows of the Faro Shawl.

Will post pictures later.

Winter has arrived

Winter has come woke up to -17 degrees F. This morning.....very very cold....I must go and shower and face the cold.

Knitting and paper crafting are going to my world this weekend.

New year, new blog.....

Well, it has been a busy week or so. Had an enjoyable holiday. The weather here has gone crazy. It is raining here in ND in January. Usually it is -20 or something and with some snow. We have the snow but rain....never at not as long as I have lived here. I have not kept up with the journaling my christmas very well. I have done to about Dec 10 but that is all. I will try to find time later and do it then. I did start knitting a shawl with a lace inset. It is coming along nicely. I do have ten other things I should be finishing but we all know how that goes. I am going to start doing the Artist's way and see if I can keep my creativity going. Let you know how it all goes.

Talk to you all later.

Journaling my Christmas Day #2!

Well I am no expert on blogger either. Some day I will learn how to get pictures to go where I want them to. This my day 2 entry. I spread the journaling across the two pages.

Here is the Journaling in a more comprehensive manner.

Christmastime has always meant snow and ice . I grew up in Ohio and snow was generally present. I made snowmen and snowball fights with the neighborhood kids. The winters never got terribly cold. Thermometer at zero was cold, snow crunching under foot...nose a bit cold...uncomfortable, yes, but not life threatening.
I live in North Dakota now, winter has a whole new meaning, -20*F isn't unusual, the cold is life threatening if out for more than a few minutes. My kids don't usually play in the snow like we used to. I have learned to always wear gloves and hats...etc because it gets COLD! I still enjoy the season with lots of clothes and coffee.I do lots of indoor thnigs but the live nativity is one I will brave the COLD for. It is a special event and one new tradition to add to our family. My kids think snow is just a season to get thorough until spring. I hope one day they can appreciate the snow for its beauty than the ugly side of the cold that goes with it.

There it is in a nutshell. the snowflakes were made by me and my daughter. It was fun to make them again.

Journaling my Christmas

I have decided to come back to blogger. Journalspace wasn't letting me do things I wanted to do.

I know how this all works so I am back.

I am taking this class online about journaling your Christmas so far it is lots of fun. I am remembering making snowflakes.

It is fun to creative with paper and scissors again. Back to basics for me. I post my Manifesto/committment to being creative every day during this season.