Sheba has gone to a better place

Sheba was our dog for almost 15 years. We got her as a puppy from a farm a few miles from our home. She was a black lab and german shepard mix. She was very loyal and loving. She grew up with all the kids. She also tolerated all the other dogs we have brought home. She was smart and helped keep the kids safe. She loved roaming our 11 acres and making sure the place was safe. She was afraid of the coyotes but what dog isn't. She would sit for hours waiting for the squirrels to come out of the trees. She hated the squirrels or maybe she loved to chase them. The last few years she couldn't do so much patrolling but she loved to sit outside and listen to the traffic going by so she could bark. Even though she had a hard time seeing, hearing and walking she lived for those few moments of laying in the sunshine and rolling on the grass. We will miss her but she was not enjoying life as much lately. So it is a blessing that she is now passed on.

Thoughts on why I spin and knit

Lately I have been contemplating why I create/craft things. I learned to knit because I thought producing a knitted fabric would be cool. It is rather neat to take to sticks and some string and create a fabric that stretches and returns to an unstretched state. I crocheted for a many years and the fabric that creates is just so solid, I guess. It is great for blankets I think. Knitting you can make so many more things that are great and useful. Well, once you get to know knitters many turn out to be spinners too.

Once a few years ago, our women's group hosted a lady who spun yarn. She demonstrated how she did it and it was just fascinating to watch a piece of fluff become some else that was useable and helpful. For some reason what she did always stuck with me. The only place I heard about spinning was in the Bible and fairy tales. But it always seemed like magic. In this day and age of computers and other technology to make our lives easier; it is sometimes nice to return to a craft that makes you appreciate what you have. I don't have to spin and knit to provide warm clothing for my family. But I can do it as a way to remember that once this was the only way to have any clothes at all and thus appreciate that I can go to a store to get what I need.

Now, I have 2 spinning wheels and 5 spindles, not mention alot of wool and other fibers around the house. It is a hobby that I can do just about any where and do too. I take my knitting everywhere. The other day I was knitting at our local pool and a little girl came up to me and asked what I was doing...I said "making socks" She said "making socks....I have never seen anyone making socks" She watched for bit but went on her way. It makes me think that I am sort of an ambassdor of knitting to people who may have never seen a grandmother or mother knitting anymore. It makes me sad too that not many people know someone who knits. If we don't pass this craft on to the next generation it may be lost.

All I know is I can happily amuse myself without electricity for many hours at a time. I produce something at the end of that time that is unique and not perfect. My kids ask about what I do so they at least know how something is made. Autumn is saying she knows more about fiber than she wants to know because of me. Jacob enjoys learning to spin. He likes the mechanics of it. Seth just likes watching the spinning. Even David is interested in the process too. He helps me with my wheels and when I ply he helps with the tangles.

I would love to go a retreat and learn more about knitting and spinning but that is a great cost and time is also an issue between work and the kids. But someday I will do that. So when you see a sheep, alpaca, or goat or see that cashmere or wool sweater think of me. I will spinning and knitting something I think.

Left: handspun Alpaca Right: hand knit lace shawl.

long time no blog....not original but true

It has been a long time since I have blogged. Not much going but then again a lot. DD is off having an adventure getting to know some new people from around the state. Ds's are here being busy and bored all at the same time. Who knew that could happen. ...

I have been keeping busy with work and knitting and spinning. Throw a little yard work in and that is my life. I went on vacation to Ohio to see family and also got to go to a fiber festival. DD went along as to keep me company on the two hour drive. It was great fun and I got alot of new fibers that I can't wait to see how they spin up. Here is a sampling of what I got.

I also knitted a shawl in about six weeks for my daycare provider.

It came out really nice. She cried when I gave it to her.

It is called Angel Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark. It was an easy pattern to follow. The yarn is

Laceweight Malabrigo in Jade Sapphire. I loved the way the varigation turned out. Here it is blocking. The detail was just great.

All right that is how my summer vacation has started out...How is yours?

Spring snow and Robins....

If you could looked around yesterday you wouldn't have guessed it was spring. It snow about 4 inches yesterday some places got 8-9 inches some got less. We were kind of in the middle. It did melt but it sure was pretty but I could have done without it. School closed because it just kept snowing. We did make it to GF for DD's foot appointment. Then went and got here nails done and did our grocery shopping for the next two weeks. Today is prom! I have to clean the house, get DD to her hair appointment, finish a shawl/wrap for her, and generally be ready to take pictures at 3:30. It is going to be a long day.

I did get my new wheel. It is a Sonata. It is very light and pretty. It spins pretty good and easy to adjust. I can't wait to do some more on her though. I am coming along with my Angel Lace shawl. Very easy pattern and quick so far.

Well, better go and start the day. Right after I finish my coffee.

What I have been doing these last weeks

Well, lots of things like staying warm with below zero temps for most of it. We are at least warmer today 30 above but snowing and blowing. Can't have everything I guess. Hoping this is getting the last few things of winter and spring will start to spring....

I am NOT looking forward to getting up an hour earlier (thank you daylight savings time) whose bright idea was it anyway. Getting little sleep as it is and we not get one hour less well, not really but it feels that way so for the next week I will be out of sorts because not only are getting less sleep we have to get the kids to bed at the same time but it is still light out here like really light.... So the kids then put up the fight of it is not bedtime because the sun is still out.....ugh...

This is my first real kind of know what I am doing yarn. I got the roving from a fiber club Spunky Eclectic does. I loved how it drafted so smoothly and quickly. Loved it... want more. (have to work on the plying part though but that is coming along.

I still have Jan and now Feb fiber to spin up plus some more corriedale that I ordered in my high school colors...purple and gold. Here is the purple I have 8 oz so maybe a shawl or stole that is pretty simple.

I am finally putting a my picture of wheel up here too.

I have Schipperjte wheel. I need to get more and newer bobbins for it. I just have to start emailing for dimensions I guess. I haven't giving her a name yet. Just haven't thought about it too much I guess.

She came all the way from the Netherlands. It is not perfect but I have got to where I am able to spin fairly consistently on her. I need to make some more adjustments but I am reading Alden Amos' book, The Big Book of Handspinning I am finding it very interesting reading. I am learning lot about what things mean and why and to me that is important puts things in perspective.

Well, that is what I have been doing besides family stuff DS#1 wrestling events, getting DD ready for prom and understanding boys, and DS#2 well, just keeping him out of trouble...

I should blog more I need to update the sidebar a bit with different things that I have been doing. I am still knitting my 3 shawls. I put one away for a while(Aspen Grove). I WILL finish the Secret of the Stole ii and Swan Lake before I do any others.

That is the next post shawl time. I will try to do it next week.

My first plied yarn

I finally got my wheel fixed enough to make a plied yarn. It went very well. I don't know if I will knit with it or not as since it is some of my first spun yarn and it isn't the greatest as far as being a great knitting yarn. I still have to get it off the bobbin and set the twist but it is done. I spun up part of my Party dress from Spunky ecletic. But need to free up a bobbin to finish the second half. Can't wait to do this month's shipment, Icelandic wool and great colors.

I have to find some bobbins for this though. Since it isn't a common brand I am going to have to have to find what will fit it.

Knitting, I am doing the SOTS ii, I had to frog a bit and that didn't go as well as I had hoped but I am just going to continue from here and try to get as close to clue 3 as I can. I am still working on my cardigan and Swan lake too. I am so close to finishing my socks that I if sat down for about a half an hour they would be done.

Trying to learn Magic loop but haven't taken the time to just do it.

I think I need a snow day all to myself to just do what I want without all the things wanting attention.

Today we have a basketball game and sometime this weekend we have to get groceries. Also it is the BIG football weekend. Maybe we will have to time that day to catch up and knitting or spinning.

A new Year.....2008

It is hard to believe that it is already 2008. I am almost 39...(friday). I don't know how I will take 40 some say it is hard and others say it was just another birthday. Well, I have a year to figure that out. Right now, I keep pretty busy with the kids their activities. I just don't have time to dwell on such things. Dh is already 40 and he just complained about it all the time.

Well, I am just going to stay busy and see if I can't lose those pounds I have added over the years and do things I can enjoy. I am enjoying figuring out my knitting and spinning and trying to scrapbook too some day. I really need to clean my craft room as it is just piles of stuff in there. I just don't feel like doing any cleaning in there. I am going to have to keep up with my photos since I got a new camera and all. I have to learn to reduce the size though and do it faster.

I am looking forward to basketball being over soon so I can have my weekends to myself again. Then I will clean my room.....

Just thought I would let people know that I do use this blog occaisionally will have photos soon of what I don't know but something.

Mystery Stole aka Swan Lake Update

I am finally up to row 204 and Chart E started. It has taken one frogging and more stitch markers to finally see some improvement. there are mistakes but I won't tell if you won't.

I also got a new digital camera for Christmas so I will taking lots more pics and putting them up here. I just need to find the time to do it. What I really need is high speed. I sooo want DSL that is about all I can get here without too much trouble but I need to switch providers as the only one that I can get is new and that would mean changing my email and such. This dial up thing is just taking way too much time.

My computer also took a dive and I have had to reload all my applications which meant losing all my email addresses too. It will take time but I will rebuild. I am hoping to get to the LYS soon but I may have to do somethings over the phone instead of in person for a bit. I am planning on going to a spin in Jan 12th. It will fun and it will be the first guild meeting in a long time. I need more help with spinning, not to mention an afternoon out with out kids and animals wondering what I am doing and if they can help. It will be at a really cool ethnic museum. They have a real viking ship as the center piece of the place. Pretty cool sounds like lots of pictures being taken that day.

Christmas is coming!

Yea, I know it is coming ever closing. At least this year we are almost done with kids' lists;
DH asked for mine last week. So that is better than we have ever done. I hope to get a Christmas bonus next week to finish off and to get Dh something great. I don't know what that is but probably a massage or something. He needs that as I can't do that do to my hand problems and I just don't have the strength or know how to do it good.

I would love a weekend alone with him but until the kids are all old enough to handle a few days on their own and we can afford it; it will be a long time coming.

Knitting will I have been working on my Swan Lake shawl almost done with clue 3. Yeah....

I have also started to get my Ravelry notebook done. I keep finding more great patterns though so the queque is getting longer by the second. I did frog my Aspen grove Shawl because I knitted under duress there were lost stitches and counts were off so I just decided the best thing to do was to start over. But since Swan lake is coming along I haven't found the time to start it again. I also have 2 shawl kits that should be knitted too. But they will have to wait. I have to find some easy knitting to take to basketball games. I am thinking of starting Fenna from Myrna's Faroese shawl book. It is simple but will be a good way to get into the Faroese style of knitting. I am all for garter or stocking stitch it is a nice break from the more complicated.

I am also starting Journal Your Christmas again this year. I am way behind all ready but did get to do 2 days tonight so now I am just a week behind. I might be able to catch up this weekend. I have nothing planned except for cookie baking. So that might be the way to go and also sneak in some knitting too. I don't have any new pics but I did get some up at ravelry.

Check me out there I am araygirl. It is a very interesting place to get to know people far and wide.

I am also finding new etsy stores and other vendors for spinning supplies. I don't have anything nearby for that so.....I can window shop to my heart's content online.

Maybe I will get back here later.

Snow, Snow and more Snow....

Oh, also below zero temps.....I "love" winter..... I chose to live here so I shouldn't complain. So now begins the season of boots, snowpants, hats, gloves etc.... I am slowly trying to organize this house but it is slow going. I have been busy with basketball games and tournaments; harvest and getting a volunteer youth organzation back on its feet after a tornado. So life has been interesting this last few months. Plus DH was sick for a few days in there too. He rarely gets sick so when he does it is usually very sick. He is really good so it is nice to pamper him for the few days. But it does slow the rest of us down too.

Well, on the knitting front I have gotten Bristow to the last quarter but I have to rip back an inch as in the stress of late I knitted too far for the shoulder and armhole shaping. So I am working on the Swan Lake shawl again. I have gotten to clue 3 and added more markers to keep the pattern count better. I have to say I love stitch markers. They have helped me more than I can say.

Since this is December 1, Journal your Christmas is back and I am looking forward to doing it again. It was nice to take a few minutes everyday to think about the daily question and my answer to it. It has made me look at Christmas differently and able to appreciate it more than I have in a few years. So look for some journal pages here for the next month or so.

I am not knitting any Christmas gifts but am looking doing a shawl for my daycare provider. She is so good with my ds. He loves her and her family as if we are related. Since we live far from grandma and grandpa it is nice to see he gets some psuedo grammy time.

Well, I am going to go work on my ravelry page as this is the only time I can get since for some reason I can't sleep in anymore. Oh well, the house is quiet and no fighting to mediate or getting anything for anyone.

enjoy your winter weather....it doesn't last forever....

TGIF!!!!!

It is Friday, hurray!!! Not that it means rest and relaxation but it means that I can actually try to get my house clean. I really need to implement Fly Lady again. I have in a way it is really coming along. I just want the rest done so I can relax next week.

I do have a finished object. I finished the premie hat Wed night. I think I will try to focus on my left front of my cardigan Bristow from Knitty. I just have to get to the neck and shoulder shaping and then I am done with that one just the sleeves and the right front to go......

I was trying to think of my first finished object and I don't think I have one except some washcloths that were quick and easy. My first cardi is the one I have been working on for over a year.

I am looking forward to this year's Journal Your Christmas. I did it last year and it was a great way to get in the holiday mood. You get prompts to write on for the month of December. Thinking about Christmas' past and what you want to do for the future.
I hope I can finish last year I only did about 10 days.

I hope to get to some LYS's next week. It will be great to get to some yarn in person. The shops are new in the Fargo area so it will neat to see how they are set up and changed.

Till next week.

Secret pal 11 post!!!

I received my second package from my secret pal. It was a wonderful package. I had a skein of Seacoast Handpainted yarn Panda which is a blend of merino/bamboo/nylon. A set of size 2 dpns, a grapefruit scented candle (which is fav of mine), some hazelnut chocolates and a wonderful dpn case to round the package. I had a great time opening it and enjoying the yarn and chocolates. It was great way to enjoy a Friday even though I had to work I got to look at the yarn to get me through the day. I will try to take pics soon. I just haven't had the time to do much of anything.

1st kid is in a play and that is taking up all of her extra time. 2nd kid is playing basketball for the next few weeks. Then I have some mtgs and such next week for my volunteer activities and well as work when is busy depending the day and what is going on with the harvest and shipping things. So really next week I have something going on every day.

I did finish the faroese shawl and I did cast on for the Aspen Grove Shawl from www.mimknits.com I am doing the fall colorway in reds/yellows. I hope to knit a bit more on it tonight but we will see. I am on ravelry now under the araygirl name. I will update that a bit more as I go. My DH asked me the other day how many projects do I have going. I kinda of ignored the question and just 3 because that is what I had with me at the time. My sock because that is easy knitting just knit. My left front sweater for when I wait for the next game. Then the premie hat because it is also an easy knit but I have to find the directions to start the decreases.

I also have MS3 to do but that is home knitting and quiet time knitting because it requires concentration. I am really thinking to trying to get a retreat going because I need a weekend of knitting to finish some of these projects. I may suggest one at my next guild meeting. Wouldn't that be great a whole weekend of nothing but knitting and finishing projects. All the meals made for you and you just have to worry about finishing that row or taking a nap.

Ahhh to dream......

TGIF!!!!!

I have to say that I am thanking God it is Friday! It has been a long, long week. My week was just busy and busy. Going from one event to another not to mention the busyness of the harvest and getting in all those truck loads in the computer. So now that it rained for a couple of days. I am getting caught up and doing all the qtrly reports that need to get done in the next week.

I am also wishing I could be at Rhinebeck. Where everybody and everyone in the knitting and spinning world is going to be. AHhh to pet a sheep, fondle fiber and dream about many new yarns and rovings. Well, I will be there in my mind......

Here we are looking at getting ready for the winter. This weekend is the plastic on the windows and clean out areas that need to be reorganized. So I will be busy this weekend too. I hope to get some knitting in and some scrapbooking too.

Can't wait to relax to night and knit and watch tv and just veg......

It's officially Fall for me!

I saw a v-shaped flock of birds heading south for winter. I wait every year until I see the first ones. I hope to see a bald eagle soon too. The last few years we have seen a couple of bald eagles pass thru eating their dinner. They are such a majestic and awe inspiring creature to watch. Also the mice are making pests of themselves this year. Trying to keep them out and get out the ones that got in to begin with. Never ending battle when you live in the country.

I did finish my shawl and can't wait to start the next one. I have been busy all week and haven't gotten a chance to Flash my stash for SP 11. I also got on Ravelry and haven't gotten a second to spend their either. I went to do a minute ago and found the digital was out of power so I am waiting for the battery to charge maybe I will get it in tonight don't know.

My secret pal did send me a package. I got it earlier in the week it contained 2 balls of 100% silk yarn that is so soft and wonderful can't wait to do something with it. I am think a scarf. We will see. The colors were wonderful too. I am kinda burned out on pinks and purples so the yarn was a nice change. It is in greens and purples and some white too. So different looking anyway.

Can't wait to have a moment to think about some things. Just thought I would do a quick post and say that I am still around just really really busy.

October all ready!

It is a busy time this first week in October....Soys are in full swing and I am still working on getting the quarter closed. I hopefully, will get some things done today and not feel so pressed this week.

I am on the LAST row of my shawl just doing the bind off picot edging on it. I am about 2/3 of the way done with that. I hope to block that by this weekend. That is good because I have another shawl kit coming. Looking forward to that. That is about all I have going on.

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.