Here's to you...Cheers! Tipping a pint your way!
Lately I have been all about my obsessions....gnomes...peeps...gnomes...cats...gnomes...orange cats...well...you all know me (no explanation needed).
I found patterns for gnomes (toys, mittens and socks) from http://www.spillyjane.blogspot.com/ Well, she also had this pattern for beer pints. Love them and oh so perfect for certain people in my life. These were a birthday present for Tim. Just started another pair for my brother-in-law.
March 17, 2011
March 08, 2011
Fat Tuesday
Happy Fat Tuesday everyone!
Have to think about what to do about Lent. I love the idea of doing/not doing something for 6 weeks. Last year I decided that I would compliment one person everyday. Had to be a different person and the compliment had to be sincere. There were days when it was a little bit more difficult than others but it really put me in a positive mood.
Today I sent out a couple of things to Tim for his birthday 2 weeks ago. I want to post the projects but the box is sitting here waiting for the mail guy to take it away. Next week you all will see some knitting.
Since it is Fat Tuesday I am posting my favorite kitty picture....Fritz. He is a friend's, Yam, kitty. I took this photo a couple of years ago and it still cracks me up! Look at those skinny legs. (I am thinking that Hank is getting up there too).
January 30, 2011
Year of the Rabbit? Nah....
Hope you all are having a good 2011!! Groundhog Day is coming and I am hoping Spring will come along soon! This Winter has been enough for me already...and I am a cold weather person. Love the cold and snow vs. the sun and humidity (Chicago can get bad you know). We had snow for Christmas and now I am done. As I write this I am listening to the weather and we are supposed to get 2 feet of snow on Wednesday. ::::sigh:::
The pictures are of Godfrey the Groundhog I made (Mochimochi Land.)
Haven't posted much this past few months. Well...life does get in the way. Darn! Last year was an interesting year. I am labeling it the year of "letting go." Everyone has those times in your life where you have to let go of a bunch of things all at once. In the beginning it is difficult but then you go on...and on...other doors open and you realize what is truely important to you. From loosing Felix to this past weekend when I ripped apart 5 knitting projects that I really didn't like to begin with...all a learning process of acceptance and letting go.
I never rip out projects. Ya, I am (use to be) one of those people who usually only knits one or two projects at a time and finishes them. Now with Ravelry...well...I have more than one project on the needles and it bothers me. It bothers me that there is a big list on Ravelry reminding me...everytime I log in (on a daily basis)...of ALL the projects I have. Stress.
Since it is a new year and all...I am labeling THIS year, the year of "Finishing Projects." I know it is the year of the Rabbit...(does the Chinese calendar have a sheep? Just curious)....anyway...finishing projects...that is what this year is all about.
P.S. Hank and Bert are doing well. Bert just had his annual checkup and didn't bite the vet...whew! One time I took him in he bit and pee'd on her. Wasn't pretty. Hank is now 15 pounds. Uh huh...you read that right...15. When I adopted him he was barely 8 pounds. He has almost doubled his weight. He is happy and has really come into his own. Such a great cat.
August 16, 2010
August 12, 2010
August 09, 2010
August 06, 2010
All the Single (Cat) Ladies
Finished the Single Girl quilt and it is now proudly hanging at Quiltology. This past June I taught a class on how to make it. There were 6 people in the class and I am so happy to say that everyone came out of the class confortable in making the quilt. I was so proud of my students. It isn't an easy quilt and somewhat time consuming. Beth, one of my students, was making it with all polka dot fabrics. Stunning!
Used a collection of 1930's kitty fabrics I collected over the years. In each circle, however, there is one dog. Like to call this quilt the "Single Cat Lady."
I learned alot with my quilt and I think the biggest thing is to slow down and enjoy the process. Here are a couple of other things:
* Draw and cut out the template pieces with care and be very precise. Cutting the fabric and most time consuming thing.
* Be as consistent as possible. The pattern requires accuracy. There is no fudging this. If you are not precise you will realize it when you come to the outer arc and almost done with the block.
* Be careful ironing your seams. There are bias edges and it is so easy to distort and stretch.
* Pin, pin, pin. The tighter the arc the more difficult it will be to piece the seam.
* The seam ripper is your friend. Don’t be afraid to use it.
* Get creative with the fabrics.
August 03, 2010
July 28, 2010
DIY Stitch Markers (Woo! Hoo!)
As a knitter I am always looking for those really cute gadgets. Might not want to spend $20 on a ball of yarn, however, give me a cute stitch marker...I don't blink. (Oh, who am I fooling? I have spent $20 on a ball of yarn before...shhhh).
Lately I have been searching around Etsy and was looking at the tons of stitch markers and thinking that I am crafy...I can make my own...seriously...I can. So, I did a search on how to make beads out of polymer clay and found the Polymer Clay Cookbook that shows you how to make your own miniture beads...all food related. For those of you who know me in real life, you KNOW my obsession with candy corn. The book shows you how to make them too. I am in heaven.
Here is a link that reviews the book and gives you the instructions for making your very own cupcake from the book. Guess what I am doing this weekend?
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Friday: Found some videos on YouTube on how to make some items from the book. Here is one on how to make a hamburger.
July 20, 2010
Hank the Orange Tabby
Meet Hank! After loosing Felix I thought I would never even think about adopting another kitty. Never. There never could be a pet as loving, playful or amazing as Felix.
About 3 weeks after Felix passed away a friend, Janice, called and told me that there was an orange tabby (12 weeks) at the local shelter. I had mentioned that IF I was ever going to get another pet it would have to be very different than Felix, hence, a orange tabby. I just told her that I wasn't ready and Janice's response was "you will never be ready." "You are meeting me." After the third call, I met her at PAWs. The 12 week kitty was gone. Looked around and saw Ted (that was his name). The tip of his left ear is chopped off (was due to frost bite) and he was oh so skinny. I could feel the indentification chip between his shoulder blades. Ted knew he was coming home with me. He layed on my lap and buried his head on my arm. My heart began to melt... and I just started to cry. The grief of loosing Felix hit me again like a ton of bricks. Kept apologizing to the adoption specialist, Rick, but he understood. They were closing soon but he stayed. Rick and Ted knew that he was coming home with me that night.
I renamed him Hank. He looks like a Hank. My Dad had a friend growing up, his name was Hank Hankus. Loved going over to Hank's house. He was a tall/big man and just remember him being very happy. Ted wasn't a Ted...he was a Hank. He has been gaining weight. He eats everything...even a hamburger I had on the counter for dinner...and he is very happy.
I miss Felix but the thing about Hank is...he is melting my heart that was frozen with grief. There will never be another Felix...and certainly Hank is one of a kind also. Thanks Janice for making me realize that!!
So, Hank will now be a part of this blog. He is obsessed with knitting and yarn. He was an outdoor kitty and is exploring everything. He knows he has landed.
About 3 weeks after Felix passed away a friend, Janice, called and told me that there was an orange tabby (12 weeks) at the local shelter. I had mentioned that IF I was ever going to get another pet it would have to be very different than Felix, hence, a orange tabby. I just told her that I wasn't ready and Janice's response was "you will never be ready." "You are meeting me." After the third call, I met her at PAWs. The 12 week kitty was gone. Looked around and saw Ted (that was his name). The tip of his left ear is chopped off (was due to frost bite) and he was oh so skinny. I could feel the indentification chip between his shoulder blades. Ted knew he was coming home with me. He layed on my lap and buried his head on my arm. My heart began to melt... and I just started to cry. The grief of loosing Felix hit me again like a ton of bricks. Kept apologizing to the adoption specialist, Rick, but he understood. They were closing soon but he stayed. Rick and Ted knew that he was coming home with me that night.
I renamed him Hank. He looks like a Hank. My Dad had a friend growing up, his name was Hank Hankus. Loved going over to Hank's house. He was a tall/big man and just remember him being very happy. Ted wasn't a Ted...he was a Hank. He has been gaining weight. He eats everything...even a hamburger I had on the counter for dinner...and he is very happy.
I miss Felix but the thing about Hank is...he is melting my heart that was frozen with grief. There will never be another Felix...and certainly Hank is one of a kind also. Thanks Janice for making me realize that!!
So, Hank will now be a part of this blog. He is obsessed with knitting and yarn. He was an outdoor kitty and is exploring everything. He knows he has landed.
