Oh Happy Day!

Ever have one of those weeks, where you're totally fed up with everything (work), and everyone's attempts at keeping you down is working?!

For me, that was last week...

"Where's the good news? Why is everything so dysfunctional? Bite me dooshbag!"

By Friday, I had a huge headache, fell asleep on the bus (that NEVER happens), and was ready to pack my bags and ride into the sunset with Wooly (my only friend).

Oh Happy Day!

Look what Colette, Lorraine & Brigitte sent my way!
I'm so thrilled, touched and honored!
You snapped me right out of my pity party!

Colette (Lace Maven) is truly inspirational. What I love about her, is that she doesn't settle for 'good enough.' She could only find silk cobweb in white and dyed it a beautiful red for her Wedding Ring Shawl. She's a designer and lace knitting teacher at her LYS. She takes beautiful photos of her work, which is true perfection. I want to knit lace and take risks like her when I grow up.

Lorraine (Sheriff of Knittingham) is the total package. Traditional Fair Isle & Aran Knit Designer, loving mom (to everyone's kids and critters) and wife, and if that's not enough... she also knits lace shawls with the yarn she dyed. I want to be a loving mom like her.

Brigitte (Wrapped Around My Finger) is your best friend. She's got 3 celebrity cats, who I love like my own. I wish she lived next door so I could visit. She knits beautiful fair isle, aran, lacey sweaters & socks. Animal lover, generous with her gifts, bike rider. She and the kitty counsel are always up to something fun. She's hilarious and always leaves me laughing.

I'm suppose to nominate 4 people... but, everyone I was thinking of already got nominated.
(Carolyn, Anne, Laritza, Fleegle, Bad Cat,...) So, I'm nominating everyone I've ever left a comment for. :)

Summer Sampler Stole Celebration

Summer Sampler Stole - Bad Cat Design

Cashwool #987 - extra fine merino

2.5mm addis lace needles

18" x 72"

...three, four.. eight.. how many patterns are there suppose to be? 12?

You dumb bunny! You can't count! OMG! Watch out for the snake!

I sent my photos to Bad Cat, to let her know I enjoyed and finished knitting her stole and to join the celebration of us that finished. Guess what! I was the second one finished, so she's sending me 2 balls of Lacey Lamb in the light blue color that she knit hers in! I'm so thrilled! You know how much I love Lacey Lamb! and that blue is sooo my color! Hooray! Another surprise! Thanks Bad Cat!

Double Delight

My Double Delight rose - very fragrant beauty

So, thanks to you all, what a happy day Sunday was! Blue Ribbon & Lacey Lamb!

They say, if you surround yourself with people you admire,... you become a better person. In my case, you're all rubbing off on me and I'm feeling better already!

Love you all! Chin up! Happy Knitting!

Unst Stole My Heart

Hey! Can you believe it? I finished! :D
Yes, I love her! Can you believe it?!

Third time's a charm!

My favorite photo - all her glory

Kamati nosing in

Even Wooly's (stinky) chair looks nice

Unst Stole - Sharon Miller - Heirloom Knitting

Colourmart 2/36 Cashmere/Silk in Galaxy

2.5mm circular needle

35" x 76"

-

I don't know what else to say...

Everytime I pass by her I've got to stop and pet her...

Yes, it's that kind of love!

-

After I finished, I showed Wooly... he said, "Why don't you put it on the floor... and I'll get the vacuum out... and we'll see if it can 'eat' that whole shawl!" I didn't even bother to give him the evil eye or say anything. Big bully!

-

Summer Sampler Stole

Field of Corn -pattern 12, Snake in the Grass edging

I got the last pattern for this done and started on the edging.
The edging is going quickly - only 14 stitches. I like the cable twist - I think that's the snake.
The pointed corner is short rowed. I've never done one like that before.

In Mr K's World...
It's been a berry good summer...

Strawberry hunter

Blueberry picker

This is at Grandma's house. She tries to distract him, but he ends up picking and eating all the berries. See the orange bubble container she's holding... that's why his pants is wet in front - he was blowing bubbles and spilling on his lap. That's another word you don't say around Mr K - "B-U-B-B-L-E-S"

This weekend Marie at Main Street Yarn is having her 25% off everything sale. I've made my list and checked it twice! I definitely deserve yarny rewards for completing Unst v3. :) Since I looked in my closet and hate everything in it, it's sweater making time! Besides, I feel the chill in the air. No, I haven't forgotten about Fulmar!

Okay, I'm off to continue edging along... hoping the snake doesn't bite me! ;)

Enjoy these last days of summer! :)

Bring Home GOLD!

As you know, the Beijing Olympics are in full swing...

Mr K leads off with his Olympic Flame...

Let the games begin!

Then he enters his 1 meter pool to prepare for his 'event.'

We're not sure which event it is, but boy is he having fun. So much fun that my brother warned me to never use the word "P-O-O-L" around him.

C'mon in! You can sit on the ball!

He has his basketball in the pool just in case Kobe shows up... and can always make room for Michael (8 golds in 8 events in 08) Phelps. Okay, for Michael's feet. :)

I told Wooly that Michael got a million dollar bonus from Speedo for winning all 8 golds and what an incentive that is... even he (Wooly) would get motivated for that, eh? Wooly said, "YEAH!... well, maybe..." He's such a slacker!

2008 World Pipe Band Championships

The big event in Glasgow, Scotland on 8/16.

Guess who won?! Can you guess?! OMG!

Yes, Simon Fraser University Pipe Band won! The big boys!

AND their Drum Corps won the drumming is both MSR & Medley!

You know what that means right?! THEY SWEPT!

Here's a photo of Jack (pipe sgt), J Reid (lead drummer) & Terry (pipe major)

Here's more details.

They wore their black socks. :)

They brought home the gold too!

So, I had to celebrate... you know how I love peanut M&M's... they came up with these fancy ones and I bought 3 of the 5 flavors.

They're pretty tasty!

But I wish we were there with them when they won.

Wooly's going to buy the DVD when it comes out. I can't wait!

In Knitting News...

Yes, I remember this IS a knitting blog!

Can you believe only one month until fall?

They way I know is that my Summer Sampler Stole is almost done.

Eagle Feather (#10 - lower) and Fire Flies (#11)

There's only one more pattern and the edging left!

Unst v3 - Edging Along

They look like bunny ears... told ya Mom likes me best! (Smoothie)

Whatever! Where is Mom? She can't leave this on the floor! (Kamati)

So, I got the 2nd border done and started the crazy, incredibly wide/deep edging. I'm a sucker for cool edgings, even though part of me is chanting, "edgie wedgie, just kill me now!" :)

I remember on my Unst v1, where I ran out of yarn, lots of people (including non-knitters) suggested I just do a different/narrower edge and be done with it... I gave it a lot of thought and realized that the cool (but difficult/time consuming) edge IS the selling point for me. So, I'm edging along, singing my song... trying not to look at how far I have yet to go before I 'bring home the gold' too! :D

Have a great week! More next time (of what? I have no idea!) :)

Big Boys, Big Noise

Mr K, my favorite big boy, is practicing his management skills...

"Gramps, when you get done, my Playskool car needs waxing...

Easy now..., wax on... wax off...

You missed a spot..."

Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games

We went to Enumclaw, WA to see my other favorite boys...
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
Look! They're wearing black socks!

It was exciting when they marched in! A bunch of pipers rushed inside the blue lines to listen and get a good look. I was disappointed, because here I had sat behind the blue line all day, and was aced out of a perfect spot! I turned to complain to Wooly and he was gone... he rushed in when he realized what was happening. :( Then I realized my card for my camera was full, so this is the only photo I got. Very disappointing! And what happened to their blue socks?!


More Big Noise

We also celebrated Mom's 70th birthday!

She was surprised that I had 'occasion appropriate' wrapping paper and was carefully opening it because she wanted to save it to use on my birthday gift. When she finally got it open, the screaming began...

"Oh! WOW! (screaming sounds)"

Wooly said, "Sounds like she likes it!"

Then she asked how to wear it. I put it on her head and said, "Like this!"

"You have a doily on your back!"

She started laughing so hard she was crying! I think she looks like those Russian Nesting dolls that she collects. Then I wanted to take a photo and she said, "Wait! wait! I have to look somewhat serious!... Okay, hurry! I have to pee!"

I put Lyra on the table so she could see the pattern and told her that fancy people put it on their round table with a vase of flowers... She said, "Fancy people?! (giggle) Wait! I have a round table! (starts jumping) I can't wait for my friends to see it...! They all want to be your friend because I told them you knit for your friends...!" I told her NOT to promise them anything!

Wooly played his bagpipes for her. We all had fun.

In Knitting News...

Unst has a border!

I had just finished and gave it a quick look and thought I had knit it on the wrong side! Wooly was waiting in the car, so I ran out to join him so we could get groceries. Wooly asked what was wrong and I told him. He was horrified too! I bought a piece of carrot cake, just in case I needed to console myself. When we got home, I looked again, WHEW! False alarm!

Now, I need to knit it again for the second border... right side up! ;)

Summer Sampler Stole

Patterns 7 Blackberry Bramble (bottom)

Pattern 8 - Surf Side (middle)

Pattern 9 - Fritillaria (top)

Only 3 patterns to go + edging!

I have a feeling I'll be doing edging for Unst at the same time.

Can you believe August starts this Friday?

We're not travelling this summer because someone bought bagpipes instead (ahem!)

Wooly asked if I was disappointed and I told him that when you think about it, we've never been as social or busy as we have been this summer... and we haven't had as much fun either! So, I'm really enjoying being at home and hanging out with our friends.

Hope you're having fun too! Happy Knitting! Enjoy every day!

Bagpiper & Lyra Maiden

Bagpiper

Here's Wooly playing on the 4th of July at our friend's house... He's playing his full silver set of bagpipes that his friend made him. The silver has the Celtic Knot design and my friends said I need to get that tattooed around my arm so we'll be connected... No thanks! :)

Here's Wooly playing in our backyard...
This is his bagpipe from Ontario. More tradition style with Nickel and Imitation Ivory. These are the ones Jack has. (Anne & Brigitte - I did tell him we should just go pick them up... he said 'absolutely NOT!' I guess that means 'no.' :) )

We had Brian & Maki over on Sunday. Brian mentioned that he was Scottish. I asked if he has a kilt. He does! In his family's tartan! Maki said it was blue & blue. (She's Japanese, her English is getting better. heehee!) Wooly asked if he liked bagpipes. Brian said, "Love them! Don't you play?!" So, Wooly did a concert. Maki has never heard bagpipes before... she was saying, "wow!" while he was tuning inside. Brian said, "Wow! That's some good shitt!"

It's pretty exciting because Wooly is getting better. I do love hearing him play. Maybe he will start competing again!


Lyra Maiden

Hey! I finished Lyra!

Blob on kitchen floor

Center Leaves

Flower

Best full photo I could get

Lyra by Herbert Niebling (round version)

Lane Borgosesia Cashwool - Extra fine merino - #63

Various needles - 2.5mm + 3mm + crochet hook

50"x50" blocked at widest points

Made for Mom's Birthday

Wooly: "What is it?"

Me: "A huge doily."

Wooly: "Doily? Do you wear it slung over yourself?"

Me: "You can... or you can put it on a table..."

Wooly: "Table? Where it will get dirty and food all over it? No! It's too nice for that!"

Me: "That's only at our house. Fancy people put it on the table then put a vase of flowers on top."

Wooly: "Fancy people??" LOL!

My Mom has a round table... I would consider her a fancy person... She will scream and jump up and down and love it.

The only words of wisdom I have is that you need to throw everything you know about reading charts out the window and trust the directions. "Blank squares have no significance" I almost didn't get past the 5th row because I was knitting the blank squares and running out of stitches! (Laritza - I just couldn't bother you with that!)

Now that I'm done, I'm feeling lost, but Summer Sampler & Unst are waving at me, so it's not like I don't have anything to do. Eventually, I'm going to make one for myself... to go over the non existing round end table... in my non existing fancy house! :) Maybe I'll make a square one too! Yep! I really love this pattern.

C'mon people! Reprint more patterns please!

What is a Lyra? It looks like a protea to me...

Hope you have a great week! Enjoy every day! :)

Rap Tap Ratchet

"The Seattle Mariners called... they need this wheelbarrow fixed for the game tonight...
Here's a 12mm ratchet, get busy, time's a wasting!"

Mr K wearing Mariner's baseball shirt

"Let's see, it looks like if I just tighten it up here, we should be good to go..."

Hard at work, notice his tummy!

"Okay Dad! All done! Back to my music!"

Rap tap tap... faster, faster, louder!

"Uncle Wooly says that I need to practice my drumming because he needs me to play while he plays his bagpipes...

Mom has been sick (morning sickness)... maybe if I play louder, she'll get out of bed!"

Meanwhile, in my world...

We went to friend's house for the 4th and Wooly brought his bagpipes. He played outside on their deck and we all cheered him on. We created a monster! Now he's playing outside at our house! Haven't hear any complaints from the neighbors... yet.

He got his new set of bagpipes from Ontario and is in heaven. I guess we'll just stay at home and listen to him play since he spent our vacation money on it!!

At least I have fun knitting projects to work on while he's making noise...

Here's Summer Sampler Stole...

Patterns 5 & 6

The bottom pattern is called The Grand Spider and the upper one is called Summer Wheat. We're half way done, since there are 12 patterns total, plus an edging.

Here's Lyra...

I'm on row 120 of 180 and have started the flower (left hand side). These row are getting long! I keep looking at the calendar, Mom's birthday is less than 2 weeks away. I think I'll just focus on Lyra so I'll have it done by her birthday.

Hope you're all enjoying summer! Got vacation plans?

If you needs some 'music' to go along with the sunshine, we'll send Wooly and Mr K right over!

Happy Knitting! :)

Purple Turbo

Summer has arrived.
I was waiting for a warm day to block this purple Magic Carpet Ride.

Mom, it's too hot for a scarf!

Magic Carpet Ride by Susan Pandorf

Woolen Rabbit Whisper Merino lace yarn - Arabian Nights

Foxden beads - 8-0013F

12" x 60"

More Purple

My Japanese Iris' are blooming! What a show stopper! The first year I had 3 blooms, last year I had 7, this year I counted 16 buds!

I say this every year, "Perfect shade of purple!" I just wish they lasted longer. I got these from my Mom, who got them from a friend. Mine are really happy here, so I think they should just give me all of theirs! hee hee.. ;)

We went to Fred Meyer's (store) yesterday and I saw this Lavender & White Stripey Japanese Iris just sitting there waiting for me. I searched the whole garden section to see if anyone else wanted to come home with me, but there was just this one.

I emailed my Mom this photo and she couldn't believe I got it at Fred's. She hasn't seen one like this either.

In Knitting News...

Lyra - I'm through row 72 of 180. As you can see, we've got some leaves now. Still fun. I'm anxious to see how big or small the final project will be. I'm thinking of giving this to Mom for her birthday, which is towards the end of July.

Unst v.3 - I've got 6 of 10 repeats done and it's still not on the floor! I'm getting sick of this pattern... but I've only knitted it 23 times...

Alhambra - I've only done one more repeat while waiting for Wooly's brother to arrive. I didn't want to be in the middle of a long row. So, I've got 11 of 17 repeats done, but just going to use all the yarn. It's not a challenge for me, so pretty boring, but will make a good gift, or maybe I'll just keep it for myself.

Summer Sampler Stole - We're through the 5th pattern of 12. It's called The Grand Spider and we got to make 7 into 7 - Estonian lace - love it! I'll show patterns 5 & 6 next week.

Fulmar - No progress. I've got the front & back done. I want to finish it before Mr K's 2nd birthday in December. I think it would look nice over a kilt... but I don't have a kilt.

In Mr K's world...

Wanna ride? Beep beep! Vroom!

Check out his green shoelaces! He's 1.5 years now. I can't believe he's walking.

Guess who's pregnant??!!

Wooly's glad... that it's not his...

No, it's not Jack's! Who said that??!! Yes, I think he's cute... yes, I want his blue socks...!

Wait. What were we talking about? Stop distracting me! LOL! :D

Mr K is gonna be a big brother! 2/17/2009 is the due date! They can't believe it either! My Mom got teary. My Brother called me at work, and I had to do my happy dance very quietly. I have to make a baby quilt and a sweater to wear... or I can just wear Autumn Oregon. Maybe I'll be done with Unst... that would be nice.

So, Mr K is going to have someone to push around... in the car. ;) He will no longer be the center of the universe. I really like having a brother. SIL is an 'only' and she wishes she had a sibling. I'm so happy I have something to look forward to!

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends...

Happy Independence Day to my American friends...

Freedom... it's a good thing! :)