Two "Dragonfly Wings" Shawls and a Scrappy "Forever" Afghan

I had so much fun making the "Dragonfly Wings" shawl in Malabrigo Sock. It was actually a trial run for the shawl I'm making for Jailgy. It was a pattern we both liked so I made mine first to get all the "kinks" out before attempted to make "that perfect shawl". I was pleased how mine turned out and only hope hers will be as pretty.

"Dragonfly Wings" in Malabrigo Sock - Indiecita colorway

So, Jaigy wanted a white one and she picked out this yarn. So far, so good. It's fun to work on so I don't imagine it will take me long to finish it.

I've been working on this "Scrappy" afghan off and on for quite a while. It's something I keep by my chair in the family room with the purpose of working on it in between other projects. I'm not expecting to get it done in the near future but just want to keep it there by my side to have it handy for a quick row or two. It's a really good way to use up those scraps of acrylic yarn. I'm also thinking of making kid sweaters to send to South America. I've heard that the crazy/striped ones are the most popular. I think a little sweater made with scraps would be a good project to keep in the car. We'll see how that goes.

A Pink Chevron Cowl and Rose City Roller Hiking Socks

Well, I did it! I managed to finish two projects! Not one, but two! It only helps that they were small - a pair of socks and a simple cowl.
Now drying is the "Chevron" cowl. Not sure what I'm going to do with it but maybe just put it in the gift box. I've got plenty of cowls and scarves to wear so I don't need another!

I was pleased with how it turned out.  I think it helps that the yarn was really nice wool. Wool is my favorite but I have so much acrylic that I need to use up. Much of it was given to me; some of it I bought...only because it looked pretty on the skein. Which brings me to the next finished project.

This sock was made with 100% acrylic and was not fun. The yarn "schreeched" across the needles and I could only bear it because I knew these socks would be quick. If you notice the cuff, it's short. Therefore, I had the quickness of the project because it lacks a "leg". This sock is a combination of two patterns - Patons' "Hiking" socks and "Rose City Rollers". I just cast on 40 stitches and knit in a rib of knit two, purl two in the round for about four rounds. Then I went straight into the heel. The rest is a piece of cake as I just followed the "Hiking Socks" pattern, more or less. I've knit so many socks that I really don't need a pattern.

Trust me, there are two.

On Another Note...

I think I figured out this camera/cell-phone/computer upload thing. I think. I just "jiggled" all my devices to Picassa and crossed my fingers. Or was it Drop-Box? Lo and behold, when I went to upload pictures, there they were. All I needed to do was to back track a little and do some minor adjustments color-wise and size wise in Picassa and the pics were ready to upload. Now, let's see if I can do it again. Or even find the pictures that I want. I think it's time to cull my picture library and put some in folders.

WIPs or I'm Very Distractable

There's really nothing wrong with me!? Sometimes I wonder though when it comes to knitting. I have so many wips in progress that I'm embarrassed to tell how many. I'm sure there are many reason that I do this. I'll list a few. First, I browse Ravelry far too often and thus get so many ideas of what I want to make. Next, I'm impatient to see if I can really accomplish that new technique and if it will really look as good as the pattern says it will. Thirdly, I keep telling myself that I've got to keep a small project on hand just for the car.  And it's got to be simple. Next,  there's always a birthday to knit for. Or a new baby's arrival. Sometimes too, I get special requests and I'm not likely to turn them down. After all, it justifies buying more yarn, right? Finally,  there's always a luscious yarn that I can't wait to knit with. It's very tactile, you see.

 Let's just list a few of these delinquent projects here.  And then tomorrow I'll list a few more.  And the next day after that.  Until I'm done.  Maybe that will shame me into finishing.  Or maybe not.

First up is a chevron cowl. Not that it is the oldest but because it's sitting on my lap right this minute! Hopefully, I'll be finishing it today.  But I think I'm only half way done.  So unless I sit and knit all day and ignore my house cleaning chores it's not likely to get done.

I've managed to start and almost finish another sock. This one was started because I needed more scraps to make my next pair of "crazy socks"! Only I didn't want to break open a new skein. After all, these socks were suppose to be scrappy. Turns out this yarn is not suitable for the scrappy socks I had in mind. I need tweedy type and this is more "flecky". Plus this yarn is 100% acrylic (YUCK!) and the scrappy yarn is 25% wool and 75% acrylic. Really, much nicer. Most of the socks I've been knitting for gifts is from this 25/75 blend so if you look at your latest gift you'll find an example of yarn I'll be using for the scrappy socks.

That's it for today! Wednesday (maybe): White Dragonfly Wings and a Scrappy Afghan.

Technology

I give up. Some things are best just left alone. Too much technology makes my brain hurt so I'm thinking of scrapping the idea of uploading pics from my phone or tablet. Or maybe not. 

It seems it can be done. So I need to figure it out. Well, I do like puzzles! In the meantime, these beads can be found at www.mydreambeads.com 

Heidi's Cowl

Not sure how this works but trying to upload pics from my tablet.

Progress is Slow but it's still Progress

I'm still working on Heidi's sweater but it's slow going. We can't get it together enough to have her try it on for size. Anyway, the purpose of this post is to try and upload a camera pic, or rather a pic from my phone.

Purging my blog - Part 1

Whew! I just went through 600 plus posts deleting the duplicates and trying not to delete the wonderful comments of my family and friends. Especially the ones written by my mom. They bring back little snippets of her to me and make me smile. If you are missing her today go back in the comments and review hers. They will bring you cheer.

Mom loved flowers. 

j n j wallabys

Cleaning up my drafts. This one is so old that there are another (two!) babies to get in the picture! Thankfully, there are a wallabies to fit. Must get an update soon.

phone post

Trying to post from my phone is tricky. But here goes. I want to revive my blog after a hiatus of months? Years? And I need to transfer posts from a different blog. So this is a trial to see what I can tolerate. So far uploading pics is proving to be a chore. It will get better, I'm sure.

Not really what I want to be posting but until I can figure out how to load from my phone... here you have it.

http://www.mydreambeads.com/

Photo Shoot with the Sees

We had a photo session while Aunt Keren was visiting. She and Great Gramma had spent time sewing and smocking.

The three girls got smocked dresses:

Emma's gingham smock

Anna's retro smock

 

Racy's Spring-time smock

Check out 'dem buttons! I knew my button tin would come in handy one day.

Because Prince Charming likes "Where's Waldo" books Aunt Keren thought it would be grand to get him and his brothers Waldo shirts and hats.She thought she'd buy material and make them but we managed to snag some red and white grownup shirts from VV Boutique which she promptly proceeded to cut up, cut out and sew back together!

Butler

Jaelsee - the newest and latest with his ready made Waldo shirt.

Brotherly Love

We never did succeed in getting a really good shot of all of them together, but you  get the idea!

Take your pick.

Cheaters

I don't cheat. At least I try not to. But when it comes to cooking, I cheat. I am so lazy. I use to make my own bread. I even ground the wheat! For breakfast Bruce just wanted toast and juice. So I gave him fresh homemade whole wheat bread and fresh squeezed orange juice. Then I had kids. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Yes, that fast. Four kids in less than four years. It was all I could do to keep treading water.

Last week was Heidi's birthday. and we had planned on going out to dinner. (I had asked her what she wanted - to eat out or have a homemade Greek dinner. She said, "whatever is easiest". Ha Ha Ha Ha! Choke and splutter.) Well, we went to an Indian restaurant that Bruce and I had been eyeing since last summer. It was well worth the wait. Delish! There was even leftovers for the next day.

Then, for Heidi's cake Bruce wanted to stop at Save-on on the way home and get the family favorite. (Sort of a last birthday gift) The cake we wanted was $21! Shock. So, needless to say, we did not get it.  That left Heidi without a cake. It was a Tuxedo Cake - really good too.

The day after her birthday I took out this from the cupboard.
1st cheat.

German chocolate cake. Betty Crocker too! Wow! Right up my alley. (I use to make her recipe from scratch.)

I knew I had cream cheese (cheat 2) to make frosting and wondered if I could incorporate pecans and coconut into that and somehow make an authentic-like frosting. Hmm. No pecans. 

Cheat 3: almonds

We had those in the cupboard.

I was getting lazier by the minute...Having been to Wal Mart to pick up some mineral oil I happened to go by (read: search for) the icing. Cream cheese frosting! And it's Betty Crocker too! I think I'll try that.

Cheat 4:

So into the oven the batter goes and comes out looking like this:

Not bad. But when I turn it over it crumbles a bit. 

Not a problem because I would use it for the bottom layer. I patched it together and so really, no cheat there.

 Almost done.

Almond cream cheese frosting on a German Chocolate cake. Voila!

With Candles. Cheat 5:  2+7=27, right?

I'm so lame, but she loved it.

Best Cleaner Ever! Vinegar Dawn

I have never used a cleaner that I like as much as this one. JoAnne told me about it a couple of months ago and I have used it ever since.  In fact, I cant wait til my other cleaners run out because - yes, it is that good. I wish I had pictures of "before" and "after" but you can go on-line and see lots of them.

I cleaned my sinks, tubs, toilets, showers and counters. A week later I came back to clean my sink and it looked like it had just been cleaned!

The formula: 

1 Cup white vinegar

1 Cup blue Dawn dish soap

In a spray bottle heat the vinegar for about 40 seconds in the microwave. (This helps the dish soap to dissolve, I think)

Add the dish soap

Spray on dirty surfaces and leave for 5-10 minutes. 

Wipe clean.

I usually rinse as well.

Try it. You will never go back.

Diet Days

I'm on a diet. Again. Here's my dinner.

Tilapia and asparagus

It was really, really goood!

No-Slow Computer

Still no new computer. And this laptop is getting slower and slower. I can type almost a whole sentence before it shows up on the screen...sometimes.
Remember this?

Well, I made it into a shawl. It just about zipped off the needles because it was so "luscious" to work with.

Update:

Boneyard Shawl

Hemlock Hat

I made this hat. I really like the pattern. I still do. But the hat is too big! I'm thinking of putting some elastic in the bottom - maybe a strand or two...or three. Something should be done because I really, really like it and want to wear it but it falls over my ears when I put it on.

I actually started the above hat as a blanket - the hemlock ring blanket. Wouldn't you know that as I got to the end of the skein I realized I only had one skein! This was not the yarn I had planned on using. The yarn I planned on using came from Beach Basket Gift and Yarns. I bought a few balls and kept going back for more because I loved the color so much.

Felix helping out a bit as I "swift" my yarn into a ball.

The finished ball.

Amazingly enough, the yarn matches the quilt Janet made me. 

Stack and Wack by Janet

Now to find a bedroom to redecorate!