tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205873512009-07-13T15:13:16.694-07:00mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.comBlogger588125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-54142348994077673412009-07-13T14:57:00.000-07:002009-07-13T15:13:16.708-07:00

...and I'm enjoying it.We had a BBQ yesterday and as usual we had more food than people. Some how I've never learned to cook for less than an army! At least the leftovers are good...London Broil, grill chicken, and corn on the cob.I've been feeling a lot better the last couple of days. I think part of it is that I know I don't have any pressing deadlines to meet; the other is that I am now in

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-40464947535875858932009-07-10T14:19:00.000-07:002009-07-10T14:30:25.302-07:00

...and you get a sky picture....because my crafting right now is hit-and-miss. Since I'm spending most of my vacation at home, I hope to catch up on my sleep and fit in as much crafting as I can handle. The Husband is off on his annual Seattle-to-Portland bike ride trip, so I'll have some "me" time after the Daughter's visit.In addition to the socks I'm knitting, I'm working on a little spinning

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-90361822068712057862009-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:002009-07-08T11:22:48.262-07:00

...and they look pretty much the same as last time, so no new pictures. The 3 pairs of socks are coming along— they all are past the heel turns and I'm knitting the last 35% or so of each pair.And just because I needed to be tempted by another pair of socks, look what arrived on Monday (behind the spoiler picture):I love the color of this yarn and the extras are to die for! I'm so glad I was able

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-69061987092912778572009-07-06T15:35:00.000-07:002009-07-06T15:58:12.016-07:00

...it was a quiet weekend for me. I managed to get a few chores done around the house and few crafty things. I pretty much did what I could and rested when I needed to.The Husband was busy in the garden trying to get the drip irrigation set up so I don't have to do any watering while he's on his trip. He's trying to get other things ready, too.The Daughter will be home for a visit this weekend,

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-16510419053610778152009-07-03T13:32:00.000-07:002009-07-03T14:05:31.539-07:00

...because I couldn't pass up another apricot picture.We're picking the last apricots this weekend. Between the heat and the squirrels, we've lost a lot apricots this year. This morning I watched a squirrel run over to the tree, pick a ripe apricot, and then climb to the top of the wall to enjoy it. At least he ate it all this time! We've been finding lots of half eaten apricots on the lawn. The

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-80272867810922875102009-07-02T10:00:00.000-07:002009-07-02T10:12:12.477-07:00

Finished:6/6 Plumcopper scarf (weaving)6/13 Purple Silk Wrap (weaving)6/20 Mas-Acero Shawl (weaving)Worked on:Stranded Hearts socks (knitting) [Ravelry]Fraggled Socks (knitting) [Ravelry]Eleanor de Plume socks (knitting) [Ravelry]Under the Sea socks (knitting) [Ravelry]Purr-ple Lisa Souza wool blend batts (spinnning)Wisteria Angora-Merino top from Tactile (spinning)Started:6/6 Plumcopper scarf (

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-8365512179904608522009-07-01T10:59:00.000-07:002009-07-01T11:18:19.311-07:00

...I realized that Monday's comment about the "strange" was somewhat cryptic. So a little more explanation is in order (emphasis on "little").Remember that I had the flu last Tuesday? Well, it was apparently the precursor to a small health problem I've developed...nothing earth-shattering or life-threatening, just something I need to deal with. It's small enough that I can still work full-time (

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-17165468488680661622009-06-29T16:48:00.000-07:002009-06-29T17:03:39.187-07:00

...because the strange just keeps on coming. I'm not going into any details because it's not something I want to share with the Internet. You'll have to take my word for it. 'K?The weekend was too hot to really get crafty. Finished spinning the Purr-ple singles, but had no energy to ply it.I did some stash diving can found several bums of fiber to spin for Tour de Fleece. I found some Falkland,

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-6454895605571622212009-06-26T10:44:00.000-07:002009-06-26T11:31:02.217-07:00

...getting sick didn't help. While my body recovered pretty quickly, my mind didn't. It wasn't until Thursday that I really felt that my brain was fully functional.I have managed to get a little knitting done. But remind me never to have 4 pairs of socks on the needles again, will ya? Because I am so bored with heel flaps, heel turns, and gussets...and only two of the four pairs are that far

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-16461872614881626982009-06-24T11:00:00.000-07:002009-06-24T11:11:10.798-07:00

...I picked up some flu bug and stayed home sick yesterday. The fever was the worst part...when you feel your pulse in your whole head...ugh! I was very happy when that finally subsided. fever on a hot day = miserableNo fever today, but the flu part has not completely worked its way out of my system yet. I'm taking it slow; I skipped going to the gym today. However much I wanted to stay home

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-31753893845461116572009-06-21T10:08:00.000-07:002009-06-22T10:40:08.596-07:00

...finished another one! I'm really loving how fast these weaving projects are!Presenting the completed Mas-Acero Shawl.This was gifted to my mother-in-law on Sunday. Here's a view of it hanging on the tree so you can get an idea of the drape (taken after washing and before a little steam).Specs:Finished 6/20/09Finished size: 81"L x 18"w, including 6" fringe each end;Warp & weft: Brooks Farm

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-81511473131093891012009-06-19T10:48:00.000-07:002009-06-22T10:40:47.206-07:00

...AKA "It almost looks like I planned it that way."(Another quick blog entry because I have another work deliverable due today. ARG!)I'm weaving this shawl for my mother-in-law using a sweater's worth of Brooks Farm Mas-Acero yarn (SW Wool-silk viscouse). The color is called Lakeside Shadows (blues and dark browns). It's very pretty and would have made a nice sweater, if I thought I'd enjoy

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-35471389580921681672009-06-17T15:20:00.000-07:002009-06-17T15:26:51.139-07:00

...lots of work and very little spare cycles this week.The quick WIP report:Third weaving project is underway; have about 16 inches of 80 wovenWorked a little bit on the Eleanor de Plume socks [Ravelry]; finishing up the heel flapHaven't touched the Fraggled socks [Ravelry] or Under the Sea socks [Ravelry] in several daysStill haven't finished spinning the Lisa Souza Purr-ple batts [Ravelry]Back

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-25750437662030959492009-06-15T11:24:00.000-07:002009-06-15T11:48:33.794-07:00

...poor Sirena is still sitting under her cover...I did absolutely no spinning over the weekend!I finished weaving the silk wrap Friday night. My intention was to fringe and wash it Saturday morning so I'd have the afternoon for spinning. Well, the fringing took forever! After working with the silk chenille yarn and looking at chenille throws that we have on the couch, I decided that regular

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-50602943869483650822009-06-12T10:02:00.000-07:002009-06-12T10:17:37.225-07:00

...either I've already taken lots of pictures of it (I know you all get tired of looking a apricot and sky pictures) or my projects aren't far enough along to look significantly different from the last pictures I showed you.So today, you get the cats, because every one loves kitties, right?Sombra, trying to avoid the camera:She's be voted right off of America's Next Top Model because she only

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-91528538243666365292009-06-10T10:42:00.000-07:002009-06-10T11:18:21.380-07:00

...yup. I'm my latest Work In Progress. Weaving is sucking me into its vortex. (No comments about me already being somewhat warped, because now I really am!)I have a lot of new terminology and techniques to learn before I can call myself a Weaver (with a capital W). It will take some practice to get into the rhythm of it, too. But I've already discovered a big plus with weaving. Read on...I

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-40109679802832941972009-06-06T18:02:00.001-07:002009-06-26T18:18:12.450-07:00

...I know, I know. Just what I need. But it's such fun!I bought the 20" version of the Ashford Knitter's Loom from Paradise Fibers. (Can't say enough about the great service they provide!) I read all of the instructions, checked out a few online videos, and warped the loom by myself. IT was a bit time-consuming only because I was trying to be are careful as possible...I didn't want to mess it up!

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-19860689493646289142009-06-06T17:32:00.000-07:002009-06-06T17:51:41.474-07:00

...finally.Finished:5/3 Watermelon Rind yarn; Falkland top from the Yarn Wench plus 3 ounces Corriedale cream single; 283.6 yards 3-ply; 2+ yards of 2-ply; 2+ yds Navajo-ply; 16WPI5/5 Argosy scarf [Ravelry]5/23 Blood Orange yarn; BFL top from Sakina Needles; 225+ two ply yarn; 12 WPIWorked on:Corrugator scarf (knitting) [Ravelry]Stranded Hearts socks (knitting) [Ravelry]February Lady Sweater (

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-7698082538041864202009-06-05T11:27:00.000-07:002009-06-05T11:32:07.279-07:00

...because I haven't finished anything yet. I also know I'm remiss in posting my May recap. Gotta get to that soon!We're about 2 weeks away from ripe apricots:The Santa Rosa plums are also ripening:The Husband is trying something new this year...tomatillos. So far, we only have flowers:He planted a bunch of cilantro, which we are obviously not using fast enough because most of the plants have

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-62944099891987509752009-06-03T17:52:00.000-07:002009-06-03T18:03:46.375-07:00

...And you really do me wellYou're my pride and joy, et cetera.I love this pattern and I love the Pepe La Plume yarn in the pattern!Also loving the Fraggle Squiggle pattern in the Turquoise Socks That Rock yarn:I'm just about to the scary part of the toe-up Under the Sea socks.This is where I usually have a big amount of FAIL. Either I do the heel too early (foot = too short) or too late (foot =

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-90516618709331886792009-06-01T11:53:00.000-07:002009-06-01T12:29:08.062-07:00

...not quite sure if these are the boysenberries or blackberries.But they definitely are not the raspberries we thought they were going to be! We had planted a raspberry bush under the faucet in the front yard and that's where these berries are growing. We had planted boysenberries and blackberries along the same wall...obviously one of them has gone rogue!(We seem to have a lot of plant that go

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-26590114929580668002009-05-29T11:23:00.000-07:002009-05-29T11:40:00.043-07:00

...because I started another pair of socks! But we'll get to that in a bit.First, here is a picture of our hydrangeas in progress:There are a few flowers on the bush that are fully bloomed. They are all coming in pink this year; last year they were purple and pink. Something has changed in the soil, which has affected the color. At any rate, they are really interesting at this stage with the

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-14622045594917562502009-05-27T10:33:00.000-07:002009-05-27T10:49:22.168-07:00

...presenting: Fraggled Socks [Ravelry]:Yeah, I started another one! What can I say...I loved the pattern and the yarn from this month's Rockin' Sock Club. I wasn't sure how well the pattern would show up in the yarn because the yarn has so many wonderful shades of purple and gray—it would be a shame to hide them in the pattern.I decided to make the pattern in another Socks That Rock Lightweight

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-66260854885085588642009-05-25T13:30:00.000-07:002009-06-26T18:18:33.609-07:00

...orange! Ok, not my favorite color, but I do love these two things. First, a tiger lily:I've been trying to get a picture of this flower for a few days, but kept missing it.The other is the blood orange yarn that I finished:and the close up:SpecsStarted 5/16/90Finished 5/23/09BFL top from Sakina NeedlesSpun and Plied on Lendrum DT wheelYards: 225+ two plyWPI: 12I'm happy with the way this yarn

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587351.post-13510909586490960132009-05-23T10:03:00.000-07:002009-05-23T10:10:08.150-07:00

...my Rockin' Sock Club installment!!I absolutely adore this color!! It's so "me"! The pattern looks challenging and interesting. I don't know if I have the will power to keep from starting this right away! (HA!)Hmmm, maybe one of my current sock WIPs will have to go on time-out...

mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022802191967598936noreply@blogger.com0