Killing Time

While I was waiting for my errant vest pattern I HAD to knit something! So I gave a new thing a try.

Is it a string of cucumbers? A pickle garland?



Remember those balloon critters that a deft hand could twist up in seconds? This is the same thing, only knitted and stuffed on the way. And here we have... A Crocodile! Well, he needs eyes and I should have stuffed his nose more. But he's cute and one of the little boys next door will enjoy him. I love his scaly tummy!









BTW, the vest pattern finally turned up and I have begun knitting the back. TTFN!

Update - WAY past due!

Large apologies for the lack of posting since April. I've been knitting gifts and just haven't wanted any peekers to take advantage. So, for now, I will list the knitting accomplishments with no clues. Let them guess!

In May I finally attained my 62nd year. To my surprise I was able to start getting my social security payments in 2 weeks! Mother's Day and Fathers day passed by quietly. For my sister's June birthday I crocheted a gorgeous purple shopping bag and mailed it in plenty of time for her birthday. For some unknown reason the package was returned to me by our delightful postal "service". I was so angry and frustrated that it didn't get delivered until September along with Mom's birthday gift. Here's the one Nini got.



In June my niece Mary graduated from Benicia High School and we were all SO proud of her! I wasn't able to be there but have I been able to get ONE single picture of the event? Anyway, this is what I made as a grad gift, and it looks perfect on her. I should've taken a picture myself but the busy little gal was in a hurry. We had just baked a bunch of cookies for her grad party, and the tasters were waiting in the car.



Also in June my adorable little brother Greg came over and we made pizza and baked bread. Lots of fun!



I finally did a project that I've had stashed away for a few years. It's a mitered, felted bag. Still needs a shave. And part of the strap didn't felt and needs to be done by hand. But it came out real nice!




I think I have just been working on Christmas gifts since then. This shawlette is knitted from a yarn named Oregon Coast and the colors in it are very subtle.




This purple shawlette still needs to be blocked. It is knitted from leftover yarn that was attacked by moths, so there are lots of sturdy joins.



I think I made Mom's shopping bag next. It is crocheted of leftover Noro Silk Garden with lots and lots of joins. She got this for her birthday this month. (Sept.) She had a really bad fall and shattered her femur just above the knee and is in rehab for a few months. So I hope this cheered her up a bit.



Back to Christmas knitting. I've been on a very happy lace knitting roll this year. This yellow lace pullover still needs to be blocked.



This is the first lace cardi I've seen that uses short rows to put the lace on a diagonal and it was a real joy to knit.




Then this cropped lace cardi had me going. It was like a good book you can't put down. The construction was really unusual. Still needs a little touch up on the point blocking.




Here's a mitered vest like a couple I made last year. Still needs a button and a wash.



And right now I'm working on a cute crocodile. Remember balloon animals? That's how this one is made. So far I have a nose, 2 eyeballs and 2 legs. LOL! I plan to make a few other critters in this way too. They are too cute!



Still waiting for a pattern I ordered for a knitted patchwork vest. When I ordered the pattern the website informed me that the amount was too little to be shipped. So I found some stitch markers I liked and placed the order. More than a week later the priority mail package had not been received so I contacted the website and was informed that the stitchmarkers had not been received yet and nothing would be mailed until the 13th! Nice of them to tell me eh? It is now the 15th and still no package, or notification of shipment. It's a shame that I could only find this pattern at this one website where the customer service is so bad and the mailing fee is double the actual cost. I'll never go there again! 9/16 - Got the package today and get this... they sent me the WRONG PATTERN!!! I've never outed anyone before in my life but, knitters, order from The Knitting Closet at your own risk!

Forgot to mention, since I've been on a new med I've lost more than 25 pounds, butchered my hair all by myself and am hiding until it grows out a bit and can be professionally "fixed". I'll definitely never grow it out again.

So, there you are, all caught up. I'll try not to let it go so long again. Now back to my croc and his tummy!

A Very Happy Sunday!

I just had a wonderful (too short) visit with my high school best friend. First time we've been able to hug and look at each other since before Alex & I were married. She lives waaay back east and we keep in touch with email, but it just isn't the same. She has been head nurse at a major hospital near D.C. for 35 years and has aged SO gracefully! She's the gorgeous redhead on the right.



I let her shop my yarn stash and am getting her into Ravelry so I can really start enabling! LOL!

This is Jan and her brother Mal. I had SUCH a crush when I was a kid! LOL!

April Update

Ok boys & girls! Time to catch up with the latest doings in the yellow Victorian on the corner. All the kitties are doing fine.

Mittens is SO bored in her safe little corner that she hops down and creeps into the hall now and then. I'm waiting for the day when she makes it all the way to my door without freaking out and running back. Unless she is curled up and sound asleep nobody makes it past her perch to the bathroom without a squeaky demand for attention.

Percy still lurks and watches Mittens every chance he gets. She's as close as he gets to someone to play with but she wants nothing to do with any other feline in this house. She's at least 9 years old but she still hisses and spits like a kitten. It's hilarious!

Merlin is still in complete awe of Cleo and Rufus still shrieks if she surprises him. Penny just chases her out of the living room now and then and everyone else tiptoes around her. Sometimes she and Kitty will run up and down the hall together and they seem to be having fun.

Arthur, Sammy & Kitty still vie for positions in Alex's lap. Kitty likes to get right in his face and kiss him. So cute!

Alex surrendered his loved to death Christmas sweater as soon as I finished the blue cabled sweater. You know what a blankie looks like after a kid has dragged it around for a while? He wore this poor sweater every day and night (except outside). Wouldn't hold still for a lint roller. Wouldn't give it up for washing and de-pilling. Now I can see if I can save it.



And here's the happy fella in his blue cabled sweater.



Made a toy ball for Crispin's birthday.



Just finished a lace stole for a quilting friend (Hi Annie!) in Galveston. Gonna block it tomorrow and it will look MUCH better than this.



Easter was nice but quiet. I was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes so my basket was filled with sugarless treats. I absolutely ADORE Russell Stover!!! And a sweet knitting friend in Canada (Hi Louise!) sent me a charming white basket with pink eyelet lining and filled with pink eyelash yarn with white pearls & cherry tea and all kinds of goodies.

My friend Di from Tennessee dropped by for a visit and apparently has dibs on my 1897 New Home Sewing machine in it's parlor cabinet. It was so good to see her again and the visit was far too short. Next Spring we are planning on a mini TOGA. You have to be a TreadleOnion to understand. :o)

Lets see, taxes are done, owe nothing, get nothing. My friend Jana is coming to visit next week. My hair is long enough to touch with my hand behind my back. Gotta teach Alex to braid it. He's the first sailor I ever knew who didn't know how to braid. Had my every 2 years eye exam today. They'll put the new lenses in my current purple frame so I am wearing my old glasses until they are ready. My ophthalmologist knows me so well we talked about my knitting and how I'll be glad I can read in the bathroom without taking my glasses off. LOL! And he's diabetic and gave me some insight to what my eyes do when my blood sugar goes up.

Well, it's bedtime so that's all for now. Seeya for the next update!

Happy New Year!!!

This was supposed to be the last post of 2009 but nephew gave me a bug on Christmas and all I've been able to do is sleep. Cast on a new project last night after bringing in the New Year so things are looking up!

Christmas was very nice and everyone was very happy with their knitted gifts. My Mom even liked her "Tiggywinkle" (hedgehog). I am thrilled! Alex has been wearing his sweater everyday and that really says something.

Here's the Christmas scene before the rippin' & tearin" started.







We had dinner before we opened gifts. I guess self control comes with age even though Alex did whine a bit. But we did go through our stockings in the morning.



Were we having fun?



This is nephew Alec's finished vest.





And This is both nephews in their vests.



And Mary in her vest.



And my favorite, Alex in his sweater.



Me, I got books and DVDs, a new camera (gonna use it soon), a "six penny, brown Betty" Harry Potter wand with its own scabbard, a new Jim Shore Angel for my collection & several calendars.





All in all a very nice Christmas! So, Blessings to all and let the New Year be a HUGE improvement over the old!!!