Making Connections

Through the years of knitting and crocheting I've made some pretty wonderful connections. Connections with people with big hearts who help charities. People who've helped me help the homeless on Bridge and Beyond is just one example. Connections with people on forums, mail lists, blogs, and social networks that help each other, answer questions. You've hopefully noticed my newest social network connection, The HIVE, I have the badge in my sidebar with a link to their site. It's brand new folks. It's a wonderful group of people who are creative and do lots of different things with their skills and talents. Artists who skills I marvel at, hobbyist like myself, and manufacturers and other professionals. There's beading, scrap booking, woodworking, ceramics and more. Lots of categories growing daily to accommodate lots of interests.

The site is fun, it's easy to use and everyday I make another connection, enjoy reading a blog I might not have found otherwise, and learn something new along the way. The problem I may have is spending too much time there because it's just plain fun! And, the other item I should warn you about is a growing list of things you might want to make when see the wonderful things other people are doing; you'll want to do them too. But, having said all that, I still encourage you to pop over, tell em Sandy sent ya. I love making connections and bet you will too.

The above scarf is one I made while traveling in Colorado about a month ago. It's knitted, a first for me with a lacy pattern. The yarn is cotton and I think will serve nicely for a summer scarf. Often air conditioning can be chilling to this old neck of mine, so when out at night a little something is beneficial. You might remember when I started this lace scarf.

Knitted Scarves should be for?

Finished 2 more scarves. You might remember when I purchased this yarn I blogged about how funky I thought it was. My intention was to make 2 fun skinny scarves for my niece for Christmas. I was patting myself on the back about how ahead I was getting. Not something I do with regard to shopping ahead for Christmas. Since this photo the one on the right is also completeled. Actually only had a row or two left; but had camera in hand for another purpose so took the photo a wee bit ahead of time.

My niece is tall, and young and I thought these would be fun to go with sweaters; more for inside wearing thus the skinny decorative. But, now that they're finished, I'm thinking of sending them off to Passions of the Heart; a charity for battered women. Partially because I think they're a bit short for my niece? Kids/teens wear scarves longer then we adults? Partially because I have time a plenty to make something for Christmas, and partially because I'm not sure these look youthful now that they're finished.

They measure about 4 inches wide by 56 inches long. They're light weight and quite stretchy so no doubt will grow as scarves have a tendency to. They were knitted on large #19 needles after all.

Opinions ladies?

Flush Party, Remembering You, Mommy

I've not shared the picture of this stone before. It's my Mother's and Dad's stone. You can see by the date if Mommy were still living she would be 82 today. This is the 2nd birthday she's not been with us. This stone is in the family plot in Chillicothe, Ohio; though Mom is still with Daddy at home. He'll have fresh flowers for her today, beside her urn and naturally be melancholy all day. The inscription, "Together Forever" is so true in their case.

This photo, a far happier time, though sadly not a good photo. Left to right, younger brother Mike, Mom, Me, Daddy, older brother Chuck. This photo was taken in 2007 at their 60th Wedding Anniversary. I remember her this way smiling. We had many wonderful times together, fun times, funny times; and it's always those times that I remember most.

And this potty picture reminds me of one of those funny times. Some of you know I've been posting stories and memories from time to time, alphabetically. This then is a funny story for my P memory.

The family used to camp, tent camp. We didn't use electric and many of the camp grounds in those days were pretty primitive. I would about bust a gut waiting- waiting- and waiting to go potty, couldn't even use some of the awful roadside potty's in those days. So Mom and I would get really really excited IF we had flush potties where we camped. On one family camping trip we were driving through an area to decide if we wanted to stay there; when Mom and I jumped out of the car, RAN inside to the bathroom and flushed every john in site! We got to giggling and told everyone we were having a flushing party. Dad was still in car when he heard all the commotion and laughing and wondered what in the world we were up to. We explained, "we're having a flushing party!" So, Mom when I saw this plastic covered potty seat in an airport recently, naturally I got my camera took a picture, AND thought of you. Somehow I think you were there laughing at and with me all the while.

Love you Mommy


My alphabetical Memories:

Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara
O=Ouija Board Memories
W=Wow Mom, The Wisteria

Helping Women with choice of Yarn

These were fun to make, love the colors and feel. You might remember me blogging about this yarn HERE. You can read about yardage, cost and how the money goes for a good cause. These are fun skinny summer scarves, great to add a little interest to a plain colored top, cover the neck when a.c. hits it and bothers your arthritis and well...just to spruce up the night.

These were made while vacationing in Colorado, and on the plane coming and going. Great to have small projects for trips.

Nice also to have some small projects to work on inbetween larger projects like the 2 ghans I'm working on for Homeless Charities.

Also wanted to let you know you can win some FREE YARN, as I'm sponsoring a contest over on Bridge and Beyond to celebrate a 200th blogs posts that's up and coming. Please hop over and read all about it, get yourself entered and feel free to spread the word about the cause and the contest!

One has to start something, or maybe 3?

Starts, starts, and more starts! These are all small items, light weight and good to travel with. So, on my last trip I put yarn, needles, patterns if I needed them in various zip lock bags and those went with me in my carry on. After all one must have something to knit or crochet while on board a aircraft. I was flying first to St. Louis; then after a few days going from there to Denver, then driving from Denver to Breckenridge. Two flights and about a 2.5 hour car drive. I kept starting things in order to see how the yarn and the pattern I had chosen were going to work out. Remember these 2 from my post Adding Stash? Here you can see the beginnings of 2 scarves. The fuzzy funky fun one on the left for my niece. It will be part of her Christmas. Aren't you impressed I'm actually starting early on that? I am, because I'm terrible at that. But the yarn called out to me as something perfect for her. She's young and this pared with an appropriate colored sweater looks teenaging to me. The coral on the right, a lightweight cotton summer weight scarf for me myself. Coral, is sorta my signature color in the summer months.
And this start is suppose to end up being a wrap. You can probably see the yarn better here. I posted photo's before the yarn was rolled that I think show up a bit better. I'm a bit concerned though. The pattern says this is enough yarn....you can see the amount of the gold sparkle left in one skein/cake isn't much. I purchased 3 of them and according to yardage should have some left; but....seems like this should be bigger to me at this stage. Will have to play through with fingers crossed. The fiber on left is too pricey to use solo or to buy more I think. Plus if you read my previous post about the yarn, you'll note I got it in a going out of business sale. Fingers crossed this works out.

Adding Stash

I need more in my stash like I need a hole in my head, and yet....that didn't stop me. Here's my latest acquisition. There's an Italian yarn that I just learned has been discontinued. Hum...the store had plenty of it, perhaps that's why it was on sale? I'll make up at least one of these into a funky fun scarf my young niece. If I like it, might go back and get more while it's on sale before it's all gone?

This is a bulky yarn with lots and lots of texture, 38% Acrylic, 38% Nylon, 21% wool, and 3% Polyester. I can tell from that it's not going to be soft...but it is fun and I think will look very decorative. They're small skeins, only 55 yards, but apparently one is enough to make a skinny scarf for decorative purposes.

I love the color combinations, anyone used this? (the 2 larger skeins the redish black combo and the blue purple one).

The pattern looks like a fabulous sweater I'd like to make for myself, wonder if that will happen?

The other fun funky yarn Plymouth P-zazz and is 61 yards, 65% nylon and 35% rayon. The colors remind me of a box of crayons and look like it would go with anything.

Last, but not least is 100 yards of 100% cotton Adrienne Vittadini Alexa. I LIOVE the color and wear a good amount of that color in the summer time. It's made in Romania. I think it will make a nice skinny scarf, nothing fancy; just liked the color.

I should be de-stashing; but I seem to be going the other way. Figures, I'm backwards!

Maintenance

Sitting here with an ice pack on my knee, and when it's no longer cold will slip on my compression knee brace; I can't help thinking and wishing body maintenance was as easy as quality car maintenance. Now I don't claim to be well versed about things like a brake job, but read when metal hits metal as a result of your rotors and pads being shot you've got a problem. My knee isn't metal on metal, but isn't arthritis bone on bone? Anyway that's how I try to understand complicated car issues. I know if you don't get a brake job when you need it, you have bigger issues.

I have a friend who says her body doesn't work as well in extreme heat as it does other times. In my current state that reminded me of what I've learned reading about Houston Auto Repair. Extreme heat and humidity causes seals to falter, leaks to occur and fuse panels in your car not to work properly. I thought that was interesting and helpful information to have. I poked around further and found you can read what affiliations they have, what type of cars they work on, what they specialize in, how they're rated and get directions to the shop there in Houston. Well not just in Houston, plug in your city and find a reputable auto repair dealer near you. Read the reviews and find car care you can have confidence in.

Think about the time you spend in a car. Seriously; you depend on it to get you to work, to take you shopping, to pick up the kids from school and all their other activities. You depend on it to keep you and your loved ones safe. The health and welfare of your loved ones is important. Help your car take care of your family and friends by keeping it healthy. Take for example an oil change. Did you know that having your oil changed prolongs the life of your car, by removing heat from the internal engine componets to keep the engine "healthy"? Too bad I can't change the oil in my knee to keep it healthy, though the ice pack is removing the heat, lol. I don't understand or want to know much about gaskets, weights of oil or it's viscosity so am thrilled to have someone who knows what their doing tend to those important things for me.

Whether you drive an Acura TL, or other model car you no doubt have questions from time to time. Maybe you wonder about recalls, of if the problem you're having is a common one for that make and model autombile. By choosing your car, model and year you have at your finger tips a wealth of valuable and helpful information.

The car and I are alike, old and in need of maintenace.

Pretty Pretty Flowers

I love backyard flowers. I like lots of different colors and enjoy looking out the windows at them. Sometimes I think I should get rid of some of flower beds because as I get older the weeding, the mulching...get's to be a bit much. But I do really enjoy them. Many could be picked and brought indoors in a vase, but I rarely do that because they last so much longer outside. These pretty golden yellow Stella De Oro's bloom longer then many of the others in my yard. I like they way they clump and only grow about 2 feet tall, so they make it possible to have something taller behind them. I have these here and there in the yard and they really show up even on a cloudy day.


These Pink Lillie's are one of my favorites. I've babied these and this is the first year they've done this well. I moved them last year. They were close to the house because they have such a wonderful fragrance I wanted to be able to smell them easily. But the dang rabbits, and chipmunks kept eating them. When this plant is just popping it's head out of the ground it's young and tender and apparently they really like that. One year I kept something around it until it was ready to bloom to protect it. Then I removed the standard so it would be prettier and the very next day a rabbit went through and completely snapped it off. I was furious and ready to behead the pest. Some years they...chipmunks, squirrels, or rabbits...unsure which cause I didn't see the culprit actually dug up the bulbs. I kept replanting and everyday it would be dug up again. Anyone want to come hunt in my yard? Sooooooo last year I moved them and they've finally gotten thick enough they apparently don't taste good, as they've left it alone. However.........2 tiny off shoots near them I was looking forward to were completely eaten. errrrrrrrrrrrr Even my neighbor, Kevin remarks how nice these smell. He can enjoy them even from his backyard.

Daisies, love Shasta Daisies. Mine get so large they look more like a bush as time goes on. Some years I've actually had to tie them up for support because of all the blooms. They're really just starting in this photo. At night, just about dusk they look almost iridescent when I look out my window.






These are yellow Buttercups, they're pretty but beware....they'll take over your whole flower bed. I've pulled most of these up and have only left a few plants out in the very back of the yard. That particular flower bed is less manicured and has a more wild look to it. Hope you've enjoyed some of the color from my back yard. And maybe next year, you all can come over and help me weed and mulch! lol

Fun Funky ALP Feza

This was so much fun to make, it kept changing right before my very eyes as I knitted. Knitted this lengthwise on 2 different sized needles and really like the way it turned out. Might have liked it to be just a couple of rows wider; but I knit my brains out until there was no more to knit with. Alp Feza is 247 yards and is a bit pricey at $39.95 a skein, so it's a one skein decorative scarf. It's super light weight and airy which I'm not sure you see from the picture.

I really must keep my eyes open to see if they ever put this on sale. This would work well for someone in a warm climate or someone who wears scarves in a cool air conditioned office in the summer.

Mom, Red, White and Blue

Happy 4th of July one and all. As I think about the 4th of July I think of Mom. No she wasn't in the military; but she always made a point to wear something special...something red, white, and blue at our family picnics. More than that she sewed and when I was young often made us new red, white and blue outfits special for The 4th of July.

We'd get up early put on our special clothes, and head to The Parade. It was great fun and very patriotic. Everyone cheering as The Fife and Drum made it's way down the street. This signaled the parade had started. It was fun, festive and always very traditional. We kids always had little flags to proudly wave. We snacked off and on throughout the day as we watched the slowly cooking meat on the spic. We played family games and sometimes went to a neighborhood 4th of July festival. After the delicious dinner and clean up we'd head to the fireworks. Generally we were hot and thirsty afterward so the watermelon that had been iced in a galvanized tub all day long tasted fabulous.

Mom loved the 4th and I'll think of her this year again; though she's not with us; as we honor those who made this holiday possible.

I'll proudly wear something Red, White, and Blue. How bout you?

Art Festivals

This is the 2nd year in a row I've been able to attend The Columbus Arts Festival with my SIL's and I wanted to share a little bit of the fun with you all.

I love scuptures, particularly metal ones. There were others, but so many people around them I couldn't get pictures. Aren't they fantastic!

This was just plain fun, that's a real person not a sculpture! Some folks would walk by and really think it was a statue and he'd slowly grab them...what a hoot. I posed with him but someone walked right in front when my SIL, Jan and Julie snapped the picture....errrrrrrr. This might have been one of my favorite parts. We watched for quite a while.

Look at this marvelous old camera. The booth held wonderful black and whites from this artist.

It's a fun way to see lots of different kinds of art, to support hard working artist. Last year I purchased a jacket which I still love. She was there again this year, and quess what...yep I bought another one of her special jackets. Will get photo of it later.