Camo Cotton Cloth

Nothing fancy about this 100% cotton camo washcloth, but I like it anyway. It's made using the basic corner to corner method starting with casting on 4. I used size 8 needles. I was hoping to get 2 cloths out of the one skein, but that's not going to happen. The variegated Sugar'n Cream is only 3 oz vs the 4 oz of the solid colors. I used 1.7 oz making this almost 11 inch square cloth and therefore only have 1.3 oz. left.

I cast on 4 as mentioned above, knitted 2 stitches before my yo (yarn over). The label suggested size 7 needles. So maybe if I make one a little smaller and use smaller needles I can get a 2nd cloth? I knit until I had 55 stitches before starting my decrease cause I wanted it sized for a man.

For fun I figured out how many rows and stitches. So, adding 54 + 54 =108 plus the middle row of 55 stitches =109 rows, but then you substract 8 (cause you cast on 4 and bind off with 4 stitches still on the needles), and you're back down to 101 rows. Funny, never really thought about this before, but a group of us were talking about how good it is to have a quick, fast project. Adding the stitches now that's a different story. Adding 4-5-6 etc until you get to 54, then multiplying that by 2 (2 halves), and adding 55 the middle row you get 3,987 stitches. That seems like a lot of stitches for a quick easy project doesn't it. I was surprised. Anyway...sometimes a person's mind wonders. This is probably more then anyone wants or needs to know about the knitting of a corner to corner cotton washcloth...but there you have it.

This will packaged with soap and other personal care items and donated to Bridge and Beyond next month, as 100% cotton will be our focus for the month of June.

Let me Quench your Thirst

Nicely chilled Martini's anyone? The martini on the left is a Dirty Martini with Vodka and olives, and the martini on the right is Gin, a dry Gin Martini with a twist for hubby. He likes Bombay. My favorite Vodka is Rain, but that's not easy to come by. We can't get it here, so often instead I use Belvedere.
Though sometimes I prefer a Lemon Drop Martini with a nice sugared rim. I make a good Martini if I do say so myself. We've gotten so were disappointed when we order one out, and find ourselves saying they're not as good as mine. lol You really need them to be ice cold, which in a busy bar is hard to do. I chill the glasses in the freezer and really shake the shaker which can give you very small little ice crystals...nice! Now that, quenches your thirst.

What type of Martini's do you like? Do you make them at home or order them out?

**This is my Q post Z-A challenge.

Whoa Nellie, it's Wednesday

Well, I've made lots of progress on my Poodle Blanket. Believe I've completed 4 sections since my last post and picture and am at the writing of this (scheduled ahead a wee bit), almost at the half way point. Hopefully, by the time you read this I will be on the decreasing half vs the add a stitch half. Somehow, mentally that always makes you feel you're closer then you really are. After all it takes the same amount of time to do the 2nd half as it does the first half...or does it? You do perhaps spend more time on the first half decided when and where to change colors which is less of an issue the 2nd half....though realistically this one isn't x number of rows and it's not precise. No need to do that really with the yarn. I named this one Poodle Blanket since my last post because the colors make me think of the 50's and poodle skirts. And black and white saddle shoes. It's made with 2 different skeins of JoAnn's Sensations Rainbow Boucle. This yarn is listed as a bulky yarn and that always surprises me as it's very light weight to work with. It suggests size 10 needles on the label, but I grabbed size 8. To me 8 is the average, the one you use the bulk of the time with knitted worsted which is what the yarn seems to me like. It might go faster though with size 10.
I've made no headway with the red scarf for The Red Scarf Project since last time. Since it's a long way off, I've laid it aside for awhile. Likewise, the pretty blue with the long 300 stitch cast on..I've not done anymore on it either.
Instead I decided to cast on this pretty yellow butterfly washcloth. I needed a little project to tote around and this seemed like a good idea. The problem I'm having is the cotton fiber does not slid nicely on my Denise Needles. I probably should have grab some old metal needles for this project. It's fine for the regular knitted rows, and or even the regular pearl rows; but the rows where you're purling a purl it seems very tight and hard to move and is hard on my hands.

Both the yellow washcloth and the pink poodle blanket will be donated to those in need at Faith Mission, through Bridge and Beyond.

I've asked several people in their blogs, but haven't yet received a reply...so will ask here. Does anyone know how to make those little graphs you see on people's blogs that show percentage done on any given project? I've wondered that many times and would like to add a couple here, I think. I've seen them on RAV. as well, but am more interested in posting those here on the blog. Please leave your instructions in the comments. That way, others who might be interested will also see them, and I won't delete them in emails or have to go sort through to find them. Thanks

Who is She, SANDY, that is?

Sandy of Sandy's Space, who is she? Well yeah there's a little ditty of a profile on the blog, don't we all have that. (pretty typical picture of me, preparing pasta and wine at hand....I'm sure there's yarn laying somewhere too)

Well, Sandy's a 60 year old who sometimes feel 60 +, though is lucky enough to usually feel much younger. I don't get hung up on age, or birthdays, they're just numbers after all. Numbers don't mean much unless we place great importance on them.

I'm married and when June rolls round this year will be celebrating 39 years. Neither hubby or I have been married to anyone else. We met in high school, though we only had one date then. We were friends, lived on the same street even. He worked with my younger brother the summer after high school and that's when we started dating. Unlike kids today we didn't know and date each other for eons and eons before getting engaged; nor were we engaged for YEARS earning our millions, buying everything on our list before getting married. We dated about 9 months, got engaged in the fall and got married the very next June. We had a very small outdoor wedding. My Mother made my dress and the dress my SIL, Jan wore who was my maid of honor. Though I guess technically she was my matron of honor since she was married. We had one used car between us, and somehow managed. Hubby was working full time evenings, and went to school during the day, while I worked day shift at a local hospital. We were happy, don't think we cared our furniture didn't match, or wasn't new. Don't think we even realized we didn't have much. We were together and that's what mattered to us.

We were married a good long while before we had our one practical perfect daughter. We never vacationed without her, and in the early days we camped mostly because that was affordable, and because we like being outdoors. We hiked, cooked out, and enjoyed lots of family time. We had one TV, and later when she needed one for school 1 computer.

I love good wine, quiet time, pretty scenery, computer time, and naturally knitting and crochet time. I go no where without a project in hand. You never know if you'll have time to do a row or two. I learned to crochet and knit when I was very young. Mom taught me to knit and a lady next door taught me to crochet. I really didn't do anything with either craft until after I was married though.

I'm not an animal person. Many animals scare me. I've always assumed part of that came from being attacked by a large dog when I was a kid. Also, probably too the number of people I saw badly mauled when I worked for a plastic surgeon from their family pets didn't help. Though we had dogs when I was kid growing up, and hubby and I had 2 cats when we were younger.....so, we have had pets; but not now.

I love to travel, and almost always visit historic locations when we do travel. I love learning who was there before me. I enjoy doing genealogy, though due to library cut backs don't do as much of that as I used to. I like spending time in and photographing gravestones for the same reason, to learn history and genealogy. Most cemeteries are such peaceful pretty places, it's also a good place to walk.

I began this blog back in August of 2005, though blogged in other venues prior to that. Some of you might remember aol had blogs, though I couldn't get anyone to blog with me then. Everyone I knew that had aol was afraid to blog. I blogged for awhile on msn spaces and yahoo's 360; until both became irritating with things not working. That's when I found a home here on Blogspot. I didn't blog as much then as I do now, and have deleted all my earlier blog posts here. I now have 3 blogs here on blogspot, Traveling Suitcase, and Bridge and Beyond. Obviously Traveling Suitcase is a travel blog, Bridge and Beyond is dedicated to helping homeless through knitting and crocheting. And now, perhaps you know a little bit more about me, the lady called Sandy.

This is my S post, Z-A Challenge

Oddball Baby Blanket now a FO

FO Friday post

Cupid, the Oddball Baby Blanket is now complete and will soon be on it's way, traveling once again. It will be heading to Minnesota, and after being wash on it's way with many others to a hospital for babies in need. I blogged about this blanket, the process and the purpose for my WIPW HERE.
Here's a close up of the border which is comprised of a row of sc, followed by a row of dc cross stitches, followed by a row of shells made with 5 dc. I believe it does pull the blanket together a bit, not as much as I had hoped. I see the yellow (Xanthic), but the blue speaks aren't as visible as I would have liked. I like it better finished then when I began, but it's still not a favorite for me.

Items to work on: Afghan for Bridge and Beyond, Washcloth for Bridge and Beyond, Scarf for...maybe myself?, Scarf for Red Scarf Project, but have the urge to start something new....I'm seeing and hearing some yarn calling out to me. And, it's calling pretty loudly, so don't know if I'll be able to pretend I don't hear it much longer.

**Z-A V post is HERE
***U post is HERE

So much more then a Washcloth

A washcloth, really...you're blogging about a washcloth? Yes, I am. The finished washcloth in pretty spring colors was a gift. I belong to Oddball, and in fact blogged about in yesterday, (scroll back for the post). As we send around our knitted blankets that benefit charity; we generally include (though it's optional) a little gift for the next person doing the knitting. I got this wonderful washcloth from Cheryl. Cheryl is a fellow Ohioan which is cool, and if you've not used a hand knit or crocheted cotton wash cloth, you really don't know what you're missing. They are fabulous.

Hand knitted or crochet washcloths are both new and old. They are new and or retro, because; they really are quite old. People used to make these all the time, and suddenly they've become popular again. People in the crafting communities have decided maybe Grandma knew what she was talking about after all. They're very nice on your skin. They can be made square or round, some folks like to use them in the shower and some in the kitchen. There are several brands of 100% cotton yarn, but probably the most common and widely known and used is Lily, the original Sugar'n Cream 100% Cotton made in Canada. The new larger skeins are normally 3 oz, and measure 150 yards.

If you like to use body wash, you truly only need a dab if you use one of these wonderful cotton washcloths.

The 2nd one pictured, The camo one that's on the needle, well... I decided after getting Cheryl's gift I hadn't made one in awhile and nabbed some camo cotton. I'll be making as many as I can from the one skein and all will be donated to Bridge and Beyond.
Bridge and Beyond is one of my other blogs that focuses on helping homeless and those in need. Please hop over, always love visitors. Homeless people live in the elements. Do you have any idea how good it feels to take a bath, a shower, to wash up? To do that with a hand knit or crocheted washcloth is something easy to do at our end; and very meaningful at the other end. Skin tired, cold, wrinkled from the elements deserves to be washed with a hand knit especially for you cloth. Hand made shows them someone does care. We knit and crochet to warm those in need through Bridge and Beyond.

A simple washcloth with a bar of soap, is so much more then a washcloth and soap.

**A-Z Challenge W post
****V post CLICK HERE

Oddball, Xanthic ?

This baby blanket is knitted, each strip/section by a different knitter. The blanket travels as each person adds the section much like a progressive dinner moving about. This OddBall Baby Blanket has traveled through Washington, California, Hawaii, Wyoming, Minnesota and to Ohio. This group, Oddball Blankets is fun to belong to because of the variety. Some groups make baby blankets, others full size blankets, others pet blankets. Each travels in a prescribed geographic area. Though the group I belong to is several groups merged so our geographic area is quite large. Doing a section is a nice way to try a new stitch. The end result is heart warming in that all blankets go to charity. The other nice point of the group is using up your stash, using up your odds and ends. It doesn't take much yarn to knit a section. Blankets are all named and knitters are to choose colors appropriate for the theme. We sign up in fact for the blankets we want based on the yarn we have on hand and what goes with what.

This blanket is Titled "Cupid". When I signed up I thought, great I have lots of reds and pinks. Beyond that, it occurred to me people might use white or purple as well. I had plan A and plan B. I knit and crochet and so was added for the border patrol. Border Patrol people crocheted the edge. I had a great variegated laid aside with pinks and reds I thought would probably really tie into the theme and pull the blanket together. Later, I also noticed I had a 2nd variegated with pinks and purples...which is also romantic and "Cupid" like to me. Thus, I was ready with plan A and B. Looking at the blanket above with blue and yellow, neither of preconceived ideas were going to work. Searching through my rather large stash, I had nothing that pulled these colors together. Shopping trip! Normally I love shopping for yarn, but that sorta defeats one of the 3 things I like about the group.


Xanthic? Yes you're saying the word is in the title....what is it? According to Rgb scales #237 and #237/9, it's also listed on the Hex list as EDED09. I've read it described as the color of ripening lemons, and the color in eggs. When looking at a sample of the color, it seemed to me to have a tinge of green? Now, that could be due to my computer screen; but...that's my current take on it. See the yellow in the variegated above? And don't forget the 2 blue sections.
Here then is my work in progress using Red Heart's Fiesta to try and pull some blue and some Xanthic into the border, hoping to pull this blanket together. The color is called Harvest #6332. Firstly let me say, I hate this yarn and do not recommend it. It's not wrapped well and separates easily when being crocheted (as bad as Caron's Simply Soft). It might be better knitted? Using a cross stitch here to add a little bit of a lace look to it...Cupid after all would be frilly, lacy, romantic. Or at least my idea of.

Check back on Friday for FO, hoping to get this done and in the mail. Thus far I have to say, it's not one of my favorite projects. I don't like yarn I'm using, and I'm not feeling the theme of Cupid.

**Z-A, Z post, badge in sidebar
***WIPW post, badge in sidebar

Y Post Here

Yellow Memories Mom

I knitted this yellow shawl for Mom's 80th birthday.

While you can't see her well, here she is unwrapping it.
Yellow was her favorite color. As I type this blog post I am wearing this yellow shawl. I'm not sure she ever got the chance to wear it, except perhaps while watching TV at home. She got ill not too long after this happy day. Between several surgeries on her knee, being in rehab, falling and hitting her head, having back problems, prior to her emergency surgery which caused her a long 7 week hospital stay (mostly in ICU), and ultimately her death, she didn't get to wear this out. Air conditioning on her shoulders was bothersome and thus I thought this knitted shawl in her favorite color was just the ticket. She liked yellow because she said it was a happy color, the color of the sun and warmth. She often laughed and said happy people like yellow.

Though this picture has faded over time, this is another yellow item I crafted for her. I crocheted this yellow sweater long ago for Mom as a Christmas Gift. She had small rounded shoulders and so a raglan sleeve style sweater made a nice fit for her. I loved this pattern. I remember being frustrated when I realized I was going to run short of the yellow yarn with the same dye lot. So I decided to do the red and white striping in the yoke area. I remember being truly excited my stripes can together so well. This was an awesome pattern. Sadly, I've lost this pattern and would dearly love to find it again. I remember the cover well. This sweater was in solid light mint greenish blue on the cover. The sweater was made with 2 ply sports yarn and the stitches were mostly good old double crochets with the ribbing being back stitch single crochets. Does anyone remember this pattern? Does anyone have it per chance? I've looked high and low at yarn stores to replace it. I don't think it's in print anymore. It was one of those leaflet types with about 6 patterns in it, not a book.

Yes Mom, LOVED yellow. And she wore it well. Some folks have trouble wearing yellow. This was taken at my youngest nephews rehearsal dinner. She so loved yellow she asked to be buried in this yellow dress. She worried a bit about that, saying yellow wasn't the color most folks wore at their funerals; but she loved yellow and wore it well. It's been just slightly over 2 years that we lost Mom, so I sit here wearing your yellow shawl remember you like this, with a smile on your face.

**I've added a tab across the top of my blog, as I continue my alphabetical memories of Mom**
***My Y post for May Z-A Challenge***

Happy May 1st (Zinnias)

Zinnias a flower I used to plant often, as did my Mother. Wonder why I got out of the habit? Funny, as I think back so did she. Zinnias are annuals, though they do come in both seeds and plants; most often you see them in seed. Perhaps that's why we both changed our habits. Annuals require more work then perineals do. Seeds though cheaper require more work then seedlings/plants. We planted seeds back in the day. There are many varieties, many sizes, many colors and once they grow, quite easy to care for.

These make wonderful flower beds whether you choose a mix as above or all one color and all one variety. There are small shorter single varieties that make lovely edges, the larger double and giant flowers are great to cut. Zinnias will continue to flower after you cut and bring in doors. In addition, they will continue to bloom if you dead head regularly. They'll branch and be more bushy if you pinch them back. They attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds to you yard, as well as beneficial insects. Indoor bouquets do best if you cut the flower blossom before it's fully opened.

I live in planting zone 5, which means seeds could be sowed indoors as early as late in the month of March; or sowed outdoors in late April. Burpee suggest planting in full sun after the threat of frost is mostly past. Plant seeds 12 inches apart with 1/4 inch soil covering them. Water frequently keeping them moist during seedling stage. Generally you'll see your seedlings within 7-10 days, at which time you're suppose to thin them to 18-24 inches apart. I can't say I ever did that, and doubt Mom did either. Who wants to pull out a plant that's trying to grow? Not me.

I've not thought about these flowers in some time, and need to review my yard to see if there's a place I might like to plant them again. I do love to attract Butterflies.
And Happy Birthday Chuck, my oldest brother. Shall I pick a bunch of flowers for you?

Starts

It may not look like it, but I have in fact made headway on my Red Scarf Project Scarf. Think maybe it's doubled from when I previously showed you.

The blue worm, geessssssssssss. I've now started this project for the 3rd time. Yeah you got that right, that means I've frogged it twice. The first time I decided I didn't like the pattern. The 2nd time, I decided I couldn't count. I really frogged a whole week's worth that time. I had a mess. With 300 stitches on the cast on, I apparently couldn't count. And...yeah you see me now cheating with the plastic ring thingy's every 10 inches. Good grief. I'm really only making a scarf, but, x number of knit, and x number of pearls with each row being different has caused me to have a headache. Now on the positive side. I LOVE this yarn. I LOVE the color, which I bought with someone else in mind....might keep for myself...hum, just don't know. I wanted to do the scarf lenthwise instead of the more traditionally widthwise as I think it stretches less and a larger pattern would show up better. The yarn is Ultra Alpaca, 50% Alpaca and 50% Wool (Laine), a Berroco hand wash made in Peru. Yeah....I think I'm gonna keep it. The person in mind is not a hand wash person I'm thinking. So with my cheater markers I've now started over the 3rd time; but have chosen a less involved pattern. The stitch repeat is 5 stitches vs 9 in the previous attempt, and a 6 row repeat vs 14. I guess it's "Baby Steps". Still amazes me how long it takes to complete 1 row.

The pink-blackish gray triangle blanket is coming along with quite a bit of headway since last you saw it. No worries with counting with the traditional dishcloth pattern. This yarn Jazzes up the the basic garter a bit too.

What are you working on. I can't imagine I'm gonna have anything to show you for Finished Object Friday. Just saying..........

The Friday Night Knitting Club

Mr. Linky below.
Add your name, blog about a book you've read about knitting or crocheting or any book you've recently read for that matter, and remember to add a link to this post.
The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I recently read this while lounging about the pool in Aruba. You can read about Aruba on my travel blog by clicking on the word Aruba.

One really can't knit or crochet by pool side, you don't want the yarn to get wet; nor can you do either well when you're hot and the yarn sticks to your hands and or to the needles and hooks. Sooooooooo, why not read about your craft instead. I had started The Friday Night Knitting Club previously on another vacation, and while I enjoyed it, I did not feel compelled to finish it when I return home. I tossed it on my shelf to have it ready for the next vacation. So, I guess that means I didn't think it was all that good. If so, surely I would have wanted to finish it, instead of waiting several months for the next vacation. It was a NY Times Best Seller. There are 2 additional books now in this series I understand, "Knit Two", and "Knit the Season". I probably will get them eventually....to take on vacation and read at poolside again; but don't feel the need to rush out and get them and stay up all night reading them. I had some issues with the book. Firstly, one of it's selling points is that it's about strong women; but I'm not sure I thought the main character Georgia was all that strong. On one hand, yes she was. She raised a bi-racial daughter on her own, and had her own business. On the other hand, she took back the no count father who'd not been around in years! I have a problem with that. She came from what apparently was a pretty dysfunctional family, not getting along with her family; choosing almost strangers over family. I like knitting, but I don't think it takes the place of relationships, replacing family the way they seem to infer in the book. It's a hobby and everyone should have one. I thought they made knitting far more important in the book then it is in real life. Recommend it, yea I guess so. Just don't expect to be transformed. My daughter read this and gave it to me, so that made it worth the $16.00. Save yourself money and don't buy it, it's not a keeper. Go to the library.

Have you read it? What did you think? Are there other knitting or crochet books you've read? Love to hear your take.

Let's share some linky love, and maybe work up a reading list in the process. Don't forget to visit each other too.

Red Pearls, not just any Cotton

I'm trying to show you the texture of this yarn in this picture. Fat, and skinny, flat and shimmery.

This picture, though a bit blurry shows some of the shimmer this yarn has. I held this up with the light of the computer behind it with one hand while taking the picture with the other hand. But, I think you still see the texture and difference in the shimmer and the not shimmery portions of this yarn. I've never used it before, but will be using it again.
Again holding it up with the light from the computer screen behind it. You can see it's sorta lacy. Nothing fancy, straight garter stitch on size 8 knitting needles. I used Cascade Yarn Pearls. I'm NOT a fan of using cotton yarn. It's hard on the hands, rough and tough and often blah...flat in color. This however, is 55.7% cotton and 44.3% Viscose. This Cascade Yarn is made in Brazil and I loved working with it. Felt nice in the hand, moved nicely on the needles and I love the shimmer and non shimmer contrast, as well as the thick and skinner portions of the yarn.
This terrible picture makes it look orange, it's not. It's red. I like light weight summer scarves for accessorizing and to keep the neck warm in air conditioning when we go out. Though I am rarely cold, the arthritis in the neck really aches and so often a light weight scarf is just the ticket. The edges look awful also in the picture...I must have laid it down badly because they don't look so lumpy. My indecision now is whether or not to keep this for myself or to donate to the battered women's charity, Scarves from the Heart that like soft, frilly, feminine scarves. I generally make my summer scarves a bit more narrow, sooooooooo...hum, just not sure. Will think on it.

Have you used this yarn before? If not, I highly recommend it.

I might also add this fun scarf traveled with me to ARUBA. Was a good plane project.
Click on Aruba to go to my Travel Blog and read about/see pictures of Aruba. Here you see where I laid it on my tray table to take a coffee break. We had a really early morning flight. Yikes! I really needed the coffee.

**Catching up after being gone takes time, but am working on it. Got all 300 drops done for my friends on EC, and visited and commented on all 20 on FO. Made some visits and comments on The Hive. And now need to throw another load of laundry in. Whew**

Working Ahead for The Red Scarf Project

A beginning, not the best picture, but you can sorta see the pattern. Actually guess it's more of a texture. This is a nice reversible stitch called checks and ridges. Using Plymouth Encore knitted worsted weight yarn which I love. It's 25% wool and 75% acrylic. It washes and wears very well and has a nice soft feel to it. It will be nice and warm because of the wool, and because this is a nice solid stitch. Using size 9 knitting needles. The red looks a bit more orange here in the picture than it really is. Had this yarn at finger tips and decided I needed a knitting project to give some relief after so much crocheting which is more bothersome on the arthritis etc.

This is working ahead for me as it will go to The Red Scarf Project which isn't due to be mailed until this coming fall. This is a charity I used to do a lot for, but in recent years my list became too large, so it's nice to have worked my way back to this part of my list. The pattern is a 4 row repeat and shows up best on a solid color in my opinion. I also like it because there's 2 rows of good old garter stitch.

I should also add this will be traveling with me to Aruba (be sure and check out my travel blog, will have lots of pictures and info there in the future).

What are you working on?



This was last weeks WIP, but I never got things officially posted, so am using it this week, now that I'm back in town and trying to play catch up. In my effort to play catch up this am before heading to work, I did manage to drop 209 for my EC friends (think I got all of you who dropped in my absence), and a few more. I also managed to visit and comment on 21 of you in the WIP--all that had signed in before my time was up. And now, to work. Keep stitching.

Hanging Art

A while back I mentioned I needed some art for the wall in this post. I couln't get the angle on the picture to include the bed, window, etc for you to see this, so please click above link to see. Took this picture several times trying not to get the flash reflection on the glass in the above picture. Seemed the only way to do that, was to take the photo at an angle. I put one of the bed pillows there with the picture so you could see the colors. The mat is grayish, and there's lots of that in various shades in the Monet Print. The frame is brassy looking to me, as is the bed post. The tan border on the print and mat seem to pick up the tan in the window treatments, the carpet and the tan in the print on the bed. Still need something behind the bed; but it's a start. We had these print with a really cheap frame previously hanging in this same spot. Hum, wonder if I have a picture of it anywhere. Anyway, having it re-framed wasn't cheap and hubby thought I spent too much. But, nice mats, and frames aren't cheap. And, I think it turned out really nice. He thought since the print was cheap to begin with I shouldn't have spent much on it. However, I think I added to it's quality.

Someone suggest a plant/tree behind the bed. Well we had that in the previous arrangement, but after fighting trying to keep it dust free, I don't want to go that route again. A collection of pictures is what I have in mind currently. Small prints probably, but will I make the corner interesting by doing this, or will I highlight further how offset the bed is to the corner? Thoughts? Ideas? Anxious for some input folks.

Too Pretty to Eat

The pretty orange on the left is carrot cake, and desert on the right is a cheesecake something. Bought these 2 pretty deserts the other day at the grocery in the specialty area because I thought they were pretty. Pricey, sorta too. Wouldn't want to get more then 2. Buying these is like buying a desert out. This is not something I would do often; but thought what the heck...we're having a nice meal, a good bottle of wine and we should top it off with a really special desert too. Sadly, they were prettier than they tasted. I won't be doing this again, or at least won't get these again.

While I agree presentation matters, it doesn't matter more than taste in my opinion. Hubby had the cheese cake and I had the carrot cake. Or rather we both ate about half with a bite of the other. You'll note these aren't big, so eating only half, well....that pretty well tells the story. I do think they're art, and they did look to pretty to eat. Is that the idea. You have them on the table, but no one eats them?

Live and learn I say, sometimes you try new things and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.

How bout you? Anything similar happen to you? Tell us about it. Share your story.

**Don't forget to check in tomorrow to see about Monday Meme (provided I get it to work right, lol)**

Little Princess moves to the FO List

Here's Little Princess after being joined, still needs tails woven in, and needs a nice border.

I had a hard time deciding on a border for this ghan, but am really pleased with the one I selected. The pattern called for one more row of the open weave, but I nixed it and went with just the 2 rows instead of 3. Here's a close up of the border so you can it better.

Debating a lot about what color to edge, join, and border with; as I'm not one to use much white or off white....but the off white here seemed like a good choice to me. I try to stay away from light colors like that because of the dirt factor, but....

This is another ghan made from squares donated through my Give a Square Program that was active for 3 months. The finished ghan will be donated to Faith Mission where I hope it will give warmth and hope to a little girl in need.

Little bit of knitting corner to corner

After finishing the 2nd longest WIP ever ghan, and Rose Garden Ghan, I needed something sorta mindless. Also, needed a project that could go with me to work and other misc places. Also, needed something knitted to give my hands and fingers a little break from crocheting which seems to be harder on the arthritis, carpal tunnel etc. Though, am still working on ghans that require crocheting for Bridge and Beyond, I do now have a knitted project I can work on in between which is helpful. This corner to corner is simple straight garter stitch. With this yarn's texture, there's really no reason to use a fancy stitch; it would be lost and not seen anyway. Had a hard time trying to lay this out so you could see it, as the circular needles curl so badly. The yarn is JoAnne Sensations Rainbow Boucle with 873 yards a skein. It's nice to work with. I believe I prefer knitting with this over crochet though. I've seen this yarn used for almost everything from a really lacy knitted shawl, to baby sweaters, hats, scarves, doubled up for slippers as well. Lots of different colors to choose from and fun to see how it changes from light to dark. Thus far, you're not seeing that in my start. I'm using 2 color ways, a pink and white, and a pink-gray-black. It reminds me of Poodle skirts.

Not totally sure what this will end up being. Well, actually not true. It's going to be a blanket/ghan. I'm not sure how big I'll make it or whether or not it will be for a little girl or an adult female. I'm just knitting and we'll cross that decision bridge when the yarn runs out or I get tired of working on it. lol Most likely it will be another Faith Mission Blanket though.

**PLEASE make a point to pop back in Monday, a fun Monday Meme and linky love for all**

10 Thought Tuesday

The Daffodil wanted to bloom, but then it got cold, and there was no sun.
After some encouragement and a wee bit of sun, it's trying. Come on...you can do it!
TaDAH!
**I had to lean over to get these photo's and thus they are blurry. Couldn't step close to them, as the ground was sooooooooooo soft and wet I might have been sucked up in the muck.**

1. Would love to know what you all think of my new blog template. Just loaded it yesterday.

2. With the downpour yesterday, we had this again!(which explains why I couldn't stand by the daffodils...leaned over from the little porch)

3. Please tell me no one is taking Donald Trump seriously. Besides a bad hair cut and a bad TV show, what's he got going for him?

4. I can see Daffodils in my yard, which makes me really really really excited. I love yellow, I love flowers, and I love knowing Spring is trying super hard to make it to Central Ohio.

5. Tried to design an afghan yesterday for Faith Mission, but my creative juices failed me. Argh, that was a bummer. Must try again, hope time permits today.

6. Need to check on knitting needle regulations for an International flight....anyone happen to know if taking knitting needles in one's carry on is ok?

7. Was disappointing only 1 person joined yesterday's Monday Meme. Maybe next week will be better. Please check back next week and join the fun.

8. I found how to go back to the old editor here on blogger, and believe I like using it over the new one. How bout you all, what are you using?

9. The situation in Japan is so sad. One wonders how long before things will be "normal" there again?

10. I remember when flip flops were called, thongs. And they were really only shower shoes, or something to wear at the swimming pool or beach. They were never considered to be shoes. Why do people like wearing them, and consider them dress shoes? I hate the noise they make, and the thing between my toe. When I see people wearing them everywhere, I feel old.

?? Does anyone know how to get rid of boxes after the post that say interesting, boring etc? Firstly, it appears only part of them are visualizing. I'd like to get rid of them. Thanks!

My First Monday Memories, Mutterings, Musings Meme

For Fun, I thought I'd try my hand a meme. I do sometimes get involved in them, but haven't really started one. Monday's mean many things to people. The beginning of the work week, the end of the weekend. Positive and Negative feelings about Monday no doubt. So, let's have some fun with Monday and share those things with Monday Memories, Mutterings, Musing and More.

To join in, post a comment here, write your Monday Memory, Mutterings, Musing on your blog with a link here, and be sure and add yourself to the linky. This is a good way to have fun, to meet some new bloggers, to share some linky love...so please join in.

My Mutter:
I'd like to have a loud speaker on my car so I could shout out at people who do thoughtless, careless, and dangerous things while driving. The list would start with Mothers who want to protect their children, but don't seem to give a hoot about other children. Case in point. It's rare for me not to see a car with a bumper sticker, or window decal with one of those baby on board signs while out and about. Ok, they want people to know a baby is inside the car should something happen. That's a safety issue. Right? How then can they speed through school zones, change lanes without signals, while talking on the cell phone, turn on red in the school zone and literly pay no attention to the school children trying to cross the street!!!!!!!!!! If I got paid for everytime I've witness this, I would be a rich woman. Their time is NOT more important then the safety of those children. I've honked the horn, people on the sidewalks have yelled at them. I see it all the time.

And that's my rant/ my Monday Mutterings today, what's yours?

**Just loaded a new blog template today. Still messy with it a bit. Need to change the color of the font I think, seems a bit hard to read? What do you think? Took awhile to figure out the slide show, and now that it's there...don't know if I like it? Thoughts? Does it add?

Moved some widgets around, nixed a few too. When I did, noticed hakucho is my top talker. Thank you much, greatly appreciated.

Rose Garden

Rose Garden before border, before ends were tucked in, and before laundry and blocking. This was a recent WIP, so thought you'd like to see it getting moved to a FO!

Rose Garden bordered, ends tucked, laundered, and blocked.

Close up of border. The squares and rectangles were edged with dark forest green (not black as the picture looks), they were joined with dusty rose, and the blankets border was several base rows of the dark forest green and final scalloped edge in the dusty rose. This ghan and the 2nd longest WIP ghans were rather tedious, so need to do a few less tedious projects to regroup so to speak.

PLEASE pop back in.  Monday the 4th I'll be starting my first ever Linky Love Meme.  Look forward to seeing you all.

**This ghan is for Faith Mission Afghans, for Bridge and Beyond.

Kaleidoscope and Little Princess Afghans

From a huge stash of various sized squares and rectangles the above design has been laid out. I'm calling this ghan, Kaleidoscope. Still in thinking stages, more then WIP stage technically. Debating on edge color. Thinking currently either light blue or black. Will check stash and go from there. These squares are donated Through Bridge and Beyond, and will be used for Mothers and children at Faith Mission.
These crocheted granny squares also donated are a bit further along in The WIP. I have 10 other squares waiting to be edge before the joining will take place. This ghan also for Faith Mission will go to a little girl and so is, I think appropriately named, "Little Princess".

I've also started a rather unusual baby blanket (at least I think that's what it's going to be). Unusual in that it's pink and black. It's knitted, a corner to corner style blanket. Sorry folks haven't yet taken a picture of it.

Lake Lois, NOT

This picture is my neighbor's backyard. She's had so much standing water lately in her yard from all the downpours I believe you could go fishing.
We've had more snow then normal this winter, and we've had far more rain then normal. One wonders what will happen come April. April is when we're suppose to get rain. Lordy, think I might need to keep my boat handy. The day after I took these pictures we had cold and snow again and so her yard then looked like a ice rink. What a mess. We used to get water in our basement from her yard, as we're a bit down hill from her. A few years ago she had work done on her basement and drains etc, which took care of the problem we had in our basement with water. So....now she has tons of water in her yard which beats the heck out of in her basement and ours.

It's a good thing her yard is fenced, some small child could drown in that water.

Oh how I long for warmer weather. Perhaps this means it's on it's way?