Monday, July 16, 2012

Bits of knitting

I don't have much to show for my time recently. I finished a fall stitchery for a pillow, but I used a variegated floss I'd never used before and when I spritzed it to remove the blue lines, the color ran. I will probably go ahead and finish it and put it at the bottom of the pile as filler. But I wasn't happy--it wasn't inexpensive floss and the design was cute. I'll finish it up and post the picture later.

I did finish this cowl. It's called A Thousand Splendid Suns, and I love the yellow yarn. The doorknob wears it well!
We took another outing to Trader Joe's.  This was the highlight of the visit. You are supposed to spread it on something--vanilla wafers, animal crackers...I just use a spoon. It is evidently one of their biggest sellers.

And the stack keeps getting taller. Blame this one on my husband, but they do look good.
Then there was this old rocking chair. It isn't sit-able, but doesn't Raggedy Ann look cute on it? A close family friend made her for me when I was very small and I think she is perfect on the chair.

I've started a couple more fall projects. Hopefully they will be far enough along for a picture next time, but I did start  "Leftie" today and I think I'm going to like the colors.
The leaves are made with short rows which are kind of fun. Think it will be an enjoyable knit.

I'll be back soon!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July and some other stuff

Wow! The Fourth of July already--summer is really going fast!

We don't have any big celebrating planned and we aren't going to any fireworks displays, but we are having a yummy dinner. Blackberry-Molasses Ribs, baked beans, slaw, and I made a French silk pie. All will be accompanied by an interesting bottle of wine we picked up the other day. The blackberries are from my husbands  blackberry bramble. I was happy to find a use for them other than blackberry desserts. I haven't made French silk pie for a long time, and it is one of my favorites--I mean, who doesn't love velvety smooth chocolate in a chocolate cookie crust?

I've finished a couple of my fall projects. this cute little wall hanging--I love the black bird!
And a small wool mat.
They are hard to see in the picture, but there are berries to the left of the white pumpkin. The 3 pumpkins are from "Pieces from my Heart", and the wool mat from "Falloween Threads" .

The other evening as we  were watching television I had a light bulb moment (not exactly what I call it  but...). In the back of my mind I've always thought that if the light was better I would do some sewing or knitting in the evenings. I've brought down my table top, flip up Ott light, but have never been able to position it right, so it suddenly dawned on me to look into a floor lamp style, and thanks to Amazon, two days later I have this:I've just used it once, but know it is going to be wonderful!  I'm going to be SO much more productive :)

The stack has gotten taller! I will say, the top suitcase I've had for years and used it as display when I did shows, and the three stack looked good, but Sweetie was quick with his bidders card and got the dark suitcase for $5 at the auction. You just can't pass that up. Think I've got enough now.

And I'm going to have to go out of the stool business as well. Have I said that before? Little stools are just so cute. This one followed me home.
I did pass on bidding on a couple others--see, I can show restraint.

Last, but by no means least, there was this little item. 


And it is loaded with silk thread, perle cotton and a card of mother of pearl buttons.

Unfortunately (?) we are gong to have to go back to the auction since I now want a fire screen to re-do. They had 2 I was interested in, but for some reason they disappeared  from the auction floor, and they were just what I had in mind. It seems the primitive,  distressed things get pushed to the side in favor of other stuff.

Gonna go pick out a new project to start.  Be safe!