Knitting Update

I haven't posted much knitting here lately, so I will show you what I have been up to.

First up, the socks I thought would never end.

I started these socks in February, got the first one finished in no time, and then I just kept starting new things without finishing this pair. They are done now, and in the hands (and on the feet) of their new owner (Happy birthday!)

I found a shawl pattern that looked fun and easy and it is progressing.

The pattern is Yarn Crawl Shawl.

Next, my Glitz at the Ritz is nearing completion.

I spent 8 hours in the car yesterday, so I started a new pair of socks.

Not sure who they are for, but they keep me busy without a lot of thought.

Meanwhile, a blackmail picture.

And people wonder if Dolly gets along with the fosters. The answer is YES!

Spring Retreat

I spent last weekend at my semi-annual quilt retreat. I didn't manage to get anything finished, but I did manage to make some progress on  the projects I took with me.

The closest thing to a finish was this bag.

It still needs grommets to hold the straps.

I figured out how to put in a magnet snap, and I think it looks pretty good!

Inside of bag with lots of pockets

Some of the other ladies did some wonderful work.

Diane's Hunter's Star progressed nicely.

Margery won these blocks in a BOM draw, and made a top out of them.

Kelda made a stunning top from a jelly roll.

Anita finished TWO tops!

Two baby quilts by Kathryn.

Audrey made a Snail's Trails quilt top. She had enough blocks left over to make a second top, because she was so keen at making the snails.

Looking at the pictures, I feel like a bit of a slacker.

We all had a great time, with lots of laughter and  a rousing game of "strip poker".

Suddenly Spring

Two weeks ago, it was still snowing, and suddenly, this weekend, spring arrived in my garden.

Daffodils are blooming in the side yard.

Here is the Scilla blooming in a sunny spot.

Here are some in the shade.

I know they are the same plant, because I took some from the shady front lawn and moved them to the sunny side lawn, but they look totally different in the different spots.

The Spirea is showing signs of life.

And Crocus in the backyard.

If I were that kind of quilter, I am sure there is a quilt in here.

Kitty Bean

While wasting my time, browsing Ravelry on the weekend, I found a pattern for a Kitty Bean.

Since I have lots of tiny balls of sock yarn, I decided to give it a try. It was a cute, quick project (though you have to enjoy knitting teeny things).

I didn't put a face on it, because I made it for Grayson.

He hasn't figured out what it is, here.

A few minutes later, he decided it was something to play with.

I think it's a hit!

I bought myself a treat today.

It's a rolly bag for my sewing machine. They were on sale at Fabricland, and quilt retreat is coming. I'm ready to roll.

Another Kobo Case

Back in February, I made my husband a Kobo case. His Kobo is actually an Android tablet, which means it can be used for lots of things besides reading books.

For example, cat games!

Here is Grayson, playing a cat game for the tablet. If he catches the dot, it explodes and "Meows" at him. He loves it.

I decided that I was missing out on the fun, so I got one of these Kobo's of my own. Then I needed a case.

Here it is, made from scraps from other projects. Recognize some from the Radiant Purple runner?

Of course, it had to have a cat on it, and a bird on the other side to entertain the cat.

I used some of the fancy stitches on my machine to quilt it.  There is lots of purple and fuchsia in those scraps and in the thread.

Best of all, when I finished, it was a perfect fit. I am told it looks "a little feminine" , so I guess I don't have to worry about him taking it if he can't find his own.  I like the design so I am thinking of trying a clutch bag  in a similar style, next.



We had heavy rains yesterday and it was cloudy Monday afternoon.  I was doing the quilting and having a hard time seeing what I was doing. I was blaming the weather, until it finally dawned on me, yesterday afternoon, that the light on my machine had burnt out. I pulled the bulb, and my sweetie found a replacement in his collection of stray auto parts. Problem solved!

Work Gets In The Way!

I got my very own Kobo, last week. So I started to make a case for it. I made a case for my sweetie's Kobo earlier this year.

I took some of the strips I was cutting last week and added a few other scraps. However, people keep expecting me to work at what they want done, instead of letting me have fun. So I haven't gotten very far.

I am not sure I have exactly what I want yet, so I thought a picture might help me figure out what isn't working. I am not happy with the first and third strip from the left, but I don't hate them either. Maybe I just need to switch them. I will leave it until tomorrow, and look at it again.

Meanwhile, I started a shawl back in the fall. My Ravelry Project page says I started it September 29. At some point, I made a mistake, put a safety line in and ripped it back. Then I put it in the corner to think about what it had done! Last week, I picked it up again, figured out what was wrong, and started back at it.

It is called Glitz at the Ritz, and is from Knitty, First Fall 2013.

It has hundreds of beads, literally!

I probably should have put it on a darker background, to show off the beads, because they are silver lined clear beads.

It is now a race to see if I can finish it, before the nice weather. How is that for optimism?

Toddlers and Tiaras

We have a new baby at our house.

Meet Grayson.

Isn't he cute? He is about three months old, and will be staying with us for awhile while he recovers from an infection in his ears, eyes and upper respiratory system. It has been some time since we have had a little boy like him in the house. We had forgotten about the "shark attacks" from under chairs and tables. Watch your feet!

Meanwhile, my grandcats were competing in the Fundy Fanciers Cat Show this weekend. The Lovely Purrfessor Minerva Mojito McGonagall got the gold medal for Best of Best Household Pet! Mini is trying not to let it go to her head. Her best buddy, Virgile looked very nice, too.
They got great swag.

I think the ribbons may be bigger than the cats.
Here is Mini celebrating her victory.