How-w-w-w-w-w-l-l-l-l-l-l

The wind started blowing last night about 9 and hasn't quit since!

So much for the yard work and pool de-leafing that we did yesterday! I gave up an entire day of knitting and sewing with the hope of making a considerable dent in my outdoor winterizing, only for it to be undone by the wind. Peaking at 50+ mph, I love listening to it howl. If this had happened in a few weeks from now, we'd be hunkered down in a blizzard. Hard to believe it's that time of year again. Thanksgiving in a few weeks and Christmas not far behind.

I've been knitting toasty-warm slippers for my family and finally started a pair for myself. With one done, I'm working on the second and love them so much,that while I'm knitting number two, I treat myself to wearing number one. Crazy? Yeah, like a fox! It's toasty warm and I can't wait to finish the pair.

I opted for some TLC Coats and Clark 100% acrylic for slippers. I just couldn't bring myself to break into my precious-yarn stash for slippers. Maybe someday I'll try felting and splurge on some great wool. but for now, acrylic will do just fine.

Don't Get Lost in the Pumpkin Patch!

I've been knitting and sewing for my great-niece, Marisa Paige, whom I cherish. Her Mom, my niece and god-daughter, is doing such a wonderful job raising her. I love them both dearly.

I made this outfit for Marisa to wear when they go to the pumpkin patch this year. I think it turned out rather cute! Bright, but cute!

"Don't Get Lost in the Pumpkin Patch!"

Slippers, slippers . . . . . EVERYWHERE!

I love wearing slippers. Not just because they are cozy and keep my digits toasty warm in the winter, but all year round - because I have this 'thang' about feeling "stuff" on my feet. You see, two big dogs also live here.

There's always dog hair somewhere on my floors - it's a never ending 'thang'. Never mind that I would need to vaccum several times a day just to up with the clean up. The sand starts at the backdoor and scatters over the ceramic tile. Ah-h-h, the true grit of true, unconditional love.

So, I've taken to knitting slippers. Not just for me but for several loved ones. Afterall, no since them getting into a snit over my puppy grit. The bonus? In December, their toes will be toasty warm!



This yarn will be knit into slippers to match a bed jacket I am making for my mom. I bought some ivory fleece with a pink rosebud pattern on it for that. Cute and cozy!

Pink and Sticky

While I was on my mini vacation visiting my friend in Kalamazoo, I knitted this hat for my darling great niece Marisa. It's a pattern that I have knit before - from: baby knits for beginners by Debbie Bliss. I just love the way Bliss writes her patterns. And the designs in this book are simple and precious.

I improvised on the pattern sizing. I hope it works. I used a jersey yarn with has a bit of stretch to it. I added a few rows of a variegated cotton loop at the rolled brim. The loop is pale pink, white and lavender.

It's inevitable that I get stuck on patterns - since I am not a seasoned knitter - yet. I always have several projects going at one time. When I get stuck on one - and because I MUST knit, I start another. Well, isn't that what all knitters do? Right now, I have two sweaters that I am working on - I'm stuck on both. Two sleeveless shells that need to be assembled - stuck! Another shell that I think needs to be torn out and done over - STUCK. Now that fall is setting in here in Michigan, I'll be headed back to knitting class on Tuesday nights - so I can ask the experts to help unstick my projects. Ah-h-h-h, fall.........help is on the way.

Cotton loop yarn added to rolled brim.

What's knitting today?

I'm leaving tomorrow for a mini vacation - 96 miles away. I'm going to my bestfriend's house five days! Staying there is like staying a a posh hotel - very cool. And, she has A/C!

Wednesday night, we are doing to Sterling Heights to hear Michael McDonald in concert! Woo-hoo. What a voice. We are leaving early Wednesday morning so we can take our time and shop along the way. I'm hoping to find some fiber and fabric stores!

My friends birthday was August 3rd and we haven't gotten together to celebrate yet so we will while I'm there. I'm knitting her a scarf to go with her new, ivory wool winter coat. It's almost finished - just a few more rows. I think I might add some beaded trim -" 'cause she'd like that, ya' know?" I'll go look later this afternoon and see what I can find.

I've been sewing a lot lately. I'm into making nightgowns and skirts. The nightgowns because I just love loungewear, and the skirts are in anticipation of a job I would love get - I DESPERATELY WANT THIS JOB. I interviewed for it on August 3 for 2.5 hours and I think it went really well. I checked with them again vi email on August 17th and received an email back saying "no progress", and no decision yet. "Don't they know I'm dieing to know?" I'm hoping my skirt sewing will generate some good karma.

gotta fly, it's time to stash (I mean dash) ..........................