September 1, 2006

Done! Blogging software added! Check out the blog at blog.gaea-creations.com. See you there!!

August 14, 2006

I think I need to add some kind of blogging software to my site. I think it might make me more apt to update this page. I'll have to look into that.

I've been knitting several projects from Handknit Holidays over the past two weeks. I love this book. I love the projects. I love the feel of the book. I love everything about it. Except. There seem to be a number of errors, and there is no errata sheet to be found on the internet. I haven't called the publisher because I don't feel like I should have to. There should be an errata sheet on the internet. Anyway, I did find Handknit Holidays-Along, a blog devoted to knitting projects from this book. And they do have some errata listed. However, I wanted to bring to your attention one more error I encountered. I just finished knitting the first of the pair of Holly Leg Warmers. I believe the yarn requirements as listed in the book are wrong. Based on how much yarn the first legwarmer took, I will use THREE balls of Scarlet, not one. Three. I'm okay with that, because I can get more. However, for those who maybe bought the yarn for the legwarmers, then put it away in the stash for later, you might have some trouble getting more yarn in the dyelot you already have. So, consider this fair warning. I should probably also mention that I'm using Dale of Norway Tiur for mine. I'm getting gauge without problem. And this yarn has more yardage per ball than the Jo Sharp yarn listed in the pattern. So, just think of this as a fair warning. Other projects I've knit from this book this month: Log Cabin Socks, Flap-Top Mittens, Ribbon Scarf and Elf Hat (with earflaps). I'm planning to knit some of the flowers this week. Why? I'm teaching classes on these projects beginning in October.

That's it from me today. School starts tomorrow, and I can't wait. For a week, Tim and I have been saying TGSSS (Thank God School Starts Soon).

July 10, 2006

I had one h*ll of a spring this year. Between March 31 and May 9, we sold our house and moved, and my grandmother passed away. Obviously, the first news is great and the latter is terrible. But, two huge life changes that close together is never a good thing. I'm finally starting to feel like life is getting back to normal.

So, good news first. The house rocks. We were very lucky to have sold our old house without the help of a realtor. One day toward the end of February, Tim came home from work and said, "Get packing! The house is sold!" WHAT?! A single guy that he works with was ready to purchase his first house, and he had been to our place before and thought it was perfect. Lucky us! The bad news: he wanted to close on March 31. We hadn't even started looking for a new house, much less packing or purging. Fortunately, around March 15, we found a great house at the right price in the right place. We doubled our square footage and no longer feel like we're living on top of each other. Plus, I have a yarn closet. Not just any closet. A nice, large linen closet full of yarn!



Well, not quite full. There's still room for more. Plus, the cedar chest is full...and the trunk in the living room....and there are a few bags in the chest freezer....But I was so proud of myself when we were moving and I was able to get my entire stash to the new house in the minivan in one load. With the seats taken out.

Now, just a brief mention of the bad news. My grandma, Elaine Martin, and I were very close. I talked to her on the phone at least 2 or 3 times a week. She lived an hour and a half away, and I treasured the times that we were able to spend together.

 

On the left is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa 6 years ago at their 60th wedding anniversary, where they actually got married in a church. On February 14, 1940, they eloped and got married at the courthouse. I'm convinced that they were just as much in love on the day she died as they were on that day in 1940. On the right is a picture I hold dear. It's me and Grandma together. It's the only one I have of just the two of us. I miss her a lot. I can't imagine how much Grandpa must miss her every day.

So as not to end on that note, here's some fun stuff. Aaron has lost two teeth, about a week apart. How cute is he?!




This is the knitting project I worked on this weekend.



It's the Komb afghan from Berroco's new pattern booklet #249. Obviously, I'm not using the recommended yarn. I'm using leftover stash yarn for the centers of the hexagons and black Cascade 220 for the borders. I made some other changes too. For example, the way the pattern is written, the individual hexagons are knit flat and then seamed. Nonsense! I'm knitting mine seamlessly in the round. Yes, I have to use double pointed needles that way, but I'm okay with that since I won't have to seam. (I am following the pattern's directions for attaching the hexagons as you go.) I also changed the decrease rate a little bit. And my hexagons are slightly smaller, so I'll probably have to knit more of them. Other that those changes, it's exactly the same. :)

Other projects on the needles that I haven't taken any pics of yet: Debbie Doggett Socks, Victoria's Pi Afghan, Victoria's Pi Jacket, and a pair of Trekking socks for me.

February 24, 2006

Wow! Two posts in two days. Amazing....

This one will be short and sweet. In preparation for selling our house and buying a new one, we've decided to start purging our home of excess stuff. In the process, our 8-year-old daughter has decided she wants to move out of her loft bed (which she's had for 4 years) and into a "normal" bed. So, if you live in the Lafayette area and have been thinking, "Gee, I need a loft bed," we've got just the thing for you. Go here for pictures and all the critical info about the loft. As always, email me if you have any questions.

Thanks!!!

February 23, 2006

Okay, so apparently I only have a thought go through my head once every six months. But, here's what I'm thinking about today.

Knitting Olympics. I missed the official deadline for signing up, but I'm participating on my own anyway. I'm knitting the lovely fair isle knee socks from The Opinionated Knitter. I just turned the first heel last night while watching the Olympics. (Don't worry! I recorded Idol.) Anyway, here's a pic of my socks so far.

These have been so fun to knit, but it will take a miracle for them to be done in time. I still have to work the other heel, then both feet. Maybe it will go faster than I think. Maybe it won't. My house is a mess. My children have been allowed to play on the computer and watch TV way too much since this started. It's starting to drive me crazy. I washed my west-facing windows yesterday, for crying out loud! I can't remember the last time that happened! I'm beginning to question my commitment to this Olympic knitting thing. Would I rather have a finished pair of socks Sunday night, or a clean kitchen? I'm not sure I can have both without sacrificing sleep. And I love sleep. Speaking of socks, I've been on a bit of a sock-knitting kick lately. I'm drawn to them like never before. Last year seemed to be the year of the scarf for me. I knit a lot of scarves last year. Maybe this year will be the year of the socks. Time will tell. I am participating in a sock exchange through River Knits, and I'm thinking about knitting some lovely intarsia socks for my pal. She wears Birkies a lot, and these socks have an intarsia design on the back, so I think they are perfect for her. I still need to decide on a yarn, but the design has been chosen. Deadline for this is May 1, so that's definitely doable.

August 25, 2005

Well, I've been resisting for years. Literally. Beads call to me. I've incorporated beads into my knitting. Isabelle's sweater, Elaine Socks, and the Beaded Bag are all examples of how I've added beads to my knitting. But, somehow, none of those projects really satisfied my desire to work with beads. I've been buying Beadwork magazine off and on for over a year, which just fuels the temptation.

Today, I finally gave in. I went to the craft store and stocked up on pliers, cutters, crimpers, beading wire, findings, beads, etc., etc., etc. I can't wait for the weekend to come! I'm planning a necklace and a pair of earrings. That maybe a little too ambitious for my first time out, but we'll see. This afternoon, in a matter of less than an hour, I created these beaded stitch markers:



They aren't perfect, but I'm proud of them! But, I did realize that nearly all of my beads are blue or in the blue/green family. I need purple! I need red! I need more color!!! Actually, I got a nice blouse an a few camis a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't find any matching jewelry that I liked. So, here's my chance! I can make he perfect necklaces now! (At least, I think I can.)

So, who knows? Maybe in the not-so-distant future, I'll add a beading page to this website. Just what I need...another hobby....

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Site last updated on September 1, 2006.