Birthdays and Baby

Wow, I hadn't realized I hadn't posted for so long. It's actually been more than a month since my last update. March has been pretty busy for me - Easter was a big part of that, but now that that's over, I have a little more time and energy.

I've been walking much more frequently now that the weather has been okay, and the time changed. The little lake near my place is hosting a flock of cormorants (the big black birds in the picture below.) I had seen them before - but only thier backs and necks. I'd never realized just how big they actually were. While walking this morning (before it got cloudy and cold) I saw a couple of them diving and coming up with nesting material. There is an interesting congloeration of fowl at this manmade lake. Last week I saw a pair of grebes but didn't have my camera with me. It was probably just a resting point for them as I haven't seen them since.

Ducks and geese and other birds are pairing off, trees are budding, tulips and daffodils and narcisus are blooming - its definitely spring! Yay!



A couple of my friends are celebrating significant birthdays this weekend, so I've been working on a couple of presents:



100% BFL in two different colorways plyed together, approx 525 yards. Enough for a nice pair of socks. This is going to my friend who knits.



And these are for my other friend (she doesn't knit) who loves pink just like I do. Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the colorway "Tickled Pink." I think I have enough yarn left for a pair of shorties for myself.

Now I mentioned in my last post that I found out I'm going to be an Auntie. So of course I've been working on some things. One of them is this:



A log cabin square out of Lion Brand Cotton-Ease (see, mom - cotton and washable) from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I'm going to do four squares with the colors in different sequences and an I-cord edging to finish it off. I had originally planned on something else with this yarn, but it just didn't work out as easily as I'd hoped. I am really happy with this though, and am almost finished with the 2nd square already.

On the spinning front:



More BFL (handdyed by yours truly) and chain-plyed for color retention. I really liked how the brown came out. I'm not sure what to call it - Tiger Lily or 1970 (you know for the orange!) :-)

Happy Spring!

Vacation

I was on vacation last week and really enjoyed it. 4 days off of work, two days relaxing in SoCal, a whirlwind of family, friends, kids, dogs...and fiber?!! That's right, not only did I get some beautiful handpainted fiber, I also visited a couple of old LYS's. Friday I stopped by Stitches West on my way to visit some friends in NorCal. Anyway, lots of pics to follow.

On Tuesday, I left early enough to be able to catch the sunrise over Mono Lake.




This is why I drive. Especially through the mountains. Seeing God's creation in all it's unfettered glory is simply amazing. The amount of snow we've gotten this winter so far is a boon for the water levels.

My brother, David, called me at about 6:30am, just after I took these. I'm going to be an aunt!! :-) It was really exciting finding out. I was grinning most of the way into Bishop. She's due in Sept, and they don't know what it is yet. Hopefully, we'll find out soon - you know, so I can start the wardrobe! ;-)

Anyway, got down to Orange Cnty and visited one of the yarn shops in my list - Velona's. It's in Anaheim Hills and the most un-organized and chaotic shop you'd ever see. The owner seems to know where everything is though, and they carry some really old stuff (like Pengoiun yarn and Anna magazines.) I stocked up on sock yarn, as you'll see, and found what I think is some old Rowan called "Donegal Lambswool" in a medium gray that'll be great for either socks or gloves.



The next stop was the Yarn Lady in Laguna Niguel. Again, some more sock yarn, as well as a stripey cotton blend in either boy/girl colors for a baby sweater. It'll be for...you guessed it, my new nephew or niece! :-) They had a selection of pretty nail files up at the counter and couldn't resist the spinning wheel one.



Then I was done for the day - literally and physically. I was beat, so went to my aunt and uncle's house where I stayed for the next couple of days. They have the cutest dog named Buddy - a sweet Laslo-Apso/Std Poodle mix. He's only a couple of years old and still wants to play...a lot. He had a lot of energy.



How can you resist that face!! All together now...Aawwwwww!

On Wednesday I visited my friend Lori Lawson of Capistrano Fiber Arts (she was the one who taught me to spin 2 1/2 years ago.) I wanted to get more of her handpainted fibers. See what I got! At the top is 50/50 merino/bombyx in the colorway "Jungle", and along the bottom from left to right is pinks merino/mohair (which I started spinning already), merino, and BFL.



On Thursday my aunt and I went out to visit my cousin's family. They have two kids - Devon and Dylan. They were a riot to be around, really sweet kids with a lot of energy. Devon will be 5 in August and Dylan 3 in June.

This is what we saw as we pulled up - the parking lot.



Couldn't resist taking a picture of that - all thier scooters and cars all pulled up nicely at the top of the driveway.




And while Devon learned to knit...



Dylan read a book.



An hour into our visit and we all trooped outside for some air and a chance for the kids to run around and play. Here are a couple of action shots. Dylan looks so determined, his lips pressed together as if he's thinking, "I'm going to do this, I will go down the steep driveway when mommy's not looking." Devon was just happy to be outside.




Friday I left early and drove to Santa Clara for Stitches West. Once I got past the valley and was going west, the landscape was so beautiful and lush...and green! I'd forgotten how green everything is in SoCal during the winter. Though this picture was taken farther north, the coloring is similar.



At the Stitches market I was almost overwhelmed by the number of vendors and people. I'd been before about three years ago, and was totally overwhelmed then. This time I made it through all the booths and kept (mostly) to my budget. I couldn't belive how much money was changing hands - and this was only Friday. Two more days still for people to buy, buy, buy!!

These patterns called out to me, all being very feminine and sized/shaped for my body type (hopefully!) :-)



This is the rest of my loot - at the top a BLF/Alpaca blend roving, from left to right - Tess Designs 100% silk in silver and purple, Toots LeBlanc handspun jacob/alpaca/mohair fingering weight, Claudia Handpaints 100% 20/2 silk, colorway "Bearded Iris," and 100% Kid from Brooklyn Farms(?). In the middle (if you can't read it) is a stamp I found at Village Spinning and Weaving that says "Handspun By:" with a spindle below. I thought it was very cute, and I can definitely use it.



Friday afternoon saw me heading up to Placerville to visit my good friend Jessica and her husband Mark. I stayed overnight with them and left Saturday afternoon to head back home. I was a little pictured out, so didn't take any. They have two friendly dogs and a herd of cats. :-)

This whole week I encountered all types of weather. Starting with the clear sunshine on my drive down, followed by serious fog while dropping down over the Cajon Pass, then it rained both Tuesday night, off and on Weds, and poured most of Thursday. Friday morning it was raining hard still, but cleared up through the valley. Wind was gusting through the valley, then it was back to rain and clouds on the coast.

Didn't dampen my spirits, nope - not even the snow over Donner Pass coming back. I had the novel experience of chaining up for the first time. It took me about an hour to get throught the pass and drop down into Truckee. All things considering, it could have been worse. They closed it later that night.



This is what I came home to. Yay, more snow!! :-) It snowed a good 6" Saturday night, but it all melted by Sunday afternoon. :-( Oh, well, there's still 2' more on the slopes. My brother and friend and I are planning on going snowboarding this Saturday.

Black and Brown

Funny title, I know, but those are the colors I dyed this weekend. I was very please with the rich brown - combined with the orange and pink, creates a nice autumnal flavor. As for the black - I was trying for purple and orange and got red and black. (Shrugs) Oh well, I am very pleased with the outcome. In fact, the third pictrue shows it spun up already. :-)








I also got some merino from Ashland Bay called "Sapphire." I forgot to take a picture of the roving before spinning, but this is what it looks like spun up. I really like it - and being merino, it's so soft. I tried to spin it a little thicker than usual, as well as not so much twist.



This post is also catching up with some other finished items since the last time I posted. This sweater is something I started last year and never got around to finishing. It is made out of Jaeger Chamonix, a blend of merino and angora. Oh, so warm and cuddly. I tried to get a picture of myself wearing it, but couldn't get a good one.





I made this cute pullover for my little cousin that I'm going to see this week. (Aunt Carolyn - If your reading this, please don't tell Nicole. Or Devon!) :-) She has a little brother and I'm making a sweater for him, too. Just not done with it yet.


Purple seems to be the color of the day. I ripped out a vest I'd been working on for a couple of years now and re-knit the yarn into this little scarf. Purple yarn is Cascade Sierra, a half and half blend of cotton and wool.




That's it for now - I'm on vacation for the rest of this week!! ;-)

Well, this weekend I was able to finish up something at least. On my last dye day, about September of last year, I dyed this roving:

I finished plying it yesterday. It is BFL, dyed with food coloring, spun fine and chain plyed. In bright light there is actually a slight sheen to it. Even with the light spaces left while dying, the colors stayed pretty true and deep.



Last weekend I finished this up, was just lazy and didn't post about it. It is actually my own design: stitches picked up around a central square and knit outward in feather and fan lace.

Knit on US 3's using Valley 8/2 cotton in Navy. Next time I try it - I will pick up more stitched around the central part. Its a little puckered there, despite blocking. I am pleased with the outcome.


Reviewing my post on New Year's 2008 Goals, I realized that there are a couple I missed. One of them, I've already started on - design a couple of patterns this year. I had this square doily idea floating in my head for a while, just needed to do it. (Now I need to make it again so I can write it down!) :-) I also this this will be a good one for a throw in larger yarn and needles.

Since April of last year, I have been playing the oboe again. I played it in high school, and really enjoyed it. Even made it to the local honor band my senior year. I picked it up again, hoping to eventually get back to where I was before. That brings me to the last goal - and that is to pratice more. My eventual goal (not for this year) is to maybe get an audition for the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, or one of the other local orchestras.

Right now I am playing on the Worship Team at my church and have been so blessed by that opportunity. It is really nice to play with a group again, small though it may be, and for His glory, no less.

I Love it Here

There are days I absolutely love living in the Sierra Nevadas. This is one of them. It snowed last night, and this morning (in the break between storms) dawned clear as a bell. Well, except for the haze to the north showing the advancing thrid storm in a row to hit CA and NV.

My body was telling me to get outside NOW! And I did. I went for a walk down to Virginia Lake, and totally took my camera.






The noise level was incredible - super quiet around my place, then as I got closer to the lake (a roosting place for several flocks of geese) I could hear the birds - geese, ducks, gulls, and several others. You can see the V of a flock coming into land in the picture above.


In the picture below, if you click big you can see sparkles from the flash. It's just snow that drifted on my deck.


This strom has been incredible. It started raining Friday morning about 5:30am, and didn't let up all day. Gusting wind added to the experience. Then about 4pm it (the weather) was trying to make up its mind whether to snow or not. Half an hour later, it decided to snow. And by snow - I mean huge flakes drifting down, sticking even over all the water lying around. This picture below was taken about an hour after it started to snow in earnest. You can see the huge flakes.


These next two I took this morning at the sun rose, both from my balcony.




Well, if you live in CA or NV, please, please be safe. There is another storm coming that is dropping lots more snow in the mountains. It's snowing heavily already about an hour north of Reno, and will probably be here later this afternoon. Yeah, the next few days are going to be interesting trafficwise. :-)

Snark

Snark: (noun) snärk 1. a snidely derisive remark 2. (verb) the act of replying in a sarcastic and somewhat rude manner with light bantering 3. (adverb) used to describe most conversations between Dr. Rodney McKay and Lt. Colonel Sheppard on Stargate:Atlantis.

Now, you're probably wondering what on earth does this have to do with anything fiber related (or even New Years for that matter.) And you'd be right. It has nothing to do with fiber, but it deals indirectly with New Years - vis a vis - my 2008 goals.

First to recap last years goals. I met (somewhat) most of them. Spiritual - I did pray a lot more, and made it through most of the Bible. This year I will finish. Financial - met both goal with astounding success - Paid off a card in July and paid my car off in November! Yeah!! :-) Physical - I did lose weight in summer (started walking to work on a somewhat regular basis), but I'm pretty sure I've gained it all back. :-( And Stash related - well, I didn't buy nearly as much yarn as I have in the past, and spun a lot, reducing my fiber stash.

Now for 2008

Spiritual

1. Be in the Word more, and continue praying for others.

2. Read a couple of books by Christian authors - namely C.S. Lewis and Elizabeth George.

Financial

1. Pay off remaining 2 cards. Be debt free by Dec. 08.

Physical

1. Lose weight by excersising.

2. Eat healthier - less bread porducts.

Personal

1. Knit from my stash (see exceptions below.)

2. Write more (see explanation below.)

For the last two:

Exceptions for knitting from my stash are as follows - I am allowing myself to buy yarn in February as I will be going one of two places. Stitches West or SoCal (several nice yarn shops.) Also for any gifts if I don't happen to have it in stock. (In stock - man, I sound like a shop!) This knit from stash only applies to yarn - I am allowing myself to purchase fiber to spin, since that stash isn't overwhelming. :-)

Explanation for writing more is as follows - For the last couple of months I have been trying my hand at writing some fan fiction (SGA), and am really enjoying it. My hope is that this will translate into finishing the manuscript I've been working on for several years. Although I will say that writing established characters is very easy. Especially the relationship/friendship between McKay and Sheppard.

Belive it or not - I was first introduced to fanfic through Ravelry. I was reading the chat board for the Stargate group and someone put a link up to their favorite stories. After that I was hooked, and ideas (albiet, some are certainly crack and/or fluff) began to flow. Like I said it's a lot of fun.

Anyway, Christmas is over with, Happy New Year to all. Here are some photos of gifts I gave and gifts I recieved.

These are my best friends - Kelly, Leah, and Mandy. I made them each a shawl for Christmas. The next picture is (I know) very fuzzy, but it's the backs of said shawls.

This is what I made for my boss - the Hemlock Ring Doily on US 4's using 8/2 Valley Cotton from Webs. She really liked it. This large (not to mentioned blocked properly) the center looks like a flower.

And this is some of what I got:

The book and calendar black binder are from my boss. If you look closely at the black binder you will see the Knitpicks logo. Yep - that's right - I now have my very own set of KnitPicks Options needle set! Yeah!! I was jumping up and down and hugging my boss when I opened that one. They work awesome, cause you know I had to try them right away! ;-)

The yarn is from my brother. Well, he got me a gift cert to Jimmy Beans Wool and of course I had to spend it right away. I got 6 balls of CPY Merino Stripes, and using large needles I should beable to get a decent sized throw out if it. I love using it and of cousre, hello - stripes! :-)

So to end - Happy New Year. Make it Great in '08!