Thursday, October 6, 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Rule Britannia!

I've been planning to make a Union Jack pillow for a couple of years. In fact, at the beginning of the summer - last year - I bought the red and blue fabric, and the pillow I was going to use, at the Good Will Bins. Remember the crap-by-the-pound shopping I did?

But, then I just shelved the fabric and used the pillow - as is. Until recently, I've been fine with that. But then the pillow began to shred and I realized it was time. Night before last I pulled out the hoarded fabric and in 30 minutes flat I had my Union Jack.

Why do these simple little things take me so long to accomplish?

Sunday, August 14, 2011

It's not a shawl; It's not a scarf; It's a Shawlette!

And, it's lovely.

Made from Merino and Jade (don't ask me how, cause I don't know).

But, it smells a little weird.

Note to self: Don't get wet while wearing it!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

2nd Knitting Anniversary!

Two years ago, this week, I decided to try one more time to learn to knit.

This time, it took.

I think it may have saved my life.

This shawlette I started yesterday is knit from the most appropriately named yarn in the world - Therapi. And at $3.00 per skein (on sale from $10.00 per skein) it is the cheapest and most effective therapy in existence.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Trailer Trashin'




We took The Escape Pod up the Santiam River this weekend. Here are some photos from the trip.
Stairs from the campground down to the river.

A creek that feeds into the river.

The bridge and husband floating down the river.

Evidence of ancient Celtic river dwellers.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Some Finished Objects

Two sets of Crochet edged pillowcases for Kyle and Courtney's Wedding on Saturday!

Yoked Baby Cardigan for a friend of Migi's.

Two projects done, thousands to go!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Along the Alsea River

Blackberry Campground

Still Life: Wild Flower/Vintage Trailer

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

My Hippie Happy New Life!

I'm such a Hippie! I bought this lovely 1.1 oz drop spindle at the Black Sheep Gathering on Friday, the 24th and got my very first ever 5 minute lesson on spinning. I bought 1 lb. of roving (wool; alpaca and llama) and started spinning as soon as I got home. Today, I finished spinning my first 1 oz. It measures 106 yards! I need to set the twist and spin another ounce so I can make a skein of 2-ply. All I need to do now is buy a guitar and go live off-the-land in my trailer - I'm not a child of the sixties for nothing!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

New Picture

Peony petal on the pebble path (how alliterative)! How about Pretty, Pink Peony Petal on the Pebble Path?

Friday, May 6, 2011

Knot My Hat!

My nephew and his wife are expecting a baby boy yesterday.
Therefore: I must knit for a baby!

Whipped out this sweet little hat from a small, rather dear skein of Cascade Yarns Luna (some pretty soft cotton!)
I really like knitting baby things. My face flushed and my heart went pitter-patter with joy. So, I'm thinking, a couple of hormone treatments and reversed vasectomy and I could be doing some serious baby knitting! Who cares that I haven't been pregnant in 16 years!

I sewed a little crabby ribbon tag into the knot (Migie took this picture as my camera refused to focus on the little crabs).

Oh, and Kelly - you may be younger than me, but DUDE! You're about to be (or perhaps are) a Grandpa!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Why I sometimes have trouble making my bed

I really like to have my bed made - I kinda even like making it. It's satisfying to me to get the blankets on all crisp and fluff the pillows. Plus, handling the quilt and pillowcases I've made gives me a little daily dose of happiness.
Lately, I've been having a little trouble accomplishing this most basic of tasks. I'm not making excuses - but here are a couple of the reasons I'm finding making my bed so difficult.

Reason #1

Reason #2

Reason #1 + Reason #2

I keep trying to sneak in between dogs, but they have a real tendency to follow me and hop up on the bed before I can get started or, in Ripple's case - flop on the quilt and blanket on the floor while I'm trying to get the sheets straightened.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Steppin' Out in Style

About three weeks ago I stopped by the local GoodWill store. I was looking specifically for some orthopedic shoes - I had seen some there before.

I was pretty pumped when these Dansko Sanita sandals fit me so well and were so comfy. And at only $7.99 they came home with me.
About a week ago I got a flyer from the local Birkenstock store - they had the 2011 version of Dansko Sanitas for $120.00!
I really liked these sandals - they were in good shape (just a little wear shows on the elastic and some slight dirtiness at the bottom of the straps), and comfy, but just a wee bit bland.
No Longer Bland!

Several bottles of paint and a couple of very pleasant hours painting makes for some very exciting summer sandals!

Sunshine asked me not to paint them in my usual 'Mary Englebreit' fashion. She thought they should be more Scandinavian looking and I had to agree. After all, Dansko is a Danish brand.

Makes for some very happy feet!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Not Dead Yet . . .


Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I only smell dead.

Here, in no particular order, are some of the items that have been occupying my time.
Above: A spring skirt made from Sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt. I did an invisible zipper for the first time and am so pleased with the result that I may never do any other type from now on.

Above and below, a jacket from a pattern Migi gave me for Christmas.


Below - same jacket, different fabric.

While I was knitting the drop-mesh tee (see below) I couldn't keep the small, annoying dog away from it. She wanted to be on my lap, completely wrapped up in as much of the knitting as was possible. She has never reacted quite like this to any of my other yarn, and I had a spare skein, so I knitted her a little drop-mesh blankie of her own.

The drop-mesh tee, below. Finally, after two other incarnations, I found a pattern that worked with this tired, overknit yarn. I'm very pleased with the final result.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Spring Socks

It's Tea Time sock pattern from Around the World In Knitted Socks. Knit in Periwinkle. Not only good looking, but comfy also.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A Little Cardi Love

. . . and no I'm not talking about some new form of aerobic exercise! This is my new Zipper cardi that I finished in time to wear for Valentine's Day. Though, now it is finished and I love it sooooo much, I'm thinking of wearing it EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! Love. This. Cardigan.


Friday, January 28, 2011

Please don't hate me because I have a cute trailer . . .


Tee Hee! Since I can't work on the trailer during the winter - I decided to work on decorations for it. I drew this picture and cross-stitched it. Just need to frame it now - unfortunately, it is an odd size, so framing will require some thought. I have also decided that as a cross-stitcher, I am really more of a knitter. Actually, I think I might hate cross-stitch, so this is most definitely a one-of-a-kind piece. Which is too bad as I have sketched out another, different style trailer, which will now never be rendered in cross-stitch. Oh well.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Pretty New Pin Cusion

I have been needing a pin cushion for so many years.

I've seen numerous styles I have really liked.

But when the tutorial for this was posted on http://jonag.typepad.com I knew I had to make one.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

Dear 2010. I am glad to see the last of you. Here are the good things that happened in 2010 - and it is, sadly, a short list.




Thing 1. We added the small, annoying dog to our family. She fits in with the good dog and really helps keep things light and funny around here.





Thing 2: KNITTING!





Thing 3. The Escape Pod.





Please be a better year 2011!