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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!