Tuesday 28 August 2007

Quilting???

Well yesterday Jackie phoned to see if I wanted to come over and quilt. Yes!! Of course my answer was yes. By the time I had breakfast, packed up some projects, dropped Jill and Shelby off it was 11:00 when I got to Jackie's.
She and Ellen were working away. Ellen was checking to be sure she had cut all the blocks for a 'Turning Twenty ' quilt and Jackie was putting borders on her quilt. I just got started marking a quilt for quilting when Jackie said "I guess we missed those chairs at IKEA". I said maybe not as the catalogue had different dates than the flyer. Jackie phoned IKEA ....................... the sale was over but the sale price was still in the computer. Let's go before they change the price.... Off we go to IKEA (40 minute drive) to get three chairs. Now the sale is over so we decide Jackie will go first incase they aren't going to give us the sale price ............. she is all primed and ready for battle. Sale price comes up, no problems, quickly we pay for our chairs, load them in the van and leave. Time for Lunch at the Cactus club. (They have the fanciest bathrooms.) Did you know ...Yam fries are really good.
Then ............. because it is on the way home (sort of) we stop at Trend-Tex. Rows and rows and rows and rows of shelving filled with bolts and blots and more bolts of fabric in a humungeous wearhouse. Jackie and Ellen get the things they came for and off we go again. 3:00 we arrive back at Jackies, we have to put our chairs together otherwise Ellen will not unpack hers for months. She is rather like a cat playing with a mouse. Due to Ellen having bad arthritis and not being that strong. I put her chair and mine together. She thinks hers is crooked, Jackie and I both sit in it. It isn't the chair that is crooked.....VBG. Now Ellen has to go home and smuggle her quilting purchase into the house. She told her DH he had to quit spending so can't let him see her purchases. I stay a while longer and finish the marking I wanted to do and started on this block I am testing for Sandy. Six o'clock time to go home, phone DH , tell him I am on the way.
Home .. make dinner ... wrist is sore.......Ice on my right wrist........DARN, DARN, DARN, It hurts to knit , it hurts to sew..............AAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK
what have I done to myself ???......stupid chairs ....stupid me. When will I remember that although I am still very strong my joints aren't happy with a lot of strain.....
You know if your wrist hurts you could take and anti-inflammatory , pain killing pills.

Tuesday wrist still as sore OUCH!!!!! Phone Jill to borrow her wrist splint.
This wrist is a #$^*%#%#$ nusiance, oh yah anti-inflammatory pain killer PILLS only work if you remember to TAKE THEM
I did accomplish one thing, I MAILED MY LETTERS. Does anyone else have this problem with mailing things. I put the letters in my purse and carry them around for 1-4 weeks. What happens here? Do they hid in the lining? Do I not want to part with them? Do they beconme invisible for an undetermined amount of time? I don't know why they live in my purse for so long before they end up in the mail box. WHo knows??

Well DH has gone to work and I am enjoying the quiet. Just me and DJ (DD dog).
It is starting to cool down so I may go out and sit on the step or take DJ for a walk.

Sunday 26 August 2007

Shifting Sand washcloth






Materials- 1 ball double knitting (or sport weight)
cotton yarn
Cable Needle
Pattern is 1 12 stitch repeat.
Needles - 4mm (US 6)

Cast on 44 stitches.

ROW 1:- knit.
ROW 2:- knit
ROW 3:- knit
ROW 4:- knit
ROW 5:- knit
ROW 6:- knit
ROW 7:- k4, [p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 8:- k5, [p6, k1]5X , k4.
ROW 9:- k4, *p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle,
hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k6* two times, p1,slip 3 sts on to
cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k4.
ROW 10:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 11:- k4, [p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 12:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 13:- k4, *p1, k6, p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle and hold at back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle* two times, p1, k6, p1, k4.
ROW 14:- k5, [p6,k1]5X, k4.
ROW 15:- k4,[p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 16:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 17:- k4, *p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle,
hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k6* two times, p1,slip 3 sts on to
cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k4.
ROW 18:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 19:- k4, [p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 20:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 21:- k4, *p1, k6, p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle and hold at back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle* two times, p1, k6, p1, k4.
ROW 22:- k5, [p6,k1]5X, k4.
ROW 23:- k4,[p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 24:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 25:- k4, *p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle,
hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k6* two times, p1,slip 3 sts on to
cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k4.
ROW 26:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 27:- k4, [p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 28:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 29:- k4, *p1, k6, p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle and hold at back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle* two times, p1, k6, p1, k4.
ROW 30:- k5, [p6,k1]5X, k4.
ROW 31:- k4,[p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 32:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 33:- k4, *p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle,
hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k6* two times, p1,slip 3 sts on to
cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k4.
ROW 34:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 35:- k4, [p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 36:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 37:- k4, *p1, k6, p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle and hold at back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle* two times, p1, k6, p1, k4.
ROW 38:- k5, [p6,k1]5X, k4.
ROW 39:- k4,[p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 40:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 41:- k4, *p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle,
hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k6* two times, p1,slip 3 sts on to
cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k4.
ROW 42:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 43:- k4, [p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 44:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 45:- k4, *p1, k6, p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle and hold at back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle* two times, p1, k6, p1, k4.
ROW 46:- k5, [p6,k1]5X, k4.
ROW 47:- k4,[p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 48:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 49:- k4, *p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle,
hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k6* two times, p1,slip 3 sts on to
cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k4.
ROW 50:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 51:- k4, [p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 52:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 53:- k4, *p1, k6, p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle and hold at back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle* two times, p1, k6, p1, k4.
ROW 54:- k5, [p6,k1]5X, k4.
ROW 55:- k4,[p1, k6]5X, p1, k4.
ROW 56:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 57:- k4, *p1, slip next 3 sts on to cable needle, hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k6* two times, p1,slip 3 sts on to cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, p1, k4.
ROW 58:- k5, [p6, k1]5X, k4.
ROW 59:- k4, [p1, k6,]5X, p1, k4.

ROW 60:- knit
ROW 61:- knit
ROW 62:- knit
ROW 63:- knit
ROW 64:- knit
ROW 65:- knit

Bind off and block well.

This Stitch Pattern is adapted from a pattern in
Mon Tricot, 1500 Patterns-OJ84, Issue 0247-2708

Copyrighted 2007 by Karen Bonter. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday 23 August 2007

I have an answer

The frame in the photos is for needlework/ cross stitch, but as I no longer do any of this I need to find some one who does. That means one less thing in the house.
DH and I did some more cleaning on the Trailer today. Almost done thank goodness. At the moment DGD and friend are playing in the trailer and from the noise level they are having a good time.

Wednesday 22 August 2007

WHAT is this???

The Enabler has been at it again. This ITEM is from a garage sale. I don't know if the people selling it knew what it is but neither the Enabler nor I know. If anyone out there knows what this is please let me know.












I think my Housecleaning Virus is wearing off. I have only sorted some buttons and put things in one box in my craft room. I haven't washed the &@#$X@#!~ kitchen floor TODAY but I should. This evening when it is cooler I am going to wash out the fridge and the oven in the trailer as DH says he has some one who is interested in buying it.
As far as projects I still have 2 pairs of socks to finish. I need to make 2 DJ blocks for Joyce and 3 for Susan (the instigator).
I am putting the last touches on a block I am testing for Sandy and am knitting my M3 stole. Later today I am going to try to start the Bookmark KAL that is in progress. I suppose I aught to do the dishes and a load of laundry, RATS.

Saturday 18 August 2007

something terrible is happening

Something terrible is happening to me.I don't know what it is but I am doing HOUSEWORK. I moved two big bookcases and had to DUST. I VACUUMED THREE TIMES last week. Do you believe it THREE times, I hate to vacuum. Then I was moving Bill's "Stuff shelf" and this plastic bottle fell off and the lid broke. AAARRRRUUUUUUGGGGHHHHH ............... shiny oily looking liquid spreading all over the floor. Go get a bucket and clothe to wipe this mess up ............................. wait .......... it is soapy..... look at the bottle -"Seat-belt Shampoo". Oh my gosh look at the floor!!!!! It is CLEANING all the little dimpled sections in the horrible white linoleum. Save this stuff.... it is wonderful. Oh oh , I wonder what he paid for it? Now this wonderful stuff is in a spray bottle slightly diluted and my kitchen floor is clean. The mop lives in the kitchen because this floor could be washed twice a day but I am only doing it once a day. The kitchen has a new flat spot on the top of the dish washer and Bill sorted all his "stuff" and the table is a clean flat spot. Oh my goodness does anyone have a cure for this housecleaning bug I have caught????? I am looking at the pantry area in the kitchen thinking "I SHOULD CLEAN THAT"!!

IS THERE ANY HELP FOR ME??? HOW LONG DOES THIS CONDITION LAST????

My craft room is just about sorted. I had to go get clear plastic boxes for the quilting fabric because I couldn't stand not being able to see it in the cardboard ones. Now I have to figure out what to do with the 10 cardboard ,99 cent Ikea boxes
that the fabric was in.

What have I been doing besides cleaning ....... well there is the DGD Shelby who has been here a lot.










Then I have been working on the the 'Mystery Stole 3' which I think is a gorgeous pattern. Yesterday we got the last chart J. I am only starting E ........ I wouldn't be so far behind if I could get rid of the 'CLEANING BUG'.












I have been making Dear jane blocks to swap with other DJ quilters. I don't have photos of the ones I made but here are the ones I received. I am going to sash them with black. Shelby knows which envelops have quilt blocks and she likes to open them. When she opened the red and gold one she said "It looks like Heaven". I was puzzled so asked why, at which time she turned the block on point so the X looked like a cross and said " See ... Looks like heaven"












These are two beaded lariats I have made
from a pattern by Lisa Flyman www.beadedinspirations.com










Wednesday night I went to the join the Wednesday night sock knitters. Sharon is still knitting tiny socks for Afghanistan and Gail is knitting socks for herself as none of her men want the socks with the little strip of peach in them..... Silly men! Laura is knitting afghan blocks but had some lovely alpaca and she is going to make an afghan from it..... what a waste. We said she should make a sweater or a shawl. It is her yarn though so she should probably make what she wants.
I am trying to finish the one's I am making for ............ oops ........ better not say incase she reads this. Today I am going to finish the outfit I am making for Shelby. I also have to do boring stuff like laundry and dishes.......... some how it is very difficult to move the dishwasher to the sink and plug it in. It is kind of like letters. I write them put them in an addressed, stamped envelop and then into my purse. Getting them out of my purse into the mailbox is very, very difficult. Do they adhere to the purse lining, blend into the stuff in my purse, become so heavy you can't lift them. Let me know if you have the answer because they can live in my purse for weeks before they finally get mailed. Enough for todaymust have MORE coffee and do some HOUSEWORK.

Tuesday 7 August 2007

Garage sale

Well I survived the garage sale and am a 'little wealthier" then before. Shelby will be pleased as I made $8.50 for her. I sorted what didn't sell and have asked my DD to come and tell me if she thinks some of it will sell in the auction. She may bring her friend the auctioneer as well.
One thing I accomplished during the sale was some spinning. I finished spinning the merino/tencel I had bought at Desert Mesa. I had been stalling as I don't really like it and is not my best spinning. It is done so now I need to plan what I will do with it. Counting the yardage might help this process as it is very difficult to make something without knowing how much you have.



Here is a photo of DH wearing the socks I knit for him. I made them quite a bit shorter than usual so next time I will make the top a little longer.

Thursday 2 August 2007

stuff

Well we are in more chaos than usual. Not only have I been cleaning and sorting my craft room and our bedroom but I am making Bill sort his tools and STUFF. After all they were all over everywhere after cleaning up after the flood.
We were going to have a garage sale last Sunday so of course that is the only day it rains in two weeks. We are going to try again this weekend. At the moment there is STUFF in boxes every where. Why do we collect stuff? I mean how much STUFF do we really need. We were even saving things incase someone else needed them. I mean really they (whoever they are) can save their own STUFF.
I have more patterns, fabric, and wool than I can use in this life time. At least that is what DH and the Kids claim, Me, I am not sure about that. I may live to be 150 right.............
DH has all kinds of power tools and other tools. He can't do much of that anymore but he still has to have tools just in case. My Father, who never built or fixed anything, never had just one of any tool but usually three. AHA that is the explanation ...... the collecting STUFF gene is hereditary ........... All of this is my DDs fault.