Santa Fe again

I haven't downloaded and labeled todays images and today is sort of a quickie so you're getting another shot of Santa Fe.

An interesting railing and architecture.

Part of a statue in the cathedral gardens. The rest of the statue is here.

Neat blue window.

(Happy 7 years Chris. I love you more and more.)

Miss Ashley from the last post

To answer a question. Miss Ashley is my future sister-in-law Kitzy's dog. She's a teeny tiny Sheltie. All of 11 pounds and somewhere near 11 year olds. She lived with Chris and I for a year or so when Kitzy was in college, but then got to move in with Kitzy again. She loves having all of us together where she can herd us. She loves playing ball. She won't say no to a bit of tuna or prime rib.

AKA I forgot the camera battery

Mom is doing well. She had more tests and all was well with what they did. YAY! We've had more bad news though. This week seems almost cursed. Chris' stepbrother is in the hospital and likely facing major surgery. We were out of cell range (and somewhere that killed cell batteries) so we don't know yet what's going on. Chris' dad said he would call us tomorrow. We got text messages.

I plugged in my camera battery when I went down to breakfast this morning. We rushed out the door after breakfast but I made sure to come up and grab the camera only to be incredibly disappointed when I realized the battery was still in the room. So pictures from yesterday night as I have nothing from today. Can I just say I almost feel naked without my camera? I didn't realized how attached to it I was. I saw really beautiful things today. I'll get some of Chris' pictures to share with you later though.

Sunset on the ride back from Santa Fe.

I was trying to recreate the morning photo with this tree. Obviously with a different sky.

Sunset. Yes these colors are accurate.

And again 20 minutes later. This is the photo that Chris wanted to get with his fancy camera that failed because he needed a tri-pod. I got it as a snap shot.

The shadow of a tree in the plaza of Santa Fe. I antiqued/enhanced/messed with color trying to get that tree's shadow to really stand out. I LOVE this photo.

Finally, Miss Ashley joined us at the resort. She hasn't seen much of New Mexico but she seems to be enjoying the resort. And she hasn't stood still since she got here.

More photos can be found in my second flickr set for day 1.

Images from my walk this morning

I talked to Mom this morning and she said she was sitting up but not yet walking. She is talking a lot better and feeling better. They still have tests to run now and to keep an eye on her so she'll be in the hospital a few more days.

Today we went to Santa Fe but I haven't downloaded those photos yet so here are some from my walk this morning.

Walking along.

Back of the hotel.

Steps leading down to the firepit where Chris and I were going to marry.

Cool plant.

And a favorite because the knight just cracks me up. This is in the lobby. I beat Chris in two games. Then we played checkers and he annihilated me.

Finally last night out on the patio. I love light dots.

More photos can be found on my flickr set here.

Update 6

Mom was removed from the respirator around noon today. Apparently she was very ready when they did. My sister said as soon as she could talk she was giving her and my dad orders. Good sign that. I spoke to her this morning, but she was still on the respirator so she couldn't speak back. I'm hoping I'll have the chance to say hello again tomorrow.

Devil's Snare

No update on Mom yet. I'll probably get one before we leave for Santa Fe but I probably won't be able to update here until tonight or tomorrow. I sticking with the no news is good news for now.

In the mean time I've been able to finish socks so I'll share those as our distraction.

Pattern: Devil's Snare by Erica at Dreams in Fiber. The pattern can be found on Ravelry or her blog. (my ravelry project)
Materials: .85 skein YarnPig Petunia Handwash in Galway.
Made for: Me
Needle: US#1.5 Addi Turbos 40"
Start Date: 16 February 2009
Completion Date: 22 February 2009
Size: 11m

Notes: Obviously I made no changes since I was test knitting. Its a fast fun project. Its easy lace as well which is a bonus. So now I'm just going to let the images speak for themselves...

Update 5

Mom is taking two breaths for each breath the machine gives her. All of her blood levels seem to be normal (oxygen, blood pressure, etc...) so she is doing really really well. They expect they should have her off the machine tomorrow or at the latest the next day and she'll be completely out of ICU hopefully by Friday. She was awake for a little bit today and did not seem to be worried about the breathing tube. She's still "out of it" when awake though and isn't aware of what day it is but did recognize my Dad. I think they have sedated her again though. Rest is a very good thing for healing.

Distraction

No news yet this morning about Mom. I'm taking that to be good news. Two days ago I was looking for distraction for a little while and I think I found it.

My second skein of handspun is finished. I think I'm doing these at a rate of one a month. That seems just right for me. I love this skein. So soft and squishy and cuddly. Isn't it so pretty? I'm just so shocked that I created this.

There are 3.75 ounces and 160 yards here. It knits at a dk or light worsted gauge. 80% superwash merino and 20% nylon. The roving was from Fiber Optic Yarns in her Foot Notes Unspun! in colorway No. 25 called "Georgia On My Mind". She repeats colorways too if you like this one.

As much as I didn't really like the pencil roving I love the result that this roving makes. SO so so soft and squishy. This is next to face soft so it will become a scarf or cowl or something of that sort because I want to wrap it around me. Any pattern suggestions?

This was spun on the Lendrum. The singles were spun counter-clockwise and then plied clockwise. I'm sure there is a name for that but I don't know what it is.

Update 4

She is starting to be weened from the respirator. She's not yet able to breath on her own but her breaths are getting deeper and slower. Its a good improvement. The hope is that she'll be able to breath on her own tomorrow and they will be able to remove her from the respirator and possibly into a regular hospital room rather then the ICU.

Update 3

Mom is doing well this morning. She is still on the respirator and therefore still sedated. She is responding well to the meds and she is in stable condition. They've determined the underlying issue and I'm hesitant to share further details on that because its her personal medical stuff and I wouldn't want someone to advertise mine all over the internet so I won't do that to her. I can say that my sister and dad were assured it is totally treatable and with the right meds and diet she should recover and actually be healthier then she was before.

As for wedding stuff. I have a couple of people that emailed after my last update because they were afraid to mention "what about the wedding". Ultimately we want to be able to say we are married, in the eyes of God and legally. The how, when, and where are up for grabs. We've waited 7 years so another month or 6 weeks won't hurt us. Mostly it is the end result we care about. This delay just means we'll have two anniversaries. The day we met and our wedding rather then one that is both. Right now we are thinking to reschedule things for early April, sometime the first couple of weeks. I've jokingly said we should just get married on my birthday. Think how easy for Chris that would be. I don't think that will be the day though. We'll figure it out. My dad has said that we should go ahead and take our vacation in Santa Fe. The hotel rooms and airfare was already paid for and can't be cancelled this late anyway. He doesn't see why we shouldn't. I'm taking his advice and will go and have a nice relaxing time.

Update 2

Mom is responding well to the meds they are giving her. She is still sedated (induced comatose) until they are ready to remove the breathing tube. We'll know more tomorrow but right now the diagnosis seems to be pneumonia.

This means of course that the wedding is off for next weekend. Its so important to me that she can be there and even if she is out of the hospital she won't be able to go next weekend. And even if we move it to where they live then she won't enjoy herself and that would suck. So we are moving the wedding date. Is it alright at this time to be happy there are only 10 guests and not 200?

Update

Dad says they have admitted her to the ICU, they've sedated her, and that she is in stable condition right now. He's asked me to wait until tomorrow at least before going down. He says his gut says that she'll be alright. Hopefully the doctors can tell him something soon.

Prayers

Its Sunday morning so what better time to ask this. This morning my mother stopped breathing. The ER doctors first guess is it is pneumonia. She is in critical condition and will be admitted shortly. Please send out healing prayers for her and for my father who I know is in pain from this as well.

Love you all,
Bea

heeeee!

A few months ago I signed up for Robyn's Single Sock Swap. I usually don't have a problem with knitting second socks, but I thought this could be really really fun! So I signed up. There was a problem with my pal. She was a flake. Isn't it really really sad that there are people like that? Thank goodness for angels like Ellita. She kindly knit me a sock and sent it along. It arrived this afternoon.

I opened the package to find two smaller packages and when I took them all out I found all this awesome stuff underneath.

Yummy cocoa in a brand I LOVE. Some yummy white teas. A really nice book from an author I haven't read yet though I understand her books are good. Some really cute cat and dot fabrics. Plus some dog treats and a cool cat toy.

Isn't this fabric cute?? Oh you want to know what was in the two little packages?

This gorgeous sock and yarn. Flamingo Pie Smooshy yarn from Dream in Color. I've been wanting to see what this yarn looked like and I love it so so much, how did she know? And Satellite Girl Sock designed by Robyn. The finished sock and the pattern are so cute!

Look it fits! YAY!! Thank you so much for everything Ellita. This is such an awesome surprise and I can't thank you enough! Neither can the dogs by the way. They like your cookies. (Sorry for this blurry photo I got knocked over by a bulldog.)

Notice the dog in my sock picture? He's hanging around because these two dogs, who knew before I did that there were cookies, seem to think I should let them eat ALL the cookies as soon as I opened the bag. They aren't really happy that they only got one each. What do they do when disappointed? Look sad and cute of course.

ETA: PS. Now that the dogs have gone to bed I've given the cats the new toy. OH MY GOODNESS. They love you right now Ellita. They haven't stopped playing with this toy for the last half hour. Both of them are batting it around. Even with Penny not wanting to do anything while wearing the e-collar she is still playing.

Green

The mosaic maker is working again. I love green right now for some reason. I spent today making phone calls galore to finalize things. Everything is coming together so well. 7 days until the big day! So excited!

My crazy has a name! (lots of random here)

Apparently it is called agoraphobia. Well its not clinically diagnosed or anything cause I didn't go see a doctor but if you read the description you get a pretty good picture of me in some major respects. No substance abuse and definitely no fear of social embarrassment. (How could I blog if I was worried what people think?) But the symptoms? Right on. Especially anything involving transportation and doing stuff outside the house and panic. (Except I do like to travel as long as I don't have to plan anything. Take it all out of my control.) At least I can say I'm not JUST a hermit now. The deal with this is that we had my bridal shower today and we were discussing driving because the lady that drove us scared me, but I'm always like that the first few dozen times in a car with someone. She realized it too because she asked if I was ok and told me it was alright because she scares her husband too. Great that will totally calm me down. I started to describe my "quirks" which include such lovelies as avoiding highways, NEVER driving in middle lanes (where there isn't a way to pull off easily/quickly), and flinching and tensing if we are so much as within in a cars length near any other cars, amoung others. (Ask Chris about that flinching thing. Drives him NUTS.) Someone got the brilliant idea that I had agoraphobia. One friend came to my defense saying no way (not sure why she felt she needed to defend me but it was sweet of her), but when we got back to her office we looked it up and I'm at least a mild case. I suspect Chris is used to this behavior by now and I'm about 10 times more relaxed when he is driving then with anyone else. Anyway I also don't think its so bad to actually inquire about it, but if I do really become a hermit then I'll know its something to look into.

You guys were going to get a green mosaic today but the FD Flickr tools are not working properly so no Mosaic today. You'll have to settle for the first green from the forest behind the house.

I realize its probably time for an Abby and Penny update since its been a while. Abby's been going for walks with me and we've gotten up to about a quarter mile again. Everything seems to be fine. Tonight though she slipped in the living room and yelped quite loudly and limped over to Chris. Five minutes later she was up and walking again without issue. I skipped the walk tonight. I'll listen for her knee tonight and tomorrow. Make sure all sounds well (no popping sounds) and she doesn't do any limping when she is tired and not "thinking" about it. I'm hoping she just tweeked it and no worries.

Now for Miss Penny. She is still in the e-collar. I made the mistake of following the vets directions and taking the collar off (except I waited longer then he said and the thing was almost completely healed) and when she had it off for all of five minutes I tracked her down and she had completely destroyed any healing she had done already. Despite the meds that she was given to STOP any and all itching. Plus this meant she was all bloody and now needed a bath. Cat torture is what a bath is. I felt absolutely awful for doing it. But the bloodyness was too much. Now I will say that I am totally against declawing. The idea of removing the nuckle joint of a cat honestly makes me feel completely awful and cruel, but I am THIS close to having her back ones removed. Ok so not that close, but seriously? We can't take the thing off for four second before she's scratching at it unless we are all on her case and forcing her not to. (i.e. holding her foot) I'm wondering how long healed it will have to be before its not tender enough to scratch right through. Obviously we can't leave the collar thing on forever?

Knitting now. Why you are here anyway if not for the dogs. I'm halfway through the second devil's snare sock. Its moving along swiftly though not nearly as quickly as the first. Thats ok though because its no less fun and frankly this is still a fast sock even at this slower pace.

For my friends up North...

...who are tired of snow and cold and ice and yuck. Spring is on its way.

This is a field of green green grass I drive by everyday. It may well be the inspiration behind all the green on the blog and in my knitting life lately. Its been inspiring me for a couple of weeks now and I wanted to share because I know you are all ready for spring.

Please ignore the dirt and stuff on the images. I was taking these through the windshield this afternoon and this morning was a messy morning because the roads were wet and I have to drive through construction mud.

She's said I can post images!

Erica has said I can post images of this one. Its Devil's Snare (think Harry Potter) from Dreams in Fiber. She's basically waiting for test knitting to release the pattern I think. That said I'm almost through the toe on this first sock. Just a few more rows. Quick quick quick. And so pretty! (Did I mention it will be a free pattern??) So now I just need to get her back my notes and maybe you'll see the pattern very soon up on Ravelry. In the mean time you can queue it already at the link above.

I'm knitting it in the yarn dyed in my second attempt at dyeing. Its doing a bit of striped pooling. As in the pooling goes around and around and around. I think it only adds to the design.

Also just a note for clarity. The design goes down the front of the leg and foot. Everything else is stocking stitch. I twisted it on my blocker to get a better pictures and thats why in two of these images its on the side of the foot.

There's a new sock in town

In keeping with my green theme...

(There is no blue here...just many many many shades of grass...)

This is another test knit. I'm not sure if it is a sock club pattern or just a really great idea that now has a pattern. If I'm told I can show more then I totally will because it is oh so cute, but until them you just get a sneaky peek. I cast on this morning and the oh so quick sock is already at the heel. (Granted I spent most of the afternoon hanging around the house, but three repeats of the lace pattern are done in a little bit more then an hour. SO speedy.)

Guess what is finally blocking!

Willow has been soaked, stretched, pinned, and soaked again. 1000 pins, 2 bottles of water for squirting, 2.5 hours and one very sore finger later she is 7 feet long and 21 inches wide, the most difficult block I've ever done and the greatest thing of beauty I've ever created (so far). If you can't tell I am completely pleased with how its turned out. I can't wait for it to be dry and completely ready. In the meantime I am turning the leftovers into something else...

stupid stupid stupid

She climbed the stars today. Without my knowing. I would have stopped her. After I carried her downstairs again she was limping a bit. I SO SO SO hope she hasn't done any damage. Crap. Stupid stupid stupid. Now I'm going to spend all the rest of the weekend worrying about her. She is so not happy that she is now being forced to rest it back in the crated area.

PS. The squinty-ness yesterday is because once they get tired and get melty face its so hard to keep their eyes open. She's always had problems with trying to keep both open so she settles for just the one. Its always the right that stays closed too.

Punch-Drunk

Punch-drunk:
adjective

Dazed from or as if from repeated blows; "knocked silly by the impact"; "slaphappy with exhaustion"

I think it describes Abby perfectly today. The trip to the vet is always tiring. She just gets so excited to see some of her favorite people. Plus the long drive in both directions is full of cars and smells and people walking sidewalks and its just so exciting. Plus getting staples out and getting a good exam. She's always exhausted at the end. I think the snaggle tooth is proof that she's happy though. Oh and the singing. Surely that means she's as drunk as she looks.

Its occured to me today that I have a TON of things backlogged to show you. When I start showing my projects again there is sure to be nice parade of finished projects. I think I've counted eight so far. Here's the latest. To go with the green bean because I have plenty of yarn left right now. Most of it is probably going to come sometime in March. There are one or two that have to wait a bit longer then that, but we'll get there eventually. This is probably good because I have stuff to knit in March that I can't show you either because I am test knitting and designing. (I hope - I'm having a block right now...)

I has staples outs morrows?

Abby's going to use her get out of jail free card tomorrow. She's going to have a little more freedom and if we are lucky she'll get to start walks again. We need to burn off some energy so badly but it will be a while before she can be THAT free. Still no staples will be a nice change I think. At least we won't have to worry about her licking them anymore and she'll have freedom of the bottom floor as long as she and Gus aren't fighting. I can't wait. It means I'll have freedom from the room with the crate too. (I spend half my time in the crate with her and Gus sitting on their mat with dog snuggling up to my side. So maybe it isn't so bad because they sure are cute and cuddly.)

I'm running out of dog photos

This is seriously getting ridiculous.

Counting My Blessings

Dear Working Late,

Sometimes you really frustrate me. You frustrate my boss and coworker who also have to work late. You frustrate my very understanding fiance. You frustrate my dogs (based on how excited they are when I finally get home). I know you frustrate Penny because she tells me so by screeching in my ear. And Ozzy looks relieved when I am finally home and accounted for.

Just this once I will forgive you for wanting to meet me tonight because working late means I am working. And that is something good. But know that tomorrow, for our nightly rendezvous, I will not be able to make it because Chris cannot be here to let out the dogs. And also Friday because I have to pick up my wedding dress and get Abby's staples out. Please forgive me for these indiscretions, I promise to be good on Thursday if you want to meet up then.

Love and hugs, your ever faithful servant,
Bea

PS. The dogs are not as forgiving, however they do take bribes of cheese or ham.

Hi Dis Abby!

I guess bogger today. I not hijack bog. Mom working lates again. She say eveybody work poligize for her nots gets play wit us night. It twadgedy. Buts dat's oks. She came homes with pickles. I likes pickles dough I not like taste pickles. I eats, make faces. Dad laugh faces.

I likes pway with puppy and wit green ting that is mints. You likes mints? I share but mints too goods. I has keep busy wit that. I nots sposed fights Gus. Fights Gus is fun. We find toy likes and then fights over and over. So FUN! Mom think hurt knee. She say no still heels. Sos I chew stead. Gus not happys. He think no one want him. Sit fars way so sad face. (oh, Moms just gots him ovr heres. He try steal stuff nows. I happy. Gus no need sads. Penny cam say hi toos. Penny not say hi bulldogs. Penny say hi Mom. She want tension. I gots wonder why she wear my collar. How dey make fit?)

I bout ready sleep now. Cause it nine clocks. Mom says we sleep nine clocks, goes bed ten clocks. She have bribe to beds cause we comtable not want gets up. Nice big warms mats make good naps. Seeps goods eveybody. Byes!

PS. Hi Beawrs! Hi Starry!! Hopes you guys have goods nights!! Pway lots!

Purple Gray Day

See? This is what the sky outside has been like all day long. There are two not blurry photos, but for some reason I really liked this one.

Ozzy finds it to be the perfect day to stare out an open window. Again he was ok with the photo taking as long as I was taking it from across the room. We opened the windows to air the house today and yesterday because its been a really lovely 67oF or so outside for the last couple of days. It feels wonderful with the windows open.

My green bean project was finished late last night. I have no idea why I am calling it that because it has nothing to do with the pattern at all but apparently the name has stuck. So green bean it is. It still needs blocking and the ends woven in. I'm not sure when I'll be able to show it. Its a test knit for a pattern coming out in a yarn club in May or June or something like that so I'm not sure when I'll be allowed to make it a finished project and show it to you. I think you'll like it when that time finally comes.

I started something new this morning. Its coming along very speedily. I'm really liking it so far and it matches to my decor quite well. I think when I am buying yarn again I will be getting enough of this color for a sweater. It is DIC Classy in Tea Party. So pretty. I'm about twice as far as this picture shows, 160 of 500 rows. Its really moving along very quickly.

I'm off to go fold laundry and remake the bed. Such exciting things to end the weekend.

Someone get me an award, right now. I MEAN IT. GRRR...

Oh! Thanks Chris! That is awfully sweet of you. I can't thank you enough, especially since you are such an awesome knitter.

The official rules are as follows:

1. Copy the award to your site
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award (Hello again Chris!!)
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers
4. Link to those on your blog
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

Here are the lucky seven. I'm link happy today too apparently...

(Also some images from today because what is a post without pictures.)

(Gus in black and white. Love the tongue just barely showing.)

Jocelyn - Knitting Linguist. Who just knit herself an incredible sweater of HER OWN DESIGN. I'm floored. Its gorgeous. (Go visit and ogle. I'll wait...See I told you GORGEOUS.) Not to mention the socks, shawls/scarves, mitts, etc flowing off her needles.

(I goofed around with this one a bit. She was kind of blurry at the edges so I over accentuated that and enhanced the color a bit. She looks cool. I like it.)

Robyn - Knit and Purl Mama. Who has suddenly become a sock designing machine. Not to mention the jewelry/stitch marker making. Love the handmade scrabble letter earrings and charm she sent me. So cute.

(Ozzy who deemed it OK for me to take his picture as long as it was a zoomed in image from the other side of the house...)

Erica - Dreams in Fiber. She's so far got several patterns on ravelry and a LOAD of patterns up and coming (now in test knitting including the green bean I'm knitting in the image below...) Not to mention the dyeing business where she makes AMAZINGLY gorgeous yarns. I have several in my stash and it might be good that there is a LOT of blue up there right now and not say orange...

Bianca - Lansingerland. Designer, sock knitter extroidinaire, sock blanket wonder. Also check out the gorgeous blanket she's just finished knitting for her youngest.

(Penny disbelieving that I would actually embarrass her like this. It was immediately after I took this that I realized she'd just barfed up a hairball. Right there on that rug. Yuck. So much for not having to clean puke everyday.)

Mary-Catharine - Warmth in the North. She posts every few days (sometimes a bit less) and each and every post contains a gorgeous photo. Sometimes they are of knitting, sometimes not, always they are inspiring and interesting. And gosh I love all her projects lately...

(Gus can you stick your chin up? Good boy!)

Stephie - Knitting...One Stitch at a time. Who despite the fact that she is laid up with a bad back is still creative enough to post about what she sees right now. Also really cute and thoughtful, awesome socks. And the puppy. Oh my so cute with his little scarf. Also while you are checking her blog out you can check out her main squeeze, Mr 80grit. He's funny and a friend of knit bloggers. What more could you ask for? Oh he picks her up at work when the weather sucks and cooks dinner. Nuff said.

(Abby looking for sympathy from her dog since the humans can't seem to understand how bored she is and how fun running around and soccer are...)

Leah - Knitting Giraffe. Spinning, knitting, Maths. Yes I consider mathematics to be a good thing. Check out her gorgeous new clapotis. (I had to copy that word from her site because I couldn't spell it correctly.) She rocks. Check out her tutorials on knitting two socks at once with magic loop. Part 1 and Part 2. Totally worth the look. Picture heavy so you can see everything that is going on.

(Gus ready for a nap, is followed by...)

I hope you are all having an excellent weekend and getting lots of rest. Gus would hope so too but he's sleeping. Shhhh....

I ♥ Dr Cooper

Seriously. Angela understands what I'm talking about. Did you know they have an antibiotic shot that last two weeks now? Did you know that Dr Cooper kindly gave Miss Penelope an antibiotic shot that lasts two weeks? Did you know he's totally made my month? I won't have to clean up cat barf (cause that is what she does after liquid or pills) everyday for the next two weeks. You cannot believe how thrilled I am. I don't think I can even begin to explain or quantify how happy I am right this moment. I so ♥ Dr Cooper.

Other then the ultra exciting, scream all the way there, freak out a dog in the waiting room, get freaked out by the dog thats freaked out, love to have shots, gained half a pound, got the collar off for 15 minutes, got SUPER pissed when it went back on so screamed all the way home, uneventful trip to the vet we had a nice lazy afternoon. Everyone but Penny has been enjoying the crated mats in the living room. Ozzy included at least when I'm not in there with the dogs. Penny feels she can't jump with her head weighted down so she won't get in there even for all the tuna in the world. She's occupying Ozzy's spot at the top of the stairs. The lookout spot. Just over everyone's heads. I'll try and get a picture of her up there tomorrow. The rest of us played and had fun if you count tug sitting down. Mostly though they slept and I knit.

I've reknit the second Christmas present. Its taken the better part of a week but its done now. I've started this green project today. Green? Why would I be knitting yet another green project this year?? Apparently this is the year/months for green. I've already got another up my sleeve after this. I'm not sure how much of it I can show you because its a test knit, but I don't think this image gives much away so I think it will be alright. Chris and I are going to carry the dogs upstairs to the den and hang out and watch a movie now. I think there might be knitting time. We'll see.

I'm particularly fond of the fuzz on her lip and her great sad pouty face. Afternoon naps are not the most popular things especially when you have to take it because your eyes won't stay open. Its really really bad because that purple plastic thing is just the best and Gus will try and take it if you fall asleep. There used to be two but ones already been eaten.

What I'm Spinning Now

I started working on this fiber from Fiber Optic Fibers. Its called Georgia on my mind and is peach, pink, and green which actually totally does remind me of Georgia. I'm not particularly enjoying the pencil roving. I'm sort of surprised by this. I'm spreading it out quite a bit thinner then the pencil width it is. So the best I can say about it is that I'm getting really good practice at my drawing and pinching. At least the color is gorgeous.

And its spinning up quite pretty. I've finished two ounces and was about to switch the bobbin so that I can attempt a two ply which I wanted to do for my first yarn and which didn't happen. I'm excited to get the next two ounces done so I can try plying again. I think this color would be awesome for navajo ply but I really want to try double plying. Who knows I might change my mind when it comes time to actually do it. What do you guys think? Navajo or two ply?

I'm working on the Lendrum. I have decided that I am going to use the Lendrum until my feet have the rythym thing down and see if that helps with the single treadle on the Ashford before I spend the money to get a double treadle kit. Someone suggested that I might have an easier time with the single treadle after I've mastered how my legs are supposed to move.

Abby update: Miss Abigail is trying to overdo it and drive me bonkers. She wants to run around. No limping, no fussing, no more feeling bad. She thinks she is totally healed. Or at least she is acting like it. I need her to hold it still and be more gentle with herself. Ha.

Penny update: I got home yesterday to a bloody mess. She'd gotten the collar off and set us backwards several days on the healing of her face. That meant a bath (because foot, neck and face were bloody) and I had to give her one the day before to get all the scabbing off so that I could get it really clean. She freaked the first time, but she really really freaked the second. I'm so glad that today she left it on (or couldn't get it off) and the spot is looking so much better and I didn't have to bathe her again. We are going to go to the vet hopefully tomorrow or Saturday and get it checked and get an allergy shot. I just hope she keeps the collar on and doesn't dig in again. I did recap her back claws and held the thing in place for 5 minutes a piece and they seem to have stuck to the claw. So hopefully that will help a bit if she manages to get the collar off again.

Dante's Purse in Handspun

Pattern: Dante's Purse by Kirstin at Through the Loops. This is one of her free patterns but is also a LOT easier if you have a sewing machine. (my ravelry project)
Materials: My two skeins of handspun. Just a bit of some YarnPig Treadsoft in Mossy.
Made for: Me
Needle: US#10 Addi Turbos 24"
Start Date: 17 January 2009 (Knitting); 31 January 2009 (Sewing)
Completion Date: 17 January 2009 (Knitting); 31 January 2009 (Sewing)
Size: Slightly wider then a ball of sock yarn.

Notes: This is just perfect diameter to fit a ball of sock yarn in the bottom and my sock in progress on top. I can even still pull from the sock yarn ball outside rather then the inside of the ball which I don't like to do. Its about 16 inches around (4.75 inches in diameter) and 10 inches tall.

I had a hard time choosing the fabric, which is why it took so long to do the sewing part of the bag. The inside was a natural choice after the outside but I was trying to pick something from my fabric stash and I have so much stuff I like I just couldn't decide. I finally settled on this water colored dyed fabric. Its gorgeous and I think just perfect for the job.

I didn't own a compass to make a circle on the fabric so I free-handed it using the base as a template. Otherwise I basically followed the pattern except without all the "use pins" because I hate pins. Its so much easier to sew without them. I did stupidly forget that I need to make sure the bottom of the fabric bag meets the bottom of the knitted bag. So I had to rip and resew them together. I wouldn't have been happy if it had been lopsided. It is a bag from my first handspun and that is of course extra special and must be at least right if not perfect.

I think the mossy yarn was perfect for the cord. It really has the same mottled feel as the fabric. It also took three times as long to knit the cord as it did to knit the bag. Overall it is about 25 inches long. I used the thicker handspun for the base and the thinner for the sides. I'm hoping that makes the base a little sturdier though I don't expect to have anything heavier then sock yarn in here.

Overall I love this bag. Its pretty and interesting and just an awesome color. I couldn't be more pleased with my first project knitted from my own handspun. It makes spinning that much more exciting. Also how awesome is it to combine two of my favorite things to do, sew and knit.

Because of this bag, I've learned a new opening for a bag's drawstring so you get this cute ruffle at top. It may be something I incorporate into future bags, but one thing I don't like is that this is the front of the bag and this is the only seam. I don't really like seeing the seam at the front of the bag so I'm going to think this one over before I play with it in other bags. I have some really fun ideas which hopefully will work.

Final comment is that this yarn is giving me fits. I love it. I dyed it to go in the shop though so I'm having the trouble that I want to keep it and at the same time I think I should sell it because it was meant for the shop. You might notice I didn't load it on Sunday. Instead I chose another YarnPig yarn from my stash. So I didn't increase my stash and I still get to keep this yarn I'm so much in love with.

First Handspun Yarn!

There are actually two first skeins. At this point you probably don't remember that I was going to spin half my two ounce roving on the Lendrum and half on my Ashford. Then I was going to ply them together. Well I did do the half and half thing. I was about to start the plying bit when I noticed that I had spun one clockwise and one counterclockwise. Needless to say plying them together wasn't an option. I decided to Navajo ply them. (Maybe not my smartest move to learn plying I will admit. Thank goodness for you-tube and flickr video.)

My first finished yarn was on the Ashford. It is spun clockwise and plied counterclockwise (I think. Its hard to remember now). I actually ran it back through to tighten the ply even more once it was finished. Nice and tightly plied now. This ended up being an aran weight as a three ply.

The second finished yarn. Plied immediately after the first was spun on the Lendrum. It was spun counterclockwise and plied clockwise. This ended up a heavy worsted as a three ply. I didn't ply it as tightly as the other.

Together they are enough for a small project. I'm going to share that tomorrow because I love lots of photos of finished projects and so I didn't want to over do the photos in this post. This is a milestone of its own anyway. Aren't they pretty?

Penny's days of torture

Just to show we don't just torture dogs around here...

Penny has a spot on her cheek/upper neck that she's been scratching constantly for the last week. Its very gross and I won't show you, but something needed to be done. What do you do for a dog that is scratching?

First I took a very wet cotton cloth and cleaned the infected area very very well. She wasn't pleased with all the water touching her face and dripping down her neck. I did pat it dry afterward, but that only helps so much to dry it. Then I smeared on antibiotic gel (same stuff we are using on Abby's staples plus a different gel with more antibiotics). Then we fit her with an e-collar designed for a chihuahua. She's isn't too pleased as you can see. I can't imagine why.

We fit her back feet with the nail caps she usually gets on her front feet (so she and Ozzy can't kill each other - trust me they'll try without those. Also to kill the dogs...because either or both of those outcomes would be totally fine/fun for a cat). She was no more pleased with this effort. She complained loudly. However I guess the back nails are made of something different then the front because the superglue to hold on the caps doesn't work on her back nails. I chopped them off VERY VERY short.

Do these things and make her wear it for a week or until that awful gross infected square inch of her face heals. And that is how you torture a cat. She didn't stop screaming about it in general for an hour and a half. Now she only screams when she sees us. I'm not sure if the video has sound or not, but she's been doing this sort of crawling all day yesterday and just a bit this evening. She also was quick to discover she can't hide under the dressers or couches or anything because her head is too big now. Failing this, we have to go get a cortisone shot, but she'll still have to wear the thing until that gash on her face heals anyway. We did manage to make sure that she can eat and drink. Not sure what we would do if she couldn't.

All photos/videos courtesy of Chris since I was holding a cat.

Today is also Bloggers Silent Poetry Reading today so in honor of Penny I give you a poem of a cat.

Who Owns Who?
Ruth Outwater

I'd like to think I owned the cat
That condescends to share my flat:
I give him of my rationed food
And cater to his every mood.
I'd like to think he'd go to seed
If I weren't there to meet his need,
And yet the fact is plain to see-
The pesky, doggone cat owns me!

PS. I am of the understanding that Phil saw his shadow today and there will be six more weeks of winter. I hope sincerely for those who live in colder climates that it will be a mild continuation of winter.

Yellow

Its information day here at the Blacksheep residence. Since I have stuff to share that doesn't necessarily go together.

1. Natalie asked me 11 days ago (??!!), in regards to my spinning wheels, "Did yours come finished or unfinished?" Well my Ashford I had varnished by the shop I purchased it from. So it will darken over time to a lovely wood colored finish. The Lendrum looks as though it comes from the maker varnished. Its quite light. I know there was a dark finished addition but I'm not sure if they make something like that regularly.

2. Speaking of spinning. Coming up this week are pictures of my first yarn. My project with my first yarn and what I'm working on spinning up now. I'm quite pleased with it all and can't wait to share it but number three below says that I need to do this post today because its a needed soon thing.

3. For Mom. Isidore asked if I was going to be posting blue yarn because you were considering getting some. So here is what I've dyed and the information about these. For everyone else, whatever she isn't interested in is going in the shop. If you are interested just let me know and if its still available I can reserve it for you. I'm finally happy with my yarn photos so I'll be posting all the new yarn this evening. YAY! (Well except for one skein of orange/reddish yarn that I can't manage to get to photograph correctly. Still working on that.)

Fingerling/Sock weight. 80% superwash merino wool, 20% nylon. Machine Washable. 400 yards. Knit on US 0 to 3 needles (doubles to knit really well on a US 5 or 6 needle). (I don't have a name for this one. This is not a standard base for me and I have only this one skein. I can't get more and suck at repeating colors, so this is totally one of a kind. Will go into the Etsy shop at US$18.)

Fingerling/Sock weight. 70% Merino and 30% Silk. NOT Machine Washable. 440 yards. Knit at a gauge of 7-8 stitches per inch on size US 1 to 3 needles (doubles to knit really well on a US5 or 6 needle). This is my standard silk sock yarn. (Most of you will know this as my Mountain Majesty colorway. It will be called that on Etsy. Will go into the shop at US$20.)

Fingerling/Sock weight. 75% Superwash Wool and 25% Nylon. Machine Washable. 462 yards. Knit at a gauge of 7-8 stitches per inch, on size US 1 to 3 needles (doubles to knit really well on US5 or 6 needle). This is my Petunia sock base. (The colorway is Twilight. This will go into the shop at US$18.)

Mom its cool if you don't really want any of these. If you do want some and also want me to send you any of Grammy's needles to go with yarn I can do that (or some of mine if she hasn't got the right size). I can also probably dye a small bit (leftovers I have around) of a thicker yarn blue if you wanted that instead.

4. Abby Update. Miss Abby is clearly feeling well today. She's not only putting pressure on her foot she's walking on it almost normally. She woke up this morning ready to run. Literally. We've been holding her back all day. Not only is she ready to go, she's also climbing/jumping again. I left the room for 10 minutes to take yarn pictures and came back to find Abby sleeping in a chair. She got up there by herself somehow and in fact moved the computer tray that I had set in front of it so she couldn't try anything like that. Chris heard none of it going on. She's going off pain meds as of this evening. We need her to know that she's still not healthy. If she really shows pain we'll give her some, but unless its bad enough to see we're done so she won't hurt herself. I'm super happy that she's walking on it again.

5. Also coming up this week: how to torture a cat, stuff I'm knitting, and what's coming up in my knitting world.