Planet Dark Lilac

************************** day 78 -- too lazy to post more and flickr isn't working

by Maryse at July 05, 2008 09:01 PM

Every year during the 4th of July in my part of the State and all over the United States there is a food stand only it is called Elephant Ear Stand and it is a husband and a wife who makes Elephant Ears.

Elephant Ear is a thin large piece of dough that is cooked in oil, than they put Sugar and Cinnamon on top. They are very good. The reason why they are called Elephant Ears is because they are shaped just like an Elephant Ear so they have always been called that. Lots of people get them every year during the 4th of July. I should have taken a picture of mine before I ate it but I didn't. Next year I will.

I hope this explains it.

Thanks for all of your comments. I really appreciate them very much and they mean so much to me too.

Take care & Happy Stitching/Reading
Hugs
Linda K, Peanut, & Railroad

by Linda K's Creativity Works (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 08:01 PM

by Bron at July 05, 2008 08:01 PM

And it couldn't have come at a better time. Work has been non-stop busy with projects, and will be for the forseeable future, that I'm glad to have an extra day tacked on to the weekend where I can play. And play I have. I spent nearly the entire day yesterday playing Lego Star Wars. C has been racing Grid online, and we both stayed up past midnight last night - I can't remember the last time

by lissylaine (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 07:01 PM

Well, I picked out a cross-stitch kit, even if it’s not really my thing. It was the least awful one I could find, and not too large, though it seems that it has a bit of extra stitching too. I’m not really looking forward to the french knots, but I have a bit to go until then.

I don’t want to reveal the design just yet, but here’s my progress so far:

I worked on it for an hour or two (maybe more) last night, and about the same today so far, so I thought it would be good to check in. I’ve never really tracked this sort of thing before, so I thought I’d at least take photos as I go along. I won’t be counting hours or anything though.

by Valerie at July 05, 2008 06:01 PM

by Brenda H at July 05, 2008 05:24 PM

I had a very wonderful time last night at the Carnival which was at John Glenn High School. I got my Elephant Ear and boy was that ever good. They were jumbo elephant ears too. I got a total of four Orders of Elephant Ears. Three of them were for people who lives in my Block who didn't want to go to the Carnival to get them so I went and got their Elephant Ears for them.

I went and listen to Steve Foresman Band Play on Stage out in the middle of the football Field at John Glenn High School. His band played for two hours and I love to listen to him play and sing. His whole band did a very super job playing last night. I got a picture of me and Steve on Stage. I took several photos of his band while they were playing last night. They are on my Flickr Photo Site if any of you would like to take a look at them.

Than I watched the Fireworks. They were really cool this year especially the ground ones...wow. They were out of this world. I took pictures of those too. They are on my Flickr Photo Site as well too. I didn't use my Flash and so that is why there were not in color. Next year I'll use my Flash.

Today I am very tired and sleepy. I didn't get up til 11 a.m. this morning. I guess I was being a night owl last night.

Well that is all for now....

Take care & Happy Stitching/Reading
Hugs
Linda K, Peanut, & Railroad

by Linda K's Creativity Works (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 06:13 PM

Picture heavy post.

If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know I love my visits to National Trust properties. This holiday seemed to be all National trust inspired. If you don't like reading this sort of blogging please come back at a later date for some stitching news.

I had been forever switching on the teletext on the TV to see the weather reports for the south coast. It didn't look particularly good. Saturday when we set out it was raining and when we arrived in Dorset it was still raining! Later in the evening the heavens opened and we had a real downpour. However my prayers were answered and for the next 5 days we had brilliant weather, sunny and warm, just what I'd ordered.

So for Sunday I'd not planned to go far after driving for over 200 miles (about 322km?) on Saturday. Kingston Lacy was about 20 minutes away from where we were staying. Ideal. It's a really beautiful place.

In some of the outhouses there were displays of how washing, ironing, stitching and mending were carried out. I remember my Grandma having a Singer sewing machine like the ones in the photo. She would let me work the handle on the side to help her sew, I think now it was more of a hinderance to her!



Oh and the Japanese Tea Garden that they have created. We weren't allowed in the garden but you could see well enough around and there was a viewing point above the garden that enabled you to look down on it.





For more photos of my holiday, please visit my Flickr photo gallery in the relevant set.

by Andrea (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 04:01 PM

I am working on several models at this time (festive season is coming... ) so there's nothing to show you (though I surprised myself and stitched Haunted Tea Party a bit after working on a model, so maybe there will be something to show some day) and therefore... kitty pictures. ^^

Cats are enjoying summer and camping on the balcony:

It's an illness

• Too Pooped
• Leonardo
• Kitty Litter
• Barnyard Kitties
• Kitten Reflections
• Beguiling Tiger
• Small Wonder
• Hypnotic Leopard
• Band of Brothers
• Sofa Cat
• Feline Sisters
• Scarlet Wizard
• Japanese Maiden
• Enchanting Geisha
• In Harmony
• Solar Sensation
• Ballerina Beauty
• Woodland Wildlife
• Butterfly Vignette
• Leopard
• Zebra
• Rhinoceros
• Wild Babies
• Wild Adventures
• Reptiles and Amphibians
• Frog Prince
• Frog Wild
• Butterfly Fairies
• Purity, Strength and Truth
• Frost Bearer
• Northpole Pals
• Ghostly Treats
• Attitude

July 05, 2008 03:01 PM

I am working on this: http://www.knitting-crochet.com/oneskehoobabswe.html
I don't understand the row that says "work k in horizontal strand between sts"
Can anyone help me with what I need to do?
Thanks :D

by Allierat at July 05, 2008 03:01 PM

by Vicki at July 05, 2008 01:24 PM

Le Tour de Fleece begins today, and I'm starting to get ready. The official beginning is later with some compatriots, but for now I have got to figure out what my challenge will be. The rules say that you should set yourself a challenge (no matter what that is), that you start when the Tour starts (today) and finish when the Tour ends (July 27th) and you should spin from stash. (No problem here.)

I'm loving reading other people's goals. Diane is a new spinner, going to make one skein of yarn, Rebecca is going to spin three bobbins full, Spunsilver is doing an Abby Batt and adding sequins (I have no idea how to do that.) Silke is going to spin 400g of camel, but has been training. (I think, my German is a joke) Teresa is going to work on getting 1200-1600 yds of 2 ply.

I've thought long and hard on it, been diving in the stash, kicking around various ideas, and I think I've come up with a good challenge for me.

1. Spin every day, even if it's only a little, on a spindle project that has been kicking around way, way too long.
2. Working more or less oldest to newest, stash bust to the tune of 1.5 kilograms. (That's 1500g, or 3lbs, 5oz)

I know that sounds like a crazy amount, but I actually just backed off of a 2000g commitment when I saw how big that pile was. It was insane, although I think maybe this pile might be a little bit too insane too...What's that look like?

It looks like a lot of fibre, that's what it looks like. (Please do not mention that the problem with busting the fibre stash being that it creates more yarn stash. It'll cross that bridge when I come to it.)

Allons-y!

by Stephanie (stephanie@yarnharlot.ca) at July 05, 2008 12:01 PM

On my flight from Toronto to Chicago this morning, a guy got on the plane, sat next to me and took out his ipod and started watching a cartoon on it. He watches it while people take their seats and get settled. No problem. Then the announcement to turn off all electronic things comes, and he totally ignores it. I assume he didn't hear, what with the headphones. The flight attendant comes by twice, but somehow misses that he's still watching his video, and we begin to back up from the jetway. Finally, just as I have formulated a plan to snatch it from his hands and smash it into a million bits to save us all if it starts to look like he is going to crash the plane (there has to be some reason we have to turn everything off) the flight attendant sees him, comes over and asks him to take off the headphones and turn it off.
He scowls at her, but turns it off.

The plane taxi's to the runway, and we take off. The instant that the wheels have cleared the ground, dude has it back on again. (I attribute the small amount of turbulence we encountered to this, even though that is unreasonable.) 7 or 8 minutes later, the announcement that electronic devices can be turned back on comes, and I reach down, get my laptop and begin watching SG1 (season 9, and yes, I've started with Atlantis, thank you for asking.) We journey like this until we reach Chicago (hallelujah, I made it) and the announcement comes to please turn off anything that has an on/off switch. I turn off the laptop and my noise dampening headphones. (I fly a lot - it's worth it) and dude does NOTHING. Keeps watching.

I stare. I try to make a big show of putting my things away. He doesn't. I toy with telling him that he has to turn it off. I figure, because this is all I can imagine, that he must not know the rule. That this is his first time on a plane or something, and that he just doesn't know and hasn't heard. Maybe, I figure, maybe he doesn't even speak English or French (which happen to be the two languages that he has had the thing explained to him in.) Exactly when I can't stand it for another second, because the plane is getting lower and lower, the flight attendant comes by to collect trash, and he sees her coming and turns it off.

(For the record, this is the exact moment that I decided that he totally knew the rule.)

She takes our cups and such, and goes to the back of the plane and takes a seat. DUDE TURNS IT BACK ON.
I flip out. Unfortunately, I am not capable of flipping out in a way that he would have noticed, but I flipped out nonetheless. I wait. He doesn't turn it off. We get lower and lower, and he still doesn't turn it off. I am losing it. I am freakin' out. (Again, this would not have been obvious to him, but I assure you that the psychic message I was sending him was pretty loud.) I wonder what happens if he doesn't turn it off. I check for emergency exits. I reacquaint myself with the pictures of the chute that will open after we crash and I open the hatch door. (I am very close to an emergency exit, and planning to take charge.) We get lower. I am alert to danger. I am a nervous flier at the best of times, and this is pushing all of my we-are-all-going-to-die buttons. I think about saying something. I try to say something. I try to say "Buddy, that has to be off for landing" but I can't. (I suspect that the reason I couldn't say anything was that I didn't know what sort of unholy wrath I might unleash on him if he said "So what?" or "What's it to you?" .... but we can examine my other problems another day.)

The plane gets lower and lower, he keeps watching (It was totally "Family Guy", which hardly seems worth dying for) and then we land, and dude watches his stupid show all the way to the gate, then puts it away when we pull into the gate. I was purple with fury.

Now, I know that this is a reasonably small offence I know that in the grand scheme of things, leaving your ipod on for landing and takeoff is hardly a human rights offence or a crime punishable by death... I even know that it's probably not even really dangerous, because if a phone or ipod could take out a plane, then they really really wouldn't let you take them on plane. They just wouldn't. No way. (Also, the fact that nothing bad happened was a bit of a tip off.) I also know, however, that the rule is that you have to turn them off, that there might be some weird thing that we don't understand that demands they be off, that the attendant told him to turn it off, that she caught him with it on and told him the rule, and that dude just didn't give a flying squirrels arse about it, and that drives me nuts. Completely mental.

I've always essentially been a really good girl. I'm not really a rule breaker. I ask permission. I largely (Unless it's really dumb or would hurt me or someone else) do pretty much as I'm asked. I know that that makes me the exact sort of person that this really, really makes crazy. There's nothing that makes a terminally well behaved human go non compos mentis faster than watching a terminally poor behaved human break all the rules and get away with it. I follow the rules because I ...well... I'm not entirely sure, but it has something to do with believing in order and queueing up and taking turns and playing nicely with others when you can and I do think co-operation is important and manners make things nicer and I like CIVILIZED BEHAVIOUR DAMMIT.

I know that it makes me crazier than it should. I know that the world is just full of people who could have let that go, or looked the other way, and that there are even people (my mother is one of them) who would have said "Stephanie, who cares if he's behaving badly as long as you're not. Let it go." There are even other people who would have said "Sir? Can I ask what's so special about you or your electronics that you don't have to turn them off?" or even "Yo? Dude. It's off time." I even toyed with the idea of asking him sincerely why he didn't turn it off, but apparently I'm not the sort of person who would.

I didn't have the nerve to say anything, I didn't have the nerve to tell him off and I wouldn't tattle on him, but apparently I also can't let it go. That leaves me with only one thing to do, and apparently, I am exactly the sort of person who would do it.

I kinneared him, and I'm putting his picture on my knitting blog, and I'm saying this. Dude's a weenie.

by Stephanie (stephanie@yarnharlot.ca) at July 05, 2008 12:01 PM

Last visit of the week was to Stourhead. A beautiful landscape garden. Of course the rain did have to make an appearance, showers really, only when we finished our tour of the garden did it come down with any force.

The lake was the central point and there were paths all the way around. There were one or two temples/follies that you could see from different viewpoints.The view across the lake is wonderful. I have seen photos of the place in the Autumn and it looks so spectacular.




Then you come across this...below, just a pile of rocks, but carry on inside....


Here you will find some lovely figures, with openings strategically placed to highlight them. remember this is beneath the pile of rocks, with no flash on the camera either.


I'll leave you with a photo of the local wildlife as it was a very nice day for ducks!

by Andrea (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 11:32 AM

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arn't these the cutest booties ever???

I'm trying to find the pattern, 2 of my cousins just had baby girls... and they need some booties like these thats for sure!!


ADORABLE

by Dandy (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 11:13 AM

My sis and her kids here on their annual visit. I always have gifts ready for them when they get here. This year I put together back packs....

by crossstitch (crossstitch.guide@about.com) at July 05, 2008 08:24 AM

I'm doing a bit of rather late Spring cleaning, and have found some magazine freebie kits that I'm never going to stitch myself, so I thought I'd post them here and see if anyone wants them.

These two are complete - fabric, thread, needle, and either the chart from the magazine or a photocopy of it, depending on whether I want to keep whatever's on the other side of the pages:



These two ... well, unfortunately I no longer have the magazines with the charts in! However, they both have a clear photograph on the front, and I reckon a reasonably experienced stitcher would be able to work from that:



So if you're interested, please post a comment by next Thursday, 10 July saying which you'd like. If more than 1 person wants the same kit, I'll pick someone at random.

by Maid in Bedlam at July 05, 2008 08:02 AM

It's 70% done, another 30% to go!!

by Sexy Fairy (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 08:02 AM

Here's block 1 and 2 so far.


NPS--Carrie's Threads
208--Olde Salem Red
614--Twinkle
903--Koala Claw
316--Buffalo Fur
522--Sage Grass
993--Raven
355--Gator Green
854--Rusty Nail
474--Antique Gold
952--Winter Wheat
696--Elk Snout
471--Lemon
542--Key Lime

by Sexy Fairy (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 08:02 AM

Yesterday was a good day. We even went to a 4th of July party for a little while. I've caught a terrible cold and I haven't had a cold in years. I'm sure my immune system has been greatly compromised with the stress and the surgery. I can do anything I feel like doing today, but I know I'm not up to driving. I tire too easily.

I'm spending the day knitting and spinning. I did take a very short, very slow walk around the block. Enough exercise for today.

by Cindy (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 08:37 AM

I'm thinking about my next project. I think I'd like to stitch this free panda design I found online, which I can't find right now, but basically, being a panda, it's black and white with a black outline. And I'm thinking I might not want to stitch it on white, because that would be boring. But what would look good? It's for a 5-year-old boy (for Christmas), so it can't look too outrageous. :p But I don't even know in what colors I can buy Aida. Any suggestions? I already have white 14-count Aida, if I decide to use white.

by tesslouise (tesslouise@letterboxes.org) at July 05, 2008 06:45 AM

Is anyone on the list from Charlotte, NC? We just moved here (as in, last week...I think). Are there any local needlework or cross-stitch stores? We don't have phone service yet (next week?) so we don't have a phone book for me to look in, but I'd rather have recommendations anyway. Thanks!

by tesslouise (tesslouise@letterboxes.org) at July 05, 2008 06:33 AM

Hello there,

I've been lurking for quite a while (I am a infrequent poster on LJ), and at one time saw a chart that was sort of an aquatic-themed alphabet sampler. I have done some searching however I can't seem to manage to find the chart name (or even where it had originated from). Does anyone recall what the name of this chart is? I seem to remember very bright colors- vividly done- each letter of the alphabet highlighted with an aquatic creature or sea-life theme. I believe someone was doing it for their son(?). I'm sure it isn't the 'fish city' one, as it was more sectional, instead of a large open expanse.

I hope someone out there might be able to assist. I'd love to be able to find this chart at some point to do for my own son, who has taken a serious interest in sea creatures.

Thanks in advance,

-Dionyza

by Dionyza at July 05, 2008 04:15 AM

She ran away. The front and back yards are walled/fenced, but no wall is a barrier for a panicky dog.

It's nearly midnight and the illegal fireworks are still going off. These are not just your standard Piccolo Petes, either. They're using rocket launchers.

UPDATE: It's 1:00 AM and she's back, smelling really bad and with her paws muddy. She's getting a shampoo bath in the morning.

by Debi at July 05, 2008 03:01 AM

I finally got the Special Moments birth notice finished! Now I have to get it into the frame so I can deliver it next week! I'm really excited - I haven't had a finish in a long time!

by Kimberly (xstitchfla@livejournal.com) at July 05, 2008 01:28 AM

Happy Fourth of July to all of my US friends - and American born friends too :-)

I settled in to watch Rascal Flatts/The Boston Pops/Boston Harbor Fireworks tonight along with A Quaker Christmas... I hope everyone else had as lovely an evening too.

... Funny video, poor quality though. This is two of the Boston Red Sox's relief pitchers - Jonathan Papelbon and Manny DelCarmen remaking Milli Vanilli's "Blame it on the Rain." They made this to show on the jumbotron during rain delays at Fenway Park :-) It's worth a peek... (the video was shot by a fan at the park... and he/she got distracted by someone going onto the field... but still captures it pretty well).

Stitched on today: Finished Scissor Pocket for MAW Exchange, stitched on A Quaker Christmas

by Carol (noreply@blogger.com) at July 05, 2008 01:58 AM

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July 05, 2008 12:01 AM

and peace. A very apt saying for this independence day.I hope everyone has had a wonderful day today if you are celebrating the holiday. I have been busy with the kids most of the day and only finished this tonight. I had hoped to finish it yesterday-but better late than never right? This was a fun quick stitch done on 19 count flax with the recommended Crescent colors. Though the dreaded frogs visited me a couple of times on this and I had to make an adjustment in the border(sigh)-so it's my own little unique piece. I plan on finishing this into a cube. I am hoping Shepherd's Bush will do a scatter love for Valentine's-for some reason I can totally picture that.

Anyway, now I need to finish Cappuccino by LHN. I am close on that. I want to stitch all six-but every time I say something like that then it doesn't get done. They are so pretty though. I have also been thinking about Halloween designs too, but as usual the mind is ticking along faster than the hands. I am really looking forward to the Just Cross Stitch magazine Halloween issue! That should be pretty cool.

Up next week-my personal monochromatic exchange with Jinger from Rae of Sunshine Stitches. I hope the rest of your week is a good one-I am going to tackle the treadmill-ugh! Happy stitching.

PS: This chart is up for grabs-if more than one person is interested I will draw a name on Monday July 7th at 5 pm.

by Sharon (noreply@blogger.com) at July 04, 2008 10:57 PM

I never thought I’d be saying this, but I think I’d like to work on a new cross-stitch project. After the months it took to complete “Ganesh,” I felt pretty done with any sort of embroidery, but now I could use something like that to work on again. The only problem is finding a design I like.

I know I’ve complained about this before, how it’s so hard to find good cross-stitch projects. I tried looking for kits online, and stopped at a few local craft stores as well, but it’s all the same stuff. Fantasy scenes, teddy bears, nature, and religious themes, none of which is my thing. I’ve made my own patterns before, but it takes some work to do. I’d really like to just pick up a kit and get going with it.

I’d be surprised if I were the only one who doesn’t like the styles or designs out there today, but maybe I am. If someone were to come up with some fun, modern kits for cross-stitch, I would totally buy some. For now, I’ll just try and find the least ugly design I can and go with that.

by Valerie at July 04, 2008 09:06 PM

it's Adelle, bitch! posted a photo:

Pattern: Spring Forward from Knitty
Yarn: STR in Hoofle Foofle
Needles: Size 1.5

I LOVED this pattern!! So much that I might make another pair

by it's Adelle, bitch! at July 04, 2008 09:01 PM

I realize we're all planning for the Stitching Olympics, but in case anyone wants to do a mystery SAL afterwards, I've received permission from Blackbird Designs to use one of their freebies for us.

It's small (92 by 75), but maybe it would be a welcome respite after we go nuts for the next few months.  I'm willing to organize and email.  Just keep it in mind for after the Olympics. 

Edit:  Rather than answering everyone individually, I'll just edit the entry. Since everyone responding seems to be in agreement, I'll start sign-ups in the beginning of September.  After I get back from Dragon*Con!  I have to fiddle with the scans to make sure Blackbird Designs' name and web address is on each scan, anyway.  :)

by shadowspun at July 04, 2008 08:32 PM

by Vicki at July 04, 2008 08:18 PM

Finished. Totally finished.

Everything that I have to do with this book before it is a whole real book? Done. I wrote it, I submitted it, I survived the negotiation that is editing, then copy editing... and now it has spent several days on my desk being proof-read by yours truly one last time. I'll walk to the post office in a few minutes and mail it, and that will be it. The next time I see it, it will be a real finished book. Any typo I didn't find, any errors at all... once I mail it, that's it.

In a few days it will have made it's way to Kansas City, where my editor will look at the things I found, change the master manuscript and then send it to production with her fingers crossed that between the two of us, we've made the best possible book. I hope we have.

I love this book. It's another book of short stories and essays, sort of a sequel to my second book (Yarn Harlot, the secret life of knitter). The pieces in it are longer and more developed than in the other kind of book I write. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of all of my work. All of it, but the other books are like cookies. Fun, good, awesome food, but they don't make up a well balanced diet by themselves. The books of essays are different. I can take as much time as I want to explain an idea, I don't have to dwell only in the realm of knitting for every moment, I can go further afield into human interest and experience - and I can allow a story or point to unfurl as quickly or slowly as it wants. It means that over the course of a whole book there will be funny things, happy things, silly things, sad things, thoughtful things....
The books of essays feel more like meals to me, and they are intensely satisfying to write. I feel like I get my way. I feel like they are not just a part of me, like my other books, but really reflective of who I am.

Writing something that you feel really reflects who you are has a downside, of course. .. and those of us who dabble in low self esteem from time to time know what it is. If you hang something out there that is really a part of you, something intimate, then if someone doesn't like it, that feels like a very intimate hurt. (This is one of the problems with writing a personal blog too, if it's personal, and there is criticism, then that criticism feels personal, because.... well. Frankly it is. Writing a blog has thickened my skin over the years and made me able to stand apart from criticism (or what passes for it, like "I'm never buying your book again because of how you vote" or "You're a complete obsessive-compulsive who cares nothing for others") far better than I would have been able to otherwise. There's nothing like a drive-by comment about your parenting, politics or choices and how it relates to your worth as a human being to make you realize that you've got to pull back a bit if you're going to retain any sense of true self.)

This is all a long way toward saying that putting this in an envelope and mailing it is the weirdest feeling.
I'm relieved to be done. I'm proud of what I've written. I'm scared to death of it being read. I'm horrified and honoured to have been given the chance. I'm worried about everything. I'm delighted it's happening.

I'm going to the post office. I'm mailing my book. A whole, finished, big book that I wrote. Wow.

(PS. Happy 4th to my American neighbours. Have a fabulous weekend.)

by Stephanie (stephanie@yarnharlot.ca) at July 04, 2008 07:59 PM

The needles have been pretty busy this week. I broke away from the sock knitting just after my last post and knitted my very first adult sized hat.



The pattern is Rose Red by Ysolda Teague and is wonderfully written. The yarn is Orkney angora St Magnus DK in violet and its so very soft.

Tuesday I was back to sock knitting though. For no apparent reason, insomnia hit on Tuesday night and I barely slept. After struggling to sleep for a while, I end up getting up and getting my knitting out for a while.

Prior to bedtime, I finished my first pair for summer of socks - the Uptown no purl monkey socks from my last post.



And then I finished the first sock of my second pair in the early hours of the morning when sleep just wasn't happening.



Its just a plain stockinette sock in Garnstudio fabel and I'm knitting away on the second one. I couldn't resist starting a third pair on some slightly thicker yarn.



The yarn is Evolution by Chameleon colorworks and its merino yarn stretched and heat set. It feels absolutely gorgeous and cashmere like. The pattern is by Gilraen.

I was also cheered up this week by a very short haircut which I'm gradually getting used to. I'm not sure that the hairdresser and I shared the same definition of fairly short but it will grow again lol. I also got a very sweet letter from my Great Uncle in Australia. He's 97 and I've started writing to him recently as he loves getting letters. We've never met but I have met his son who my dad didn't know existed and its turned out last year that he lives in Glasgow. My Great Uncle was apparently a bit of a rogue in his younger days but he's had an interesting life so there's always little interesting bits in his letters about moving to Scotland from Ireland and then on to Australia.

The weekend brings something that I'm very excited about - the last episode of the current series of Doctor Who. I shall be glued to the TV on Saturday night and probably sobbing on the sofa after it. In honour of the finale, I'm going to have a go at Blue Peter's instructions for making a dalek cake. Pictures to follow if it turns out.

by Paula (noreply@blogger.com) at July 04, 2008 08:47 PM

I forgot to renew my domain name, and didn't even notice for over a week that it had expired! Goes to show how well I keep up with things.

Since I'm here, I might as well share some photos of stuff I made recently.

First is "Chanson en Crochet," which is French for Song in Crochet. It doesn't make me think of "song" as much as "creeping floral vines," however. It's a capelet pattern published in 2005 by Interweave Press. It's pink. It was a birthday present for my niece Pinky, who turned 6 yesterday.
I had purchased some cotton yarn online for another project, expecting an extremely pale pink. This yarn turned out to be too pink for that project, so it found a new purpose in this project instead. It turned out okay.

Next up is another hat. I had gone over a month without knitting a hat, so I had to. Did you know I have many hats? Sometimes I give them away, too. I once made a hat by request, for a teacher who was about to vacation in Colorado and wanted something in purple. Here is that hat, modeled by the lovely Miss M, who will officially reach teen status next month.
I used variegated alpaca yarn. Alpaca is supposed to be a gazillion times warmer than wool. Or five times warmer. Okay, it is thermostatically superior to wool. There ya go. The teacher expressed much appreciation.

Here is the hat I was originally talking about before I went and sidetracked myself. It's more of a tam, actually. It's called "Sand and Sea Tam." Supposedly tams will be all the rage next winter. I don't know. That's me modeling it, though. I have bangs again! I think I went bangless for about a decade up until this past spring.
That's it for now. I'll report if my dog runs away again after the 4th of July, like she did last year. She hates fireworks -- the noise makes her go absolutely nuts. It doesn't help that illegal fireworks are a big thing in this part of town.

by Debi at July 04, 2008 07:43 PM

All I've done in the days since the big deal on the weekend is putter around the house, go to be early... and knit. I'd felt tired in the time leading up to it (actually, I think "exhausted" has been a theme word for about 2 months now) and this fantastic, wonderful event and celebration just about finished me off. If it had, I'd have died happy, that's for sure, but two days of lying here in this tangle of a house and doing only the things my family has needed from me has only begun to put the shine back on. One more good sleep is all it will take I think, to put me back among the land of the living, and that's a good thing, because tomorrow morning I fly to Chicago for the do-over event with Nana's Knitting. Click that if you need details.

I really think that all I would have been able to do if had been booked for Monday, was step up to the microphone wearing a pair of ratty yoga pants and a coffee stained tee shirt and stand there weeping incoherent tears with a sock in my hand. As it stands now, with a little rest in me, I'm really looking forward to it, though I am disturbingly obsessed with the weather. Since it was Chicago's weather that kept me from getting there last time, I'm glued to the weather link for Chicago, and for here. I've clicked them an unreasonable number of times. Unreasonable. While I'm angsting away on all of things I can't control, I've been fussing with a new sock.

I know, I'm fickle. When I was in Kingston, I got to see some very nice knitters, one of whom was Robyn, owner of the aptly named Robyn's nest. Robyn's got herself a slick little sock club, and although I'm not a member (which is starting to look like a big mistake on my part) she brought me one of the sock club kits.

It's very pretty, designed by Jennifer, and knit in a Canadian yarn that I didn't even know about, which is sort of surprising, since I really sort of pride myself on getting out a little more than that. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a spoiler, so I'm only posting a tiny corner of a picture.

Tempting?

by Stephanie (stephanie@yarnharlot.ca) at July 04, 2008 07:43 PM

I'm planning on some sewing over the long weekend, and realized that I never posted my shirt that I finished a long time ago. It's BBY-4112 Shirt Pattern from Built By Wendy. The short sleeves+bias trim are shamelessly stolen from Angry Chicken. I was able to get through the pattern without too much problem, but the fit was really disappointing. With a huge amount of help from Amy and Becket, I reset the collar (it was too big and set too high or something, which made it all droopy when tied), shortened it, and added shaping both in front and back. It looks kind of shapeless on the hanger, but it fits pretty well now. I think it was such an ordeal that I have never actually worn it. Weird. Looking at it again now, though, maybe I'll go back to liking it.

by maitreya (maitreya@craftlog.org) at July 04, 2008 07:01 PM

My first day off in forever and what do I do? Work. Yup. Wrote an article this morning, and am about to clean the house. Meanwhile, I’m thinking about things to knit. This sweater, or the stuff in my Ravelry queue… something, anything to get me past my current brain-stoppage on the jack in the pulpit sweater.

(Yup. That’s its working name, due to shape, but it’s awfully long…)

I remain angry at the shawl design-in-progress and am currently not speaking to her.

Tomorrow is my five-year anniversary with ye olde boyfriend. I bought him a membership to the Jack Kirby Museum, he got me copies of Red Dawn and Clash of the Titans on DVD. We are such geeks. WOLVERINES!

Proof that geekiness is pretty much lifelong: the photo at left. That is me, ca. 1982 or 1983 as Athena, post- developing an insane love of Clash of the Titans. My mother used all her art school training and more to make me that papier-maché helmet, I’ll have you know. The look on my face? I still do that all the time, it’s just my natural glare. I can’t help it!

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by Shannon at July 04, 2008 06:02 PM

Thursday we had the day in Weymouth. Another beautiful harbour to admire although there were some quite older looking fishing boats too. I did manage to find a patchwork shop, Pauline's Patchwork in the 'Brewers Quay' area of the town. I still had to have my fix while on holiday! Pauline did point us in the direction of a garden and craft centre just out of town, so Mum had her fix of crafters goodies too.

by Andrea (noreply@blogger.com) at July 04, 2008 06:31 PM

if you live in the united states, july 4th is a day of fireworks and backyard barbecues with family and friends. you might wear an obnoxious flag t-shirt or really go overboard and wear an entire red, white and blue...

by Maryse at July 04, 2008 05:16 PM

here's a pic of it you can see better... and we were decorating already too:

I decided that I couldn't live with a green countertop.... I phoned Alfred (who we ordered the countertop from) and asked if it's too late to change my mind about the color... he laughed and said it would be ok.

this one will be much better:

till next time....

by Dandy (noreply@blogger.com) at July 04, 2008 06:10 PM

Thats the only word I can use to describe my evening last night. Last night I finally visited Fobbles, it was part of a fundraiser for Irton church funds and Fobbles was hosting a wonderful exhibition of work for a £1.00 entry. Fobbles is situated a couple of miles from where I live and you can find it at Gubbergill Farm, Irton, West Cumbria. When you step inside the doors, you are guarenteed

by Susimac (noreply@blogger.com) at July 04, 2008 05:38 PM

I just started this a few weeks ago. It's from here.

by Moose at July 04, 2008 02:58 PM

by Bron at July 04, 2008 02:51 PM

...Goddess of the crossroads.

I'm finally at a point where I can post some pictures of (one of) my latest knitting pursuits. I've been craving lace knitting, and so I cast of for the Hecate Stole, which I'm making for DSis.

The pattern:



I've just completed the first section, called the Moonrise panel, which is the small edge on the bottom, just below the 'crossroads' (the criss-crossy section). It's the part circled in yellow:



Here's my progress so far, helplessly pinned down on my dining room floor:



That ugly seafoam green yarn at the bottom is a crochet chain I used for a provisional cast on, so I can pick up those stitches later to complete the knitted edge.

A closeup, where you can see the pink beads:



The vital statistics:
Pattern: Hecate Stole (from Bad Cat Designs)
Yarn: Lane Borgosesia Cashwool in black
Beads: Smoky gray lined with pink (because pink is DSis' signature color)
Needles: US#3 circular needles.

This is my first time using Knitpick's Harmony wood needles. Besides being absolutely gorgeous to look at, they're very decadent feeling and the tip of the needles have nice sharp points, which work well with lace knitting. And the joins are far better than the Addi Naturas!


Abner, as always, supervised.






And a Happy Birthday to the U.S.A.!!

by Singular Stitches (noreply@blogger.com) at July 04, 2008 03:43 PM

Here is this weeks update. I added the tree and finished backstitching the Buddha and the base of the tree. He's going fast!

by Kimberly (xstitchfla@livejournal.com) at July 04, 2008 01:45 PM

Happy 4th! Happy Friday!

July 04, 2008 12:02 PM

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful 4th of July, whether or not you celebrate Independence Day! I am so glad to have a holiday today and have a three-day weekend. Sooo nice! Eric and I went to see fireworks last night, and we are going to a different place tonight to see more. Eric loves fireworks, so we go every year. My family never really went to see fireworks or did anything special for the 4th of July. Eric is also making Barbeque brisket and coleslaw for dinner tonight. Yum!

by Michelle (noreply@blogger.com) at July 04, 2008 12:48 PM

Firstly, EMS Staff Stitch N'Stash Exchange for Laura:

The idea was to stitch and finish something stitchy which could be hung and send some nice stash with it.

I stitched Laura a scissor pocket with shades of dusky rose (and got to hear from her that it's one of her favourite colours ) and added a ribbon so it can be hung on neck or somewhere else.

Tidbits:

• Design: Mother's Love Grows, complimentary design by Periphaeria Designs.
• Floss: Atalie's Pivoine.
• Fabric: 25 count linen band.
• Other:
  1. It is lined with fabric to make sure that scissors won't come through.
  2. Ribbon is ~3mm wide pink polyester ribbon I have received from an exchange and it is sewn to the lining.
  3. Design is stitched over one with two strands.

In addition to this I sent two of my designs (Protection and Echoes of a Squared Lotus), two skeins on Painters Thread silks and two pieces of 32 count plainweave (linen and jobelan).
See how cunningly the threads and fabrics are matched. *grin*

Based on the feedback she loved everything so I think I can say that this exchange is now finished.

OMGWTFBBQBMW!

That was my first reaction when I opened the little box in Linda's envelope. In addition of sending that "one pattern from your wishlist" she sent me the mini bourse she was making for me (and I should finish hers and mail it... *ahem*).

But, pictures don't do justice to this bourse. It is just amazing.

Did I tell you that this is Linda's design?! Don't you think too that it's simply amazingly beautiful? I am in love.

In addition to this gorgeous one she sent me, not only one pattern from my wishlist, but four other patterns too - and one of the is a design I have been adoring from distance for a while!

Simple Thank You! isn't enough, but still... Thank you Linda!

And some pattern p0rn

The mysterious big envelope was what I thought it was... so, now it's time to do some simple calculus. These plus this lot: