End of the Month!

A short post...this weekend is the Star City Cat Show at the Roanoke Civic Center, please stop by? Nana Sadie Rose will be there with every conceivable cat fabric (and a few non-cat fabrics!) and you can see my products in person! I'll be knitting dishcloths in between chatting with my customers...so you'll know me when you see me!

Today is the last day of the Yarn Focus Challenge. I've survived - the full 91 days. Yippee! Whew...where's my checkbook...what can I buy - naw...I've got enough right now, but maybe some dishcloth cotton?

Also, a quick tease...I'll be hosting a contest on my blog next week in honor of my upcoming 50th birthday...so keep checking back for more info? It'll be fun, I promise!

Have a terrific July 4 weekend - with lots of fireworks and great picnic foods!
(((hugs)))

Light at the Tunnel's End...

Do ya think standing on the fabric will stop her? I'll try anything... The Meezer
Christmas in July? Well, there's no time like the present to treat yourself to a bag you'll want to carry all through December! These are for the Star City Cat Show, but let me know if there's something in your heart you'd love to have for yourself...
Or maybe you just can't think of Christmas yet (well, it's hard for me, too!). In that case maybe the smaller, more mod Kerri bags? These cats are happenin'!
The light at the end of the tunnel is closer...the sewing complete, only preparations and transport/set-up to do before the weekend show. After Saturday and Sunday's show days, I have two days to recouperate and this gives you an idea of how I'm going to do that. This book came thru inter-library loan yesterday, And my order from Wooly West also arrived - it contained 2 dpn stitch keepers and the pattern for The Cat Walk Shawl by Barbara Scoville. Don't know what yarn I'll decide to use yet. I have time to consider...
There's also a quick look at the Treking XXL Sock - it's been trekking back and forth to work with me, where I manage a few rounds at lunch. I'm almost ready to try the picot edging from Wendy.

Work Work Work!

Thought you might like to see three of the bags I've put together this weekend for the Star City Cat Show next weekend...

And of course, I had to have one of the Michelle Meow Oressa cases made - for you all to see, even if there's not a single knitter at the show!

When she sews...

There's nothing to do...

I get so bored...there must be something...the tearstrip is worthless without Mommie on the other end...hmmmm

Meezer, I'm gonna keep my head down because your mischief-making is gonna get us both in trouble... The Blonde Bombshell

Flirting with Vegetarianism Again...

I've toyed with the idea for some time now. And I guess there've just been too many hot dog and hamburger picnics lately, because I am tired of the whole meat thing...You know, even when I was a vegetarian, I ate fish (what I've heard referred to as "pesca vegetarianism") and I expect that's the route I'll go again...but for the moment, I've got to concentrate on cleaning out the freezer of the meats I've purchased ahead. And in the interim, I'll play with a few new recipes. Here are a couple (Just Press It and Split Peas Soup) that sound particularly good to me (and both blogs are a good source of recipes, if you're interested!). I stop by both of these periodically, for the knitting, too (and Geraldine & The Mitz stop by here often, too.

Tonight however, I'll leave you with a photo of my dinner ... yup, one of my all time favorites, tabouli! Garnished with the curly parsley I've grown on the balcony garden, too!

Nana Sadie Rose on the Road Again!

We'll be at the Star City Cat Fancier's Cat Show July 1-2 at the Roanoke Civic Center. If you'd like to see a sampling of bags, head on over to Nana Sadie's Place. I've posted a couple of photos showing some of the work I'm doing for the show, and I'll be even busier in the next week sewing more...stop in to see me?
(((hugs)))

That Does It!

Frogged again? Fine. But I've had it. You're never satisfied. This time, I get to eat the dpns.
...The Meezer

Becoming Proficient

I will admit that this knitting addiction has taken over my life. But I remember a time when I was trying to learn accounting, taking classes at night, working during the day. My state of mind, and my compulsion to learn all there was to learn was quite similar then to the way I process knitting information today. The difference, as I see it, is the availability of knitting information today, unlike my access to accounting information 30 years ago. In short: the difference is the Internet Knitting Community.

In just a few months (approximately 18) I have gone from a garter-stitching, fun-fur-scarf-making nana to someone addicted to socks and lace shawls. I currently see little chance of becoming a prolific sweater knitter (it's entirely TOO HOT IN HERE!), but I will not say "never"...(I've learned to regret this).

Last night, I took a good long look at the Trekking XXL sock (see photo by MFMPPF below) which was so close to being finished. I'd been so happy with the foot fitting so beautifully, the heel and gusset being so well-constructed, compared to my last (first pair of) socks! I was proud. I know, it's not a good sign. I was aware that my little K2, P2 rib had a teensy mistake (but I'm not above letting little ones slide once in awhile...and the yarn coloration made it barely noticeable).

So I tried on the sock (with about 6 inches of cuff completed). Um. Excuse me? Didn't someone say that the K2, P2 rib was the stretchiest? I KNOW I read that somewhere right? Nope. Not stretchy enough - or rather, it fit, but was stretched to the max. And I do NOT have a thick ankle on these baby size 6 feet.

Did I mention that yesterday I stopped on the way home from work and succumbed to the lure of my other idol's book. I had a little found money and decided I was tired of waiting to get it.

So with my two favorite knit bloggers' books staring me in the face, and a sock that was GORGEOUS in almost every way, except perhaps the most crucial one, I sat, sock in hand. WHAT would Wendy do? WHAT would Stephanie do?

What did I do? Yup. I took a deep breath and frogged - all the way back to the (slightly too short) instep. Gone my beautiful heel. Gone the precise gussets {sigh}. I am proud to say that I was able to pick up my stitches, tink back one stitch at a time for one row to get them all on the needles again and going in the right direction! This was a major accomplishment...and I didn't even shed a tear (tho' I felt like it!).

Ok. {DEEP Breath!} Pity Party over. I'm going to become proficient at this knitting addiction of mine...and with help from the two ladies referenced above as well as my lace diva Eunny (who's going to be publishing soon, too!!) just maybe I'll be a better knitter one day...
(((hugs)))

Sweet Grande Dames

A request answered...the other members of my family!

The Elderly Calico Curmudgeon.

The Aging & Arthritic Blonde Bombshell

We Interrupt This Blog...

for a point or two of clarification for my newer readers:
Geraldine asked what my abbreviations stand for! Gee, Geraldine, I can't imagine that you don't know what MFMPPF is!!! *wink* :)

Man From My Past, Present & Future - in short, he arrived almost a year ago, out of the blue, from years ago...tracked me down, even when I was determined not to be found by much of anyone...because like me, he's never stopped loving me...you might check my archives from July 2005 for the "complete" story!

DD in my profile stands for Dear Daughter - one of many acronyms used in computerese these days, along with SIL (which can alterately mean Son-in-law or Sis-in-law in my case...you have to read context!), DGS is Dear Grandson, a lot of folks use SO for Significant Other and DH for Dear Husband...

Hope that helps!

Trekking Right Along..

Somehow I thought that we'd make it out and about to someplace interesting this weekend, and we did! We took a short trek to the Roanoke City Market and wandered about. I even took the camera. Did I take any photos? No. Did I remember the Trekking Sock? No.
Sorry...I was too much enamoured of my MFMPPF, I guess, and the sheer luxury of spending time with him.
When I realized that I'd forgotten the sock, he assured me we could take a photo on my balcony and for a natural backdrop, use the catnip plant that has completely gone wild! So here it is...I've turned the heel, but I'm still finishing up the gusset! MFMPPF spent quite a bit of time watching me work on the sock as we talked this weekend...The engineer was busy trying to decipher the process...I suggested that I teach him to knit, and got a rather odd expression in return. Don't think he'll be joining me in my addiction, but at least he does find it intriguing!

Amazing Lace Extreme Lace Knitting Challenge #2

There's an enormous amount of preparation and equipment necessary for me to perform these feats of Amazing Lace! Below you can see all the various items for keeping my place (row counters, magnifiers, markers, post-its, pen, LIFELINES!), fixing mistakes when they occur (Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass, crochet hooks, Chibi needles), and of course, the fortifying liquid (Earl Gray) and background items (roses and Mozart!) that are critical to Extreme Lace knitting in Knitnana's household! I even have a couple of smaller lace projects to shift off to, when laceweight yarn gets to be too thread-like to deal with (there's a lace dishcloth and pink lace shawl in the Mavis Knitting Bag there on the right.
The phone is nearby to call on knitting guru Jane D when I'm stumped...and for her to call me for the same reason! lolol!
And just so there can be no doubt as to the purpose for such extreme preparation, you can see that I'm supported in every step of this race by MFMPPF - from his hand-holding when trouble strikes to the gorgeous roses he brings me...

He does think I'm a tad "touched in the head" over this lace knitting compulsion, but he indulges me! And my team mate IS the lace shawl HE chose for our future special event! So his support is critical to me. He even listens to the inventory of upcoming projects and admires the yarn!
(((hugs)))

One-Word Meme

From my pal Roxanne, at Knit & Purl Zen:

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me — it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this into your blog so that I may leave a word about you.
(And have a wonderful weekend...I know I will!)
(((hugs)))

Trekking Sock #1

Jane asked me to post photos and I was going to wait till I had some "environs" to show along with the sock, but the best I can do, is a bedtime photo with The Meezer...so we're Trekking off to Dream Land (except The Meezer once again is trying to decide if the bamboos are more enticing than the tearstrip - yes it's there in the bottom left corner, see?)

I've very happy with the colors in this yarn, the way it knits up, everything except my ability to do the short-row toe-up toe. There are little holes there that I can't seem to avoid no matter what I do...But I just LOVE the stitch definition of this yarn...and the size 1s are not bothering my hands at all! YEAH! And I used Wendy's formula for resizing (I'm a size 6 shoe, small foot!) and cast on only 52 stitches - it fits perfectly!

More photos this weekend, after MFMPPF visits ... we'll be Trekking somewhere I'm sure!
(((hugs)))
(edited 6/14...obviously I was tired and ready to trek to bed last night...forgot to mention that this isn't just for the Trek Along but also for my Knit Red group! I know, you couldn't tell there was any red in those photos, now could you?)

The Meezer's Thoughts on My Idol!

I stopped by Barnes & Noble today and splurged on The Yarn Harlot's new book...

The Meezer was a bit curious that I was making such a fuss over the book when her toy was at hand...

Mom...please...the toy is much more important...

See ME, Mom. I'm adorable, I'm soft, I'm quick-footed, I'm going to lie down on this book to break it's spell over you...

NOW we're talking...I'll catch it!

YUMMY tearstrip!!! Who cares about an old book anyway?

Well, Ms. Meezer, I care about it, but I'm happy to make you happy for a little bit...but tonight, my dear, I shall indulge in my idol's new book. I can't wait!

June Yarn Porn!

Woohoo! I got a photo posted! Yeah Blogger!!!
I've just used my June "free" day for the Yarn Focus Challenge! My Trekking XXL is gorgeous - colors 36 and 78 - and the other 4 skeins are Lion Brand Cotton in olive, blue & white, cornflower blue, and a wonderful pastel in pink, yellow, blue, & white. The Lion Brand (well, 3 of them) was 50% off at my Hancock's Fabrics and who can pass up a sale? I loved the pastel, so I couldn't walk off without it...

I'll be Trekking with color 36 first - I think I'll use the very simple Wendy's Generic Toe-UP Pattern as I have very a limited attention span now that I'm knitting so much lace! And the Lion cotton is for Cloths for Crisis! (Click the button over on the sidebar and please join us?)

You know, that Trekking XXL 36 has reds, olives, purple, black, fushia, burgundy...I LOVE it! Just a great color! Which is why I want to showcase the yarn, not a pattern...but it's not just for Trek With Me, it's also for KnitRed and for it's Step Out in Red Along! Sooooo cool! Hmm...I should start a KnitPurple for Lupus KAL...omg...stop me I can't help myself!!! Ack!

Blogger Woes...

Wow. Days of trying, but finally a chance to update the blog! Hope Blogger is healthy and happy now, it's sure been a trial to leave comments and update and load photos, etc. Please know that I'm reading your blogs...but the comments aren't there yet! (not for lack of trying, tho'!)

So today I'm reading my pal, Deb and see her post about the Red Scarf Project. Last year I learned about this way too late, but I've always thought this would be a great thing to combine with our KnitRed KAL. I'm relatively sure that there are many young women (and young men, too!) who are orphaned and so don't realize that their family history includes heart disease...a red scarf knitted to encourage these college students without family and to let them know someone cares seems like a nice mix to me...

So...I'm going to pledge to knit at least one. In fact, Myrna Stahman has a wonderful Seaman's scarf pattern in her book Stahman's Shawls & Scarves that has a heart motif that would look lovely in red...hmm...maybe my favorite "flavor" of Knitpicks Merino Style (DK weight) in Hollyberry! Wow. I'm multi-tasking again...as that works nicely with our Faroese Shawl KAL which is devoted to Myrna's book!

On another note, progress continues on my Amazing Lace project, as well as the "charity knitting" I'm doing: the Lacy Prairie Shawl (Wow, what a fast knit!) and the lace dishcloths for Cloths for Crisis! The Meezer has been camera shy for a bit, but wishes to assure her readers that she will be returning soon and that yes, yes, yes that is the very SAME tearstrip she's protected and loved for months now...(photos coming soon, I promise, and the official Challenge #2 for Amazing Lace will be up soon, too!)

Guess it's a good thing blogger decided to behave, whatdaya think?

New Bags! Nana Sadie Rose...

For all that the day started out badly (see my post on Nana Sadie's Place!) I managed to get things accomplished and that always makes things appear rosier (!) - oops that must have been a Freudian slip..."rosier" = Nana Sadie Rose! Below you'll see 3 of the sizes of bags you can find at my website: In the back, the Sadie Teacher Tote (done up in black with the aqua colorway of Yin Yang Kitties for lining), and in the front the Mera size (in Kitty City) and the Kerri size (in Pretty Pooches).

And just so you can see the insides of the Sadie tote (for the fabric, as well as the pocket detail:

Stop by and we'll fix up the purrrrfect bag for you!
(((hugs)))

Knitting for Others....C4C, KnitRed, etc.

Today, unfortunately, is not just June 1. It's the beginning of hurricane season. Last year, we began a KAL called Cloths for Katrina, when the devastation of that hurricane hit the Gulf States. We tried, by knitting facecloths, to let the survivors of that storm (and the ones that came later) know that there were knitters everywhere else in the country who were distressed by what they saw happening and that they cared and were concerned.

We morphed, in January, into the yahoo group Cloths for Crisis, affectionately known as C4C. If you feel you'd like to join us, we're knitting facecloths, dishcloths, lace patterned squares to send at a moments notice.

And while you're at it, knit a red one or two in honor of women's heart disease, and join us at Knit Red.

I've been busy with a bunch of KALs, with orders for my business, with my own obsession with lace, but I've also been working hard to develop a stash of cloths to have ready, just in case.

And in our "charity knitting" category, I'm also working on a triangle lace shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle, the Lacy Prairie Shawl, as a gift to my "second Mom's" mother, who now lives in a nursing home.

Just above is a photo of some of my donations, all in my trademark colors for women's health (see my entry earlier today): the Victorian Rose (Caron's Simply Soft yarn) colorway of Lacy Prairie Shawl, and then three dishcloths, one lavender feather and fan, one ivory lacy diamonds, and one red (yes, those are rows of hearts there...you can find the pattern here). You don't have to do things that are boring or routine, though if you're used to challenging knit projects, routine might be nice for a change!

Whatever you do, knitting for others is good for your heart. And good for the rest of our world!
(((hugs)))

Sweet Treats...When You Can't Buy Yarn!

I'm proud of how well I'm doing on the Yarn Focus Challenge - almost at 2 months and it's been hard this week with the new elann newsletter out. I simply cannot believe I've managed a month and 3 weeks plus (check my ticker down below, I'm saying the truth!!!). And now that it's June, I can think about an order - if you all have left me any of that sock yarn...or maybe some for a new shawl? lol!


But what I love is that just because I'm not buying yarn, that doesn't mean I can't buy knitting-related items. Lindsay just sent me this photo of the stitch markers she's custom made for me! They'll be in my mailbox soon and ready to use. The significance of the bead colors is important. The beads represent the primary issues of Women's Health that are important to me: Lavender for SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), Red for women's heart disease, and Pink for breast and (in my mind) all women's cancers. The charms relate specifically to me and the things I find important in life - cats, yarn, knitting, sewing...

Can't wait, can't wait! THANK YOU, Lindsay! They're just terrific, don't you all think? You can get some cool stitch markers, too, I'm sure, if you'll just visit Lindsay's blog!
(((hugs)))