Wednesday Whatsis

Some of my knitfriends use Wednesday as a WIP-Roundup day. Not me. I'm not even well enough organized at this point to even find all my WIPs! However, here's one that is an about-to-be frogged-object, an ABTFO.
This is the start of a Lady Eleanor, in Noro Transitions. First of all, I grabbed the ball thinking it was the "other" Noro, and I didn't realize my mistake right away. I cast on in the car on the way to hear the Harlot on Saturday, and this is how much I got done that day standing in line and waiting for her talk to begin.
Pretty good progress. Except that the gauge is definitely bulletproof, and at this rate it's eating up yarn really really fast. So I would have, if I continued with this piece, a "wrap" that would be really dense and maybe a foot long. Cause I have 3 balls of this stuff, and this is half of one ball.
Rrrrrip! The needles are out of it, and it will get frogged a bit later tonight while I watch Tim Gunn and learn a bit more about why I'm not very stylish.

For your pleasure, a recent shot of the Grandcarrot:


He is definitely into the maniacal 15-month-old phase by now, adorable little bundle of motion. He doesn't just walk, he runs. And he's inordinately pleased with this accomplishment, too.

Here's a little tease for you--these are all tubs of yarn that are headed for my Giant Crafters' Yard Sale. Next weekend, some fellow knitters and quilters and crafters are going to re-home some of our stash to make room for the latest acquisitions. I'll have more info for you, but if you're in the SoCal area, save the date: 9/29.
Poor Project Spectrum has been rather neglected around here lately. Well, purple and orange are a good combo on the toes, no? No!
This is what happens when you drop a bottle of shampoo (25.7 oz) on your toe.
For orange, how about some rose hips? They are pretty, and decorative, and I refuse to make rose-hip jam.
Oh, the cinder block? Isn't that how everyone props up a sagging rose bush?
Hi-Hi has found a new snooze spot: in Meg's clean laundry! He seems to think this is "his" towel and you know, she's inclined to let him have it, at least till next towel-washing day.

Simon always looks very hopeful. I'm not sure what he's hoping for, but he's very hopeful.
Ah, controversy! Here's a quiz for you.
I got these shoes. I think they're pretty cute, and very comfortable. Birki clogs, red with cartoon sheep.
D4 thinks they are awful.
D4 says I can't wear them. Ever. At least not out in public.
She thinks they would be cute on her 8-year-old niece, but not on her (supposedly) grown adult mother.

What do you think? Should I send them back to the Birki store, and get the blue or purple or maroon suede ones?
What is the price of familial harmony?
Oh, do go on over and see how the Fairy is growing!

A Very Harlot Saturday

Long-awaited, much anticipated:


We gathered at the impressive Los Angeles Downtown Library. Newly reopened after extensive renovation, there's a delightful atrium with sea critters and a fascinating sculptural piece. Something to look at while we all lined up patiently waiting our turn to go in.


Knitters of all shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities, waiting waiting waiting. That line is actually wrapped around itself and everyone is standing there knitting. If you have sharp eyes, you can spot Wendy, MJ and Carolyn down there in line. (I'll add MJ's blog link when I can find it--must be leftover Harlot-fumes fogging my brain!) (Edited: found it, added her link! Go over and say hi to Bella, too!)
Once we got seated, Wendy organized us all for photos. As you can probably tell from the size of that lens, Wendy is a pro and takes some really great pictures. She's promised to send us all some, and I hope that she'll also post some on her blog.

I did smile nicely and hopefully didn't crack the lens.

I won't name the owner of that hair, just because. She knows who she is!
Ellen got to do the introduction. Go Ellen!! Then Stephanie came out, took her "usual" photos of the crowd with her traveling sock. Then she spent the next hour and a half keeping us in stitches (tee hee, I made a knitter pun!) and giving us lots to think about.

Have I ever mentioned that I love Stephanie?? Yeah, I admit it, I'm a Harlot groupie.

Then she signed books. And signed books. And even when she got to the end of the line, she still had a smile and a couple of comments for everyone.

Here's an example. And we were at the tail end of the line, too!

She signed Barbara's book, and mine, and even got very excited with us over Annette's first sock. (As she should, in fact, since it's a lovely thing and very well done!) That's Annette over there, waiting her turn, while Wendy keeps the camera handy.

She even climbed up on the desk to get a peek at Patty's darling shoes. I won't tell you what Mary said, but I hope she repeats it on her blog.
All of this wonderfulness was made possible by the indefatigable efforts of our own Madgik-worker, who made the reservations, organized the carpool, and generally herded cats to make sure we got there on time, with cameras, knitting, and enthusiasm.

I don't seem to have caught any pictures of Madge or Jillian or Zoe or Mary, and that's not the best shot of Patty, either. Now that I think about it, I could have photographed those cute shoes myself so you could see them. Sigh. It's that Heat Wave Hangover again--I sure hope I get my brain back soon!

So there you have it. Please do check out my traveling companions' blogs for more pics and more comments. And if the Harlot comes to your town, let me know--I'll be on the next flight over there!

Neglectful

Yes, today was very eventful, and I promise to post about it ASAP.
However, in the meantime, I need to catch up on what's been happening around here and why I've been so neglectful of my poor little blog.

Can I distract you from the outrageous lack of blog posting hereabouts with some pretty pictures? How about a pink-and-blue sunset??

More sunset clouds.


Pretty, aren't they?

The good news is, the horrid high heat has finally broken, and the weather has become almost livable. The bad news is that my brain, and my energy centers, all melted during the heat wave and haven't come back to life yet.

But I've done a little quilting.

You can sort of see what the pattern will look like. This is a pre-cut kit of hand-dyed fabrics which I "acquired" in 2003, according to the eBay paperwork that was with it.

Yeah, I stockpile fabric just like I do yarn. But, I must admit, it's nice to have something like this to do when you want to work on SOMETHING, but don't have the energy or the mental wherewithal to come up with that something.

Not that triangles are easy, you understand, nor is this a particularly easy design. It's easy to pair up the first set of triangles, and the second, and sewing them together is also easy.
But then you have to match the two halves of the quarter-block, and that is where the "fun" comes in.

I have a system. I match up the center points, and then sew a few stitches across the center to baste them together. If they match perfectly, it's all good. If they don't match up, then it's only a matter of ripping out a few stitches and redoing it.

Much better than picking out a whole long line of stitching!

I've also been visiting a few new cats and thought you might like to meet them.

First, meet Patty's little Sally Brown, aka Tortie. Isn't she a love with those big green eyes?

She's just noticed the camera--and the dangling camera strap.

Mmm! A new chew toy!

Attack cat mode: can I get into that camera?

We had a lot of fun playing with the camera strap. Kittens think the entire world is their playpen.

Next up, meet my pretty grandkitten Maxine. She belongs to D5 and husband, along with her sister Shyla and brother Potsy. They don't usually come out for company, but Max is gregarious and quite fond of being petted and "made" over.

Her favorite way to be held is on her back, just like a baby. She will purr and lap up the attention.

Max says:

You won't tell anyone how good I've got it here, will you??

PS--If you want to see some darling baby animal pics, head on over to Susan's to see her new baby goat kids!

For Robert

Robert Keith Watterlond

March 1, 1938--September 7, 2005

We know that this is not goodbye.

We're Havin' A Heat Wave...

... with no relief in sight for the long weekend at least. However, some areas are getting a bit of rain or at least some "shade" from the clouds.

We had an extremely brief, but very loud, thundershower a couple of nights ago. All it did was wake everyone up, and leave us with sticky humidity.

Sorry to keep complaining about the heat. It's just that I don't tolerate it very well, it's hard to sleep, and that makes me grumpy.

And cranky.

Okay, okay.

Grumpier.
and crankier.

So, just for a change of pace, this is what was on the agenda today.
Can you see the sign in that first cloud picture? This is where we met for lunch today--three Ds, a mom, and an auntie.

Well, and a grandchild-to-be. D3 said she felt mildly guilty for not bringing the Grandcarrot, however he is at an age where this particular restaurant--with the flaming onion volcano, the spectacular eruptions of flame, and the searing hot cooking table--would definitely not be the best choice.



Hold the presses! News of the World, pay attention!


mehitabel has... drum roll, please...
a real life, bona fide, Finished Object!!


Yes, the Rose Garden Shawl is done, finished,

complete,

and lovely and soft! (Thanks to Ms Patty for the superb modeling effort!)

It has been pointed out to me that this pattern is nearly identical to the Fir Cone Shawl that has been spotted elsewhere in Blogland. I couldn't agree more! It's actually something called The Lavender Linen Lace Shawl but I think of it as leaves. Rose leaves.

Between the resemblance to rose leaves and the fact that it's made from two skeins of Artyarns' Silk Rhapsody in the Rose Garden colorway, I think I can be allowed to call it the Rose Garden Shawl.

Can't I?




Close-up of leafy prettiness. I love the way the color played out on this piece--I was a little worried about using a variegated yarn because I didn't know how the pooling would look.

Looks fine to me!







When it's hot outside and inside, what's a big furry boy to do?
Why, find a cool spot on Mom's keyboard, of course. And if you squinch your eyes closed really really really REALLY tight, you can pretend to be sound asleep if someone tries to move you. Because, really, being The Cat means the world is your pillow.

Happy long weekend to those of you who are celebrating Labor Day. If you are in this particular corner of the world, do try to keep cool. Flex your power and all that--both your electrical power and your personal power. A little knitting, a tall cool drink, and some fur to love--what more does one need??

Quilty Things

If it's Tuesday, it must be quilting night, right? Well, now that we're down to two Tuesdays a month, not so much; but tonight was one of the magical nights.

There was much rejoicing as Anne finished the binding on two more "charity quilts." As I talked about last week, the Guild wants to have 100 quilts ready by Christmas time for their outreach program. Anne and three friends took these two quilts with t hem on Saturday to "practice" long arm quilting. One of the semi-local shops has a long arm machine which they make available--they'll teach you how to use it, then let you come in and quilt on it for a fee.
So these babies got quilted. And tonight I hauled in the ol' box-o-bindings and Anne put the finishing touches on them. Don't they look good?


A close-up of one of the blocks so you can see how really darling this Noah's Ark fabric is. Very sweet faces on the animals.

Interesting discussion tonight, sparked by a remark made at the guild's workshop by one of the members. I had just held up a top I'd put together (blocks pieced by Ellin and Harry) and this woman said that it was "too pretty for a charity quilt." I really took umbrage at that remark (Hello, Delores! *waves* at the Grand High Inquisitor) because, to me, there is little value in giving someone a badly made item just because it's "charity." Seems to me, someone who's down on his or her luck deserves to have the best I can do for him/her. In spite of our joking around about our "ugly" quilts, they've all been nicely made, colorful, and proof of the old axiom that you can make a pretty, attractive quilt out of "ugly" fabrics. And one person's ugly fabric is someone else's treasure, as I also learned that day.
Hey, I still think "that" fabric is ugly! Which doesn't mean I wouldn't put it on the back of a quilt, because I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who think it's very attractive. (I know--I heard from them. Vocally. That fabric is now known as "the one mehitabel thinks is so ugly." )

Oh well, I guess I'm pretty outspoken sometimes. (Surprise!) But I'm going to keep on doing charity stuff (quilts, shawls, whatever) that I'd give to someone I love as a gift. Because isn't that what charity is all about?? (I think St. Martin de Porres is one of my favorite saints!)
By the way, that's how the group tonight felt about it, too--it was unanimous!

Summer Doldrums

Meet this month's Full Moon. This is, depending on how fond you are of the movie version of Pocahontas, either the Blue Corn Moon or the Sturgeon Moon.
Take your pick.

I know it's not a great picture but at least this one looks like a nice circular moon. For a while there, all I could get when I tried to photograph the moon was UFO-like curlicues.

Maybe the camera's brief illness has restored it to decent moon-shots.




Had to take a picture of my Combretum fruticosum--I don't know if it has a common name. It has been through a lot, this poor little plant, in the many years it has lived here with us.
It came as a one-gallon potted plant and was our membership gift for joining the LA County Arboretum. Once upon a time, the Arboretum, like all the LA County facilities, didn't charge for admission, so it was a great place to take the kids on a Sunday afternoon--feed the ducks, visit the Hugo Reid Adobe, ogle the Queen Anne Cottage, go sit by the waterfall. Then they started charging, and all of a sudden it wasn't affordable--so I saved up, and clipped coupons, and got us a family membership so we could still go whenever we wanted to, regardless of the current state of the family budget. This plant has always reminded me of that time, of good times shared as a family. Plus, of course, it has these very strange looking blossoms. It reminds me of a Bottlebrush, but the leaves are very different.


Stash diving--which in my case is very close to dumpster diving--has been going on. Behold 11 boxes of mostly yarn, on their way to new homes. Some of t hem are going to an eBay reseller and it will be nice to think of them moving on to new homes. However, the sheer volume of what's remaining is making this seem like less of a good plan, so I've come up with another bright idea which I will share with you all when the time is right.
Soon, my pretties, soon!


Since my knitting mojo seems to have taken flight after the fiasco that was my MS3--which I haven't ripped yet, it's still in time-out and I have a very faint hope of fixing it and restarting it--I tried to think of some way to get it back and operational. So, here's my new project, really thrilling, although I put it in my new Trader Joe's tote bag just because it's so doggone cheery and colorful. How can you look at this thing and not smile?
It's another comfort shawl for the ministry in CT. I found 4 skeins of well-marinated Jiffy (how long has it been since the label looked like THAT?) and I'm hoping it will be enough. If it's not, oh well, I'm sure I have something else around here that will look okay with it. When I finish the first skein, I'll know if I have to go find some pink or blue or white in the further reaches of the stash to make some stripes. Stripes are okay, aren't they? I mean, they won't look like "I was running out of yarn and decided to punt" will they?
Guess what? This seems to be doing the trick. I got all that you see here done last night, watching Big Brother and Design Star and something on E! about 40 fashion disasters--summer is for train-wreck TV, the kind you know you shouldn't watch but you just can't tear your eyes away from it. At least I have some knitting to show for it!

Pink-a-liciousness

Here it is--the pinkalicious purse, seen on the arm of a very pinkalicious lady at the recent Barbie show. She was very nice, very friendly, and was quite happy to let me photograph her pink purse. It matches her pink sandals, she showed me, and it also went with her pink outfit. She'd worn it to remind her of the doll she was going to pick up, which is wearing a... wait for it... pink outfit.

Barbie show always includes lots of pink. Many attendees seem to feel it's necessary to dress like Barbie doll, but I can assure you it isn't. I don't.

But, it does make for a fun outing. Would I have preferred going to the Santa Monica Fiber Fest? Probably. But my wallet, and my credit card balances, are much happier that I made this choice. Total spent? $0.


So imagine my surprise when I showed up for Montrose Monday Knitting, and found that Mary had resurrected her Wobbly Tote.

It's pink. Totally pinkalicious.

This is a view of the back, along with a random person at the coffeehouse who is obviously smitten with the project. Kudos to Mary for picking up this large WOOLY UFO!!
As you can see, though, the coffee house's nice table provides a good resting place for all those little bobbins of yarn. And they do keep their a/c at slightly above freezing, so it's not painful to work on wool.

Check out Madgik's new project--her Chevron Scarf. I will let her tell you what she calls it.

However, I will just note t hat I am sporting a large example of the species, in exactly those colors. No pictures. Nuh-huh.


So Wednesday is usually Knitting Day, but this week it became something else. Several people had conflicts so we had to cancel our knit n' coffee time.
But it was okay, because this Wednesday happened to be Guild Day. And August, being a hot month, is not usually a terrifically well-attended meeting, so it's become our annual charity sew-a-thon. Here you see my work space--serger threaded and humming, I managed to get quite a bit done. Note the snacks readily at hand: blueberries and blackberries. You can't see the table with the cookies and veggie tray and cookies and crackers and cookies, but it was there.

Here's one quilt top, ready to be backed and quilted. Blocks made by E. and H. (the quilting doctors) and the whole thing assembled by Yours Truly.
Here's a couple more shots of the work area. This is the table behind my sewing station, complete with lots and lots and LOTS of stuff.




The guild ladies--there were 19 of us today working on this project--left with 27 finished quilts as well as another 20+ in progress. Now, not all of these quilts were started from scratch today--remember, I had blocks already made--but still, it's an impressive total. Our Charity Chairman Charlene has a goal of 100 quilts to donate this year, and it looks as if we're well on our way!

You may have noticed (duh!) that there are pictures with this post. Darling D4 fiddled and futzed with the camera, and it is now happily working away. Plus, the more I use it, the better it seems to behave. Whew! (The body is healing.)

On a happy note, I went to the workshop today with 4 large tubs full of stuff. I came home with one tub, half-full. Yay for destashing!! And the best part is, it's all going to get used in a good cause. One tub is full of quilt tops (with matching backs) which some of my friends (Hi Anne! Hi Carol! Hi Lisa! Hi Sandy!) are going to use for practice--they took a long-arm quilting class and are really eager to practice their technique, and this tub o' quilts will be perfect. I just love it when everything comes together!