Cats in the Garden

Blogging and the Social Network

2011-02-16T15:55:00.002-06:00

I know that lots of you out there are on facebook. I don't really care for it. I thought when I got on it, that it would be a way to connect with my children and people I've met on the internet a long time ago. It seems though that it is all about how many friends you can have on your page and all that. I've never been competetive about that sort of thing. I just want a few not a lot of people that I don't know. I guess that's why I've started blogging again. I just don't like the everybody in everybody's bussiness crap. I don't want to be friends with everyone. My children hardly ever post on it and then it's usually for someone else, so I see no point on staying on it. I am using up my free luv chum on fishwrangler, I did like that game until it became to addictive. I don't like things that take time away from my life, like staying on the internet all day to play some game. I am going to be redoing my blog and posting more pictures of things I am doing and making. but I'm going to drop facebook soon. I'll have more time for my hobbies and the house cleaning and sewing. My cat will apreciate it I am sure. I am changing around my blog roll and removing some and adding others, not all will be hobbiest and there will be some politics on it too. Right now I think that I will start dinner. Ta Ta Yall'

Little Annoyances

2011-02-15T10:26:00.002-06:00

Some things annoy me, one is when wiki or the news doesn't bother to do any real investigating of so called facts, Todays incorrect fact, at least I believe it is so, Is that T.P Mkenna is the actor who played John Steed in the Avengers that was what Msn said anyway. That was Thomas Patrick Mcnee born in London. Thomas Patrick MaKenna was born in Ireland, I don't think they could be the same person, born in two places at that, and their ages are different. Yesterday's peeve was that they confused the two Paul Smiths on Wiki, yes there were two, one is the actor who portrayed Beast Raban on Dune(the movie) and the other portrayed a corporal in The 1954 movie The Deadly Mantis. Since these sites are run by mostly the young, they wouldn't notice the mistake, and it would never occur to them that there might be two.

I am more annoyed with the fact that Saturday after a rough day shopping and trying to get through the melting sludge and crap on our gravel road, I spilled an entire glass of iced tea on my laptop. It died instantly and I thought that would be it, I cleaned it off,even to removing the hard drive and drying it out and leaving it sitting on paper towels on its side so it would drain. I didn't think for a minute that it would ever work again, but it is. It dried out and the next day it booted up sticky keys and all. I had to break the keys loosed somewhat, it just a darn good thing that I don't put a lot of sugar in my iced tea, or it wouldn't be working at all. Since it started working after it dried out, I bought an external drive and backed up everything on Sunday.

I had to move my computer out of the living room, because I also got a new printer and there just isn't room for two printers in the living room. It was a splurge i know, but we needed a better printer, the old one just messes up and uses a lot of ink just trying to clean the heads, so it was becomming more expensive. The hard drive was important, because after spilling a glass of iced tea on my lap top, who knows how long it will work! I also backed up the Hubby's computer so now we have all that data on one drive. Anyway that's my story and I sticking to it.

As for crafting, I'm still at it, knitting myself a new sweater that I hopefully won't need till next year and crocheting a shawl that is from a picture i saw on the internet. I do like the freedom of working from a photo and not a pattern, I am sure that the one who makes these shawls for sale wouldn't appreciate it but since I don't have her pattern and don't want to pay someone in Turkey for something that I can do for myself. After all their is no way that it can be identical, is there? Most of the shawls I see on the internet are taken from someone else work. Many young women that are just starting out with crochet seem to think they invented it! I've been doing it for over 35 years and trust me, you don't have anything new, just new colors or labels or names. A granny shawl is still a granny shawl even if you use a large hook or thread to make it and it is made pretty much the same way. A shrug made from a rectangle is still a rectangle no matter what fancy name you call it by and you can't really copyright it because it's made from a stitch you found in what ever stitch guide you use, because someone else has probably already made it before you and putting it out there for all to see does not make you first or a designer. I make tons of stuff without a pattern by simply using the stitch guides and counting, that doesn't make me a designer either, that just means I can make what I want when I want without buying someone elses patterns. Okay end of rant. I guess I am just so tired of people copyrighting things that someone else has already done and calling it theirs. You might get away with it, but it is wrong. Sorry but this weekend while surfing I found several Granny square shawls some new and some old and I have printed patterns for one or two and they are all identical, just made with differnent yarns or threads and I found it a bit annoying, because each person had put a copyright notice on it. They were already copyrighted back in the 60's and 70's. Okay now that's the end of rant.

On a much brighter note, the snow is melting and I hope we don't see any more till 2012 and then not so much. My yard is a mud hole and I don't want to go outside. Hopefully in the next post I'll have some finished objects to show instead of objections.

A little more

2011-01-29T12:50:00.000-06:00

Here is a little more of what is going on for now, two weeks ago, I sprained my ankle, that was better than the broken hip I could have had though. It hurt a lot, It's better now and I am being more careful, guess my bones are still solid or it could have been worse. Of course that slowed down the excercise program I was starting. It still hurts when it gets cold here, though right now its 60 outside. My, my crazy weather were having. I guess I'll wind up doing the walking thing this spring, summer and fall, though I'll be carrying a cane, my balance is way off, hence the fall and the cane helps. It also come in handy for wacking dogs on the head, every one out here in this area seems to have a large or small dog, unleashed that attacks anyone who walks by.I think I'll get a small squirt gun to so I can squirt them when they snap at me.

Why I have been there

2011-01-28T11:36:00.004-06:00

My last post so long ago was about where I have been, This one is why I have been there. It's also about why I no longer post anything. It's not that I have nothing to say, it just that maybe it's better not to say it. You never know who is reading what you are writing and how they will react to it. What happened in Tucson the other day, was partly because of what was said and how it was said. If you tell someone, something enough times they will believe it. A person with a weak or sick mind will overreact to what they hear and that is almost always bad. People post all kinds of stuff on the Internet, with the idea that since no one can see them, no one can hurt them and they will get away with it. I believe that if you post something on the net, and someone reads it and hurts someone because of it, even if you never meet that person or persons, you are still partly responsible for what is done. I also believe in karma, and you might think you get away with it, but sooner or later you pay.

I've been listening to the political and religious leaders talk and talk and never say anything worth listening too. I guess I've gotten to the point where i don't even listen. The religious right is worried about abortions, but they don't seem to mind sending the young men and women off to fight and die for our country, or oil depending on how you see it. It's the same thing to me, dead is dead at any age. None of them seem to want people to have health care, so people are going to die of disease, they are still dead, however it happens. They say they don't want the elderly to die or suffer, but they want to get rid of Social security, thus making it impossible for those of us who have paid it in to survive. Perhaps instead of privatizing it they should start a weaning away process from it. They can send me mine now if they want, I think I can manage it as well as the ones in the SS administration have. Though i probably won't boost the economy by spending it on junk.

My opinion is that congress and the president shouldn't have health care either, If as Lincoln said all men are created equal, then what we don't have, they shouldn't have. Neither should they or other government employees have guaranteed pensions if we don't, it is after all a government of people by the people and for the people. That should make the people more important than the government. For some reason though, we are expendable and unimportant,because there are so many of us. These are my opinions though even that seems to be illegal in some ways now just to have opinions that don't agree with whoever is in power. How many bloggers are harassed for what they post now?

I used to think this was a craft blog, but can no longer call it that, I still make things and love crocheting, but am also knitting, spinning and soon to be sewing again. To be focused on crafts and making money is a very narrow view to me. I am also writing, have five books on this computer now, don't know if they will be books or a couple of books of short stories. My view is still to narrow to write more meaty stories, so I'll keep writing them and hope that they will turn into books. One never knows, i may never publish them, but then again maybe I will when i am sure I have done all I can with them. I've also been painting, miniature's of course. I still can't face a large piece of paper and fill it up. I can put an entire landscape on a tiny canvas though. I do a little woodcarving too and anything else that needs doing. Maybe I'll learn to paint on rocks.

Perhaps next post I'll have finished the sweater I am knitting and the socks and the skein of wool I'm spinning. And maybe I'll have started sewing by then. Lots of maybes there. I have to tell myself that i am earning something, when I make something without having to buy it i am saving money, by using what I have on hand, and a penny saved is a penny earned, though it should be a dollar or two with inflation by now.

Where I've been

2010-09-29T10:48:00.005-05:00

Where I have been, just really busy. I got so addicted to the internet that I have been trying to actually do something. I am on facebook playing fishwrangler though I am planning on quitting that too in January. I am just tired of reading about what other people are doing. I have started sewing and spinning again. I am working on several things at once. A crocheted scarf, a modular pullover, I'm knitting a pair of socks. I will post once in a while but I've started doing more and being on the internet less. A vicarious life through the internet is just not enough.

I got out my Louet S51 I had to fix the drive band it was old and replace it, right now I am spinning with a drive band made of Stretch Magic jewelry elastic, It works pretty well.
I still need a real one, but will get that later. I've had this wheel for 15 years and used it very little. Now I have dug out all the stuff I had to spin, It should keep me busy for a while, at least. Among these spinnables is one pound of honey tussah silk. I am hoping by the time I spin my way through the wool and the mohair that I will be able to spin the silk into a laceweight two ply yarn to make a shawl from. I've been spinning with spindles occasionally, but it is so slow for me that I have hung them from a garland in my sewing room and hardly use them now.

I've modified a doily pattern and am working on a shawl, it should be beautiful, I am making it in a nice but fairly cheap acrylic, so I can rip back easily and make modifications, once its done in acrylic, I am hoping by then to have something nice to make it in. I've got two skeins of cashwool I could use, and one really beautiful skein of a handpainted merino. I think this will look best in the white color. I really like the idea of making it from the silk.

I have also bought 40 skeins of Aunt Lydia's bamboo thread. I saved a long time for that stuff. several months it took me. Now I am not allowing myself to buy any more yarn or thread except
for specific projects. I have a number of sewing projects in the que. I hope to get some of it done. I did actually get a pair of curtains made, it's a start. I have 4 large and three small storage boxes of yarn to get through and two or more storage boxes of fabric. I really want to use some of it up so we'll have a little bit of room in our dinky house.

I am also learning to play the guitar again. It's slow and my fingers get sore. Anyway that's not all that is going on, but it's all I have time for now.

No want to anymore.

2010-04-30T19:11:00.002-05:00

I just don't seem to want to post anymore. I crochet all the time, and I play fish wrangler all the time. Love that game on face book, I don't even post there anymore. Nothing to say, nothing much to read either since everyone is on Ravelry now. I am just not a ravelry sort of person, much as I like crochet, there are other things that also occupy me.

I have started a small garden, will probably have to fight to keep the deer out of this year, got an early start, the wind blew my tomato plant out of the topsy turvy planter, but the big one in the bucket is still there. So will get another one and put it in a big bucket too. I am setting up a compost bin too. Have the bin, just need to pick a place in the yard, I want it close to the garden so I don't have to drag the compost all over to get it there.

I spent most of the last two months sick, with a lung infection that almost became pneumonia. I got bad enough that I thought I would go to the hospital, but didn't. I spent 4 weeks in bed, literally. I was glad not to go to the hospital though, I hate hospitals. I will try to post a little more often, I am moderating comments now, too many spam comments,so if you post one I will have to see it.

Through the winter, I just didn't do much reading or posting anywhere. I spent a lot of that time just trying to stay well, its harder to do as I get older. May take some pictures of my finished objects and post them here, I've made several scarves, shawls, bags and a sweater and some other things. I am working on another sweater and some socks for next year. Knit owl, I haven't forgotten you, or Esme. I read the blog, I just don't post. That's all for now.

Still busy

2009-08-18T13:46:00.002-05:00

Yes, I am still busy. Have been cleaning out a lot of junk. Anything that looked like it might sell for a little bit, goes to one of the local charity's. I am getting ready to close my little flea market booth. I have sold some stuff, but they charge so much rental and commission that I might as well give the stuff away. Lets put it this way after five months, the flea market has $75 and I have $0. so I might as well give the stuff away or let the DH sell it at work. I would save the rental fee at least.

The house gets emptier all the time, and we have more room all the time, though I still haven't started the outside yet, its all those wasp and bees, I don't want to start until they are thinned out. I did finish mowing the lawn the other day with the help of the DH, I had two thirds of it done when he got home. He was really glad to see so much done. You see the lawn tractor is down, until we get a new shaft for one side of the deck. That's a ways off yet, too much else to be done.

Today I am trying to make pita bread,never done it before and the recipe is one I haven't tried and it doesn't seem to do what i wanted, no puffy pockets or anything. Tomorrow my DH has requested a cake, so I'll probably do that then. The cake always turns out, but this is a bread machine recipe for pita bread and seems like something is missing, maybe it needs to be kneaded more. I am not going to worry about it right now, I want to start knitting on the crochet organizer thingy I am making anyway. It's one of those round cushion things that you stick needles in, only this one is for all those hooks. I don't take my crochet with me much anymore, I keep loosing tools and that irks me just a bit.

Anyway that's it for now, will post pictures when and if I get the camera out and the dial-up speeds up a bit.

Busy as a bumble bee

2009-08-07T11:53:00.000-05:00

I feel like I have been as busy as a bumble bee. They are everywhere around here this year. I am going to have to burn out or spray the nests that have been built under the house. I don't want to take a chance on getting stung-they can you know. I have to clear those and the wasps out before I can do the outside work. Today I am mowing and mowing. Gosh, i am tired now. I am trying not to overdo it, but still have so much left. I mow 20 minutes and rest 20 minutes, its hot and I don't want heatstroke. Okay so the hotter it gets the longer the rest breaks get,LOL.

I saw a lot of nature out there today, butterflies everywhere, the big ones. Several cute little bluetail lizards, I think they are skinks, maybe. And one very small Missouri Kingsnake, kind of black with little green dots on it. It was only about 18 inches long and I tried to catch it so I could put it in my garden, didn't want to accidently kill it with the mower. Oh an one rather large mother frog, in my trash pile and yes, it was a frog. I mowed right by the trash pile and It sailed right over the mower and looked at me, and then ducked in the trash where I suspect its young are, because I could see some water in there in the muck. It came flying at me from several feet from the trash pile and glared at me, as much as to say,"don''t get to close!" Generally I like lizards, toads and frogs, and even snakes though now, that we are pretty sure what nearly killed our black cat was a copperhead, we are going to show them less mercy than we normally would.

I got a huge surprise when my son, came by to see me,a few days ago, I haven't even seen him for years and years. He has a beautiful little girl, she is so cute. He and his wife seem pretty happy, so I am happy for him. All I have ever wanted for my children is that they be happy in life. The little one is another reason for me to eliminate the snakes that bite, I don't want to see her bitten.

Getting there!!

2009-07-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

Yes I am getting there, the house is closer and closer to getting done. I get more and more stuff out of the house all the time. I have a feeling the DAV(disabled american veterans is going to get some of this stuff. We just have too much stuff. Some of which I had forgotten about. Some of it that isn't worth keeping will get burned, no point in trying to dump it on some poor charity to deal with.

I do a little spinning for example-I'd probably do more if I had the wool out where I could see it, but it has been in a plastic box for forever. Since I keep it all in heavy plastic bags there are no bugs in it, but it never gets spun up either, so now it is in a basket that I can see what it is. And I have hung all my spindles up and am putting the wheel where I can get at it. Maybe if I can see them, I will start using them again.

I think I am going to store the games that I have kept in the, now empty plastic box-we only play games as a last resort around here( power outs and such), I love to play, but the dh doesn't like them much. I only have a few, so no big deal. I found a box of bicycle parts, still in the blister packs for my bike, new brakes, new innertubes, lights. I really should get it out and polish it up and ride it. I will be needing the exercise when I am done. I have even lost a couple of pounds since I started this. I'd like that to continue.

I got a treasure at the flea market last weekend, I finally got a copy of H. Beam Piper's Fuzzys and Other People in one of the booths for $2. I have been looking for that book for several years now. Only one more to go and I will have the set, They are hard for me to find, and when I do, they want way more than I will pay for them. Now I only need Fuzzy Sapiens and I will finally get to read them in sequence. I also have William Tunning's Fuzzy Bones but it is just not the same and doesn't have the same ending at the real thing. Though I like it too. I may just get busy in my spare time and make me a pair of little fuzzies to sit on the bed. They are so cute.

Well, it has taken longer to write this than I had intended, but talking about it keeps it straight in my head too, last week I lost two whole days and don't know where they went. It seems I jumped from tuesday to friday and really got confused and don't know how it happened. I at least know that today is Tuesday.

My sick cat is better, she is eating and able to move around again, I was afraid she was a gonner, she is so old. I don't look for her to live a lot longer anyway. She is an outside cat that doesn't do well indoors, I'm glad we live in the country. It's a little safer out here for them, unless someone decides to poison rats or something, or starts shooting them. I don't know why some people hate cats, without them, out here, we would be overun with rats and field mice in the house.And I hate to use any sort of poison on them, it goes to far down in the food chain.

Anyway that's it, more in a few days-after I am finished I hope.

Why I haven't been posting for the like two of you that read this

2009-07-17T09:43:00.002-05:00

Why I haven't been posting,I have been very busy, trying to fix up our old house and make it a little more comfortable. We spend so much time here that I want it to be as comfortable and easy to live with as possible. That takes work and a lot of it. The next paragraphs are from my other blog, I just copied and pasted, hope it works together and doesn't sound too funny.

It has been a long month for me and it's still not over. I have been painting walls and fixing floors, and all sorts of things for the last three weeks. I am now so tired that I can't wake up easily and hurt all over. I can almost see daylight though. Almost! I still need to move some more bookcases and build some more. and yes I am doing it myself. I think that is why I am so tired. I haven't had time to post or even read the posts others make. There is more moving furniture and more cleaning to do as well. When it is all done, I am taking some time off to just veg out for a few days. Then I get to start the outdoor repairs, believe it or not they will be easier than the indoor ones have been. Anyway, I going to go take it easy for the rest of the day, tonight I will dig out some more wood to build my book cases with.

I am still crocheting and making small things too. I've crocheted 6 flute cases for our indian flutes and other instruments. I still have three to go. I am also debating on whether or not to stay with yahoo profiles, it is the dullest website I have ever seen. No way to make it better either and they don't seem to care over there. Oh well, this one has been better so far, so I'll probably stick with it. Pardon my typing, my hands just don't want to type today, they are tired too.

On a Happier note than the last

2009-06-06T12:35:00.002-05:00

My last post was rather depressed and surly, okay downright angry. It seems that I am only really happy now, working in the yard or crocheting or working on my crappy house. Oh and writing. I am still working on the books, and my go back to two others I started years ago, I have found part of one and the outline and a couple of chapters of one other. The third one I'll have to start from memory. I lost all of it when I moved 20 years ago. Writing is good therapy, even if it is never published. I write better on my stories than I write here. Though sometimes the rules of grammar are very hard for me to remember. I remember a little better all the time though.

I finished something to send my dear daughter, and if she reads this-perhaps she will send me a picture when she gets it (Hint, hint). She would make a much better model than my maniquin would. You know that crocheted top I started months ago? I still haven't finished it! No matter how many balls of thread I have bought none of them work, it is just a totally different shade of blue and I have tried two other dye lots. So... I decided to do the sleeves in a shade of lavender and try to trim it with the blue I have. If you can't match them, change them. I may like it better, who knows, it won't be quite so stuffy and perfect that way. I never seem to like things that are too stuffy, perfect or nice. I want that little defect that makes them not look like they are machine made, I guess. For me I am even making a pink scarf from some lacette I got on clearance. I don't wear much pink, I don't look good in it, but I have one pink sweater that I like and looks okay on me, so I wanted a scarf for the winter that will work with it, and this one will.

Oh and I got some sewing patterns for pants, a tunic top and a coat that can be a dress jacket or just a cover-up or even make a winter type coat. I really don't like much of what is in the stores today and would rather make my own. I was thinking some denim for the shell and maybe some black fleece for the lining with maybe some insulation too. It's a swing-type coat that can be made short or long with only one button or two-I hate zippers-they are always breaking, if a button pops, I just put on a new one. And that brings us to my house hold repairs!

I am excited because I got the lumber to redo my floors, so now I can do my sewing room and put all my sewing things and crafts things back in there, and that means I can start making things again. New clothes that fit! Stuff to sell in my little flea market booth and things for the house. It will also give me a quiet place to write in, though I also love to sit outside (when the bugs aren't too bad) and write in the shade.

That brings me back to the yard, I am now looking for rock-can't use them yet, so I can rock in the floor part of my little sitting spot.My sitting spot is just a little park bench and table under a tree with some flowers. Rocking in the floor of it and cleaning it out of weeds and things should help eliminate some of the bugs. I am picking up rock in my yard and some at the store so it will a jumble of things. Like something done years ago. maybe some stepping stones and the like. And then I start the repairs on the outside of the house. I may start some of them this weekend or the next weekend. Probably this weekend. Nothing fancy, just real repairs. I am feeling much better, though health problems do persist, I am not going to let them rule me anymore, or quit doing something just cause I might get hurt again.

I just don't know anymore!

2009-06-02T12:33:00.000-05:00

It's true, I just don't know anymore. To post or not to post. I really don't think anyone in America really reads this stuff anyway, maybe a few of you. The last few months though, it seems that I have lost a lot of my interest in blogging. I've noticed a big decline in the number of posts on my favorite craft blogs and the complete ceasing on others of any posts. Are we loosing interest in our blogs, or is the economy just getting so many of us down that we have nothing cheerful to say? Or is it the war and politics. I keep worrying that we are going to get into another war, with oh, say Korea. They either really want one, or they are really desparate to get help. I guess no one ever told them that you can 'catch more flies with honey than with sour milk'.

And you can post and post on the presidents site, and I don't think anyone really reads them, they send you a thank-you for your support-even if you didn't support their position. That seems to indicate that now the president has been elected, he is doing what got the last one in trouble and not listening to those that elected him, he has started listening to the advisors who know so much-they or some like them are the ones that helped the last president put us in this position.

Does all this say to you what it does to me, that no one is listening and that no one really cares what happens to the middle class and the ones below it. It seem to, that they are really trying to set the middle class against the poor and lower, by trying to make them pay for all the programs and funding that is needed. Small businesses should be pretty much exempt if they provide jobs for people, stick it to the big corporations that have sent all the factory and production jobs overseas, they are the real culprits. If they had not started this, by eliminating jobs and increasing their own profits, the people on the bottom would have money for their car payments and house payments and to put into social security and keep things going, but not they had to send our jobs away, then the ones selling house and buying real estate had to get in on it and now the housing market is falling apart. Greatly simplified I know, but still true, these people didn't just break some eggs, they tried to steal the chickens too.

Still in the end, who winds up paying for it all, the middle class and the poor. I've heard that the poor don't pay taxes-bull****. They pay sales taxes, hidden taxes and all sorts of other taxes no one even seems to know about. In my state we pay taxes on all food items. You spend $100 on food and pay about $8 in taxes, not much you say-but how about that times 52 weeks,that's $416 dollars a year. And then there is gas tax, property tax, real estate tax, it adds up to a lot, there is no free ride even for the ones who don't have much. Does anyone ever ask these questions or do they just not want to know. You take someone who makes less than $24,000 in a year and they still pay around $1500 to $2000 a year in taxes and no I am not talking about income tax alone- they get a little of that back, I am talking about, real estate, personal property, sales tax , gas tax and all those little hidden taxes that are tacked on before you make a purchase. No one is exempt from them. From the upper middle class down, we all pay more than our share.

The laws are written to protect those above the middle class, and give them shelters so they can keep more in proportion to us. Basically they are written to keep the poor poor and the middle class from really ever getting into the rich upper classes. They are written so the poor and the middle class pay an unfair percentage of taxes, of course this is just my take on it, I am sure, some won't agree, but still I am entitled to my opinion and I have expressed it. Hope someone at the top reads this and see another point of view and maybe just thinks about it.

Ta !

What the H***

2009-04-10T10:43:00.003-05:00

I am going to moderate comments from now on, I don't like Spam. I guess though, this is as good a time as any to make a post. I don't have a lot to say. I'm going to get a little space in a local shop, to sell off some of my knitting needles and some leaflets and a few other things. It is a small space so I don't have to pay much for it. I want to clear out some of the junk pardon me "treasures" that I have accumulated over the many years of trying many hobbies. Don't worry I am keeping some of my favorite needles and things-just in case.

I've decided that knitting is just not my forte'. I am just so much happier with my hooks. I am working on three and possibly four stories now too. I won't be so presumptuous as to call them books yet. But with the economy the way it is, anything that gives a chance at something is good.
I finally got the laptop I wanted. It's just a little one, It may have showed up on a previous post, I have Multiply set up so that when I post one there, it shows up here. That was to save time, but sometimes the posts get mixed up unless I write it all down. I am not good at remembering things at all.

We are going to get some more repairs done on the house, most of it I will do when the weather gets warm, I can't lift things anymore, so the DH will set things in place and do the lifting and i will nail them or glue or whatever is needed. I guess i will just have to do the easy things, they are also the most time consuming though. I want to get some furniture slider thing's so I can move furniture to clean and work on without lifting them or fighting with them. The rooms need painted and I can do that, and I want new wallpaper borders up, something light and easy to see. This house is too dark and I don't see well so I want it very light. And we need some new floors in some of the rooms, i can nail it down after he lays it out. Oh and I get to put down the new tile (I haven't got yet). Once I am done though, I will finally have a room to work in, and a lot less junk, cause it is going in the trash, getting sold or getting donated if i don't want to sell it. Oh and the bedroom is getting done too, so that makes me happy. It is too dingy and dark for me.

I already got rid of a large stack of knitting books, and got a nice book credit at the bookstore for future use. I have a few more that are going and a stack of crochet leaflets too, or will I hmmm. I won't price them too high, just enough to make a bit. I am not greedy-I'll leave that for the person who buys them from me a then jacks up the prices in the booth they take them too. It happens all the time here.

Well that's all really, nothing really exciting happens here-for which, I am now, devoutly grateful after all the horrible things that have happened in our country to other people, I am now grateful for the boredom!

Don't you hate spammers!!!!!

2009-04-09T11:35:00.002-05:00

You know it is funny to me, but whenever a company uses spam, I make it a point when I find out what company it is, to not patronize them in any way. That's why I deleted the previous two comments. I may not be doing anything with my blog now, but that may change in the future. Will do a legitimate post when I have time. Ah revoir.

A long time since the that post or anything else

2009-02-05T12:05:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't posted in a long time, I've had very little interest in my blogs-been too busy crocheting and other things. Will probably have even less time now than I did before. I will try to post some pictures someday-but no promises. They may all show up at once on here.

Any way to more important matters, I am so disgusted, I was trying to use my spinning wheel and I have so much static in my body that the mohair just won't sping-it crackles and flies all over. I guess I will have to stick to support spinning for now. I seem to have better control over my yarn anyway when using my support spindles. I would really like to get a Spindolyn to use, but right now its a bit too much for me. I might have enough left after we do taxes. I made a home-made version that works quite well for the time being.

I am also knitting a sweater-I know, I really prefer the crochet hooks, but decided a break from them was in order. Now this sweater is nothing great, just a simple stocking stitch pullover with a seed stitch edging on it and a loose turtleneck. It's made from Bernat Berella yarn, got at a clearence sale so It won't be a great loss if it doesn't turn out right. I am hoping for a baggy, comfortable sweater-not too warm, but warm enough to wear when I go somewhere or maybe just around the house. And of course its a lavender color. I have one sleeve left to finish and the neck-I have actually learned how to stitch them together with an invisible seam that is hard to see. I like making yoke sweaters the best-I ususally crochet the yoke and then knit the sleeves and body-you can make them a lot cooler that way for the summer. The knitting is usually done in the round, the one I am working on now is knitted flat, I didn't have too much trouble with gauge, so maybe it will look like I want. When I think about it-I feel like a traitor to my beloved crochet hooks. Guilt sucks, doesn't it?

Gotta go and finish making dinner, the DH is home.

No pictures

2008-10-31T09:42:00.000-05:00

I would say I am sorry for not posting pictures but I would be lying, I haven't taken any I may start posting them again on my flikr album and put a link to that here. I know it makes for a boring blog without pictures. Then after this election is over , my interest may increase in blogging. I'm still crocheting and still making things-quite a few actually-I just don't have time for photos-maybe a group photo of my Finished objects. I just hope they let me vote-been registered at the same address for years, but apparently with all the shenanigans going on they find ways to remove you after all. It's crap, but that our government-the rolls should be revised after each election and not before. I have all my identification ready and then some-got more than I should need. I'm voting early tomorrow. I will tell you who for-after the election.

youth and beauty and old age

2008-08-08T12:12:00.000-05:00

Youth and Beauty, this is apparently what the world runs on now. I just don't get it. I have very little interest in my own appearance anymore. When I put on makeup it usually that mineral powder stuff-its the quickest and easiest way to make up my face. Half the time I forget to moisterize-though I don't need it in the summer. My hair, I wear in a pony tail just like I did in high school and grade school, and no i don't have a big collection of scrunchies-i make em up when I need them.

I try to stay healthy-though with my teeth problems right now thats not easy. I can't eat much that you have to chew. I am looking for a dentist still, that will pull teeth. If I wait long enough-he'll have no choice. One of my bridges has come loose and is causing me some pain-the dentist will say "root canal" I'll say "no" One of my teeth lost a filling and then broke in half-more pain. My root canal sheered off at the gumline. And all my front teeth now have cracks in them that I can see, without a magnifying glass. I have insurance-I just don't want them saved. I want them pulled-which requires me to wait until there is no hope of saving them. Then the dentist I choose will have no other alternative. That means enduring more pain. Once they are out it means dentures, i intend to take a picture of my mouth literally so I can match the size of the teeth to what I have. I even want them the same cream color-my teeth are not white even after a cleaning-and I see no point in tooth whitening. To me it is just another thing people waste time and money on, they are only teeth.

On what is too me a brighter note, i have almost finished another shawl that i started several months ago. In paton's brilliant in Marvelous mocha. It's i think, going to be one of my favorites, I'll actually be able to put a button on it. I am wanting to finish it tonight. I'd like to take some pictures monday and post them. I've been doodle drawing, just drawing little things and putting them together on a sheet of paper and coloring them in with pencils or pens. It's fun and my drawing has improved a lot. I don't care much for painting anymore-would rather draw. I've also got my machine set up and have made-one top. I have a couple of things I want to do to it. The cotton sheeting works well for this. Thats all the news I have for now. Tata.

New Crochet magazine just came in the mail

2008-08-02T07:16:00.000-05:00

I just got my new crochet magazine-I rarely take subscriptions. For the most part, the new ones are sponsored by certain yarn companys and usually feature only their yarn-which really limits the patterns they come up with. And to me-the new stuff, for the most part is just as clunky as some of the old stuff that they had in the 60s and 70s. I didn't like it then I don't like it now. I like the light lacey looks, but they always manage to clunk them up-don't they. Or they will come up with a nice design in a really crappy colorway.

I do miss Crochet fatasy and Magic crochet and Decorative crochet, those were my favorites. I have about 50, or maybe 70 issues of them and refer to them constantly. The new ones get a glance or two and then put away. I did recently join one of those crafts bookclubs and bought some new books-mostly stitch guides, I just didn't care for the pattern books themselves, but can always use new stitch guides. I got all three of Linda Schappers books, now, her block book, edgings and stitches. I like them a lot,at first I was dissapointed because all the swatches were done in beige yarn-but that means I can choose the color without a preconceived notion. When I reallized that-I was really happy with them. I collect motif books too when I can find them. I've got several of them with some of the newer designs in them. All at sale prices too.

And yes I am going back to sewing, I haven't yet-its just too hot to sit at the machine and work on anything-though I long to sit there and make some cool shorts and pants and tops. I think about it all the time. I will get back to it-though maybe not until it cools down some.

I have continued too, to buy the dollar a ball yarn-I now have about 36 skeins of Pattons lacet and 10 skeins of Pattons glitterlash. I also splurged at the flea market and bought 3 skeins of Noro Hana silk for $3 each-I couldn't resist them-I may even go get a couple more, if they are still there. I have been getting some good bargins, and not spending a whole lot either. I guess I am learning to find bargins in everything that I use for my crafts. this winter I'll be using a lot of it.

Sort of about I phones, Okay all about I phones

2008-07-30T06:48:00.000-05:00

Yes it is sort of about I phones, you know the new one, the 3G. As I said before I just got a new PDA phone. It does most of what i want it to do, but not all-I still can't watch Youtube and I haven't been able to figure out how to post on it yet. When I try to use it to post, I get this little space to type my post in that only shows a line at a time. I don't know about you but I don't think I could remember what I put in that space unless I can see it all at once. So no posting with it unless I write it out and there is no copy and paste function on this phone. Anyway I've been fairly happy with it other wise-I have music on it-though I could use some decent headphones to listen with, but I have to get the new blue tooth ones, and they are expensive. And I need to reformat the music so that it can be listened to an Album at a time instead of a song at a time-mistake when putting it into the phone-mine. Next time I will get it right I hope-I did the first time.

Anyway that brings me to the I Phone, the DH just won one at work, a brand new, still in the box, I phone 3g with an 8 gig memory. He wants to have it turned on-for me. I thought he was going to sell it. It will cost a little more than we are paying now for my smartphone. I don't know what to do, on the one hand its an I Phone. They are much better now than when they first came out. It will do a lot more than my smartphone does. No I won't be getting rid of my smart phone-I just won't be using it. I'll keep it in case the other one breaks,or I may keep the I phone in case the smartphone gets broken, or quits on me. You know how easy that can happen. I'm just not sure, so I guess I'll leave it in the box for now and think about it. After all it's an I phone. Though I would never have bought one for myself-its going to be hard to turn it down.

Untitled or I can't think of anything

2008-07-17T07:18:00.000-05:00

I really can think of anything much to say that would interest anyone. I have become a little disgusted with the oil companies-but who hasn't. I have been buying a little yarn, the low end discounters around here have been having Pattons lacet for a dollar a ball, I now have 25 or so balls, also a couple of other high end yarns for that price. It's seems to be the only way I can afford to really indulge in stash enhancement right now. Though I confess to buying two skeins of Lionbrand sock yarn in a couple of quiet colorways-It was only $2.99 a skein and will make two pair of socks for this winter.

I need to get to teeth pulled, but can't find a dentist around here that will pull them, so I have to wait until I can go out of state and have it done at a clinic. No really, the dentist around here won't pull my teeth, they insist on root canals, and it's a root canal I need pulled or did, my teeth are so brittle that the root canal sheared off at the gumline and now will need dental surgery. I will have to wait for the DH to be off work, after an anesthetic I don't function well. The clinic isn't far away I just don't think I'll be able to drive after they pull all the teeth I want pulled, about five of them. My whole family has this problem, after a certain age they just seem to go. They want about $25000 to fix my teeth, It will cost around $2500 to $3000 to have them pulled and get dentures, believe me I really want dentures. My parents both had them and loved them, they kept them clean and didn't have to go to the dentist anymore. I don't think I am in any danger of bone loss, neither my parents nor my brothers, both with dentures ever had any problems so I doubt I will either. I am really tired of going in to the dentist and he tells me what he's going to do even after I've told him what I want done. And then he charges me $300 for doing nothing. The only reason they want to fix my teeth instead of dentures is money, they won't get anymore if they pull em' and they can keep bleeding me of money if they don't.

Still working on the shawl, I promise I will take a picture when it's done. I only have about 4 more inches to go on it and then a border of some kind. I did crochet another pair of socks, I like to do socks cause they go fast. And I am now working on a baby blanket for the DH's neice she is going to have a baby in August-it will be a boy. I may try to make some other things for her too. I don't have much baby type stuff in the yarn or fabric stash so I'll have to wait and see and go through what I have.

Well, I guess I did have a little to say, I refrain most of the time because it comes out in a rant, when I get wound up. I try to avoid getting wound up! I really fear to get wound up on politics, religion or my many pet peeves, and the oil companys, ugh! %#$@^& if you know what I mean! We can all loose our jobs and homes and starve to death and the government doesn't care-but save the banking system and the money of the well to do! The rich might have to do without a new car or another house.

Not online much right now, folks

2008-06-04T03:57:00.000-05:00

I am not online right now very much or often, It has gotten even slower and that takes a lot of the fun out of the internet. We are only getting about half the speed we should most times only one third. The provider says to live with it or get DSL or do without, such nice people-our locals that is. So what we did do is to get me a phone that will have internet on it. I should be able to blog and surf on the phone though it is kind of small. I may have to use magnifying glasses sometimes. The screen is small but has very good resolution, haven't got the thing turned on yet. It's supposed to come on in the next 48 hours or so-we are porting our lines so we don't have to change phone numbers. That's what takes so long. I have been using the time to learn my way around the phone, it has so many features. Camera, media player, games, notes, internet, and so much more that it has taken me three days to learn to work it. So it has been a good thing it wasn't connected right away. I didn't get an Iphone either, I got a PantechDuo, with a small keyboard on it. hopefully I will learn to use it to post on this and my other blogs. I might even be able to upload some photos with it. The camera is really pretty good with the right kind of light, my light box should be a big help with small things, and it seems to work pretty well outside.

The weather has been really warm unless it rains, while its raining it feels really great and I get a lot of things done, but when the rains stops and the sun comes out again I feel like I am being steamed like a clam. It's a typical Missouri summer. Hot, humid and unpredictable.

It's still early here so it's cool enough that I am doing some laundry and getting ready to do my morning exercise routine. I'll be done before it gets hot and it could rain.Will right more-hopefully more interesting stuff later. Right now gotta go.

Still Kicking

2008-05-19T11:11:00.000-05:00

We had a lot of bad weather last weekend-I've been offline since Saturday. We had what they say was a super cell sweep through here-It spawned several tornados. They destroyed a lot of homes in our area. We were some of the lucky ones, most of our trees are only trimmed by the storms we've been having, so there wasn't much to blow down. Between a half and a quarter of a mile away there were home destroyed and roofs ripped off and a lot of animals killed. This was one man's little goat shed. I don't know if any of the little goats survived. I feel very lucky to not have this kind of damage. This is right on the main highway about an eighth of a mile from my turn off. These trees had leaves and were green till this happened.

I - N - T - E - R - N - E - T part II

2008-05-08T07:37:00.000-05:00

Now I know why our internet has slowed down-they put in new switches whatever that is. It makes DSL better but slows down everything for the ones on dial-up. Basically from what I was told-it won't improve and they would rather get rid of those of us on dial-up than to keep us. So there you are. I guess it's time to get a laptop and an aircard and/or wifi. The payments on both items from someone else would be less than DSL from this company.I don't want to continue dealing with this small phone company forever. I wish that one of the larger ones would buy them out. Any way I hope I can get this to post, Ugh, now I know. It's funny, but after being with the same company for over 20 years, their service hasn't improved yet. They had finally gotten the dialup to work right-now it stinks again for a different reason.

I.. N... T... E... R... N... E... T....

2008-04-24T08:04:00.000-05:00

Our internet service provider has gotten much worse in the last month-it has slowed down so much that posting takes more patience and perserverence than I have. I get on it for only a little bit at a time and keep a book handy to read. It's now operating at like 36,000 bps instead of 56,000 bps. Thats like not moving at all. Hopefully in the future we will get an air card or something that will help-we will probably wind up with lap top and wifi. We will choose what ever is cheapest I am sure. Right now it is so frustrating that don't even want to deal with my blogs. This will cross post to all but the 360 page. I will get on again when I can an put something on that is more interesting, I am crocheting a lot (I have a lot of finished objects, what else is there when being online is such a pain?) and getting my organization accomplished slowly(I've cleared out most of the clutter and put up some shelves too). The weather has been cool and we have had so many storms that I've stayed off sometimes because of that. Anyway it is starting to cloud up again and we may get more, so I'd better try to post quick.

Stuff and Stuff

2008-04-11T10:23:00.003-05:00

I started another book last night,after finishing all of Anne McCaffrey's Tower and Hive series. I've read the tower and the Hive series several times, so this next book was a complete change for me, all my life I've heard about Henry David Thoreau, but never read anything by him. A couple of weeks ago a copy of Walden fell into my hands, and I have been reading a little of it and already started thinking of some about it. It's such a perfect description of the way life is for the world today even though it was written a hundred years ago. We are so greedy. Wanting more than we need. I am beginning to understand a little of it. My house is crammed with stuff I don't need, and can't wear and never look at, but it is so hard to turn loose of-I might want/need it. They say if you don't use it after a year to get rid of it, but that's easier said then done. I feel somehow bound to earth by my things. Somehow I am going to find the way change that for myself. Maybe by the time I finish the book I will have the answer. It can't hurt.

While I am at it here's a fun, educational and very interesting link http://www.storyofstuff.com/. I enjoyed it, that was not easy, being on dialup. It took me over and hour to download the whole thing. If you are on something faster-it won't take more than a youtube video. This is the short story of the stuff we buy, the stuff we make, the stuff we throw away and the stuff we keep crammed into our houses. It gives a whole new meaning to consumerism.

In case your wondering

2008-04-07T11:46:00.001-05:00

In case anyone is wondering-I tried to redo my blog, but.... I forgot to save all my links-I thought I had already done so in my documents file, but It was gone! So now I have to start all over again. Fortunately I have most of them saved on my bookmarks, so eventually I will get them all back. Well maybe not all-I kind of like the blog pets. May even get a couple more. I had trouble getting my lunar module back-kept having to resize it. And one other thing, I have three blogs, When I post here, it automatically cross-posts to my other blogger blog and to my multiply site. So sometimes it will be confusing until I get time to delete the confusing post. When I have time I will post some of the links I have one my multiply site, on this one. In the meantime check out the links for free patterns and downloadable books I have posted there. The link Ladeewolf will take you there. Have fun.

Organizing things

2008-04-04T12:48:00.002-05:00

I am slowly-so slowly organizing things, so I can sew again. I love to crochet, but sometimes it isn't productive enough. Sewing is much faster and I can make up the things I want and need much faster. I haven't quite finished with my sewing area. I had to dig out my embroidery things today. I also found five felt sewing kits-I forgot I had, two pillows, two table toppers and one that shows how to make felt flowers, not felted but from actual felt. I bought them two years ago. They don't even have them in the stores anymore. I think I'll start working on some of them.

Organizing is going slowly, because I have so much to organize and so little room to do it in. I move one thing out of the way-so I can move another thing, so I can move another thing. Well, you see what I mean. It takes twice as long to do it that way, but that's the way it is. I need to have it done before spring really breaks through, so I can work on the outside of the house and the yard. I want to completely take out my garden-it's too close to the oak tree for it to be successful. All I seem to grow is little oaks. And then I will make little protected beds of things in other places. I have the frames I built last year, All I have to do is move them and fill them in. I have a stack of tempered glass panels to cover them with to keep the moisture in and most of the bugs out.

I've come up with some ideas of what to make to sell at the farmers markets. They are time consuming sort of, but hopefully they will sell well. And they are mostly my own ideas-at least until someone decides to copy me and undersell me. You know how people are, anything to make some money. I'd resent it more, except with jobs so scarce here, I understand it. No, I don't approve of it, I just understand. I will post a few pics when I have something to show. I have discovered that my abilities with a camera are lacking. I can never remember the settings I use on successfull pictures, so I take a lot just hoping a few will come out. I guess I need a tri-pod too, my hands shake so much that it is almost imposible to get a shot that doesn't blurr. I took 30 pictures of part of my yarn stash to post on ravelry and most of them have to be taken again. And my finished objects are sometimes unidentifiable. I saw a nice tri-pod the other day for $10 and didn't get it. I think it would work with my camera, and I think it's one of the kind that can be adjusted for height-no just one of the short ones. Anyway I may go back and look at it and buy it this week-if it's still there.

That's all for now, Will post more when time allows.

Time away from blogging

2008-03-28T08:47:00.000-05:00

I took some time away from blogging. I've been spending my time working on my sewing area and downloading some pattern books from the Antique Pattern Library. Org. You can google it if you want to do some downloading. Keep in mind that these texts are for personal use, They say that you can print off copies and give them away-but don't sell them. They have some lovely antique crochet patterns and stuff. I want to learn Irish crochet. They have oodles of patterns for it. It has taken me days to download most of the ones I wanted.

There are a lot of free librarys on line. Gutenburg, Arizona has a whole library of textile files, Antique pattern library. There are all kinds of patterns and instuctions for weaving, knitting, dyeing, sewing, crocheting, tatting, spinning, embroidery-you name it they have it. It's a good place to start if you want to learn something but aren't sure you will like it and don't want to spend a lot to find out. When I have time, I'll add some links to these places. I am big on free books and things. There is also the Childrens Digital library for kids. They have a lot of free books that you can read online or print off-I think. I know you can read them. Kids should love it. They have some of the beautifully illustrated old time ones too.

Another reason I haven't been online alot is books. We got almost 200 books for $4 at a bookstore that was closing. We have a lot of Sci-fi to read now. Most we have never read. I also sneaked in a copy of Walden, and a book on making softoys and a couple of crochet leaflets. The owner didn't care as long as we took a box of books. Wish I could've gotten some of the childrens books too. In case you are wondering, I love books of all kinds. I also love a good bargain.

What Islam means to Muslims

2008-03-12T12:32:00.000-05:00

I thought this was an interesting story, considering the timing. I mean with Obama being part Kenyan and not Muslim. And coming close to being the presidential Nominee. This is just a sample of what they want to do. The problem is that when you look at it from their viewpoint is that any other religion or pagan religion is a violation of their freedom. This means Christians, Jews, Buddahism and Pagan religions. This is their attempt to start to control the rest of us. Here is the link: hope it shows. Islamic Demands Again I find the timing suspicious.

Posting Pictures

2008-03-10T09:11:00.000-05:00

Well the light box is done-It turned out a little strange. I wanted a bit of background in it, So I use a large paper box and lined it with scrap white cardstock, I got several years ago at a job I had and wish I still had. I cut bits and pieces of white card stock into rectangles and squares to give it a bit of texture and cut down on the glare. You can see the background in the pics of my Hello kittys. This one is done with natural light. I also placed a very tiny nightlight bulb in it. More recycling, I had a tiny flip switch night light like you plug into the wall-we never use it. I made a small hole in my box before lining it and glued the night light in then put in the only tiny bulb I had-need a new white light one. This on e has a slight yellow cast, here the pic I took with it and not using the flash. But it still worked better than I thought it would.

The Hello Kittys turned out Ok too, I was happy with them. I always wanted one. The one on the left is made with microspun and embroidered with DMC Flower thread. It is jointed and can be posed. The one on the right is my favorite though it was made top-down in one piece-like you would a top down sweater. It's made from Paton's BeMine. It is just so soft. They are both stuffed with polyfiber fill. There dresses are made out of microspun too. Both are crocheted. There is no pattern. I just used an idea off the top of my head. Hope to post some more pictures tomorrow if they turn out. I've been making tons of scarves-got tired of the really easy ones and decided to make some really pretty lace ones. And I have a small shawl to show you too.

I'll be posting more links about Obama, and incidently you can google him and check him out on Wikipedia, and what they say on there correlates with a lot of the stuff on Schlussels site and with the link at the bottom of her page. He really doesn't have any experience, he was in public housing. My near and dear spent years in that and could tell you it's not enough. He also lectured on law, and that too isn't enough. When I have time I will also be posting some on Clinton. Incidently I don't vote for the one I like always-I vote for the one that I think will do the best job whether or not I like him or her. But no one should decide just on the basis of their ability to speachify. I fear that is what most people are doing.

Polytics again, and someday some pictures

2008-03-06T06:46:00.000-06:00

I had to get new batteries for my camera-now I need to build a light box. It's almost impossible to take decent pictures of small things when the light is wrong. I don't like to use the flash as it seems to wash out all the color. My Hello Kitty pictures turned out awfull and I want to start posting more pictures than I have been. I have lots of finished things to show and some unfinished things. An no pictures. The next subject is politics. Since religous freedom is so important to me. Keep in mind that to me religious freedom also means freedom from religion. I don't want someone forcing me to go to some church where someone tells me what to believe in-not happening. So here goes.

I hate politicians, on the other hand I like politics. I made up my mind a long time ago who I would vote for, my critiria are a bit different than other peoples. I tend to be a live and let live individual. I want people to let me believe what I want to believe, follow the Gods I want to follow etc. I found this today while Googleing Barak Obama, I am posting this link-you can read it if you want to or not. I just found it interesting-its just another perception. Barak Obama I don't know how much is true or not-bet some one could find out if they really wanted too. I personally want to know all about the candidates that are running. I know pretty much everything about Clinton-but not to much about Obama-the news media is not very open about his past. I wonder if they are trying to hide anything. You know the media-all they care about is their healines, ratings and how much coverage they can get with a story. If you are interested in this stuff, check it out and give your opinion. If it is true-its just a little scary , don't you think.

Running and Crocheting

2008-02-25T12:16:00.000-06:00

I haven't been on the internet for much-Okay I have been looking at pictures, but that is all. I haven't wanted to post for the last week. It just takes too long. As I have mentioned before, we are still on dialup, and lately it is getting slower and slower. It seems like maybe they are letting it go down on purpose-hoping that some of us will switch to their much more expensive DSL. This is a tiny local phone company with a monopoly on two or three small towns. We don't have WiFi yet, so they can charge pretty much what they want for Highspeed internet and get it. I don't get to download videos or songs-It takes an hour to download a 10 minute video and watch it-so I don't. I look at a lot of pictures of other peoples work-in between doing things. It takes long enough for a page of flikr photos to load, that I can do a load of dishes. That's what I do. And if I am uploading mine it takes about 20 minutes to upload 5 pictures.

The last week or so, all I have been doing is running for my crochet hooks in frustration with things. I have made two Hello Kitty dolls. I am on my third Queen annes lace scarf. I don't have a pattern-I just have a copy of Maggie Righettis "Crochet in Plain English" She has a nice diagram in it and written instructions. I am using Crochet Roos modified version-like for her lovely fan lace bookmark, I saw some other versions that I am going to make too. The one I am working on now has petals instead of picots and it going to be lovely. I may make several more of them. Work on Shawl number two is slowly progressing. Will post pics of everything once its finished. May even get sidetracked on a sheep stuffie. I have enough of the yarn I used for one of the hello kittys to make a stuffie or two and a really soft neck pillow. And there is this nebulous design in my head for a shawl that I want to make to use in the summer time. I just have so many things in mind to make that there isn't time for it and the computer too. For that matter I am also crocheting while on the computer. I may not be spending much time on the computer-but I am spending a lot of time with my hooks.

And then there is the sewing I want to do. I want to make some nice spring clothes, light weight and cool for the hot summer I know is comming. I may go to W-mart and get some of their all cotton sheets just to cut up for clothes-that cotton is some of the most comfortable stuff to wear. Crisp, yet soft. For shorts and Tops. Does that sound crazy-I am a bit you know. But I bought some sheeting pants years ago in 100% cotton and they were the most comfortable things I've ever worn. No matter how hot the day was they were cool. Anyway I have been on here long enough to need to go do someting else, Have a great day and keep crafting.

No time for anything

2008-02-12T06:02:00.000-06:00

The hubby has been home for almost 7 straight days sick(Bronchitis). I've still managed some crafting but not much. Now that he has gone to the Dr and gotten some meds he will get better-I don't like medicine and I don't care for going to doctors. I still get better anyway. I just don't like antibiotics and you can hardly get me to take them. I just don't care for modern medicine I guess and usually get a diagnosis from the doctor and then go home and hunt up the herbs.

I will get off here now and go sort through buttons. I sorted through buttons yesterday for nearly 6 hours and put all the matching buttons on little strings. I didn't know I had so many sets. Once I am done, I am planning on starting to sew again. I don't have so many left to do now, but it is so tedious-won't let them get all mixed up like that again.

Storm season

2008-02-06T07:30:00.000-06:00

I wish all of you that were in the storms last night, all the luck in the world. I hope you all were safe. Having indured at least one of these myself, I know how scary they can be. So much work to fix and clean up all the damage. But damage is easier to fix than to replace loved ones lost or pets. The reality of one of these storms is much scarier than the movies-don't you think?

Hello Kitty

2008-02-01T12:34:00.000-06:00

I had a hankering yesterday to make a Hello Kitty Stuffie-I saw a pattern on the internet a long time ago for one-alas-it's gone. I guess this means I have to make my own. So far I have two legs and two paws and am working on the tail, next comes the body and last of all the head. I would also like to have a Chococat. Will work on that when I get some brown yarn. I always liked these Japanese Characters but just took it for granted that I could always find them. I don't know of any place here that sells them-maybe the little things but not the big ones. I haven't checked toys are us yet. I'd love to have some of the japanese crochet books but I know there are none of those around. I'll have to ask at one of the local stores that does some importing and see if they can get some. Right now I am thawing out dinner and working on kitty.

I've had a fun time while working on the kitty toy, I watched Vincent Price in the Masque of the Red Death. I'll catch the Raven Monday. I probably won't get to work on kitty again until then. It's hard to work on any thing like that with the Hubby home- too many interruptions.

I haven't been spending as much time on the internet as I would like, and the time I am on here was spent looking for that dang pattern. I did find a graph for the Kitty square and think it could be adapted for a head. I'll try that monday. Have a good, hopefully warm weekend. I am so happy that the snow is melting off!!

Tiny Looms

2008-01-29T14:39:00.000-06:00

Sandy asked me to post pictures of my tiny looms-these are the best that I can do. I hesitated to post them now. I've already thought of some improvements to make, and will make more this next week. The little rectangular loom is mostly for bookmarks. I can weave them and then paint or embroider them. The two tiny ones on the right are to make patchs for socks and tiny woven animals. They work really well for sock patches. The large square one and the small one are to make squares for afghans and clothes. The little hooks are for my Rigid heddle looms-I still need to do some shaping so they will fit in the smallest heddles-that takes some work.

I so love to make things-sometimes I spend more time making them, than I do using them. I have tried these out and they work well. I haven't had time to take measurements of how much yarn is used though. I will eventually.

My next project is to recover my old dressmaker manequin for display purposes. I don't like to take pictures of myself with things on no matter how nice they are. So I put them on my dummy to take the pictures off. I am going to decopage it and paint it with roses. That way it looks nice when nekkid!

I also decided to make a new sweater, out of seven skeins of lion brand imagine I had in the stash. I have enough for two more maybe three, I think it's time I use it!! The first one is a cream color-will post a picture when finished.

Making things

2008-01-25T08:02:00.000-06:00

I have this thing about not buying whatever I can make. Right now I've been making those tiny looms you see-like weavettes only homemade. I made a couple similiar to the one Noreen Crone Findlay makes too. I need to read the instructions better though, the looms I made were correct in proportion but half the size on one of them. It doesn't matter though, I'll just be able to make tinier animals and things. The others are square and rectangular and yes I decorated them-had to varnish them this morning. The can was only open for a few minutes but I've already got a headache and it's too cold to do this outside. I tried to use the acrylic varnish like for paintings-but it doesn't work all that well. Maybe I'll try to find something later that will work better. I got carried away when I painted one of my handspindles though-I painted it all gold. Too many fairy tails I guess. It's pretty but the color doesn't make it spin better. I have to put one more coat on them and that should do it. I really hate to buy the mass produced things anymore. I'd rather spend the money on things made by americans-but can't always, so I do it myself. Also made a nostpinde out of an old candle snuffer handle-really pretty wood turned and all. I took the nasty stain put on it off and found out it had this really neat white, red and black wood under it. It looks nifty now. With the pretty woodgrain showing. Its small but I rarely use center pull balls-they are always tangling up. Next do it yourself project is my dressmaker maniquin-it really needs to be covered.

Right now it's dishes again and have to decide what to fix for dinner tonight. I run dry periodically of ideas and have to really think about it. In the meantime I think I'll do some reading after the dishes- I am reading Federation by H. Beam Piper. It's really good. It's too bad he isn't around to write some more of them. Well that's all for now.

Rough weekend!

2008-01-21T04:11:00.000-06:00

It was too, not for me but for the DH. He had a flat friday after work-a blowout to be precise and had to walk 13 miles to get home. He was dead tired when he got home at 10:30. he gets off work at 6 so that ought to tell you how far from town we live. he was several miles from work when it happened. We we got a new tire put on Saturday, the old one was irreparable. He couldn't see in the dark to change it and the jack was not very good. And he had no flashlight. We used to keep one in the car but it would always go dead. Ugh, what a weekend. I did have them check the other tire and it will last a couple of months at least, he said, so next month we will have to replace the last one the others are all less than a year old. I prefer to get them two at a time, but oh well. I do what I can.

I have spent very little time on the puter lately mostly just searching for things-not really haveing any fun, and I will be cutting my time on it a lot to start some projects here, my groups, blogs and other things will probably get neglected but I really need to put the time in elsewhere. There are household repairs to be made and things to be done and I am the only one with the time to do them, so its up to me to get them done. Anyway got to go now and start the house work. Ta Ta!

Spring Cleaning Already?

2008-01-15T03:24:00.000-06:00

It must be spring, the cleaning bug hit me early. That's good, when Spring gets here, I'll be able to do other things like garden and clean the yard. I've done the livingroom, the storage room and the bookshelves. I really need more bookshelves. And I've started the bathroom and the bedroom-last thing will be the kitchen. I have a cabinet in the kitchen that I realy dread organizing. This cleaning has been going on for the last week or so and is spilling over into this week. When I get it done there will be time for some projects and photos of projects. I have a lot of projects I want to get done. Clutter seems to stiffle my creativity, so I am getting rid of the clutter. Having a clean house will give me a lot more time to knit, crochet, weave and spin and maybe get some drawing and painting done too.

And I do so want to try to have a small garden this year-just for fresh salad and things. Maybe some Zuchini and green beans and tomatos. The ground here is so poor that I have to think of alternatives to using it. I have tried fertilizing it and annealing it and even putting good soil on top of it and it won't grow anything but Oak trees. I think that mostly the oaks have sucked most of the nutrients out of the ground. But I have an idea that may work-got it out of a book so that's what I am going to try. Also going to try some of that Purslane for salads, If I can find some seeds or plants around here. You would be surprised at just how many weeds are quite tasty and nutritious. Anyway got to go, lots to do still.

Another post-that must be a record

2008-01-09T13:27:00.000-06:00

I have found time for another post, probably because I am a bit tired and don't want to do anything else. Not that I have worked very hard. I started crocheting the case for my hooks, mentioned previously. That took some time, getting the edging right was a pain, It kept puckering on the sides. I wound up with two rows of single crochet on the edge and one row of crab stitch. It looks better. That eliminated the pucker and changed the shape, it was very hard to make a perfect rectangle with the pattern stitch I used. With the edging though it looks right now. The spine is sewn in, next comes the interfacing to make it stiff enough. I was going to use plastic canvas-but don't have any. Since there will be several pages and pockets in it to hold entire sets of hooks, It will probably have enough body to stand on it's own. It was time consuming though. It will be well worth the trouble I've taken with it, if it does what I want it to. Come to think of it you could make one by getting an eight or nine inch loose leaf notebook and making "pages" to go in it and just crocheting a cover for it-or knitting a cover for it. It would work for knitting needles too. In fact I may have to make one for all my knitting needles.

On the political front-I got a kick out of the newsmedia-they have been eating crow all day. I suspect that the voters that were polled, thought it was really none of the media's bussiness who they voted for. I won't even answer when asked, simply because I don't like the way they use the polls in the news. It is none of their bussiness who I vote for. It is between me and the counter. Well I better go-dishes and dinner again, funny how you have to do that every day or get hungry.

Politics and the Media and crafts

2008-01-08T11:14:00.000-06:00

First my sore spots, The media, for now, I wonder if anyone realizes that the media is manipulating them into choosing who the media wants. With the vote in Iowa and New Hampshire, only a few hundred thousand people have voted. Why do they get to pick the candidates? It's just not fair to the rest of the country. I want a full field to choose from-Not just the leftovers, and I wish the media would stop all the hype and stay out of it!!! Now that my gripe has been aired-I feel better.

I need a large crochet hook case, I use makeup cases right now, and I don't really like them. The hooks bang together in the cases and may be damaged, so now, I am trying to make a hook case that will hold them all, the brittanys, the soft touch hooks, the plastics, the bones The steels and the in between ones. I'd like very much to have room for a full set of Boye or Susan bates alumninun as well and some bamboo would be nice too. It seems like each type of yarn does better with a different hook. I use them all, and want to keep them together and protect them. I carry individual hooks with each project, but like to have them all ready to go in case I get something to work on that is just a quick project. That is my current project a large hook case, with seperate sections for all the above, not to mention scissors, tape, chibis, and markers. It will also match my very large, crochet bag-I made it a couple of months ago from the same yarn and fabric lining. I hope it turns out like I want it too, I've been planning it for a while. When I have time, I'll post pics of the case, the bag and the new sweater I finished. Oh and the socks in progress.

Is everyone as glad as I am that most of the holidays are over? It's so hard to do any crafting with all the stress from them. And there is just no free time. It seems like my to do list gets longer and longer and less and less gets done, and the list of future projects grows to. I am wanting to make a snood with attached headband, more socks, a couple of scarves from an idea I saw on the internet, some more dishcloths and a large blanket that will be extra warm from scrap yarn-but not my favorite grannies, this one has to be solid with very tiny holes in it.

We went to the antique mall on Sunday and found a really nice vintage print sheet, white with my favorite lavendar roses on it-it was a queen size sheet in perfect condition and will turn into a lot of things. It seemed a bit high prices at nine dollars-I don't know. What would you pay for one like that. It was also american made and 100% cotton. I felt like it was a splurge, I may even use it with several other prints I have to make a top-that won't take but a tiny bit of it. It would be nice to have somthing besides T-shirts for the summer. Something a little dressy. Well that's all I got for now, will be getting off in another hour and starting dinner. Have a happy evening.

Blue Funk

2008-01-04T14:30:00.000-06:00

Yes the blue funk-not Grand funk. For the maybe two of you who care, I have spent (as I wrote before) the last two months sick with some virus. I am maybe getting over it- no guarantees on that either. Depression is my worst problem at any time. I get this little imbalance in the brain and it gets worse before it gets better. It's usually worse after an illness. I'll get over it-but I will spend the next week or month down and almost unable to function. It's no fun, and the hubby doesn't understand what happens. He thinks if he can't see it-it's not there. I am going to go back to writing my feelings down and see if it helps.

I think the primary results are funny-I can't imagine either of the two winners as president. It would be more of the same religious right/no real experience type of thing. How could either of them have experience living like the middle class? Or any of the candidates that is? I'll still vote the way I planned on. And I still think this system is a joke too-Why do we need an electoral college? It's baloney! It started out as a way for the wealthy landowners to control the masses. So far it's worked for over two hundred years. The wealthy are still running the country. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. We get rid of that electoral college and make it one person-one vote, and we might accomplish something.

On a more pleasant note, I have finished the purple crocheted Cardigan and it turned out better than I thought it would-I love it. The downside. You can see me comming a mile away it is so purple. Now that I am older though-I can wear purple. Now I am trying to find something to make a scarf hat and mits to go with it. Perhaps in red. Nothing really sparks my creativity though. And I've crocheted enough patches for my favorite wool socks. We have six pairs of really heavy wool socks that we wear constantly in the winter and at $10 a pair,I won't be buying any more for a bit. We've had these for four years. I used a wool roving I had-nasty stuff to spin but I think it will felt right into the holes and work really well. I spun it into a fine single and then crocheted the patches and sewed them on. They all get washed now to felt the crochet. Hope it works. Well that's it for now. Am hoping the depression will be washed away with work.

This week is too short!

2007-12-19T10:27:00.000-06:00

This week has been too short. I still have nothing ready for Christmas. And I don't really care. We have not even put up a tree this year-I was too sick at Thanksgiving so we didn't bother with it. We didn't even get each other a lot of stuff. I got what I wanted. I had one of the cheap beka childrens looms-but have never got much use from it. I have like 8 different sized heddles for it and thought I would use it for trims and belts. It just never seemed that easy to use. And a couple of weeks ago I found an easy weaver from Harrisville designs at the fleamarket-in perfect condition. They only wanted $30 dollars for it and it was still in the box. Those things are $100 bucks for this size.And its way easier to use than the other and I can now put all those heddles to work and make some small things-I can also learn to card weave. I've got a deck of weaving cards and several books on it. I can't sit in and use the other larger looms much-its hurts my back. Something small I can hold on my lap, like my little weavettes looms. Of course I will have to wait until after Christmas to start anything.

And he got what he wanted-shoes. Do we sound like we give presents to each other-not really! We get so many things during the year that it seems silly to buy more at Christmas. And the hubby knows my favorite gift is yarn anyway. He just doesn't like to buy it for me-he thinks I have enough, silly man.

One important thing I've learned today-don't varnish things in the house, no matter how small. It was only a few spindles I wanted to varnish after I had painted little designs on them. It's not so bad once the can is closed but the smell was bad while doing them-they are going outside till they dry. I didn't really have a choice either smell it for a little or stay outside in the cold and do it-no place else to work around here. I also needed to put a bit on some of my boughten spindles to protect them. They get so banged up. Anyway I am off, have some cooking and dishes to do-funs over. I do like to cook, but I hate dishes. That's all the piddly news here for now.

Just when i thought I was well

2007-12-06T05:35:00.000-06:00

Just when I thought the cold was over-I've got something else, The tonsils (yes, I still have em") and my ear is swollen and sore on my right side. Guess I have an ear infection-it makes my whole jaw hurt. And I still have the cold or whatever it was. I have read posts on several blogs where people have gotten this cold that hangs on for weeks-maybe this is it.

I am getting ready to start something for my DH for christmas-I know it's late and I would have started earlier, but I just felt too sick. Will try to post pics after it is done-have to hide it when he is home, while I work on it. It's also an experiment too. I may even write up the pattern if it is successful. Anyway I won't write much today.

Nothing to write

2007-12-03T09:29:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I have so little to say. This is one of those times.

I have been preoccupied with the situation of Gillian Gibbons the british school teacher, in trouble over misnaming a teddy bear. I am glad that common sense finally won the day. How stupid for people to get upset over what children do, and how typical of some to get all bent out of shape over something like this.

Christianity and Islam, and all other religions are supposed to be based on love of your fellow man, and the free exercise of ones will, but some people seem to have forgotten it. They want everyone to be a cookie cutter type person-some of us just can't do that. I have always followed my own path, even though I was raised in church for most of my young life and stayed in it for about 30 years, I no longer care to be one of those people. I do not need to be told right from wrong by someone who is following the teachings of someone-who is himself following the teachings of someone else without question. People in these religions are taught never to question anything but to accept what ever the preacher says the bible says or the book they follow. Do any of them realize just how many times these books have been translated? Do any of them realize just how many words have been changed? Or misinterpreted? Or replaced with a phrase that suited the politicians or rulers of that moment in time? I don't think they really care. It is all bent and twisted to suit the needs of the person in charge at that moment anyway, whether he is in charge of a church or a state or country. Having read the Bible several times, and parts of the Nag Hamadi (those books that were found later) and parts of the other books, they don't seem to mention anywhere that everyone has to believe the same thing or live the same way. And the only place where they mention killing is where the jewish people killed their enemies, and I have my own theory about that too.

Everything in the bible or these other books can be interpreted one of a hundred ways, I think the only thing God may have been trying to tell us-is to be true to your own heart and do what your heart tells you to do. So please leave me my traditions and I'll leave you, yours.

Can you tell that I am slightly irratated about this religion thing. I am not a fanatic about anything except maybe my fiber crafts and a few things like that. To be fanatic is an indication of imbalance, and I try to stay in balance though I sometimes go overboard with fiber crafting. Its hard sometimes for me to put down the needles and hooks and exercise or clean house-but it has to be done. Everything has its place, even religious practice-but to maintain a healthy balance of all this, is the important thing.

I welcome your comments-but please remember, they won't change my viewpoint.

I think I'm back

2007-11-29T11:25:00.000-06:00

I think I'm back, no really I do. I am having trouble remembering things, but I think the worst of it is gone-now my cat has a cold. She's been sleeping a lot and sneezing constantly, poor thing.
I worry more about her than me, she can't tell me when she is feeling bad.

Now that I am up and around, I've been cleaning the house, throwing more stuff away. I cleaned and organized my empty bedroom and boxed things up in it over 4 months ago. During the last 3 or 4 months the little black cat has knocked over boxes and dug around in it so much that I will have to do it again. Little gray doesn't do that. She sits and watches the other one. I know because I hear the crashes. Most of the time Gray is lying in the window looking outside. It will take time to do it all again. In the meantime I'll just do the rest of the house. I find it so hard to throw away pieces of fabric and balls of yarn. My DH says I am a packrat-he's probably right. I know I got that from my father-he saved everything, sooner or later he'd use it. I guess I'm the same way. And it does get used-sooner or later.

Two weeks ago, I unboxed and reboxed all my yarn and separated it into different groups. mohair and wool went into one box, acrylic into another and cones of pearl cotton into still another-didn't know I had so much. And stuff I may never use into still another one. There is also a box of lion suede and a few balls of katrina and some misceleaneous yarn in to make something I can't remember. Most of it's been around for a while-quite a while in fact. Like how long ago did lion brand yarn stop making Imagine? I still have some-at least 30 balls of it, maybe 40. Got to find something to do with it. Maybe some nice sweaters-will need to knit that. I could use some warm sweaters, not too warm or I will be too hot all winter. I am one of those people that run around in the winter without a coat and socks and never gets sick. This year has been an exception to that. I wasn't running around without a coat or socks and still got sick-I was very careful this year. Maybe I won't be so careful from now on since it doesn't seem to matter. Healthwise that is. Anyway, I am off to do some more cleaning, there is a lot to do-I don't even know if I'll put up a tree this year, but I still want the house clean.

It's been nearly a week

2007-11-19T10:02:00.000-06:00

It's been nearly a week and I am still almost as sick as I was. I am at least wearing out whatever I've caught. I am able to get out of bed now-spent four days in bed, most of it asleep. And managed to do the laundry and put it away yesterday with help. DH did dishes for me Saturday or I would not have them done yet. Can you imagine-too sick to knit, crochet or spin. I am beginning to see some improvement and am relieved. I don't know what this bug was, but if you get it, I'd say stock up on Nyquil and Dayquil and Puffs with lotion. Oh and Vicks vaporub. And coughdrops or syrup. You will need them. And some asprin or whatever you prefer for the awful headache. Hopefully, I will get back to yoga this week, I miss it.

Ugg!

2007-11-14T09:42:00.000-06:00

Yes Ugg! I am sick, some nasty buggy has gone and got me. It is in my lungs and has aroused my asthma, I am so miserable. Will spare you the details and make a post later when I am in working order. In the meatime, I am going back to bed and will sleep (I hope) and knit and crochet and watch tv when I am awake-which I hope is not much. I can barely see the screen so not sure I will read much.

Anyway I am off to sleep perchance to dream (of not being ill).

I got a life

2007-10-29T10:12:00.000-05:00

I have sometimes wondered how I managed to post the same thing twice-now I know. I hit enter twice instead of Tab. Learn something new everyday. Just call me spastic hands. Sometimes I don't feel like I really have a life. I read a lot of blogs and am on several groups-but it seems like I don't have a lot of time to do what I want. I think part of it goes down to still being on dialup. Instead of a few seconds to make a post it takes many minutes. Posting a picture is like having a tooth pulled.

Still I am crocheting on the same two things I was working on before. When using thread, finished objects take longer. The shawl is getting the most attention for now. I will still be able to use it even in the winter-at least around the house. I wouldn't wear it outside for anything-too thin, since its being crocheted from some very fine rayon or bamboo-not sure which. I decided on a rectangle shape, as long as the yarn will make it. I was going to take pictures of it on my dressmaker dummie but...It's been sitting in the storage room and the little black cat has been at it. I will have to recover it completely. It's been shredded. I may try to decopage it and make it still usable. I never pin into it anyway. The padding was too thin, anyway I took pics while the items were laying on the floor and we'll see how well they turned out. First up is the shawl-the credit for this Idea goes to popolina. I saw one on her site but hers is silk. This is supposed to be rayon, or mulberry silk or some such, whatever it is, the color is a vivid Turquoise. I worked on it in the laundromat on Sunday. I am pleased with the way the fabric feels and the stitch works well too. This stitch pattern in number 150 in one the Harmony stitch guides. I tried to take a closeup, it didn't turn out as well, but here goes anyway.

It gives a good idea what the stitch should be. I am also working on a Thread crochet top-it is taking a long time too-its a Plus size. I am using a lot of different stitches in it, a V-stitch yoke ( I like to work in the round-no seams) with a shell stitch next and a narrow band of stitches coming next to separate the shell stitches from the clover fan stitch from the first and original harmoney guide to crochet stitches. I love the first one by Sylvia Cosh best of all. Heres the picture of it. For some reason no matter where I try to upload the pictures too-I wind up having to move them around after they get there and then hoping they stay where I put them. There is a lot left to do on this top, another 12 or so inches of lace and I haven't decided on an edging yet plus the sleeves. Its a bit different when reading stitches for flat crochet and doing them in the round. I would attempt to post the clover fan stitch picture but it was a bit blurry due to shaky hands. I love this colorway on the skein but am not too crazy about it in the top. I hope I like it better when Its finished. I will have to make something to wear under it. I just don't like showing a lot of skin. Anyway now you know what occupies so much of my time. Two very time consuming projects. I am pround of myself though-I finished a short term project, in only a week. A very large crocheted bag to carry my crochet in. It holds these two current projects plus the thread for them and a pair of socks to knit on and several magazines, never mind what it weighs. It is usually on the floor anyway. I'll post pics of it next time.

Some spinning has been going on too. I am using one of my boughten spindles, but I am dissapointed in it, It doesn't work any better than the ones I made. Most ways not as good. The ones I made were $8 for 8 spindles and some of my time, they work very well. The one I bought was $43 and just doesn't do what I needed at all. I liked the ones I made so well I got more of the wheels and will make 8 more eventually. Not knocking all handmade spindles just some. Some of them out there will be ten times better than my homemade ones. I would love to have a Bosworth-but thats a bit out of my range right now. Maybe someday.

Has anyone else been watching "The Amazing Mrs. Prichard" on PBS? I tried not to watch it and got hooked anyway. Its very good, not dull at all, it started kind of slow but became much more interesting in last nights episode. Much more intrigue anyway. At least its not Reallity TV-I hate that stuff. How many stupid people does it take to win a million dollars? I read a book by Harry Harrison years ago, one of the Stainless steel Rat series. In it he talks about an invasion coming from outspace-in the book its real, and the public doesn't care because they have all become addicted to reality television. Only on the reality tv he talks about, people are actually murdered or fight to the death. The public he talks about thrive on death and blood, sounds like now. Anyway thats all that's going on right now. Next time I'll post some of the fractals I've made too.

Free Burma!!!!!

2007-10-04T13:33:00.000-05:00

Crocheting and whatever

2007-10-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

About all I've done for the last two months is crochet when I get the chance. I am working on a top in thread and now a shawl. I got the idea for the shawl after seeing one on Poppalina's blog, she made one from some beautiful silk, I don't have any silk right now and the thread I am using for the shawl is very fine weaving thread, tripled. It took forever to wind off 6 balls that were the same size. It is an unknown yarn to me, the cone says its rayon, but it feels more like bamboo. Its been around ten years or more, so I can't tell and can't find out either. It came in a Robins egg blue-looks more turquoise to me. Whatever it is, its still pretty, I'll post some pics when I have enough progress to show. Right now It's only about 24 inchs wide and 8 inchs long. It took me a while to get the stitch memorized, its an 11 row repeat, with my memory it was a chore. I want to work on the top some more before I take my pics. It looks really pretty too, so far. Its done in a rather complicated stitch too. Maybe all that memorizing will help my memmory,who knows.

I started doing Yoga again too. I have gained some weight so modifications are neccesary but thats okay. What amazes me is how much I still remember, and how much I've forgotten. One of the things I have missed is the sense of balance and peace I get from Yoga and meditation. It's really lovely. Even when things are pressuring me and its hard to cope with finances and house hold things, I still feel on an even keel. It'll probably take me two or three years to get the weight off again. I quit doing the yoga when I started the Jenny C program-they wanted me to do more walking and things like that. As soon as I couldn't afford the very expensive food they have though, the weight started comming back, and I was still exercising about 3 hours a day, so that wasn't it. I didn't really have such a weight problem while doing the Yoga. So now I am doing about an hour a day of it. I hope to be back up to 2 or 3 hours later on after my muscles become more limber. Thats how long I used to spend bending and stretching my self everyday, with another hour or two in meditation. Its been so long. Since its become rather Passe' I feel much more comfortable with it again.

The house hold things I mentioned are things like, both VCR/DVD combos that we have went caput on the same day. Power Surge, the surge protectors didn't help a bit. The washer went out last week. And my old tape player ate my favorite Yoga tape. Just myriad little pokey things have broken down. Its a bit frustrating. The microwave and the Coffee maker went out 6 months ago.

There is one more bright spot for me though, about a year ago we bought a game, The Jouney to Wild Devine and the second part called Wisdom quest, its so much fun. It's a bio-feedback game. Everything you do in the game is based on breathing and your energy levels. It works out really well to learn to breath to calm yourself or to energize your self. If you want to look for a copy of it just google it, Its fairly expensive but well worth the cost as far as I am concerned. I feel more relaxed and less on edge after playing it for a while.

I have been very upset with what has been happening in Burma and needed to take the edge off things, I was so upset, I still am underneath. those poor monks, they will be confined for years, until they all die of starvation and beatings. No one in the western hemisphere seems to care, they are buddhist monks not christian and in the christian world, I once inhabited they are heathern. I am glad I left that world behind, Now I believe that everyone has good in them and that is what matters to God, whatever representation of him is used. I've had a lot of sleepless nights since the riots started and its been worse since the monks were imprisoned. I know they must be suffering, its too bad that human beings can be so cruel and unfeeling to one another. That's all for now or I'll get depressed just talking about it.

So Soon

2007-08-30T17:49:00.000-05:00

I know this is a first probably, I ran across a new blog that is really nice-she knits. It called This Kitten knits, heres a link if you want to visit http://www.thiskittenknits.com/, She has a lovely little girl. She's haveing a contest right now, its over tomorrow but I didn't find it til' yesterday.

Its a new one I found hunting for Harry Potter stuff. I still have dreams of making a Molly Weasley crocheted sweater, the one from chamber of secrets. I am doing one version first, Its been languishing for some time and will be in shades of beige. That doesn't sound exciting does it? I think it will be one I can actually wear more than once. The body is almost done, Have to do the two neck fronts and the back shoulders. I am going to work the sleeves directly on the body following the pictures as near as I can.

Now here is an actuall finished object, Its just a cotton throw made to curl up under when the air conditioning gets to be to much. My picture is not too great. The things to one side are the afghan hooks and three crochet hooks that I made myself, two are carved from twigs and the other one is carved from a dowel rod. The long afghan hooks are carved from dowels too. The other picture I will post is of the thread top I am busy working on. Its done in the Ocean colorway. I have this thing for that particular combinations of colors.

I do so love to work with thread, the throw was sportweight cotton and took me almost three weeks with a small hook, but I still have a lot more to do on the top with size 4 Japanese hook. I have been working on it for about three weeks and still have about 14 inches to do on the body and the sleeves as well. When can I take a close up of the stitch I am on now. It comes from the original Harmony stitch guides that was compiled by Sylvia Cosh, and is called the Clover fan stitch-its pretty complicated. I think that it would also make a pretty lace edging. Anyway I am going to try it on something.

Right now I need to go and finished making Dinner.

My Life is

2007-08-28T11:06:00.000-05:00

I would love to have some witty and interesting news, but alas-there is none. The newest Harry Potter book has finally been bought, and was read in less than 24 hours. It was great, I still wish she would continue the series. I am of course rereading them all. It has taken me 10 days to get through the first 2 and halfway through the third. I can't figure out why either, must be all the interuptions. You know, laundry, dishes, the cat that wants to sit on my lap all the time.

Crocheting has taken up a lot of time too, the lace top is almost one third done. I need more thread to finish it. No chance of the same dye lot, so what ever I buy, will go for the sleeves and will require a stitch change to disguise it. I finished a cotton afghan out of sportweight, wool makes me too warm sometimes. And I started another pair of crocheted socks, from some expensive (to me) bamboo sock yarn. I tried it knitted and it didn't feel all that great on my feet, so I decided to crochet it. I won't buy any of it again. I just really don't care for the feel of it, maybe it will improve with washing.

I have started trying to make an extra large fat bottom bag to use for a crochet and knitting bag. I have a nice one that I bought, but it just isn't large enough. I usually carry two or three projects with me. A pair of socks, a top and sometimes small stuff like one of the tiny animals I like to make. So I need room for a lot of things. I also carry a mini deck of playing cards and sometimes my tarot cards too. And maybe a pattern book and a reading book. The one I have won't even hold everything for one project. I have been saving a large pair of bamboo handles for a long time and will see how this one works. If not I may just use the resulting shape and cut one out of fabric and make it that way, I can make it as large as I want it then. I have a yard of really beautiful tapestry fabric I can use. Regardless the crocheted version will have to be lined, and I'll finish it for a purse.

What I really need to do is get busy and start sewing too. I need new clothes and don't like what I have seen. Clothing for larger sizes is always so ugly, I like pretty things. Colors, besides maroon and brown. I don't mind black as long as its cut right, in fact black is one of my favorite colors. Especially with purple and blue and turquoise. I have so much to do and no motivation. Looks like I will have to find some.

I've been spending too much time, doing online searches for my daughter and son. I don't know where either of them is now, so I just keep doing these stupid searches just to find out if they are still alive. Its really nice when your kids cut you completely out of their lives. It makes one a tad bitter. Especially when you don't know why. Oh well, someday it will all come out.

Home at Last

2007-08-01T08:29:00.000-05:00

I am home for a while, DH started his new job, so far, he likes it. I am enjoying being at home-even if I am personally broke all the time. I am cleaning, and organizing. I can do everything but lifting. I still have to be carefull about that. I lifted something that was just too heavy, thats the big reason why I am at home. Knit Owl I will get that box to you, I am debating on making something to go in it myself. It depends on how much time I have, and money.

I am crocheting of course along with the cleaning, and making some fractals. I will try to upload a couple of them for you. I have also read two or three books, and am preparing to read Light on Yoga again. I decided to start doing yoga again,(now that it seems to be turning passe' I do hate fads). I had been doing the yoga for years and then it became the "in" thing, which always goes against my grain. So I quit, rather than be part of a crowd. It will be hard to start over-I have lost a lot of my flexibility. That Cardio free thing sounds good too.

The next thing I want to start doing again is sewing, It is instant gratification for me. Tons of new patterns in my stash as well as yards of fabric, that need to become somthing. Three new top patterns that I want to try. And three or four new pant patterns. Applique is something I would like to learn. I saw some appliqued jeans in an old sewing book, that could be updated for now, very easily. And I have two pair of jeans that could use an update. A bit of fabric and some Embroidery and they won't look the same. I do like some of the retro stuff-not the Hip Hugger looks though. Always hated showing my butt.

And because I said I would here are some fractals. I called the blue and gold one Indian Paisley. And the gold one is State of Mind.

Long time no time

2007-07-11T17:20:00.000-05:00

I am back for a short post-still working at the new place, so it is now the old place. Am going to look for a better job in a couple of weeks. This one stinks too. They don't even bother to learn your name until you've been there for a couple of weeks. No one stays-they all leave. The regulars treat new people like dirt. You get all the nastiest hardest jobs, now that sounds like a cry baby, doesn't it. But I have been one of the regulars myself and I never treated any new person like they treat us. Sooner or later it all comes back to you, so I don't dish it out.

On a more pleasant note, I've also been crocheting now in the evenings, I guess I am getting used to it and it doesn't hurt so much now. I started an ocean colored pineapple top, that will mostly be my own design, though the start came from an old pattern in Crochet Fantasy. I've had the pattern for years and have made it up several different ways. Each time is different. I start with the pattern yoke and then change everything else. I will have to make a thin cotton camisol to wear under it but it will still be nice in summer. I haven't worked on the knitted top in a while-it will be too hot to wear it for a while anyway.

The weather here has been comfortable some times and miserable others. Terrible floods next door in Kansas and Oklahoma. We had some small ones up north in Missouri, but nothing like they have had. I do sympathize with them-though I have no way of helping. I do wish I could.
Its too bad that the rain doesn't always fall where needed. Well thats all the news, someday I promise that I'll put up some pictures, right now I don't have any.

More Work

2007-06-16T13:58:00.000-05:00

Hello again, still working-though we had friday off. We won't have anymore time off until the fouth, I hope. I really need the hours. Haven't done much knitting or crochet in the last few days, but I am getting ready to start a pineapple type top in crochet. In thread, it should only take me a few years to make it.LOL. Not really, but it will take me a while. I am still working on the knitted cap-sleeved sweater. In the meantime, until I actually have something interesting to show you or post here is a cute blog thing I found on the Mogs blog.

Your Birthdate: November 20

You are a virtual roller coaster of emotions, and most people enjoy the ride.
Your mood tends to set the tone of the room, and when you're happy, this is a good thing.
When you get in a dark mood, watch out - it's very hard to get you out of it.
It's sometimes hard for you to cheer up, and your gloom can be contagious.

Your strength: Your warm heart

Your weakness: Trouble controlling your emotions

Your power color: Black

Your power symbol: Musical note

Your power month: February

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

At work

2007-06-11T16:52:00.000-05:00

For those few of you who read my blog-I know I have been a bad blogger. I just don't have time to post like I would like too. And when I do have time I am usually busy doing something that needs doing. I am also tired when I get home. working in a factory is not always easy. I started out one place and when they ran out of work for us I was sent elsewhere. That's okay-I am much happier where I am now, than where I was. I am doing something similar-but the work is lighter to me, and the people are much nicer. The pay is slightly lower-but I won't quibble about that, with such an improved atmosphere. I am just happy to have a job, and soon I will get more hours so that means a bit more money. Life is a lot easier when you have money.

I have been knitting on a top that I will photograph when its done. Its knitted this time. and I did finish a crocheted cotton afghan for my own use. It's very light and perfect for rainy summer afternoons, when I am home. I enjoy my time at home much more now too. You can be home too much, you know. When everything starts to look the same at home and you don't like it anymore, then you know you've been at home to long. It's time for a change, now I am off to do some beading. I am restringing about ten of my bracelets on stretch cord-the metal I used before irritates my skin ( nickle ) you know.

I write again when time allows. Oh and I have lost almost 8 pounds!

A new job

2007-05-14T14:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, I finally have a job. Working for the people I used to work for.-I should never have left that place. I had good benefits there. I am only temping for them now, hopefully it will become permanent. I have a lot to learn as I am in another department, and know almost nothing about it.

One thing is sure-my people skills are definitely rusty. I am so used to talking to myself, that I still do it. And sometimes I say whatever pops into my head. Not a good thing, believe me. I know what was meant by "My brain has turned to oatmeal." I have to remember things like simple addition and subtraction. I am off early today-the only machine to do the job we were doing, broke down.

I bought some insoles-my feet were killing me. They are much better now. I have good shoes but the soles are never thick enough for concrete. Well have to go now and post on my 360 page.
Hope everyone had a good mothers day.

Something Witty this............

2007-05-03T16:43:00.000-05:00

I have tried to think of something witty and amusing to write about. But very little "amusing " has been in my life this month.

Jobs are scarce around here right now. I still have hope of something turning up-when the summer is over and all the college kids are back in school. A big new company is bringing 600 new jobs to the area. They have already turned me down, I applied for that over the weekend and got the email Monday morning. So those six hundred jobs won't help me a bit. Our area is courting the high tech job market, but that won't help most of the out of work factory workers around here. I guess it looks good for the state.

Sometimes it makes me a little bitter. For years I worked my butt off at different places in fabrication and assembly-now nothing all those places are closed and/or have outsourced all their operations to other countrys. My last job went south. Its like they want all the profit and none of the cost-I used to build barbeques-now I will build my own at home, and use real wood from the storm damage, but I'll be darned if I will buy a ready made one.

I have all but quit shopping at most of the places around here. I now buy food at a grocery store-not a supercenter. I buy yarn at a crafts store(when i get to),and my fabric comes from a fabric store now. I've started going back to the little mom and pop shops more to do my spending. It does cost a little more for some things, but it evens out in the long run. I am even looking for a sheep to buy so I won't have to buy yarn all the time. I don't have a fence, but I can stake one out or put up a portable fence. I would also like to get some chickens and I'm looking for a place to buy raw milk.

Thats the plan-patronize the little guy and stay away from the big ones. If all you people out there would do that-soon the big guys would be in trouble.

Another Cute Blogthing

2007-04-04T12:40:00.000-05:00

You are most like: You are Blue
You are cool and soothing, with a hidden spontanious side. You are deeper than most people percieve, and you care a lot for those whom you surround yourself with.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

You are most like:

You are Blue

You are cool and soothing, with a hidden spontanious side. You are deeper than most people percieve, and you care a lot for those whom you surround yourself with.

Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?

Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

I saw this on another blog and thought it was cute.

Can't think of a title!

2007-04-04T12:09:00.000-05:00

I would have posted earlier-but there is still nothing going on of interest to the rest of the world. Still in the process of collecting art supplies-there are still a number of paints and a couple of acrylic mediums that I want to have to start with. I did start one painting in gouche-but the paint just drys so quickly that there isn't time to do any blending, and blending is crucial to what I want to do and how it will look.

I'm still crocheting tea towels from my own pattern. It's really just a very modified version of the granny square tea towels that came out in the 70's or 80's. It is my favorite pattern for those things. And I am making some wool hats to felt and embroider on, as a quick project for the summer. I just don't want to sit around and make large items in the heat of the summer, you know sitting out in the sun with a large wool sweater on my lap just doesn't sound all that fun.

I started a new diet plan as well. I looked up how much I am actually suposed to eat just to maintain my weight-and it is a lot of food. I have been starving on about 500 or 700 calories a day and wondering why I can't loose any weight. So now I am actually trying to eat what I should eat-minus-a 1000 calories a day. It works on paper, so it should work in reallity. we'll just have to see. I get to eat way more than 700 calories, though I did have to cut back on chocolate.

And I'm thinking about starting to sew again. I have a neat top pattern that I would like to try out and some new shorts and tees wouldn't be a bad idea. I am just sort of holding off to see if the new diet will work. I just don't want to make up a whole bunch of clothes and find out they don't fit in a couple of months. Well that its for now , will try to find something to take pictures of for the next post.

Cleaning House

2007-03-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Still no pics, I decided to start cleaning the house instead. Am trying to organize this mess. I have too much yarn and fabric and too little room. Have decided also to get rid of a bunch of magazines and probably some books. I never get rid of books. I have novels that I have read and some that I will never read. I am of course keeping my first editions-hate to get rid of them, at least some of them have gone up in value. Even for the slightly damaged or imperfect ones there is a higher value. That makes me feel considerably more justified in having them. And the few biographys and autobiographys that I have-those I will keep. I just don't see the sense in keeping some that I might read-and know I never will. I know it in my own mind, I just hate to admit it. Of course I will also be keeping my sci-fi and fantasy collection. Can't get rid of those.

I have ordered a copy of The Complete Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper. Ihave fallen in love with the Fuzzies. This book was published years ago, but I hadn't read it and since the Author is dead-there won't be anymore. I downloaded the first installment from project Gutenburg. I had forgotten that it was even there. Gutenburg I mean. Books you can download for free! And unending source of reading material! How great is that.

I've also put in for any job opening that comes up at the employment place-hence the housecleaning. I am very tired of sitting at home on my ever widening butt. I want to get back out and work have some independence.

And even though it's Spring-I am crocheting some hats to felt. I want to have them to embroider during the summer when I don't have much time to do anything. I got the idea from Spin-Off magazine. They had some really cute embroidered felted hats and I'd have lots of cream colored wool yarn that will felt if Iwork at it. And I can embroider all kinds of designs on them. In the meantime I am still working on the motifs for the rose top, and making a summer time poncho type thing. Yeah, I know some of you don't like the poncho-all I have to say is "lighten up!" Ya'll are wearing them damn hip hugger pants and they came from the same time period and believe me-they don't look that good.

Can you tell I am not fond of hiphugger jeans. I didn't like them, back in the day. I certainly don't like them now. I personally prefer leggings anyway. At least they look good with crocheted and knitted sweaters. Long live the legging!

On a sadder note-those damn tree trimmers cut down my Dogwood tree!! I had a beautiful multitrunked dogwood-there were at least 10 trunks on this tree that bloomed every spring. It will bloom no more-I even had it marked to save and the damn dummies cut it down!!! It was no where near the right of way. It just goes to show-give a man a chain saw and he loses what common sense he has. They like the noise it makes and will just keep on cutting. At least that's my theory.

Well thats all the news maybe something good will happen before I post again.

I Keep promising pictures

2007-03-15T16:11:00.000-05:00

I keep promising pictures but things keep happening. I haven't taken any since the ice storm. I have several things I need to photograph, but I have to dig out my manequin and some other things to do it and just haven't felt like it. The battle with the computer is almost over. I had vista taken off and XP put on. That was a hassle, All new drivers had to be downloaded for everything. And I do mean everything. It was a good thing that my computer doctor had already done it for several other people. He had a warning- I didn't! I installed XP and it worked fine, but there is a lot of stuff that has to be downloaded for it and the one thing I didn't have was my modem driver. I couldn't unlock any of it's functions untill I could get it online. Just take this as a warning if you want to switch from Vista to XP. It's a B***H!!

I haven't done much interesting shopping, except for Cigar boxes to build a Charka from. I also got a new handspindle. I bought a small indoor green house. And I found a tiny Weave-it loom from the 30s at a small flea market-It was only $3. I just had to have it. I had to make a couple of repairs (replacing a couple of prongs) but other wise it was in perfect condition. It still had the original receipt in the box, written out sometime in the 1930's I found that really interesting. It cost a dollar at that time and was bought in ST. Joseph, Mo. It makes really neat squares-though my eyesight affects the quality of the work-I do expect it to get better. I have an awfull time telling if I got it in the right spot. I guess I'll have to use my magnifier glasses with it.

The kittys are okay, I do hope to have some pictures to post here soon. If nothing else maybe some fractals-that part of my computer is finally working. Well thats it for now.

No Pics just complaints

2007-03-01T12:46:00.000-06:00

Oh if only improvements weren't such a pain. Did I tell you that I have a new computer? Did I also tell you it runs on the new vista system. Oh if we could only go back in time to windows 98'. I have used xp and vista now and 3.0 and millinium and 98 is still the best one. It has less bells and whistles but allows me to do more with the programs I use. Alas, I can no longer use Tierazon, It refuses to save, view or print one of these fractals. Apophysis doesn't work either, so that leaves me with 3 options in my current situation. Or I can turn on my old computer and use it. I can only use Mindboggling fractals, Fractal explorer, and Fractal forge. There are a couple more that I will download when I can, but it is going to take me a while to get it all set up. So no more fractals for a while. And the camera software may not work either so I may have to use something else for pictures. It took all day yesterday to get the printer to work-its less than a month old and we had to download new drivers that are compatable with vista. I am going to see if new drivers are available for my laser mouse as well. I miss my laser mouse- I don't like a mouse with a tail!

I got my new handspindle a few days ago, It spins beautifully, I can't draft fast enough to keep up with the spin. I guess I will have to get better. Thats good-I need to get better and faster.

I am getting ready to go through my yarn and get rid of some of it. I am only keeping what I will use. The stash has gotten out of hand. The same is true with fabric. I want to cut it down to four boxes total. That will not include thread. I don't get rid of crochet thread. It has too many uses. Well that is all for now, will post something pretty when I have something to post.

A New Puter!!

2007-02-17T12:36:00.000-06:00

Yes, that right, I finally got a new computer. Its big enough for what I want to do. I will eventually put in more ram-it only has 512 mgs-but my old one only had 128mgs so it makes quite a difference to me. I got my USB floppy drive too and it made it so easy to put in some of the software I had on disks. I am not too impressed with Vista-but at least I won't have to worry about updating the old windows 98 I had. Ooops, now you kow how old my puter was. I kept telling myself that it had been a good computer, but now I don't know. I had been spending on the average of $200 dollars a year to keep it going-ever since I bought it. I am hoping this one does a little better. I still have some software to install and it is a pain to install anything in it. Vista does not like foreign software,LOL.

Well that's all until I get photo software installed. Hope you are haveing a good weekend.

Is it Art?

2007-02-08T15:08:00.000-06:00

I do wonder sometimes at what people call fiber art. I've looked at some of the free form fiber art and it looks like a pile of p***. I mean even the colors are awful. And this thing with free form hats-I mean, does anyone ever wear them? I am old fashioned I guess-I like a hat that is a hat, one that will either keep you warm or one that will shade you from the sun. If it does not fulfill one of those functions its useless. I've never cared much for fashion statements I guess-though I did wear purple tied dyed jeans when I was in high school. Jeans are functional though, regardless of color. Very little of what goes as art really appeals to me.

Speaking of art, if you get a chance, check out some of knitowls drawings
-they are great. They really tell a story or make you feel something. That's what art is supposed to do-invoke a feeling. She also makes some darn cute little soft toys. She sells those on Etsy-I think. She gave me an idea to make a dream bag. You know to keep under my pillow with the things and symbols in,so I can find some answers to my life in my dreams.

Anyway-back to drawing. I can draw, but I have an awful time giving it life. My drawings are usually just flattish with little life, I think that's why I do the fractals. I can compose with them-I am thinking of painting some of them. Taking some of the ones that I make on the computer and putting them on canvas. I was always better with geometric forms than creating things. How I wish that my Mother and Father had allowed me to pursue Art instead of business. I was never cut out to follow a business career, but during that time, girls usually had a choice of homemaker or secretory or schoolteacher. And believe it or not I was a fairly obedient daughter. You know-chicken! At least that is how I look at it now. If only........ You girls don't know how lucky you are to have it the way you do today. You have so much more freedom to be what you want to be. I guess I'll go do some dishes and make some more fractals and work on the crocheted cardigan that I started a couple of days ago-only 40 squares left to do!! And give some thought to the painting I want to do.

More fractals

2007-02-05T16:32:00.000-06:00

Just a note to let you all know that I uploaded more fractals to my flikr album. It is much easier to do it al at once than to put them all on blogger.

Nothing much to say

2007-02-05T11:59:00.000-06:00

I don't have a lot to say right now, I am planning on making one of knitowl's dreambags. I need to preprogram my subconscious to dream about my problems and this is a way of doing it.

The only thing I have been doing of any interest is making fractals and learning to use all those programs. I learned that even with the bare bones program Paint, there are some things that I can do. Like layering of one fractal on another or layering another picture on the fractal. It really increases the possibilities for creativity. I don't have photoshop or Paintshop pro, and this really limits me. But I can draw and I have a scanner so I maybe able to produce my own clipart to use. This is one of my first attempts-The decoration in the middle is my cat, Little grey.

Yes I actually love my cat this much. In my previous marriage, she was my only friend, and she is still my companion. Its a bit to sugary and girly but It was the first time I tried anything like this. All modifications and manipulations were done the hard way, but hand.

Here is another one that is only slightly less overdone, Okay wrong fractal-this one turned out rather nice. I love to work with the ones that have the flowers in them-there are so many ways to arange flowers.

This one was done by splicing two or more together. Well thats what I have been doing. Will post some more of these when I have time. I have started a long loose Cardigan from some chenile I bought about 10 years ago. I have to make it into something. I've got like 15 skeins of the stuff-in white. I am trying hard to reduce my stash and it doesn't seem to be working. Gotta go now and finish the dishes.

Beta is better?

2007-02-02T21:36:00.000-06:00

I don't know about that-I was unable to sign in. I created a new google account, but was still not able to sign in. Fortunately I was already signed in with my old one. When I had a typepad account-it took forever for them to upgrade and three times longer to download or upload anything. All typepad pages still take much longer than any other to load on my computer! Thats better? Not to me! I would prefer to keep my old account buzzing along as it was than to have to switch. Besides the sign in page didn't show up well on my computer. I don't think they have realized yet that some of us are stuck on dialup still. I don't want to switch until I get a decent computer. DSL won't matter on this old thing. Ooops, another load of laundry just buzzed me.

Well thats folded-not put away, but folded. I finally got what I wanted done on my computer. I got all the fractal software I've been wanting to - installed. I don't have Apophysis yet, but this old puter doesn't have enough memory for it. When I get a new one, I am hoping that it has about 1000 mgs of ram-then I can work in realtime on it. I have been haveing a blast making fractals, may even get to upload some of them tomorrow. I have to make some clipart to use on them. I want to use Little grey of course. I put her in a special one for my screen saver. The only problem is that its such a feminine fractal-all pink and purple and turguoise, but it goes so well with her grey color. S far I am learning to use about 5 different programs, The art made on them reminds me so much of crochet and knitting.

We thats all for now-am waiting for my DH to get home from school. He should be early tonight-he has another class tomorrow.

Ice storm

2007-01-24T17:24:00.000-06:00

I am finally back on the internet. My computer went on the fritz and then the ice storm took out the electricity for almost two weeks. My computer is still messed up I will try to get it fixed this week sometime. The ice storm is another thing! Nearly two weeks without water and electricity. Ugh!!! Think about what that entails-no water, no clean clothes-you can't go wash things when you can't leave the house. The stove might have burned the house down. It was tough-I have even more sympathy for the victims of Katrina and other natural disasters. Try doing without a bath, a toilet, the phone, no TV, no music, no light, no hot food. Try it for just one day. The people in New Orleans did it for weeks. It changes a lot of your outlook. In many ways it was good for us.

Little Grey is ok-the little one is still a pain in the neck. She keeps getting into my roving. I spin and do felting as well so there is always some wool roving around and she just shreds it. And anything that I knit or crochet from wool she tries to eat. Well I got to go. Am going to try to download some stuff.

The Holidays are over!!!!

2007-01-03T13:00:00.000-06:00

What a relief-its over-the holidays are over. I get so tired of the going, the doing, and the buying. I think I would rather just veg out for two weeks at Christmas or better yet, hibernate from Thanksgiving until New Years. I have never enjoyed the holiday season-it was a time of arguments from the time I was a child up until the last few years-and sometimes even then. I still don't enjoy it. I got some nice gifts-I'd rather get them onsale than to get them because its a holiday. Or better yet, get them on my birthday.

I haven't been posting due to lack of time and lack of motivation. I just can't seem to get going-maybe I am just getting old. It's a downhill slid and I threw out the brakes. I just want to keep sliding, its easier than fighting my way back up, and I don't really care whats at the bottom. It's usually a hard landing-good thing I am well padded.

I am knitting on what I hope will be a lovely scarf. The color is pretty anyway. I designed it, rather a narrow one-I don't like thick scarves, they are too warm. Its made with some wool yarn I got at Joanns in a really pretty shade of lavender. And has for me a fairly fancy stitch patern. I want to make a hat and some gloves or fingerless gloves to go with it. I haven't finished my dragon yet and may redo it with some better joints. Its a miniture and very hard on my hands to crochet with such small thread.

Well thats all for now, maybe next time I won't feel so depressed and can have a more lively entry.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-18T19:08:00.000-06:00

And again Merry Christmas! We might even have a white one this year. I think that I will drag my sorry butt out and make a snowman if we do. That is in between presents and making dinner. We are having a turkey breast this year-never tried one of these before. We have so much waste with a whole turkey that we decided to try one of those breast only things. You still have to cook it.

I have already gotten most of my gifts. This is the first time in years I have wanted anything. I got a new convection toaster oven and a blender. Such a personal thing you know. Oh and a small bag of yarn from Joanns. Ten skeins of their sensations collection"Cosetta". I wanted this to learn to knit mitered squares with, and two skeins of Tesoro in lavender for a scarf to go with my new sweater coat.

We went to the antique shop the other day and I found a real find. A small vinyl case of boye needles. They were labled knitting pins. There were five sets of single point needles in sizes one to five and five sets of dpns in sizes one to five. Three stainless steele stitch holders a small steele case with tapestry needles in it and a pair of top quality german made sissors. This was one of those complete sets of needles from probably 30 to 50 years ago. They didn't look like they had ever been out of the case. It had little slots for all the needles and accessories. It looked brand new-and I got it for $5.00!
I thought that was a pretty good bargain. It makes me want to knit socks and lace.

I am still working on the dragon and hope to finish it soon. My eyes begin to bother me and I had to give it up for a bit. When the headaches are gone I will go back to it.

Not a lot to say

2006-12-07T17:11:00.000-06:00

I have not had a lot to say for a while now-not since the election. I was pretty happy with the outcome. The wild striped socks are finally finished and a little crocheted Dragon is started.

I joined another Yahoo group that makes miniature animals. The Dragon is not turning out as well as I had hoped-but this is my first one and the next one I can make the way I want to. This first one I have to follow the pattern as exactly as possible. I can change the next one. My problem is learning to use something called a Wobble joint. It has turned out awfull, the joint I mean. The next one I will simply make thread joints . They always work best for me, come to think of it I may another one just like this one with thread joints too.This one is supposed to be for my hubby, but if it doesn't turn out right-he doesn't get it. The first one you make from the pattern has to be like the pattern, after that it doesn't matter. Its all just to learn how to do it. The tiny animals are so cute. I will be sure to post a picture of it when I am done.

The snow is finally melting off a little-wonder if we'll get some more before its all gone. I wish we would get some more rain or snow or something. It has been too dry here. I would like to have a garden next year that actually has some plants in it. Everything burned up this last summer. I watered and watered, but it did no good. It was just too hot.
I have plans that should make the difference next year.

And speaking of a hot summer, We just rented and watched Al Gore's new documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" It is more than a bit scary what is happening to the earth, Everyone needs to see this movie and deside for themselves if it is for real or not. America needs to make some changes to the way we think-especially the wealthy in America. Its not all about money folks. Its about the spirit.
Well that all I got for now-will try to post pictures in the next post.The link I was going to post didn't work so you'll have to google it.

It snowed

2006-12-02T12:58:00.000-06:00

Unbelieveable-I haven't seen this much snow in years. It looks like a Christmas card outside ecept for all the deer, cat, dog, bird, and rabbit tracks outside. There are trails going through the yard all over the place. It must have been a busy night. It looks like the yard was really teaming with life. Maybe they all had a party. If the animals can talk on Christmas eve (or so the legend goes) why can't they have a party on the first day of December? That is of course all those deer that survived the hunt.

That brings me to another thing, I am sorry but dear hunters are lazy. Some guy that lived down the road was out shooting practically in my backyard. There are houses all over the place here-and this idiots shooting at deer. I didn't get a chance to post my little piece of woods this year. The stupid paint faded. Next year there will be signs up on posts. We have a small band of deer in our woods-why can't these lazy bums go hunt in the forest where there are no houses-but know they want to hunt in their own backyard or from their cars or trucks. With all these house out here, one day they are going to shoot one of the our neighbors or us. A couple of years ago, my friend lost her horse when some hunters shot it in the head- It was a morgan for Chrissake! It was four times the size of a dear or more. It was pregnant with a good foal-she lost two horses. That is just an example of how dumb some of them can be.

Okay enough ranting, I found the most incredible crocheted top pattern in an old Magic Crochet mag. It is made from motifs that resemble roses. It is so pretty. I plan on starting one as soon as I get time. You make the motifs and sew them together. I can't wait to get started, but it will have to wait until I get my socks done. Oh well its allways something.

Oh and the big news around here is my DH got a computer. I would tell you all about it, but he won't let me. I am going to continue to use this old thing. I am used to it. I guess I am getting old and hate to change. I would like to get a new one, but I don't want a big one. I just need one to handle blogging and a lot of crochet patterns. Well the movie is over and now we are going to get dressed and go somewhere. I think.

Still Here!!!!

2006-11-27T17:22:00.000-06:00

And from out of the mist a distant voice dimly whispers " I'm still here..." Guess I just can't bring myself to quit blogging completely-even though at this time I have very little to say. Mostly, I've been knitting and crocheting stuff for my kitchen. So far there are seven crocheted Tea towels-my own pattern, and six knitted and crocheted dishcloths. I have really enjoyed making them. I suppose I like making things that are useful. You can buy all the tea towels you want from store, but it is just so much fun to make them. Some are in plain colors and some are just plain gaudy, crazy color schemes.

My crazy socks are still only two thirds finished. There are just too many things sidtracking me from them. The shrug is bogged down in a box-yes I'll finish it eventually -I keep getting ideas for a better one. Little improvements you know. And pretty soon your are completely away from your pattern and on your own.

Christmas is coming and I still don't have my tree up. I'll put the little bogger up as soon as I can. And all the other little doodads that go with it. The cats are going to be a problem-at least the little one will be. In case you are wondering why I never call the little one by name-it because.. she only comes to the phrase "little s**t".
She spends so much time in trouble and getting taken out of things and being swatted with a newspaper, and both myself and my DH got in a habit of saying "You get out of there, Little S**t" that she thinks that is her name. Isn't that awful? Now how to change it, we have been trying. I guess we'll just have to keep working on it.

Politics-just Politics!

2006-11-06T19:03:00.000-06:00

What is a polytick? Some bloodsucker that gets elected. Ain't that cute?

I am beginning to think that is exactly what it is. Tomorrow I will cast my vote-I won't say for who.
You can never really know the truth about a candidate-the one thing you can be sure of-is when they are lying, yes that old joke " Their lips are moving!!" Isn't that awfull. I don't think they know how to tell the truth after they have been in politics for a while. So cast that vote wisely-Pick the one telling the smallest lies. That is what I am going to try to do.

Socks are my current project-I got some halfway decent acrylic in wild colors. This stuff should make some good socks. Someday anyway. I am a very slow knitter. I have two and a half inches on the first top that is, only three and a half inches to go. This is a plain crew sock pattern, using an afterthought heel. Its the first of four pairs I want to make. One will be a plain Gray and another will be bright colors an the other will be a purple ombre type color, and one will be what ever is left from the other three. I like looking at the fancy patterns on line-but I prefer to wear the plain ones with good ribbing that keeps them up. I am allergic to the elastic thread on most socks-Its gives me hives on my legs and ankles. So I want a lot of ribbing to do the job.

Thats it for tonight will write more when I find out who wins, here in Missouri. Its going to be quite a race.

Still around

2006-10-26T11:28:00.000-05:00

Yes we are still around, My DH is still looking for employment. I think he will find something soon. If he gets one compatable with the hours I'll have I may take a temp job. I don't know how I will handle all the overtime -but it is still money.

The cats are doing great-the little one is still driving me up the wall, where she stays most of the time. She has found out how to get in my underwear drawer, and has learned to hide in there. I don't care much for that because she is a chewer. She chews on everything.

I think I am going to start painting again. I have been trying to start, and have had several false starts. Perhaps this time will be the right thing.

My mind is too scattered right now for much of anything. I am crocheting a shrug-the easiest thing possible. No thought to that-It will probably be more like one of the those polish sweaters. I need to finish the sweater I started knitting for my hubby, from one of Anne Budds pattern books.

I am also canceling my CrochetMe newsletter. I don't like the things that I have heard about one of the Editors. People should not take credit for others work-and that appears to be what she is doing. She wrote the new book but only did three of the beginners crochet designs. Nine or ten others did the rest and got $100 cash for each design. She is getting all the royalties. That seems unfair, I think that is why I would rather self publish what I am designing. Besides I don't join the cheering corners of anyone. There are many who do a good job. The other reason is that they have not had anything really good for a year or more-most of it you can do with a good stitch book and some knowhow. I don't need the crap.

Well that is all the news I have for now-May post some pictures later if I have time.

No Pictures again

2006-10-14T10:28:00.000-05:00

No time for pictures, Haven't finished anything so I haven't taken any. I have started another sweater for myself in purple tweedy yarn, and another shrug in some denim blue homespun-yes I still have some. I am so tired of making shawls and will probably wind up donating those I have already made to a senior citizens center. We get tired of them laying around the house all ready to go and no place to send them.

My DH had a campout last night with the cub scouts-his son is in it. It seems really dumb to have it so late in the year-I am surprised that the kids don't all wind up sick. Sleeping on the cold ground. Sometimes parents have no common sense. I know that being out in the cold doesn't make them sick-thats a virus or bacteria but if they are already sick or have a cold it can make them worse.

The Cats are all okay-the little one is driving me crazy-admittedly its a short drive. She reminds me of a cartoon cat that is running around on the walls and ceiling. She has knocked over every thing that is not too heavy and broken several things and you can't make her behave. She just looks at you when you yell or swat her with a paper and does it anyway. She climbs the clothes in my closet-you know what that does to clothes and crawls underneath and into the dresser drawers. I am at my wits end with her. She has gotten into my yarn scraps and strewn them all over the place-you name it she has done it. I may have to have her spayed and just put her outside with the others that don't want to behave or have bad habits. Other options are having her declawed and spayed-that usually takes some of the mean out of them or makes it worse, but I haven't been able to make up my mind and if I wait too long my DH will make it up for me.

Right now I think I will get off here and go finish the dishes and start organizing my crochet patterns in notebooks-they need it. I collect way too many crochet patterns. I have them in boxes sitting around and need to put them in some order so they can be used. Anyway have a good weekend .

Life changes

2006-10-06T08:22:00.000-05:00

No pics today, and maybe not for a while. I haven't been doing much, am working on a pattern to go in a book I want to write. On crochet-it won't be out for a long time. I have two other patterns in rough form and one already copyrighted. That's four and I hope to have more in the course of time. Hopefully the crochet fad will have died down and the book will come out and be out for a while. It amazes me how fast they come and go. But the time I am ready to buy the book it is already out of print and no longer in the bookstores, and I have to buy it in the used bookstore. I hate fads. The good ones goes out too fast and the dumb ones are around too long.

Many things are changing around here in the next two weeks, more about that-when its over-hopefully. It depends on whether or not I am online for much longer. I just may have to go to the library to use the computer. That will make it a lot more complicated for me. We will just have to see what the future holds for my DH and me. Right now I am thinking of selling this place and moving somewhere else. It has to be someplace where I can have my cats. I don't think I could stand to move into an appartment that didn't allow my pets. Like I said-we don't know what the future holds for us do we? Tarot cards not with standing! Have a good weekend!!!!!!

Another Cute Quiz

2006-09-28T10:14:00.000-05:00

I found another cute quiz, I don't know how accurate it is. I always thought I was a winter person.

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times...
You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings
Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Chili Today!

2006-09-25T15:36:00.000-05:00

Its Chili making time, I love to make Chili when its start getting cool in the evenings. I have been smelling it all day. I am thinking about making a desert too. Maybe a chocolate pudding cake, there is a recipie in my cook book for one that only makes 4 servings-there are only two of us. Its quick and sounds very tasty. It may get made but I want to serve it hot or at least warm-with whip cream. That means I have to do it much later. Like just before DH gets home.

Have not knitted or crocheted all weekend. We shopped Saturday and went to the antique mall on Sunday. I didn't buy much-A really cute cast iron rack for the wall that is shaped like a cat and a mug warmer of all things-I want another one of those, this one works great. My coffee or tea stays hot til its gone. And another of those printed doll panels, you know the kind that are printed with a doll and you sew it up and stuff it. This one has a teddy bear you have to make too. The doll is victorian with a dark blue callico dress and white petty coat.

When I have time I want to get my Golden Hands books out and make some of the toys they have in it. I love to make toys when I have time. There is also a lot of knitted and crocheted stuff in them too. Well thats all for now,must finish washing dishes.

I don't know what to call this-Death Nell maybe?

2006-09-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

I don't usually post links to things, and I don't really like politics-to me all politicians are corrupt. Some are just more corrupt than others. But on this link to Daily Kos, I think this pretty much says it all. We are in for a fight in this land. This was predicted by and author I read and have been reading for several years-on this blog it is predicted by another person. Go and Readhttp://dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/9/20/174152/072 I hope I linked this right if not let me know and I'll remove it.

Finish Objects

2006-09-11T11:29:00.000-05:00

I had to wait until today to finish posting all my FO's. It is hard to write a post in advance. I couldn't finish posting all my pictures in the last one so I am trying to get them all in this one. First of all is my socks.

These are all crocheted from both fingering weight yarn and worsted weight yarn. I really like to crochet socks, yes I can knit them but crocheting them is so much faster and its so much more fun for me. I get all up tight when I knit and I can relax when I crochet. I guess its because I've been doing it so long-like 35 or more years. The pattern use is the one in CrochetMe online magazine-I modified it though so it has a much longer ankle. If you add 2 and1/2 inches to the bottom of the ribbing and then start the foot and heel it looks and fits much more like a real sock. The yarn I've been using is some of the inexspensive yarn from Hobby Lobby, its called Sweet Delight, I think and is some of their house brand-its really nice and soft. And it comes in a lot of colors and kinds. They have some of it labeled as bulky-but it is fingering yarn and some of it says bulky and it is. I don't think they really do much knitting -whoever buys this stuff. I will be making many more pair-though I need to find a bigger pair of winter boots or shoes. I won't post a picture of the last shawl I made, but I will post one of the kittys, Little Grey takes care of the little one, like it was her own.

Walking and FOs

2006-09-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

The Walking seems to be working. I don't want to get my hopes up too much. I have lost 2and1/2 lbs so far. I didn't start loosing though until I added the coconut oil to my diet. I added almost 300 calories a day in fat. Now I'm starting to loose. I suppose that maybe I wasn't eating enough. That could be too. Anyway I am happy just loosing that much.Maybe more will come off this week. I am going to try to post some pics here, if not they will be on my flikr album.

First up the shawls.This is the Seraphina Shawl from Work with me.This picturecame out a bit dark.I have two more pictures to post if blogger will work for me, And some pictures of socks and of the kitties. Dial up is a pain when you have to upload.

Well that is two of them, shall I try for one more shawl that is?

These have taken up a lot of homespun yarn, I still have 4 more to finish, I may take them to a PowWow this month or next. Mine don't really look like Doni's do-I think my sense of color is way different than hers is. If you want to see some and get the patten-just Google the seraphina shawl. Once you learn the pattern it not to hard. Hers shawls are lovely!Ok it said no. So I guess I'll have to post them later. So I guess that all until the next batch.

Dogs Barking

2006-09-08T09:12:00.000-05:00

Dogs barking, no I don't mean my feet. I mean the neighbors dogs barking. Why is it that I, can't walk in my own yard in peace and quiet? I try to walk when I am sure my neighbors are up so I don't wake up their dogs, but it just doesn't work. Of course if they didn't let their dogs crap in other people yards it wouldn't happen. Yes, one of the neighbors dogs is always in my yard doing his bussiness, and the other neighbors dog is in the other person's yard crapping. Why can't they do it in their own yards? I just don't think people have respect for even their own animals. I try to keep my cats in my own yard-that's why they are all spayed. The two outside are older and they don't leave the yard much anymore-the dogs come here and bother them. I have a gate on my front porch to keep the dogs off. I just don't believe in raising tons of unwanted kittens.

On the crafting front, I am loosing the war. I have already made four shawls this week from my large stash of Lion Homespun. I bought it before I saw how it would be when washed. Now I am trying to use it up, Out of 80+ skeins, I have twelve left. It went from a large storage box to a small storage box and that is now almost empty. The large empty box is already refilled with the perle cotton and size ten matte cotton I bought years ago for weaving. It's still in good shape and I am going to use it up too for crochet and knitting and some weaving. The small box is going to hold whatever current projects I am working on when it is completely empty. But what do I do with all those shawls? There will be about eight when finished. I don't need them. When I get a chance I will post pictures of all of them. I have several other finished items to post pics of too.

The Cats in the house are doing well, they chase each other and play all day. The little one still thinks that she needs to be on or around me all the time though and the older one gets really jealous of her. They roll around and playfight all the time. The little one still hasn't put on much weight but she is still growing. Well thats all, I know I said I'd post pics, but I will try to do that next time. I just haven't had time to take any.

Still Walking

2006-09-01T09:04:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I get so frustrated with this computer, It just ate my post, or the computer died and the post went with it. Anyway will try again.

I did my walking this morning, I am up to seven rounds daily, and still no weightloss. My diet hasn't changed, it is still consistant. I am eating more fiber foods, but still maintaining around 1100 to 1200 calories daily. Since that is all I was eating when I stopped putting on weight-you would think that now I would start loosing. That doesn't seem to be the case. I will be doing 8 rounds next week, that around 6000 steps a day plus what I do normally.

I finally decided that if the weight doesn't start coming off soon, I will just keep exercising, but I will start cleaning out my closet and getting rid (boo hoo) of my smaller sized clothes. Or making them into other things. I am upset by this, because a lot of them have never been worn. Guess it will be yard sale time.

I hope to post some finished objects in my next post. A shrug was finished, and four pair of crocheted socks and a crocheted Seraphina shawl, and the work in progress is a knitted Pheonix shawl that I am using a modified pattern for. I wanted it to be deeper and not so long side to side. Will try to get them posted next time.

I just reallized how many times I used "I" in this post, I need to find more to write about, but knitting needles and crochet hooks don't do it on their own. The first attemp at posting was better, but it got ate!!

2006-08-24T09:41:00.000-05:00

I found this cute quiz. Somehow It works for me!! LOL!

I am an
Echinacea

What Flower
Are You?

Walking,

2006-08-23T07:46:00.000-05:00

I am starting to enjoy the walking, part of the time. Monday and Tuesday is great, but by Wensday I am ready to use a wheelchair. My hips seem to not want to work after the first 2 rounds of my yard. By Friday I don't want to go at all. But I am sticking with it. Am doing six rounds of the yard now and will increase it to seven next week. That seems like a lot, but it really isn't. Oh and my DH cleared off some more trail so I can go farther. I don't know if I should kiss him or slap him. I just wish I had thought of it a year ago when I started gaining weight and I would not be like this now. Hindsight is always 2020 you know. I have so many favorite clothes that I can't get into. Once the weight is gone I won't need any clothes for a long time. I am one of those people that wears what I like and not what is in style. I am not and don't want to be trendy. And think of the time I will save, and yarn, being able to make smaller sweaters!!! It makes me giddy to think about it.

The Little black kitten is doing well-though sometimes I am not, I catch her frequently hanging off the curtains or trying to climb them, as well as me. I keep trimming her claws and hoping she will outgrow it. She bounces from one room to the other getting into things. I think sometimes a small child would be easier to deal with, and she thinks that yarns were made to chew. And speaking of yarn I have some finished objects, 4 pair of crocheted socks and a Shrug of my own design. Oh and I really like Hobby Lobby's house brand of yarn called Baby Bee "Sweet Delight" It is labeled Bulky, but it can't be. Some of the different kinds, like the twist are medium worsted but the rest seem to be light sportweight. Figure that out. It works really well for socks too.
Will post pics of the FO's when I get them. I have several things cut out to sew up and haven't done them. I need to get them done too. Am not done yet sorting through fabric. I have the best of it put away, but some off the smaller pieces are still in need of looking at, will get them done as I can. I have quite a selection that I want to make into needles and hook cases and accessory bags, and some pillows and things for the kitchen.

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite reads, it is totally different from the movie with Irene Dunne and Sir Laurence Olivier in it though. Many of the movies made back in the black and white days were very faithfull to the books but, I was watching the movie while reading the book and it was easy to see the differences. The book was much better. For now I'd better get off here and go finsh my exercises.

This is a rant!

2006-08-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

I knew what to title this one!! What is wrong with this country. Have we become a nation of paranoids or what. Everyone is so scared of dying in some kind of terrorist attack. What difference does it make how you die. Does being killed in an attack make it worse than dying in a house fire? Adversity is one of the tests a person, a group, or a nation has to go through sometimes. This is one and we are failing miserably. Someone gets upset on a plane and everyone panics. People used to get upset on a plane and were allowed to calm down and the flight continued. If someone gets upset on a flight now, they are handcuffed, abused and the plane lands and spends hours getting inspected.

As for saying "Pakistan" on a plane I guarantee if my flight was going badly I would be cussing out Pakistan, Afghanistan and every other middle eastern country that could be blamed as well as the US government for getting us into this crap. I'd probably get arrested too. Of course with all the crap that is going on-I won't be flying. I would be upset without my crochet hooks and yarn or knitting needles and yarn.

Which brings me to another rant, The criticism of the Japanese Primeminister for visiting a shrine of Japanese war dead. What is wrong with that. The dead of all wars should be respected regardless of whose side they were on. Right or wrong is more a question of viewpoint after all. We felt it was wrong for the Japanese to start a war-but they on the other hand felt it was right. If we had been born in Japan we would have felt the same way. Regardless of how we think of war dead-soldiers only follow orders after all, and they have a right to be respected for giving their lives in a cause. End of second rant. Hope this gives people something to think about.

What do I title this?

2006-08-16T13:06:00.000-05:00

I had no idea what to title this post, any suggestions. I really do not see the neccessity for putting one on each and every post. Maybe I'll just start using numbers. I am trying to be really creative today. I have started the sleeves from Mrs. Wealeys wild sweater in what I belive was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, not sure, guess I'll have to watch it again. I am crocheting them out of vintage cotton sportweight yarn. Okay it cotton sportweight I have had for about 15 years. It has faded and mellowed with age and should give the affect that I wanted. I am having to throw in a little size 10 cotton in colors I don't have. I am trying very hard to make it almost exactly like the ones in the movie. Its difficult to work from some of the photographs they are not clear in some spots. That means I will have to watch the movie over and over to get it right. There are two patterns available on the internet-one is quite good but much too expensive and the other is not all that great but fairly resonable in price-but neither are what I want. I am not going to put them on a pink sweater-I look awful in pale pink, so I am using either an ecru or white or I am going to dye it myself. I think a loose sweater in Ecru with shells in it would be the best bet. If it works I might make another one in other colors. Just think I could wear it to the next book release. The last one. I wish that J.K. Rowling would reconsider and write one or two more. (or 10)

Organization is my weakest point and this week, I am going through two storage boxes and one large basket of fabric. keeping only my best and most usefull, yeah sure. meaning that I will be keeping two thirds or more of it. There are so many quarter yard cuts that I had no idea. I bought them to make small projects out of. Needle cases, handbags, pincusions and other little things. I get to finish sorting today. I may take some of it up to the DAV or Goodwill, or I may just throw it away.

My walking program is still going okay, I am up to 5 rounds of my yard It's a little shorter than I wanted so I have had to circle farther out in the yard. The neighbors think I am nuts, but they always have. I weighed last week and get to weigh again next week. I am only doing it every two weeks. I don't want to depress myself too often. LOL. Anyway that brings things up to date.

I am not thinking of flying anytime in the next century, I get airsick and would need my dramamine, and I'd loose my mind without my crochet or knitting, so whats the point. I flown three times and they lost my luggage the first time. The other two times I carried it on with me. I think its all kind of stupid. Wonder how much lost luggage they'll have this time? End of Rant.

The kitten is still doing well through she still hasn't gained much weight. She eats, she just burns it all up. She is now a glossy black kitty with a white bikini. Yes one of her distinguishing features is that she has a bikini shaped triangle on her tummy. That and being so onery. Have a good week, guess I'll go work on my sleeves and do some more sorting.

Weaving again

2006-08-02T07:32:00.000-05:00

I finished the weaving both the main part and the binding-hope there is enough binding. The binding came out shorter than I wanted and longer than I thought it would. If that makes any sense. I have washed the weaving to set how it turned out, and I think stretching the yarn on a loom was a good thing. It is solid and strong after washing and didn't grow a lot, so I still have a good tight weave. It should work up OK. I don't know if there will be enough for sleeves-I could always knit those on, I still have plenty of yarn.

I guess I'll warp the loom again with some chenille I hate to knit or crochet with. I have enough for two shawls maybe more and several scarves. I want to get rid of it. It is such a pain to work with-even though I love the softness of it. Iwould rather buy a ready made sweater of chenille than make one.

On Knitowls suggestion (I keep forgetting ) I wormed "DC" again-this is the second time. She still doesn't eat enough. She would rather play then eat. Her back leg is still deformed a little with a mallformed joint, but she gets around like a rocket. She is so small to move so fast. She is so cute.

I guess I had better go do some house work and get that loom warped later. I also still have some tai chi exercises to do before that. I have already done my walking. Its easier to do it, first thing in the morning when its still cool outside, after about nine its start warming up a lot. I can't wait for fall.

Fashion?

2006-07-31T10:18:00.000-05:00

I don't think I like fashion, it makes people do and wear werid stuff. I mean really what is so attractive about the hip huggers that the girls all wear. Most of them have no idea how they really look. I was a teen ager when they came out the last time and girls-we didn't look like you thought we looked. generally we wore bodysuits or leotards under them. We didn't want "Crack Problem". Girls don't seem to care how it looks. It gives them bad cases of "Electricians Butt" if you know what I mean. Especially those really low riding ones, Ugh!

I think I'll just stick to my regular jeans and t-shirts with the occasional crochet or knitted sweater and accessories. I am also still haveing trouble trying to figure out why mothers dress their 8 year olds the same way the 16 year olds dress-whats up with that? Do I sound old fashioned-Damn! I must have turned into my mother. Okay end of Rant.

On a happier note, I am weaving, I think I might have one more yard to go, if that. I am keeping cool by thinking of winter and things for the winter. Will be using the remnants of this yarn to weave a scarf. Like I need another scarf, I counted 12 or more that I made in the last year.

I have started a new walking program-my pedometer doesn't seem too accurate though. I am walking out in my yard-yes its big enough. It takes me aroung a 1000 steps to make one circuit, so three times around-you get the idea. It still hurts my back to walk, but not when I can stop when I need to, and I don't have to keep up with someone. When I get up to 5500 steps the weight should start comming off. I only walked 5000 when I was working and it came off then. Hey, I'll need all those scarves to keep me warm, while walking in the winter. May be I need to make some more? Still got lots of yarn. Maybe weave a poncho. In black-to go with all those wild scarves.

"DC" is doing OK, "Little Grey" is chewing on her and running her around the house while I am on here. Its funny to see. Wish "DC" would fatten up some, she is so thin. Well I am going to go weave and do some laundry, and some dishes and watch an old movie while I weave. Have a good Monday, you all.

Weaving

2006-07-29T16:26:00.000-05:00

I have warped my loom and started some fabric for a vest. It's a 20 inch rigid heddle loom. One of the simplest looms there is to operate. I had a four harness loom, but had to sell it several years ago. It took up too much room. I love these Rigid heddle looms though and just couldn't part with them. I am using the 20 inch, but have a 24 inch and a 32 inch as well as a childs 10 inch loom. I use the childs loom for bands to trim the fabric I make on the larger loom. I am using Beka looms, they still make the smaller sizes but not the 32. When I bought them I felt silly buying so many extra heddles and spare parts, but now am glad I did. I had to modify something from the larger one to fit the smaller one. Its fourtunate that I have extra parts. I contacted Beka though and they said if I need something they can still make it for me-that made me happy. But the parts cost more than when I got these. It took me longer to dig all the parts out of the shed than to actually get started weaving again.

I still have a womping big stack of magazines and books for them-most are out of print. I did finally learn that for me personally, it is easier to use a longer narrow warp, than a short double width one. Not as hard to beat down the weft. And easier on my back when I am actually doing the warping. The small looms also have a different stand so it's easier for me to sit in front of one. I used a warping short cut too and that helped a lot.

The little black kitten"DC" is doing great, she is so hyper that we can't keep up with her and neither can poor "Little Grey" She hides from"DC" sometimes, and then I'm on my own. They got a huge new litter box today and it made them both happy. Its wider and deeper than the old one-and that makes me happy. I got tired of sweeping up the floor for them all the time. I shall finish this post and get off the puter-I want to go weave.

Little Kitten and Weaving

2006-07-28T10:53:00.000-05:00

The little black kitten is doing great, I'll post more detail when the storm lets up-I am not complaining, but my first post was deleted by a power out. So I'll make this one quicker I hope. I am going to finish warping my small loom and start weaving a vest out of a yarn that I hate to knit with. It just washes up to mush so we'll try it for weaving, weaving pretty much takes the stretch out of yarns you know.Ha! I will try to make a better post when the weather is clear right now. Have a good weekend.

Dragon

2006-07-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

We had a rather sad weekend. Almost two years ago we gave a cat to someone. It was a really beautiful Siamese tom, we had named Dragon. We have cats show up here all the time. They don't seem to belong to anyone and they are always half starved and we feed them. And try to find homes for them. We gave Dragon to a nice family and they were supposed to keep him inside and have him neutered-they didn't and they gave him back to us about a month or so ago. He was really thin and he became so sick that we finally took him to the vet, only to find out that he had KittyAids. His kidneys and liver were failing and he was in so much pain that we had to put him to sleep. The Vet said he didn't last for more than a minute or two, he was already so far gone. I don't think I'll ever find a home for a cat again. I'll just keep them. The really bad thing is-We now have to take our two outside cats and have them tested. I hope they test negative. We can have them vacinated and they will be alright.. Moral of Story. Have your kittys tested and vacinated for it. I just never thought they would get it or be around one that had it. I hope it will be alright, I have had them so long.

Goodbye Dragon. he was only about two years old.

Oh where have you gone?

2006-07-18T11:42:00.000-05:00

Oh where have you gone Knitting Goddess? I refer to the writter of the Knitting Goddess. Deborah Bergman. She used to have this lovely website that was very nicely done. Now it has all been archived, if you can get the links to work. I fought with it Sunday for sometime so I could copy the information. Why do knitting and crochet books go out of style in the first place. I still love the first ones I got years ago and still use them. Anything outdated can always be updated you know. It seems like publishers feel compelled to keep on releasing new ones so they can keep on making more and more money. But they don't go in for reprints on many of them.

I have a few favorites of course, and they are always close at hand, but I loved "The Knitting Goddess" for the lovely stories, and it had some rather fetching patterns too. I could see the morie pullover in a varigated color or two and the Haloed turtleneck would have been lovely in blue. I am trying my hand at a few of her patterns now. Why hasn't she written another book? She was everybit (in my opinion) as good as some of the current popular designers. I keep looking at some of the new books on the market and they are just rehashes of the same old patterns that have been doing for the last three years.

I think that Elizabeth Zimmerman coverd most of the important stuff in hers. I am trying currently to get a copy of Knitting around so I can make the Pi R squared shawl. I will have to order it from Knitpicks I guess. Then I will also have to order some lace weight yarn too. I am okay as long as I can order $40 worth. Who wants to pay postage anymore. I started a sweater for my DH. It will be a plain one with only a small pattern in it. He doesn't like really fancy stuff. And it will be denim blue, so its also casual. Well thats all for now, not much happening round here and I still don't have my pic files dug out.

Rain at last

2006-07-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

I was so happy to see so much rain. Everything out here is drying up. Maybe now it will green up for a while. Now on to less important things ha!

I decided to post pictures of all my felted animals(that I still have) so far, one is in Austrailia and the other is a crocheted one, so ugly that he looks awfull. I don't have as much time as I'd like to, to spend on felted animals. I got sidetracked this time by trying to crochet a shawl without a pattern. I hope it works. If it does I will write it out if I can. I will be using a lot of double and treble crochet stitches. So it should go by pretty fast. Any way here are some animals. This one is Bobby Bear of the Boston Blueberrys. The second one is called snowflake, he was my first felted bear. I think in many ways he is my best one.

Well blogger is putting them where it wants them again-don't know why. Am I the only one who has this problem? Or does everyone have it from time to time. Okay that last bear is in Kansas city and I can't find his picture file. I know I have it so will post it later. I will probably have to post some of this stuff in my next post.
There are just too many pictures I can't find.

I would have done all this Wensday, but the rain gods decreed otherwise. The phone line went out. The phone company sent out a trouble shooter-not a repairman. He said that I would have to fix it. He checked and replaced the wires and said it was my phone jak. I came in an checked it and it wasn't, anyway as soon as the wires dried out, it started working again. I still think I need to get some new wiring. It looks as though what I have has been chopped up. I think I know who did that. Water under the bridge. Anyway we are thinking that we will replace the phone line and jak too. That way it will be right.

I am getting ready to post some patterns on my other page, which will become a pattern page. I need to find out more about a creative commons liscense. I would like for people to be able to copy and use the pattern, but I am really tired of seeing a free pattern on the internet and then seeing a very similar version in one of the knit or crochet magazines the next issue where you have to pay for it and they make money at the expense of the designer. I know they only have to change 10% to use it, but still, Its unfair.End of pet peeve.

It looks like it might be getting ready to rain again. So I must hurry. I didn't get all the pictures posted that I wanted to. I have been re-reading alot of books lately. Have you ever read any of Mary Summer Rain's books?
I prefer her to Sylvia B. myself. She has been writing books for years, but is not nearly so well known. She doesn't get rich and is not a public person-but she is spot on in prophetic writings. This is for the world though, not for individuals. She has what I feel is a much broader scope, less personal but more applicable to the current day. She covers global warming and polution, war and earth and religion with less bias than others seem to be able to do. And without putting herself in a place of self importance. I just never seem to take people who make money out of prophecy seriously, this lady I can.

I am also reading, B.K.S. Iyengar's Light on Yoga. It's dry but imformative.

Oh and I got 26 used Magic Crochet magazines at a bookstore last weekend. There are some wonderfull patterns in some of these. They go all the way back to issue 5. There are some pretty old patterns there, but I can update them and they will be just as good as the new ones. They should keep me pretty busy for a long time. Well I will post this and try to come up with some more of those pictures by tomorrow.

Happy fouth of July

2006-07-03T10:06:00.000-05:00

Here is something to play with, for those who are bored and want to turn down the volume on the fourth!!! http://www.cyberfireworks.com/ Have a good week!

More Pics

2006-07-03T09:31:00.000-05:00

I decided to post some more pics of the little kitten, We tentatively named her Hope-but now I am not so sure. She comes to every other thing but that. Our favorite name seems to be DC short for "Dammit Cat" its what we say everytime she sinks her claws into our ankles when we are trying to do dishes or shave. I guess if there can be Dammit Dolls there can be Dammit Cats. She has started sleeping with us now, I am afraid I will either roll over on her or she will bite me on the nose, which she did this morning. OOps got little grey instead. This is one of those candid shots after which she retired to the storage room to escape the camera. I guess blogger decreed other
wise. Any way the one with DC and Little Grey shows DC chasing LGs tail.
Right now the little one is sleeping in the dirty laundry I have one of the chrome laundry stands and she is curled up right in the middle. The first
picture was taken by their food dishes, Its always a mess. I don't vacumn there as often as I should because they hate the sound. When I turn it on
they go crazy. Little Gray is sleeping on a stack of fabric containers. Out of reach of DC. Not for long.

I intend to get everything done this morning, get my exercise done and then sit on my but and maybe finish a little felted teddy bear I started sometime ago. All I have to do is string it together and embroider the nose and put in the eyes. Then I want to start on a crocheted one. Then I will get back to the other shawl and maybe get busy on a pattern I want to put up. I came up with a cute cat toy, I am going to try to put up a free pattern page. I may post a couple of patterns I have been using for years. I will probably set up the link today, there just won't be anything on it. Well I better get busy on it now. I still have lots to do today.

At last a post with pics-I hope!

2006-06-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

I have finally been able to take pictures of the kitten, Its very hard to do so. Everytime I try, when she sees the camera she chases it and me around the room. She has a habit too of trying to climb my pant leg. Here is the first picture of her.She is playing around my spinning wheel.Blogger can be such a pain to post pictures on.

Here is a picture of the Blue shawl that I have been working on for a week, it is crocheted from and old pattern that I got in a used book store. It was called a Yo's symbolcraft pattern, and is basically Japanese. It came out in 1974, I did add an edging to it, to make it more rounded, it had points all around.

The pictures just never appear where I put them. I started another one of these shawls, It is much plainer and looks more like a cape-it'll be a lot heavier too. I'll try to post more pictures later. It took over ten minutes to post these two. I like to upload some pictures of little grey.