Spinning Beauty

Finished Cowichan Sweater

2011-01-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

I finally finished the Cowichan Sweater that I've been working on for a year. I designed the Inukshuk myself as I was knitting this during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and thought it would be a nice touch. I also added the Maple Leafs and the "Canada" along the bottom instead of the X's the pattern called for. Sewing the zipper in was a huge pain in the A$$ and I hated every minute of it. But, I finally got it done, gave it to D, he put it on and then I noticed the GLARING error!!!! What happened there? Not sure why it doesn't match left to right. All sections measure the same. I told him of the mistake and said I would need the sweater back to fix something but he said it was the warmest sweater he had and didn't want to give it up. He's growing so fast it probably won't fit him in a few years but until then, he is perfectly willing to live with my mistake! I don't even know what I did wrong so I don't repeat it. Any ideas?

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T06:34:00.000-08:00

Well, another year is over and a new one is about to begin. We had a great Christmas break. I learned to make Gluhwein (mulled red wine), baked some really good cookies, built a gingerbread house, went to the Nutcracker ballet and German Christmas Market, and saw the lights at Van Dusen gardens. I have enjoyed spending time with my children over the past 2 weeks and will be sad to see them go back to school next week.
It's been fun but I do need a break from all the eating, drinking and spending :)

By the way, I did finish the Cowichan Sweater and he loved it!

Gluhwein

2010-12-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

We went to the Vancouver German Christmas Market and had the best spiced wine drink called Gluehwein or Gluwein. It was so tasty...I am trying to recreate it on the stove right now :)

They also had a delicious baked apple with vanilla sauce and some beautiful ornaments for sale. I loved it! The Gluhwein was sold in little blue mugs that had a $4 deposit on them if you brought them back, but I kept mine because it was so cute. In fact, I really want to get another one but don't want to go all the way downtown to get it. If you're going, pick me up one :)

2010-11-16T09:36:00.000-08:00

Pictures of the Cowichan sweater that I knit. My friend Lana and I took a class together in Jan. and I have had my pieces done for a while but I HATE sewing the pieces together. It's the same with my quilts...I like to sew the top part of the quilt but then when it comes to actually quilting it with the backing and batting, it just ends up sitting there. These pieces have sat in my closet all summer and part of the fall. This would make a great Christmas present...I should just buckle down and get it done :)

Barbie Birthday Cake

2010-11-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

I tried :) Ha Ha! She loved it so that's all that counts I guess.

Mermaid of the Pearls

2010-06-03T07:01:00.001-07:00

I am still working on her...she's coming along.

I can't see!

2010-06-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I sat down to do some stitching on my Mermaid of the Pearls the other night and found it very difficult to see the holes! I hadn't worked on it for over a year so I thought I'd try and get it done. I sat down and threaded the needle....so far so good. Then, I found my place on the chart...no problem. Next I secured the end of the thread behind the other stitches..things are going well :) Then, things came to a crashing halt! I cannot see the holes on 32 count linen fabric anymore. WHAAAA!!!! I guess a person's eyesight changes when they are 45 as opposed to 35 when I started it. I now need a magnifier but even that made me feel queasy and get a bit of a headache. Oh well, at least I was able to do a few stitches..now to just keep going :)

Sunny Days

2010-05-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

I love sunny days and there is nothing I like better than quilting in my sewing room with the sun streaming through the window. I pulled this little quilt kit out the other day and thought it would be perfect for quilting on those sunny days. I love the little bird and butterflies! I also finished a square for the breast cancer quilt project so am off to mail that this morning.

Putting the pieces together!

2010-05-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Well, my Cowichan sweater is almost done...just a bit left on the collar. The problem now is that I HATE sewing the thing together. I'd even rather give it to someone else to do and pay them to do it, that's how much I hate it! It's way too warm to wear it now anyway so I have to fight the temptation to just put all the pieces in the closet and "worry about it in the fall". Well, we know how THAT will turn out :) It'll end up just sitting there, unfinished. So close and yet so far!

Lots more knitting quilting time!

2010-03-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

Well, am about to lose my job at the hospital I have worked at for 13 years. Health care budgets have to be reduced and I am a casualty. I am kind of depressed about it...but I guess the upshot is that I'll have more quilting/knitting time, at least in the short term :)
I am almost finished the Cowichan sweater...just have one more sleeve to do! Hopefully I can get it done for his birthday in mid April. I'll post pics when it's done.

Cowichan sweater

2010-03-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

My Cowichan sweater is coming along nicely...now to add a row of Maple Leafs. I am really enjoying this, it's knitting along very fast.

Cowichan class

2010-02-25T11:32:00.001-08:00

So I decided to take a class on how to knit a Cowichan sweater. So far, so good! It's going quite fast because it's knit on 6.5 mm needles with thick yarn. I have decided to put an Inukshuk on the back and Paul was nice enough to plot a graph for me. Next class we are learning intarsia so that I can begin on the design. Fun!

Fiddlehead Mittens are done!

2010-01-07T09:42:00.001-08:00

Yay! Finally they are done. They are way better with the lining. Some of the instructions weren't all that clear but I somehow muddled through. I made them for myself but may end up giving them away as there is someone around here who covets them for herself :) It was my first attempt so I may give them to her as she will never know about all the mistakes that I made...only I know what I did wrong and will think about it every time I wear them so maybe I should give them away :) I used Cascade 220 for the mitten and Blue Sky Alpalca's Brushed Suri for the lining...it's sooo soft! All mittens should be lined with this stuff. Okay, next up is a spring sweater!

Fall Quilting

2009-10-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Isn't this the coolest little quilt? I bought this pattern a while ago because I love that witch...she looks like she's having a good time riding on that broom :) It uses all batiks which I am in the process of collection...I think Keepsake Quilting even offers it in kit form with all the batiks. Anyway, it's dark and raining outside as usual but I have a nice cup of tea and a biscotti so all is well. I took a mitten knitting class in Sept and just finished my first mitten. Will post a pic when the batteries are charged. It turned out pretty good...now I have to do the other one :)

Things

2009-09-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well...summer is almost over and the kids are going back to school. I always get a bit depressed this time of year. Summer is over, no more days of lounging at the lake, swimming, getting up late, visiting family etc. Back to rain, rain,rain. Bathroom is almost done...will post pics when the trim is done.

Bathroom renovation

2009-06-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

We are in the process of choosing a contractor to redo the bathroom. I had this color scheme in mind. The cost varies from $42,000 (I suspect this guy didn't really want to do the job) to $21,000. One lady came who claimed to be an interior designer but she looked and dressed like Stevie Nicks (think leopard skirt, black boots, uneven hem which looked like someone ripped it, black tank top, bleached hair and a couple of tatoos). Not to stereotype anyone but she just didn't look like a designer to me. She tried to get me to go with a tan bathroom (no!). Anyway, we'll see what happens!

Cake walk

2009-05-21T22:13:00.000-07:00

I made 3 cakes for the cake walk at the school tomorrow. It cost me about $20 and 4 hours of time...I could have bought them for the same price and it only would have cost me about 3 minutes :) Oh well, they turned out great and the kids think they are cool so I guess it was successful. The pool cake was fun to do...it's blue raspberry jello in the middle and teddy grahams swimming in jelly rings. The butterflies were more challenging but turned out okay...shinier in real life with the sparkles. Fun times ;)

Baby Quilt

2009-05-14T09:12:00.001-07:00

I finally finished this baby quilt for a girl at work. It's a cheater panel so it only took me a couple of hours but I think it turned out pretty good. I chose a nice yellow backing with stars. I though I had lots of time since she wasn't due till July but it turns out she had the baby last week at 32 weeks!! So, baby is still in hospital but Mom is home so I thought I'd stop and drop this off..she can take it to the hospital if she wants.

I made lemon sugar cookies with the kids last night. There wasn't enough liquid so the dough was quite crumbly...I had to add a bit of water to make is stick together enough to roll it out. The kids had fun and the cookies were edible so I guess that's all that counts :)

I am still here!

2009-05-04T17:51:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged for a while because I just haven't had the energy. But, now that spring is in the air and the sun is shining, I am amazed at how much more energy I have....I even finished a few projects. A baby quilt was among them and I got my yarn for the Great American Aran Afghan (I chose Cascade 220 in a Natural color) in the mail the other day so I can't wait to start on that. I'll post some pics soon. I have been trying lots of new recipes and cookbooks...some were really good (Blueberry Bran Muffins) and others were not (Thai-Style coconut chicken). Oh well, can't win them all :)

It's snowing again!

2009-03-09T09:37:00.001-07:00

I can't believe this....its snowing again here! Just when I thought spring had sprung we get another blast of the white stuff. If I didn't have to go anywhere it would be okay but I am working tonight and the thought of driving in the stuff gives me palpitations :) So, to cheer myself up, I took out another project to start. Aren't the colors great! I love this project and it doesn't look that difficult (famous last words).

Intimidated

2009-02-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

I want to knit these mittens. I thought it would be challenging so I ordered the kit. It arrived in a cute little tube with all the yarn needed inside. I took out the pattern, read it, and promptly put it back in the little tube. It looks too hard! I have never worked on double pointed needles before and the color changes have me a little nervous. I know if I just sit down and read the instructions it's probably not that bad but initially I freaked out a bit :) Besides, winter is almost over....better wait till the fall now right????

Valentine's Day Exchange

2009-02-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

The mailman brought me a lovely surprise today! In amongst all the bills was an envelope for me. I thought "What is this?" and when I opened it up, I was thrilled. I participated in a Valentines Day exchange with some cross stitch friends and this is what I received. A beautiful card, some milk chocolates and some really pretty threads! I just love it! Thanks Debbie :)

Basketball

2009-01-31T18:06:00.001-08:00

I haven't been doing much stitching lately...I seem to be aquiring stash but not working on any of it. My throat has been sore and I have been coughing a lot lately..hope I'm not getting sick as I really don't have the time :) DH took pics of the kids at basketball. D got a basket! Yay!

Disappointed

2009-01-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

I really wanted a job posting at the hospital. It was 2 days/week. If I got it, it would mean that I could have given up working weekends. Unfortunately, someone with more seniority got it (even after this person said they applied just for fun and didn't even really want the job). So, I am stuck on weekends again. I work every weekend! When the kids were little it didn't matter so much but now that they are older it means that I can't watch them play basketball, take them to birthday parties, do fun stuff, etc. They have never had to go to daycare (I don't make enough to make it worthwhile. After I paid for daycare, I would be just breaking even) but now that they are both in school I am rethinking this. They would only have to go after school for a few hours. But, I just can't make myself do it. I hate having to rely on someone else, what about holidays etc. So, for now Paul and I will just continue to be ships passing in the night, leaving each other notes and never having a single day off when we are all together. Anyone else living this crazy a life???

Success!

2009-01-20T17:15:00.000-08:00

Well, we bought a washer/dryer from Sears. I ended up getting a Kenmore from Sears. The Sears salesman was great (he even had a copy of Consumer Reports in his pocket) and we managed to get a good discount so it arrives next Sat. I also got a new dishwasher (Whirlpool) so no more washing by hand (as I have been doing since the summer)!!! Yay!! It's always fun to get new appliances :)

I made Potstickers or gyoza for dinner tonight...I think they were inhaled :)

I haven't done much stitching or knitting as I have been working TONS (lots of double shifts) to help pay for the washer/dryer. Hopefully I will get some stitching done tonight as Biggest Loser is on (my favorite show).

Washing Machine decision

2009-01-12T16:51:00.000-08:00

I can't make a decision on a new washing machine. Our old one gave up finally after about 30 or so years. It was a Hotpoint (made by GE?) and was great till the very end. Now to find another. I don't want a front loader I know that for sure so a top loader it is. The problem is that there are very few of these left anymore...everyone is going for front loaders. I just want an old school washing machine but they just don't make them like they used to. In the end, it's a toss up between a Maytag and a GE but they both seem kind of flimsy (plastic drum for the dryer, plastic knobs, one of which broke off in my hand when I turned it and pulled it like I would in real use). I dunno, maybe I should look at the front loaders but they just make me nervous. How can they clean the kids clothes in such little water? I am back to square one.

I really want to knit this~

2009-01-08T18:12:00.001-08:00

I really want to knit this sweater....any ideas for a similar pattern?

I want to start a new project!

2009-01-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

I want to start a new project but I am afraid that if I do, I'll never finish the ones I have going right now. This quilt for example...its by Piece O' Cake and I am slowly collecting the fabric but I am hesitant to begin. I still have A's Strawberry Shortcake quilt to do and finish her stocking (never did get it done for this Christmas) I started when she was a baby (she's 6 now!). I am trying to stitch a little each day on it. It's a Dimensions Gold stocking and I hate all the color changes. So, rather than just do a little bit, I find myself not doing anything!

It won't be a day too soon!!

2009-01-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

The kids are fighting non stop...I just settle one argument and then they are at it again! It's driving me insane....I can't wait till Monday and they go back to school :)
Sometimes they are the best of friends....playing a game together or doing a puzzle and the next, he is throwing a C cell battery at her head!!!! When I asked him why he did that, he said "I was trying to hit the pillow and her head got in the way". She just happened to be laying on her bed at the time. Good Grief!
I picked up my Dutch Beauty the other day and put in a few more stitches. (I just noticed that the picture is side ways for some reason). I am doing it with Vikki Clayton silks (the lighter conversion) on 36 count Lakeside Linens vintage Attic Lace (which I thing has since been discontinued). Speaking on Vikki Clayton silks, I got some in her recent sale so thought I'd take a picture since the colors are so nice! I got Faded Glory, Salty Sea, Ox Blood, Enchantress, and Flag II.
On the knitting front, I can't decide on a yarn for the Great American Aran Afghan. I am leaning towards Cascade 220 just because the color selection is great but who knows???? I can't make a decision.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T17:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all! It's going to be pretty quiet tonight at our house for New Years Eve as I have to work tomorrow and get up at 6:00 am. We had a bit of a pizza party...I made the dough and put it in the pans and the kids/DH each made their own pizzas. A helped me cut the pepperoni..she loves to help me cook. We each drank a glass of Sparking apple juice...it's pretty tasty stuff :) The kids love to toast each other.

Anyway, I wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year!

2008-12-30T19:12:00.000-08:00

I thought I should have a place to put all my stitching stuff and so I decided to start a stitching blog. My daughter came up with the name and I think it's very fitting since I love to knit,cross stitch and quilt. Currently, I am working on a cotton sweater for her..hopefully finished by spring and stitching on Mermaid of the Pearls.