Merry Christmas

The Nativity from Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, AZ [jan. 2009]

Cocoa and Snowmen, Arizona Style

Mexican hot chocolate and snowmen on a gift bag.

Happy First Day of Winter

Dumplings All In A Row

Grey, misty mountains this morning. There is some snow up on the higher peaks. Just misty clouds now, and I think it's starting to rain.

The three little dumplings all in a row. This is before felting. (For those of you who don't know, these are from IK, Fall 2008.)

After felting.

These were started back in October. I did the brown one first, then the purple, and then the green was done last Thursday and felted on Friday. Since this is the last week of school before the Christmas break, these had to be done by the weekend. I knew it would take a couple of days to dry, and sure enough, this morning they were dry. All three are gifts for my kids' teachers. The purple is for the LittleOne's teacher, and the Munchkin has two teachers this year, a homeroom/math/science and then a language arts/social studies teacher. I like all three, so this year I decided to hand-make something for them. I am going to fill them with cocoa, tea and some chocolate. Something useful for them.
My ravelry page has some individual pictures of the bags before and after felting. I don't know which one I like the best. They all came out good (if I do say so myself)!
Off to the store to finish up all those last minute things!

Something Really Neat

Check out Habit.

Their pictures and the captions/comments about each are really cool.

Ella, Hats and Socks

Poor, poor Ella. She has such patience! The LittleOne had her birthday party with her girls over on Saturday, and they proceeded to use their science skills of static electricity to stick the balloons all over her. Isn't she cute!


Our outside Christmas tree got put up on Saturday as well. We re-did the backyard over the last month or so. It was all concrete and dirt, and we put pavers across the entire back and made sort of an outside AZ room-- we now have an outside living room/dining room.

My new hat! Owls! Owls! The hat pattern is the Who? [rav link] pattern. This is a great warm hat. The little bumps on the side are short rows (an idea taken from Cameron's Cap), to cover my ears. I love this hat! It's warm without being too heavy. I used 1 1/2 skeins of Lite Lopi in grey and made the ribbing longer and the top a little longer, too. (I'll wear it this morning to walk Ella as it's blustery and raining.)

And my socks! Took me over a year, but I finished them! Don't know why! They're socks, small, portable and easy to finish, but took me a long time. The second one only took, like 5 days to finish! Yay! These are spring pools [rav link], but I think in this picture, I look like I have Grinch feet --sort of fitting with the season! These are great. My first toe-up and magic loop socks. Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock yarn, 2 skeins in bright green. I did make them longer, did 4 reps of the leg.

There's my update for now! My kids have only two more weeks of school and then they're off for Christmas break for about 3 weeks! So, I'm going to be running around trying to get all my stuff done and knits knitted!

Now...It's December and Dogs on Thursday

I do have pictures of some finished things (on the camera) that I need to upload of what I've been working on, but for now, enjoy Tully sleeping on my dad's foot. Tully belongs to my parents. They retired this summer, went on vacation, and then came home and got a dog. It's difficult to get a pict of Tully and Ella--they like to play and Tully runs fast. I'll try next time they're together.

I have teacher gifts that I'm trying to finish (three of the same thing), hats that I've made, a pair of socks (these took me a year--go figure), a frogged sweater that turned into something better (at least I hope so) and I think that's it.
So...hopefully I'll be back later today with some pictures of some knitted goods.

Thankful Thursday

I like the idea of Thankful Thursday posting, seems to me more of us should list down the things we're thankful for. So...here goes:
I'm thankful that my Hubby understands my need for yarn and the time I need to spend creating things.
I'm thankful for my kids, even though they're at that "testing" age.
I'm thankful that I have a house to live in.
I'm thankful that I have friends who I like and my hubby likes and our kids all get along.
I'm thankful for my ability to create things with yarn--it's a gift, you know, not everyone can knit.

Now that it's November, Here's what I did in October

Lot's going on in October, and now I can't believe that it's November. Okay...here goes...lots of pictures and patterns for you guys in this one!

First of all. Meet the new addition to the Cactus family (well, the Cactus parents). Here's Tully the pug puppy. Isn't she cute?? Ella's not sure what exactly she is yet or what to do with her.







Now, my Dashing mitts and hat to match. Love these mitts! They are very warm and as you can see, come almost up to my elbows. Yarn: Patons SWS in gray mix.
The hat, it's my own pattern, using the leftover for the mitts. I love it! It covers my ears! And, yes, I have worn them both last week at the Munchkin's baseball game.























































A Norwegian Star Earflap hat from tiennie knits. I love the way this turned out! It's huge, but as it's for C in Colorado, she's got a big head (it's true!), so it will fit her great. Yarn: Vanna's Choice in turquoise, cream and Wool-Ease in brown.

From top to bottom: Simple Braided Cable Rib Hat [rav link]; Sutro Heights Hat [rav link]; and The Boy Hat [rav link]. I don't know the yarn used for these last three, don't have the ball bands in front of me anymore, but they are all machine washable as C tends to shrink wool hats. These were all sent off today (except for the dashing hat/mitts) to people in Colorado who definitely need them more than I do this week!

Fall In AZ

Went to Mt. Lemmon today. Here are some fall leaves.

Fabulous Fall Finished Objects No. 1

TaDa!!!
It's finished! Hot off the needles! (Last night I went out and bought the buttons! Got to do it quick or it will never get done!)
Took me almost two months (according to my Rav. dates), and that was knitting with wool/mohair mix yarn in the middle of the summer and the lingering heat we had in Sept.

Love the way this fits!
I used about 4 1/4 skeins of Brown Sheep worsted in the color -- tormented teal.
I picked this up while on vacation this summer and I'm glad I bought 5 of them, so I could work my modifications.
Pattern: Favorite Cardigan (rav link) from Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard (knitandtonic).
Size knit: small.
Yarn: Brown Sheep worsted.
Needles: US #8
Notions: 9 buttons (see modifications).





Modifications: When I knit the fronts, I started with a 2x2 rib, and then when I got the end of the row, I did a p2,k2 so that I would end with a k2 on the end. That's why there's more purl stitches at the ends. I like the detail though. Makes the cables stand out. I did not do as much waist shaping, only did 3 decrease rows and then made it longer (I used two full skeins on just the body of the sweater-from the top to the bottom). For the sleeves, I sort of custom fit them to my arms. I have long arms and didn't want the sleeves to fit tight, so I just tried it on as I went and decreased where I thought I needed to, ie at the elbow area and through the bottom of the arm.





This is my glorious self-timer shot! Came out pretty good I think. I did not block this, and don't think I'm going to.

Overall this is a relatively easy pattern. I do like that the sleeves are done in the round so you really don't have to seam anything but the small hole under the arm. I wanted this not as close fitting as my Central Park Hoodie (which I love but fits snug), so that I could layer a long sleeve tee over it.

Fabulous Fininished Fall Projects...

...Coming
Soon
to
A
Blog
Near


You!

Dogs On Thursday (Back Again)

Abby and Ella relaxing after a long day of vacation fun. (Notice their paws! Too cute!)

CocoMonkey getting some sun!

These pictures were from Ella's vacation to Colorado in July. She loves to visit her friends. The only thing she doesn't like are the thunder storms, they're really, really loud there, and fireworks on the 4th. Other than that, she loves it. She loves to get out of the heat for a week and romp and play with her friends.

Cool Waters

Seven Falls, Colorado Springs, CO

Needed to see some refreshing water today. Hot and sticky/humid here in the desert today. Am wanting fall to come soon. I'm actually knitting, because I just know it will cool off eventually enough for me to wear something wool! (Rav Link: favorite cardi). This is such a fast knit. I forgot how much I enjoy knitting from top down and the raglan sleeves are glorious! (they fit me good)

Back to School

My little butterflies are leaving once again to start a new adventure. First day of school here today. We're all ready. It's been a quick, but good summer and it's time to start that cycle of school once again.

(For all of you who say, 'Wow, that's early to go back!' they get out in late May, so it's been the requisite 2 1/2 months of summer vacation!)

(Edited: comment was correct, more like a little over two months.)

Way Too Hot to Knit

Been way too stinking hot to knit anything! Went to Scottsdale this weekend and temps were 114 or more!

Ugh...

Ceiling of Cadet Chapel, U.S. Air Force Academy

Vacation Picts

Hi All!! I've been on vacation for about a week or so, and been home for about a week! Finally able to sit down and show you a few pictures. For some reason, blogger put them all in backwards, so...just like the backwards Seinfeld episode (look this one up! very funny), the images are backwards (from what I intended). So...here's an overview of the Cactus family vacation for this summer. Ta Da!

I did get to knit a little. It took me all week to make this hat for my friend C. She picked out the yarn, and wanted a big, giant, humongous, plain and simple hat! So...that's what I made her. (If anyone wants the pattern, I'll gladly give it to you...just let me know!)

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, Colorado Springs, Colorado. If you're ever in the Springs (as the locals call it), this is a wonderful day trip. The Academy is located just outside the city off the highway and it's free! This will be, I guarantee, the cleanest college campus you've ever, and I mean ever, seen (or will see) in your life! I have some shots of the inside, I'll post them a little later.

Seven Falls. Also in Colorado Springs. This was really neat. It's one waterfall that has 7 spots where the water lands, then moves on to another fall (thus the name). Walking up to the fall was very steep, and there's stairs that go along next to it that are way steep. Good for your calves!

Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. We stopped here on the way up to the Springs (see why I wanted these pictures first?). This is the famed market spot where you can buy some great Native American treasures. I, however, did not buy anything (a first for me!).

This is the courtyard of the hotel we stayed at in Santa Fe. Gorgeous isn't it? It's right downtown, you park and walk everywhere!

So there you go. Just some of the pictures. I'll show a few more in the next couple of days. I did get to one of the local yarn stores and bought yarn for hats, socks, and a sweater [this one]! When I start it, I'll take pictures to show off the yarn!

Anyway, hope all are having a good summer. We're gearing up for school around here in the next couple of weeks!

New Photos...

I've just updated my ravelry page with photos of all my projects except two (can't locate the hat and the sweater is packed away for the summer).
So if you want to see...go ahead! A lot of these hats are great summer/road trip projects!

Take care!

Two-Hat Thursday

A Complimented lace hat [rav link]. In this lovely safety orange (it may even glow in the dark)! I don't know exactly what the yarn is, a cotton/acrylic blend I think. Everyone will see her coming down the street in this one!

An owl hat. This one is who? [rav link]. I did go up one size in needles as this yarn was a little thick, but I have no idea what this yarn is, only that it feels like a cotton/acrylic blend (I think it's the same as the orange) and is hot pink!

Both these hats are gifts for my friend C. in Colorado. She loves all my hats, but since she shrunk...uhm, washed....uhm, felted...two wool ones I made her (even after I told her to hand wash!), I don't give her anything that can't be thrown into the wash machine!

Also, these were both knitted in about a day...so they are a very quick knit and I highly recommend them when you're looking for a quick project to finish!

Work in Progress...

When I frogged the frock cami, I said I was casting on for this: annette (knitty.com summer '09 issue).

The pattern looks complicated, but it flows quickly.

The yarn is Elsebeth Lavold, hempathy [rav link] in a red/cranberry color. I love this yarn! It knits up crisply, but when washed, it softens very nicely. And there's good yardage for the price! (always a plus)

Froggie Pond...

I had started the frock camisole (interweave knits, spring '08) with my Elsebeth Lavold hempathy in red (see picture), but realized that this yarn was not for this project. So...rrriibbiit...rrriiibbbiiitttt....

...not to fear, this yarn will work for this: annette from knitty, summer09. Swatched and casting on today....

(Visiting) Dogs On Thursday

Abby, the lab.

Ella and Coco (again, a fast moving dachshund), playing with foxinsox.


And, Coco, helping the dishwasher with the plates! Coco also had (just before this picture), jumped up on the table and singed off her whiskers with the candle as she was "helping" to clear the table! I tried to get a picture of that too, but alas, she's a fast little dog!

Coco and Abby were visiting last month (I know, I'm a bad blogger for just now uploading the pictures), but Ella kept telling me to show you all!

Holy Cow! It's June...

Can't believe it's June already! What happened to May? It seems like these days all I do is blink and then another month is over. I guess that's good, means we're busy, but still...wow!

Ella's had some friends over...
Here's Pudge, the pug, who has been staying with us this past week. I'd forgotten how hyper-cute pugs are. Ella has been tolerating him. Very difficult to get a non-moving picture of a pug!

And Coco the mini apple-dapple dachshund. Ella does like Coco. And, again, very difficult to get a picture of a quick moving dachshund.

Now....ta-dah! Pictures of works in progress....

My whisper cardigan. (Can you guess which visiting dog was curious about this and had it out of it's tote bag?)

My a-line skirt. It's coming along nicely. I'm at the second tan stripe of the front/back section. This is a quick knit, even though it looks detailed, it does move along quickly, so maybe I'll get it done this summer...here's hoping!

And my Frock Camisole. The yarn photographed more cranberry that what it actually is. (And can you guess which visiting dog got a hold of this yarn?)

So, there's the update on my WIP's. We've finished up both kids spring sports last night. My Munchkin's baseball team had a difficult season this year and almost (they were soooo close) to winning a playoff game last night, but lost by 1 point! Oh, well, there's always next year! My LittleOne's softball finished last week, too. So, now we're on to our summer activities of swim lessons, getting together with friends and possibly a vacation at the end of this month. Since summer break is pretty short out here (they start school in early August believe it or not!), we've got to squeeze a lot of activities in a two-month time period.

I'm going to keep on knitting and see what I can get done here in the next month or so. (And I'll try to take some more pictures and be a better blogger!)

Still Here...

...but not much, if any, knitting getting done. Sounds like the same old story. I think it's the heat. Summer temps hit hard and it takes me a week or so to get acclimated to them.
School's out in three days...wow! What happened to this year! Seems like just yesterday it was the first day of school! (I know, I'm getting old and the days are flying by!)
Still running around with the baseball/softball, but those seasons are winding down. It gets too hot to play here in June/July. Every thing's a little backward out here in the desert!
I did buy some yarn, Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in red for the frock camisole. I'd always liked this pattern and I love this yarn! Seems like a good, quick knit for summer.

Happy Monday

Happy Mother's Day to all out there!
Update:
Got the air conditioner in and, thank goodness, running on Thursday! We're going to need it this week! Summer temps are hitting us hot this week!
Got some knitting done, too. Working on the front of the skirt, and got into the next portion of the pattern. The skirt has three different sections of a pattern: the bottom is a lace/stst then it has a basket weave-type section, and the top is a very open-work lace. So...I may be wearing this skirt by July (that's my goal).

Still Here (and happy May)!

Ella.

I think she's looking at birds (or our evil squirrel) in the backyard.



Yes, I'm still here. It's been a weird/hectic last few weeks around the cactus household. Our air conditioner unit broke about a month ago (which was fine, it wasn't too hot), and the guys have been in and out of the house for the past few days (driving Ella crazy). But today the weather people are calling for temps in the low 100's today and I really, really need my air conditioner! They're telling me today (let's hope and pray) it will be done!

Let's see...what else...oh, yeah. Baseball's going strong for the Munchkin. Games three times a week with practices thrown in hither nither, you know the drill if you've been there! And then the LittleOne with softball, again games two times a week with practice. Running, running, running...

And then out here, school is out in, oh, let me count the days on the calendar....in about 11 days (not including the weekend)! Holy Crap! Another school year has come and gone! I'm not ready for the summer yet!

But...I did finish the first sleeve of my whisper(rav link) cardi and I did work, oh, about four rows on my skirt the other(rav link) day! Progress people!

Ella's More Exciting Than My Knitting

Ella had some friends over last weekend, and she wanted me to show you all!
From left to right: Amos, Ella and Kenni.
If you look close at Ella's tail, it's blurry! She's so happy her friends were over to play! Actually they all took a long walk together, and then crashed on the floor (all over the house) exhausted!
Hope all have a great weekend and lots, and lots, and lots of knitting gets done (that's directed at me!).

Ella (Dogs on Thurs.) and a Hat

a sleepy ella with her fox

Love this hat!

Saw this hat here, and couldn't resist. I had this yarn in my sock stash. It's Opal, neon, a very springy color! (Pardon the wrinkly look, I haven't blocked it yet as I wanted to wear it right away!) I did have a couple of modifications: used #2, #3 and #4 needles, and did one extra repeat of the lace pattern. I'm glad that I did, because I do like a hat to cover my ears. It's been unseasonably windy and cool here in the desert, and I have worn this to a late-evening, windy little league baseball game!
Here's the Ravelry link: Springtime in Philidelphia Canopy.

And, last of all, Ella looking particularly cute posing for the camera. Shows her grey muzzle. (Her tail's blurry because she's wagging it! Her tail never stays still!)

The hat helped me get back on track of my sloooow knitting. I'm still working on the whisper cardi, but it's going a little faster now! And still working on my skirt!