Gnome

Remember the story about gnorm the gnome visiting the shop last week. Well, here is his photo. The photo came out small here so I hope you can get a good look at him, he's sitting in front of that sweater and book. He is so cute! I'm tracking down the pattern so I can make some for the grandkids.


He is sitting in front of my favorite sweater made from Enigma yarn.

Nancy Knit this very cute shrug from Knitters Summer 2007 - we used Louet Linen and shortened the sleeves. Nice job Nancy. It fits perfectly.

Finished the Alpaca baby sweater and I'm just finishing the socks. Next is a helmet hat. Baby due on Monday!

I started weaving on the Knitter's Loom-Joshua and I are going to make a furry blanket. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Stay cool and knit socks!

EVENTFUL WEEK

This week is going to be very eventful. I should finalize plans on this house. I've had the inspections and now I know it's a great house for me. Moving the end of August. I'll try and get a photo of the house this week. My sister and I are going to see it on Sunday.

My third grandchild will be born next week (we already know it will be Monday, July 31st) and it's a boy. My sister is in town this week for Ellie's 2nd Birthday and the new baby. I'm busy cleaning and packing when I'm not at the shop. I finished his Alpaca sweater - now for the socks and hat.


Took the car in this morning for a recall and mileage check. Had breakfast at Michael's with a friend. I love their quiche and coffee. (66th and York).



Feldman Imports service picked me up after work. The driver and I grew up in the same south Minneapolis neighborhood. We were talking about how bad the traffic is during rush hour. He said, "yea, I grew up with the streetcars and then they went to buses and now were back to a train." I said, "I had a streetcar lane at the end of my block on 56th & Bryant when I was growing up." Then we talked about the perfectly good "Outdoor Stadium" we had in Bloomington and how they had to tear it down and build an enclosed stadium with a roof when they could have added a roof to the Bloomington one and now they want an open air stadium AGAIN!. They could have left the old one where it was and it would now be next to the Mega Mall. Great location.



I think I'm getting old when I don't like all these changes - tearing down perfectly good structures to build new. Such a waste. Why don't the ball players build their own stadiums with all the money they make. What do they do with all that money? We decided it was out of our hands.


I'm dyeing up more fiber and have ordered more as the sale nearly cleaned me out. A woman came in yesterday and bought alot of fiber. She's down from Duluth and having a great time.

Lorraine came in for a visit also this week. Her Blog is "Of Faith and Fiber" at blogspot. com. She's been reading and commenting on my blog for awhile so it was great to meet her. She lives in Chaska so we're hoping for a Knit/Spin In at the Dunn Bros. in downtown Chaska.

She brought the "gnome "with her. He is adorable and I want to make some. The pattern is from England and I'm trying to track it down. It was designed by Alan Dart and published in "Simply Knitting" magazine. I contacted the publisher to see if I could carry this magazine. He's had a pattern in each issue of some kind of animal or doll. Trust me you will want this gnome.

Today the "Two Old Bags" gals were in and guess what, they're making the gnome for their grandchildren this year too! She had alot of his patterns that she has been saving. Hopefully, they'll come in soon

Wait till you see what this is for:

Dyeing

I've been doing some more dye work. It is so much fun. A woman from Arkansa came in this week and she was doing a Felting workshop at Concordia this week. She loved my dyed fleeces. Said she had not seen anything this good except in England. I was so pleased. What a nice compliment.

Denise brought in a pattern from Indygo Junction. It's a pattern to make a messenger bag out of a felted sweater. I went to their website and found some great stuff. I'll see if they wholesale and then I can order some of their patterns. Very cute stuff.

Hot day but I got some weeding done in the garden, needed it badly. I resorted to a round up spray for some of it. Somehow I got some great Thistles in my flower garden. I took them out and just left a few. I think you can dye with these. Have to check my books.

Most of my garden looks green right now. I didn't add annuals this year because I was moving. Spring it looked great. The Hydrangea's are doing really well, I'll dry some of those to put in the new house and I need to remember to take my peonies to the new house (grandma would be so happy). This house reminds me of hers a little. The upstairs ceilings slant and the stairwell is steep. We used play on her stairway all the time.

I measured all the furniture today to see what will fit where when I go over tomorrow for the inspection. Hope all goes well. I wonder what a new garage would cost?

I need to make another baby sock tonight. The first one and the second one do not look alike. Not sure what happened but I will re-knit tonight.

Nancy is knitting a very cute shrug type sweater "for me". We'll use it in the shop for awhile but I can wear it. It's out of the Louet Linen. So cute and it fits perfectly. She is such a seamstress.

Speaking of sewing, I brought home the baby blanket and I'm going to sew it together beside crocheting it together. Peter just finds a string an unravels so hopefully this will stay together a little longer.

I GOT THE HOUSE

Yea, I bought this very cute Tudor house in Carver, MN. It is just perfect for me and Daniel when he's home. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, back room which I may use as an office/craft room. Good storage. It was built in 1928 but moved due to flooding in 1965. There is a new basement that is just a basement. It has an adorable fireplace, lots of windows, coved ceilings. All new paint and wood floors. It is move in ready. Oh, and a great yard. I'll have to get a riding lawn mower but I love the yard and perennial gardens. A two car garage that has seen better days but functional.



Joshua thinks it's a great house and told me last night that he wanted to have a party and a fire in the firepit when I move in. I babysat last night while the parents went to a wedding. I wanted to go over to my house to let the dogs out for awhile but he only wanted to go to the new house, not the old house.


Josh had gone fishing in their pond during the day and had some wax worms left over in a little pastic covered dish. He was totally intrigued with these worms "wormy" as he calls them. He would take them out and carry them around in his hand and kept asking, "do you want to hold one Nanna? " I said, "No, I don't really like worms." "Why, Nanna, they're fun." "No, I don't like worms." This conversation went on most of the evening. We went to the Dairy Queen and had to bring them in the car. Not into the Dairy Queen. As I'm driving, I can hear him say, "look Nanna, wormy is standing up." Then he would shake the container until I'm sure the little wormies were half dead. It was an experience.



The parents came home around midnight. Somehow during the course of the evening I lost tract of the "Wormies". I remembered Josh bringing them upstairs to the parents room to watch a movie before bed but I don't remember where they ended up. So, when the parents came home I told them, "you better check your bed before you go to sleep because I sort of lost track of the wormies". She said, "Your kidding." Peter went up to check out the bedding and could not find them. Then he checked the garage and car and could not find them. She went up to bed and they were in the middle of the bed! Good thing I warned them!



I finished the socks for the Alpaca Baby sweater and now to make a Helmet hat and I'm done for that baby.

We had a great sale at the shop on Saturday. Sold a loom and lots of yarn! Saw lots of my great customers and new ones too. Had the bungee class in the back and everyone was working very diligently on their projects, so it was pretty quiet back there for 8 women! A Big Thank you to my customers!

Did you know....

Did you know that there are movie theaters that have crying rooms? I was reading a blog from Seattle and they have scheduled times for families( twice a month) to come watch the new releases in the morning with a crying room. Many of their theaters featured this unique idea. I love it, I think we should talk to Edina about this amazing idea. It could help resurrect the Edina Theater.


I haven't seen a movie for several weeks again. The last one was "The Evening". I'm hoping for a comedy next time. I did rent "Pirates" and tried to watch it again. I just cannot get into that movie. I don't know if it's the noisy sound track or what but I cannot seem to watch it.


I really prefer the "DIY" channel. I love to watch how they fix up houses - change the total look in just one short hour.


I'm reading an intriguing book that I've had on the shelf for awhile. "The Prodigal Summer." It's an easy read but I love the characters. It's a great summer read.


I'm not the only one having trouble with the Mystery Stole #3. Nancy has hers going but Julie and I are about 3 clues behind. I will have to sit in a quiet room with no distractions to get mine done. We're thinking "Life lines" would be good!


Finished my Baby Alpaca sweater and am now making socks and a hat to go with it. I will take a photo an soon as I find my camera.

So much news this weekend

Hey, I think I found a house - it's in Carver, MN. It's an old tudor style house that has been updated (sort of). I'm having a few things checked out before I make the offer. It just seems perfect for me. More to come.

Had a great weekend. Did some packing - alot of dishes are now packed and marked in their boxes. I may need to store some of this stuff so I have to mark it carefully.

Friday night we had dinner at Kincaids in Bloomington. It was lovely-had a gift certificate which made it even nicer. Came home to an empty house. Dan is gone alot this summer at someone's house or else we have 4 or 5 bodies sleeping downstairs at our house. The jumping thing has worn off already. When guests stay over night they are very quiet so I don't mind at all.

Saturday I taught a felting class. We did hot water and needle felting. Had a great time with 5 students. We all made a little elf (some looked like cats). Oh well, it's the creative energy that counts.

Nancy stopped by to meet a friend at the shop. She had made a Baptismal gown for this friend's baby. It was exquisite. White long gown, smocked and embroidered with doves, crosses and roses. Very subtle and absolutely gorgeous. I want one!

Sunday I looked at a couple houses. Saw my new house this day. It is cute. Just the perfect size and a great yard and double garage. I may have to add a studio somehwere but meanwhile it will work.

Stopped to see the grandchildren but it was lunch time and nap time and everybody was a little crabby. Went to work - had our sit & spin/Knit today. It was a great group. We had a lovely time and got real spinning done.

Monday I had a great massage! I was very stiff from packing so this was really a necessity. Michelle put little pressure beads on my left hand. It really helps my hip and neck. It's amazing.

Went over to the kids house again today. This time we went for a drive by My new house. They thought it was very cute and I should buy it.

We went home and Josh wanted me to help him find a frog for his new cage with grass and twigs in it. We went toward the back yard and within minutes they were in the water that had gathered on top of the sand box. Pouring it all over themselves, their heads, down their fronts and squealing. We were laughing so hard and and having a great time but guess who came out to spoil the fun. She said, "They just had baths this morning and there is sand in that water". It was true, there was sand in their hair so we took the hose and rinsed it out. What else can you do in the summer.! Run around nude in the yard!

Another Friday the 13th

Tomorrow will be clue #3 of the Mystery Stole #3 on Friday the 13th. Maybe I can start my stole again and have good luck on Friday the 13th.

I am teaching a felting class this weekend. Hot water and needle felting. I decided to make everyone a ball which will represent a scoop of ice cream and then they will needle felt it to embellish it for a pin cushion. I felted several balls so they would be dry by Saturday. The wet felting will be a flat piece. If we have time we will needle felt a little elf.

Christine stopped by to knit, Julie stopped by after her interview and scoped out yarn for her next projects. Another customer came by with her felted purse. It is so cute - looks like a flower vase, pattern from "Black Sheep Bags". I had not seen it done yet and it turned out so cute.

Jenna stopped in on the way to get her pedicure at Cindys before work at Cafe Maude. So I decided to get a pedicure also. Dan met me for dinner at Cafe Maude. we visited with Jenna who is tending bar there a couple nights a week. Their Dad also stopped in for dinner. He picked up the Tab! Yea! That was even better and the food was delicious. Dan had the steak and I had the Crab Cakes.

Sonja had her sock class tonight so I went back to the shop and made sure everybody was okay and then I went down the block for my pedicure. It is so nice to have everything available within walking distance. Makes me want to look for a house over here.

While I was getting my pedicure I cast on for a baby blanket for the new baby. Using Karabellas Lacy Baby blanket pattern and a lovely blue yarn, I got three rows started.

Sock of the Month club went well last night. We had a great time and got our spa socks going. Next month is a great new pattern from Fibertrends. I'll announce it soon. I cannot believe we are up to August already!

I'm working up a color combination for Christmas sweaters for all three of Nicole's babies. I hope she likes it. I'll show you later when I get the swatch started and after I finish the babies alpaca sweater, hat and socks.

I found about 6 houses to look at this weekend and I will start packing seriously tomorrow.

Sunday is our Sit and Spin/Knit - I can hardly wait.

SERIOUSLY

I love this word when "Meridith" uses it on Grays Anatomy. I am having SERIOUS trouble with this Mystery Stole. I have ripped it out numerous times and at the moment am giving it a rest. I cannot seem to follow the rows - I lose my way easily. I will try again!
I've considered a different yarn and bigger needles (bigger always seems better).

I am almost done with the Alpaca Baby sweater - one more sleeve. I will get a photo. I'm going to make a hat and socks to go with it - I have about 20 more days before he is born.

I have not found a house yet. I'm looking all over the place. I don't think there is much inventory out there at all. I'm about ready to stay put! (like I could do that now).

SERIOUSLY, what is the etiquette for coffee houses. My friend and I go out for coffee alot. We stopped at a Dunn Bros. the other day and this couple was ahead of us and they were telling their whole life history (about coffee) to the Person taking orders. They went on and on about what they liked and didn't like and we were waiting very impatiently, giving looks and making comments, and no one even looked at us.

The Person taking orders did not even acknowledge that we had been waiting or apologized for the wait. They were in their own little worlds, enjoying their conversation. Now this sounds crabby but, Seriously, what is a person to do? Interrupt?, walk off?, Say something offensive? It was Sunday morning and the place was not busy. I just like to get my coffee and sit down and enjoy.

Fourth of July

It was great to have a day off. Cleaned the Garage, knit on my Mystery Stole #3, I keep missing a row. Keep ripping out. Now the new one is posted today and I haven't even got the first clue knit. The Yarn Harlot is knitting this for the first time too. I'm in good company. She now has over 5000 people knitting this stole!

Working on the new babies alpaca sweater- nearly done - just have the sleeves left and I'll post a photo. Finished Ellies stockings for her Birthday at the end of the month.

I Went to the kids house for a picnic on the 4th. Great fun - chicken kabobs, brats, cheesy potatoes, fruit bowl and cupcakes and cake. The children were wild!

Children are so in-tune. Jenna (second daughter) had said she couldn't make dinner because of previous plans, so we started without her. A few minutes into dinner, Joshua said, "Jenna's here". and I thought he was asking (?) if she was coming. I said, "No, honey she had plans with her friends." He looked at me and said, "Jenna's here". Just then I heard the front door handle turn. Nicole and I looked at each other with total confusion, amazement and fear! How could he have known? We asked him how he knew and he just said, "Jenna's here". Like we were crazy!

When Jenna arrives it gets pretty crazy. They love her phone that plays music - they dance and sing and have a great time.

I Went home when they went to bed. Had a lovely evening watching TV and knitting on my stole - watched the fireworks from my deck and listened to the neighbors renditionof fireworks until 10:15. Headed up to bed and about 10:45 when I heard and saw this flare in my front yard. Looked out to see my son's friend leaping over a burning fire cracker (large thing on the ground) thru on my robe and went running to door to say "Stop". "It's too late now, all the neighbors are in bed. AND I'm selling the house - I don't need any damage to repair!" Amazingly they did stop and come in to watch a movie. Scared me to death. 18 year olds have no brains (it's a proven fact).

Repaired the Baby Blanket

A while back I repaired a baby blanket for a family. It was quite tattered due to loving use. I said, "We could try so it won't unravel anymore but it won't look like new". The Dad brought it in and he said, "That's okay, we just need it back without holes". So we repaired the blanket. He had seen our article in the newspaper a few months back noting we did repairs on knitted garments.

Well, (it is such a small world) I went to Georgia my 4th (by proxy) grandchild's 1st birthday party yesterday. We were having sloppy joes and salad outside at the table and this family was sitting with me and Womp (the dad) and Kari Lynn (the mom) and I was watching these two little blonde boys being coaxed to eat their supper by their parents and marveling at how cute these two were. Very charming.

Someone asked what I did and I told them I owned Creative Fibers in Minneapolis and the Dad's face lit up and he said, "you were in the paper a few months back regarding repairs on knit items?" I said, "yes". and he said, "I was the one that brought in the baby blanket and it was for my almost 3 year old son." Oh, yes I remembered. He said, "we call you the BLANKET DOCTOR at our house. You are very loved. I was astonished.

They called to their son who was on the deck and said the Blanket Doctor is here, it is this lady. He looked over at me with this incredible astonished face (this child is very animated)"the blanket doctor is here?", he said and came running down the stairs towards me and gave me a big hug. It was precious! I felt so honored for doing something so simple. You never know if you make or break someone's day.

Georgia is a beautiful little girl, very much like her mom, where Lucy, the 5 year old resembles more her dad. I had not seen Georgia or Lucy since last Christmas so it was a great time to spend with this loving family. They call Georgia "sparkle" . Her Grandma made her an adorable pink dress with sequins along the bottom and a hat to match. She has white blonde hair and blue eyes and looks very scandinavian. Lucy has dark red hair and blue eyes. So much fun