The buds are out

Well, even though everyone I see at work is complaining about the snow - it is bringing out the buds. We needed that moisture folks! My sister woke up Saturday morning with horror on her face. She was in from Phoenix and was not amused by the snow!

It was Josh's 4th birthday party. It was a fish theme - so he got a real Beta fish from his friend Jake, I gave him the fish game (they bob up and down in a circle and you have to try to catch them with little plastic poles) and a subscription to Ladybug magazine. I'm making him a felted fish but it didn't get done - I goofed on the back fin and had to redo it. He was so good and so polite, we had a great time.

My Aunt Vi, my mother's twin sister, brought a photo of my Dad holding two little girls and said she had dug around forever trying to find this photo for us. We both took a look at it and I knew right away that the one of the left was not me and I think the one of my sister on the right is not her also, but instead, they are our cousins who were about the same ages as we were. IT WAS OUR DAD, BUT NOT US! We just pretended it was us and didn't disappoint her. We have hardly any photos of our Dad with us because he was in the military when we were young. He was killed in a air crash when my sister was one year old. So, we will just let her think it was us.

We had a great visit with the grandchildren and Tia (my sister) for four days. They just adore that she comes for their birthdays. We played beauty shop, Ellie and Tia had barrets everywhere and Josh got his hair spiked. He had his clothes off so he could pretend he was swimming and he never got them back on. They left Logan and Nanna alone. Logan is a little confused in this photo, wondering what happened to his sister.

Sandy and I got to shop (antiqued a little). She found a great satin bed quilt for her guest room and I found a great Bird house but it was $165.00. No Way!

Anybody find a cute old birdhouse I can use as a Fairy house, just let me know!

Day off so I'm catching up on all sorts of things today.

Finished Jeanne's shawl

Yes, here it is block and here it is finished! NANCY knit it for me to give to my dear friend Jeanne. I could not get this pattern to work so Nancy took it home and did it. It's Foerse shawl from a shawl book I have. It's out of Domy Heather, 1 strand, and it is beautifully light but warm and feels absolutely goregeous on your shoulders. It is shaped to stay on your shoulder, what a concept!

I had this purse from the shop and my sister wanted one with little felted balls, so I added them to this purse and will give it to her for her birthday in May. These are her colors. I'm working on the fish and will put a photo up here later. I hope to felt it early next week.

I had such a great day yesterday. I had four people come out to my shop in the basement on Friday. What a treat to see these customers again. Next month I'll advertise more and see what happens. If it takes off I'll order some more yarn but for now I'll just work with what I have, which is alot.

Enjoy this weather. I worked in the yard yesterday, uncovering my plants so I could see what I had. They are emerging from the ground and this rain should help. I need to go to work!

Creative Fibers

Today I have my first open of Creative Fibers in Carver. I've been inventoring everything and finally got it all cleaned up and organized for the sale today. I have no idea if anyone will venture out here but I sure hope so.

There are some great Antiques, Shabby Chic and Drygoods stores in Carver. I found my white bathroom mirror in the Carver Dry Goods today.

They are open the third weekend only, Thurs., Fri and Sat. Linda's Cellar is another great find in Chaska. I stopped there yesterday and found an adorable picnic table for the grandchildren, the top of windmill or something that will work for a fairy house in the garden and a roosting box with a tin roof. Too cute to pass up! If you haven't been out here yet, please do, it's so fun and cute and Harvey's Bar is a great place for lunch.

Chaska is getting a new restaurant right down town- I already forgot the name but it's called the "something-----"New American Diner"- It looks like it will open soon. You cannot miss it - it's right on the corner by the park.

The Dunn Bros in Chaska was shooting a commercial yesterday (right down the block is Linda's Cellar) and they had cameramen and models all over the place. I didn't stay to see the actual shooting because they can take forever. I watched one of the cute, skinny models running (quite literally) up and down the street for a few minutes and that was enough for me. Thank you very much!

I found this cute door for my old keys at Hunt & Gather in Minneapolis, 49th and Xerxes, one of my favorite places and they've expanded. This door just spoke to me so I had to take it home.

I worked so hard yesterday, cleaning my office, the basement, antiquing, and getting garden supplies at HOme Depot. I have some yellow spots in the yard from the dog so I heard Gypsum (granulated) put on with a speader helps to green those up again. So I hope to get that on just before it rains.

My sister arrives on Wednesday so I want to get Dan' s room cleaned up for her. It just needs dusting and wiping down so it shouldn't take too long. Clean sheets would be nice too!

I trying desperately to get a knitted fish done for Joshua's birthday. It will be a pillow when I'm done and if it works I'll show you a photo.

I have a customer for my dyed fleece so I have to get that carded this week also. So much to do and so little time. I love being busy again.

Frozen

We're still in the ice age. I have frozen raindrops attached to my screens. We need the moisture, but please no snow.

I had coffee yesterday, first day off, with a friend in Victoria. Cute coffee shop. We got the prime spot, fireplace and leather wingback chairs. Had a lovely salad and a long overdue visit. I've been kind a recluse since January. I've been so busy trying to find a job and so discouraged that I spent alot of time at home. It's so good to be working and out with people again. I think I'll like the Home Depot job. I get the garden center cuz I'm one of the few gardeners on staff.

Tuesday night I had a friend over to spin. It was so fun to get my wheels out again and oiled up. The traveler is feeling a bit stiff so I'll have to work with that one a bit.

Lori is spinning fabulous yarn and really needed no help. We had a great visit, looking through books and feeling fiber. I had to beg off early because I'd been up since 4:30 and I had to get up the next day at the same time. This is not normal for me so I was fading fast. I started spinning Hydrangea that I bought back in December. Mine is spinning up alot lighter than the sample, but that's okay. I'll get a photo up when I spin a little more.

I'm currently trying to frantically get the fish done for Josh's birthday. He wants to paint fish all over his walls in his bedroom but mom doesn't think that's a good idea.

He said, "when I get big I'll paint my own room". He also wants a castle outdoor playhouse. IN MY YARD! Now how am I gonna figure that one out???

Well, it's a good day to count inventory, knit/spin, or read a good book. Stay dry!

Yarn Over is this weekend - not going cuz I have to work - check it out on the Minnesota Knitters Guild website.

April Showers?

I cannot believe I haven't blogged since March 31st. I knew it had been awhile but I've been busy and tired. The Grandchildren have been sick so I've been helping over there and training for a job at Home Depot, and selling yarn. Mandarin Petit is one of the yarns sold by Norwegian-Spirit. I love to work with it and I think this little shoulder jacket will be so cute for Ellie.

This is one of my newest projects. It's a little dress for Ellie. Look at the progress I've made, Only a few more inches until seed stitch starts again.

I'm also working on a fish for Joshua (his birthday party theme is Fish). I found a cute fish from Blue Sky Alpaca, knit in their organic cotton (which I love) but I wanted to felt this one so I'm using some sample yarn and stash yarn that I found around the house.

Nothing real exciting has been going on around here. I guess I just didn't feel like blogging too much. I did pick up Jesse Ventura's book after seeing him on TV last week. It's quite interesting, especially if you are not fond of the government or "you know who" these days.

I had to train at HD all weekend so I missed Bunge and I don't know how it went yet. Nobody has called to report. This scheduling business is going to be crazy for awhile. I'm at the Chaska HD in case anybody stops in there I should be in the garden center.(I guess I'm one of the few gardeners)

I've heard from 4 old friends lately. It's always so good to hear from them. One is in Florida and I never get to see her anymore, but we can always email.

Another called from Monticello this week, really a friend of my sisters, but we all grew up together in south Minneapolis. Their 40th High School reunion is coming up and she wants my sister to go with her. I doubt that will happen unless we kidnap her. Another invited me to a party which I had to miss last Sunday and another is having a party on May 3rd which I hope I can go to. I've know Sue since Junior High and haven't seen her for at least 5 years. She lives in Stillwater. Work is so interfering, especially when I have to miss a woman party.

Sister arrives on the 24th and I have to get the upstairs ready for her. I hope she can manuever the steps otherwise I'll have to switch rooms and that would be difficult cuz the only bathroom is on the main level and I usually get up during the night and I don't want to stumble down the stairs either. (they are quite steep).

Progress on Sandy's afghan. She'll probably need when she gets here. Phoenix has been hot and we're still getting snow.