Fiberit

The gnome house

2008-05-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Blue Cindy Lou - this is a corriedale/romney blend and I dyed it this gorgeous blue. I'm in the mood to dye some fleece again.

I'm working like a crazy person and I have gotten this terrible spring virus that will not leave me alone. I have had two days off this week and have been working in the garden. Because I didn't feel well this week I was able to finish reading, "The Range" by Russell Banks. Good book -very strange characters but good discussion for a book club.

I'm trying to get my Fairy house together - I think I'm going to rename it "The gnome house". It just fits better.

It's kind of rustic looking and I think I'll glue some stones on it and then plaster over them and make some little gnomes. It's in my head, but difficult to describe.

Dan is home from college for a couple weeks and I'm enjoying having him around. I had to restock the pantry, however. I've made three trips to the grocery so far this weekend.

We just love living out here. I adore my yard and just love to walk around in it. I had a fire in the fire pit yesterday to burn up all the twigs. It smelled wonderful. I think I finally got one up on the boxelder bugs and beetles too!
I had breakfast with friends on Sunday at Maude's in Minneapolis. It was good to visit and have a lovely breakfast. The NU outlet opened before I left so I went in to see what they had. Barbara was working so I got caught up with her life a little.
They still have some great novelty yarns that I can use in my weaving projects, which I hope to get to soon. Carver has a Saturday art in the park type day each weekend and you can rent a booth for the day. I thought it would be fun to get a booth and sell some handmade items.

Going to the Zoo in the morning with the grandchildren. I love going to the zoo. I hope we get some good photos.
I've finished the back of Ellie's cotton/bamboo dress and I'm working on my sister's afghan to see if I can get it done this month as it is her birthday month.

I'm so excited, I heard from Louet this week and they said I can continue to be a dealer for them. They have great products for knitters and spinners. I can do special orders! Yea!

Keep knitting, the fun is not over yet!

The Big Fish

2008-05-14T05:39:00.001-07:00

Joshua's fish was finished for his Birthday. This is a pattern from Blue Sky Alpaca that they had done out of their Cotton, I had some of this yarn left over so I mixed some Brown Sheep and some of this stripey yarn together and knit it on size 10 1/2 needles and felted it. This is what we got. Josh loves it!

I have the pattern if anyone would like one, shoot me an email.

I have been working so much that I haven't blogged for two weeks. When I am home, I'm working in the yard getting everything uncovered. I bought some plants yesterday for my FAIRY GARDEN! Apparently, this is the new "Thing" for gardeners. Chaska Flowers on #212 downtown has an example of a very cute Fairy garden complete with houses and fairies. I found an old birdhouse that I'm going to remake into a fairy house and I think I'll felt up some fairies. I'll get some photos up here as it progresses. I'm very excited about this cute idea.

I worked all last weekend so I just got to celebrate last night with the babies for Mother's Day. We had handmade pizza and had lots of fun. My Daughter got me a great book called, "Convesations with my Mother, A keepsake Journal for Celebrating a Lifetime of Stories". It has questions to get you going, so maybe this will help me get started writing. She really wants me to do this journal thing, as this is the second journal she has bought me. My son, Daniel, took me out to dinner Saturday night and Jenna brought me a beautiful boquet of flowers on Sunday at work. I am so blessed with these children!

Last weekend was also, Shepherd's Harvest. I really missed not getting to that event because they have great fiber at this thing. Hopefully, Michelle and Lori bought some great stuff to show me.

Carver is starting this "Carver Village Open Air Market" this weekend. It's in the little park downtown and has some very interesting artists showing their handmade art.

Have a great week!

The buds are out

2008-04-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-18T05:24:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-04-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-03-31T16:32:00.000-07:00

Planting seeds

2008-03-30T08:12:00.001-07:00

Decorating Easter Eggs - So much fun!

From this to.....planting seeds. I sure hope the weather lasts - I see grass again! The birds are singing and Cally won't come in the house anymore.

I have been busy this week planting seeds on Monday, Tuesday interviewed at Home Depot and got the job (part-time) and the best is: "I'm the new rep for Norwegian-Spirit yarns". I love this yarn. I had "Smart" and "Mondial" cotton in the shop and loved it. In fact I'm crocheting their free pattern for a child's bolero using the Mondial Cotton. You can check it out on their website, you can only buy the yarn from your local yarn shops, however. I got the shipment of yarn from NS on Wednesday, so exciting.

Thursday, I had lunch with Jenna and met her again that evening for a drink at Redstone (I wanted her to meet a cute bartender) No luck on the bartender but we had fun. After lunch I stopped at Calico Corners to look for fabric for my pillows in the living room. I found a couple pieces there and then I went to the outlet in EP and found some duponi silk and a few other colors that I think will work. I visited Christine at Ethan Allen for a few minutes. She's a designer, great customer and I miss seeing her at the shop.

Friday, I changed my closet from Winter to Summer. Huge accomplishment. I feel like I have all new clothes again. I stopped at the antique shop in Carver on the way home today and (my new favorite place, they've added a flower shop too). I found a couple lace table cloths for my window treatments.

I'm so excited about this Rep job. I already made a call on Saturday. My first run at presenting the material. Pam at The Fiber Studio on 49th and Nicollet was my first selling experience and she was very kind. If you need fiber, dyes or beads - visit her - she has classes in felting also. Cute shop! Oh, yes, I died some wool last week, and she bought some for the shop. Below is one of the color combinations she bought.

My next new project is a pink sun dress for, guess who? Ellie is having a pinkalicious birthday this summer and I thought this would be quite cute. It's a Debbie Bliss pattern but I'm using a different weight yarn (cotton/Bamboo from Classic Elite). I'm being very conscious of the dimensions, I hope.

I'll show more as we go along. Be patient! If you come to Bungee next week, I'll bring the book. We had a great group again at Betsy's Back Porch on Sat. Everyone works very hard on their projects but we manage to get in eating and talking.

I brought my Scunci Steamer (if you can find one of these get it, it is so worth it.) to steam Shirley lovely jacket she had finished. I wish I had gotten a photo. She started knitting about a year ago and was very frustrated at the beginning but boy has she taken off! It is so fun to see when people get it! A couple of the women said, "I remember dropping a stitch and running in panic up to Creative Fibers to have Bonny find my stitch and now I can see it myself". Yeah! Laura is another one of those amazing knitters. She started with scarves and now is so good she knits more than me and actually finishes her projects. I'm so Proud!

I'm heading to Nicoles for a showing of her line of clothing she's a rep for, called Kelly's kids. They are adorable and she did really well yesterday for her first show.

Keep knitting, there is still a chill in the air.

Spring

2008-03-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter

Spring has finally sprung. I know this because I picked up "poop" in the yard yesterday.

BUT, the grass is turning green!

I have been so busy working on these felted jackets (www.creativefibers.com) to put them in a little shop in Carver called "Mustard Moon", that I haven't done anything else. They have very cute, adorable items for sale in the upstairs boutique and downstairs is an array of antiques and collectibles. It is so cute. Plus they have cards for all the other little shops in this area. Anyway, our sweater/jackets are in the shop this weekend.

Now, maybe I can clean my house and find a job. I've been interviewing like crazy and sending out resume's but no luck so far. Instead I decided to make some jackets and dye some wool. The wool is pictured on my website too.

Bookclub last night at "Jimmy's" in Minnetonka - great food and discussion on the book, "The Senator's Wife". We all agreed we didn't like any of the characters except "Noah" the husband. It was so timely, (the Governor and Mayor of New York scandal) we had alot to discuss. If this is the norm in Washington, that says alot about the state of our sorry nation these days. If they're all focused on their sex life where does that leave the economy?!!! Anyway, it was a good read.

I have a male cardinal in my yard this morning. It is so great to see and hear the birds again. You forget how beautiful that music is in the air.

Visited Josh's school on Tuesday. We had such a great time. The science experiment was soaking an egg in vinegar and seeing how thin the outside layer got and that is supposed to be the effect pop has on our bones if we drink too much. The eggs did not last too long, imagine that with 3 year olds? We had music, matching games, chinese restaurant, coloring, sand, gym, snack and more stories and music. I don't know how Josh doesn't nap after this, I was ready for one when I got home.

Back to cleaning the house - have a wonderful weekend.

Felted Jackets/DYE WORK

2008-03-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

Dye work I did last week- Cindy Lou is the sheep. There is also a pink that did not get photographed yet.

I love this work, it makes me feel productive.

FELTED JACKETS

I believe I mentioned last week that Nicole and I were felting sweaters and selling them on etsy.com. Here are some photos. If you are interested you can buy them from Etsy.com or direct from me. My Etsy.com name is BKMcreative or under children - search Sweat Pea Knits.

Otherwise if interested in a purchase you can just email me. Bonny@creativefibers.com

Had a Great Birthday Dinner at Craves in Edina. My friend and I love Sushi so he had the chef make up something special for us. My Son, Dan, came with us too. His Birthday and my friend's is on the 13th so it was appropriate we all celebrated together. Dan & I are celebrating again this coming weekend with the family. It's like the whole month to celebrate! I love it.

Enjoy the Sunshine!

Baa, Baa Black sheep....

2008-03-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

Sheering Day finally arrived. I look forward to this all year.!

Went out to Woolen Meadow Farm yesterday to pick up my 4 fleeces.

Amelia is the close up one. They are so gorgeous I hate to touch them. I did alot of dye work this past week and will get photos up tomorrow.

It was a cold day on the farm for shearing but they were done by 1:00 PM. Had a little lunch and visited with a nice lady, Sherry, from Gayle Woods Farm in Minnetrista. I'm hoping to teach some classes out there. She's also interested in having a spinning group meet out on their property. More info later.

I finished Ellie's blue sweater and it is large but she'll use it in a year. Better big than small.

I went over to Nicole & Peter's house this morning for Pancakes for my Birthday. Ellie's stirring the batter, Dad is cookin' the bacon and Josh is chowin' down. Me too, they were good. Had a great Birthday so far!

March

2008-03-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Well, if March comes in like a lion does it really go out like a Lamb? Does that mean it will warm up soon? WHAT the %#@## IS THIS? This has got to be the coldest winter we have had in a long time. Dontchaknow, my first winter without an attached garage and a sidewalk that needs to be shoveled before I can get into the house?? Go figure. Not to mention my heating bill.!!!!

I have a couple new things to talk about today. First - Garn Studio has an adorable calendar again for Spring - 12 days of free patterns. Cannot lose! The first one is corcheted easter eggs and a basket. Anybody need crochet thread - I have spools for sale. Call me.

I started dyeing a fleece from last spring "Cindy Lou". She is gorgeous and I am so excited to be dyeing again. I have a perfect spot in my office - two big wash tubs to drain and I set up my burners on top of the file cabinet. I added some outlets when I did this room and I'm sure gald I did now. To dry I will put them down stairs. It's toasty warm down there. (wouldn'tcha know it would be warm down there). As soon as they dry a little I'll get up some photos - they're looking pretty good right now though. I will pick up 3 more fleeces on Sat. so I have to get in gear.

My Rotation Diet is going well. I don't think I've lost an ounce yet but I feel better. Now, if I could just get outside to walk.

Keep knitting - we cannot garden yet!

30 degrees and Balmy

2008-03-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

It is so strange to walk out the door and 30 degrees feels balmy. That's what it felt like yesterday until I got into the wind. It gives me hope and I dream of gardening.

I am such a slug about blogging this month. It's not that I'm not doing anything, it's that I'm doing alot of different things. Looking for a job, felting sweaters for Etsy, knitting a sweater and an afghan, started a "Rotation Diet", reading and studying real estate and getting caught up on the house before the nice weather hits.

A word more about the Rotation Diet. A friend and I did this 19 years ago. I lost alot of weight and felt great. That was when my surprise "Daniel" came along. Some how with all this good health I got pregnant after 14 years. Well, since then I have not been back to that weight. So, my friend found that same diet on line and bought me the book. It's a great diet for me because it spells out exactly what I am supposed to eat every meal and it was soooo easy to do. Plus I have to start walking again every day. Soon it will be nice enough to do that.

Nicole and I are making these adorable sweaters and selling them on Etsy.com. I hope they sell. Here is Ellie, modeling the bunny sweater before the pink bow was added.

Bungee knitting was Saturday and Nancy was showing me some embroidery stitches for our Easter eggs. A shop in downtown Carver wants to sell them in March. The shop is called "Mustard Moon" she also has a website. http://www.omustardmoon.com/. Jane has antiques and a boutique. Very cute stuff. They are open once a month along with "Linda's Cellar" in Chaska and another shop in Shakopee. I don't know the name of the one in Shakopee but it's right on the highway #101 (I think) that goes right through town. Next dates are Mar. 20, 21, 22. 10-5 -Very worth the drive.

Bungee was great as always. Everyone is getting their projects completed. Ready for a new spring project. Betsy's works so good for us. She has great treats and coffee. She also features a new artist every month and displays their work in the shop.

I'm itching to start some dye work. I've got lots of roving and a fleece to work on. This Saturday is the shearing at Woolen Meadow Farm in Delano. Sue Ross has three fleeces for me. I better get going, I have no idea where I will put them.

I stopped in to pick up felting needles at the new "The Fiber Shop" on 49th and Nicollet on Saturday. Pam is the owner and she has Judy McDowell doing classes for her and a spinning teacher from the Textile Center. She is doing well and has lots of fiber. It was good to visit with them and I'm hoping to sell some fiber to her.

I've been hunting for wool sweaters, 100% wool or shetland wool on the label works best for me. I you have any you want to get rid of, shoot me an email. I'll buy them for $5.00.

It's March, the crazy month. Stay calm!

The Debates

2008-02-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Did you watch the debates last night - Obama/Hillary. My friend and I did. I was astonished by her comment at the end - something about "she new stressful and difficult situations, as you all know....." then went on to say how that is nothing compared to what americans are dealing with these days. Hurray for her insight. (sarcasm). However, my friend and I were blown away by the comment "difficult situations or stressful situations, whatever words she used to allude to Bill's behavior and all the other shenanigans those two were involved in. Now, I am not a prude, really, but I felt that was out of line for her to bring that situation up again at this time. I felt it discredited her and was a cheap shot. People are very concerned about the two of them being in the white house again and then she made that connection again. Wow!

On the other hand, Obama I am very intrigued with. He is very articulate, genuine, respectful, brilliant and from all I can see would be a great leader. This next year should be very interesting.

I am currently ready a book called "The Senator's Wife". It addresses the Washington scene and politics on a personal level. It's a novel so who knows but it is interesting what people in that position allow and think is normal. It probably is their "Normal".

Did anyone see Don Shelby and Amelia the other night when they showed a photo of a bare breasted woman embellished with beads. Right after the clip, Don says, "those were really big beads on that woman!" I about fell off the couch. Amelia gave him a look and said, "I'm not touching that". I thought it was very humorous but was amazed he did that on live news.

It's just around the corner, I'm told

2008-02-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

Spring is just around the corner! Truly.

I have made some progress on Sandy's afghan. This is from Unique Kolours afghan kits. It will be beautiful.

Nancy and I made these last year. Marie Mayhew has a cute pattern for Easter Eggs - you knit them and then felt them. Nancy embroidered on them - she's a whiz at this. If you want to learn you have to come to the Bungee classes on Saturdays at Betsy's Back Porch, 54th and Nicollet. Check out the website for days and times. http://www.creativefibers.com/ for more information. I also hot water felted some eggs around a styrofoam shape and that worked really well. Happy Spring!!!! it's just around the corner, I'm told.

New Projects: These are two projects Nicole and I are working on. Hers is finished. The flower sweater. I bought the sweater and felted it in the washing machine and she embellished it with needle felting.

I also felted the other one that looks grey but it really is a grey green color. I embellished the bunnies and am still working on details. These are so fast and I think so adorable. Great for a spring project.

I have been so busy I haven't blogged in a while. I worked for a week at a very boring job and am still looking for an Office Manager or Adm. Asst. position. If anyone know of anything out there - please keep me in mind.

I have been helping Nicole with the children quite often and they are so much fun. Short story about Joshua. He was having a melt down in Target the other day (no nap day) and he hit his sister when he was acting out his frustration. Later, Ellie said, "I'm sorry Joshua" and he said, "You don't be sorry Ellie, I hit you."

I have also read a couple new books. "Growing and Inch" by an author I truly enjoy. Gordon West. He's from Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He includes a little history in his stories. They are really mysteries and he has great characters.
Of course, another Minnesota Author I love is Garrison Keillor. His story about the Pontoon is priceless. Laugh out loud, if you like small town stories. I first heard this story on his radio show several years ago and it was so funny - he's a great story teller.

I enjoy these two authors because they remind me of growing up in south Minneapolis. Life really was simpler then. We didn't have much fear back in that time. You felt safe in your neighborhood. You knew everybody and I can still drive back there and tell you who lived in what house. It was a charmed life.

Happy Knitting and reading!

My life as nanna

2008-02-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

After work I went to see the babies. Picked up soup and sandwich at our favorite deli in Shakopee called (sorry I cannot remember). I arrived about 6:30. The children had already had dinner and were in their pajamas. I brought them each a piece of red licorice, which they devoured. As Nicole and I were eating out dinner, they were asking for more food. Joshua asking for more treats, Ellie wants yogurt and oh yes, a glass of water. Joshua is told "no more treats" so then he wants the grapefruit cup I brought. We opened it and he took one bite and did not like the sour taste. This was constant until I looked up at Nicole and said, "What time was bed?"

Logan was his smiley self but is teething so he didn't want to even have his bottle. Joshua had his store set up. He's always selling something these days. He had built little cages out of these magnetic clear blocks and put plastic bugs in them. It was a pet shop.

I was asked if I'd like to buy something? I said," sure, do you have any frogs?" No, no frogs but he had a great looking bug in this plastic container. I bought it. As I picked it up, the thing fell apart in my hands (it is only held together with magnets) I was so sorry, and Joshua replied, "that's okay Nanna, I can build it again, do you want to help?" Of course, Ellie, decided she wanted to work with these plastic pieces so she grabbed his cages and ran off.

Nicole has been gone about 15 minutes now! I put Logan to bed. The other two are scheming against me as I'm upstairs putting logan to sleep and they have decided they need blankets and nooks. It is now 7:00 pm so we turn on Caillou and cuddle up on the couch. This is good. Then we read about 40 books and troop upstairs. I'm thinking this is going really well. Got them both in bed, closed the doors and got downstairs.

Then, I hear, "Nanna? I need to go potty." They already had their evening diapers and pullups on so I didn't do that before putting them in their beds. So, Ellie goes on the big potty and Joshua on the small one facing each other. Ellie has brought this huge book to read.

It is now 8 PM so I figure I'll just let their mom handle this. I said, to them both, "you are going to get me in trouble - when your mom comes home she won't be happy with me." Joshua looks up at me, lifts his eyebrows and opens his eyes wide and slowly a little smile appears. He can hardly wait for me to get into trouble.

Nicole comes in and gets them all settled in and I gather my belongings and head home. I'm tired and go to bed at 10 PM. At 10:15 the phone rings and it is Nicole. She is whispering, she just heard the door open and shut downstairs. The dog lifted his head and laid back down. She is home alone with the 3 babies. I know how this feels, I've been in her place before. You hear a noise and your whole body tenses and then you try to decide if you really heard it or not and listen for another. It is terrifying! We agree she should call the neighbor across the street. Tom is sleeping so Michelle stays on the phone while Nicole walks through the house checking the doors. Everything is still locked up so she feels it's okay. I'm still worried. I was not very reassuring to her because I do worry about them when Peter is gone.

2008-02-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

Well did you all make it to the caucus? I watched enough on TV last night but did not make it to the polls. I think by the end I will be so tired of listening to these people that it will be difficult to vote. I only hope for change for this America - it's definitely not the America I grew up in.

Working this week but trying to find something permanent. It is alot more difficult than I thought it would be. Nobody is hiring or else they don't like the year I was born. That number is a little too low. This is when I wish I had gotten a real career when I was 20. The real estate thing is still a viable option - I just need to study more before I take the test again. I'm able to review real estate while on this job so I feel like I'm accomplishing something. I don't think the corporate world is my world, however. I'm thinking a small business manager, some place that I have some flexibility. Corporate is a little too structured.

My arm has been so sore for a week so I have laid off the knitting for awhile, see if it helps. However, My projects are surrounding my sofa reminding me to get going. I think I'll try spinning for awhile and see if that helps.

I really want to do some dye work, but I have to get set up in the basement somewhere and I still have all these books staring me in the face that need to be photographed and logged into my sheet and I cannot seem to get motivated. I think I'll have a garage sale this summer and try to get rid of them.

I'm reading another good book this week, "pieces of my sisters life" by Elizabeth Joy Arnold. It's about twin sisters, but not your usual twin book. Very interesting characters and lots of quirks to this story.

Going to see the babies tonight!

#130 post

2008-01-31T08:47:00.000-08:00

This is the 130th post since I began and the 31st of January. This must be good luck - I'll have to buy a lottery ticket.

I'm on the hunt for a cute valentine idea for Joshua. He wants to make valentines for everyone in his pre-school class. I want a heart punch or heart shaped paper that he can glue onto something. I have lots of heart stamps and ink so we'll be using that also. I'm on my way to Michaels and Archivers for ideas.

I'm back again. Found some cute stuff at Michael's. Picked up some foam heart shapes - different colors and sizes, some sparkle glue and paper.

The grandchildren were so excited. Josh loved the sparkle glue the best - they stamped and glued for a half hour - then he was done. Ellie woke up and was not quite into it but this morning they all woke up at 6:40 AM ready to make Valentines! There mother was so please. I'm sure in her wildest dreams as a young teen did she ever imagine being up at 6:40 AM making valentines. My how things change. Soooo good for a Mother's heart.

WIP
I finished the vest from Fleece artist and will get a photo up here as soon as I get home this evening. Well here it is. It was a little short so I added some length to the bottom with left over yarn. What do you think? I do think it is an improvement. I haven't blocked it yet.

I started the sock and found a great pattern from Moutain Colors called "Montana Wheat Socks". I think it will work with this yarn. Remember this yarn from "Yarn Ahoy" on Etsy? Well this is what it looks like knit up. I thought it might be a jacquard pattern but when it wasn't I thought it needed something so I'm knitting the Montana Wheat Sock pattern.

I also started the AFGHAN from Collinette that my sister gave me a couple years ago hoping I would knit it for her. It will be gorgeous and it's a fun knit. I believe the color is "MISTY MORNING". This is it laying on the carpet.

This is it on needles. This will be quite the project, I'm not sure I can take it along because you keep changing yarns and it might be difficult to carry along. May have to be the couch project.

Going to Bungee today. Excited to see everybody and see what they are working on. Happy knitting - it's snowing a little, excellent day to knit and have some hot cocoa at Betsys.

Love those sunsets

2008-01-27T09:28:00.001-08:00

I love when the sunsets in the evening! I have always loved this time of day. It just calms me down and in the winter it makes me want to cozy up and read a good book or watch an old movie with a glass of wine. In the spring, summer or fall, I only think of "Wine or Marguretta time.!" sitting on my front porch.

This was taken outside my back door a few days ago. Beautiful day and a lovely sunset to boot.

I have been busy. I finally finished this vest from Fleece Artist. I love their yarn. It is a wool/silk blend but the pattern is not quite what I had in mind. It looks great on her (in the photo)and on my friend Lora (who finished hers first) but it's not quite long enough for me. So I picked up stitches along the edge (because I had yarn left over) and I'm going to try to lengthen it by knitting around the bottom. If it works I'll get a photo up here.

Meanwhile I had find my swift and ballwinder to start another project with the new sock yarn I got last week. Some thoughtful person put this extra table next to my stove - It's a piece of counter that sets up with a piece of wood underneath the counter. It works perfect for my winding station. I started the socks but I don't think they will be a jacquard pattern so now the dilema is - what pattern should I put on the sock.? I've been looking through all my patterns and have not come up with the exact one yet. Will keep you posted.

I have had this awful cold crud for the last couple days. It is the worst I have had in a long time. Boy I hate having a cold. I stayed home all day saturday and read a book called "Innocent" by David Hosp. It was a thriller. I could sit as long as I could breathe and then I'd have to get up and get another lozenge. I cannot take any cold medicines, they make it worse.

Saturday, much better, but still running a fever so I cleaned the house, made a loaf of bread in the bread maker (anyone have any suggestions on how to get these loafs to be a little denser? They are so airy there is no taste to them or substance.) I also made cookies for Dan to take back to the dorm. He stopped in to get his new insurance card for his new Audi. What a lucky kid! So, I solicited his help to get salt for the water softener as it was almost out. Good for a couple months, I hope.

Then I made a favorite chicken dinner. It's a sweet/sour chicken using chicken breasts and adding a sauce made up of:

1 package of onion soup mix

1 bottle of russian salad dressing

1 small bottle of Orange marmalade

Pour this over the chicken and bake for an hour. Serve with rice and pineapple chunks. It's a great winter dinner.

Finished Jenna's scarf out of the Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky (white). I think she'll like it. Then I cast on the edge to the vest and finally fell asleep! Enjoy this warmth for a couple days.!

Movie night

2008-01-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

Went to see "27 Dresses" last night - it was better than we had expected. Very cute and well done. It was also good to catch up with my old neighbors from Braxton Drive.

I am going to our Bungee group this afternoon and cannot decide what project to work on. I'm dyeing to try out the new yarn that just came in the mail so I can get a photo of what it looks like knit up. I also want to finish Jenna's scarf. - I'll keep you posted.

Enough for now! more later.

Look what Came in the Mail this week....

2008-01-17T14:20:00.000-08:00

Roving from Pigeonroofstudios.etsy.com

on Etsy.

This is called Hydrangea and she sent this little sample along so I could see what it should look like. It looks alot lighter in the roving form. I can hardly wait to try to start it. It is supposed to be washable - it's 100% merino and feels lovely. This is 5.8 oz. , 185 yds and cost $17.00

Now, this is from Yarn Ahoy at Etsy also. She has a yarn shop called Yarnahoy.etsy.com
This one is 375 yds for $22.80 -

superwash merino, sock weight

This one is called "Color Bombs" and might knit with a jacquard type pattern. Also from Yarn Ahoy and is 375 yds. for $21.80-superwash merino, sock weight

Now I'm inspired! I just needed something new to get me jump started this year.

I saw lots of reviews on line from TNNA - Annie Modesitt has blog and Knitty.com had some information. Check it out - there are lots of new yarns companies this year.

So disappointed today. I took my realestate test for the first time and did not pass. My head feels full of information and I cannot sort it out. I think I just need some time to get everything in the right category. The classes were overwhelming with information. I can take it again, so all is not lost.

I'll just knit or spin for a day or two and give the old brain a rest.! Happy knitting!

OMG

2008-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

Oh My Gosh! - I haven't posted for a while cuz I've been busy studying 8 hours a day and several hours at night. This real estate stuff is really interesting but I cannot sort it out in my brain. There is so much information! Yikes! I take the test on Thursday.

Oh My Gosh, again! My son, Dan, had an accident on the 11th. He called to tell me about it and sounded okay and was not hurt so I didn't panic. The next day I had class and Sunday too so I didn't get to talk to him too much until Sunday night. Then he informed me, besides hitting a telephone pole and caving in the side of the car and breaking the windshield - the telephone pole broke in three pieces and came crashing on top of the car. He always wears his seatbelt and the side air bag protected him.

I was frozen with belated fear! I couldn't believe he was so calm. Now I was panicked just thinking of the "What could haves". On monday the insurance people were able to check the car out and Matt called to say it was totalled. He said, have you seen the car? I said, "NO, it's been in the impound lot until today." He said, "you probably don't want to see it. " I said, "Really? "That child is so Lucky.! He must have had a car full of angels with him."

I called Dan to tell him about the insurance I said, "I could not believe you have been this calm about this accident." He said, "Yea, it was scarey." SCAREY!!!!! I'm just saying thank you God, thank you God, thank you God! every time I think about it. He's never had any accident before, so this was a whopper. He lost control on the icy highway and tried to correct it and spun out into the pole. Well, we are past the worst and He didn't even have a scratch on him. Unbelievable! but VERY thankful!

No knitting news this week. I do have some presents to show you on the next blog. You'll be jealous! Keep knitting, weaving or spinning!

2008 has arrived!

2008-01-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

Had a nice quiet New Year. Still fighting this cold so I watched some TV and knit and was falling asleep about 9:30 PM. Got into my cozy bed and my sister called from Phoenix to say she was ballancing her checkbook. Boy are we wild! So we talked for about a half hour. I sure hope I can get out there in March.

New year's day I had my friend and her two daughters over and we had bloody Mary's and pizza. I was so sleepy for the rest of the day. Went shopping in the afternoon with a friend. He wanted to get some X-mas decorations for next year. So we shopped for lights, which were cheap, garland and wrapping paper. Success. I hardly ever go to Walmart, I always shop at Target, so Walmart was whole new experience. Target was our next stop. More wrapping paper and some very funny cards for my crazy friends birthdays this year.

Then it was back to my house to try out the Champaign we had opened that afternoon and nobody wanted it after the Bloody Mary. It was okay!

Had a quiet evening again, still digesting, watching some awful TV and tried to read new book for bookclub "Away" by Amy Bloom. I'm knitting a hat for Jenna out of Karabella's bulky alpaca. Should be real cute. I'll get a picture up here when it's done.

My Horoscope sounded very hopeful today. It looks like my new adventure in realestate is the way to go. Wish me luck. Now if I could just get rid of this crud. It doesn't help that this job I'm on is incredibly boring.

What a nice feeling

2007-12-30T13:56:00.000-08:00

What a nice feeling it is to not have something that has to be done. I had such a relaxing weekend. Saturday, I had the morning to knit and pick up the house. Went to friends house in Prior Lake for a party. I found a couple new knitters and we may have a foursome to knit with. They are knitting for Mary's Place in Minneapolis. I guess Mary Copeland needs hats, mittens, etc. for the kids and I said, "Everything is half price in my basement, stop by and see if you can use any of this for your project." Hopefully they will.

Came home to let the DOG out and then went to babysit for the grandchildren. Josh was in bed already cuz he had no nap that afternoon. Ellie was sick with a cold so she was in bed. Logan was the only one up to keep me company. He's such a happy baby. I fed him a bottle and put him to bed at 8 PM and thought I'd have time to watch some TV, when , Ellie woke up crying. She was a mess! Gave her some motrim for her fever and let her lay on the sofa watching Clifford movies until about 9:30. Then we scooted up to bed and Logan woke up. He was fussy, gave him some more bottle and he was still fussy. Finally, I called his mom at 10:30 and she said to give him gas drops. That helped but he was still up when they came home. It was easier for me to hold him than to run up and down the stairs 15 times. He's getting heavy. I got home about 12:30 and crashed.

Sunday, had breakfast with a friend and did a little shopping, came home and read a new book I just got and can hardly put down. It's called, "Whistling in the Dark "by Lesley Kagen. It is so nice to be able to just read for a couple hours with nobody bugging me. Of course, I have piles of books stareing me in the face and I just cannot bring myselft to get them on EBAY.

Happy reading!