Refocus and Get Knitting!

Well after a year of planning, anticipating and fretting, it's a memory now. But a beautiful memory indeed! The Wynn in Las Vegas did a fabulous job, as well as Maggianos for the reception. I wouldn't have changed a thing! I guess it's back to normal life now and time to concentrate on my knitting and quilting projects.

The past couple of days has been the LYS Tour in the Puget Sound area. In years past, I have gone to several of the shops but this year I was just plain out of energy. I went to the two closest shops to my house and picked up their free patterns. Oh yeah, I also bought the yarn that went with them!! Renaissance Yarns had a lovely pair of fingerless gloves as their free pattern and they had a new yarn to celebrate the occaison called Merisoft, from Punta yarns. It is Merino wool and feels really nice. I chose a varigated turquoise. The Knittery had two patterns. One was a lacy pair of anklet socks made with Trekking Pro Natura. I chose to do these in white. Maybe because of the wedding? lol They also had a scarf that is really lacy and beautiful made out of Silky Alpaca Lace Yarn . I chose the cream color. Hopefully I will be showing some progress on these over the next few months! I know for sure as I knit along I will be reliving a wonderful memory of my daughter's marriage to a wonderful man.

Life is Swirling Around Me

After a year of planning the big wedding day is almost here! I can't believe that in two weeks it will just be wonderful memories. We are driving "the dress" down to make sure it gets there, so there will be lots of knitting time in the car. I thought it was only fitting that I start knitting "The Swirl Shawl" to mimic my life right now. I bought some Pagewood Farms hand dyed sock yarn and some beautiful new doublepointed needles with the greatest points on them. There are several times you have to knit three together, and I go crazy if I don't have a good point. I love these needles by Darn Pretty Needles even though they were a bit expensive ($30),they sure have made me a happy camper. My other toy for this project was a Fibersphere. So far I am loving this gadget too and it will be great for keeping my yarn clean in the car. So, the dress is ready, all plans are in order and I have my knitting and quilting projects ready for the car. Swirl on! Life is good.

Candle Mats and Glassybabys

I have always been a fan of Glassybabys! These beautiful little handblown candle holders became famous after Martha Stewart touted their beauty several years back. Seattle is fortunate to be the home of Glassybabys. Well, between my love of quilting and my love of blown glass, I've found a marriage made in heaven! Wool mats and Glassybabys. There are many candle mat patterns available, but I am drawn to "Annelles Originals" She has a candle mat pattern for every holiday and she also offers the wool to make them. So naturally, I'm going to make several this year and the Shamrock St Patricks Day is the first one! I really enjoyed this project and it was a nice sit in my chair and stitch pattern. Next up....Bunnies!

Finally Finished $5 Quilt!

Way back in February I wrote about a $5 quilt group that I participated in at The Quilt Barn in Puyallup. In 2007 I went once a month a got a pattern and fabric to make a quilt. If you complete your block each month you get the next block free. Well, I finally got it all put together, quilted and the binding stitched on. It's really not a Christmas quilt. There isn't one Christmas fabric in it, but it comes off totally Christmas and it brightens the whole room. Finally finished !!! Merry Christmas!!!