Canada Day

Can you believe that the year 2009 is halfway over? Stop and think about that for a second- we're having what passes for summer (rain all week, nice grass and flowers but rain nonetheless) then it will be fall, and we'll be planning for Christmas.

When we were kids we used to swim at the pool in High Park every day. It took so little to make us happy. Toronto is having a public workers strike, and this year there will be hardly any fireworks, because they're using the parks for garbage dumps. What has happened? They keep raising taxes, and then you get no services. Makes me crazy.


I did finish my Rhinebeck Sweater, from the book "A Fine Fleece". Chris at Briar Rose dyed some more of this "Glory Days" yarn, and it was slightly lighter than the original, but it worked out better than expected, and the colour is so autumny.

I added on pockets, and it looks really good. I may even wear this one.
I will finish these Caterpillar Socks today. Through no fault of anyone's but my own, this has been one of those projects that went pear shaped from the get go. I adore the Yarn Nerd yarn- the nicest sock yarn so far that I have used (in my short-lived career as a sock knitter) but I chose not to do the wrapped heel, and made the first one too short. Months later, I ripped it back, re-knit it and started the second. I forgot which shaping I used, and how many decreases to do at the gusset, then bollocks'd up the pattern on the instep. I also see where Adam has decided not to dye for the forseeable future, so I can't even get any more of this terrific yarn.
I am going to use my time to sort out today- that is if I can peel the Guardian of the Rubbermaid bins off of his perch.

Summer's Here!

Happy Father's day to all the daddies out there. FC is getting the big breakfast, blueberry pancakes, bacon and sausages and real maple syrup. We're just waiting for number one son to arise, which means the big breakfast may end up as the big dinner, but hey, we're nothing if not flexible.

Switching the subject completely, I have been a fan of Kaffe Fassett's forEVER! I have met him twice, and not only is he talented and gracious, he's one of those men who gets better as he gets older (Sean Connery, Cary Grant- you know the type), I was thrilled to see him on a new show, Kirstie's Homemade Home, where she went to his house in London, and he told her to be a slob with colour. To that end, I plan to get positively slovenly:

This quilt was featured in a magazine, and it features all the Rowan Kaffe Fassett fabric that just screams "Kaffe". The main fabric is a pink cabbage print- he does see the beauty in the everyday vegetable- and I can't wait to begin.

I was inspired to finish up some projects, this being Anne Hanson's Caterpillar sock- I have one done, because Laura has knit her first sock in one week:

Ta-da! These are for Kyle, who has left today for the summer to go to base camp. We spent a rainy day in Milton yesterday watching the Lorne Scots Change of Regiment Parade. A pipe band, kilts, the whole thing and I forgot my camera.

I'm adding the sleeve to my Rhinebeck sweater.

"All this actvity is making me look a little, well, lazy!"

Before I was so rudely interupted-

Okay, until I get the hang of using Firefox, please bear with me, because Blogger behaves differently, and I'm not sure why I can't move the pictures where I want. My computer crashed due to Windows, so it's out and Linux is in. And I've always loved that little Tux the Penguin. I've had to use FC's computer for email and pattern orders, but tech support around here assures me that this is the cat's ass of browsers, so, there it is.

As you can see, I've been busy finishing up projects. At the top I pieced an Autumn quilt that's been hanging around since last fall.

Here I handquilted another project (and mashed my fingers in the process because I can't use a thimble) and I sewed a Kaffe Fasset needlepoint into a cushion.

The Springtime Swirl is done- I added some sparkly beads. This is Kim's merino lace in Frosted Sage, and it's so pretty.

I began a cardigan, the Rhinebeck sweater from "A Fine Fleece". I'm using Briar Rose Glory Days- truly amazing yarn.

Okay, let's get to the important stuff. Laura had her prom on Friday, and she looked stunning. Her Aunt Louise gave her this amazing vintage black velvet dress to wear, I made her the Swarovski bracelet and earrings, she had satin Guess shoes with a rose on the toe, sequinned seamed nylons and her hair was perfect.

Kyle wore his Regiment tartan kilt (with underwear, we checked) and they were hands-down the most handsome couple. I was squealing they looked so cute!

I am looking forward to a relaxing summer, if it ever warms up. What plans has everyone got for this year? We're doing another staycation, but that's fine.

Frost In May

Despite the fact that we have had some really cold weather these last few weeks- today is Victoria Day- the May twofour (this being a euphemism for a 24 case of beer) and it's the traditional weekend where everyone plants their annuals. There was a frost warning last night-but I have hostas, lavender and some herbs to go in.

Alexander fixed the water feature to earn some street cred around here, and the spitting turtle rides again:

Today, the plan includes removing some bushes and spreading weed and feed.

On Friday I got together with Brigitte and visited with the cats, and we did a photo shoot for Tamarind. Then we messed around on Queen Street and did a little shopping.

After, I went to pick up FC, and behind Yonge Street, there are two residential streets, that have these wonderful houses that are going to be torn down to make room for another high rise. I've often looked at these, and wondered about the people who lived there, and it makes me sad that they just don't build houses like these anymore. So I photographed them for posterity, and sometime in the near future they will be no more. There has to be at least 15 of them.

We went for a drive yesterday, and Laura met up with Ursa Major.

In yarn news, Kim sent me three skeins of her luscious Opulence in Moroccan Spice- so now I too can have an Oh! Canada. Thank you Kim- you are a doll.

An amazing dyer I have been stalking- and this laceweight appealed to me. The colours are inspired by nature, and she uses the photograph on the label.

And..... I have decided (another Executive decision among many I must make in a day) that I will use up all the quilt fabric I have, and to that end, will finish up some projects I have laying around. This is one- and I sewed some table runners, and now I will finish the hand quilting on another half-finished one, then I will make some tops- and that will be it.

The second last clue is done on Springtime Swirl (I am dizzy from all the swirling) and I can begin the sideways edging.

I hope this is the beginning of a productive summer. See ya!

Mousie Time

April 30 was Tax Day in Canada, and Chops was doing his best to keep it all in order. He makes a fine paperweight.

I don't think I lost any weight this week, and for some reason I've been tired and lackluster, and just not my usual self. Watching the news certainly doesn't help, with all the bad stuff about Swine flu and you-name-it, it is depressing. But on the other side of the coin....

A lovely box did arrive from California, and part of it was Mouse Ears for Laura, and an assortment of aerial balls for Rabbit!

Some gorgeous Lisa Souza Alpaca that Jewel got signed from LS herself! Mwah!

As well, the highly covetable Enchanted Knoll Merino laceweight in Chai- I got a bonus skein....

...and Queen Mermaid. Mwah to Josette!

I have been working on the Gansey and the Springtime Swirl while watching all of the Bob Newhart shows- not the Larry/Daryl/Daryl ones- the original where he's a psychologist in Chicago. I forgot how funny he is. I love those '70's shows.

I think I'll put on the Mouse Ears and go and weed the garden. See you next week.

Recession? What Recession?

Yesterday was a landmark event for the fiber freaks that live in the GTA, the Downtown Knit Collective had it's annual Knitter's Frolic at the Japanese Cultural Center. This is a show that I have been going to for years, and can remember it's small beginnings in a church hall, it's now a testament to the exploding fiber scene here. I like this event, because the venue is really refined, and even though there seem to be more vendors every year, it's manageable.

I'll cut to the chase and show you the haul- because every time I go, I say I'm not going to buy anything, but you all know how full of shit I am:
Trisha was there from Indigo Moon, and she was having a buy 4 get one free deal, so tell me-what would you have done? You would have come home with 2 skeins of Pumpkin and 3 of Autumn Harvest. Of course you would.
The lovely Tanis, of Tanis Fiber Arts was there, and I had been looking for a very swimming-pool like colour in lace- I could almost smell the chlorine.

I've looked at this yarn for a while, and I do want to support any Canadians that I can (all I brought back was from Canada) so I got 4 skeins of this natural Shetland, from Ontario.

I've met Lori from Oceanwind Knits before, and she has a new design out, using her amazing laceweight. I picked up some matching beads as well.

The knitted Booby has increased in cup size, and I am on clue 4.

Last week I talked about learning the Channel Island cast on, and went on Youtube. It is nothing more than longtail cast-on wrapped twice around the thumb, and then a yarnover. The gauge for this design (Penhaligon) will be slightly looser than the norm, as using a 2.00mm to 2.25 mm will just about kill my hands, so therefore I won't have a hope of seeing it in this lifetime. But that's what Twisted Traditions is all about- bending the rules slightly.

I have some re-arranging to do. Have a great week. I know I will.

Can We Talk?

Of all the challenges that I have faced in my life, the one I'm finding the hardest is my weight situation. I'm not kidding myself here that I'll ever be a size 0, or age 17 again, but I would like to fit into my clothes. I pulled out all the summer clothes from storage yesterday, and got rid of about half of them. The ones left are all too small.

You may remember that in 2007 I lost 32lbs at Weight Watchers. I could go back, but that type of thing is really not for me. I don't know about the weekend meetings, but on a Friday morning it is one big social club- and you can't hear the Leader for all the talking. When I decide to do something I become really focused, to the exclusion of all else, and the online thing, well, no. I can save myself the membership fees and just do it on my own.

This week was good, in terms of food. I stuck to proteins and salad, and I enjoy all the healthy stuff, snacking on apples and pears. Once I stop eating the junk, I lose my desire for it. But aren't we all sick of talking about weight and diets? We all seem to be obsessed with it.

There was some excitement at Chez Sheriff this week. Zelda, our Bearded Dragon has been digging to China in her tank, and hasn't been eating. She seemed like she had gained weight and when I wento to look in on her on Friday night- she had laid 20 eggs. I had no idea this could happen, because she hasn't been with a male. By the time Laura got home she was covering them up, so Laura removed them and the digging has stopped. They have no maternal instincts apparently, but who knew? I certainly didn't.

I finished the 2nd sleeve of the tunic- and I now have to wash and block, then photograph. It looks really blobby right now- but that's how Fair Isle looks before blocking. I'm going to begin my Gansey, and I have to learn the Channel Island Cast-on. Thank goodness for Youtube.

This knitted booby is the beginnings of the Springtime Swirl KAL, and it's a circular shawl with leaves. I'm using Woolen Rabbit merino lace in Frosted Sage, and FOR ONCE I shopped the stash, and didn't purchase anything especially for a project. This is progress for me.

Today we're taking my 85 year old Aunt Bunny to Swiss Chalet for her birthday. If I am ever lucky enough to reach that age in good health I want to be like her. She's still going to Bingo and the Casino and doing her thing. She's an absolute hoot!

Have a great week, and hopefully it will be sunny and warm, somewhere.