The Weekend....Family Visits....etc........

We all have families....and with them come family responsibilities. Complex, complicated...and fraught with many mixed emotions. We get through these events with smiles, laughs, tears, regrets and a whole slew of emotions...which, I mostly attempt to avoid dealing with for fear that a conflict will arise that I just can not deal with at this time in my life. This time of year is filled with many such events.

My family is fraught with personalities that always seem to know what IS better for you, than you do. This judgement is usually made without discerning all the facts, with preconceived perceptions determined from one's childhood and with no allowance made for evolution of one's life and growth. It works like this, I say black and they most assuredly WILL say WHITE!

Through the years, I have come to realize that the best way to coexist with them is to NEVER, ask for their help. It is more effort than resolving things yourself and it usually results in little being accomplished. Dealing with UFO boyfriend is a similar experience.

My brother came to visit this weekend from Phoenix. He is my little brother. He is married to his second wife, a woman that I prefer to no longer associate. I have my reasons. He understands them. It still makes our relationship difficult. Other issues make our relationship difficult as well. I am never-the-less happy that he came to visit and that he helped me fix the foyer chandelier which, is now dust free with all the light bulbs working.

We spent all day Saturday together. We had $1 dogs at the Temperance House and a few beers, worked on some things at the house, got caught up, had beef stew.....and watched UFO boyfriend himself, show brother that he is NOT a good influence on my life....even though brother told me at the Temp, his perception was that UFO boyfriend had had a profound positive influence on my disposition. NOT!

UFO boyfriend is a disruptive influence on my existence. To explain, UFO boyfriend was supposed to be here around noon, he never showed up until 4pm. He was supposedly working on his many cars. I got upset and told him not to come. He shows up anyway. If I accept another date,I am concerned that he will show up and interrupt that other date. If I plan to do something else and get started, he interrupts this too. This is my dilemma. So much for changing your behavior as a method, for encouraging changed behavior from others....because, with some difficult people, this will NOT WORK EITHER!

This routine seems to occur every Saturday afternoon. I have no idea what he does, I just don't like it. I never know if he will come or not and am tired of the DRAMA that ensues and the anxiety it produces in my life. So here is brother actually beginning to accomplish an important task. UFO boyfriend, shows up and calls from the driveway, expecting me to stop everything and go outside and help him fix his broken headlight with phillips screwdrivers in tow. I say, come inside and say hello. I hand him the tools and say, I am busy, you are late and interrupting my progress. I have things to do and your problem is NOW yours. If you had come earlier, we might have addressed this as part of our day. He did not like it, but learnt that day, life was going to change.

It has to. Why is it that some people do not treat you with respect until you have a confrontation? Why do they require you to go to that extreme? It boggles my mind. If someone asks me to stop doing something that bothers them....I talk it through and make a choice as to whether I will comply or not. UFO boyfriend for some reason prefers to continue the drama and anxiety and disrespect of my time. He also, clearly ignores my request that he move on with his life, if this is the case. I am stumped on this one.

It is as if, I am invisible to him. Or we are having a relationship his way, whether I accept this or not. It is really an extraordinary situation, that I never can quite explain to others. However, now that brother agrees this is not so easy to diagnose, I feel better. Because he is right. UFO boyfriend....is an anomaly and just another cross, I have to bear in my life these days.

So we had beef stew, that turned out great....and hop devil beer which, was wonderful....and listened to UFO boyfriend play his electric guitar....and watched three o'clock high a funny movie together...followed by Now, Voyager with Bette Davis.....I love Bette! Theme of both of these movies, lead character, pushed around by others....finally stands up, finds their balance, will to follow their own heart and changes their life, while ignoring what those around them think or believe ....and survives to become a stronger and much admired person. I think I will watch them again and knit and hope that somehow this rubs off on me.


Sunday, brother and I went to visit our uncle and our aunt. I was glad that we did, we had a good time. After which, we went out to Barnaby's in Havertown to watch football. The rams lost, the cardinals lost and the eagles lost. Not one of our teams won. We had fun. Came home and relaxed. I was exhausted from the entire weekend. I still am. I worked on a gift scarf all weekend. It is still not finished.

I met another knitter at the sports bar this weekend, she had on a beautiful yellow shawl she had made. If you are living near Barnaby's ( route 3 and 476 in Havertown area) and you read this blog, bring your knitting and come watch football with me....on Sunday afternoons.

The scarf I am making is similar to the UFO boyfriend scarf, but it has a different border pattern and is made out of mountain colors 4/5 wool. I am using #9 US circular bamboo needles. I like this diagonal rib pattern for the center part of the scarf. It is different and is masculine....and makes a good gift for the men in your life. I am also happy with the yarn that I am using, it is nice and soft.



Here is the progress of my sleeves for the sugar drop sweater. The pattern can be found in Knitting on the Edge by Nicky Epstein.

Knitting Tip:
Knit both sleeves at once on a circular needle. I find this the most expedient way to knit socks and sleeves or anything that you are in need of two of the same parts. It allows the reading of the pattern only once and there is no need to attempt to match the sizes by counting rows.

The illustration to the left, shows you how it works out. In this case, this yarn came skeined. So I had to wind it into a ball on my ball winder and only have one ball left. I am using both the outside string and the center pull string for each sleeve. Hopefully, I will be done with the sleeves by the weekend. This project is getting old with all the stockinette stitch....and is past its prime and ready to become a sweater that is worn.

Wishing you all a wonderful day,
Smiles to you,
DC

Yipes........its.....Chanukah...the Fourth Night....

I love this holiday....I love to light the candles each night....I love it even better, when I am dating someone that actually enjoys giving gifts. Sadly....UFO boyfriend is a total GRINCH!!! He needs to be replaced...does
he not???? He has never even bought me a flower...although, one day last spring, he did pick some beautiful white flowers from a tree for me, which was sweet! and surprised the heck out of me!

Actually, most of my girlfriends are dating men that are selfish and cheap. They are cute and successful, but expect to date a girl for the rest of their lives, without making an investment or a committment. Where are the nice guys? Are you out there, because I know several very attractive women that would be interested.

One of the worst moments of Thanksgiving Day weekend was the single's party at the Buck Hotel, when my girlfriend turned to me and said....where are all the attractive men? I looked around...and I had to agree, there were none. It sort of made me happy to be with UFO boyfriend....but, that was just a moment of INSANITY.

We having been talking about this, since last week and we are working on preparing a list of what we want in a MAN....besides the obvious attributes and equipment :-) Have you ever done this? It makes sense, because before you get upset that you can't find what you want in a man....make sure that , THAT YOU KNOW WHAT you want and it is in the forefront of your mind. We each got that advice from a male FRIEND....and it is good advice.

The next question is where do you meet a good man when you are 50 and over. Trust me Match.com is not the answer....or let us just say it is not working for me. I keep getting mail from men that should consider signing up for that Extreme Makeover show. I told one of them the other day, that I did not think we would make a good match, but thank you for taking the time to write to me. It was a very kind and sweet letter.

His response, " sorry, YOU DO NOT THINK!"

Now who wants to date a rude man like that. You can not expect everyone to be attracted to you. Chemistry is a rare and beautiful thing. I told one guy, I went out with who was separated and made nasty comments about his wife, who was the mother of his three children, that when he left this date, he should find any florist and buy at least a dozen bouquets of roses. Find his wife and beg her to take him back. After, child support and alimony, that guy would be lucky to afford a cardboard box to live in....let alone taking a date once a week to mickey D's for dinner. He could not afford to divorce her on his salary.

Match is filled with men, that seem to have financial problems, have young children who will not leave home til they are 72, men who think they are still looking 35 when they are at least 60, men who have not gotten a new outfit since 1976, men who forgot their table manners, men who have never been married...and we know why...LOL!!!, men who are reliving their college frat days, men that think a fun date is sitting in their PJ's and talking to you on the phone all night long and men that are obsessed with younger women.

If you are thinking of divorcing your husband, and he is an okay guy....just not thrilling you lately....think again. Hold on to that good guy....because good guys are hard to find. I sadly, did not have this option.

My ex was real head case.

Where can a nice girl, meet a nice respectful kind man these days? If you kno a good guy for me....please send him my way. I need help, I have been looking for four years and still have not found what I am looking for....now didn't someone write a song with that title?

Wishing you all a very Happy Chanukah filled with eight days of lots of fiber goodies.......
Smiles to you,
Deborah

On The 41st Day Before Xmas I Hope My True Love Gets For Me: A Cocktail Ring!

....a title to an advert in my emails this morning.........

"Lydia Courteille 18k White Gold Skull Ring, 7,430 GBP, CLICK PIC FOR MORE INFO " That is $15,351.10

My question is that sticker shock on the the skull ring's face or am I alone in this thought? LOL!!!

If I had a ONE TRUE LOVE, and he spent $15,000 on a ring that looked like this.......well, let's just say....I would advise him, since we are on the subject of skulls...a lobotomy might be the answer... UGGGHHHH!

No offense Lydia Courteille, I am sure that this ring is ART... and could be a gift, some lucky woman receives from her beau....but, UFO boyfriend, in case you are reading this post....THIS IS NOT MY TASTE! or STYLE!!!.....it reminds me of one of those rings we used to get for 25 cents out of the gumball machines when I was growing up.......

Not to mention I am thinking this would be more appropriate for Halloween!!!! I also think it is interesting that the face points to the side, instead of to the public....front. So which, finger would you wear this on...your pointer finger? and when....you were yelling at a staff member? your boss? your significant other?
road rage? LOL!!!

NEXT........so did you survive your family Thanksgiving? Ours is small, since almost everyone on that side of the family is dead.....including the family members that would also start the fighting. And not one of the three cousins had kids....so that end of my family seems to be ending with my generation. It was peaceful, even UFO boyfriend was on "good behavior". His term, not mine. He was on good behavior the entire weekend... so what is up with that????

Friday I had lunch at my favorite restaurant, KELLY's on Lancaster ave. I had the fish and chips as usual. Small menu, but, all the food is good and fresh.

Saturday, I went shopping in New Hope, it was quite nice. While passing the Bucks County Playhouse complex I saw all these big birds flying down and a group of people crowded around...so I had to walk down and look. I think they may be some sort of vultures, not sure....But, what a sight!!!! Some of them were standing there drying off their wings in the sun. If you recognize this bird, let me know what it is....I am curious.

I stopped for a glass of wine at Havana's on main street. They have heaters all over the porch, so you can sit outside on a cold and crisp day. It is nice...although $9 for a glass of pinot noir is a bit pricey, if you ask me. I do not recommend the food at their restaurant, it is just not that good.

Then I went to the New Hope Winery for wine tasting. It was fun, plus they had lots of treats there to sample. I bought red wine biscuits that were absolutely scrumptious and a bottle of their Pennsylvania Chancellor red wine, which was very dry and delicious! They describe it " A Full-bodied robust red with a peppery finish. " I highly recommend this wine at $12.99 a bottle. Then to the Temperance House for my Saturday afternoon $1 hotdog with sauerkraut. You can have any one of their six toppings in any combination for that price. A rare bargain. They also make a great bowl of chili.

I am working on my Nicky Epstein sweater with the three cluster bobbles. The pattern can be found in the book, Knitting on the Edge. If you do not own this book, I highly recommend it as an addition to your knitting library.



I finished the back and am half way done the front. I was knitting like a fiend on Sunday at Barnaby's while watching the Rams give away the game to the Seahawks. They finally won two games....and were winning this game....and then....they blew the tie point one yard from a touchdown! My question is when are they going to fire coach Linehan.....he is amazingly bad.........and no one is doing anything about it!!!!

Stitch n' Bitch in Bucks County is having another knitting meeting at the Starbucks in Newtown, PA, this evening. I started this group in Ravelry....but, all who want to sit, knit and BITCH with us are welcome. We will be there from 7 pm onward. Last week we stayed until 9:30 pm. There were three of us, plus the ex-hubbie decided to sit down with us........why? I just can't figure it out.

He showed up at the Buck Hotel on Wednesday nite....as well, and actually stopped by the table to meet UFO boyfriend and my other friend. Go AWAY....please. My aunt thinks he is stalking me now, that he has nothing monetarily to hold over my head....who knows....but, I find it totally embarrassing! Where is that girlfriend, he left me for, six years ago? Please marry him and keep him busy and out of my hair!!!

I thought contentious divorces meant the ex, went away permanently....and never wanted to speak to you again. How does someone drag you through court, find a judge to "influence", drags you into court constantly on every trumped up charge he can conjure up to run you out of money, for four entire years......, leaves you without alimony, when you have not worked at his insistence for the last 14years....practically has you evicted from your own home and labelled as a "bad housewife" to force you to accept his ridiculous divorce settlement......and after all that, he wants to be warm and fuzzy friends?

I mean cheating and lying during the marriage was not enough for this guy.....he made sure I was drawn and quartered in public....for getting angry when he cheated on me.......LOL!!! ....and may I add for the general public, in case you are contemplating cheating on your spouse....most spouses are going to get very mad...and want a divorce....if they have any dignity left. Just a wee something to consider before, you think you really need to have a one night stand.....with that cutie you just spotted.

Why is it, that the biggest creeps in our society today, get away with "murder"? Is the art of lying more highly prized these days than the truth? I felt like a rape victim in my divorce. My entire life was put on trial...but, the guy that broke the marriage contract's vows, got away scott free! Such is life....it is not always fair....BUT, IT SHOULD BE!!!!

So back to the bobble sweater, I just finished the decreases for the armholes of the front....YIPPEEE!!! That means less stockinette stitches to knit. The best part of the sweater was making the bobbles for the bottom points. The rest is primarily stockinette....so this was my knit in public sweater for the past few months....until, I really made major progress during the Rams game. This sweater has mostly been knit standing in bank lines, doctor's offices and waiting at red lights, while driving. I like the yarn as well, it is blue heron beaded cotton in the colorway called Sand I. It is very soft and nice to knit with on bamboo needles.

....and lastly, this is the soap sac that I made with the bobbly yarn

with high twist that I promised a photo of many, many months ago... So I am a procrastinator....I eventually get it done. I like using this textured yarn, I found on ebay, for the soap sac as it will help slough off all my middle aged dead skin cells....and provide a massage sensation.

I use the first cotton one that I made, each and every day in my shower and it is wearing well and is very soft and thick....but,I wanted to try a new one....

I will let you know how my thoughts on which one of the soap sacs I like better. Find the free pattern here

Tired of typing on this blog, for today. I want to get back to my knitting. I want to finish this sweater, in the next week. I am tired of it...and I am trying really hard not to cast anything new on until I finish at least one project. I have been thinking lately of making a pair of those fingerless mittens for winter blogging. I am searching now for a good pattern and if I do not find one soon....I will make up my own.

Wishing you a wonderful fiber filled evening,

Smiles to you,
DC

HELLO CAN CHANGE THE WORLD......

Hello.......

Today is World HELLO DAY!

"Held on November 21-World Hello Day started due to the conflicts between Egypt and Israel in 1973. Since then, it has been celebrated by people in about 180 countries! Anyone can participate simply by saying "hello" to 10 strangers. People around the world use the celebration as an opportunity to express their desire for world peace. The activities of the day help send messages to world leaders, showing them how to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts and come to agreements. All it takes is one simple friendly gesture!"

Sometimes, we are all so busy, we forget the basics....to smile and send cheer out into our world....and today is the perfect day to see what a difference those two small actions can do to change YOUR WORLD and your own life. Do it!

Please also remember all those that you come into contact with, who are perhaps alone on Thanksgiving Day...consider inviting one of these persons to your Thanksgiving table....you will not be sorry that you did.This is a yearly tradition in my family. It is awful to be alone on a holiday. Your generosity will be returned
tenfold!

Happy Thanksgiving to all......
smiles to you,
DC

No finished UFO's or other OBJECTS to report........

It is the week of thanksgiving...and I do not know about you....but, this year is almost over...and I feel like I have accomplished so little...other than my heart is still beating, I can still function and get my daily errands and chores accomplished.

It has been a crazy month....for me, so much has happened, none of it exceptional...and most of it a blur...

I am baking sweet potatoes as I type this for my favorite T-ay holiday dish. I saw it made on Oprah years ago...and you can probably find the recipe on her site. I modified it and it is really wonderful....so here it is.

Sweet Potatoes with Carmelized Granny Apple Casserole

4 lbs of sweet potatoes roasted in oven at 450 degrees until soft. Peel skin
off and mash in a bowl.

3 granny apples, peeled, sliced and chopped. Put it into a saute pan with 1/4 cup
of butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar and sauted until carmelized and brown.

In the meantime, melt 1/2 stick of butter and then, mix with 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4cup brown sugar, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Pour this mixture over sweet potatoes and add 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed OJ and mix well. Fold in the apple mixture.

Pour into a casserole and top with large marshmallows...put in a preheated oven at 375 degrees and bake for 30-45 minutes until marshmallow top blows up...

Make sure to put aluminum foil in the oven under the casserole, or you will have a real mess...but, a MESS well worth it. You can make the potatoe mixture in advance, I did tonite, and then just pour into a casserole the day of your event, let it come to room temperature and then follow baking instructions.

My friends who do not like sweet potatoes, love this recipe...they can never believe that it is so good!!! enjoy!

I am having Thanksgiving with my aunt, a second cousin, a friend of aunties, and UFO boyfriend. She invited him....who knows why, because she does not like his behavior either. We are really not getting along lately. He has done some things that I really do not know if I can forgive. He insists that we will work it out, but I just
do not see that happening. Or any effort to make this come to fruition on his part.

I am dating others at this point. I just have not met anyone else that, I even remotely like being with for more than a few dates. It is so hard to meet someone at my age, we are all so set in our ways and have so much baggage we are toting around.

I think it is especially tough at this time of year not to have a SO that you enjoy being with...during all the celebrations. I am not looking forward to experiencing this again in 2007.

And if that is not enough to deal with, the ex-hubby has been turning up wherever, I am for the past few weeks. Spooky. Last night we had the first meeting of the Bucks County ravelers at Starbucks in Newtown and who shows up...and without his knitting. LOL! He pulls up a chair and starts to talk, like he was an invited guest. No he does not knit. I reminded him how he tried to value my stash at $25k during our divorce. Can you believe it? Who does a thing like that?

My thought, if you are considering divorce, nothing is sacred, get your stash out of your house, safely to a storage facility and do not tell anyone!!!

He is trying to convince me to give him back his golf clubs he left at the house, which are now legally mine. I said, I would be happy to give them to him, if he pays me the money he owes. Well you know how that goes, no where...it is circuitous, so I think I am just going to put them up for auction on ebay...because
when they are gone that argument is over.

I am working on a felted bag from the book, Knitters Stash with some stash yarns. It is for my aunt. I still have not assembled the Nicky Epstein 25th anniversary scarf...all parts are still lying in a box, to do. I am planning on sorting my stash this weekend and to start putting it up for sale. It is overwhelming me and I know that I will never use it all in a lifetime. Most was bought on sale at exceptional prices and I figure, I may as well pass it on to someone that will enjoy it and use it.

I think part of my hoarding fibers had to do with the mess my marriage was in and the distress of the long divorce proceedings. I want to destash my entire life these days and live simpler. It is like that old george carlin skit on STUFF...the more stuff you have the more time it takes to manage it all...it is a never ending fight. It sucks up your time.

I went to watch UFO boyfriend play at open mike night
at the rusty nail on haverford ave in ardmore, two weeks ago. It was fun. Many of our friends were there we had not seen in a while. He was not playing well in my humble opinion, so I was a little a disappointed.

The place is a bit of a dump...but there is good music and if you live nearby it is fun to go and listen to the locals play, on Thursday nights.






On the way home, I was behind this truck. I had to take a photo of it. I never saw anything like this. I guess I never wondered how a crime scene got cleaned up. I always thought it was done by the police or some other government agency. Apparently this is a career job and
business for some people.

YUCK....I guess this goes with the funeral home business, we know very little about this.

The following evening, while I was driving downtown, I heard a news report that in Havertown there is a gang of people, one woman and four men that are house jacking people's homes. The woman knocks at your door, and when you open it, the guys rush in and tie you up and rob you. Lovely!

I rarely answer my door these days unless I am expecting someone. I guess this is the safe way to live these days. Be careful if you do answer, because that person who looks hurt or injured and needing help may be
a ruse. It is probably safer to just call the police. What a world we live in!

This is the new puppy, I almost bought. I fell in love
with her photo, but someone came and bought her
the night before, I was going to visit her.

I was upset.

I have been looking for a companion for Koko for two
months with no luck. It is becoming depressing.

It is so hard to find a really wonderful pet...and even
harder if you are searching for a companion for another
pet.....

If anyone reading this blog knows of someone with a litter of shih tzu's from a reputable breeder, please let me know...
I am so tired of reading the endless ads that lead no where...and I refuse to pay over $1000 for a dog...that is just insane!



wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday,
smiles to you,
deborah

well where should i begin..........

it's november....
NOVEMBER....where did this year go? Daylights savings time is back....and it is dark most of the time. I despise this time of year. The loss of light heavily affects me.....I find myself easily depressed until December 21st, the longest day of the year is over, because then I know it is uphill from there.

So it has been 12 days since I blogged....and that 12 days has been full of STUFF.....and most of it not good.

Let's start with the good stuff.........it will be easy. I went to visit a girlfriend....from my high school days. She bought a new house. I love it...it is a wonderful place....with good spirits, and I went alone and enjoyed myself immensely. To the left is a photo of me at her party.

...and that was the weekend before halloween........


...and it is 11:20pm....and I have had a long day...so will leave you here...with a promise to post more tommorrow...


Happy Trails,
DC

just have to say this............

I am abysmally.........and totally, techno deficient.......html...makes me wince.........
the time it took me to file this last post............is just sacrosanct....simply that!!!!

I am a NEIMAN MARCUS girl....

and always will be, even if these days it is only at heart. This is a caricature of me that was done by a famous political cartoonist....at my home.

I love neimans...or NEEDLESS MARKUP...and always have. I think it was the only benefit I can recall of my so-called marriage....that lasted 12 years. I miss the couture salon. I miss having the money to buy new Chanel suits. Talk about artwork...those suits are worth every penny and then some. ...and own a place far and above other couture.

I am now consigned to their discount store called LAST CALL and only on special occasions. Divorce brings inevitable status changes. But I can still oogle their wares online....for me, they always have the most stunning clothes and accessories...and the photos bring inspiration.

I have always been into fashion. Not for its status...but, for its beautiful simplicity. I grew up sewing the clothes, that I could only one day dream of affording. I grew up at the tail end of the hippie rage...coffeehouses, pot,dragging torn embroidered bell bottoms, james taylor, linda ronstadt, joni...oh i still love you, mitchell,.....james brown...and then I went to college...and DISCO FEVER hit...and I sewed Chloe, yves st laurent, geoffry beene (jumpsuits remember them?),anne klein, etc. to be whirled and twirled in. John Travolta, Patrick Swayze...

I pray to the couture gods...which inspire us, in ways we don't realize....even when we are not privileged to attend their runway shows...and better yet can afford to buy their wares. I loved that movie "The Devil Wears Prada" It is so true, their remark about THE trickle down effect several years later....because eventually all of us wear the effects of couture...even when your budget is kohls, target, walmart...etc.

So again today....I am supplying you with inspiration from the COUTURE GODS....those that create...and get picked up by the likes of NEIMANS...as these things provide a starting point to creativity ....that YOU CAN HAVE....even without a Couture level purse.....if you have the skills to create....and if you knit, crochet or sew...you can make things that will be even better...check this inspiration out. AND, employ your god given INGENUITY....instead of oogling...or resenting those that CAN BUY it. YOURS WILL BE BETTER...because, you made it yourself....Imperfections are what beauty and style is about!!!!!!




This scarf...is wonderful...mink and cashmere. But...it could be done with fun fur and felting..... take a look at it...just fringes and welting....and rosettes..... make a base scarf..alternating fun fur and wool...and add the rosettes.........How do you make rosettes?




either knit or crochet in a straight row.....and then take the end....and wind in a spiral....tack with sewing thread and you have a flower...or a rosette. so what it is not mink....it is fun fur and wool.














this next photo...garter stitch a triangular shawl...add lace...


either crocheted lace...or knitted lace....or store bought lace...or take a piece of wool that you buy at a store...and sew lace onto it...or add your own lace that you knit or crochet.







make a shawl...basic triangular shawl and add fur to the edge....real fur cut from one of your old furs....or one of the fun fur yarns.....






















Cast on a number of stitches....based on gauge of the yarns selected
.....knit...and then next row in a ribbon yarn...k2 together...either every so many rows...or k2 together...every other stitch...to get the runch effect.


and you will have this look. how easy is this look....cast on a large number of stitches, knit or crochet... and alternate with a row of ...knit two together with one of those fabulous tape or ribbon yarns...and you have this look


I see this stole done with mohair and nylon ribbon....perfect for halloween...your shroud stole!!!!!





Look at this pattern...fair isle phanatics....this is for you..graph it up...



intarsia knitting or crochet...graph up a pattern....and make it into a shawl...perfect for the cooler fall weather........is it not?

cost per neiman's $1300, it is worth your time and effort...do it!





wishing you a fabulous fun weekend,
smiles to you,
DC

My Ducks are NOT in a ROW - P.S.

It is a conspiracy.....I just went to ravelry to log in...and I could not get in. I forgot something....my user name or password......HELP!

I am seriously techno deficient. Ask me anything about knitting...I can answer. Ask me anything about crochet....I can answer. Most fiber related questions I am good at....but, technology...computers....it is just one straight PUNT....and I took a 5 day course on computers at the local community college.

Is it me?????....or has technology just, gotten more complicated...instead of easier? Why can't I remember all this stuff....passwords, user names...etc. Is there a name for that syndrome?....why isn't there?

....it is millicent knocking....let her in....automatic. Like my burgular alarm...my house key...my car key. I blame this all on those sites....that make you change your password when, you forget it and make you type in all those weird shaped numbers and letters....

Hello.....I am going to forget it again....BECAUSE.....eventually you have too many passwords....and too many user names....and have typed in too many confirmations, to prove YOU ARE NOT A SPAMMER!

I am having a mid life crisis...and the net....is not helping!!!! I need to be defragmented....NOT MY COMPUTER!

On the happy front.....I did find the group that I set up at ravelry....and I have members to my bucks county group....YIPPEEE!!!

I just love fiber people.....they are sooooooooo cool!!!!!! I am going to go back...to try again....here's hoping, the CYBERFORCES will be with me...because I need a banner for the group...and I just do not know if I am up to the challenge.

Sorry, I just needed to RANT....in WRITING!!!! If I can't tell my blog...no one will know...that is, if anyone can find it.... :-)

Smiles to you,
DC

My Ducks are Still NOT in a Row.....

but, not for lack of trying. I am. I think I am suffering from that Missing Sock from the Dryer Curse....except, I am the sock that HAS GONE missing ....and just trying to find my way back inside the DRYER DRUM...and not having much luck....

I got my invite to RAVELRY...and I got to work, setting up. Of course, I did not read ALL,the instructions like a good little girl....I just wanted to get started. I was making real progress....and THENNNNNNNNNN....

The site went down for maintenance....of course, I did not know that....I am NO TECHNO WHIZ....It just would not work....I kept running through the steps...I was wired from the caffeine and nacho cheese....so I began to retrace my cyber steps...

All this happened.....just as I set up a group for Bucks County Fiber enthusiasts because, I could not find one and have not been able to find one.....close by, not held in a LYS....

I have sworn off stash enhancement for two years(I DO NOT TURN DOWN GIFTS OR DONATIONS. I have not gone completely, DAFT! :-)....The LYS is not the place for me...I do not need a 12-step program to tell me this. I have no willpower when it comes to yarn.

So, I began doing a few other things.....and checking back. I wasted another hour or so... before getting the novel idea to read the site's directions....and while reading them....I realized:

YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO START A GROUP without ....FIRST finding three members to join you, in said GROUP.....OOOPS....not even 24 hours later, I am in violation of their RULES.....

....after waiting months for my invite...in less than 24 hours, I had probably, been BONGED from the site for not following the rules....banished forever and without notice.......

NEXT.....

I moved on to my next, TRY to do...Let's try the facebook site, which has been mentioned so frequently in the news.....and find out what is going on there.

I never did go to bed that morning..........

I signed up on facebook, success... I started perusing the fiber groups to join....and noticed there was NO, free form knitting and crochet group....and I decided to set one up.

Did I really make that decision? Hadn't that been where I blew it on Ravelry? In my defense, please recall....I had been eating that nacho cheese without any nutritional value....and was a little wound up from all that caffeine...and NO SLEEP.

I am not kidding.....I actually, tried and tried to upload a photo there....and it was just plain hopeless. Same scenario, different site....no explanation notice....Just plain ole....we don't want YOUR photos....we don't want YOUR group....and we are not going to tell YOU why! I felt like a cyber outcast....

And, just about then, a delayed notice came up....Ravelry is down for maintenance...they did not bong me...they like me...they were just busy :-).
I HOPE..........

I have not had the guts to go back on that site to see if some kind souls...joined my group....and covered my butt...ipso facto....

And, the truth be known...I am glad they allowed me to join....but, Honestly, I think I am going to need to wait for the book...RAVELRY for dummies....because...well....I am not good with all those rules. I am looking to simplify my life....not make it more difficult.

I decided to take some time off from Millicent(my computer) and the net...

I am not strong enough....

I got some well deserved rest......and DID a little knitting....as in DO something....rather than, think about it, talk about it, write about it, read about it....JUST DO IT. I have been more successful and made some progress in the march toward finishing up....those UFO's in my closets....my HIDDEN TORMENT!

Knitting I can do. I can take some yarn....cast on....and make something.....it may not be perfect....but, it is mine.... but...binding off...finishing off....I am have difficulty with these days....and it has manifested itself in so many areas in my life.

Blogging is good, net socializing is good....perhaps, it teaches us things we would not know, otherwise....

But, so is binding off...and finishing off. Perhaps, the net has produced all these UFO's....something to think about. What aren't you getting done....because you are talking and typing about it instead?

I need to do more binding and finishing off in my life and a lot sooner. It is the only way, I am ever going to get my ducks in a row and my life back in order. How about you?

Wishing you all a wonderful evening...
Smiles to YOU,
DC

Get your Knitting Ducks in a Row..........

or so the astrological forecast for the week states the COSMOS is insisting we do. Is there any question why I am not sleeping..........LOL!

This has been a tough past week/weekend...so I am up smoking, drinking red wine and NOT HAVING SEX! Problem one!!!!

Problem two: I have a female woodpecker who has decided that my wood siding is tasty! Not the next door neighbor's house, not all the lovely trees in my yard or behind my yard....she likes my house. I have spent the week, dragging my butt down to the kitchen for coffee.....pushing the button and running outside to chase that WOODPECKER off my house! Give me a break...now what am I supposed to do about that dear cosmos?

I told UFO boyfriend....he confirmed it, when he looked at all the holes in my siding and, said, " YOU... have a problem!" .....and I am thinking.....that makes two PECKER PROBLEMS!!!! What happened to male gallantry....? does it still exist?

Problem three: I fell off the UFO wagon...and have finished one UFO and created two in the month of October.... I am now thinking, whatever is left at the end of this year....might just get FROGGED....and I start over with a clean slate.....and no past pressure.

Problem four: More disillusionment....first the dunkin donuts episodes and Now this about TWINKIES ....

"Although eight of the ingredients in the beloved little snack cake come from domestic corn and three from soybeans, there are others — including thiamine mononitrate — that come from petroleum. Chinese petroleum. Chinese refineries and Chinese factories. And there are other unexpected ingredients that are much harder to trace. So much for the great "All-American" snack food..... Now that the tainted pet food scandal has made us more aware that many additives come from overseas, and China in particular....How can you have quality control when you don't even know where the ingredient is coming from? "

I especially like that concept, UNEXPECTED INGREDIENTS!!! LOL!!! The good news is I was never a real fan of Twinkies.......and I am not likely to become one now....but, hey, why require manufacturer's to list ingredients....and NOT require them to use words that we NON-CHEMISTS understand....?

I could be wrong but if the label of any food I bought said...PETROLEUM or PETROLEUM BY-PRODUCTS...I might do a little research before I stick it into my digestive system, especially if it is NOT Calorie FREE! UGGH!...if you can not trust a Twinkie to be safe....it makes you wonder....what is in a cheeto....your tortillo chips, my beloved jalapeno kettle chips, twizzlers licorice, peanut butter tandy cakes.......and the list goes on.......while I am here at my typewriter munching down some salsa and chips.......LOL!

Which by the way, the nacho cheese label did notify me that " This is not a source of dietary fiber or nutrition"...LOL!!! Thank you....I was a little conflicted there, but now, I AM SURE....this is NOT HEALTHY Eating.........

Problem five: I would feel better if I had a cup of coffee and a donut....but, I just do not feel like taking a trip to dunkins....to find that THE MAN who is supposed to be making donuts, is sleeping while I am NOT! Sorry, No donuts today, MISS!

Problem six: I got absolutely nothing constructive done today, except....walking outside,chasing THE woodpecker, talking to a friend about her UFO boyfriend for 4 hours.....and casting on another project.....drinking, smoking and eating a dove bar.....did I say, eating, drinking, smoking, talking.....so much for getting my ducks in a row........

Problem seven: I finally got my ravelry invite the other day....I signed on and I ask you why.........???? It is JUST more forms to fill out. They provide you a place to list out your stash........and I personally am not sure that they have enough server space for a list with photos of MY STASH......and where will I ever get the time to do that....and Not to mention my UFO production...LOL!!!! I think they will be fine with the addition of my Finished projects...NADA...because, let's face it....my attention span these days...is about two minutes...... I think I need to TWITTER!!!

If you twitter...Please feel free to join my friends list.....and if you don't twitter, START....and join my friends list.........

Problem eight: I went downstairs to zap the congealing Nacho cheese....I looked at the clock...and IT SAID 4:30 AM....which means, it is morning and I am at my desk eating nachos with extra hot homemade salsa and drinking red wine....IN THE MORNING!!!! Which I promptly resolved by finishing the wine and putting the glass in the sink...........the bad news is, I do not think that coffee really works with nachos....do you?

Problem nine: The wonderful chipper that I finally purchased on harborfreight.com has not been shipped, because it is on back order! They decided to inform me of this fact 11 days after I placed the order...and 8 days after they said it was going to be shipped. NICE! Just another problem I thought WAS resolved...and IS NOT! Thank you harbor freight........

Problem ten: I am trying to get my proverbial ducks in a row.........but, cosmos please send me something other than a hamster wheel....to work with....because I have to get out of this spinning my wheels rut...I am in....and I could do with a WEE bit of luck to help out!

I think I am going to go down to the war room and try to find the box that contains my copy of 7 habits of highly effective people...because I DO NEED TO READ IT! It is now 5:30 am and I am going to attempt to get some sleep....before the phone starts ringing...

I am standing in quick sand, this week...I feel it!

Wishing you all a productive day.......
Smiles to you,
DC

New Free Form Crochet Book .....

This book was written by someone in my international freeform crochet group. Her work is wonderful and
I suspect this book will be just as fabulous. You can preorder your book at amazon now. I just did.

Just had to let you know.......
Smiles to you,
DC

Friday Fiber Musings.........etc.

I am still working on the paisley bag, dilligently. 17 paisleys finished and I need upwards of 40 for the size handbag I would like to create. I still have not decided if I want to felt the paisleys when completed or just fuse them on some stiffer backing when they are sewn together. I did block the paisleys completed.

I have no other fiber progress stories to relate. The UFO's are languishing....and languishing.

Knitting daily is discussing the sad state of affairs of UFO-dom these days. I have enjoyed reading their posts this week.....their first UFO Poll yielded a total of 65,000 UFO's languishing in various states of completion, which they stated is equal to about 7 UFO/ polled participant and represents 130,000 knitting needles! LOL!

My partial list is contained in an earlier post and way above that average. I guess it is time to confess...I need a UFO 12 step program, desperately.

Will this be the start of a new psycho drug aimed at knitters that can not finish what they start....? Or does this just fall under my eyes are bigger than my stomach, my knit capacity, my personal capacity.....or I am just not into finishing what I start?

Should I be more selective in the projects I select? Should I hire someone to finish what I start? I have been knitting since I am four years old, and must admit, I do not like finishing and never did. The sewing together is just not my thing, it is tedious...or the kind of tedium I do not enjoy.

Is this a function of being too curious or possessing a brain that functions for 20 hands, instead of two? Or is there something to be gained from arriving at the destination or am I just a swatcher at heart?

Knitting daily is doing a new poll on why UFO's become UFO's. The results on monday. I am interested to
find out the results on this one, because I believe that it is the symptom of an as yet undiagnosed problem of
mine.....and messes like my UFO mess usually are.

I am working on my store, but have not made much progress, only one item up for sale to start. I find technology sooooooo tedious, and so at odds with fiber pursuits which are soft and comforting and having the feeling that this is going to become one other UFO in my life.

I just set up a yahoo group for women 40+ that are divorced and want to chat about their new lifestyle/status, rants, raves and foibles. I did a search on yahoo and could not find one, which surprised me....so I probably just failed in my search.

It will be interesting to see if I get any members, just through word of mouth. Here is the link if anyone reading my blog is interested in joining or knows of anyone that would like to join this is the subscription addy dsw40plus-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Subscribe to dsw40plus
Powered by groups.yahoo.com

Wishing you all a fiber filled weekend,

Smiles to you,

DC

Another Finished OBJECT.........

but, not knitting!

I finished my 2006 tax return yesterday afternoon and put it in the mail........YIPPEEEEE! I do this every year, it seems, I file the extension and then from April 15th to October 15th, I do everything and anything but file that return. I would rather mop floors, sew buttons, make mudpies...anything but, that return! I spend the entire 5 days prior to October 15th, sitting at my desk, trying to get my inner child under control, to no avail....It is in full revolt!

I HATE TAX RETURNS...they are an exercise in obtuse thinking...and all I think of when I do them is when do we get to meet the mind behind these ridiculous calculations...talk about disorganized chaos....give me a break.

The good news is during that week, I always get the most ridiculous chores done in my home....in my procrastination tax return dance. This year, I unpacked several boxes of books, organized two garage shelves, cleaned the floor under the shelves...and threw out lots of trash. I need to have a garage sale....or venture
onto to ebay or some such site...and DIVEST! I am such a pack rat. It is depressing.

I did find two boxes of knitting books...that I had been searching for in this mausoleum. I had been looking for my copy of the the the knitters stash ...for this entire year. I found it. I want to make the felted tote bag in there with some old bulky wool I have that I bought for a sweater 15+ years ago and decided the color was not for me....but would look good as a tote bag.

I washed three down comforters....nightmare job....and broke my left big toe trying to put one of them back into its duvet cover....I got tangled in the king sized cover....don't ask....HOUSEWORK IS A DANGEROUS profession. Last time I broke my right big toe, opening my freezer....when a large 10 lb roast beef fell and crushed my toe. Who knew...and when I got to the emergency ward and had to explain, I learned that most
people break toes during thanksgiving, when they drop a turkey on their foot! LOL! So be forewarned turkey
season is coming soon!

Today, I even sewed on the buttons that fell off of my comforter....5+ years ago! Organized bank statements from the last two years! But, still did not write up my knitting patterns still sitting in a pile of notes on my desk......I just hate paperwork, these days....

HERE IS A RECIPE FOR CANTALOUPE CHUTNEY or JAM

I did make this great cantaloupe chutney, I took 3 cantaloupes and chopped them up. added some water 1/4 c, lemon juice 1/4 c and a cup of sugar and let it cook down over low heat. You can stop here and you will have cantaloupe jam, which is delicious. But, I added two slices of red onion, chopped, some dried chile peppers I had, 3....and a shake of cinnamon, nutmeg , garlic and chili powder. YUMMMMMM! It tastes great with any kind of roast...pork, turkey, chicken or beef. Try it.

I am working on a concept bag that I have had in my mind, inspired by the Nicky Epstein Flower Scarf, which I sadly must report is finished except for assembly. Hopefully this week. The bag is going to be made of crocheted free form paisleys each done in various shades of gray. Many of the yarns I selected are natural colored gray hand spun yarn. I am happy with how the paisleys are turning out and I finally have a basic shape of the bag worked out in my mind. I think I am going to use an old cast off belt for the handles if I can figure out how to do that and find those old belts I came across recently.

I found a site that will give you a free store, so I have begun, to set up my store. I know nothing about internet merchandising, so I decided to try the free place first and see how it goes before investing in a more professional set up. There seem to be so many stores, it is hard to believe that most of them make any money. If you have any tips for me, I would be grateful. I will be listing some of my hand spun yarn on the site and some jewelry and finished garments. I will post a link to the shop, when it is ready for an unveiling. Stay tuned...

I found this great quote:

It is good to dream, but it is better to dream and work
Faith is mighty, but action with faith is mightier.
Desiring is helpful, but work and desire are invincible.
--Thomas Robert Gaines

....and speaking of work...click on the above work link....photos of beautiful crochet work and a great essay
on knitting vs. crochet....by Tanis Gray, Yarn Coordinator, Soho Publishing. Well done Tanis!

This is where my focus will be for the end of this year, to work at what I have dreamt....and to complete as many of my unfinished objects as I can.

Wishing you a fabulous day,
smiles to you,
DC

Knitting Tools and other mishaps this Week!

I have labeled this post knitting tools, because I consider a good cup of coffee and a Dunkin Donut...A KNITTING TOOL,.........it helps with creativity. I think it is the munnnnnnch and slurp that is most effective....AND, when the sugar comma sets in I get to dream about all the new projects I want to complete and can not while I am on this self imposed mission to complete the UFO's in my life.

Well I hit a small glitch this weekend....and not at one Dunkin Donuts establishment....but TWO....and IN Two Different States....and will admit I am still recovering from my disillusionment and looking for a replacement indulgence....and I like a good box of donuts...and krispy kremes do not do it for me!!!

I went for a donut and coffee with a friend....in Burlington, NJ, near this fabulous crab restaurant....for dessert. We hit the drive up window...and I am thinking this is pretty kewl, drive by donuts....only to have my hopes dashed. I ordered one plain and one chocolate iced cruller....lots of air, seems to give the belief to moi that there are less calories.........but, I digress. So here comes my bag of donuts....I slowly open my bag....the plain cruller is looking a wee bit small........and I reach in...and it is hot....IT HAS BEEN MICROWAVED...........

Microwaved donuts are a sacriledge! Not to mention it was stale. Okay, next...and the chocolate donut, not stale was not a cruller! I admit to have been desperate enough to chomp them down........but, it just didn't do it for me. But, I was thinking....to myself....that little guy from the commercials is either on early retirement or he is having as difficult a time focusing on his work these days as myself!

So the following day, I take a cruise up to the outlets in Reading, I scored a mighty fine Dooney & Bourke bag...black bumpy leather, huge with pockets that can be used as a fancy knitting bag....... and we had dinner and then on the way back....stopped for some coffee at another DUNKIN DONUTS.....and this place...
had NO DONUTS.....A Dunkin Donuts........WITHOUT DONUTS. The owner said, we have some great muffins...and bagels. I said, Hey....what is going on with Dunkin's....and no donuts, stale donuts? I said, that sign did not say, MARVIN'S MUFFINS or BESSIE'S BAGELS!!!!

I don't know about you guys, but when the sign says donuts, I expect DONUTS.....and when it says DUNKIN DONUTS.... I expect FRESH donuts.....Has the universe gone mad??????

I had a mission....I went to their website and read this....so I wrote to MR. Jon Luther, the Chairman and CEO, who came from POPEYE's Fried chicken....and I got an email asking me to call them. I did. They wanted details. My aunt was sure they would offer me coupons for free donuts...or something........but NOOOOOO!NADA!!! Not even an explanation for why anyone would even consider MICROWAVING A DONUT....they did thank me for my trouble.

That was my weekend...

and then sunday, Lewis Hamilton did not get a penalty....we knew it! That FIA is something else this year. They did however, take away Vettel's penalty, because they could not very well give one to him and not Pretty Boy Hamilton....

The good news is, KARMA stepped in, and Mr. Hamilton's car ran out of tyres and ended up in the gravel and got a DNF ( did not finish ) for the race. Which means Alonso and KIMI could still win the championship. This one is going to the last race, to be held in Brazil on October 21st at noon EST. The FIA will be observing
the equipment carefully to make sure there is no espionage and there is fair play....an official scrutineer will be on hand. I love that word...scrutineer.....

In any case, I got to thinking: when should a UFO become a DNF? I will be contemplating this during the next month....and would be interested in any comments related to that topic....

One last knitting tool comment....while, working on my UFO garage this weekend....I am happy to report that I found a LEAF VACUUM.....now, how cool is that. It has been lying dormant in my garage for years...and was a pre-divorce purchase so it dates back to a time prior to 2002. I have been raking leaves every year for the last 14 years and lugging them behind my fence, so they would not blow back ON MY YARD!...... when I could have just vacuumed my grass!!!! I consider this a very valuable fall knitting tool....because well, my leaves are raked or should I say vacuumed....and this thing mulches them....too...........YIPPEE!!!!

So I was able to finish my blue heron green sweater, just in time....for next spring! I can not take a photo of it yet, because I am going to attempt to submit the design to a knitting publication...so you will have to wait until it is REJECTED.

Gotta go and do my tax return for 2006....YES, another UFO in my life. I just can not face taxes in April....

Wishing you all a FIBER FANTASY WEEKEND...
Smiles to you,
DC

Finally a Degree that Fits My Lifestyle!

The University of Blogging Presents to Konoponop Designs An Honorary Bachelor of Psychotic Ranting Majoring in Artrageous Creations and other UFO's Signed Dr. GoQuiz.com ®

Username:

Blogging Degree
From Go-Quiz.com

fuji formula one 2007 proof of lewis hamilton's violation???

I am a formula one fan...and the big drama today, is that the golden son, lewis hamilton a rookie....could possibly get a penalty before the china race. I am posting it here, because it is not easily found on the net....for all the formula one fans that can not find it. Here it is....watch and decide for yourselves...

The race for the championship is tight...and if the FIA gives Hamilton a penalty...which, IMHO they should....this will make an already exciting race,
even more so. The race is on Sunday.

The allegation is that Lewis, a rookie this year....violated Article 40.10 of F1's Regulations, which reads: "The safety car shall be used at least until the leader is behind it and all remaining cars are lined up behind him. Once behind the safety car, the race leader must keep within 5 car lengths of it."

The evidence submitted comes from an amateur videographer, that posted it to YOU TUBE...LOL! Apparently, this was not captured by regular televised footage.

The sport's governing body stated,Hamilton's driving IS under review, with respect to this stipulation. "New evidence has been brought to the steward's attention and they are currently investigating the matter," said the spokesman.

A decision is expected to be made tomorrow, by the FIA.

The internet is alive, with all kinds of conspiracy theories....and many believe lewis is F1's golden boy...and has gotten preferences he has not deserved. I am one of those.

So grab those sticks and string....and watch the race which will be aired 2am sunday morning from shanghai....this sport is better than the best soap operas on tv!!!!

Wishing you all a great day...

Smiles to you,

DC

standing in front of the KNITTING UFO BILLBOARD....

I finished another UFO....and, I am going to go out this minute, before anything else interferes with my day's intent....and take a photo of my new sweater. It is an original design by yours truly. My original plan, of course was altered and that took thought....a project, which I wanted to be a simple mindless design....changed form....because the yarn I selected ran short. I needed a solution...

My first thought was to head out to my LYS and look for another yarn to complete my project, which was compatible. Instead....I faced my dreaded stash...and dug and dug until I found a yarn that was suitable. I then dug through the button stash...as overwhelming as, the yarn stash....and found new buttons. I live in a virtual yarn store.

I ripped out the sleeve trim and created a new trim with the new yarn. I worried as I knitted. I worried as I ripped out. I worried and worried and worried....and then it hit me...my art WAS imitating my life. LIGHTBULB moment.........

....and it got me thinking....are the Unfinished objects in our life the result of our inflexibilty and the ANXIETY, our inflexibility causes? Does it really matter if we finish using plan J or P or Z as long as we finish and learn? Perhaps our lives would be more productive if we spent less effort focused on a specific route.....to our desires rather than the desires themselves?

Fiber art is comforting and nurturing....we create and we nurture with those creations....but...is the proliferation of UFO fiber projects...a sign that
we knitter's, crocheters, quilters, fiber artists....do not nurture ourselves enough.
Is the size of our stash or the number of UFO's in our closet....a wake up call...
that we are not nurturing our own innate creativity???

....we are thinking of doing...anticipating doing....but not believing in what we do sufficiently, to carry our conception, to its completion....????

That, is why we buy the yarns...or spin the yarns...design the patterns, buy the patterns...get the tools out and begin the journey to create what our minds have conceived.... is it not? so what stops us from completion...and why do we allow the interference with our creative conception....?

Does our inflexibility about our selected route create the belief....that the end result can not be as beautiful or more beautiful than that which only began as a notion in our minds....? does being so involved in a process mean you can never
see your creation's true form....only it's substance?

I am enjoying blogging about my fiber art....and airing my dirty UFO secrets....because within those UFO's lying dormant in my closets....is creativity
that I left behind...locked up....and did not exploit to it's fullest possibilities.....

and yes, I am tormented by those UFO's....they are my hidden torment. They represent my repressed creativity....my repressed dreams....they are an analogy for my life!

So you don't know what to write about on your fiber art blog, Here is my blog tip:

What do your UFO's say about your life? I would love to hear your comments...add them here...or send me the links to where you blog.

And get those UFO's out of your closets....one by one...sit them by your desk as
you blog....and write about the emotions and CLARITY....their completion gives to your life. There is wisdom to be found in our discarded objects...to share, to aid,
to inspire....others.

We can all use a little helping hand...

Wishing you a day of completion....or at least significant progress...

I am going out to take my photo......will be back later.....promise!

Smiles to You,
DC

Loads of inspiration for YOU, today.........

I know, it is my second post......but, saw some interesting things on the web today and wanted to write about them...... Knitted bags and they look so easy to replicate... or as a stepping off point to your own design. I like the leather touches and the linings are quilted fabric.

They are from JUICY COUTURE...a hot designer, these days. I visited one of their stores in santa barbara, CA.

The farthest one is called the jane bag @ $275 and the closest is the renee bag @ $395. Can you believe those prices.

Looks like BIGGGG needles and some lion's brand fishermans wool...or your own handspun bulky...and you have it made! I think a bag would look fabulous in some great natural grey homespun yarn....I just might have to indulge... :-)

yes, I know, focus on finishing up those UFO's or at least 2 before starting another new project.....but, with such great inspiration...............what is a girl to do?????

INSPIRATION #2

The next thing I happened upon was on Neiman Marcus's site.........yes, I know, pricey, pricey.......but, I love NM....have always loved it.....even have a characture statue of myself in my home....and I am holding a NM shopping bag....

They have a video today of the dior runway show...john galliano the designer, commentary throughout. I loved one of his statements....where he said, fashion is important....it inspires us to DREAM....no matter what fashion we can afford.

This video is very inspirational...not just because, he makes some great comments about how we think of fashion and its inspirational value........but, for the fur trimmed capes and stoles and suit jackets. Take a look!

It got me to thinking about all the fun fur yarns out there....that are not that expensive. How easy would it be to update one of your old suit jackets.....by making fun fur sleeves or cuffs to slip over the suit sleeves or trim the edge of a coat, or skirt or how about a great muff to keep your hands warm this fall?

Or how about, updating one of those ponchos you made last season....with some fur edging????

He said, the look he was going for was 40's glam. Monochromatic colors....so gold fabric, gold fur........take a look.........go ahead, you know you want to!!!! ...and remember to wear a bib.....or grab a tissue....the collection is gorgeous this year!

If anyone does make something from this inspiration, I would love to post the photos on my blog...so send them in..............to konoponopdesigns@comcast.net

AND FOR inspiration ###3.........FOR ALL YOU OUT THERE, THAT JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT COLORS TO MIX TOGETHER.........THIS IS BIGGGGGGGGGG!

Check out the colourlovers website........you can sign up....and design your own palettes,experiment,see what colors are hot and are not, what others think are great and also some inspirational photos of autumn colors....if you sign up, you can use the site to keep your own palette ideas....it is really, really neat!

I was so excited to find out about this color site....and all its color palette tools. My mind is spinning from the color possibilities.

Anyway, it is an absolutely lovely day in bucks county...and I want to go outside and knit, and knit, and knit...and who knows, I just might have a finished off project to photo by the end of the day....working on

a short sleeve top and the nicky epstein flower scarf..........

wishing you all a day filled with wondrous inspiration............

smiles to you,
DC

Its morning and I am still not in bed........

I spent the day visiting my cousin, who has been in florida for months. We ate at Pat's steaks... The CHEESESTEAK, was good...very good. I still think they make the best Philadelphia cheesesteaks around....smothered in cheez whiz, onions and hot peppers! I .........which, makes it authentic and calorie rich!
Here is the recipe for their Philadelphia Cheesesteak....YUM!!!!

It was a beautiful day. Then I drove to Delaware to wine shop, I love this wine warehouse on Naaman's road. Lot's of good deals. Then on to Sam's club....for staples...toilet paper and whipped cream...LOL!!!

I love to have whipped cream in my morning coffee....it is my treat. It keeps me sane....and surprising low calorie. It also makes your coffee taste like dessert, if you are feeling deprived on your latest diet.

No knitting done today....I am upset about that. I feel so out of sorts....without Max driving me nuts. It is funny how you really miss the squeakiest wheels in your life...why is that????

Then I decided to do my tarot cards...for FREE on tarot.com. Here is a link...



NOW, what was the first card to come up.......the DEATH card...which, indicates big changes are afoot. I can not take anymore changes this week...I need sleep, I need my knitting needles, I need some quiet time.....

It is tuesday and I am exhausted....and thinking will I make it to the weekend?

Is it any wonder that I am not sleeping??? I think I am going to find some sticks and string and knit til I drop off to sleep....just hope you don't read about me in tomorrow's news.....woman fell asleep and bludgeoned herself to death with knitting needles after getting the death card...online!!!

Just wondering if I should go and count sheep or find my knitting needles...hmmmmmmmmm...wonder what I will work on?....which, UFO will make progress this morning?......stay tuned....

Wishing you all a knit filled day...or at least a minute or two....to click those needles.......
smiles to you,
DC

tears, tears and more tears..........

Mr. Maximillian Thurston the Third.....has passed away, just shy of his 12 birthday. We will miss him.

He was a full sized male yorkshire terrier, (hence the big name) something rarely seen in this era of pocketbook sized puppies. He was 12 lbs and loved to eat and eat.

He would jump up and down when he knew his food was about to arrive. He was a tough guy and liked to spend his days chasing after squirrels and rabbits. He never did catch one, which was his life long ambition....but, he sure did try hard.

His favorite foods were whipped cream, ice cream and ham....any day with one of those was a bit of heaven for max. He had a tough life, because it always seemed that everyone he formed an attachment with, passed away or left him....until he met his best friend, koko bear and I.

We stood by him, even though he was a difficult sort of guy....because he gave great kisses and was very loving. We will miss him. Koko is having a rather tough time of it....so we are spending lots of time together and are searching for just the right new friend for her.

So we are on a search for a new shih tzu ....which is my favorite breed of dogs. They are so flexible and easy to train and do the funniest things.

I have handspun both of these dog's hair, into incredibly soft yarn. Max's was the best, as soft as cashmere, but warmer like angora. Spinning your dog's hair, is a good memory, because with good care you will have a remembrance of your pet, which will be comforting. It is also the reason, I first took up handspinning,when I learned 9 years ago, that my first shih-tzu was dying. I wanted to spin her hair into yarn and knit something to remember her. ( I do this on a commission basis, contact me by email if you have interest in this service. )

I still have this yarn and her friend spekkie's hair and max's...so I think I might make a throw out of all their dog hair yarn. I am still in the designing phase. If anyone has done this, I would love to see photos of throws you made out of dog yarn.

It is so hard to lose a dog that you love, but I think about something that a friend told me, "dogs come into your life, to teach you a lesson....and when that is done, they leave, either by death or they go off on a journey to meet someone else that needs help."

Max taught me, through the years, is that it important to wake up each and every day, and try your best and to do it with love. Be kind and loving to everyone that you meet, because they may have had a worse day than yours. We will miss you gentle friend, rest in peace.

For everyone that has lost a beloved, I wish you peace in your grief.....you never really DO get over the loss, you eventually learn to live with the grief, with more grace, each day that passes.

So koko and I spent the weekend, resting and knitting and spinning. We accomplished a lot side by side this week.....

I spun all this yarn to the left. The gray center pull ball was spun to finish the last 7 flowers for the nicky epstein scarf. I have 33 flowers in all. I decided not to use the white angora, because the contrast was just too strong. Depending how this one turns out, I am thinking of making one for my aunt's birthday in winter whites, using all different yarn textures.

Nicky Epstein flowers, flowers and more flowers!!!!

I also finally took photos of the two scarves I finished a week or so ago. The first one is made out of blue, Coats and Clarks TLC yarn. I will eventually have this pattern for sale. I just have to finish writing up the

5-bobble tassle instructions....and it will be available for purchase.

The second scarf, is made with lion's brand fun fur and hand dyed yarn that I received from a dye swap. The inspiration for this design

came out of an old pattern book my great aunt gave to me from 1932.

sorry about the last photo,it is not very clear. Here is the scarf recipe, for anyone that is interested. It is called the Pittsburgh Scarf after my aunt's birth place.

Materials:

US #9 knitting needles

1skein of Lion's Brand fun fur (MC)

1 skein of a contrast wool yarn worsted weight. (CC)

Notes:

Pick any colors that you like. I carried the contrast yarn up the sides, because it got lost in the fun fur fluff.

It is your choice whether you want to do this. My scarf is 5 1/2 inches by 5 ft. If you want a longer scarf you

will need to buy additional skeins of yarn.

To make scarf:

Cast on one st with the fun fur. Knit into the front, purl into the back and Knit into the front again, 3 sts. Knit every row, Increasing one st at the begining and end of every other row until you have 23 sts on the needle.

Attach (CC) and begin pattern as follows:

Rows 1-3 Slip 1 knitwise, Knit to end.

Row 4 Knit 1, *YO, Knit 2 together*, repeating from * to end of the row.

Rows 5-8 Repeat Row 1

Rows 9-10 Change to (MC), Slip 1 knitwise, Knit to end.

Row 11 - Knit 1, * Knit into the next st, wrapping the yarn around the needle 3 times* , repeating from * to end of the row.

Rows 12-14 Slip1 knitwise, Knit to end. Cut MC yarn.

Rows 15-18 With CC, Slip1 knitwise, Knit to end.

Row 19 Repeat Row 4

Rows 20-22 Slip1 knitwise, Knit to end.

Row 23-24 Change to MC, Slip1 knitwise, Knit to end.

Row 25 Repeat Row 11.

Rows 26-28 Slip1 knitwise, Knit to end. Cut MC yarn.

Repeat rows 15-28 until scarf reaches your desired length ending with

Row 22, CC. Cut CC color and attach MC.

Decrease one st each side every right side row till one st remains. Bind off. Block scarf.

I threaded large glass beads onto the cast on and cast off ends for my tassels. You can use any kind of tassel that you prefer.

This scarf is a quickie project and makes a great gift. It is light and airy and can be made using one color yarn.

This pattern is copyrighted by konoponop designs, feel free to use it for personal

use and to send your friends here for the pattern as well.

Enjoy.........

that's all for today folks..........Happy, Happy Trails, DC