The Golden Years

One More Hat to Go!

2006-11-19T22:01:00.000-08:00

This is the last of the kit hats! I think I've managed to get Fair Isle down pat. It's fun, and certainly doesn't get boring. But, I think I'll leave it alone for a while at least.

Katie on Halloween 2006

2006-11-19T21:53:00.000-08:00

On the left is Sophie, a friend of Granddaughter Katie Howard. They in costume for Halloween, 2006, and collecting their candy from the Queen Anne Avenue businesses! Aren't they ever so cute?

My First Felting Project

2006-11-18T12:55:00.000-08:00

This is my first felting project. Well, not exactly, it is really #2 and #3, the first project was almost 2 years ago which was a disaster in my book, but obviously not so bad as to keep from trying again.

I crocheted both these hot pads using a K hook, all single crochet, and Lion Brand Wool. For the green one, I followed the pattern instructions. For the Blue one, I winged it. The green hot pad has some problems, due to my crocheting skills, which were mostly resolved in the blue pad. I like the blue pad best.

To felt, I tossed them both into the wash with a load of color fast dark clothes (140 degree water, medium time length wash, 3 rinses) in my small European front loader. A nice thing about felting is that the woven in ends and joins can't be seen! Each pad shrunk by about 40%.

They are dense enough to serve as hot pads for the table. I'm not sure, as I'll have to try, whether they'll be heat resistent enough to use as pot holders. Each pad took about 4 hours to make, plus the time to felt, and then pull to shape (although little pulling was required).

Great gift to make, and think of the possibilities.

November Project with Grandchildren

2006-11-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

Here are the results of 3 very creative young ladies! We spent the day shopping for fabric, then accomplishing the task. These fleece blankets are good home projects, which don't require a lot of special tools. And, you end up with a blanket you don't want to part with in the great Pacific Northwest. Here's Alexis with her camo bear and dear fabric, Sam with Sesame Street, and Katie with the Minnies. There are so pleased with the results, and grandma couldn't have been happier!

Last project in October

2006-10-31T14:20:00.000-08:00

This is a free pattern from Hilltop Yarn on Queen Anne in Seattle-- #53, designed by Daphne Adair! Go to their web site www.hilltopyarn.com for more excellent patterns.

It took me a long time because the lace is not hard, but requires absolute attention. For some reaon I coldn't quite get the rythmn of the pattern, which is unusual for me. But now it is dones, and ready for Christmas giving!

A good ending for October.

Christmas Knitting Projects

2006-10-30T13:39:00.000-08:00

Well, one down, more to go. This was a fun project using a kit from KnitWhits. It's Cascade 220, with a Tahki Cotton Classic interior 2" band (keep the itching down). Despite being Fair Isle, I found the pattern easy to read and enjoyable to knit. I hope the grandchild will appreciate the gift!

Lk. Chelan, WA - Time Share Time Off

2006-10-29T15:19:00.000-08:00

Well, here's the living room of the condo we're in, plus the view of the lake from our LR window. This will be a nice week. We have missed the fall season changes here for the last 5 years, so it's been really great to see the leaves turn. It is cold, and I'm realizing that I'm a died in the wool southerner these days -- the lack of humidity really makes both cold and hot weather more tolerable. We'll be here over Halloween! Fall pumpkins, red and yellow trees! Who could ask for more?

2006-10-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

This is Katie -- #3 grandchild. She's 8. She's called the queen of her home, the only child! She's a good student, and now I've just heard that she's becomming quite the soccer star! Happiness comes in small packages. I'll post more pictures of all the children, when I've gotten them together.

More Walking -- Keeping a Steady Pace

2006-10-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

October 18, 2006
Every Wednesday our Hiking Club starts out around 7:30 AM for a neighborhood walk. It's our goal to cover every block of our community by the end of the year. People join as they are able, one never knows what one is doing next around here!
This was the group for the 3rd week! We managed about 5.5 miles in under 2 hours, and boy there was enough uphill to fatigue me. I'm the little head with dark glasses peaking out from the right side!

2006-10-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

October 16, 2006
Jerry, Lauren and Debbie! Our hiking partners for the day! Great friends, great place, great experience!

2006-10-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

It's hard to tell, but that is Tom and me sitting on a pile of rocks. This is taken at the peak of Bristle Cone Pine hike at Mt. Charleston! We're probably around 9,000 ft., with the Mt. to the right behind us. It had snowed that week, the first of the year, and already melted where the sun fell! A wonderful 6 mile hike! October 16, 2006.

2006-10-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

August 2006 -- We took the 3 older grandchildren camping. And, no, we did not have whoppers for breakfast, even though it looked like it. We had a great time, tents, sleeping mats, and dirty shoes!
Aren't they just great? Let the good times roll.

2006-10-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Henderson is something else when it rains! This is the left-overs at Sunset after a full day of rain. It's enough to make you wonder about the universe. October, 2006

Lion Brand Micro Spun Baby Sweater

2006-10-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Well, a little grand-niece will soon have a new cap and sweater. I made this using Lion Brand's Micro Spun. I liked working with the yarn, even though it is acrylic. I thought mom would appreciate being able to throw it in the washer! And, even though I know it will pill in time, that doesn't make any difference because the little one will grow out of it before it shows! And, then hopefully it will go into the Good Will system where some other young child will benefit from it!

This was a fun project. It's the first time I've worked with a kit! It worked. Took all the questions out of what colors to work with -- and I like the colors too!

Knitted Ball Band Wash Cloth

2006-10-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

This is my first ball band washcloth. It's a bit odd to use, as I'm accustomed to my bar mops, or Costco washcloths. But, I'll get used to it! When I washed it, it faded, a bit of a surprise, and a disappointment as I loved the intense pink! But, that's the way it goes.

Next project in this vein -- a baby blanket.