It Came Upon an Afternoon Clear.

Picture this, if you will. Saturday, December 13, Burbank, California. The girl and I are shopping. It has finally cooled off and the temperature has dropped below 60 degrees (with sincere apologies to my peeps in the upper prairies where it is currently 40 below). What does this mean? It means that I can actually consider throwing on something handknit. First I try on my Silk Rhapsody ruana. Looks like reindeer crap. Then I remember my Spanish Dancer Shawl. Seven skeins of Koigu goodness. I put it on before we left the house. It looked great. In fact, it was perfect--not too warm, a flattering color, cool ruffle. I felt like a real knitter, as in, heck yes, I wear handknits I've made. It was the first time I'd worn it. EVAH! Here is a photo of it in better days (notice: foreshadowing):


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After a wonderful feast with H. at P.F. Changs, I am in the restroom and I notice one hole, no two, no three, etc., you get the idea. A total of at least six holes and a broken edge on one of the sides of the shawl. What is this? Poorly executed spit splices? kittens? eco-terrorism? No, my friends, it is much worse. The M-word...MOTHS. Moths? I said, dumfounded, when my friend suggested it. In Southern California? noooooooooooooooooo! Somehow, I thought we were too dry or too cool for moths. Moths are for Easterners, I thought...people with Pendleton coats and Hudson Bay blankets and such. Now, I ask you, what to do? I'm not willing to just scrap this shawl, nor am I crazy about undoing that ruffle. I'll wait here for your answer.

In Case You've Got Too Few Projects in Your Queue

The new Knitty is up! The new Knitty is up!!

Another new (?) knitting site is Popknits

You probably already know about these two updates, but they bear repeating:
Twist Collective, Winter 2008. Just look at that fab coat called Sylvi! I just love it, especially for the daughter. Who cares if we live in southern California and there is this little thing called Global Warming going on? It's funny, though, on Ravelry, most of the people who have started this live in Scandinavia. hmmmmm, I wonder what this means.

Secondly the new issue of Knotions is also up now. So many things to make, so few hands....I'd like a few more, ala Kali.

I'm a literary nerd!

When all else fails, post a quiz. Actual knitting content coming soon! Go Bruins!

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd   Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Artistic Nerd
Drama Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Musician
Social Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, we've given thanks, spent time with family, eaten the turkey, had the nap. Nothing left now but to relax and knit.

For some of us, the relaxing started early!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Beware the Black Friday madness! I'd rather be knitting.

Kitten Update

What a difference 5 months makes! Here are the same ragdoll kittens, Ruby and Max, almost 5 months to the day of their last appearance here. Ruby is on the left, Max on the right. The Ragdoll breed is known for its large size, and Max especially is rising to the challenge. In the last photo, I think he weighed about 3.5 pounds. We haven't had him to the vet again to be weighed, but he's over 10 pounds, I'm sure. They are wonderfully funny, loving and kooky kittens and we're having the best time with them. And yes, their names are inspired by the Max and Ruby siblings from the Rosemary Wells books. If you have young children, I highly recommend them.

Si, se puede!

Yes We Can, Yes We Did!!!



The historical significance of today's election is overwhelming. Rather than attempt to say something appropriately pithy, I'll just savor this moment.

I am Aqua

A little diversion for those of you who are madly knitting away in the knitting olympics, watching the olympics or wilting from the heat...

you are mediumauqamarine #66CDAA

Your dominant hues are cyan and green. Although you definately strive to be logical you care about people and know there's a time and place for thinking emotionally. Your head rules most things but your heart rules others, and getting them to meet in the middle takes a lot of your energy some days. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Have You Seen It?

A brand new online knitting magazine launched today called Twist Collective. It's great!

I've been casting on a storm & will be back with some photos soon.

It's that time of year...

when it's hotter than hell outside, but Fall is around the corner. The Fall/Winter Rowan Book #44 is out. It's a huge issue for the 30th anniversary of Rowan. The Fall Interweave Knits preview is here. The preview of the upcoming Vogue Knitting Magazine is out now too. The books always seem to preceed the yarn. For instance, the Berroco fall books have been out for a while, but the yarn is still trickling across the country. I'm looking forward to seeing the yarns Geode and Inca Gold.

Here's a charity project that I just learned about today: the Mother Bear project. I think the kid and I are going to knit some teddy bears.

Whew! two posts in July! I've got to pace myself!

Happy 4th of July

Long May It Wave!

We're staying home with the kittens in case the fireworks bother them. It's boomin' all around! I hope that everyone stays safe and that no fires are started!

Caution: Blatant Bragging Ahead

KITTENS!!!

We have two new additions to our house:



Here are our new ragdoll kittens. Ruby is on the left and Max is on the right. They are both adorable and very loving. It is really hard to photograph them accurately, especially their eyes. All ragdolls have beautiful blue eyes. Below is a close-up of Max which is one of the rare photos where he doesn't have "alien" eyes.



I haven't had kittens in the house in a very long time and I had forgotten how fun they can be. They play hard and then crash hard, just like little kids.

On the knitting front, I just received the new Norah Gaughan Collection #3 book and two other new fall 08 books from Berroco. Now which of my friends would like to take me out to lunch?

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's day to every father, grandfather, uncle, father figure and also those mothers who have to do double duty. You enrich our lives in incalculable ways. I'm giving my stepfather the best gift and not showing up at my parent's house until after the U.S. Open ends!

In Loving Memory

We lost our beautiful boy last week. He was our constant companion for the past 14 years. The house is awfully quiet without him. My friend M dubbed Scout a Kliban cat and he was. Fat and sassy and on top of the world. He loved catnip, watching tv and drinking ice water from a saucer. Most of all, he loved us--all the time and unconditionally.

There is no consolation for me right now, but it comforts me to imagine him whole and healthy, pain-free and at peace. I miss you, old friend.

Wednesday am update

Ok, the fire is pretty much out, people have returned to their homes, things are returning to normal after a harsh reminder of life in southern California.

Another sign of spring:


The peacocks at the L.A. Arboreteum


are strutting their stuff! (photos by Miss H.)

Waves and Fire

Today has been a very mixed bag. H and I drove down to the Long Beach marina for some quality mother daughter time. Even though it felt hot over by the ocean, it was nothing like the 95 degree heat of Arcadia. We shopped, had a nice lunch and walked along the water. I even saw a seal pop up. We drove home, cranked up the a/c and took naps. I thought it had been a perfect day. I woke up to breaking news of a fire in the foothills above Arcadia. We called some good friends up in the hills and they were about to evacuate. Around 7:30 pm, we went out to do some errands and we could see the fire. I've lived in the San Gabriel Valley on and off since I was a teen. I have never seen a wildfire so clearly and so close. There were 100 hikers and 60 boy scouts trapped behind the fire for a while. They were safely evacuated. However, the fire is out of control and I fear for my friends' and neighbors' homes. We can see the fire from our driveway, it is that low in the foothills. You can see flames rising into the air. Over the past 6 hours, the flames have grown and moved from west to east, south to north and then to the south again. I'm hoping that the morning will bring better news for the residents of Sierra Madre and upper Arcadia. Please keep a good thought.

Party Over Here!

We are thrilled to say that Hannah has made the Constitution Team at her high school. This is a VBD (very big deal). Approx. 600 kids applied, 25 made the team. This is a wonderful reward for a great kid who has had a very difficult spring. Thanks to everyone for their good wishes and support and it's on to the White House in '09! Oops, sorry, I got carried away. Maybe the White House in 2029! I should live so long! Cross your fingers for Senior Men & Women!

Even with my rotator cuff problems, I have been knitting away. I seem to only want to knit bags, blankets or something with 15 or more colors. I don't know what that says about me..... I've ordered three grab bags of Tahki Cotton Classic from WEBS, when that gets here, I'll start the ubiquitous mitered squares blanket ala Mason Dixon Knitting and January One. I also want to make the Babette blanket and Kaffe Fassett's brocade throw. Plus, the Barn Raising Quilt and Olive's Afghan from the fab new book Knitalong. In the bag department, I've just finished Nonibag's Flamenco bag and have cast on the Winter Berries bag. Other bags waiting are the Bobble Tote from the current Vogue Knitting (design #7, I'm too tired to link), and the freebie pattern they just featured on Knitting Daily, the Floral Gathering Sac by Pam Allen. That's all I dare admit to at the moment.

Have a great weekend! I just heard that we're going to have a mild Santa Ana here, so it will be warm and breezy.

Held Over by Popular Demand!!

The Spring Artisans Boutique has been extended through Sunday, April 13th, Noon to 5 pm. See address & other pertinent information below. Yes, it's going to be another (unnaturally) hot day here in the San Gabriel Valley, but they'll have the a/c blowing at the store. Drop by and say hi to Hannah and the other talented artists.

Spring Boutique!

The San Gabriel Bead Company is hosting their Spring Artisans Sale this weekend. There will be many items for sale by talented artists, including my talented daughter Hannah. Hannah has been working night and day to get ready for the show. All you knitters out there will be interested to see Hannah's own brand of Prism-like yarn, hand tied into fabulous color coordinated skeins at a fraction of the price. There will also be some handknit items, handmade stitch markers and jewelry.

Here's the info:

SPRING BOUTIQUE-APRIL 11TH & 12TH

Please visit the Spring Boutique and Artisan Studio this April 11th & 12th at the San Gabriel Bead Company. Featuring the work of
-Anthe Wozcyna- Gomez
-Susan Kelso of Luna Grace Designs
-Mandi Tafoya of HippiDippi Designs
-Alice Neal
-Christa Hamilton
-Cynthia Millar
-Hannah Mathews-Ward of Hannah.Math.Stuffs

Jewelry, Beadwork, Knitwear, Yarn, Tool Cases, Polymer Beads, and Much More Will Be Available For Purchase

San Gabriel Bead Company
325 East Live Oak Avenue
Arcadia, Ca 91006
(626-447-7753)

From the 210 East: Exit Santa Anita Avenue and head south for 2.6 miles. At Live Oak Avenue, turn left and continue heading eastbound until you pass Albertson's. The SGBC is located on the north side of Live Oak Avenue next to Advance Insurance and Carmine's Arcadia on the corner of Fourth and Live Oak. Parking in rear.

Boutique Hours:

Friday, 4/11/08
12-6pm

Saturday 4/13/08
10-6pm

Sweet Sixteen!

I usually keep quiet about my sports leanings because I don't want to jinx things, but my team, UCLA, just beat Texas A & M 53-49 after trailing by as much as 10 points in the second half. Oh yeah! It may be Easter but Christmas just came to Bruin-land. Woo Hoo! I'm now going to lie down in a darkened room for a while to try to return my heartbeat to a normal rhythm.

Happy Spring

Happy Spring, Easter, Purim, whatever applies.

How do you like my new avatar?

Still working away on the Koigu jacket. The new Noni patterns for spring are out and I think it's a great group of designs. I especially like Flamenco bag.