LOTS OF PICTURES

I believe Spring is here, though snow/rain mix is forecasted this week....yikes! All the flowers tell me that no matter snow/rain mix, spring is moving in hard, explosive and fast. Yeah, we love being outside all day long. So much to do---mud cupcakes need to be made, swinging, playing, planting and watering the garden, not to mention walking our babies, animals, watching worms, insects and picking up rocks, ( we have a collection). Oh, and how can I forget, smelling every flower we walk past. It's a lot of work for little people to get everything that needs to be done outside every single day! But oh, all the smells these flowers are putting off, I just sit in the middle of it all and inhale. It will be gone soon, slow down and take it all in.

We celebrated someone's 2 year trip around the sun. She made her own cupcakes for her party, which I think were a hit, at least with the birthday girl. Mom and Dad requested no toys, but plants for Betty to plant in her garden. I'm telling ya'll, this girl has a busy summer ahead of her! Her baby brother (no fuss Gus), is going to watch and smile! 

Wow, do you feel that the months fly by? I sure do! 

Knitting: Finished sweater for Betty- Petite Knits, Anker's Jacket. yarn: Quince & Co. 

I love, love this pattern,  fourth time I have knitted this sweater in a year! 

Reading: Higher Loyalty. Interesting and concerning! 

Spy Mistress, finished and a so, so book. This is a historical fiction and normally I like Jenifer Chiaverini but this was just flat for me.

Needs buttons

Size 000 needles, oh my!

Another sweater that needs to stay near me when reading what a poor state our democracy is in with this administration , knitting is calming!

Go on over to Yarn Along today!

APRIL EARLY SPRING 4/18/18

I just know Spring is here, seems to be backing into the county though. And the wind, Lordy have mercy! We watched a huge crane and  tree cutters take down a ginormous cotton wood that split and fell on the roof of some condos. It was thrilling for Betty to watch the big trucks work and how they pulled and cut that tree off the roof. I'm afraid the roof was rather damaged! And all due to the high winds,  >60 mph around here, after several days of high winds,  I get headaches and cranky! Growing up in the "windy city," (Chicago), thought I knew wind, yes, it gets windy in Chicago even though the name"Windy City" was given to Chicago for a different reason. Moving to the Front Range, I was introduced REAL wind. More wind in the forecast, put on those ankle weights.....

Lots of the bulbs are blooming that Betty and I planted last FALL! Betty walks around the flower beds smelling all the blooms, (sometimes picking the flowers too). So, so cute!

Finished 'sandwiching' another 2 inch square quilt and ready to start machine quilting! I enjoy all the steps making a quilt but the sandwiching part. It is very 'futzy' to me as well as frustrating. I suppose everyone has their favorite and very least favorite part to all craft projects and now you know mine;-]  

Knitting wise, 3 sweaters on the needles, a shawl and 2 pairs of socks, yikes! One pair of socks is on 000 needles! My friend and I are knitting each a pair to see if this is a better wearing sock. Have decided merino wool is too fragile for socks and found some BFL at the Interweave Festival last week. The festival was a big nothing for me! Many of my fav dealers weren't there, though no fault to the yarn dealers, and very little fiber but fingering weight yarn and all highly processed! I did enjoy immensely  sitting out in the lobby watching all the goings on and knitting. Talking with people I only see at these events and of course visiting with friends I see often. I'm a people watcher.

Tonight I am attending my first American Sewing Guild (ASG). This guild has a group for couture sewing which I am very interested in. I have also been of late wanting to join another sewing/knitting/quilting group. It has been several years since I left the quilting group I had attended for several, (15 years or so), and am feeling the need/desire to join another group. I am excited to check out this guild, meet new people and see what is happening in the sewing world. Spring kinda brings me out of the house and my little world;-/

Garden is being planted early this year. Already planted-peas,lettuce, radishes,spinach,cabbage and 6 tomato plants in Wall-O-Waters. So exciting! Kale in tomorrow ahead of snow coming in on Friday.

May Spring be truly here....soon.....

2 MARCH 2018 (WINTER BLUES)

Winter, it's been a long one for us on the Front Range....not much snow to make it beautiful, but enough cold and grey skies, inside with 2 wee ones, trying to keep the flu away from us. Yes, we have had Influenza A in our family and don't care to see it again this season. Things we have been doing to stay sane inside:

:: lots and lots of sewing on scrap quilts. Using up 'some' left over scrap material from previously sewn quilts. Why, when using scraps does it seem as if those scraps just reproduce? 

Did you notice the material that is dated the year 2000. Eighteen years old! I know I have fabric that dates way prior to 2000. Makes me smile to still be using these fabrics.

:: took a quick trip to ahh....McDonalds, (we were desperate to get out). Though the play fort was watched by the little one, we dodged that adventure...too many GERMS!

:: new art supplies to explore. Need to make an apron for all the creativity that is in our future.

:: taking lots of pictures of my no fuss flannel guy

Spring is just around the corner, though as usual I think it may be a bumpy corner. March has come in like a lamb, so I bet we are in for some BIG SPRING SNOW storms. The moisture will be welcomed and we can certainly keep our chins up waiting for the much anticipated garden days ahead of us. I have been eying the ground daily for the 400 tulip and daffodil bulbs Betty and I planted last fall.

23 June 2017