Alicia's Cami

Alicia, my granddaughter, will be 16 in June.  Amazing to look at her baby and toddler pics ('96).

and then to think of this soccer goalie almost grown ('09).  

She's a wonderful young lady who has never been into girlie stuff.  Early on she only wanted plain jeans, no embroidery or embellishments. NO dresses either.  Her grades are excellent and she has so many interests besides soccer - reading, piano, anime and making videos.

So what to make her for this special day?  I could think of several things but needed to keep reminding myself that she lives in a very dry warm section of CA.  When I have visited in late summer the temps were often over 100 and I was warned they would be in the 90's when I go this June.  So I dithered and thought and got nowhere.

Then the spring issue of Interweave Knits arrived and in there is a nice camisole with a cabled neckline.  Aran Necklace Camisole on p 54, and on Ravelry it is here.  I know she wears cami's over t-shirts so this one became the winning contender.  Jim said he would spin the bamboo and I said I'd dye them both and spin the silk besides knitting the cami.  That might sound lopsided but considering that Jim is still spinning it is just fine.

2 ounces of cultivated silk was placed into a dye pot alongside 8 ounces of bamboo top.  They were dyed together in what I hope, to Alicia, is a neutral-ish mix of periwinkle and demim. 

Spinning the silk was a pleasure and quickly done.  Spinning the bamboo became quite a chore for Jim (gosh that stuff is stiff and sticky unless blended with something else) until I ran it all through my Pat Green Supercarder.  That machine makes a soft and pleasurable batt out of any fiber.  

Now we have yarn in both fibers ready to go.

Silk on the left, bamboo on the right and a close up of the necklace section on the bottom right.  Dyed in the same pot this is a great example of how different fibers take dyes differently. 

The pattern looked a bit off putting but I knew if I just concentrated I could do it so waited until a few necessary things were done (notice I did not say UFO's were completed) and I had some knitting space.  The necklace itself has 2 pages of instructions but they turned out to be really very clear, not social knitting but not too demanding either. 

 

So far about a third of the necklace section is done.

More in the next few days.

3 Bag Ladies

About 9:15 I piled my 3 bags into Sharon's car, said bye bye to Jim, drank coffee while Sharon drove on over to Audrey's place where we said hi and bye to her birds (mostly Love Birds) and her dogs (lots of hairless and crested).

We then stashed my 3 bags and Sharon's 3 bags into Audrey's Toyota amongst her 3 bags and a nice cooler of snacks and drinks.  Of course each of us not driving kept her knitting bag close by.  We were so excited and delighted to be going south to warmth, sun and endless amounts of fiber.  The reward of crabs for dinner was also bandied about.  Once in PA we could see that most of the trees had leaves or leaf buds while up here we still have locust and oaks that are yet bare.   We stopped midway down for bleenies and salad in Frackville where we got to experience a restaurant that sported several PA Dutch type menu items and lots of homemade quilted, knitted and crocheted items on the walls.

The change to all green was slow but noticeable and once we were in MD quite striking to us green starved northerners.  Sharon had made the motel reservations according to Audrey's directions. Audrey is an excellent Tour Director.  It was only 20 minutes from the fair but merely 5 from the clam shack.  Frederick is inland. I hadn't bothered to look that up on a map so was very disappointed at first to find out we would be eating nowhere near the ocean.  However upon opening the first crab I instantly smelled the ocean and felt oh so much better.

Sharon had a crab quesadilla but Audrey and I each ate 2 large hard shelled crabs from the Chesapeake, covered in Old Bay spices.

What fun! First they plop down the crab filled pan, then the mallets and knives and then we hold it all up while they cover the table with butcher paper and add a roll of paper towels.  We also ordered yam fries so it was all finger food all the way around.  They were the tenderest crab I have ever eaten so am now spoiled rotten.  

We spent the evening knitting and talking in our motel room.  The Haiti face cloth got completed while Audrey worked on a baby blanket and Sharon started a swatch for a sweater.  Then we set the alarm for 6 and tried to sleep.

Of course the alarm did not go off but since none of us really slept, although we were up at different times all night, Audrey did wake us at 6:10.  She also suddenly realized that we had not gotten gas and had not checked the gauge either.  Were we on fumes?  Could we get to a gas station in time?

By 7:15 the Three Bag Ladies had restashed our 9 bags back into the Toyota and checked the gauge.  Not quite on fumes, but close enough.  Luckily a station was nearby so we could fill up with gas that cost 20¢ less than in Ithaca. Another positive for going south.

 The Fair is free and Audrey told us about the parking situation so we were there by 8 am and walked right in.  We had maps I printed out from the website so could orient ourselves.

Audrey gave us a fast tour, showed us the porta potties and the real bathroom and the big metal barn.

After that we kinda went our ways but Sharon and Audrey stayed relatively close as Audrey doesn't have a cell phone.  I loved walking around at a leisurely pace instead of the quick racing trips I get when I am vending at a fair.  I saw the new electric Woolee Winder machine and the New Kromski wheel and lots of wool and yarn and patterns and jewelry.  Got myself a fimo bunny pin that is adorable, my sister part of her birthday present and some multi colored b/bfl to play with.  I also got some great ideas for revamping my own booth which might make set up a lot easier and faster. 

We saw some lovely Romney's ready for the show ring.

 

By 10 it was HOT, really HOT.  OK so to a northerner it was really HOT.  The open barns did not have fans and with all the people were getting not only more and more crowded but stuffy too.  Up here if it gets that hot folks don't want to touch much fiber, but down there it didn't seem to make much difference.

A band was playing country music near some trees where lots of folks were picnicking so we stopped and rested there too for a bit.  Then headed on up the hill to the tent vendors so Audrey could look for the Cormo Association tent.  She found the right tent but not the right cormo but did get name of the seller to contact from home.

By the time Sharon got herself some plants we were more than ready to get out of the sun and leave. There are over 400 vendors at MD Sheep and Wool but after a while I was saturated.  I hadn't believed it beforehand but 4 hours were plenty for all 3 of us.  

As we traveled north through some gorgeous MD farmland and then into PA and up through disturbing coal tailing hills and into the mountains and back into spring we chatted and knit and snacked and knit.  Potential was realized with the completion of a baby hat and the gussets on one sock.

AND I am proud to say I did not go into total chaotic withdrawal from my computer which I purposely left behind to give me some real time off.  It was good, it was fun, it was short and it was spontaneous.

As Sharon says, "Life is good."

Potential

At the April Blacksheep Handspinner's Guild Meeting Sharon asked me to join her and Audrey on a fast trek to the MD Sheep and Wool Festival.  Gosh I was tempted. But I had a vending to prepare for and just could not get my head around a quick in and out trip at that time.   On Wednesday, Audrey called to ask me again.  I was tempted, very tempted but decided to wait to say yes or no.   I must be growing up -- actually thinking instead of jumping in with both feet.

Jim thought it would be a good idea for me to get away -- not take a computer and just have some fun with friends.  That does sound good but it is such a fleeting trip I was put off at first.  However the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea.

1- I have never been to the Festival.
2- It is an opportunity to relax, knit, eat crabs and knit.
3- I have never been to this famous festival.
4- I could knit and not be responsible for animals or email.
5- It is supposed to be in the 80's down there.
6- An opportunity to play with Sharon and Audrey.
7- I am not in charge.

But I was just with a zillion people at Artistry in Thread last weekend.  hmmmnnn

Then this morning I read this.

Take the time today to do something wonderful. Take the time to do something that reminds you of how precious and beautiful life is.

Those urgent matters that seem so important are really not, when compared to the unique miracle that is your life. Take the time today to feel truly alive.

Look closely, with your heart, and see magnificence in the smallest and simplest of things. Instead of trading all your time for money or ego boosters, invest a little time in being genuinely at peace.

You cannot schedule life's richness for later. Yet you can always enjoy it now.

Let yourself live that richness. Joyfully give in to the longing of your spirit.

Feel the immensity of existence. Be the beauty that you know you are.
Ralph Marston


What am I waiting for?

So I called Sharon and said I'd go.  Her response was, "Oh yes, now it will be a party!"

Jim will drop me off at Wegmans to meet her at 9:15.  We will drive together about 40 minutes to Audrey's and then all pile into one car to share fun and driving while knitting (well 2 can knit while one drives).  Audrey has done this trip many times.  She has a plan and sticks to it.   So we will drive down and get to Maryland in the afternoon, check into our motel and then go eat at the Crab Shack.  That alone could get me to go. (When I go to RI one of my favorite things is eating dinner with my sister at a Clam Shack)

Saturday morning we'll get up very early so we are at the gates by 8.  Audrey says that by noon the crowds are so thick we will want to leave.  So about 4 hours to experience this fibery heaven should do us for the first round ( both Sharon and I are newbies to this show).  I know from Rhinebeck not to try to see it all, just a few things in mind will do.  I want to get some really nice black alpaca roving to spin for the September Finger Knittin' kits.  That should keep me focused.

AND
I have my knitting ready.

At the top is a face cloth being knit for the Global Knits project for Haiti.  

Bottom left to right ->  a baby sweater for charity, the potential of some baby hats for a friend expecting twins and some socks for me from Clematis Vine Woody.  I figure I might have enough projects for 10 hours in the car plus Friday evening.  Anyway, the potential for completing some UFO's is definitely possible.

See what the baby hat can be?  I made this one for Bob's new grandson out of Bernat Baby Stretch (acrylic, cotton, and elastic) from a free pattern on Ravelry.  The beauty of this yarn is its ease of use and its stretchability.  The hat will fit Owen for months rather than weeks.  I know, I know, acrylic, arghhhh-- but this yarn is such a delight and for new mothers definitely easy to care for.

So a travelin' I do go.  The potential for fun seems high.

Color Me Color

Color is an important part of my life.  You might say color is my bread and butter.  It sure is a big part of Spinning Bunny.   I love color, am affected by colors in different ways and even color coordinate my underwear to my clothing (gasp).  I once refused to stay in a motel because the orange carpeting and bedspread was so loud and ugly I couldn't calm down.  (I guess I have something in common with Jacob Hunt - House Rules)

  Jim and I had a great drive up to Rochester in the spring sunshine enjoying the early flowers and newly budding trees.  We arrived and were greeted by Roy P who has now sold me 3 cars (well 3 car leases). He took us out in a 2010 Black Pilot EX for a sweet test drive.
  The new model has a lot of features that I will really love, including even more ways to make my seat comfortable. It drives easier yet is more sturdy and little bit bigger. It also has this neat thing that shuts down cylinders if it decides I can drive with less.  That will save gas.   It also has lots of cubbies to stash away tie downs and other misc garbage um essentials.  It does have an mp3 plug but not a USB.  That only comes on the model that is $5000 more.  No thanks.
Oh and it has dual temperature control.  Jim and I are always disagreeing on the temp in the car.  Soon he can set his side of the car for whatever temp and fan he wants.

Now you may remember from my previous post on this issue that even though I think the black car is sexy, it is only clean enough to look sexy for about 2 hours after a wash.  And I have been wanting a white car since I gave in my white CRV.  Last time the nearest white Pilot was in Texas so I went with my second choice - black.  No more black.

As we were going into the showroom after the test drive, Roy informed me he had looked for white ones as he knew they were my first choice. This time there were no white Pilot EXs to be had.  More expensive ones in white, for sure, but not the model I wanted.  sigh

Honda is not a wild company.  They are rather conservative.  I looked through the book of samples and saw that for myself.  The interior color choices are beige, almost taupe grey or almost black.

  The exterior choices are white, black, deep blue, black cherry, silver or pewter.  Jim liked a lot of those.  I think my sister would have too.  But me, sheesh.  Not much choice left.  So I had them look for a pewter with black interior.

Can you guess the results?   Only pewter with the grey were available.  I almost sucombed but thought, "This is a lot of money for something I think is boring? ugh. No."

Roy had them look again, but 20 minutes later there were still none.  Well actually there were the possibility of two.  However they had due dates of April 27 and 28th.  I need to take delivery of the car before May 1 to get this current deal.  No its not some scam.  It's a short term special on Pilots.  Those two cars might be delayed and then what?  At this current deal I am paying the same for a 2011 as I paid for the 2007 I am turning in.  

I went outside and looked at the blue one.  Well it is nice, but it will show mud and dirt almost as well as the black one and blue is boring to me.  I won't even consider the silver.  Then I saw a black cherry model.  I had looked online and did not like the brightness of it but in reality it is much darker, closer to my Black Cherry tonal.

So we have ordered a Black Cherry with black interior.  It will be delivered late next week with a half price cargo liner as a bonus to seal the deal.

Sing-a-Long

I don't normally use this as a political forum but I do think getting our elected representatives to actually vote for something we believe in and that affects us strongly is worth the space.


Go here to sign a letter to your rep.  Erase my stuff and substitute with your own.

Inspection

 My lease is up.  It always comes sooner than I am ready.  I love my car.  It's a Black Honda Pilot EX into which I can cram a whole day's worth of vending supplies. I call him Rangeman (some of you may get the allusion to Stephanie Plum's sometime employer/amour).  AAMOF I wanted to purchase it but the cost would be more than I am paying a month now for 4 more years.  arghhhh.  I know this car will need new tires next winter and front brakes too so an exchange is timely.

Plus, since this will be my third lease with Honda they are treating me really well.  I can get a 2011 Pilot for the same amount I paid for the 2007 Rangeman. The 2011 car is a little bit bigger (nice for vending) and, I can plug my ipod in and listen to books without making CD's.  I asked about the 2011 over a 2010 since it is still only April of 2010.  The odd answer is that the Pilots are not selling very well (Geez, wonder why? Could it be the economy?  Well Sarah Palin wouldn't think so.) so they are doing some kind of deal whereby the 2011 cars have a lower sticker price than the 2010's.  I still don't get it but since I will be a happy recipient of their need to sell I am not complaining.

So we are now in exchange mode.
A person from a third party place is coming tomorrow to inspect the car for dings and scratches and other things that might have happened to my sweet car in 3 years.  When I leased from a bank I was charged for every ping and ding but with Honda having a $1500 turn in allowance for those kinds of things I do believe all will be well.

However they want the car as clean as possible.  To that end I took it to the big carwash yesterday for the full treatment.   Rangeman looked sexy for maybe 2 hours.  I live on a dirt road.  When I had a white car it never looked as brown as this black one normally does.

Today when I brought the shop vac out to suck up the winter's worth of leaves, dirt, gravel, dog hair, fiber and detritus it was already covered in a fine layer of brown dust.  "That's OK", I thought, "as it is supposed to rain today."   20 minutes into the vacuuming the 'rain' started.  I brought everything inside just in time for the sprinkle to cease.

This is what the outside of my newly washed and cleaned Pilot looks like.

Please join me in hoping for some real rain tonight.

Magic Sunday

Tuesday night we had a wicked storm with rain, hail, sleet, ice and snow.  The temps dropped down to 10 degrees and then on Thursday they flew up into the 80's!!!  Waaaay too hot too fast but it is merely in the 50's today. Nice.

These pansies were out in both kinds of weather and look fantastic today.

Then all of these wonderful blooms greeted me in the glorious sunshine this morning.

It's only the beginning of April yet it is looking a lot like spring around here.

Meanwhile a new pattern for the new Blue Lagoon Woody yarn has been budding inside my head and blossomed today.

I have been working on a moebius cast on.  One that is easier than Cat Bordhi's and I think I have it!

See how it twists resulting in one surface and one edge?  

Leftover sock yarn comes in mighty handy for pattern and swatch experiments as I can add one onto another without worrying about dyelot or colorway.

This stitch pattern did not make the cut.

But I do believe this one will.

I can't see much difference between the two parts except that US5 measures out at 30 sts to 9 inches and the US7 at 30 sts to 10 inches.  Don't you think I might as well go with the larger needles for a quicker project?

Then Jim came home from church via Wegman's with this.  Silver suggests it's a bunny snack.

Glorious Magical Day.