Signs Of Spring

Today it is raining again. We sure are getting our fair share of April showers! Everything is green, growing, and beautiful. Yesterday I was at my Grandparents and snapped these photos of the signs of spring I saw.
I am so glad that spring has arrived! My favorite time of year is spring/summer, when everything is warm and alive. I love to go out, get my hands in the earth and sift through the soil. Weeding has never really been a chore. Perhaps it harks back to early summer days gone by out in the strawberry patch. Pulling countless weeds with my hands, sometimes using my trusty hoe for the stubborn ones who didn't want to let go. Sifting through the dirt with bare toes, feeling the sun's warm rays......I love weeding.

What sweet little faces they have!

Rhubarb pie, coming right up!

Aren't these gorgeous?

Mmm.......spring is in the air!

Handmade Books

I made my first handmade book today! Well, I think once when I was little I made a recipe book. But that doesn't quite count. :)
I sure enjoyed myself, it was a lot of fun. In the past I have helped assemble Bibles at a church we used to attend. That was a great learning experience. My job was to attach the cover to the finished book block, then press them overnight. Today as I was gluing on the cover to my hand sewn, project journal, I found myself reminiscing about my Bible making days.
I think book making is something I would definitely like to continue doing in the days ahead. The project from star to finish took about three and a half hours. Now the book is being pressed beneath a stack of encyclopedias. It is there to dry overnight. Tomorrow I am going to decorate the cover with some quotes, definitions, and other small bits of paraphernalia. Hmmm.....these little books would make nice gifts. I'll have to keep that in mind.

Belle Alpaca/Wool Wrap

This wrap is made with an alpaca/wool blend given to me by my parents for Christmas. It is on hold right now because I need to get one more skein of yarn. It is the first "big" cable project that I have ever done. I have really enjoyed it. The wrap just goes around the shoulders and buttons in the front.

Bamboo Shrug

The beginnings of a bamboo shrug for my Mother. This is the first
time that I have worked with bamboo tape.

Wool Socks

My first time doing a cable sock pattern. It hasn't been hard yet, hopefully I don't run into any problems!

My First Spindle

Here is my drop spindle made by my cousin. You can find it for sale @ http://www.thestarbox.etsy.com/ It works wonderfully, as a beginning spinner I have had absolutely no trouble at all using this spindle.

This and That

Early this afternoon I took some pictures of my current knitting projects . I actually have more projects,but it would be rather embarrassing to admit how many UFP (unfinished projects) are floating around the house. However they are all works in progress, not abandoned projects left to collect dust and moths.
Recently my Aunt and I went to visit my favorite yarn shop. She is a beginning knitter and is new to the joys of a yarn shop. Aunt B. was hoping to find some special yarn and a pattern to give my mother as a gift. She intended to make it herself but we both fell in love with a elegant shawl pattern and some silky bamboo tape. So guess who was commissioned to make the project? Yes indeed, yours truly. I am happy to have new projects to work on, knitters rarely make things for themselves anyway. I just enjoy the process of knitting, the fibers, a complicated lace stitch, the feel of the yarn slipping through my fingers....it is a very rewarding way to spend one's time.
I also did some spinning this morning! I'll have to post those as well. the camera program is acting up so I am having a hard time transferring my pictures from camera to computer.
But back to spinning. I only learned recently, my cousin made me the drop spindle that I use. So far I am just trying to work on consistency, not making a thick n' thin yarn! I have to pre-draft the roving right now, but Debi says that is okay. :) I can not wait until I can order some colored roving on Etsy! Also I need to learn to ply, but one thing at a time.

Doll Quilts

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! It is a pleasure to have you drop by.

The rain is coming down in a gentle drizzle, it is a perfect day to sit down and knit. Currently I have quite a few projects in progress, hmm...what to choose?
I need to take pictures of them all to post next time.
Here are some doll quilts I made this past winter. I was blessed with the opportunity of visiting my elder brother, Ronald, in Anchorage, Alaska. I knew I would have quite a bit of free time while he was at work so I whipped up three little quilt tops to take with me. I also took some natural quilt batting that I had pre-cut to size, plus all the necessities such as quilting thread, thimble, pins, needles, etc.
They were a fun project, I completed two of them before having to head back home. The little recipients of the quilts were thrilled beyond measure.