What a way to end July!!

Wow, today was my lucky mail day!! I received both my July Dishcloth Swap Package from Alix, and my Plucky Knitter yarn that I won from my blogger friend Peaknit. I truely got spoiled by Alix, who sent all sorts of things to pamper myself (the theme was birthday). I got body cream and lotion, and a candle all in cherry blossom scent. I got a box of English Tea and a lavender eye mask, that I'd like to use now, but alas, it might make my typing even worse than it already is. :) The dishcloth is truely a work of art. It is purple, and kind of a double star pattern. Looks difficult to me, and she did a great job on it!! She also sent a new skein of Sugar N" Cream yarn for me. Thanks again Alix. Totally worth the wait.

Like I said, I also received my skein of Plucky Knitter yarn. It is the most glorious colors, and everyone that knows me will think she made it just for me. It is several shades of purple (are you sensing a theme?) and several lucious shades of olive. Perhaps a little brown, where the olive turns. Like I said, made for me!!! It is a bulky weight, and with 100 yds. I think I shall knit a cowl. Oh darn, the weekend is here,(close enough), and I have been finishing up projects, and oh darn, I need to cast on another one. What shall I do?!? Thank you to Alix and Peaknit for all my wonderful goodies! Happy Weekend!

Suzanne

Garden Spy Cam and FO's

I had to laugh, the other day, my DH (who works from home, and his office is in the basement) emails me (which he never does) with an email title that said, "Look what your garden spy cam caught" I couldn't figure out what he was talking about, until I opened the attachment and here is what I saw!! Eating my lettuce. Look how fat he is!! We put a fence around the garden, in hopes that it will help, we'll see. I also suspect that he has been eating my zucchini blossoms, which is why I have blossoms, and NO zucchini. I love zucchini!! I have been waiting all year. I think me and Mr. Bunny need to have a chat. Wonder if he likes Ceyene pepper??? HeeHee!!

On the knitting front, I have been trying to finish a few things. I promise the knitting bag is almost finished. But I had to stick this in. Actually, this is crocheted, not knitted, but who cares! I have been wanting to do this bag for some time, thought I was doing it wrong, turns out there is an eratta page, and I was doing it right, it was their mistake. Who knew! Then, I wanted to line mine, but in the pattern they never tell you where to line (yes there is an important place) probably b/c they don't line theirs. So, I didn't line mine. I think I have a few people in mind to do one of these for Christmas. It really was easy and fast, once you got going. Thanks for stopping by.

Suzanne

Parties and Contests!

Hi folks,
Whew, is it Monday afternoon already? What a weekend. My SIL came on Friday, and we went to dinner with some friends we hadn't seen in a few weeks. Then on Saturday, we celebrated my nephews first birthday! I can not believe he is one already. He is the sweetest baby (besides mine :) in the world! He is so cute, and was so good natured for all the excitement at his party. We had a fun time hanging out at Ron and Melia's all day. It helped, that it was probably the most perfect of summer days. A light breeze, perfect temp, and family. Can't get much better. And today is my SIL birthday too, I won't tell you how many of those we have celebrated, as she sometimes reads my blog, and would have my head. Just let me say, that she is beautiful inside and out, no matter how many birthdays she has!!
Yesterday, was just a beautiful day of fellowship at church. We had an unusual service, a commissioning service. We have a family in our church who are leaving today for the mission field, so we as their sending church, had a special service for them. We sang songs that are very meaningful to them, prayed for them, gave them scripture passages to encourage them. Then we had an outside baptismal service. Several families, and lots of young people, and a very special new christian friend, Sandy, who is just a breath of fresh air, all got baptized, then we fellowshiped together over a big potluck. Again, it was a perfect summer afternoon. Later in the evening, my DH, SIL and friend Kim all drove to Grand Haven , MI and had dinner, walked to pier, and then of course had to top the evening off with ice cream. Just fills in the cracks!! Trust me, I have quite a few!!LOL
The knitting front was non existant, but I am almost done with my Pam Allen knitting bag. Just finishing hand sewing the lining. Oh How could I forget, I WON a blog contest. My friend at http://peaknit.blogspot.comfor her blogaversary, and I won a beautiful skein of yarn from another blog friend,http://thepluckyknitter.com You can see my skein of yarn on peaknits blog, I think I will probably take her suggestion and make that cowl. Something I have been wanting to do anyway. Hers is beautiful. I am so excited! I'll do a show and tell when she sends it to me. Guess that's it for today. Hope you had a great weekend too!
Suzanne

Sewing

Okay, so maybe I've been a little bitten by the sewing bug. Thanks, for all your great and encouraging comments regarding my sewing skills. You guys are great! Anyway, was checking out some sewing blogs, and ran across http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com. She has a beautiful blog, and a very fun giveaway right now, but hurry, it ends Sunday, July 27th. I have seen a lot of aprons, in the sewing world. I do like aprons, and yes even for me they are easy. I have several "real" vintage ones, and a beautiful one that my neice Lindsay made for me for Christmas last year. I do wear them, and have them hanging on a hook in my kitchen. Might have to get some cool fabric and make some. Anyway, enjoy your weekend and hop over to her blog, but I'm gonna win!!! :)
Suzanne

FO's and More!

I have been a busy little beaver, but I am finishing up some projects that I have been putting off, b/c they involve sewing. Yes, I do own a sewing machine, and I use to sew quite a bit when my kids were much younger, but I have never been very good at it, and haven't sewed much since I cut out a pair of coudoroy shorts the wrong direction. Long story. This first project is Dante's Purse (see my Ravelry Page for a link to this pattern), I got the knitted part done in like a day back in March. It has been sitting since then. I even picked out the fabric around then, put there are several pages of directions, which seemed a little daunting, but they are really just very detailed, which is helpful. Once I got going, and only after a few mistakes, I finally got it done. I use it for my sock knitting. Everything fits in there perfectly. I really like this little thing.

The next project is my Everlasting Bagstopper. I LOVE this pattern. It is quick, and a really simple two row repeat, so makes for mindless knitting. I did use ribbon as you can see, but we'll see how long that lasts. This is quite the large bag, I haven't tested it out yet, but I do need groceries tomorrow, so I will test it then and let you know. I am almost finished with another bag that has been on the back burner, again, the knitting is done, but the lining needs to go in. I will have pics as soon as I can, probably next week. My mom is the best seamstress in the world, and can and does make just about anything, so even she might be impressed by all the sewing I've done. One, problem though, I don't think she reads this blog. Oh well, she will see them. I am sure she could have pumped them out a lot faster than I did, but at least I did it with no cussing! (I'm only kidding mom:)!!

Lastly before I leave, just wanted to say that on my DH and my playdate on Friday, we had a lovely time. Went to a new knitting store in South Haven, called "Needle in a Haystack.' Nice, nice little store. They were very friendly, and had some yarns there that even with about 4 LYS in my general area, can't find. After returning home, I put a comment on Ravelry, and got a nice little comment back from the owner, whom I missed seeing while I was there. Just have to go back....darn. :) I bought this lovely, and I do mean lovely, Ella Rae, in a beautiful Marine blue. Was going to make some fetchings, but it is sooooo soft, I think I might get more and make a cowl. It is yummy!! Also bought some Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn. Didn't know they made sock yarn, and it is the most beautiful shade of chocolate brown and very soft. I am anxious to try it. That wasn't much, but I didn't have a lot of time. DH can only be bored for so long. :) I love you honey!! He is a great guy, let me go in the store all by myself. So, I had to show him I could use a little restraint. :) Guess that's all. Hope you are having a lovely summer. Our weather has been just about perfect here the last few days, no humidity!!!! Have a fabulous weekend! Thanks for stopping!

Suzanne

Playdates and Sidewalk Sales

Okay, first the playdate. I am heading out for the day with DH to points south, no, not Florida, we are heading the South Haven and Saugatuk for the day. We are actually meeting friends for dinner in Saugatuk, but there is a new yarn store in South Haven, called Needle in a Haystack, that has been open just a couple weeks, and I would like to check it out. I will show and tell when I return, cuz you know I probably won't return empty handed. Hope DH know that!:)

Onto Sidewalk sales, the following pictures are everything I just got a my LYS at their sidewalk days. I only spent $20.00. I was so happy, most of the yarns were 60% off, and I got two patterns for under $3.00 for both!! Actually more than two patterns, b/c one of the "patterns" is a book . It is really a book for ages 10 and up, but I thought a couple of the bags were very cute. So, I am the "and up" part of that book..:) I think the Berroco cotton twist, I will use for a couple of string market bags, and of course socks for the sock yarn. Duh! The green yarn is so soft, I hope I have enough for a pair of socks. There is 440 yards, so I should. Want to try and find a fairly simple pattern, put something that will show of the beauty of this solid color yarn. Any suggestions??? I guess that is all for now, I do have something else exciting to share, but will have to wait until I can spread the word. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for visiting.

Suzane

"Adore"able Giveaway

Okay that's my sad attempt at a little play on words, but I thought I would pass this along. A new blogger friend that I found at http://decortoadore.blogspot.com is having a fun, fun giveaway. Her site is beautiful and she has some really gorgeous stuff and wonderful ideas. I will be going back there alot. Already have her in my favorites. So, hop over to her site and give it a look.
Suzanne

Happy Birthday to My Baby!!

Okay, He's 20 today!! And if he sees this, he'll probably not like me calling him my baby, but he is!! I still remember holding him in the hospital thinking he would never even be big enough to go to kindergarden. Well, that was a long time ago, eventhough to me, it feels like yesterday. We are very proud of the Christian young man he is and how he continues to seek the Lord for his life plans. He has had to remain very strong in his faith, while venturing out in the big world. He is a US Marine, and we are very proud of him for that as well. We love you, Zander, and wish you God's best as you continue to seek Him. Love Mom and Dad

Change Gears:

Knitting News: I have gotten quite a few things done this week, however, a couple of them will be on a later post, as I have to send them to my July swap partner before you all see them. Hopefully by the end of the week. I did however, finish my nephew's football helmet hat. The pattern is from Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitty Hats Book. It was so simple and took no time to make. Her patterns are so well written, and the books are very nice to just look at. I hope it fits him. Oh well, if it doesnt', I shall make him another one. A little boy can never have too many football hats after all. :)

However, I am posting some pics of another craft that I enjoy, and that is stamping cards. I have done this for almost 10 years, and really enjoy it, it just isn''t as easy to take with you as knitting is. Well, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are having a great summer week.

Suzanne

Flickr,FO, and Wip's

Okay, What is up with Flickr? If you'll notice, I have the badge on the side, and mine (and I've noticed several others) aren't working. I did download some photos this morning, and noticed that Flickr now lets you download several pics at one time, but do I need to change something in order to get my badge working again? I am way too computer stupid, to keep up with all these changes. Any help from any of you would be greatly appreciated. I did have a wonderful time on vacation. Do you think I took one picture? No. However, I might have some from other family members when they get them to me. We had beautiful weather, and great fellowship together. I did get started on my nephew's football hat. This basic part of the hat took me no time. All I have to do is the crochet edging and the football. I would use a little heavier wool next time, this Encore is nice, but seems a little floppy for me. We'll see when we get it on his head. Might make him a different one for Christmas. Yes, it is never to early to start, in fact, if I don't start, I will be up till 2:00 a.m like I was last year. :) Also finished my socks!! I love them. You can see my Ravelry Ravelry.com project page for more details, I am Zandersmom on there. I am working on a new dishrag for my July swap partner, so I will show pics of that after I send it off to her. I also made a quick little bag before I left for Chicago. It is crocheted, and was so quick and easy, and is the perfect size for my sock knitting. Also tried some Hyperbolic Scrubbies. Found the pattern on Ravelry. It is simply done with single crochet, but really hurt my fingers after a while, so I might try half-double crochet instead, and see what that gets me. I will post pics when I get that done.Oh, I also found Lion Brand's new sock yarn at the Hobby Lobby in Chicago, and I hoped that our HL would have it, and guess what, they did! This stuff is great. One ball makes a pair, it has Aloe in it, and it sells for only $9.99. You take one of their 40% off coupons, and whoa. I think you get the picture!! I haven't knit with it yet, but have been dying to try the Jaywalker socks I've seen on Ravelry, (if I knew how to link better, you'd be there ). Sorry.

Guess that's it for now, thank you to those who commented with such lovely comments about my garden pictures. We have had so much rain, it is booming this summer with color. I love that!!

Have a great week!

Suzanne

Happy Birthday America!!

Happy Birthday!!

Off for a weeks vacation at my SIL's beautiful home north of Chicago. We will be spending our time tubing, boating, jetskiing, and of course laying in the sun, reading and knitting will be my options of choice. We will be lucky enough to have several family members there, who live quite a distance. One Aunt and Uncle from Florida, and another from California. It will be great to see them. We have a lot of fun together. I hope you can spend some of this holiday surrounded by those you love. I thought I would leave you all with something totally different this week. Pictures of my gardens. My other SIL sent me some pics of her gardens, and I thought it would be pretty to share some of mine with you. I hope you enjoy the pics and enjoy your holiday, however you choose to spend it.

Happy 4th.

Suzanne