The Rock

This is another FO that I promised finished pictures of, this one was finished back in *cough*July*cough* anyway, *ahem*

Diamonds are a girls best friend,

This shawl was in my queue for a little over a year before it had its transformation on the needles.

pattern: Diamond Fantasy Shawl by Silvia Harding
yarn: Brooklyn Handspun signature sock in Chocolate Covered Cherries
needles: US 5 (3.75mm) and US 8 (5mm) Knitpicks options (used the 8 for the i-cord edging)
time: June 27-July 20 2007

This was a very enjoyable lace project, even with a little baby in the house! I did end up with a pattern with a miss print (one of the rows was printed twice), Silvia was very quick to answer my question about it! I see a few mistakes in the shawl now that I look at the close up picture, but they are livable. (I think they have to be, its blocked and has been worn. I’m not rippin’ that sucker out!) Now diamonds aren’t this girls only best friend. There is another rock that holds a place in my heart,

My parents live on a lake, and this large sandstone rock is part of the property. When I was little I would love to climb up to the top and look around the lake, see what the otters had left up there, and to trace my finger on the names that people had carved into it. Once in a crevice a found a birds nest. My Dad has a beautiful photograph of him and his brothers and sisters by the rock when they where children. I miss being able to climb up there and watch the lake.

(my Dad, Tom, took this last picture)

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Falling Leaves

Fall is my favorite time of year (next to Spring). I love watching the leaves turn, slowly change and seeing the beautiful paintings the trees seem to make along the hill side. (Not only has the leaves started changing, but the colors of my hair has too! I got a new doo’ this week.) I love to walk through the leaves that have fallen to the ground, hearing them crunch and the smell of the leaves! That has to be one of my favorite scents of fall.

When the kids walk up from the bus stop, they pick up a few favorite leaves to bring home. This reminds me of when I was younger and walked home from the bus. Wadding through all the leaves that had fallen along the drive way. Singing silly songs in hopes of scaring the forest animals. (Pretty sure this worked!) Red and orange has to be my favorite leaf colors. But yellow ain’t bad either.

Stats:
Pattern: Falling leaves shawl/scarf by Valley Yarns
Yarn: 6 skeins raw silk by Autumn House Farm in colorway Hattie’s Zinnia’s
Needles: 5.00mm (US8) to cast on, 4.50mm (US7) to knit
Mods?: Casted on with 1 less repeat, I didn’t have as much yarn as needed.
Notes: Later this week the weatherman said this Indian summer will end, the 80 degree weather will stop, and it will be chilly. Can’t wait to wear this lovely shawl!

I can remember picking out leaves and sealing them between sheets of wax paper. In 2nd grade I think we made wax resist drawings and then painted over them with watercolors. Autumn is such an inspiring month for me, not only by watching the trees change colors but it feels like the real start of the new year. My favorite thing about Autumn? My absolute favorite thing? Raking up the leaves (or Mike using the leaf blower to make a big pile) lining up the kids and screaming : JUMP IN!

again with the busy

yes, again with the busy! This week the kids had their first day of school (don’t worry there is FO picture at the end of this post!)

Corra and Bryce had their first day of school. Allysa can’t wait to go! Corra’s in third grade this year, and Bryce is in first. My, time is flying right by! While the older kid’s where in school Allysa and I baked cookies for them.

We used Sheri’s cookie recipe from this post. I love Sheri’s tradition of making cookies for her kids on the first day of school. It’s something I plan on doing. Thank’s Sheri for inspiring me! The recipe is a good one, mmmmm cookies!

Can you see that look in Bryce’s eyes? Please Mom, just one more cookie? I used chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and mini m&m’s since I didn’t have enough chocolate chips. Now, for the fiber (hehehe, no pun intended. Now, Mike. That’s a pun!)

I finished my Dad’s birthday socks

I’ll share the un-pattern with you when I get  back home to Pennsylvania. We’re up visiting my parents again, and I left my notes at home. Dope! I’m feeling so good right now though, Dad’s birthday is in October and his socks are done early *big grin*. I started falling leaves shawl from Valley yarn’s Monday? I think it was Monday when I started it..

I’m using raw silk from Autumn House farm in the Hattie’s Zinnia’s colorway. Its really not as red as the picture is showing. I casted on with a size 8 needle and have been knitting with a size 7. I hope to have in done in time for Rhinebeck.

Mike and my cousin Jason, took the kids to the fish hatchery to go fishing. Kailey and I are going to enjoy some knitting time peace and quiet. While it lasts that is!

PS thank you all for your wonderful Birthday wishes!!! You all really have made my week : )