Cutting Up

Whew, it's been a while I'm rusting at this posting stuff, hehe.

I've been cutting up strips of plastic department store bags, or better yet making plarn. My DD and her friends are providing the shopping bags, they love to shop.

Did you know that Forever21 has John 3:16 printed at the bottom of the bag? No.. I didn't know until I started cut them up. Or that Love Culture's bags have reinforced handles, yet Gap has string handle that gather, yep all new discoveries once you take scissors to plastic. These bags are also made of thicker plastic than the regular grocery bags, although awful to the environment, good for weaving plastic totes for shopping, beach and project bags.

Mom gets her final Chemo session tomorrow, she's happy it almost over and her head is starting to get some peach fuzzy all over.

I made my mom another chemo cap, she had her 2nd treatment and is feeling tired, but in good spirits and is eating well. I need to find some buttons to compliment this one. It my own pattern and I used Caron Simply Soft Paints, that yarn is so soft it's a pleasure to work with.

I've also been working on my neice's baby gifts, these booties pattern is Classic Cashmere Booties

from the book Simple Knit for Cherished Babies. It's full of sweet little knits I got it at the library and am thinking about ordering a copy for my personal library.
Along with the booties I've been working on a Tomten baby jacket, which of course is an Elizabeth Zimmerman classic from the book Knitting without Tears. I love the way this jacket comes together. I'm planning a cap for this set.

On the weaving front, I have selected yarns for my SIL's scarf and will start winding warp tonight, I would like to have it tied up my the end of tomorrow and hopefully start some weaving next week.

The best laid plans always go bust

I had a plan for Saturday that was until my mom called me. Her hair is starting to fall out, not just a few strands here and there noooooo.... in freaking clumps. She was so depressed by the time I got to the house, my heart ached just seeing it. I knew it would happen was even expecting it, but really you not prepared no matter how much you picture it. I spent a good few hours with her, talking, laughing, crying it was soul cleansing. I took her my Ruana and a pair of knitted socks for the next treatment on Thursday, I plan on taking Friday off just to hang at the house with her for the day.

I got home and didn't feel like doing anything other than knitting her a hat, I wanted something soft for her head and decided on Caron Simply Soft paints, she's also sensitive to wool . I got this great colorway called Spring Brook, greens, blues, teal very flowing. (blogger is not letting me post pics today, hopefully tomorrow). I'm almost finished with it and if she likes it I"ll knit her another one, since she has three more treatments to go.

This my friends is a true test of faith, it's hard, it's heart wrenching and has me crying at the thought of what she's going through. If you knew me personally you'd know I'm not the crying type, I usually breakdown after the fact, pillar of strength through the hard bits of life, but this........ I just can't explain.

Think Pink Raffle

This year more than any other I have been touched by Breast Cancer. If you have been following my blog you know my mother is in the mist of her battle with this horrible disease. My mom is commencing chemotherapy next week, with 3 more rounds 1 every month. She will also need radiation and medication. Although her cancer was removed and none was found in her glands, it was diagnosed as an aggressive cancer and the need for all the actions are a precaution for the future. I thank those of you that have sent prayers, good thoughts and karma our way, we appreciate it.

I encourage you to go to Nancy's blog at Basketmaster Weavings she is holding a Think Pink Raffle with beautiful items donated by a creative artisans. Please consider buying some raffle tickets not only for the chance to win the prize but with the knowledge that every dollar we donate may help a save a life.

Shades of Pink

Nancy at Basketmaster's Weaving blog is putting together a Think Pink Raffle. In honor of my friend Lesbia, who after 17 surgeries and 5 long years is a breast cancer survivor, I'm donating a scarf I'm naming "Shades of Pink". I started it this week with a mixture of yarns, textures and colors. I did the same thing with this scarf that I did with the Midnight Shawl, no rhythm or reason to the yarn just the color of pink. I'm finding that I really enjoy these type of projects, the fly by my seat, mix & match yarn choices. I think that I will be doing a lot more of this type of project on my RH since, I have to plan for the Structo and inkle, this will be the whimsical weaving loom. Close up of the yarns, there is LB Suede, Caron Simply Soft, Wool Blend (gifted to me) ribbon yarn with fuzzy sides, eyelash yarn and some nubby stuff I can't even remember when I got it, but it's working out and I'm really loving it.

I'll keep you guys updated as to when the raffle will take place so you can try your luck and help support a great cause.