WEEKEND GETAWAY & GRADUATION

We took a 3 hour drive down to Key West, FL on Saturday, Memorial Day weekend. It was so much fun, we rented scooters, had a dip in the ocean and ate Key Lime Pie from the Blond Giraffe Key Lime Factory as Rachel Ray would say "yumo".

Beautiful beach and white sand.

From left to right our friend, hubby and me. (gosh I need to loose #'s) you don't realize how you've spread until someone takes a picture. hehehehehe.

On the right is a two seater scooter it has two wheels in the front, one in the front and it drives with handle bars. Loads of fun!!

This is the southern most point in the USA only 90 miles to Cuba, my birth country. There is a line at this point that is at least 20 mins. long to take this one shot, if your Cuban is totally worth it, cause it's the closest you'll ever get to your parent's homeland.

In other news my daughter graduated from High School on Tuesday, although the school district picked a historical site, they must not have realized that it was under construction on the exterior and everyone's pictures would have fencing, scaffolding etc.. but, she was so happy and mom was emotional. Amazing how 18 yrs fly by before you realize the kids are growing up. On Friday my son will graduate and then we're done with the high school portion of their education, geez, I guess my paycheck and the two of them will go to college soon. 8o( **my wallet is wimpering** That's gonna put a kibosh on fiber art spending for a while, I guess I will need to stock up over the summer. LOL

Hubby gave me a graduation present that totally floored me, he said it was for being his kid's mom, and help him raise them, we've had his kids since we married in 95, they were only five and four at the time. He gave me a 1.75 tcw diamond bridal set WOW!!! I took a photo but it was really blurry so I couldn't show everyone, of course I loved it haven't taken it off since I received it.

The Happy Graduate!!

Ruana Progress

This is a close up of the weaving for the Ruana, and an updated pic on the progress I've passed the half way point and am starting to see the end of the one panel. No pattern yet, which of course, leads me to believe that I have made a mistake somewhere along the way, either or I will need to make another panel exactly the same so mistake or not it's a done deal.

Chunky Sweater, Baby Ghan and Prom

It's been a busy week and weekend, with my DD's Prom (that's her in the white and her BFF) I thought they looked gorgeous. They were so excited to go and have fun. I was really happy for them, they've been friends since 6th grade.

Mom's day was also wonderful, I got to go to my SIL home and spend time with my hubby's family, this was a real treat since they really don't get together that often.

On the looming, I have two new projects, along with the rest, although I have neglected my weaving and am getting ants in the pants about not working on it. But in my defense I have been working on the new "chunky sweater" that's the great yarn I got over at Joanns.com called beach. In my opinion, for what it's worth, I think they should have called it ocean, because the colors are true to the Atlantic Ocean from an areal view and since I live only 20 mins from Miami Beach, I really know what the colors look like up close and personal (it's almost beach season for the locals). I really like working with the yarn it's holding together nicely, specially since I frogged that sleeve (in the pic) eight (8) times already with the old adage running in my mind on rewind "If you do it right the first time you don't have to do it over".. even the DH had something to say on the fourth (4) rip out, but he wised up after threatening him with bodily harm with very pointy knitting needles, he's decided not to make any more comments on my frogging. **wicked smile** I can get into Prozac needing mode when I can't figure out what I need to do on a project. LOL. Yes I know what a pain in the a#$, but I really wanted it a certain way and since I'm writing the pattern as I go along I really can't accept it, if it isn't done correctly. (we're being a bit of stickler on this one eh? hehe).

On the baby ghan, this one is my relaxer knit, sooooo very easy and I only need to count to four (4), quite frankly at times that's the most I can count to without loosing the little bit of sanity I have left at the end of the day. So this one I knit when I'm watching tv, or listening to talk radio and the brain cells can just relax in the monotony of the stitch, funny I never thought monotony was something I would like, go figure...

There's a baby on the way

One of our friend's daughter is pregnant, so I started a new baby blanket, thanks to some help from a group member. I saw this stitch on her blog http://www.theresasknitting.blogspot.com/ and asked for the basics after some sample and frogging I think I've got it (Theresa's looks a lot better than mine but I like the chunkiness of it). I used a camera from work and of course the pics are awful, I must take a better shot. But the stitch is a rib and alternate rib something or other, really the names of these stitches are getting ridiculous, I've look through some knitting books to see if there is something compatible in them for a real name but I have found anything yet. At one point last year I thought I'd seen this stitch in another blog http://amoonsinger.blogspot.com/ which was a K2P2 in this stitch you wrap the K2P2 then reverse, it really is a pretty stitch once you get the hang of it. I'm using the KKII blue with two strands of ww 4 ply soft acrylic Wintuk, which was in the "yarn estate" we here at work inherited last year.

Florida is burning up this spring, there are eight brush fires in various counties, we are getting the smoke, ash and haze from the west coast and everyone I know is having difficulties with their allergies, your truly included. We need rain and it's no where to be found, I pray it comes soon because there are going to be a lot of sick people and damaged acreage. If you want to see what's going on this is a good report. http://cbs4.com/local/local_story_128183951.html

Almost done!!

This will be the new collar for the cable sweater, I've measured and re-calucalted and re-measured and I think its right now. WHEW!!! what an ordeal this one has been a true test of paitence, but I'm going to be happy to wear it this winter when we go house hunting in NC. I have been debating on the pattern for this one. I haven't started writing yet, but since I've had my difficulties I don't really know if a can. I guess I should have been writing as I was knitting and then I would not wind up with this dilema in the end. I cabled so much on this one that I've given up on cabling the new chunky sweater I figure I could use the break of twisting and pulling yarn , hehehe. The "beach" sweater is a simple K4P2 pattern that I'm doing on the KKII's I really like it and I can relax my mind as I knit. I 'll take a pic this weekend so you all can see. The ruana is coming along, although I thought I would finish the first panel last weekend of course that never happened so I'm hoping for some time this weekend. It's getting hard to work on yarn project when the sun is shining and it's beach season, although I have been known to take knitting to the beach and sit under the umbrella, much to my husband's caringe!!

Ruana & Cable Sweater Progress

I know it doesn't look like much, but I really truely have been working on it. I couldn't resist my new chunky yarn and started yet another sweater soI think I've put in two (2) hours into weaving, yes I know it's shameful but true, must make note to self NO MORE NEW YARN!! hehe as if that really makes a difference. I have some free time this weekend so I'm going to try to finish it up and have a posting and pic on Monday. On the cable sweater project I have completed the arms **happy dance** which I will also be attaching this weekend . I've started re-designing the collar portion I'll be working on that at lunch time, so I can be done with (hopefully) the next two weeks.

In other news I got a new CAR!!! I'm so excited it's sooooooooo cute I've been wanting a sports car for well forever!! I had one when I didn't have (ahem) kids, *wink wink*, but since they are all graduating and drive YES!!! I don't need a SUV anymore!! What I'd get check it out here http://www.pontiac.com/solstice/ yeah that's what I got. Really cool, or as my adult children would say "off the hook, it's kicking" "old lady with a twin turbo charge" I really didn't appreciate the last one, but you know to a 19, 18, & 17 yr old - 41 is ancient.

Update on the new Ruana

I decided to stop calling this one a shawl, and call it by it's final outcome a ruana. For those of you who have not seen a ruana or want to see a really great ones, here is an awesome website for these http://a-wee-bit-of-ireland.stores.yahoo.net/ruanas.html I love the red one here. If you knit check out the fisherman's sweaters, beautiful cable work on those. Of course my ruana will be different in which I will have to points in the front and one in the back. After having to frog the first attempt this is the second try . I likey this one! Although I'm not getting the same effect as my sample one below, I hope it will show up after I remove it wash it etc.. If not then it will still be a great ruana for me. I'm going to have to figure out what to do with the fringe thingy I really don't like fringe that much, I may cut it short or do some kind of macrame knot to it, I don't know yet, and quite frankly I'm really well away from that, but since I can already picture it in my mind it's hard for me not to plan ahead. I received my booklets from Linda Smith's Tri-Loom http://www.geocities.com/elelsmith/and I have to say they are packed with information very well written with content page, and a resource page, her personality really comes through in her writing style. Lots of different weaving techniques on the tri loom and very interesting, my only complaint is that for me, I would have liked more photos. I'm a visual learner so pictures to me are very helpful with instructions, but I'm going to experiment on my small loom with the weaving patterns and then take digitals and put them in each section this way down the road when my mind has forgotten what it looked like I have it in the fiber library, which I'm slowly building up.

The second pic is of my new yarn called "beach" with this one I'm planning a sweater which will be chunky warm and oh so soft, can you tell I'm going to really like this one? I going to knit up a swatch today and see how the gauge is on my purple KK loom.

Fun Stuff

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ESTJ)

Your personality type is serious, fair, independent, and competent. Only about 9% of all people have your personality, including 7% of all women and 11% of all men You are Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

MY DUH MOMENT!!

After finishing my 4th set of 12 plus 4 repeats on my shawl I noticed that I wasn't getting the effect I so love with the cut thread technique. Well, that's because I did WRONG ARRRRRRGHHHHHH!!!!!!! So take it apart I must, (in Yoda's infinite wisdom) which I did this morning OUCH!! Back to square one or should I say peg one, hehehe. THIS WAS THE DUH MOMENT OF THE WEEK!!

NEW SHAWL, CABLE SWEATER AND MORE

It didn't take me too long to get started on a new shawl. This one will be a ruana, I'm going to make two shawls and crochet them together to make the ruana (this one is actually for me). I started last night and decided to do 12 blocks of heather grey and 4 blocks of cream white. You can almost see it in the picture, I figure once I get some more done I'll be able to notice the color change. (keep watching for progress pics).

On the cable sweater front I had to frog the hoodie, yes it was painful, but I couldn't get it to attach to the sweater the way I wanted it to so, I shifted gears and changed the pattern, (it's easier to do this if your the designer and not a pattern hehehe, trust me I use the word designer very loosely) I'm now knitting a collar instead. If I counted right ( you all know that's my challenge counting stitches and rows) the collar should work out just right. I'm planning to make a loop for a button but I'm not really sure yet I'll have to see once I finish what kind of details I will add.

On a happier note I received my Jo-Ann package today with you guessed it more yarn!!! It's called "Beach" it's blues, greens, lime and turquoise terrific deep ocean colors, I LOVE IT. The yarn is Red Heart Grande, super bulky. I'm planning another sweater, on the larger gauge looms the KK long looms I'll have to do a swatch and see what would work out.

I just found out that my kids will be graduating different days one on May 29 and the other on June 1, which is the week of Memorial Day on Monday, guess who's going to miss a lot of work?? WOOHOOO!!!! I'm so proud of them, to think not so long ago they were babies. Scary how time flies by.

I was emailed a website that I thought was so inspiring check it out you wouldn't regret viewing this presentation. http://www.pathways-to-peace.com/ Touch the ‘view presentation’ button

Peppermint Stick Shawl

Modeled by Sexy Susan (my usual model my daughter is on strike and soon to be off to college so I have to get use to Susy LOL).

Finally it's finished!!!!!!!!

Peppermint Stick?! Well, of course there's a story behind that name, one of the more talented ladies on my TriLoom Group gave my shawl this name, she's followed my annoying progress for awhile and I liked it so it stuck. I crocheted the edge which to my surprise did not take as long and wasn't as despicable as I thought it would be. I'm a professed non-crocheter, not because I don't know how, but because as a kid my grand always gave me a summer project to complete and she only knew how to crochet so guess what I spent summers learning and ripping out and doing over. Well now that I've gotten older I can really appreciate what she taught me, cause I really haven't forgotten, even though I haven't crocheted in years, just little edges here and there. Funny how your perspective changes with age.

Well some of the things I learned make this one; patience is not only a virtue but an absolute resolve when working on the large loom. Yes the process is beautiful but it is not painless, of course I have boo boos in it but now I know better. My loom is 7' with the nails 3/8" apart with 756 nails / 252 on all sides. The shawl turned out to be 6'2" across the hypotenuse, which I thought would be really large but in wrapping myself around in it really wasn't enough material , I'm a size 12 or x-large.When I first got it off the loom the fabric was as stiff as a board I use Red Heart WW yarn since I planned to give it to my grand and I knew she would wash it and dry it in the machine, I needed something durable. After I washed it and air dried it soften up quite a bit but really doesn't drape much. I think it's because the nails are so close and the fabric is so dense, but since this is the first I'm not sure, but I will figure this out. Since I'm allergic to natural yarns, I knew I needed to work with acrylics, mostly 4ply WW usually my preferred choice of yarn is Caron's Simply Soft in whatever color, it's really soft and fluffy and everything I make with it I love. The next shawl will be a cut length shawl I've made a few samples on my small tri and I really like the concept and the look. I'm going to use sport weight yarn and make a ruana and see how that works out since the yarn is thinner maybe I'll get the drape I'm after, if that's not the answer then I guess I might pull out every other nail and try again. I'll keep you posted and hopefully this project won't take 5 months to complete since I have to do two shawls to get the one ruana (hehehe). Cut Thread Sample (next big shawl project)

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO?

Cable sweater back, sides and part of sleeve

Tri Loom Shawl Completed!!

Well I finally finished the triloom shawl I've been working on since November, why so long?? No excuses I've been lazy about it, plus since it was for my grandmother, I just couldn't work on it without crying, which hinders sight and enthusiasm. Now my only concern is how to finish it off, fringe, crochet edges or spoolie knit edging? I didn't give it much thought past finishing it last night maybe tonight I'll come up with the answer. It looks squiggly in the center, this is because I could push the yarn over as I wove, my pick was not really that great for this loom, but I got an afro pick with long teeth and the next one will be better. I can't believe I'm already planning the next one ;o) (as is with all fiber addicts LOL)

On another note, I've been working on my cable sweater, at work on my lunch time and I'm getting close to finishing. YES! I'm really excited about this one since it's my first sweater. I've notice that I have some mistakes on the sleeves that need to be fixed, I increased more on one than the other, and the hoodie has one leg that attaches to the front longer also, must be somethin' up with the counting of rows hehehe.. hard to watch Maury and knit and be part of a lively conversation in the lunch room but all in all I think it's going to turn out great. I have about 20 more rows to go and then I should start assembling the back and sides. Can't wait!!

MINI VACATION

PINEWOOD ESTATE CHALET SUZANNE HISTORIC REG.

PINEWOOD GARDEN FOUNTAIN

ENTRANCE AND BOK TOWER

CHELET SUZANNE'S DINING ROOM AND ENTRANCE TO THE INN

The hubby and I went on a mini vacation this weekend to celebrate our 12th year anniversary!! We've been taking mini vacations together without the kids since we first got married, we alway take a family vacation then we take our "real" vacation. I have to say it has been the best thing we have ever done for our marriage and relationship "we time" is always the best. We went to Chalet Suzanne, which is a country inn in Lake Wales, Florida you can check out the website here http://www.chaletsuzanne.com/. We had gone there for part of our honeymoon and decided it was time to re-visit. I love this place, as you drive into Lake Wales which is in the central part of Florida by Lake Okeechobee, you hit the orange grove farms, since it has been unseasonably warm all winter, the groves have blossomed early, what a wonderful sweet smell, of orange blossoms everywhere, it just takes you by surprise. Every time we walked out of our suite we would smell that wonderful aroma, someone should bottle that stuff they'd make a ton of money. We visited Historic Bok Sanctuary http://www.boksanctuary.org/ where there is a 205 ft Gothic and art deco Carillon Tower which has bells in it that is played by a carillonneur. On the property there's a Mediterranean Revival home called Pinewood Estate, it was the winter home for Mr. C. Austin Buck, an early 20th century industrialist. This house was beautiful, (I love old architecture, houses and public buildings) all of the doors and windows were hand made carved by woodworkers, tile brought in from Spain, Italy and Cuba (which is my birth country) Lots of interesting furnishings and history. We weren't allow to take photos of the the interior but boy did I get photos of the exterior and surrounding gardens. The next day we did the real Florida Tourist Trap and went to Universal Studios, I hadn't been there in six (6) years, can't say I would go again anytime soon, way too many people and I didn't feel it was worth the $77.00 /plus tax per person to get in. Well needless to say we enjoyed our anniversary and had a great time, I can't wait to do again!!

CUP COZY

I was on one of my favorites blogs http://americaninitaly.blogspot and Zia Sara had a mug cozy that she found somewhere and she crochet two for her mugs. I had been searching for something to do after I joined http://http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spoolknitter and my spoolie was available, so I got to thinking, I can do this cozy with the cord I knit on the spoolie.

I started knitting away and once I had enough cord to start the bottom (top pic on the left) I started rolling it and sewing it together, since I didn't know how long a cord I needed I made the cozy as I went along knitting some, sewing some and shaping some. I loved the challenge of shaping it and getting the loop around the handle and seeing if it would work or not, it took some manuvering but in the end I'm really happy with it, I think it turned out really cute.

I used a 4 peg spool knitter I got at Dollar Tree (in the toy section) last year, it's see through plastic (which is a feature I really like as I can see what the cord looks like as I knit, I wish my knitting boards were like that) with wire pegs, Peaches and Cream cotton yarn in Sea Breeze, my KK hook and about 4 hours total.

I think this would make a cute gift for Mother's day.

Comments and Pattern

Thank you for the great comments, I appreciate them. I tried to upload the instructions for the folks that wanted them but blogger is being excruciatingly difficult today so please follow the link to the Board Knitter Group (on the left side of the blog) and the pattern is in the file section under Patterns. Enjoy!! (if you are not a member don't worry I will approve you quickly)

For the Hat I used the KK blue and knitted a regular baby hat.

For the Blanket I used 14" tri loom and wove 12 tri's stitched together with a simple crochet edge. The monogram was a crocheted chain stitch that I sew on to the one tri.

Baby Gifts

I've finished the baby gifts for my sons' aunt who just had a baby girl. I used various looms to make each item, it was a lot of fun and challenging to figure out which loom, I needed to accomplish all the gift items (I can't figure out why this portion of text is underlined).

The close up photo is of a baby hat on the blue KK loom with the knit stitch, the burp bib is done on my fine gauge knitting board with rib, eyelet and stockinette stitches and the baby blanket is a compliation of Tri loom woven triangles two strands held together, that have been pieced together. I crocheted an edge around the blanket and a chain crochet in pink for the baby's name. I must admit that this was really interesting to use different looms with different stitches and weave to get such a complimentary gift set. I hope they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed make them. :)

TRI LOOM SHAWL UPDATE

I've made some progress on the shawl this past week. The left pic was taken in Nov. and the bottom pic last night. Since it's hanging in my bedroom and I look at it every night, I finally decided last night I had enough, I need to finish this one and get if off my loom. This was the shawl I was going to give my grandmother, but will not be able to use it. I am considering sending it my husband's aunt in California. We'll see how I feel about it once it's finished. I havebeen thinking of contacting a few vendors in North Carolina and Gatlinburg TN about sending some of my shawls for consignment to see if they would sell, although I haven't figured out how to keep track of the inventory or what prices should be, but I figured it couldn't hurt to try, so I have to finish this one and get started on some more so that I have some inventory to send.

In other news I finished the woven bottom purse, but I forgot to take a picture of it. I'll do that this weekend and post for everyone to see. There has been some really exiciting new on the Loom Knitting home front. One of the most talented ladies in our groups Isela, has an article in Kitty. com check it out here http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/FEATloomknitting.html. I'm so proud of her and all that she is doing for our Loomies, it's a great feeling to know that the Knitting community is waking up to us and actually taking notice. I have been told by knitting snobs that the product I produce are not really knitted items, because "they have not been made in a traditional way". I have even walked into yarn shops and had the owners rebuff me because I brought in my loom to see if handspun would work on it. So Isela, you are slowly but surely bringing us to the forefront and for that I say "WAY TO GO, GIRL"!!! "MAKE US PROUD.

SMALL WOVEN PURSE

First I'd like to warn any men reading this blog the next few lines are for the ladies for that time of the month so, if you don't need to know please don't read on. I made this little purse about a year ago when I first received my Hazel Rose loom, this was one of my samples, I started playing with it and came up with this little purse. It's one 18" loomed tri - folded over to make a square stitched on both inside flaps to make it sturdy and then the top flap is held by a button and a loop made of crochet chain. After I made it I couldn't figure out what I could use it for until my daughter saw it, she immediatly told me she was needing something to put in her bag when she was in school so that if her bag fell open the pads would not slide out. She can fit two maxi pads in there and keep them from roaming her bag. It was an easy project that I didn't think had any usefulness, but it really does, so I'm very pleased with the results.

Purse Update

I wanted to post a pic of the progress on the woven bottom purse for everyone to see, I think it's coming out great. I'm planning on the top and have a new idea for the cord and straps. I think I may be able to finish it this weekend and sew a lining for it. I'll take some photos and have a pattern after that.

IT'S ACTUALLY COLD DOWN HERE,

It's 42F today, I know most of the country is freezing, but since we don't get cold often it's really cold for us beach bunnies. Yes, most of you are laughing, but when you deal with 80-85 F in January for a week then 30-40F the next week, you get some confusion, if not with the inevitable question of "what should I wear", but "where the heck did I put that ONE turtle neck I own don't ever use and now desprately need". Yeah, Yeah laugh all you want, but geesh, the temps are all over the place. I think someone should wake up that groundhog and make sure just one more time!!

I went to Kansas's blog which is listed on my blog list and saw that she made a mesh bag for her daughter this past summer using plastic grocery bags, well, that was super creative, I loved it and that got my creative juices flowing and thought wow I've never woven on the rounds, I weave on the Triloom, but in the round..... So off I went, I started the bottom of a purse with the cotton twine like crochet yarn , which was left over from the summer purse I made last year and of course didn't count the number of rolls I had, and this stuff is from my mom's stash that came from Spain, needless to say I don't have enough, but I have a solution, I will make the body of the purse in Peaches and Cream and the bottom of this twine, its similar in color so the difference won't be that noticeable. Here are pics of the bottom, I'm almost finished weaving it.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A VALENTINE'S FULL OF LOVE, HUGS AND KISSES.

LOOM FOR SALE

Small Gauge - Wood Base with Cotter Pin- Adult size Loom, this is a DA loom I used it twice. Knitted two hats with one strand of LB homespun. Comes with instructions, and hook. Price $ 23.00/includes shipping to anywhere in the US payment must be in form of Money Order. If interested please email me at Betyantonio4@yahoo.com. First person to email gets the Loom!! Good Luck.

What have you been working on?? HAIRNETS ??? Did someone seriously say HAIRNETS??

That's the current question on everyone's group list. Well I've been busy with some hairnets, yes I said hairnets. Why??? you might ask, well my niece's are all in ballet, ages 10,10,7 (yes twins) and my SIL asked if I would knit the girls these pouches to keep thier hair out of their faces as they danced, so I did. I remembered back in the dark ages when I danced ballet, my mom crocheted some of these thingys for my hair, so I went from memory of what they looked liked and I think I accomplished it. So when the girls went to dance class the next week the other moms asked my SIL if I sold them, well my SIL is a business woman and doesn't like to miss an opportunity to grab some cash so, she said "oh of course". So I wound up making several for sale I usually don't sell any of my craft items so pricing these are really up in the air. My SIL thinks she can actually get $10.00/ea. for the fuzzy yarn and $7.00/ea. for the acrylic yarn, I don't know, what I so know is I wouldn't pay that, but I guess if you don't knit, crochet or loom, you do. I'll keep you posted on this little venture.

Vacation

LOOK MA SNOW!!

Well I'm back from my trip to N.C. and I must say what a difference it makes to go to another state, I felt as if I'd left the country. The folks up there are sooooo nice, we got a "good morning" "thank you" and "your welcome" everywhere we when. It was truly refreshing, I can't remember the last time I walk into a place in Miami where people were actually happy to serve you? I know for some of you this may be strange but for me it was great. We went to Gatlinburg TN, Cherokee, Bryson City and Murphy NC. The trip to Gatlinburg was through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, what a great experience and ride. We saw snow!! yes!! Finally my hubby saw it for the first time!! That was exciting he was just like a little kid, made a snowman, snow angle and opened his mouth so that it fell on his tongue, I got a real kick out of seeing him enjoy it so much.

We went to Field of the Woods Bible park and this place was impressive. http://fieldsofthewoodbiblepark.com/ There are the ten commandments on the side of the mountain, the Psalms on the other side of the mountain totally huge, we tried walking up the 322 steps to get to the top but it was 23degrees and very windy we could only stay at the bottom and kept walking into the building to warm up .