Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all the wonderful Dads out there.

Live long and prosper. \\//

More X's and O's

Yesterday I was in the mood to bead big time. I wanted to make another X and O bracelet. So I tossed housework and weeding aside and beaded all day. I ended up making two bracelets.

This one is done in shades of purple and pale yellow.

 I LOVE it!

I used purple 4mm Swarovski crystals, pale yellow Czech  firepolish crystals, 6mm lavender glass pearls, and pale yellow pearl size 11 seed beads.

It sparkles. Boy, does it sparkle! I have a few different things in my wardrobe that it will go with too.

After I got that one done, my daughter admired it so much she asked me for one. She chose dark blue and white for colors.

It was a real challenge figuring out how to do this one so it would sparkle the same way.

The base is made with dark blue 6mm Druks. Initially, I started with dark blue crystals but they didn't show up very well with the dark blue background. So I switched to 4mm white firepolish crystals and 4mm crystal bicones. I used pearl white size 11 seed beads. It turned out perfect.

My daughter loves it.

So, I've made a total of 3 bracelets this week.

I feel a bit guilty for not doing my 'chores' for the day. I hope to make up for it on Friday, assuming the beading bug doesn't bite again. It might cuz I ordered a whole bunch of new glass pearls this morning and they should be here by then.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 6/12/2013

Time for a WIP Wednesday post! Remember the other day I mentioned that I seem to be in a Turquoise mood? This is why. I'm knitting a pair of Turquoise and brown mens mittens for Knitwits.

AND I'm knitting a shrug in shades of Turquoise, also for Knitwits.

Everything I make I want to use Turquoise. However, I have managed to slip in some other colors. This is going to be a pair of fingerless mitts (for Knitwits).

I've joined a knit along in the Ravelry Fingerless Gloves Fanatics group. This grey yarn is leftovers from the grey/silver/black/and white shrug I finished a couple weeks ago. It's just an unknown acrylic that was donated to Knitwits, but it has a beautiful silvery sheen to it that, sadly, doesn't show in the pictures. I just had to make a pair of mitts with it. The theme for the knit along is "Under-appreciated". We are to pick a pattern in Ravelry that has less than 15 projects to it's name. I've chosen Twilled Stripe Arm Warmers, which technically isn't mitts because there's no thumb/hole. But it came up in my search for fingerless mitt patterns, and I can easily stick thumbs in it. Currently, this pattern has 1 project to it's name. Mine. Hopefully after I get mine done, others might take an interest in it.

If you're interested in participating in WIP Wednesday, please join us.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Hugs and Kisses or X's and O's

The June challenge for Seedbeadersters group is Right Angle Weave. Specifically, this bracelet. And clearly, I am in a turquoise/aqua mood right now. (More about that later this week.)

Click on the pics to embiggen

It is a variation on the Hugs and Kisses, or X's and O's bracelet pattern that can be found all over the internet. I didn't use a pattern because it was pretty easy to figure it out without one. If you want one, you can find it in the Monomint Etsy store-->  Oh Donna X's and O's.

It's also in the Bead and Button 2009 Special Edition issue Brilliant Crystal Jewelry 2.

I used pale gold 6mm freshwater pearls, 3 colors of 4mm Swarovski crystals, and size 11 Czech seed beads in turquoise. I used 6lb Fireline in Crystal for thread.

I LOVE this bracelet! I think it's the prettiest one I've made thus far (but I'm biased). It's sparkles! I want to make another one.

I worked on it out on the deck today, between laundry loads. The weather was so perfect. Sunshine, blue sky, and a gentle breeze. Not too hot, not too cold. Just perfect. I enjoyed myself immensely.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Yay!

We got the hot tub all hooked up and working this weekend. When I got up this morning the water was warm and toasty. I had to get in right away! Sweet hubby and I sat in it while drinking our morning coffee. It was delightful! I am lovin' it!

Later in the afternoon, after working in the garden and finishing up the installation of the cover lifter, daughter Ruth and I got in again. Sweet hubby took this picture of us.

Cable is very curious about this strange new thing full of water that we seem to be overjoyed about. But not curious enough to get into it, thankfully.

We are very happy with our hot tub. I think I'll order a new swimsuit.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Gray Gala Mittens

Gray Gala Mittens

Pattern: Seed Stitch Stripe Mens Mittens by me, made for Knitwits.

Yarn: Mixed Fiber Novelty by Gala
Content: Acrylic/nylon/polyester mix, worsted weight
Color: Gray/Brown/Pale Apricot

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 6

Cast on: May 27, 2013
Completed: June 4, 2013

Comments: I altered the pattern some by just doing stockinette stitch and to make it fit a large mans hand. I added two inches between the top of the thumb gusset and the top shaping (to 10 inches from cuff edge instead of 8 inches). I added 4 rows to the thumb length too.

A close up of the fabric. The yarn consists of a smooth grey yarn wrapped by a thin variegated boucle'.

 These mittens turned out nice and thick, and warm. They will keep someone's hands toasty next winter.

I finished the mittens while I was at Rathdrum Knitalong today. I cast on for a Fancy Flossy Shrug after that in shades of aqua. After finishing this blog post, I'm gonna go sit out on the deck and knit because it's gorgeous out. The air smells good too because the lilacs are blooming. I'd work on the garden but I'm super sore from working on it yesterday.

My garden is doing good despite the rain we've been getting this past week. It rained all weekend, at times coming down in sheets! I had planned to work on the yard pulling weeds and whatnot, but ended up spending the weekend indoors, feeling robbed.

I was worried it would drown my poor garden, but we've got a few days of dryer weather in the forecast, so it should be okay. Things are growing nicely. I've got several potato plants now, and all the corn and bean seeds are sprouted. I've got acorn squash plants, and I finally planted the Chinese Cabbage sprouts my sister-in-law gave me. They almost doubled in size overnight. I think they're happy to finally be in the ground.

The new pump for the hot tub arrived this morning. I was disappointed that it didn't arrive last week. Well, maybe this next weekend I'll finally get to sit in the tub and enjoy.

Tomorrow I have Knitwits. I've got 4 things to turn in. That's pretty darn good for me.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Simple Womans Daybook for May 28, 2013

FOR TODAY May 28, 2013

Outside my window... it's raining like crazy. I think at least half an inch has fallen in the last 15 minutes. There's a rainbow in the eastern sky too. Sucks to be my husband right now. He's riding home from work, on his bike.

I am thinking... about what to write in this blog post.

I am thankful... I am indoors all warm and dry.

In the kitchen... dinner is cooking. I've just finished the fried rice. The beef and broccoli is about done, and I'll pop the beets in the microwave after sweet hubby gets home.

I am wearing... black slacks and a t-shirt that is peach with red  small roses printed on it.

I am creating... a purple doll dress with a lace inset in the front yoke. I knit it and unknit it 3 times last night. Finally got it right. It added a nice amount to the number of rows I've knit toward the 1 million row goal. Yes, I count the ones I unravel. I knit them, didn't I?

I am going... on a little trip in June. My friend, Sandy, invited me to go with her to the Black Sheep Gathering, a fiber festival in Eugene, OR. I am very excited. It should be lots of fun.

I am wondering...  if sweet hubby is okay. That is an awfully hard downpour going on out there.

I am reading... two books. One is a work of fiction by Simon Toyne called Sanctus. It's one of those religion mystery thriller type books like Dan Browns The Da Vinci Code. So far a monk has climbed a very steep mountain and thrown himself off it putting everyone and everything into a panic.

The other book is non-fiction. Specifically, Don't Know Much About Mythology by Kenneth C. Davis. I have a huge interest in religious mythology. This book is about just that. So far I've been through the Egyption mythology, and have just started the Mesopotamian mythology. I like this book because it tells about what the cultures were like as well as what their beliefs were and why and in a lot more detail than past books I've read. I have read quite a bit on mythology in my life, and even took a couple college courses on it many many moons ago. I think it's fascinating.

I am hoping... never mind. I was hoping sweet hubby would arrive home. He just did.

I am looking forward to... sitting in our hot tub. Sweet hubby worked on it over the weekend, with help from Dan and Sue. It's all installed now except one problem. The pump doesn't work. It's in such bad shape it's not repairable. We've ordered a new one. A replacement was surprisingly easy to find via the internet. It should arrive here before next weekend when it will be installed. By Sunday evening I hope to be sitting in said tub enjoying it.

I am learning...   all about how to maintain a hot tub. There's quite a bit to learn.

Around the house... are some wet fur kids. Both kittens were outside when the rain started pounding down. I called them in and they got soaked running for the door. While calling the kittens in, Cable went outside just for funs. She doesn't mind getting soaking wet. The house smells like wet animal.

I am pondering... things that I do not want to share with the general public, so won't be writing about them here.

A favorite quote for today...  "Your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behavior does." ~ author unknown.

One of my favorite things...  Chocolate Eclair Cake! It's a new favorite. One of my Facebook friends shared the recipe. I tried it this weekend for the annual Park family Memorial Day barbecue. It was so easy to make and it was fanstastic! I will definitely be making it again. Yum yum!

A few plans for the rest of the week: I've got a busy one ahead of me. Thursday is Yarnies, and lunch with my BFF Judy, who is visiting this week from California. I am so looking forward to seeing her. On Friday Judy and I are spending the day together doing stuff. Not sure what just yet. I'm sure whatever it is we'll enjoy it.

A peek into my day...

This made me laugh this morning.

If you want to join the Simple Womans Daybook, click here.

Live long and prosper. \\//