spunkybluecat

2011-06-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Postcard from Ajdovscina, Slovenia. The population of this city is 8000 and is known for a strong wind called "Burja" that blows 200 km/s (124 m/s). Thank you Erik!

Postcard from Ohio. Say hello to Rocko and your cat! Thank you Kameron!

Postcards from Longji, China. These were my first private swaps. The gentlemen who sent them was so kind. These are pictures of where he lives; the top one during springtime and the bottom in winter. You can see how the land is farmed on the hillsides. Very beautiful. He also sent me pictures of his son who is very cute! Thank you!

Postcard from Holland. I don't know what it says on the front. I can't get a translation on the computer. These are areas in the south of Holland near the German and Belgium border. Thank you Sarah!

Postcard from Pargas, Finland. The lime quarry is going to used for concerts in about a month. I bet the sound will be amazing! Thank you Bror!

Postcard from Whitte Plains, New York. The city of Sleepy Hollow really does exist! It has a very old church and cemetery. Thank you Tara!

2011-06-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

I'm changing this blog to follow our adventures in postcrossing instead of my boring life. Ella and I belong to a website called http://www.postcrossing.com/. We exchange postcards with people all over the world. I am going to post all the postcards we have received with a description of where they are from.

FEBRUARY 18, 2011

This was the first postcard we received in February of this year. The woman on the postcard is Anne Summers. If you look her up on the internet make sure you put the "e" on Anne otherwise you will come up with someone in a totally different industry.Who is she?

Anne Summers, born in Australia, 1945, is known not only for her liberating writings but also for her active role in the Feminist movements in the 1970’s. She wrote several books on the role of Women in Australian history and contributed to society as a journalist, writer and in a lesser sense, a historian. One of her most notable works was Damned Whores and Gods Police, written in 1975.

The postcard was created to acknowledge her life's achievements. Thank you Isaac!

This is a very special handmade card sent to me from my friend Renee (Dora) and her daughter Bri. It is a pressed flower and was very welcome when the weather was so dreary at the time! Thank you so much!

Postcard from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This is a picture of flowering crab trees in Liberty Park. Thank you Veronica!

Postcard from Shenzhen, China. The postcard is handmade from a sheet of tiger stamps. I wish you could see the handwriting on the back. It is beautiful! 2011 is the year of the Rabbit. Thank you Cloud!

Postcard from Helsinki, Finland. I had a very hard time reading the writing on the back of the card. The picture is of the Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral built in the middle of the 1800s. Thank you!

Postcards from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My wonderful cousin Jennifer sent these to us! Thank you Jen!

Postcard from Chicago, Illinois. This is from Jen's sister Sarah (she's wonderful too) and her husband Tom (yes, you are too). Say hello to Lena and Banjo! Thank you!

Has it really ben a month since I last posted !?!

2007-06-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, I haven't posted in quite a while I guess. Here's some picture updates:

Billy is growing fast and SO spoiled. He gets to come out of the pasture and wander around the yard with us. He just follows us around, content as can be. He's so sweet.
Mabel has turned out to be the most mischievous of our goats. We still have a bit to learn apparently...she ate the rope off the gate and had a party out in the barn. When I found her, she had her head buried in the goat food bag which was pretty ripped open. Half eaten paper everywhere. Things knocked over. She had a good time. She gets jealous easily too. I really love their personalities.
We also got some sheep. Our first two, Earl and Pearl are seen here on their first day. This is the pasture they are to eat. Start mowing!!!!
Another pic of Earl and Pearl.
A close up of Earl (our ONLY boy-lucky guy). They have the SWEETEST faces. Long eyelashes and soft features.
Then we got ten more...have only named a few. The all brown one is Cinnamon. There's a Freckles and a Gretchen out there too. They are skiddish so I haven't had a chance to get really good pics yet. They have really done a job on our pasture since we've had them! They are Katahdin/Dorper crosses. Considered "hair sheep," which means their fleece will shed off naturally-no shearing. I am told I will not be able to spin any of it because it is too short but I'm thinking-don't they spin dog fur and similar shorter stapled stuff. I'll just have to check into it or look into some other sheep or goats. We have another pasture they haven't even touched yet! I hope they are hungry.
Ella's first last day of school...Field Day with her friends Victoria and Kaitlyn. They are so cute!
Allie and Ella on the four wheeler. She loves being on this. And she's always saying go faster, go faster. Scary, she's a little daredevil. We went to the Bullitt County Fair tonight. Ella got on every big ride she could. I thought she looked as though she were going to throw up on one or two of them but she didn't. She told us as were leaving that she did throw up but swallowed it. Yeah, gross thought, sorry. I guess she wasn't about to let any puke spoil her fun cause she was non stop all night. She's a tough little girl. I really wish she wouldn't have done that though. I guess it wouldn't have been cool for her to throw up on herself and everyone else on the rides either. It's a toss up unfortunately. I wish I could have known what was going through her head.

I'm still working on my classes. Headed for 3 or 4 midterms all at once. Getting a TON of stuff done on the barn and house. I've repaired boards on the outside of the barn, made two stalls, fixed the outer animal shelter and added a loft to it, landscaped the front of the house, painted the foundation of the house, painted our living room, changed our sunroom into another bedroom, and my garden is just growing like crazy. Nothing has gotten into it cause it's surrounded by dogs. It's still early though, I could end up killing a few plants. We have one peach and two apples on our trees, the frost really did a number on them. We have a ton of grapes showing up on our vines too.

I have been looming a little. I feel guilty when I do though cause I know I should be working on my schoolwork. So when I finish an assignment I allow myself to knit a while. I still very much want to get the website back up and everything else but I haven't figured out to manage my time in a way that I can fit everything in. I have started making some stuff for baskets my Gma's Homemaker's Club will raffle off this winter. A little at a time. Be thankful for what you can do when you can...

Ups and Downs

2007-05-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Caleb's 11th birthday. Time is going too fast. He's already at the age where you don't know what to get them so you get them clothes and you KNOW that isn't what they want. That in-between awkard age. Almost too old for "toys" but not old enough not to get some. His birthday was actually the 1oth but he was at his Mom's and had school. Yesterday wasn't a good day. One of my baby goats had a case of scours which we have under control now but the other for some reason just stopped eating. He was doing so much better than the other and then all of a sudden I couldn't get him to take his bottle. I forced him to take some but he just wouldn't. He died in my arms. I really hate it. I can't stand not to be able to help something like that. I don't know what I did wrong or if I did do anything wrong. I got our goats from a livestock auction so I'm sure there was a reason he was being sold off so young in the first place, but still. Our other baby is so sweet. He just loves attention and loves following everyone around. Our two girls are doing good too. They are just as curious. I really enjoy being around them. I just wish I could have prevented BillyBob from slipping away. I guess I can only try to do the best I can for the others.
Today was better. Still a little gloomy after yesterday. The best part of the day was a "Muffins with Mom" time with Ella at school. They all sang for us and had pictures they had drawn. They told us what made us special (in thier eyes). It was really sweet. One of those times when you're so proud of your child and love them so much you have tears in your eyes. You actually feel a little ache in your heart. I've often wondered about this "ache." It amazes me that our body can produce such an intense "feeling" that it causes on organ inside our body to ache. And you usually associate an ache with pain but these aches come from joyous occasions too. I do believe people can die of a broken heart (I've felt that pain but apparently not as bad as I thought or else I wouldn't be here) and they can also die of sheer joy as well (I'm in no hurry for this one...too much I want to see and experience). It just seems kind of a strange experience. I wonder what it's purpose is?
Well, after reading Dora's blog I'm going to spend the weekend with the kids in focus. I hope every MOTHER out there has a great Mother's Day. And even if you don't have kids you probably take care of someone (another relative, friend or even pet) in the same way and deserve just as much recognition so here's to all of you as well....Happy Mother's Day! You ARE SPECIAL AND LOVED!!!!

New additions to the "farm"

2007-05-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of some of my banty roosters.

This one shows a lot of the new baby bantys.
These are two new baby turkeys, very small but I've been assured they will end up huge if they don't get eaten before their time.
This is my new crested banty, bad hair day, huh?
And today we went to a local stockyard auction and came home with four new goats. Two babies and two juveniles. This is the one that Caleb claimed and named him Noble Steve. (It was supposed to be noble steed cause we were talking about the movie Shrek and how Donkey liked to be called a Noble Steed but he misunderstood me. Oh well.
Here's Ella with Noble Steve. She's not too sure of the goats just yet but I'm sure she'll be all over them as they get more used to everyone and the surroundings.
Here is Allie with the baby she claimed and named "Billy Bob." I don't know where she came up with this one but at least it isn't any of the cutesy names she usually picks out (like Sweetie and Cutie....). Allie also talked her Dad into two more bunnies. I tried the old "ask your Dad" routine hoping he would say NO for me since he hears me complain. Allie wants the bunnies really bad but doesn't take care of them and doesn't listen when I try to tell her how to. But since D doesn't mess with them I guess it doesn't matter to him. (Men!) I didn't get pictures cause they were hiding from the dogs. They have to figure out that the dogs can't get them in their pen before they venture out. The bunnies are spoiled too. They have a whole dog kennel to run around in and get fresh veggies all the time. Sometimes I think I need to trade places with some of my animals, even for a day of pampering would be nice.
This is one of the older girls but not full grown yet. I'm not really sure what kind of goat she is. Neither of the older girls have any ears. Don't no why, don't really care. She's the most timid of the four. She needs some hoof work which I'm going to do tomorrow but they are all really gentle.
This is the other girl. She wasn't sure of everyone at first either but she has been more accepting then the one above. I sat with them for a while in their stall and would scratch her neck and side and she figured out she really liked that and started sniffing me and eventually would walk up to me without any problem. She's seems more personable. I'm going to win the other one over too though. She just needs some attention. I love to spoil animals :) My husband gets upset cause one of the first coondogs he bought comes running straight to me whenever we let him in. He'll listen to me better than him too. It just kills D, but when we first got him you could tell he hadn't been socialized at all. He wouldn't come to anyone. He would run from me and bark at me. Now he's my buddy, just takes time and spoiling.

A close up of Billy Bob. He is a real sweetheart. He comes straight to you wagging his little tail and licks on you. He sat in my lap and fell asleep for a little while. Too cute!

Both babies have such beautiful markings. They are both boys. All four are very curious too. They are all going to be a lot of fun to watch grow and explore their new surroundings. We plan on getting some more. I want to get some sheep as well and tried to today but the old farmer farts kept outbidding me. I got all four of our goats for under $100. That's a good deal to me. I still think I could probably have done better. I think the auctioneer could tell I was a newbie. Easy to get railroaded when he's going fifty miles an hour. Live and learn though. Well, have to do some fence repair work tomorrow....

I need some help naming my girls. Give me some ideas, please. Maybe I'll send the best response a surprise box (for loom knitting purposes). One for each name I choose.

New spring babies

2007-05-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

Our first baby chicks of the year. So cute! I also bought some other babies and will be posting pics of them soon. I just got them today so I thought I'd let them get used to their new home before I terrorize them with a camera. I also got two baby turkeys. Something different. I'm anxious to see them grow up and gobble around the yard. We are also desperately seeking some goats for pasture management. Our pastures are becoming overgrown quickly. You'd think this would be easy, right? I'm not looking for purebred, show quality, registered goats though. Just plain old goats. And of course fairly cheap ones at that. Anyone in the area with any leads, please send me info!

Freedom...

2007-05-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

As of May 1, 2007, I am FREE. For 9 years I prayed to get out of Ford Motor Co. I was given the chance when they offered the buyouts this year. I am glad to be able to walk away from that place but on the other hand I am scared as well. With my freedom also comes, unemployment. No job, no income except for the buyout money which I haven't received yet. I have all kinds of new adjustments to make. Lots of things to do. But still...it's scary. I am now a full time student. I am going to get my Bachelor's degree. I hope to be able to post my progress on this blog somehow. The above pictures show my work shirts happily being burned to a crisp. I should have thrown a bra in for the ultimate symbol of freedom but I figured the neighbors would already think I was nuts with this fiasco :)

Pics of the week...

2007-04-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

A picture of the first yarn I have handspun with my new spindle.
Ella had a field trip to the bowling alley. New respect for TEACHERS!!!!
My poor Daphne had to try on a sweater that would probably fit a chihuahua better. She was a good sport about it though.
My first attempt at making cables on a loom. I used Isela's instructions, you can see the pattern sitting under it. Once I did this, I incorporated some cables in the dog sweater I made that Daphne has on.
Sleeping beauty, I love watching her when she sleeps. So peaceful!
Another sleeping beauty. Little Socks taking a cat nap. He's so sweet!

Busy, busy, busy....

2007-04-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

I've been doing what I can, when I can. So I've been jumping around quite a bit. The spunkybluecatdesigns.com website is down for reconstruction right now. I found someone to help me with everything and am so grateful! THANK YOU TONY! YOU ROCK! I hope to have it more organized and less cluttered. I am planning on adding a page or two as well. I like the idea that one of the groups started with having a featured loomer. I think it would be nice to choose someone and let them talk about how they started looming, what their favorite projects are and just learn more about the people behind the projects. Sometimes the people on the groups are known for just what they make not who they really are. There are a ton of people on here who seem to be superhuman in all that they do. I'm in awe!
I'm halfway through putting together my first e-booklet. It's a beginner's handbook. I've taken all the instructional pages I had from my instruction page on the website and combined them into one (trying to declutter...) plus I'm adding more. This first e-booklet is going to be free and hopefully I will have it working properly soon. The other e-booklets I plan on making are going to be strictly patterns in the areas I have mentioned in a prior post. I have a lot going. Projects going on several looms. When I get bored with one I go to another. I'm pretty excited about it.
It's been kind of hard to focus on everything on the computer though with the weather as beautiful as it has been. It's April 1st and close to 80 today! This is just crazy! But I don't complain. I spent yesterday constructing my new flowerbed. 20 stone blocks and ten wheelbarrows of dirt later...and all I have planted is irises. The lady that lived here before has bulbs coming up EVERYWHERE. I don't know what I am going to get but I'm anxious to see. She has daffodils coming up everywhere too. And we definitely have the same taste as far as shrubs and stuff. They are flowering all over the yard. The fruit trees are all in bloom too. This place and I have a love/hate relationship right now. I hate living this far out, getting really sick of driving so much but I'm trying to make it my own so that I can enjoy it more.
I've actually gotten some school assignments done too. I don't know what it is about homework but everytime I open a book the kids seem to just appear out of thin air and hover. Of course if it's housework, chores, or something like that they are nowhere to be found. If you need sincere concentration it's not going to happen around them and a school book! But still, I'm doing what I can. I wish I could do more but I have a lot on my plate. Have to eat slow or choke, right?
Well, I'll leave you with some pictures (or they will be before this message, blogger can be a pain). Happy Spring!!! Enjoy yourselves!

Other WIPS...

2007-03-14T23:18:00.000-07:00

Some other WIPs that really need work. Rough drafts....definitely. But I have been busy looming and creating. I have about six things going right now and about 12 pages of designs that I still have to test. I need my own personal loom knitter. A clone but with a better attitude :) Wouldn't that be cool. Here...I have an idea, work on this for me, let me know how it goes. I'll be over here thinking up some more stuff while you're busy. Oh, dream a little dream...

Getting creative...

2007-03-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Since the Easter buzz has started I've had a couple of people asking about my bunny slipper pattern I have on the website. The free pattern for those are BABY size. I would say about 6 month old size. I have been meaning to make a larger size for quite some time. About a month ago this huge light bulb popped up above my head and I thought, you know, a lot of people want slippers but always complain about how slippery they are. If you read the digests you know people have tried puff paints and such to give some traction to the bottom of their slippers. Well, why not have an actual sole. Cheap and easy is the way I like to do things. So, I went out and bought a pair of flip flops. $2 at Hobby Lobby or you can probably start finding them at the Dollar Tree since it's March and all the stores think you really want to try on bathing suits with your pasty white winter skin! I cut off the straps, made a piece to match the sole and another piece to go across the top of the foot (plus ears) and VOILA...adult size bunny slippers and you won't bust your rear end. I just finished it a half hour ago so I don't have anything typed up yet, of course. The flip flops were size large. I cast on 8 and knitted 28 rows. I then increased one peg on each side and knitted 4 rows, increased one peg on each side again and knitted 4 rows. Then I started decreasing one peg on each side, knitting 2 rows (decreasing, knitting 2) until I only had 2 pegs left and then combined them and removed the piece from the loom. For the top of the foot piece I would cast on 14, knit 12 rows, decrease one peg on each side and knit 2 rows until you have 2 loops left which you would combine (on one peg, ko, cut yarn and pull yarn through loop). Take the sole piece and lay it on top of your flip flop. Take a yarn needle (preferably with a sharp point, trust me, it will be easier then the blunt one I was using) and sew the piece onto the flip flop around the edge. You will need a thimble or something to help you push the needle through. Do not sew too close to the edge. I pushed the needle down through the top, out the bottom, made a stitch about a 1/4 inch long and went back up from the bottom. All the way around. The I took the top piece and matched it at the point of the flip flop and sewed around the edge of this piece making sure the sides were evenly across from each other. EARS...cast on 5, knit 12 rows, decrease one peg each side, knit 2, decrease one peg on one side, KO. Combine the last 2 loops, knit 1, cut yarn and pull through last loop. Weave in all ends. I took some pink fun fur and sewed it on the inside of the ear and used it for the nose as well. I used ww turquoise yarn for the eyes. I used Softee Chunky white yarn and Moda Dea Prima (2 strands of the Softee Chunky and one strand of the Prima all as one). I think if I make another pair I will use a different yarn. I'm thinking the thick Caron soft yarn or some white Grande. And I think I would use the flat stitch which would alter how many rows I would have to do but it will be thicker and sturdier knitted fabric. I like a lighter pink too.
Another suggestion.... I have thought about just using Lisa Sawyer's Scuffie slipper pattern and adding ears to it. You would have a slippery slipper bottom but they would be like a fitted sock and would still be really cute. Besides, I really like that slipper pattern. You can go buy it and use the ear instructions above. I have made her slippers for my kids too, but I substituted a different loom. I used one of CinDwood's looms (the child slipper size or one of the preemie hat size looms 25, 27 or29 peg).
I'll try to put this pattern together if it's incomprehensible as it is. Time, time, time, need more time. And the slipper pattern for the baby size ones still isn't working properly. I tried AGAIN tonight and decided to give up before I woke everyone up in the house with foul language. I WILL conquer this file. It WILL bend to my rules.... eventually :)

sounding off

2007-03-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

OK, my stepdaughter Allie got me addicted to American Idol last year. It's the only show I get to watch that is an "adult" show. Meaning it's not a cartoon or on the Disney channel. I am going to rant for a bit now cause I want to. Who in the hell is voting for this Sanjaya kid? STOP!!!!! He's wasting space and I can't believe a lot of the others have been booted off so that he can stay on there. Is EVERY high school girl in America voting for him? I just don't get it. Yes, the boy can sing but compared to everyone else on there, I'm just not getting it. QUIT! STOP! Come on people, he's not really getting any better. PUT THE PHONE DOWN AND WALK AWAY! PLEASE!

Tuesday

2007-03-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was my birthday....yippee, woohoo...who cares! Anyway, it was also the birthday of my cat Granite. He turned 14. He was born on my birthday the year I graduated from high school. He was just a ball of gray fluff when he was a kitten...still is a ball of gray fluff but a total sweetheart. He is my logo as well. Happy birthday Granite! Love you big guy!

Wedding Pictures

2007-03-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

These are definitely not in any sort of order. This is my cousin Sarah's husband, Tom showing his sister, Sarah and my cousin Jen and friend Marcia some dance moves. Here is Dennis dancing with Allie.
This is Ella playing with her fairy dolls before the wedding and before she ruined her hair by running around.
Ella with my Mom and Allie blowing bubbles at the reception.
A completely HORRIBLE picture of me (the purpose of the shawl was to hide the tattoo) and the beautiful bride Jess.
Caleb and cousin Skylar checking out video game magazines.
The girls dancing...

My cousins Sarah and Jennifer (sisters) with Ella.

Sarah spinning Ella.
My cousin Rob and his daughter Katie.
My cousin Robert doing the YMCA with Jen.

Jess and her Dad Louis having their father/daughter dance.

Sarah dancing with Granny.
The entrance of the bride and groom, Jess and Matt.
Jess and bridesmaid Sarah.
Jennifer, Jess and Sarah.

The beautiful bride, Jess.

The bridal party before the wedding.
Flower girls Sydney and Ella with Jr. Bridesmaid Carly and Jess.
The wedding was really beautiful and Ella did so good. I told her she had to go to rehearsal the night before to practice and she informed me that she didn't have to practice cause she already knew what she was doing! (I told her she had to go anyway to prove me wrong LOL) She knew what she was doing, she proved me wrong. She didn't freak out about everyone looking at her. Acted like she was a professional. So much for my worries. I just wish she hadn't run around so much beforehand and ruined her hair. I've been sick all week and fighting with her to sit still long enough to curl her hair is a chore. She's 4, she's got better things to do with her time, right? :) The ceremony was beautiful, reception was beautiful. Everyone had a wonderful time. I just wish I could've been healthier or at least had a nap. I went home and slept for 12 hours. I don't know what is going around (as far as a virus) but this isn't fun.

Little Princess

2007-03-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

The wedding is this Saturday and so I decided to do a trial run on fixing Ella's hair. She has way too much hair! It took forever and she was not exactly one to stand still the whole time either. I'm thinking hairdresser. I'm sure they would do a better job and be able to get it to stay the way it should the whole time. She does look cute though. She's all full of herself right now. As if you couldn't tell by the pics. I just hope all goes well Saturday. She's been sick so I'm hoping she doesn't have a coughing fit in front of the church and disrupt the whole wedding but there's really nothing I can do about it if it does happen.

Sadie collars

2007-03-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

I've been really trying to get more done here lately. I managed three collars last night for the donation to the shelter. I have to take Socks into the veterinarian tomorrow so I think I will ask them where it would be best to take them. I want a NO KILL shelter. I'm going to make more, some pink froo-froo ones. I have some neat white fun fur stuff but as a pet owner I just don't think white is a good color for a dog collar. At least not my dogs. Maybe if someone had an indoor only dog or a REALLY pampered one it wouldn't matter.

I made up a bunch of diagrams I am testing out. Made some other small things I hope to make into patterns here soon. Still looking for a friend from school to inquire about the website. This requires going through a bunch of old address books and since we moved I have no idea where those would be! Moving sucks. I have to find all my paperwork and files on CD too. This is going to be FUN (not).

On the subject of the new e-zine for Loom Knitters. I didn't realize it was really actually set up like a magazine. Their submission and advertising set up is exactly like you would find in any other magazine. I thought that as a loom knitting magazine it would be full of resources for anyone looking into or already into loom knitting. Since it is brand new I think it will take time for that. There's a ton of information and many more vendors and designers who need to jump on the bandwagon and promote it. I honestly thought it was just another site to promote just one vendor but I was wrong and apologize for that assumption. Let's hope it gets the word out about the craft we all love. I'm sure it will. The editors in charge know have the know-how to get it out to the right people in the knitting industry.

Some happiness through the clouds...

2007-03-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

This weekend my cousin Jess and her fiancee Matt will be married. I am very happy for them. I think they are truly made for each other and very supportive of each other. I expect the wedding to be very beautiful as well. I have made the flower girl baskets for her and I also made her favors which were bookmarks with a picture of the two of them walking hand in hand down a wooded path. They chose three different quotes and placed one at the top of each bookmark with their names and the wedding date at the bottom. The are very pretty. Ella is going to be one of the flower girls and I'm kind of scared to see if she will actually go down the aisle with everyone watching her. She is very excited about wearing her beautiful dress as any little girl would be. I just don't know if she realizes how many people will be watching her and such. We'll see at the rehearsal. Keep your fingers crossed! I will post more pics from the wedding when I get them...

Reflection

2007-03-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

I have been extremely busy and have a lot going on. I am very overloaded right now and have neglected certain things over others. I'm still hoping for my buyout date from Ford to come up soon. I miss my daughter as she has to spend the week at my Mom's while I work night shift. I don't get to take her to school and only get to spend a couple of hours with her a day on the days I work. I have a stack of classes to start on so I can finish my Bachelor's degree and that is gathering dust fairly quickly as well. I wish I didn't need sleep, I could get so much more done. And then the loom knitting. I miss it. I haven't had much time for it either. I've managed to do some gifts for people but as far as creating new things, there hasn't been much time. I still have quite a bit of things I have to finish up from projects I started in the past. I realize I haven't been part of the groups for quite a while either. I miss the encouragement I used to get from all the wonderful people on there. I feel left behind and forgotten but I know that is my own fault. I need to find a way to manage my time better and ask for help when I need it. I am not Superwoman. If anyone has any good advice or ways to help with time management please send it my way!

On the subject of the loom knitting...I have noticed that there has been a stir about making gloves on the loom. Last October I made my own set of looms specifically for the creation of gloves. I am posting a picture of the first glove I made on them. It still has a few quirks but I hope to soon be able to work those out and be able to offer the pattern. I am hoping to be able to have the set of looms available for purchase as well. I have decided that I will either sell the pattern with woodworking plans so that people can make their own set of looms or sell the pattern with the actual looms already made. I haven't posted pictures of the looms because if I did, then someone else would be selling a replica in five minutes. I cannot afford to patent it. The initial cost just to file for a patent runs up to $500. Then the cost for a lawyer to research for you runs close to $10,000 or more. Of course, I could do research myself but like I said above, there just isn't time. So, I'm sure someone else will take the idea and make their own version as well.

I have also come to the conclusion that I am being ostracised by several people in the looming community. It was brought to my attention that a new online loom knitting magazine was going to be up and running soon and that they were asking for pattern submissions. I was never asked or even hinted to about it at all. This all goes back to many moons ago when I first started my website. I posted some techniques which others felt I didn't have the right to do. I asked permission and now have the instructions on there. I feel it ended up being a very catty situation. It is all very ridiculous to me to be truthful but there is nothing I can do. My aim with my website was to provide as much information about loom knitting as possible so that everyone involved: vendors, designers, beginners and anyone who loves loom knitting as much as I do could find the information they need. I do sell my patterns. I pay for everything myself, I don't have sponsors or any yarn companies throwing yarn at me. I pay over $50 a month to keep it up and running and truthfully make (if I am lucky) $4 a week from patterns. I don't think anyone can say I'm out for profit, that is just not happening. I am very glad to see the creation of this magazine and hope they add a lot more to it in the future. The more we put out there the better our loom knitting world gets. More people with more ideas and ways of doing things. I just hope that others in the looming community were not ostracised as well. There are other vendors and designers that I did not see on there that I feel should definitely be there. Maybe they just decided not to participate, I don't know. We'll see. I guess this just means I'm not putting forth my best effort in providing what I need. So I need to step up. My plans as of right now:

1. find someone to help me organize and spruce up my website as I don't know how to do alot of the fancier tricks with the web pages

2. organize all the instructional pages into one downloadable booklet which would be free for anyone

3. figure out how to place web movies on the site with my new camera and make videos of a lot of the basics

4. add more information about books on loom knitting that are available

5. add more links to blogs and websites with instructions

6. find more designers who may be interested in adding their patterns on the site as well

7. and of course produce more patterns. I would like to make booklets for specific areas (baby, toddler, preteen, adult, home and pet patterns). I have all the ideas in my mind and a lot on this computer, just not complete, organized or ready to be put out there.

8. USE this huge stash of yarn I have sitting around the house before my husband has a coronary

These are my goals for the loom knitting part of my life. I still have to outline my goals for my classes and getting the house, barn and pastures up to par. If I could only duplicate myself. And last, find the time to be with my daughter the way I should be. She's growing up way too fast.

Catching up....

2007-03-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

Welll, things are still pretty gloomy around here. The weather doesn't help much either. It's raining, windy and most of the time you never know if it's going to be cold or not. So, everyone ends up sick with a cold or allergies. My little Sadie still has not come home after I've posted signs and asked all the neighbors and went to the local shelter. I guess I have to face that she will not return. I have decided to do something in her honor though. The local Dollar Tree and Big Lots have dog collars for a dollar and I've decided to make up a bunch of my dog collar covers and donate them to the local no kill shelter so they can sell them and keep the proceeds so other dogs can have a better life. I think if she knew, she would like that. I have also passed on the alpacas. I am very sad about that as well. Tesaro, Sabado and Smiley deserve better than what I can give them right now. I don't have the stalls or pasture set up to the point where I think they would be happy and comfortable and safe. I also don't have the time I need to properly care for them. I hope to be able to have some alpacas later on but I know that right now is just not the time. I am very thankful to Linda for being understanding about it and I hope she has found a good home for them. One of Allie's bunnies has passed on as well. And Dennis's grandmother passed away last Thursday. She was the same age as my own Grandmother. It just makes me think of how short time truly is. February is a month of remembrance for my cousin Bradley as well. My cousin Christie has written a letter about the day she lost lost him to ALD (Adrenoleukodystrophy) which is the same disease that the movie "Lorenzo's Oil" is based on. I'd like to post it on here to share:

A Month Remembered

On a recent Sunday morning I got this letter in the bulletin asking us to share a story, same as everyone else did. I was thinking do I share a funny story, there seem to be a never ending supply here at our house with the boys. Then I thought about it being February and wanted to share a story very dear to my heart. Many of you know some of the things we have been through, and some are new and do not. Never the less, I don’t want to make this a sad depressing story but one of hope. So I start by saying that February was the month my son Bradley was born in 1994. It was the month my boys were diagnosed with a horrible disease in 2003, and the month my son Bradley died in 2004. With that said, my focus is usually on these things during this time of year.
What I want to tell you about is the night Bradley died in 2004. Bradley & Gabriel had suffered and fought this disease for a year. Gabriel had been able to have a bone marrow transplant, while Bradley had not. I remember back to the Wed prior to his death and how he was doing. He could not sit upright all his muscle strength was gone. We would make him as comfortable as possible with a mattress on the floor. The nurse came to visit him that day and told us he may have as long as 4-6 more months. He was watching his favorite movies that day Lion King 1 & 2. He always laughed in part 2 at the beginning when they held the little lion up and said "it’s a girl" and Tumon and Pumba said "A GIRL". I still see him giggling about that.
I had his lunch for him chili, one of his favorites which I had to blend up so he could get it down. Usually he did ok with it, but on this day he choked and was having real trouble. It scared me. That night and all the next day he seemed uncomfortable and whined in pain, so I gave him some morphine which had been prescribed and rarely used up to this point. It did little to easy his discomfort, or my aching heart. Friday morning when he was crying and I could do nothing but cry with him, I called the nurse to come and see him. When she got there the morphine was finally helping and he was resting on the couch. She gave him another pain shot and took his vitals while I sat there and cried.
She told me his body was shutting down, she could barely find his pulse and his breathing was shallow. She told me it was only a matter of hours. We called our family to come see him, and everyone dropped everything and came to say goodbye to this dear little one.
He never regained consciousness but I sat beside him on the floor and whispered in his ear, sure he could hear me. His nanny sat beside him, his papaw and aunt was there too;
along with his brothers, and his g'ma and g'pa. As I whispered in his ear, I said what I had told him many times before. "When the angels come for you, go, don’t look back, when they call your name, go". Today in my devotion it said "do not fear for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine" Isaiah 43:1.
Shortly after that Gabriel walked into the room and did a strange thing. If you don’t know, Gabriel is legally blind, but he looked right at this particular point next to the couch and walked around it to sit on his daddy's lap. He asked us "whose that man standing there" and we said there's no one there. He insisted and pointed" that man right there, who is that"? Now I can definitely say there was no one there I saw, but I can also definitely say there was someone there. It may have been an angel or it may have been Jesus waiting for the Father to give the exact right time to call my little boy home but I know someone was there. It was about an hour later, and Bradley stopped breathing in one breath and was gone. He didn’t linger, he just went. I am so very thankful for Gods' mercy in showing this secret to us at a time when we hurt so immensely. It has brought me great comfort, and peace. It has been a testimony to those who were present and to those who hear the story. It is my prayer as I share this story with you that you will TRUST AND BELIEVE in what you don’t see, and that you will be comforted by our loving heavenly Father and his blessed Son Jesus in whom there is all HOPE!

Mixed emotions, a heavy heart

2007-01-30T01:13:00.000-08:00

While I'm looking forward to the alpacas and Fluff the Angora coming home I wish there was one other coming home as well. My little Sadie Bug has yet to return home since Friday. I'm starting to lose hope. Our other dog, Ruby, that she was running around with looks as though she has been sprayed with buckshot. Little dots all over her side and behind and she definitely took a break for two days, very tender when you tried to touch her. Ruby is about five times the size of Sadie so I am fearing the worst. It's just not like her not to come home. I at least want to know what happened. I would to bury her at home if she isn't with us anymore. I just don't like not knowing what has happened. All I can think about is her jumping up in the air. We called it boinging. She could jump really high, over our waist line. And when you held her she would nuzzle her head under your chin while you petted her. She was a great snuggler too. Attitude too. Little dogs always seem to have big dog attitudes. She could be downright ferocious when she wanted to be. I'm going to put fliers up tomorrow, call the local shelter and ask around to the neighbors. I don't know what else to do. My husband and stepson have searched the woods around us but haven't seen her. I just pray I am wrong and that she is OK and I get to have her back soon. I miss my little Buggles, everyone here does. It's just not the same. Sorry for the heavy heart but if you have a pet you know what I mean.

Nervous, excited and amazed...

2007-01-30T00:09:00.000-08:00

Sunday Ella, Allie and I went to visit a local alpaca owner, Linda. Of course when I left I was on my way home to make a new home for them. I was hooked as soon as we walked into the barn. They are just amazing. I forgot that I was checking them out for the fiber, honestly. Until Linda and her husband harnessed one so that I could feel them I had completely forgotten about it. They are SO soft and THICK! Linda gave me samples of their wool which I have pictures below too. But, back to them...their names are Tesaro, Smiley and Sabado. They are very curious and like to smell you as you can see in the pictures with the girls. They loved them too and keep asking me when they get to come home. I'm nervous cause I want to be able to take good care of them. They have a really nice setup where they are and I feel like they might be offended at my place! I'm excited to be able to have the chance to be around them and can't wait to be able to watch them. If you can't tell, I'm fascinated. I'm extremely grateful to Linda and her husband for taking a chance on a newbie (THANK YOU LINDA!). I have to get my behind in gear and work on the barn and pasture for them. I will be posting a ton of pictures so everyone will probably be sick by the end of the year but it's my blog and you'll just have to survive :) I wish I could describe what it's like being around them. I felt really peaceful when I was with them. They are so gentle when they smell you and they are so soft as they just lightly brush your face with theirs. Keep checking back in, you'll fall in love too....

Keeping Secrets...

2007-01-29T23:54:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been keeping a couple of secrets (just like Dora) :) But I think I'm safe to let it out of the bag now. Below is a picture of Creative Knitting magazine. I really like this magazine for more than one reason of course. I liked it before I submitted a design to them but now that they are going to put it in one of thier issues I love them even more. I made a very simple beginner loom knitting pattern and it is supposed to be in thier July issue this year. So, everyone who loom knits has to subscribe...http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/index.php . Like I said it is a beginner pattern but I hope it leads to more patterns for loom knitting showing up in the future. I'm excited that they have taken a chance and look forward to the response. I hope everyone enjoys it.

What else....

2007-01-27T22:42:00.000-08:00

Let's see, still working. Waiting anxiously for them to tell me when I can finally leave. I took one of the buyouts Ford offered and I am waiting for them to give me my release date. I know it kind of sounds like I'm talking jail time but somedays that is what it feels like. I'm looking forward to the extra time and being able to be with Ella again like I was when I was off work with my elbow injury.

I haven't had much time for loom knitting. I made quite a bit for Xmas presents but since then haven't been able to get much done. I have started some projects: two new sweater designs and I have two scarf patterns I need to type up. I have a million ideas of course but life and other priorities are putting things on the back burner for now. We've been spending more time with the kids and family and doing stuff to the house so it's not time lost in any way. I did get Anne Bipes new book: Learn New Stitches on Circle Looms. As usual I like it. Anne never disappoints. This is a great book for those ready to move on to other things. It has a beautiful lace stitch and a shell stitch afghan that I can't wait to try. I highly recommend anything from Anne so GO BUY IT!!!

We still have three of the eight puppies left. They have all been named and it's almost looking like they might me staying (just what we need...more dogs). They are so sweet though. I'm kind of worried right now as one of our dogs hasn't come home for the second night and this is very unlike her. Sadie is pretty small and there's no telling what she's gotten into. I'm hoping the local coyotes didn't get her. I just hope she comes home soon. I miss my little Buggles.

Tomorrow I go visit an alpaca farm to get my first introduction. The lady that owns them, Linda, has been great at letting me ask a bunch of stupid questions. I'm looking forward to seeing them. Hopefully I will be able to get some this Spring.

Stay tuned for my adventures in spinning too. It's sure to be hilarious. Oh, and I got a really cool toy for Xmas-an MPVR. It's pretty much a digital camera but takes video in web format so I can download it to the computer and post it. I have used it at one of Caleb's basketball games to test it out but haven't gotten around to actually downloading anything yet. I hope to be able to make some videos for the website. Lots of videos, actually.

I'm looking for a spinning wheel for a beginner on a beginner's budget. If anyone has any leads, please let me know....

Well, till tomorrow or the next time I get a chance to post...

Allie finally won...

2007-01-27T22:32:00.000-08:00

Yes, she wore me down. With Dora Renee talking so much about Truffles and then the prospect of getting an angora bunny myself I broke down and and got Allie some bunnies. She is addicted to them. SHe checks on them all the time and worries about them a lot. They are really sweet. I'm looking forward to meeting Fluff and letting her join the other three. (The only thing I don't like is the girly names she has given them like Cutie and Sweetie, too girly for me.)

Christmas 2006

2007-01-27T22:13:00.000-08:00

Ella's school put on a Christmas pageant. Every grade level performed a song. It was the cutest thing. She did so good. I was so proud of her, I had tears in my eyes and a smile from ear to ear. They sang Up On A Housetop (Ithink that's the name of the song) but in the picture that is the part she is singing and making the "housetop."

Here are pictures of the kids in front of the Xmas tree. The tree went up TWO days before Xmas. I had a hard time finding it all in the mess of stuff we were moving. I don't think we even had all of our furniture at the house yet. They all said that this was the best Xmas they had had. I think they say that every year though. I'm glad it's over though. Too much at once!!!

Birthdays and Basketball

2007-01-27T21:53:00.000-08:00

Things that you've missed out on...
Caleb started playing basketball this year (he's number 00). We've actually been able to go to several of his games with our shift change and we can tell he likes being able to have his Dad come see him play. We're really proud of him. They haven't won a game yet but who cares (he does, of course). He gets to be in starting five every game and usually gets to play the entire game.
He has his two sisters for cheerleaders, too. I have video but haven't figured out to post it yet, so stay tuned....GO CALEB!!!

Allie had her 9th birthday in December. NINE!!! When I first started dating Dennis she was Ella's age. She had a bunch of curly ringlets and of course those striking blue eyes. Cute as a button. She was learning how to be potty trained and the first question she ever asked me when we met was "Do you go on the potty like a big girl?" Of course, she LOVES for me tell everyone this. But hey, Caleb gets his fair share too. He used to wear his underwear backwards (so he could see the picture on his undies as they are always printed on the butt) and play his guitar like a rock star! And he loved to wear his cowboy boots all the time, even in the summer with shorts. Man, where has the time gone!

Still alive...

2007-01-27T06:41:00.000-08:00

I'm still alive. I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted anything. Of course it is always chaos around here so it's not really THAT surprising. I have a lot to catch up on! We did find a place and have moved. We're in Bloomfield, KY. I thought I was out in the country at our last house but boy was I wrong. The nearest town is Chaplin and "downtown" consists of a post office, mini-mart/gas station, hardware store and a church. Just a flashing yellow light to slow you down enough to see it! We have five acres still, the house is smaller, but boy we have a heck of a view of the world around us. I think what I'm excited about the most is that the previous owners had sheep. I have a pasture and barn ready for them. My chickens have a mansion of a chicken coup compared to what they had at the old house and they seem a lot happier too. SO...I'm looking into getting some sheep and alpaca for the fiber so I can spin yarn. Dora Renee is a bad influence. Truffles has spoiled her :) And now I'm getting an Angora rabbit too thanks to her! She's the greatest. I'm looking forward to being able to make something from start to finish. From animal to garment. And I will learn a LOT about yarn. I found a local farm and spinnery, just 15 minutes from me too!! Koenig Farm. I'm excited. I have a lot to look forward to....

13 days and counting

2006-11-27T19:59:00.000-08:00

13 more days till we move. Right now I couldn't get to the house we have bid on. I have only been there twice and each time it was a different way (Mapquest sucks, so does yahoo maps). So, I will have to get out the trusty atlas and figure it out for myself. I'm not having much luck here lately. I'm starting to think I am having a really bad streak of luck or someone has a voodoo doll and is sticking pins in it like crazy. We've bid on three houses. The first had just accepted an offer the very day we bid. The second decided they would finance the people who were going to buy instead of recieving our lump sum payment! The third had a contingency and the people came through with a bridge loan 25 minutes before deadline!! We are now on our fourth try. I hate to even get my hopes up even though they have accepted everything. Less than two weeks and I have to pack everything and move it to storage. On top of that I sprain my ankle on the property of the 4th house! I'm stressed. I'd be bald if I enjoyed pulling my hair out. I'm getting really overloaded and CRANKY! Help! ANYONE! They say if you need help to ask for it....so HELP, in any way (thoughts, prayers, etc.), shape or form (very good looking moving men would be nice too) :) Joking! If nothing else, enjoy my ranting....

New pics of the pups

2006-11-27T19:56:00.000-08:00

STILL AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

KK Long Looms

2006-11-16T05:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally got around to using the KK long looms. This is the first project I finished on one of them. A simple purse with a flap. I used the green long loom and used it to knit in the round for the main body of the purse (50 rows) and then I crochet removed all the pegs except the back row (all the way around the sides so there is just a straight line of wrapped pegs across the back). Then I continued knitting on the one side for the flap (I think it was about 30 rows). I crochet removed the flap and then made the strap by making a I-cord on the loom. Sewed the bottom closed and crocheted around all the edges and added the straps. This is the project I was hoping to be able to felt. It just looks like it would be pretty felted but Wool Ease doesn't felt. Many helpful people on the Yahoo groups taught me that. Oh well. Maybe the next one. I thought there would be a gap between the knit (wider ladders than usual) since the pegs on the ends of these looms are farther apart but there weren't any. I learned that you can make a round piece on a double rake too and the gap that I thought would appear on the KK long looms would appear when knitting in the round on a double rake (board or frame, I reall wish they would stick to one) but all you have to do is work the piece and it will even out! Pretty cool, huh? I'm always still learning. I'm behind on adding things to the website. We have to find a house to live in or I'll be homeless in about 2 and a half weeks. I still have to pack and have everything out of here by December 11! So, I don't know if I'm going to be able to even get to the website. I'm going to try to do as much as I can in the next couple of days and then I will probably disappear for a couple of weeks as I will be moving and won't have time and eventually access to internet. Man, that's going to be rough. Weeks without internet! What am I going to do! Loom knit of course :) Wish me luck!!!!

Last craft show

2006-11-16T05:35:00.000-08:00

My last craft show was this past weekend. It went better than the other 2 that I participated in. I know I could have sold at least 20 sets of the KK round looms. I should make commission off of Provocraft! People were really interested in CinDwood's S-loom that I had out too. Lynn Markman's AJAL got a lot of questions too. And they wanted to know where to go to get Denise Layman's book. I had looms out from Decor Accents and books for frame knitting from Marla Richards too. I sold a little more than the other shows (enough to pay my booth rental so I broke even plus some). But I got to get a lot of information out and I thought it was really neat to be able to show people how to work the looms and then see the spark in their eyes as those millions of projects flash through their heads. You can see them light up. I'm not going to do anymore shows though. Can't afford it even though I liked meeting all the new people. Oh well, maybe I'll find another way... The pictures also show my mini loomed ornament tree. I loomed the garland, the stocking ornaments and mini snowmen. I thought it was cute. Not ready for Xmas though!

Projects

2006-11-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

I finally started a project on the adjustable loom I got from Lynn Markman. I had also bought some of her yarn and that is what I am using on the loom. I decided to try to make a small flat bottom purse. I knitted several rows (long enough to fit across the space between the pegs) and then put the loops onto the pegs all the way around. Now I will just keep wrapping in the round. Once I get the length of the purse I want I will probably bind off the front edge and then just work the back edge for a flap to go over the top. On one of the side pieces I plan on using those three pegs to make the strap. It'll almost be done in one piece. The adjustable loom is such a good idea. It's really versatile. It's pretty much an all-you-need in one loom. You have your round looms, single rake and double rake right there. They may be a little more expensive than your basic KK set but then you wouldn't need to get any other types of looms either (unless you wanted different gauges). I'll try to post more as I go to see how it turns out. THANK YOU LYNN!!!

Ruby had her puppies...

2006-11-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

Our pretty girl Ruby and boyfriend Spooky introduced 8 puppies into the world Monday night. She is such a good Mom. She's so good with the puppies and doens't like to be away from them for long. You can tell she's really proud of them too. Spooky will come in and look over into the section we have her to check on her and her pups. I never knew two dogs could be so smitten with each other. Here are some pics of Ruby with her pups and just the pups. These were taken the next day so they are still a little messy and still have their umbilical cords. They are too cute. AND THEY ARE FREE TO GOOD HOME!!!!

The Adventures of Socks the Cat

2006-11-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

I think we're going to have a problem.... I got the top of my Xmas tree out to put some knitted ornaments on it and the new kitten wouldn't stop climbing the tree. I had to move it to another room after I finally gave up trying to keep him down and he had perched himself on a branch.

This is Socks watching one of his favorite shows. There was a show on I think the Discovery channel or Animal Planet on scorpions. He watched for quite a bit. I wonder what he's thinking?

Good Thoughts PLEASE

2006-11-09T18:55:00.000-08:00

Well, we have an absolutely beautiful sign posted at the end of our driveway. We've been waiting for quite a while to put it up. It' s nice and white with black letters that says:
SALE PENDING
The next one (hopefully) will say SOLD. We had our home inspection today and we think everything went good. SO... please send some good thoughts (prayers, magical fairy dust, etc.) our way.
We've also found a house too. So, by Christmas, if everything works out we'll be in a new house.

New additions to the family

2006-10-30T22:20:00.000-08:00

Introducing:
Daisy (blue-tick) and Willie (red-tick)
and Socks

I forgot to post pics from my cousin's wedding...

2006-10-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from my cousin's wedding. This is the wedding Allie was a flower girl and I made their headpieces and the wedding favors.
This is by far my favorite picture. I couldn't in a million years catch these two in the act like this again if I tried. This is what I'm talking about...WHY do they have to do stuff like this?????!!!!
Cousin's Katie and Tyson, and man can they dance!
All 3 kids plus Brandy.
Sarah, the beautiful bride before the wedding...
Dad and daughter dance.
Mother of the bride and sister/maid of honor.

Ella's Birthday

2006-10-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

Ella had a really good birthday (at least that is what she says). She said she wanted white cake with pink icing, sprinkles and Polly's on it. So, that's what she got. She got a lot of Polly Pockets, a Barbie and a scooter with a basket and bell on the handle bar. She really likes the scooter cause she can ride around with Bubby and Sissy when they are on their bikes. She got to dress up in her Halloween costume and do a little trick or treating with them later on that night too. She had a pretty exciting day. I just can't believe she's 4 already!!!!!

Ella's First Field Trip

2006-10-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

Ella had her first field trip with her preschool class yesterday. She got to ride a bus for the first time and she was pretty excited about that. They went to Slow Poke Farm which is about 3 miles from our house. She got to feed cows, chickens, goats, and a turkey. They went on a hayride and they had two mazes for the kids to go through. Ella was the only one there who cried and threw a tantrum. I felt so lucky! But I guess she had a good time anyway. It's a really nice place and the owners are the greatest! They are so nice and friendly. I highly recommend taking the kids there if you have a chance. Tomorrow is Ella's 4th birthday so I'm off to bake a cake (and finish up the Halloween costumes).....

October

2006-10-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

As soon as the month of October hits my kids start thinking Halloween and then pester me about their costumes. I make them every year so it's my fault for getting it started. Ella is going to be a fairy princess. Allie is going to be the Corpse Bride from Tim Burton's movie. Caleb, well, I don't know what he is exactly. Just scary. He has a black hooded robe and a medieval spear. I got a Jason hockey mask and glued plastic bugs all over it so that when you look into his hood you see a face made of bugs. He thinks it's cool and it was a lot easier than the girls' costumes so that is a bonus!

Craft Show

2006-10-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Well my first craft show didn't go as well as I wanted. I talked with a lady next to me who does them on a regular basis and she was very helpful. The craft show was part crafts and part flea market so the yard sale stuff may have taken away from the crafts. Oh well, I learned alot anyway. I have two more in November which are strictly crafts and hope to do better. I got a lot of inquiries about the different looms I had set out. I had some from most of the loom vendors that are on line. Hopefully I'll be sending some business there way!

Where does the time go?!!!!

2006-09-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

Less than 4 short years ago this little baby girl came into my life. I have a hard time believing that this little baby who was small enough to fit in the palms of my two hands is now in preschool. She has grown so much so fast, it's just amazing and sad. I am so proud of my little girl. Today was her first day of preschool and she set off like it was nothing. I had to pry her off me to get her to sit down with the rest of the kids (she's shy at first), but after she colored with them she took off with the other girls in the class and I didn't exist anymore. I think I'm OK with that. Looking back over her pictures though I'm still in shock as to where the time went. But these pictures always make me smile, especially her pickleface pictures. I miss the days when she was so small but I am so proud of how independent she has become. I just hope I can remember these days and cherish them for what they are...once in a lifetime moments. I'M PROUD OF YOU ELLA!
LOVE, Mommy

I have been looming...I promise

2006-09-18T06:54:00.001-07:00

I know it's been a while since I posted. Life keeps me busy. I finally purchased a LynnMarkman loom. It's beautiful. I have yet to use it cause I have so many things going right now but it's next on my list. The baby dress, hat and pants are for the TTT charity project. I will be sending the pattern to Theresa and when people donate to the charity they will be able to receive the pattern. The pants have a sweater still on the loom to go with it. I want to add some booties to this pattern set as well. The long sweater is something I am making to wear to my cousin's wedding this weekend. I bought the dress and was going to through my stash of yarn with no luck finding something to look good with it. Then, wonderful, terrific, astounding Dora Renee sent me a goodie box that had a skein of yarn in it that was so ABSOLUTELY PERFECT I almost thought she had some type of super sixth sense! It has a color in it that matches the dress so perfect. This will eventually be a pattern too (and a plus size pattern at that since I've gotten elephant size). I also made Ella some of the scuffie slippers from Lisa Sawyer's pattern on one of CinDwood's looms. They turned out really cute, now bubby and sissy want some too... my list keeps getting longer. I'm going to try to sell some stuff in some local craft shows for Christmas money so I will be looming my butt off. I have a few "secret" projects going on as well..can't tell ya yet but I think everyone will like them.

Xmas presents...nobody in the family can read this!

2006-08-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

I bought the kids skates for Xmas last year. Bubby and Sissy use theirs all the time but when I put Ella in hers the first time and stood her up she got off balance and fell back into to me and immediately wanted them off. That was many many months ago. Well, today she decided to try them again. She did good. She's chug chug chugging along in the first one, fell ( but didn't cry) and went around the house again. The second time she fell, I knew that was it. I felt it. She smacked her butt pretty good. How come they don't make butt pads? The kids all inherited their Dad's behind (TMI, I know) thank God. I have padding to spare but they don't. Remember the Charmin commercials where the kids would stuff the toilet paper into their clothes for occasions such as this....maybe that's an option. :) I'm still proud of her for trying again though.

And now, if you are a family member don't read any more.....I bought Lisa Sawyer's Scuffie Slipper pattern and fell in love with it. I love clogs too. I'm going to try that one next. Guess what everyone is getting for Xmas this year? I'm going to try to size it down for kids too. I really like Lisa's designs. She's classy or has a classic style. I hope she doesn't take that the wrong way. Her patterns are written in a personal way too which I like too. Bravo Lisa, keep it up!

Tuesday DWIGHT!!!!!

2006-08-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was a landmark day. We moved into our house in July, in October of 2002 I had Ella and then in May of 2003 we found out Dennis had cancer. After his first surgery to remove the cancer I tried to take him to a Dwight Yoakam concert because he's a huge fan. Unfortunately because it had been so soon after his surgery Dennis couldn't sit through the entire show. I promised him I would take him again. Dwight didn't tour for a while and life rolled along. I looked on the front page of the paper Tuesday and saw Dwight was in town for the Kentucky State Fair (a free concert at that)! The concert was excellent!!! I highly recommend going. Dennis really enjoyed it (had to go out and buy CDs afterward). He's been in remission for almost three years now and it's been a long uphill battle to get him to see life as worth living and not over yet so I was so glad to be able to keep this promise.

Concerts I'd recommend:
1.Dwight Yoakam (acoustic or otherwise)
2. Jewel (acoustic)
3. Fiona Apple
Concerts I'd like to attend:
1. Lenny Kravits
2. Annie Lennox
3. Sarah Mclaughlin (sp?)
4. Garth Brooks
Fantasy concerts:
1. Johnny Cash
2. Patsy Cline
3. The Beatles
4. Ella Fitzgerald
There are tons more but I just can't think of them right now....

Sunday's wedding shower

2006-08-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

The wedding shower wet really well on Sunday. It was a family shower and the weather actually wasn't scorching hot. My co-host Christie is taking a break on the swing. And the other pictures are of Granny talking to Sarah, Ella helping Sarah open her gifts and the family sitting around chatting with each other. I hope she liked everything and had a good time. Less than a month to go till she's a married woman!

Help wanted...take a vote

2006-08-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

I need help deciding which color combination looks best. Do you like the blue/multi or the green/multi with the yellow? Please leave comments. Thanks!

Baby deer

2006-08-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

Today we had two baby deer in the front yard. We have a doe that has been around our house since we moved in and EVERY year she has had at least two or more babies (3 last year). She's chased our dogs out of the woods, she one tough momma. But you have to have respect for her, don't ya?!

Wedding shower gifts

2006-08-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

These are the gifts I made for my cousin's wedding shower gift. THANK YOU to everyone who gave me ideas. I tried a little of everything. I hope she likes them. Pictured are hair headbands, a soap sachet, a small purse, a facecloth with a butterfly on it and a coaster (I made 4) with a C monogram for her last name in the middle (all done on LoominCat's dishcloth rake), some potholders/heat pads, and a plastic bag chute. I really like the yarn I used for the purse and the hair bands. The hair headbands were all nobo no boundaries yarn, they are a mixture of nylon/rayon/acrylic/mohair and super soft. (stock# 377/3 MUL 1274 dyelot# 417, stock# 375/1 MUL 1132 dyelot# 514, stock#377/3 MUL 1281 dyelot# 408) The purse almost looked like it was felted (besides being able to see the stitches but that is what the yarn looked like). (Action NY yarns id# 38052, colour 04, dye lot 348) I was really proud of the coaster and butterfly cloth too. The cloth is the first one I have converted and the coaster was the first I had designed myself. Wedding shower is tomorrow and I'm co-hosting it so it's been a busy day. It'll be even busier tomorrow but it will be fun though, it's all family!

What kind of yarn are you?

2006-08-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.
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Granny's shawl

2006-08-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

I finished my Grandma's shawl and had her model it for me. She is going to wear it to my cousin's wedding. This is the skirt and shell (there is a matching shirt) she is going to wear. I matched the yarn to the burgundy flowers to accent them. She was really happy with it so so am I. Isn't she beautiful! Go Granny! LOVE YOU!

Ella's Art

2006-08-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing Ella made for me and my Mom last week. The one on the left is a picture of me and the one on the right is a picture of her Mamaw. Aren't they awesome! I'm so proud. She'll be four in October and I don't know if this is good for her age. I was hoping she would get some creative gene from me, maybe it's starting to come through now. I just thought they were wonderful and had to share!

Toys

2006-08-07T22:33:00.000-07:00

Ella has found new critters to catch. She just can't wait till it's dark for the frogs I guess. She's taken to catching butterflies. I don't really like that she is doing this because they are so delicate. I'm just amazed at how fast she is.

I received some new toys today. I love good mail days! Provocraft just needs to stop making new things! I have had them on order probably since May. I got them at Karen's Craft Supply and I have to say she is the greatest. I know there were probably many people asking for them but she held my order until I could pay for them which I REALLY appreciate right now!!! LOVE YOU KAREN! Visit her site and buy all the looming goodies she has, right now....Karen's Craft Supply

Latest loom knitting

2006-08-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my first washcloth. Cathy Rodammer (aka LoominCat) makes dishcloth rakes and this was my first attempt at using it. The rake is super light weight and really nice. I wish my cloth could do it justice though. It supposed to be two baby's footprints and have bobbled toes. This was my first attempt at bobbles too, I definitely need to practice. And apparently I need to learn to count as well! The top edge is wider than the bottom edge! Lessons learned...

I finished my Gma's shawl too. This is a picture of the of the lace stitch from Anne Bipes booklet. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I hope she is too. I hope she'll let me take a picture of her so I can post it on here. :)

These are pictures showing the crocheted edge I put onto it. It helped with the curling and gave it a nice finish. The other picture is of the shawl right after I removed it from the loom. I've been working on other things as well. I'm currently temporarily laid off for a week after returning to work for just two weeks so I have a little time. I'm making something for Lynn Markman's group and her TTT project. I've been asked about the status of a couple of patterns. The cow hat pattern is complete and will be posted this week and the raglan sweater is still being tested but VERY close to being done. I'm happy to announce I will be adding some of Dora Renee Wilkerson's patterns to the site as well. More choices for everyone!

Back to work..

2006-07-30T00:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I managed to make it through my first week back to work. Can't say that it was enjoyable at all. I just really hate that place. It's mental abuse to me. I just miss the little things and the time with my daughter the most. I still don't know how to divide my time so I can see her more. The night shift makes it hard to decide when to sleep and do everything else. I hate having to catch up on things on the weekend to. It's the only time I'll have and I don't want to spend it doing housework and stuff like that. I've been on the computer way too much this weekend trying to catch up on things on here too. It's just irritating and depressing. Plus I go back and find out I'll be laid off for four weeks (maybe more). I'm not complaining about the time off but come on. Birthdays and Christmas aren't looking good this year. I hope we sell the house soon so we can get into a better financial situation.
Here's soem pics from today. Caleb, Allie and Ella.
Ella and Allie Allie and her new lizard friend. I think she named him/her Lizzy or Babycakes.

Ella likes playing with Polly Pockets (I do too). Here she is putting boots on her cats. I wish I had had these when I was a girl. Dennis and Caleb playing catch with the football.
Tomorrow I get to get up and super clean the house because someone is coming to look at it and then we are going to look at a house. Then I have to go to sleep so I can work through the night. I hate when my days are planned like that. You just know time is going to fly when you don't want it to. There won't be any pics like those above tomorrow. Just got to take it day to day and make the most of it. Some people don't know how lucky they are (I sure didn't when I did have my time). Cherish the little things....

chickens and guineas

2006-07-30T00:21:00.000-07:00

You can see that the first set of chicks I had posted have grown a lot. They are in the background. My multi-colored silkie is growing up too. I've never seen one with blue on the sides of it's face before. I don't know who to ask about why that is though. Three of the guineas out getting bugs. The one that brought home all her chicks took them to the coup and the other chickens pecked them to death. I had caught three of the ten and you can see them in with the other small chicks we are still caring for. My main roosters and a couple of barred cochins are in the other picture. I have 3 barred cochin hens and they always come up to Ella and I cause we feed them worms a lot. Ella likes bug and creepy crawly things if you hadn't noticed.

I'm a busy girl...

2006-07-30T00:02:00.000-07:00

This is my cousin Sarah and her fiancee Tom. They are getting married in September. The flower girl headpieces I posted are for her wedding. I'm also making these magnets for her for wedding favors. Want a new addiction? I have a flower press called the Microfleur. You take flowers and put them in the press, pop them in the microwave and in less than a minute you have pressed flowers. Compared to weeks with the regular drying this thing is the greatest. I have the small 5x5 one. If you get one, go for the larger size (9x9). I'm hoping to get the larger soon when I save up some money. I'm going to press some flowers for my other cousin's wedding, Jessie and Matt. Their wedding is in March so I have a little more time although I have to do the flowers now while they are around or I'll have to grow them myself!

Meet our dogs...

2006-07-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

This ferocious beagle is Max (aka Maxwell). He thinks he's a lot bigger than he is. He was hit by a car last summer but there was no major damage. He's a sweetie. When he's asleep you can pick him up and move him anywhere and he'll stay asleep. He's a great snuggler. He's a favorite of our neighbor. He's actually been inside their house to visit ( I haven't even had that privilege yet)!
The black and tan coonhound is Yoakam (aka Yoke, Yoker) He's a good ole country dog. He greets us in the driveway and I swear he's trying to smile. He'll jump in the car and ride up the driveway with you. He loves teasing the other dogs as well. He and Max are buddies and the only two dogs we let run loose through the neighborhood. He let's the other dogs know how good it is to be free by running past the fence and showing off.

The red colored dog with the graying face is Chassis (aka Chass, Chassis Lynn). She was my first dog and we have been through a LOT together. She's my guardian angel. She's the best behaved dog we have. I couldn't have asked for anything better in a dog. She gets special treatment because she has seniority.
The treeing walker coonhound is Spook (aka Spooky doo). He was so shy when we first got him (hence the name). He is so pretty, the picture doesn't do him justice. He needs to be entered in a bench show. He used to bark at me and run away but we're buddies now (he knows who to go to for spoiling).

The red ticked English coonhound is Earl (I call him lughead). He's still a puppy! He's huge! And LOUD! I really don't know what to think of him. I've tried to talk my husband into giving him up because I think he is going to be too much for him to handle when he goes hunting but I can't convince him. He can be really sweet sometimes but still very clumsy. And he back talks me. He just has to get he last bark in.
The jack russel/beagle mix is Sadie (aka Sadie bug, Buggles). I rescued her from the local shelter only to find out that night she had Parvo. So she ended up being a little more expensive than she was supposed to because I didn't have the heart to put her down. She can jump really high and is full of energy. She thinks she's bigger than she is as well. (I think most small dogs are like that.) She loves to snuggle too. When her and Daphne get together it's double trouble. Sadie's the bad influence though.
The white and red beagle/feist mix is Daphne (aka Daff or Daffodil). We got her from a friend so Sadie would have someone her size to play with. She is super sweet. I love scratching her neck cause her lip curls up like she's smiling. She loves to give everyone kisses even all the other dogs. Ella picked her out of the litter. She wanted the YEYO (yellow) one as her brothers and sisters were black and white. And Ella named her as well-she's in a Scooby Doo thing. Isn't she cute?

The English coonhound (outside pic) is of Ruby (aka Ruby Sue). She is our newest addition. She was shy at first too. I don't think she had a chance to run around and be a dog. She's changed so much in the weeks we have had her. She comes to greet us now and you can just see she is happier than when we first met her. My husband traded some fishing equipment for her! Ruby is supposed to be Caleb's hunting dog. I love to see her running and playing with the other dogs cause at first it was almost like she didn't know how to do such a thing!
The red and white English coonhound (on the couch) is Mandy(aka Mandy Lou). Talk about a sweetheart. She didn't know what spoiled was until she met us. We let her in and she took up residence on the couch (her favorite place in the whole world). My husband swears she hunts better since we've let her come inside (yeah whatever). She's a happy go lucky girl. Mandy is afraid of thunderstorms though. She'll climb on top of you when they are going on and that's a lot of dog to comfort from a storm!

More pics...

2006-07-16T00:49:00.000-07:00

I've been working on headpieces for the flower girls for my cousin Sarah's wedding in September. She has sort of a fall theme with creme, orange and green. I found some candle holders at the Dollar Tree and put them together. They have glass beads on them. Green in the shape of leaves and gold ones too. I put pearls around them too. I hope she likes them. I wish they looked more professional. Allie is going to be one of the flower girls so she modeled it for me.
Ella caught a new friend. Doesn't he look so happy;) We went outside and caught frogs and watched the lightning in the distance when the electricity went out.

More pictures of treerogs. I know, I know. I just think they are neat the way they stick to everything and so cute. There's pics of some of my new flowers too. Pink clematis and a lily. I'm glad it came back this year. It reminds me of my Granny. Those are the lillies I chose for her funeral. The smell is what gets me. I miss her but know she's with me everyday.

Second week over...

2006-07-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

Well, the second week of vacation was little more stressful. Word of advice, take the kids to a babysitter when looking at houses especially if you intend to be on the road for more than an hour or two. Whoever invents a blinder or isolation chamber to separate brothers and sisters who annoy the crap out of each ohter for the car is going to be my new hero. House hunting is not going good. We can't really agree. Of course it doesn't help getting stuck in mud and having the wheel fling it on you from head to toe when you push it out (husband, not me). That on top of the kids bickering just makes for a wonderful day. The electricity keeps going out everytime it storms which has been frequently. My gazebo is a disaster. The rain and wind bent most of the roof poles and I've been trying to replace them with conduit. My grandma's dog got attacked by a pit bull. She looks like Frankenstein. Stitches all the way around her neck and head. She looks pitiful but she's lucky she's alive. I thought that 4 of my guineas had been eaten and dragged off somewhere cause they hadn't come home for quite a while. They came back the other day followed by about 10 keets. More babies. And don't mess with them! The Mama guinea is REALLY protective. I'm almost afraid to go around her. She's flown and pecked me several times already. She's attacked two of our dogs. She's one tough bird! I'm really not looking forward to going back to work now that it is getting even closer. Working nights means I won't get to see Ella but a couple of hours a day. Like I only have visitation rights. It's really messing with me right now. Here's a picture of her in the raglan sweater I've been working on. The sleeves are not right but I have made progress! I won't be doing much looming at all after next week so I'm trying to get this done as soon as I can. Wish me luck!

One week down, one more to go...

2006-07-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

It's vacation time here. I survived the first week (I think). The kids are still alive as in they haven't killed or injured themselves. It's been rough. Does anyone have a cure for sibling rivalry? Man, I just don't get it! Besides the constant arguning and picking on each other, the kids managed to catch the white bunny and the dog got a hold of it. They had to bury it as punishment for not leaving it alone. Then when we came back from the lake one of our dogs "mysteriously" escaped from the kennel we had him in and killed 6 chickens and 4 of the older chicks. One of my favorite chickens, Telula, the one who had taken care of all twelve chicks up until that day is dead. She would let me hold her and eat out of my hand, very good with the kids and stuff. Everytime I get a chicken to that point something happens to it. Everytime we go somewhere something happens like this. Someone had to have let the dog out. He didn't dig out, can't unlatch the gate and latch it back or move the top off of it. Guess it's time for security cameras especially when they play baseball with your mailbox as well. But we have a new baseball bat now and I'm sure it didn't feel good to have it knocked out of their hands when it hit the box. I can think of a million other things I would rather do than go around hitting mailboxes and screwing with people's animals. This really bums me out as it isn't the first time. The last time we went for an overnight trip, I lost 17 chickens. Another time all the dogs got loose when the gate that has a pole IN THE GROUND was opened and one our dogs was hit by a car. Am I ever going to be able to leave the house for a little get away and not have to come home to death and chaos? Anyone have any better suggestions?

Here's some pics of a heron that was fishing in our pond this morning. He caught a pretty good size fish. You can see it in the middle of his neck in one pic. The kids thought that was really neat. We had an open house today. Our realtor said we had six people come look so I'm hoping SOMEONE will buy it and we can move. Preferrably where no one can see us packing our car for an overnight trip.....

More critter pics and looming WIPs

2006-07-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

Here's is a picture of the duck I loomed for Ella, which I hate. She really likes him so I guess I'll have to look at him for a while. Then there's my baby Mary Jane's in black and pink. Soon to be posted on the website.

We have some wild rabbits who live near my chicken coup. This is a pic of one of the albino babies they had. Then there are my three ducks telling me I need to feed them. A picture of the chicks and how big they have gotten. Some butterflies visiting my butterfly bush and the daylilies on the side of the house. It's hard to see it but there are some cool looking bugs in the flower in the back. Something new everyday....enjoy the little things.

Patoka Lake- Saturday

2006-07-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of Allie and Ella having a good laugh. Caleb kicking back and Gogglehead Allie.

I thought Allie looked so beautiful in this pic. Here's Captain Keith and Caleb checking out the scenery.

Camping at Patoka Lake

2006-07-09T22:42:00.000-07:00

We went camping at Patoka Lake with my aunt Berta and uncle Keith. They took us out on their pontoon boat the next morning.
This is a historical picture. This is the ONLY time these two got along ALL WEEK for more than five mintues. It was a must take a picture of this moment kind of thing.

Here's a picture of Berta relaxing for a while in the water. An island they call "Eagle Island" where they made a nest hoping to attract them I guess. Caleb and Allie had a race and then did jumps off the back of the boat.

Here's a picture of Allie teaching Ella to dance. And a picture of my husband watching the boats as we went along.

Fourth of July

2006-07-09T22:25:00.000-07:00

Fireworks at Paroquet Springs. We went with our neighbors Wayne and Anne and their two little boys Chris and Matthew. It was a pretty good show. The kids had a great time. It was a really good night even though it had rained a little earlier in the afternoon.

Ella and Allie laughing. Allie and Chris in the truck watching the fireworks. Matthew and his Mommy Anne. He was clapping, it was so cute. Caleb watching.

House For Sale!

2006-07-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

We're selling our house and planning on moving further south in KY. We want more land and a cheaper house payment (don't we all, right?). Anyone interested? 5-6 BD, 3 full BA, family room, office, great room w/ living, dining and kitchen all on 5 acres. The 9 dogs, cat, chickens and guineas won't be staying though, sorry ;)

WIPS and Ella pics...

2006-07-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

These are my WIPs (works in progress). The sweater is my third attempt. The ruby red slippers are going to be added to the free patterns this week. I also have some Mary Janes this size but haven't taken a picture yet. I'm definitely keeping busy but things will slow down since it's vacation time for everyone in the house. I have a feeling I won't have any free time for the next two weeks. Then I'll have a week to myself and then back to work. I'm not looking forward to going back to work at all. I'll be on an 11pm-7am shift, five days a week. I'm never going to get to see Ella unless I seriously sleep deprive myself. I guess that's life, huh?

Here's a pic of princess Ella at her Mamaw's before they left for Europe.

Ella is finally learning how to pedal and turn at the same time. I'm so proud of her!

Busy!

2006-07-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Here's some more pics of our critters around the house. The tree frogs are so awesome! The 12 baby chicks I posted earlier are about 4 times their size now. These are the newest additions. Their moms aren't taking care of them so Ella and I are going to be their "mom." Ella takes this job seriously and checks on them several times a day. We also had a deer in our front field for a while one afternoon.

I've been working on getting more stuff on my website WWW.spunkybluecatdesigns.com. I've added 2 free patterns for the tank and dog collar cover in the pics. And there is a pic of one of the instructional pages I've made. All the pages are step by step pictures like this. I want to add more if time allows. I just get burned out with fighting with the website software. It's such a pain. I need a geek fairy. If anyone knows where I can find one please tell me!

Here are links to these patterns and to this page:

http://www.spunkybluecatdesigns.com/uploads/rainbowtankpattern.jpg

http://www.spunkybluecatdesigns.com/uploads/collarpattern.jpg

http://www.spunkybluecatdesigns.com/uploads/decreasing1pegpage.jpg

Granny's shawl

2006-06-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

I started working on my Grandmother's shawl for my cousin's wedding after a couple of weeks of trying to figure out HOW I wanted to do it. I've run into a problem though. This is the first time I've used my new KK long loom and I don't understand why there is so much shrinkage on just one side. When doing a flat panel I expect the sides to come in or shrink as on the left side which is the normal 2-3 pegs (for me). But what in the world is going on for the right side! It's shrinking like almost 8 pegs! I'm using the lace pattern stitch from the second Anne Bipes stitch booklet. I'm going to frog it anyway because I want it wider, I just can't understand why it's doing this.

Update on the babies...

2006-06-19T22:56:00.000-07:00

Here are some picks of my banty chickens....barred cochins, silkies and also my guineas. The guineas are fun to watch. They'll be out in the yard and all of a sudden one will take off charging at another and you'll hear this big thud when it runs into the other. It's like watching a football game! I have no idea why they do this but it's funny. They also sit at the bottom of our porch steps when we let the cat out and they stand there and make the most awful racket until the cat is pawing to come back in. He can't get off the porch because of the guineas (they are as big as he is). They also look like one of the creatures off the movie The Dark Crystal. If you've seen the movie, you'll know what I mean. They've been visiting the neighbors here lately too but they're used to the surroundings and aren't as loud as everyone thinks. If they don't know you though, you bet they are good watch dogs. Can't get them to quiet down! Can't wait to see how that goes over with our real estate agent ;)

They're growing up fast! Starting to get feathers and more independent by the day. We have a total of twelve now. Still maybe more to come.....we'll see.

I won! Ma's so proud ;)

2006-06-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

I entered seven things in the county fair. All loom knitted items of course. I won six firsts, a second and a third. And a check for thirty bucks! Should I buy another loom to celebrate? ;)

Bullitt County Fair

2006-06-19T22:39:00.000-07:00

Here's Ella having a great time. She laughed the whole time she was on this train ride with this little girl.

Picture of the end of the day, they look exhausted, don't they?

Ella is a daredevil. She loved this Man of Steel ride. The blur is her, she's barely tall enough but rode this ride 5 times! She wanted to get on the Fireball (see last post) but wasn't tall enough! What am I going to do? Have a million heart attacks by the time she's ready to go to school?

Bullit County Fair

2006-06-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Dennis and Caleb on the "Fireball."
Caleb and Allie on the "Surge" or what I call the YoYo. Dennis and Ella going down the Superslide and Caleb and Allie going down the Superslide. They are pushing on each other, imagine that! She won the race, he hit her over the head with the mat at the bottom cause he's a sore loser and then they had to go home because I'm an evil stepmom and won't let them act like that! Just give me broom, I'll dye my hair green and grow a wart on my nose.

More of Caleb and Allie on the YoYo...
Allie and Ella on a ride together. I think it's called the Blizzard. I'm surprised they didn't have whiplash after this!

Babies!!

2006-06-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

We finally have our baby chicks. I've been waiting patiently while the hens sat. I didn't think we'd have any because the hens kept switching nests on me but here they are. Too cute! Ten total and more on the way if the others sit long enough. I know it sounds like I'll have a ton of chicks but they all won't make it. The last chicks we had went from a total of ten to one. The local predators don't waste time. The kids are in LOVE....

Here is Telula with her little ones. And then another of Telula and Lemoney with all the chicks. Lemony has already pecked Caleb and one of our dogs (Yoakum) for getting to close. The kids won't leave them alone though so I guess they will have to learn the hard way (peck). Ginger also has 2 chicks. I'm going to post more soon. peep...peep...peep

2006-06-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some peeks at the stuff I'm currently working on. The Eliza doll is finally getting some clothes after debuting in her underwear (shame). The pink is for a little girl's outfit. and the beads will be on a top I'm putting together. The black piece is for a large bag. I also have something started for a free pattern for pets. I'm going to start my first large double rake project soon too. I still haven't gotten the hang of the finishing what you start yet. Oh well. I think I have too many ideas that I'm afraid I'll forget (or won't be able to interpret if I write it down). Well, I'm off to try to finish at least one of these up.

Critters and flowers

2006-05-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is one of the poor unfortunate critters that happened to move in the sight of one the kids. So, this little frog had to have a "new" home made for him (they didn't do a bad job, really). But man, I really had to talk them out of letting him go swimming in the pool with them. Can't remember what I said to pull that one off but I'm sure the frog appreciates it. At least he's still alive! He'll accidentally escape after they go to bed if you get my drift :)

Every year we pick up turtles on the side of the road. We have a tiny chicken wire pen with a terra cotta plant potter bottom in it (for water) and large chunks of bark for them to hide under. We planted some lettuce and cabbage in there too although I've never seen them eat off of it. Ella LOVES the turtles. Every single one is named Jack. I love watching her check them out. She'll hold them in her hand and gently touch their little toes and tail with a look of sheer awe on her face. We've collected quite a few turtles. They "dig out" after a few days (wink wink) when the kids forget about them. Apparently one of them had a baby in the pen. We went looking for one of the turtles that we had recently "saved" (and he really had dug out ) and found this little one. TINY!!! So tiny I couldn't get a good clear picture close up. Too cute! I hope he makes it so he can escape :)

Here's some pics of the flowers around the house. I was worried about the clematis because I had to repair the trellis I made and Ella decided she wanted to cut up some "sticks" which happened to be the clematis vines without anything on them yet. So this year they are kind of sparse. Then there's the pics of the daisies out in our field. I'm not allowing Dennis to cut that part of the field. Like he's going to complain...

Memorial Day Monday

2006-05-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

It's just horrible! It's hot and I won't take them to Mamaw's to swim. I'm so evil. Well, Dennis and Caleb went to the creek with Charles and his wife Anne Marie so I got out our blow up pool. After scrubbing it down (it was caked with mud and leaves from being in the barn) blowing it up, filling it with water....guess what! IT'S TOO COLD! Ella didn't care at all. Allie was a different story. "Do you have a heater you can put in here? Can we get some hot water from inside to pour in here?" I guess the water is going to be warmer in Mamaw's pool. We'll see...I know we'll end up there tomorrow. I still got some good pictures though. This one I like a lot.

Saturday

2006-05-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to the Strawberry Festival at Stumler Orchard in Indiana. It wasn't the big event it used to be but the strawberries were good! Here's some pictures....

2006-05-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

Today I did housework. YIPPEE! Caleb and Allie went back to thier Mom and Ella was really cranky but it all ended well. I got a lot done. Tomorrow we go to the Strawberry Festival in IN. Hopefully I'll have some nice pics to share. Going to work on my webpage now, hopefully I won't pull any hair out....

2006-05-26T20:59:00.000-07:00

Thursday we visited my husband's friend James. He sold my husband his first dog. And his second and also our half feist Daphne. Ella loves going there because there's a lot of dogs and critters in general. All three got to ride his pony. And they got to see a baby raccoon. It was rescued and as you can see being well taken care of. SOOOO CUTE!

2006-05-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

BUSY WEEK! Wednesday we went to the zoo. Here's bunch of pictures. They have an enclosed area where you can feed Lorikeets nectar from little cups. They just land wherever on you. They are so beautiful. The kids loved it!

Ella feeding her lorikeet. Allie had one land on her head.

Caleb with two others and Allie's lorikeet checking out her ponytail.

Trystan was a little scared at first and Taylor had one on her head too. And yes, the will use the restroom on you if they feel the urge. The turtles are hardly ever out so I had to get a pic.

These little guys are one of my faves too. They are meerkats like Timon in the Lion King. They were taking naps.

Everyone was taking a nap as a matter of fact, but still cute.
After we look at all the animals they get to ride the carousel. It's all different animals plus the traditional horses. Very pretty. And here's a picture of me in the middle :) And another meerkat pic.

The picture on the left is of all five: Taylor, Ella, Caleb, Trystan and Allie. The one on the left are the three that belong to me: Caleb, Ella & Allie. It's so nice when they cooperate long enough to get a good picture like this....ahhh, but it never lasts!

2006-04-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

Ella

2006-04-25T22:50:00.000-07:00

Today is my first blog entry. Husband is away for work and my daughter is with her Mamaw. The stepkids are with thier Mom and besides the 8 dogs, it's REALLY quiet. No chaos today. I spent most of the day letting the Novocaine wear off from having a tooth pulled and then typed up some looming patterns. Then I TRIED to make the KK socks. OK, I made one and tried to change it and it looks funny so I have to frog it and fix it. Oh well, lesson learned. Time to finish up other projects and type them up as well. I'm trying to make myself finish the things I've started before I start something new. It's really hard to do when I have a million things I want to create or try swimming around in my head. Patience and persistence....