You Are a Golden Retriever Puppy

Tolerant, fun-loving, and patient. You are eager to please - and attached to your frisbee.

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

Seaming Tape...

OK, I am not sure that I will use seaming tape ever again. It took too long and was very difficult to get into the corners with. Of course this is the first time I have ever used it and the first time I have ever made a lining for a bag. Probably not a good idea to combine two first time things. Luckily, the lining turned out just fine and is now stitched safely in the bag. I wanted to add a pocket to the lining, but putting the pieces together was not working out. So, I opted to finish what I had and skip the pocket. It turned out very nice if a little lop-sided. Will post a photo before I mail it off to my partner in Hungary:)



ON to a more interesting topic. Here is what I posted on the ITEIII:



WooHoo...... I am done! The bag is complete with a black lining. I used the seaming tape, which I probably would not advise using to make lining for a bag. It made construction a touch on the complicated side. But, the lining did turn out good:) Guess I just need to break down and get a sewing machine....lol I woud show you the inside, but that is a suprise....hehehe It is packed with all sorts of fun and useful goodies! It will either be put in the mail today (keeping my fingers crossed) or tomorrow! I sure hope my partner likes it as much as I have enjoyed putting it together!

New Bag Update...

I really like how this bag has turned out. I fulled it and thought it looked pretty good after being shaved, but the strap just did not fit because I knit it flat. So I stitched it up using leftover yarn to make a rounded strap..........







After making a trip to get the button, which I love, I saw the cute lace trim and said to myself 'that is what the bag lacks!' After stitching it on, here is the end result.



The red round dot is actually a bobble type thing on the top of the hand strap which I covered with the lace. Now, I am working on the lining. I haven't decided wether to use the seaming iron on tape or stitch it by hand. Will probably use the tape!

International Tote Exchange

I have a partner in Hungary for the International Tote Exchange. I am so excited and am really looking forward to sending the bag to her. This bag is not going to be a large one, so I am including another bag that I will not be posting pictures of until it is finished. I always enjoy a good suprise! I hope she does too!


Working away at the bag. Have spun and dyed. So far so good. Am letting the yarn tell me what it wants to be. This one is going to be fulled and not felted. I think it will turn out great once I am done. I'mnot sure if the closure will be a tab, zipper, or flap though. Any thoughts on this? I am planning on a shoulder strap, so maybe a tab with a horn button closure would look best.....hhhhmm......

Spinning yarn & Kool Aide!!

Well, Monday started out as a long, long day. It was becoming longer by the minute. I was so frustrated as I was going home that evening, that I was about to cry. But there it was! A huge box on my porch! I knew what it was and I ripped the packing open not even caring where the shreds of news paper and cardboard landed. It was my new but used spinning wheel! Ever since that moment, I have been using up those idle seconds of my day spinning away. This is my first skein of corriedale sheep yarn spun on my wheel!





And this yarn is the first yarn that I dyed! And lets not leave out that I also spun it! Dang I am so proud of my self! It was remarkably easy to do too boot! You wash your hank of yarn and let it rest in the rinse water. While the yarn is resting, fill a container/jar with water leaving room to add your yarn. Pour in a cap full of vinegar and add your packet of kool-aide (with out the sugar). Gently add yarn.







Place jar (with yarn in it) in the microwave and heat on high for about 1-2 minutes. MAKE SURE TO WATCH THE YARN IN THE MICROWAVE. Do not let the water boil as this causes the yarn to felt. I watch the yarn until I see a single bubble rise. I then immediately stop the microwave and remove the jar. Leave the jar and yarn along until the water is clear and it has reached room temperature. Then water can be washed & rinsed, spun in the washer and hung out to dry! The fun thing about kool-aide is that you can do this one with kids. It is safe and non-toxic. Not to leave out that my yarns smell like cherries and oranges!!!

Angel Puffies Received!

I have received two great packages! One being my exchange package with Adriane and the other being my Angel Package sent by Maile. The first one from Maile has two sets of markers, a note pad and the kewlest charms! The charms read: 'I love knitting' and 'I love Beading' and I absolutely love them! I do hope that Maile got a giggle out of the cloisenete markers that I sent her. I received her package after I sent mine and I got such a giggle that we both sent almost the same thing...lol






The next puffie is from my Exchange partner Adriane and wow! I got a huge homespun ball of acrylic yarn, two sets of the cutest yarn markers, a dish cloth, bath snow flakes (what a unique idea!), and a HUGE chocolate bar! Yummie! I am not sure how long I can hold out before I devour the chocolate bar. hehehe

Stitch Marker's Received!!

Gosh, I have been so darn busy lately that I have not had time to post about all the fun fun stitch marker exchanges I have received. I had taken these photos prior to X-Mas and am too tired/lazy (have been painting all day 10hrs) to go upstairs and look at the envelopes.





Sorry Ladies, I will have to update this post at a later time to give you credit:) Oh, forgot to mention that I got a fab 'Angel' puffie from Maile. I loved it and will post a pic once I have a chance.

Vegas Vacation...

Well, here are a few shots from our 'Vegas Vacation 2006'. We did a bit of gambling, but really prefer to drive about finding new out of the way places we have not seen before;) This first shot is in Death Valley.






This is another shot in Death Valley. I had to walk out behind a big mound of sand & stone to find this pic. The white on the valley floor is not snow. Can you guess what it is?








Here is a close up of the white 'stuff'. It is actually Borax. From what I can gather the pioneering desert folk would mine the flakes seen here off the valley floor in the winter because it is in a solid state at lower temperatures. Then the raw borax would be processed and shipped via a 20 Mule Team out of the desert.




And well, it just would not be complete with out a pic of Bill just done flying his rc plane in Death Valley.

Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas is a time of giving. It is also a time when I try to put myself in debt so that no one gets left out:) Not that I am complaining! I have always enjoyed giving gifts more than receiving.


This year though, Bill one upped me! I got a fabulously fantastic sparkly expensive gift! And a bit early to boot!


Drum roll please!!............


I am now officially engaged! Never in a million years did I ever think that would happen. I had become very set in my pre spinster days prior to meeting Bill. Happily working away with horses, painting (houses) and of course knitting. When out of the blue he walks into my life.


It all happened like this..... We had a broken window at one of the rental properties and called on his families glass company to repair it. I met the service guy at the townhouse and proceeded to ask about Bill (married, kids, etc), his siblings, and family in general, but mainly about Bill because we went out on one date many, many years ago:) I thought nothing of it and after the workman was done locked up and went on my merry little way. Later that evening Bill called. We talked for a good length of time and agreed to meet for a date the following day. We have barely spent a day appart since!


And that leads me up to yesterday. We were on our way out to eat. When I asked him what pocket of his jacket needed stitched up and started to reach in. He pulled back got down on one knee in the kitchen and the next thing I knew..... I was giggling like a manic....hehehehehe....hehehehe
And have been ever since. I this pic of the ring with in the first few minutes. . . hehe Talk about a fabulous Christmas! I hope one and all have such a great christmas!

Stitch Marker's Received!!

I have just received some fabulous exchange stuff!!! Let me just say WOW!! You gals Sheri, Joye, Amy, Enid & Maude, really out-did your selves!

Teresa, Sick & Router!!

I just received this wonderful package from Teresa! There are some lovely teas that I can't wait to try once I am over being sick:) A macrame bookmark. I wish I knew how to macrame. Guess that will be my next borrow from the library! An adorable note pad. And the cutest red stitch markers!! I had been looking all over for the just right nail scrubber and Teresa found it for me with out even knowing it!! Is that an excellent exchange or what!! Thank you so much Teresa! That sure was a pick me up!!!



OH...I am starting to feel better...WHEW! And the replacement for the busted router I bought came in! So I am sitting on the couch and typeing all this....hehehe No more being stuck in the 'office'!!! This is great!! I have to hand it to BELKIN for finding out my problem and shipping me a new router free of charge! They have my business for life that's for sure!!!

Still Sick

Ok, I'm still sick. I have a case of strep throat and Cunjunctivitis (AKA: pink eye). I have never had pink eye before and I can honestly say that it is misserable! Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Not sure where I got it from, but there are a couple of possibilities: children, shopping cart, cleaning an apartment or coming in contact with someone who has it. I'm pretty crazy about spraying my hands with anti-bacterial spray when cleaning any of our apartments even though I have on gloves, so have pretty much ruled that one out. My best guess would be the shopping cart theory. Have found out it is highly contagious for about a week...UGH Get it on your hands and touch or itch your eye and there you go. I have always been fanatic about washing my hands (you know scrub with soap while singing 'happy birthday' then rinse well in hot water) and I shower twice a day (AM & PM), so I have no idea. The eye drops they give you to treat it are no walk in the park either! They burn, Burn, BURN!!!! Of course it makes it worse when you mistake your athlete's foot dropper with eye drops! You only make that mistake ONCE! I cried for hours trying to flush that crap out of my eyes. Ok, so not only am I sick, but I am an idiot as well! Will be back to posting when all this clears up.
Maybe I should go back to working on a farm instead of the family business.....hhmmmm Secluded on a farm with horses nickering out my window and all the solitude I could want....hhhmmm Nah....Life is too fun with family and friends surrounding you daily:)