Still Lazing at the Lake

We are still at the lake. And then knitting is not going well. I tried the texture pattern from the first stage of Tour De Sock on a dishrag. It didn't work very well, the design is charted for knitting in the round and did not translate well to flat knitting. So after a few rows I ripped it out. Oh well. It was worth a try.

Folded Cuff

The second stage pattern was released on the 25th. I couldn't print it out until the next day, the small local library isn't opened on Tuesdays. And then we were trimming a tree on Wednesday so I didn't get to cast on until Thursday. I had trouble with the provisional cast on. It should not have been that hard. I think that the folded cuff would have worked just as well with a regular cast on edge. It took me way longer than it should have to get to this point.

First chart of colorwork

The next section is a Latvian Braid. I had never done that before and expected it to be difficult. I followed the directions and it knit up easily! Then on to the next 3 sections of colorwork. I was able to finish the first section. Love how it is turning out. My colors are a bit Circus-ish.

Apple Pie

On the 24th Utah celebrates Pioneer Day. About 10 years ago someone came up with the idea of "Pie and Beer" day for those who are not of the dominant religion. It has grown in popularity. I made an apple pie and my sorta new mom made a pineapple cake for a coffee and cake with our German friends that we consider family. Our own little Pie and Beer Day celebration! All of the older generation emigrated to the USA from Germany in the late 1950's and so are our Pioneers!

Bloomington Lake

Sweetie and I took the dogs for a drive up Bloominton Canyon. At the top is this lovely little lake! It is a lovely drive, although sections of the dirt road are a bit tricky.

Moose

On the way down we spotted this moose! I always feel lucky to see wildlife in the wild!

Wildflower

I love wildflowers! And this week we had access to quite a few in the upper elevations!

Wildflower

Sego Lily

Clouds

We have had off and on cloudy days. Which is ok. I love the puffy white clouds and this one was especially interesting to me!

I am linking to Nina-Marie, Amanda-Jean, Sarah, Myra Celtic Beth,
Emily, Beth, Judy Nicole Lorna

Lazy Summer Days

We are having a wonderful, relaxing time at the lake. We have a wonderful shade tree where we have set up some lounge chairs. We have spent quite a bit of time there while watching the clouds and the lake. Yeah, it doesn't suck.

My view from the lounge chair

The lake is Bear Lake on the border of Utah and Idaho. We are on the Utah side. My parents bought the lot over 50 years ago. I grew up here, spending most of the summer at the lake. I am lucky that the property is still in the family. I remember when my Dad and the neighbors constructed the flag pole and we have been flying the flag since. Love the view of the flag and the clouds.

Eddy

My boys love it at the lake. This is Eddy, our "little" guy. Loves to be right next to his dad.

Peaty

This is Peaty, our big boy. He loves to be next to his mama. Peaty is getting older and has some health issues. But still loves to come to the lake, just doesn't like the 8 hour drive to get there.

Lazy summer Dish Rag knitting

I failed on my socks for the Tour De Sock, stage one. So I picked up my dishrag knitting bag. Perfect, mindless summer knitting when enjoying the view is the most important thing to accomplish.

Failed sock

I did not take a photograph before ripping out the knitting on the sock. I had hoped to give the socks to my daughter. She said the pattern was ok, but she was not enthused about the design. And when she said that the yarn was too pretty to waste on that design, it sealed the fate of this project. I do like the texture design and hope to use it on a dish rag. It would be a wonderful scrubby texture. After I complete the green dish rag I will try it out.

Trouble maker shawl

Not quite a fail, but just giving me trouble. Since I am using a very fine yarn I am using small beads. And my normal crochet hook method of adding the beads isn't working, my smallest hook doesn't fit in the bead. So I was trying various dental floss methods, but had the wrong kind. I bought the floss of choice yesterday when I went to the big city to shop. So hope to get caught up on this guy.

Alternate project.

I did not have room to pack a sewing machine with a machine project, so I brought this ongoing hand sewing project. It has only come out of the bag for the photo op. I hope to finish the last light flower and get him sewn into the center so that I can start planning what comes next. This is a design and build as you go project. I have a lot of hexagons wrapped. But didn't have the right one to finish the center portion. I think I will do a dark round next. Who knows?

I am linking to Amanda Jean, Nina-Marie, Myra
Beth, Emily, Judy, Beth, Nicole, Lorna

A real Finish!

I wanted to get something finished to enter in the Springville Art Museum's annual quilt show. I had a friend visiting last week and I had pulled out this top to show her. She gave me some very good input, so I was able to finish this piece in time.

Making matchsticks

I decided to try matchstick quilting. My piece is curved, so the lines are slightly curved to match the piecing.

And more matchsticks

You start off with quilting lines that are spaced out and then quilt in between. And then again, in between. Helps keep everything smooth and secure, no shifting.

another view

The colors are more accurate in this photograph. Again, blogger rotated my photograph.

I think it is enough

I could have gone one more session of adding lines in between, but since I was already into the sixth bobbin on a 30"x 24" piece, I decided it was enough. I would like to try it another time, maybe on a smaller test piece.

close up

I used a dark charcoal colored thread. I am pleased with the effect! One of the things that Helen and I had done was audition thread colors.

Finished!

I have titled this piece "Embrace the Curve".  

Loved this!

The car club in town hosted a little park and show your stuff downtown this week. We went down to look. Fun! Only about a dozen or so cars.  But fun anyway.  I loved this sign on a mini cooper.

I am linking to Nina-Marie, Myra, Amanda Jean, April, Tweety, Beth
Emily Beth, Judy Nicole, Lorna

The Heat is on!

I am almost finished with my second sock for the warm up pattern of Tour de Sock

Knot!

I get so annoyed when there is a knot in a ball of sock yarn! I spent a lot of money on that skein and I expect a continuous length of yarn. I untied it and then did a splice.

Mystery Shawl clue 2

I love mystery shawls by Susanna IC! This one started on the first day of summer. I am halfway through clue 3.

Tour de Fleece

I am trying to get my spin on. I haven't picked up the spindle in months. Since I am just learning I decided that spinning a little every day for the Tour de Fleece might help. Sort of. We had visitors this week and I was only able to spin 3 days out of 6. Better than nothing.

September

December

November

I got caught up on my sample blocks for the Block of the Month that I am teaching at the local guild. I wanted to have them completed for the year so I didn't have to worry anymore about it until later when I try to come up with another setting option.

First round of lines

So I was able to switch my machine over to quilting mode. Hope to get this guy finished today.

Second batch of lines

I am trying to do some matchstick quilting. I will let you know how it turns out! I hope to enter this in a show, deadline is the 22nd.

I am linking to Amanda Jean, Nina-Marie, Sarah, Myra Jen, Beth
Small Quilts, Beth, Emily, Nicole, Lorna