DOT -- Group Shot

This photo is from our vacation in Colorado last month. I was learning how to work the self-timer on the new camera. Can you see the mud on Lucy's belly? That's a result of hiking through snow a bit higher up.

DOT -- Laughing Lab

A few years ago at the Telluride Blues & Brews festival we were introduced to a beer called Laughing Lab. Now whenever we are home in Colorado we look for it. It was plentiful in the liquor stores of Salida. Don't you think Lucy looks like the cover girl?

Secret Pal 14 Part 3

I love the Secret Pal swap! You get to send packages to one person for three months and (maybe even better) you receive packages from your secret pal. In the last package the pal reveals herself to you. I was lucky enough to have Kim as my secret pal.

I received her third package a couple weeks ago and am finally getting around to posting photos.

What do you think? Great, isn't it?

The blue yarn is from Blue Heron Yarns. It's 1050 yards of cotton in the colorway blue violet. It'll be used to make the Shoalwater Shawl by Fiber Trends. Kim included Addi lace needles too. It's a whole project!

But that's not all. The big giant hank of yarn at the top is 13.2 oz. of New Zealand wool. To the right is merino wool from Firestone Farm in Michigan. The big flowers are actually pens. The sheep on the left is soap. I'm afraid if I get him wet he'll lose his curls so he may live out his life on the knitting book bookshelf. The sheep to the right is an ornament made of beeswax.

Yarn close-up:

Sheep close-up:

Kim, thanks so much for this package and the previous ones. You did good!

Knitting in Progress

Yes, it's been a very long time since I posted anything here. Since I last posted, I went on vacation, came back, got busy with work, increased my running mileage, enjoyed a visit from my mom, and various other things.

And I've been knitting.

This is my everlasting project, a drop-stitch scarf. I got quite a bit done on the drive to Colorado. I am loving this!

And this is what distracted me from the scarf. This is my Ishbel shawl. I fell in love with the color of this yarn. (It's called Roasted Pumpkin.) It seemed perfect for a fall shawl. I absolutely love the pattern and this is turning out really nice. I am almost done. I think it will be beautiful when it is blocked.

My friend Ariel gave me the candy corn slippers!

Poor Boys

Back in 1969 (when I was almost 4 years old and not yet a fan of rock & roll) Credence Clearwater Revival released an album called Willy and the Poor Boys.  Fast forward to 2009 when I am a huge fan of rock and also a participant in Secret Pal 14.  Look at what I received from my secret pal.  It's two skeins of laceweight soysilk yarn by Conjoined Creations in the colorway Willy and the Poor Boys.  (And a journal, maybe to record my own rock lyrics.)  What shall I make with it?  I've got 1100 yards for a really nice lace project!  I certainly don't feel like a poor boy (or girl) after receiving this!
Oh, I got a new camera so hopefully my photos will improve and do justice to such beautiful yarn!

Crofter's Cowl

I made this pretty little cowl for a swap.  It's called Crofter's Cowl and the pattern can be found on the sidebar of this blog.  I used red Malabrigo, the colorway Vermillion.  It truly is red and these pictures aren't correct.  This was quick and easy and I think it'll be a good gift.

Another Lunch Bag

I seem to do projects in twos.  The first time I am learning, the second time I am a little better.  I recently made the Bronco lunch bag and now I made a purple one.  I have a friend who really likes purple so this is a back-t0-school gift for her.  No, she doesn't actually go to school, but she's free to put whatever she wants in here.  If she does want to carry snacks, I've loaded the thing with goldfish crackers in individual serving bags.

The outside is purple polka dots.

The inside is purple butterflies.  Once again I attached a personalized tag.

This time I made the handle a bit longer, about 4".  I think this makes the bag easier to carry.  I also changed the velcro to snaps on this bag.  Despite the fact that the velcro package assures me it is iron-on and will stay put, I found that it didn't.  Snaps ought to work better.

I bet if I make another one of these bags it will be even better.