Knitting Dragonflies

Not doing much but taking care of the recovering dog at this point, and the usual necessary things like work. I did buy an E -reader , it was a spontaneous buy, I had some bonus money that I hadn’t used and was in Borders Books. I am always carrying books around and thought “what the heck?”. I love it, and now can’t imagine doing without it. Hundreds of books in a very small space that can be taken easily anywhere. I looked at them before but thought I would miss having the “book” in my hands. Well there is still knitting, spinning and watercolor books to buy, more room on my shelves for them. I have also begun spinning again. Every time I start spinning again, I wonder at how much I enjoy it, and why did I stop? The fleece is a BFL, a lovely dark brown, I was drawn to it because the color was quite dark, and I thought that unusual. I love the way it spins up. A pound is enough for me to really make something with it (I hope). It is  enough fiber to keep me busy for quite a w...

Thanks to The Quilter, I realized in time that Bloglines is ending Oct 1st. If you need to export your blogs to another aggregator she gives excellent instructions, (hers are to export to Google) I’m back to spinning, more on that later, I feel my inactivity leaving me, thank goodness! All of our energy has been taken up with taking care of Syd, and his horrid scar. (see previous post for his Mast cell cancer story) I tell him scars on guys just make them more ruggedly handsome. He doesn’t seem convinced yet.

We have been majorly stressed out at my house. It has been a rapid trip starting with the discovery of a small tumor on my male dog, Syd, after looking at bumps on the internet, (thank goodness for Dr. Google), I was convinced that it was a Mast Cell Tumor . I was going to just dismiss it, due to the fact that it was about the size of a large pea, but we have always owned dogs, and this one sent my inner voice whispering. Better safe than sorry.  So I made an appointment with my Vet and got in that day! The vet did a fine needle aspirate, suspecting that it was a mast cell tumor, and after looking at it in the microscope decided it was, it was sent off for a closer look to a vet lab. They recommended surgery, with wide margins taken to try and get it all, evidently the tumor can be just one of the symptoms of Mast Cells Cancer. When we picked Syd up, we discovered a much larger incision than we had expected, the vet ended up taking about an orange size of skin, lymph nod...

Some more water color play! Here I’m trying to loosen up, with a simple door. Trying to work on light and reflections. Then I got obsessed with this boat! First attempt, watercolors then added acrylics on top. Looks pretty stormy, I got dark and too late realized I went too far. Second attempt, all water colors. Oh yeah, I’m hooked… I look to the sea Reflections in the waves spark my memory Some happy, some sad I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with me Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with me baby Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with me I saw Styx in concert in 1977 and have great memories! " Come Sail Away " is a song by Styx from their album The Grand Illusion . One of the band's biggest hits, it was released in 1977 (see 1977 in music), rising to number 8 on the Pop Singles chart and helping The Grand Illusion reach multi-platinum sales ...

I finally broke down and ordered the Cat Bordhi Book, Socks that soar on two circular needles . And I’m not disappointed! I quickly understood the concept and took off knitting. I have tried many methods of alternative sock knitting and I think I will use this one again! This book explains the technique and also has a variety of patterns. Her description of “A manual of elegant knitting techniques and patterns” is correct. She includes instructions for the method itself and how to convert your favorite patterns to her method of knitting. She starts with a basic sock pattern in 3 sizes, so there is one for you. Then progresses to Felted boots, and a variety of other patterns, from socks with cats on them to an advance leaf and tendril pattern. A large variety, and I would knit quite a few of these. The book is great for the patterns alone. One suggestion that she makes that I agree with; If you are going to try this, get some good circular needles! I started a pair of toe up s...