Knitting Dragonflies

I found some wire while cleaning the house. After looking at it for awhile I started getting twitchy fingers. "What could I knit with wire?" A few swatches later, I decided a birdhouse was in order. There is a technique for knitting with wire, I "pulled" each stitch to make it loose. Also at the end of each row, pull the stitches away from the needle that they are on, and flatten and shape the wire. You will understand after trying it. Warning: Wire can be sharp, I did get poked several times, be careful. Materials: Needles: Metal 14" size 11 us (I haven't used these since I knitted a burnt orange scarf, I won't even tell you what year that was} Wire: Floral wire, one bundle 24 gauge (from .99-1.99 at a craft store) Wire: 18 gauge, I got this from Home Depot, sturdy enough for skeletal support of your house. Wire cutters, or those sturdy kitchen scissors Optional: crochet hook size K, or other large size. Cast on (loose) 24 sts. Now knit every row for

Here is the fiber I was spindle spinning for a lace shawl. Now I'm spinning the rest of it up on my new wheel... Wheeeeee.......Done!! We have hardwood floors, so I make pads for the dogs to lay on...I found some acrylic fleece in the remnant bin. Add several layers of quilt batting in between... Soft places to lay.. I have crocheted two of these, thanks to Tiny Choices , (nice blog), they are fast and super cute. I like them to wash my face with. I like their blog and concept of it, take a look at it, all kinds of good info. Original pattern from Crochet Patterns Only thanks to Judith Pringle! She has other cute things there also. They are beginning to multiply, and now my family and friends are getting them. My husband went past and said "that's not a toilet paper cover is it?" He claims an intervention will be in order if I start to cover the TP with knitted items. I made a few "camo" ones, now the men in the family have their manly dish scrubbies! May y

March is Red Cross month! You can go here , and find a blood drive in your area. Every 2 seconds someone in the United States needs a unit of blood. Only 5% of the eligible people donate blood, there is no substitute!! Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell, anemia and other illnesses. Some people need regular blood transfusions to live. Imagine if giving blood was part of everyone's life. Something you did on a regular basis, like eating at your favorite restaurant. What kind of difference would that make? For nearly 5 million people who receive blood transfusions every year, your donation can make the difference between life and death. The need is constant. Give the gift of life.

Design by Nora . Nora has a variety of items. I like looking at her handbags, she lists many by her uncle, Naz, who has been making leather purses for 30 years for companies such as Isabella Fiore and Goldenbleu. This purse is one of many of his original designs. Perfect for spring, she has a collection of polymer clay earrings that are girly. She blogs here Technorati Tags: featured etsy seller , designs by nora

Here are a few things that I found this week that made me smile. Or how about this You Tube video of a knitting girl! Life is a ball of yarn by Jenny Bang Bang.   Now go ahead and smile!! Technorati Tags: Life is a ball of yarn , Jenny Bang Bang , Things that make me smile

This sweet shot was taken by Astrophotographer Jack Newton of Osoyoos, British Columbia. Look at more of his images here . I'm so glad the sun is back. Winter in our area is often the season of mud and gloomy days. Combine that with days that start before the sun comes up and working in a windowless area. Then leaving at dusk and it's no wonder I get a little cranky. I have my new wheel and have been spinning, the sun is out and things are spouting up everywhere. Sometimes this is all of the sun I get to see. The tulip trees are blooming! When we first moved here I had a love affair with Magnolia trees, this is a variety. They grow to be quite large and their leaves are glossy, and waxy. Now I'm ready to try my hand at plying on a wheel. I have two bobbins waiting for me. This is at the back of our lot and I let it grow as large as it wants. Enjoy the sun!! May your needles fly as fast as dragonflies Technorati Tags: jack n

I ordered a spinning wheel. It was a big decision with lots of dithering involved. This article from Abby's Yarns helped me, thanks Abby! And my spinning mentor at Spin, Knit and Life , go look at her handspun, and she quilts also, Thanks Phyllis! {She also has an Etsy shop with handspun, batts and other yummy items}.  I had the idea it had to be the "perfect wheel" for me. Then a light bulb went off, everyone that spins does not have just one spindle or (eek) wheel. So with that thought, I decided that my first wheel would be a Lendrum. I tried it out at a Fiber festival last year, and the girl (sorry I forgot your name, I was in fiber overload) was just sitting there spinning in a group, she was so chatty and nice. She was in love with her wheel and it showed. She chatted away about drive ratios, scotch tension, double drive. As a result I fell in love with it also. I tried only several spinning wheels, but the one I liked the best was a Lendrum, I wanted a doub