Knitting Dragonflies

A short post before I leave for work….. This pattern is easy and looks more complicated that it is. I was looking for a fairly simple project to occupy me and while blog reading, (because if you can’t knit, crochet or spin you can still read about it), I ran across this on the Knitting Up A Storm blog, from Anna Peck. Give it a look! This is a great step by step tutorial, enjoy and thanks Anna!! In the process of going through my stash, I started dyeing up some yarn to work with for this pattern, I had the idea of making the skeins painted in random light to dark mix. I started with two skeins and decided to dye 4. Hey, new rule, if I work two jobs, I get to wear my PJs when I’m off. I’m using a larger needle size 13 to get a lacy effect, and relaxing in the process. Everything is better with knitting. (I think this could be a beer commercial *grin*) Ravelry link below and photos http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knittyknitter/the-dummy-clap-shawl-scarf—shrug May your

My absence here is due to my life being in transition. At certain times in life a path comes and we step off of our current one and start another. Change is good but scary, especially in this time of uncertainty. But a great career opportunity came my way that I couldn’t turn down and had to take advantage of it. Although the new job has no benefits and is uncertain and (of course) I love it. I have had keep my old job and work them both. So I’m just taking this a day at a time and seeing what happens. Until then, I’m trying to fit some knitting into my schedule!! As it is MUCH needed!! Life with no knitting (or spinning) = hot mess! Keep knitting

Photo by Husing see more amazing photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32791130@N08 I believe this is Er-Liao, Taiwan ,a fantastic place between Tainan and Kaohsiung.Rapid & unexpected change of fog and cloud attracts many tourists Now go get your knitting!

I know everyone’s life is crazy anymore! It is hard to find a balance. I’ve been super stressed lately and have forgotten to do the things that I enjoy doing. When life is busy, or all your energy is focused on a special project, it's all too easy to find yourself "off balance," not paying enough attention to important areas of your life. While you need to have drive and focus if you're going to get things done, taking this too far can lead to frustration and intense stress. That's when it's time to bring things back into balance. How about a mantra? A mantra is the main focus of meditation, a word or a phrase that you use to center your mind. Repeat your word or phrase throughout the day to gain more control and feel calmer.* For example K1, P2, slip 1, ktog, psso* Keep a routine Keeping a routine can make a hectic or stressful time in your life an anchor, like drinking a cup of coffee in the morning or sit quietly in your favorite chair or writing i

First off, don’t forget to check out the Spring/Summer 2012 Knitty Issue ! Lots of tempting patterns from talented knitters! I’ve fallen in love with this quilt!! Thanks to Film in the Fridge , a quilt tutorial on a quilt called Converging Blocks. One of those “OOOO I’ve fallen in love with this scrappy, colorful, free spirited pattern”. It looks easy and fun. There is also a list of mostly quilting tutorials on her blog! I was captured by the simple yet different look of this easy to make lamp! From MoreDesignPlease a DIY light cloud! How cool would it be to knit a swifter cover ? And knit up your stash. Well I found a list of bloggers at Tipnut that did just that. Happy Creating!!

I had a container of foot salt scrub, after using it all up, instead of buying more, I decided to try making it myself. (and improving on it) Do you or your man have the funky feet? Working out and working all in the same day sometimes leads to foot funk. The gym floor is loaded with foot fungus, I decided to add something to battle this. My result? Easy, cheap and my feet and my DH are soft and good smelling. Suitable for a gift also. Items you need: A container, plastic type is good, A Ball jar looks great also, especially if you are making this for a gift. Ingredients Tea tree oil, (you can add additional essential oils), sugar (I used white but you can use brown also), oil of your choice (Jojoba, olive, almond, sesame seed, peanut, even baby oil if you don’t object to adding mineral oil), and a couple of squirts of antibacterial soap. Take your clean container, add the sugar (I like this better than salt), to about 3/4 inch from the top. Now add several pumps of antibacter

I received some roving from a friend of a friend to spin up. She had traveled to a B&B in KY, MapleHillManor , which is also an Alpaca Farm. A knitter but not a spinner, she found me and wanted me to spin up her 4 oz. of very nice alpaca. I spun up two bobbins, and S plied it. It was nice to spin with and has gotten me back into using my wheel. Below is the plied yarn. She wanted to knit a scarf with the yarn. The result is 190 yds. of nice alpaca yarn. I hope this is enough for her to make what she had in mind. I did weigh the fiber and it was actually 3.6 oz. of fiber. There was 4 oz. if you include the weight of the bag and labels it was packaged with, or maybe she had removed some. I have found when I spin up 4 oz. my yield is an ave of 220-240 yds. of two ply yarn. It takes quite a bit of fluff to make yarn. LOL Below is a rough estimate I found online of amount of fiber to get the yards you desire. Lace = 2600+ yards per pound Fingering = 1900 to 2400 yards per po