Farmers Market Tote

This is a fast, fun, easy knit and was my first ever felted project. The pattern was a freebie from Knit Picks and the yarn is from Elann.

It had actually been done for quite awhile, just needed to weave in a zillion or so ends, attach the handles and felt it. Felting it made me nervous.. Had read all the stories about the messes that can be made and was just sure it would happen to me! Alas, I discovered my washer is perfect, the hot water temp is great... and it only takes a short time. Wish I would have put on gloves before I stuck my hands in the hot water though.

Will definitely be doing another felted project soon... Maybe the slippers at Knitty!

True Love

Received this from my Canadian friend, Dean. Thought it was so very sweet and so very touching that I just had to share it with my friends!

This series of photos tells the suffering of bird shocked by his mate's fatal injury. His mate is injured and her condition is fatal.

He brought her food and looked after her with love.

Then when she lay still, he tried to move her.

Realizing that she would never come back to him, he cried in anguish.

He stood beside her, calling out in grief.

Finally aware that she would never return, he just stood beside her body for a long, time.

The photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to a leading French newspaper. The newspaper was completely sold out that day.Thousands of people across Europe and the US mourned for the little bird

Learning A New Method

I started this great entrelac scarf using Patons SWS in Natural Pink. This could become an addiction... never realized how easy entrelac is! After just a few blocks, the pattern is easily memorized and it is oh so wonderfully quick. It would be a lot quicker if I would quit just looking at it though. Mmm, wonder if Laura would like this for Christmas... is this your color Laura??

Sunrise Sunset Socks

Finished this pair of socks today. Again, I used the Knitman's pattern with a simple 3-1 ribbing for the leg. Am not positive what the yarn is-tag was gone-but I believe it is Plymouth Happy Feet. Other than the color variance between the skeins, this was fabulous yarn to work with. The color doesn't bother me~everyone know that I am off the wall anyway!

These were done on 2.00 needles with 82 sts.

Life may not be a party, but while we're here we may as well dance!

A Good-Bye To A Faithful Friend

For those that are animal lovers, you know that the loss of a pet is a horrible tragedy. Lacey was a part of our family for many years. She played dress-up with my kids when they were little, frisbee with Bill and had to chance to eat ice cream almost every night of her life. A couple of years ago, she lost her hearing, her sight was going, she had been wearing baby diapers for a few months. This week her kidneys began to fail. We will miss her!

The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water, and warm Spring weather. Those old and frail animals are
young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

But there is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth.

So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group.
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

Rosemary Mint Soap

There is such a big difference between good old fashioned lye soap and store bought soap.. it is totally amazing! I started making our own several years ago, after discovering that commercial soaps contain known carcinogens. After a few trial and tribulation batches of the cold-process method, my family was satisfied with my "recipe" and have continued to use it since. Eventually, I was making so much that I started selling at craft fairs~but alas, the business was growing quicker that I could commit to... So for now at least, my soaps go to family and friends!

This is the latest batch... I rarely use any colorings, but do so love fragranced soaps, that part is a must. This is my hubbies favorite~a nice rosemary-mint, a great wake me in the morning. The fragrance is from Sweetcakes, who carries the absolute best fragrances I have found!