Sorry it’s taken so long to write this up.

Above is the picture that Beth took on April 22, 2009 of me holding the basket I felted. It is based on a worsted weight knitting basket by Lucia Tedesco on Ravelry. Here is the link:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitting-basket

I used a little less than six skeins of Bernat’s Felting Natural Wool (a chunky yarn) and a #11 needle. Because of misunderstanding the directions, the bottom was increased to 126 stitches instead of 120. Except for that and knitting the sides for fifteen or sixteen inches (directions said thirteen) before binding off and on for the handles, I followed the directions.

Since Beth took the picture, I felted the basket again and it is currently drying.

Ruth

Pysanky Making

On Saturday Jen, Gina, Marsha and I gathered at my house for a morning of making pysanky.  Jen had made these eggs in high school art class and quickly remembered the technique.  Gina and Marsha caught on fast.  Brad joined in the fun too.  Before kids he and would make some of these eggs every year.  If you are looking for pysanky supplies, here is the place to shop.  Happy Easter.

A Very Special Project

Thanks to all who knit a scarf for a very special group of people.
The scarves are now on their way to Utah for the Winter Games and will be ready to embrace some lucky Special Olympians!

Both my aunt and my nephew have participated in Special Olympic events and if you've never seen the proud faces of those athletes, you don't know what you're missing.

reading

i love to read almost as much as i love to knit. i don't think i can confine this list to just a few books that have really touched me. i'll try to keep it down. i can never remember authors but i have all these books if anyone wants to borrow them.

A Fine Balance is a moving story of life in india.

the vanishing of esme lennox - is recent and a bit disturbing but still a moving story of triumph. i still get shivers every now and then as a bit it of come into my memory.

garden spells - fun and quick.

robert ruark - something of value - omg. older book about the maumau (sp?) revolution in africa
cloud atlas - there are two by different authors. very different but both good reads

anything by ayn rand. who is john galt?

anything by leon uris.

ok. i'm getting carried away here. i'll stop.

Beth Reads

Sometimes I can sit still long enough to read and comprehend what I'm reading.  But, it doesn't happen very often.  Here's what I've been enjoying most recently in the way of books:

1.  Not Quite What I Was Planning:  Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser

Read this book cover to cover in one sitting or use as a bathroom reader (or both!).  It is just what its title suggests:  a collection of six-word memoirs.  How would you describe your life in six words?

By the way, my first knitting publication is going to have the same title, Not Quite What I Was Planning.  Unless, of course, that would be a copyright infringement!

2.   The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick 

The story revolves around the secret life of a young boy.  The book was written for 9-12 yr olds, but I think most adults will enjoy it too.   Believe the author when he says that the book is "not exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a movie, but a combination of all these things."  

Did you clutch a black and white notebook as you explored alleys in your neighborhood after reading  Harriet The Spy?  Were you ready to move into an art museum after reading From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler?  If so, you'll be ready for another exciting adventure after reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Secret Pal Reveal - March 27, 2008

Here are the pictures from our Secret Pal Reveal on March 27, 2008. It was so much fun!

I hate to hog the blog but.........

Once again, I'm saying huge thanks to my SP!

I just got home to find a HUGE bunch of roses waiting
for me. Flowers are one of my very favorite things
but I don't remember telling you all that. These
are beautiful. They're in a great metal European-
style metal vase and were accompanied by a nice note
on a beautiful postcard.

Work has been very stressful lately and this was such
a happy surprise. Again, many thanks!

Mark was home when my SP stopped by with them and he
teased he knows something I don't know yet. Oh well;
it won't be long until I can say thank you live.

hugs back to you, SP,
Deb.