Knot on Your Life

Photo Meme

Stephanie tagged me for this Meme and it has gotten me off my butt to post something new to my blog.

The rules:

* go to your 4th picture folder
* go to the 4th picture in the folder
* tell everyone 4 things about that picture
* tag 4 more people




1. This photo was taken on a ski trip to Flagstaff with Nancy last winter

2. The trip was in March, the snow was old and icy on Saturday. By the time we left on Sunday, it was snowing like crazy and it took us an extra hour to get back to Phoenix because there were so many cars sliding off the road.

3. I have lost 30 lbs since this photo was taken, and more than 50 lbs, overall.

4. I love cross-country skiing and that was the first time I had been in 10 years. It was so much fun that I hope to go again this year.

Who shall I tag... Nancy is an obvious choice. Also, Letoya, Michelle, and Sarah

Posted by Mel at 9:33 PM

A Testament to Knitting for Others

When you make something...


and you get a reaction like this from the recipient...



It makes you want to knit one for everyone you know... If only I had the time!


Pattern: Albert Einstein From the book Knitted Icons

Yarn: Some dk cotton in an ivory color. I can't remember, but it's not crucial to the project to use a specific yarn, anyway.

The sweater is knit with yarn that the recipient was giving away. She received it from her Grandmother's stash and had to part with it to make room for someone more important than yarn. I was happy to give some of it back to her because I think it's cool when you make something that includes a little piece of that persons life.

I deviated from the pattern to make the hair. I free form crocheted this crazy mullet-looking 'wig' with the sweater yarn and some white furry yarn held together, then loosely sewed it to the head so that it had a little movement to it. This is not to say that Einstein was the originator of the mullet hairstyle. It speaks more to my inability to turn my vision into reality. Still, I think it resembles what I was going for.

Fun factor: Through the roof! No surprise there. Love my dolls!
Will I make another?: Definitely, sort of! Planning on making the Marilyn Monroe from the same book.


"Al" is enjoying his new home and his new friend Henry. His parents are over the moon and why shouldn't they be? He is just perfect.

Posted by Mel at 10:22 AM

Summer in 1000 words or less

It's been a long time so it's no surprise that a lot has happened since the previous post. It would be overly ambitious to try to encapsulate it all in 1 post, so I'll just try to cover the highlights.

The last time I posted, was just before my trip to visit St Pam and go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. What a blast! We thought we'd be cool and get there a little (fashionably) late. What we found out was that if you decide to get there a little late, you can add an hour on to when you will actually arrive. It was crowded! That helped me spend less money though because waiting in long lines makes me re-evaluate whether I really need something or not. We got to hang out with Eva and her SnB DC friends. We brought Gordon, the traveling duck along and he enjoyed meeting some of the sheep.


I bought a spindle and some fiber to learn how to spin. Also got a nice deal on some Noro Kochoran. I plan to make a big fuzzy sweater that can be used for those times when I go to places where they actually experience winter, like Michigan and Colorado (my new 2nd home).

Speaking of Colorado... my friend Stacey hooked me up with a group of her friends that take an annual trip to Crested Butte over the 4th of July. We did some mountain biking, and other summer-camp-like activities. I learned to play Texas Hold-em and played frisbee in the dark and attempted the hula hoop, participated in a monumental water fight. There was also a costume party on the last night. The theme - 70's TV show characters. My costume...
Won first prize. Yay! It was so much fun to put together.

Here is the real reason for the trip:

Cannot get enough of this view. It was the best vacation I've ever had and I hope I can afford to join the group again next year.

Posted by Mel at 9:17 AM

Fun Walk Down Meme-Ree Lane

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want -- good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you.

For example... Remember when I used to post to this blog??

I'm better at reading others blogs rather than posting to my own. This meme, was picked up from Soapbox.

Posted by Mel at 10:22 AM

It's Me, Again

Would you believe that I think of post topics nearly everyday and yet they never make it to the actual blog? It's a shame, but at least I haven't forgotten about blogging altogether. So if anyone still has me marked in their Bloglines, or still checks to see if I'm still around, I say hello to you. I've been knitting a little and being crafty in my spare time.

I also just had my house fixed up and painted. I'm very pleased with the results.


I received the greatest knitting book e-v-e-r as a gift. It has the most hilarious patterns for knitting dolls that sort-of resemble famous people. This is supposed to look like Gandhi.


I think it also holds a little likeness to George Costanza even though he's kind of the opposite of Gandhi. These dolls are so fun to make! I'm working on another one right now as a gift so I can't tell you too much about it.

I also made this hand bag for my neice. When I was home at Christmas, we went to the Quilt shop by my Mom's house and she asked if she could pick out some fabric and have me make something for her out of it. She picked out a couple of really pretty fat quarters and this is what I came up with.


I just made up my own pattern based on some other bags I've made in the past and looking at some Craftster tutorials. It just made it's way to the recipient and she is thrilled with it. Her older sister is a little envious so maybe I can make another one for her. I've already started to review what's in my stash for it. Now, if I could just remember what I did the first time around.

Well, that's all for now. I hope to post more soon. Two weeks to the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival that I will attend with Saint Pam! I can't wait to see Pam & Lucy and their new digs.

Posted by Mel at 2:23 PM

Finally!

A chance to wear knitted items! You may not be able to see them very well, but I am wearing a hat knit from Noro Kureyon and a scarf made by Jazz, from her stash. Mohair and Lion Brand Landscapes, I believe. I went skiing in Colorado. The photo makes it look like I have become a "Giant", ruling over the mountain forest. I assure you I am still normal human size. In any event, it was the first trip to Colorado I've had in 10 years. Even then, it was just a travel trip on my move to Phoenix. That state sure is pretty!

And, yes -- finally I have posted again. It's been a long time and a lot has happened, but mostly it seems a blur at this point. There have been many plane trips to visit various important people in my life. There was a scary birthday ending in a "0" that caused much reflection and near-panic. There was a new job and the relocation of a dear friend, and a cat health-scare. My own health scare, too, but all is well in the land of Mel at this time and I am nothing less than grateful for it.

Happy holidays to you all!

Posted by Mel at 10:59 AM

Some FO's

Been working up a sweat...

Created slipcovers for a dingy, yet still comfy chair & ottoman. Got the fabric at a Hancock Store Closing sale for such a bargain, I could not pass it up. Inspired by watching an episide of Material Girls (on DIY network), I traced the outline of the chair with pieces of craft paper in order to make the pattern. I was going to use cording on the seams but I wimped out. I'm pretty happy with the results and now I can throw it in the wash.




This lovely robot is made from Lambs Pride. Thanks to fellow knitter Karen and some others, all the yarn was donated for this. I guess that makes him a commisioned robot (Har har, nerd humor). I am thinking of name him Jemaine, and here is why...


Though robots have a reputation for lacking emotion, it seems to enjoy the company of the dog.

Posted by Mel at 8:38 PM