Knot on Your Life

What's in the Hopper?

Project Summary:

A surprise for Jazz. I can't say too much about it, but it's looking pretty good.

Another attempt at making a felted hat from a whimsical idea in my brain. I hope it turns out the right size, 'cos I don't want to make it again. But at least this time I wrote down what I did. Swatching, you say? Did I swatch? Do I have to answer that? Whimsical, indeed!

Argyle Sweater vest. Intermediate level project + middle-aged chick with dwindling reading comprehension skills = lot of frogging and re-interpretation of patterns. Almost done with the Back panel.

And... I couldn't help myself.... Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton is on sale at KnitPixie. So you know that my addiction to cutesy knitting will continue... Mini-Frank will make his debut in the fall. I promise that I will give it away.

Posted by Mel at 11:01 PM

I Hope I Get Lucky

I have been wishing for a windfall of money so I could by this painting. It turns out that the artist is going to raffle it off because she needs to pay some sudden medical expenses. It would look so great in my living room, but it would be selfish of me to not tell others about the raffle. If anyone is interested in purchasing a raffle ticket ($20 for 1 or $50 for 3 tickets), please let me know. And check out her other paintings at strongartist.com.

Posted by Mel at 6:46 PM

A Dog Show of Sorts

I was hoping that the booties and the dog would have a stronger resemblance... The real dog took no time at all to try to eat one of the booties. We had to wipe the slobber off before we took the picture!

My neice decided to cover the dog while he was taking a nap. He must have been really tired, because he didn't even care that someone put a blanket over his entire body. And he didn't flinch when I took his picture either.


I collect the Beanie Baby Dogs. I only buy them when I go home to visit my family. This time, I purchased the Sheepdog. Doesn't he look like a Shih Tzu? But he's wearing a bandana, so I think he's really supposed to be a Sheepdog. I know... You don't really care, do you? Beanie babies are sooo 20th century. You guys are over the whole thing, if you ever cared at all. But, my Beanie Baby dogs are my dirty little secret. And I realize that for the price I paid, I couldn't bought a skein of yarn... And unlike yarn, I don't have too many beanie babies. Only 5, I think. I have way more yarn in my stash than that...

The trip back to Michigan was short and sweet. I have posted pictures on the photo blog I set up and haven't posted to in a very long time.

Posted by Mel at 7:36 PM

The Dress

Pattern: Ballet Tee by Teva Durham, with Modifications crafted by Kiki Hall
Yarn: Soysilk from SWTC
Needles: #17 24" circular and #19 32" circular

Project Fun-o-meter: Quite fun! I might make another one some day

Posted by Mel at 4:58 PM

Over the River and Through the Woods...

It is a little more complicated than that, but I went to visit my Grandma over the weekend. It had been about 3 years since I last saw her, so when my cousin asked if I wanted to go with her for a visit, I couldn't say no. So we hopped on a plane to Kansas City on Friday. The timing could not have been better.

My parents both grew up in small rural towns in North Central Missouri. There's not much to keep visitors entertained. I remember playing a lot of board games when visiting. We just happened to hit the one weekend when there IS something going on. Grandma's hometown was having it's annual homecoming weekend. The 67th Annual, I might add. I remember coming to this with my parents a few times when I was young. There was a parade and a carnival, complete with Ferris Wheel. We even got to ride our bikes in the parade and got to decorate them with fringe and crepe paper. What fun! So how did this trip measure up? Pretty good, although the celebration was much smaller. No ferris wheel. Just a huge inflatable slide. Grandma can't get around like she used to, so it was just a treat for her to be there and socializing with all the town folk. For a 'city slicker' like myself, it was so fascinating to see how things are done in a small town.

Here's me with my Mother, Grandma, and Cousin Jenny


And here's a few parade shots:

Miss Bucklin makes her way through the crowd. (Bucklin has a population well under 1000, and possibly under 500).

I love this classic fire engine! Just wish they would have blown the siren a little farther down the road...

Here's some of the candy that was thrown at me (Yes. I was pelted with Tootsie Rolls. And narrowly missed by an Otter Pop.) The people on the floats throw candy at the spectators! There were some kids waiting on the sidelines with grocery bags.


At "the" park, they had some lawnmower races, craft & gardening competitions as well as music & fireworks. We missed that stuff because Grandma was pooped before the band started. Maybe next year... It was so nice to spend time with my Grandma. She is a really spunky, positive person. I wished I could have stayed longer than 2 days...

Posted by Mel at 7:05 PM

Look! Puppies!

And the tail...

The pattern is from Fiber Trends. The dogs are felted Manos. The tongue is felted Brown Sheep. The cuffs are LionBrand Microspun. The inspiration is Buddy. The recipient is my new nephew, who may be able to fit into these by the time he's in kindergarten! They didn't shrink as much as I had hoped. Sarah has an alternate picture that stars me and my booties, if you're interested.

Posted by Mel at 11:31 PM