Steph's Place

Quick update

2009-08-13T08:51:00.003-04:00

I've been busy!!! I've done a lot of knitting and a bit of crocheting. No photos...I lost a lot of them when my computer started having issues. I'll get more taken, eventually.

I joined The Son of Dishrag Tag! I'm on team 16; we don't have a name as of yet. I'll post as soon as I find out. Button and update bar have been added to the sidebar. *smile*

Posting will be sparse for a bit longer as I have surgery scheduled for the 24th of August.

Keep those fingers busy!

Designing...

2009-06-08T11:41:00.005-04:00

I've been bitten by the designing bug! I'm creating a sock design for the Sock Knitter's Anonymous group on Ravelry. I'm making a pair of patriotic socks with a beaded design on the cuff; I'm currently working on cuff design and planning the heel. I want something really neat...maybe stripes or an embossed design. If only that royal blue yarn will hurry up and get here!!!
Here are a few more of my FOs from this year:

Long time, no Blog

2009-06-05T15:37:00.005-04:00

Wow! It really has been a long time since I've posted anything...I really have been knitting and crocheting though. Just not blogging! I have updated some of my projects on my Ravelry page and I still have a bunch more to add. Most of my time has been spent either working with the girls on school or going to school functions, going to doctor's appointments, knitting or sleeping. Blogging has taken a back seat, for now. Hopefully, after this summer, I should be back blogging regularly. I hope to have my surgery scheduled before summer's end.
Here are a few things I've gotten finished this year:

Carefree Holiday-or not-KAL Blog Button!

2008-09-23T20:50:00.004-04:00

I made a nifty button for the KAL! I sent it off to Laura and I hope she'll use it for the KAL; I made it more seasonal than holiday themed so that everyone can use it...ecumenical! Check it out on the sidebar...Whatcha think?

I haven't ventured into my graphic arts in such a long time! It really felt good to open my program and create something again! Not just crop photos, do simple retouches, and add my watermark...really create! I started with a blank image and just started playing. Too fun! *grin* I started visiting digital scrap sites again over the weekend...who knows, maybe I'll be inspired to actually digi-scrap and create e-mail stationery again... I really enjoyed it but so many of my favorite artists revoked permission to use their work because a handful of people either stole the art (not giving the artist proper credit or using art of artists who refused to grant permission to use it.), ripped it apart beyond recognition, or didn't follow the rules laid down by the artist. It's kind of sad, really. I can't fathom why some people decide it's OK to claim something that's not theirs just because it's on the 'web. It's still theft, darn it! *stepping off my soapbox*

Well, I have a Mummy to finish! I finally hit the toe decreases and want to get that puppy off my needles! LOL

Carefree Holiday-or not-KAL

2008-09-22T18:26:00.004-04:00

I joined this neat new KAL today; the whole ideas is to get some holiday knitting done. There are even prizes! The actual KAL starts on October 1st; if you're interested, pop over and sign up. Tell them Steph G/JAGsHunny sent you! *grin* I need to figure out exactly what I'll be knitting and get my supplies together. This is a great way to keep motivated so I actually get some of my projects completed by the holidays!
I'm off to scheme and plot! Muhahaha!

Wedding, Rain, Dishcloths, Socks, and Wind

2008-09-16T09:51:00.008-04:00

What do these topics have in common? My weekend contained all five!

My sister-in-law's wedding went off with a bit of a hitch...rain! They were supposed to get married outside under a pergola surrounded by flowers but torrential rains caused the backup plan to be put into effect and the wedding was moved inside. The area got seven inches of rain over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was still a very lovely ceremony! Her dress was just stunning! It was a winter white, strapless number with a short train and the most elegant bead work--simple but classic. The bodice beading looked like scallops until you looked a little closer and saw the scallops formed hearts. Gorgeous! The girls looked like princesses in their bridesmaid dresses with their hair curled and makeup done! I wore a lavender outfit with a flowing split skirt (it wasn't a skirt but not pants either...very comfortable but so dressy!) and simple beading on the bodice. I think I cleaned up quite nicely.

I managed to get three dishcloths done during all of the wedding hoopla and travel; I can now mail out my three exchanges! Yay! LOL

I have been working on two pair of socks for the Scarefest...Wasp Woman and Mummies; I managed to finish the heel flap, turn the heel, work the gussets and start the foot of one of the Mummies on Sunday while family was visiting. Not too shabby!

We came home from Michigan to discover that our area was hit by a major wind storm, thanks to Ike, Sunday; the reports say that the winds were on level with a level 1 hurricane (74-95 MPH winds) for over six hours. Over half a million people are without power and many will be for quite a few days; most of our area's power crews were sent down to Texas because of Ike and have been recalled. They figure work should begin today when the crews start returning home. We suffered only some minor shingle damage and a few small, downed branches. We are so very lucky to not have suffered worse. My folks are without power and have been running a generator to keep their freezer and refrigerator running. They'll be showering and cooking here until they get power back. Please, say prayers for those affected by this horrid storm. Who knew a hurricane could cause so much damage so far inland...

I've been tagged!

2008-09-02T22:43:00.004-04:00

I received the box for Dish Rag Tag! Yay! LOL I've already made up the cloth, repacked the box, and have it ready to head out to the post office tomorrow. Go Super Speedy Stitching 7s!

I've been working on some socks called Wasp Woman, they're the Super Bonus Pattern for the Ravelry group Super Sock Scarefest (it's a Ravelry link, if you're not a member of Ravelry, pop on over and join the fun!). I'm waiting for some spooky yarn dyed especially for me for the Scarefest by YarnLove. I can hardly wait to get my hot little paws on that yarn! The Darling Mummy colorway will be perfect for the first sock up...Revenge of the Mummies!
Well, I'm off to knit some before bed...

The Perception Personality Image Test

2008-08-29T14:33:00.001-04:00

I took this quiz and thought I'd share...

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

NBPC - The Daydreamer

Nature, Background, Big Picture, and Color

You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Finished!

2008-08-24T20:32:00.005-04:00

I've finished the Monster Socks! Yippee! :) I think I even made it to the finish line in time! They were done at 2 AM. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, eh? LOL
I'm going to work on my other WIPs from the games, but I'm not in a huge rush. I'm aiming for Christmas as I think the afghans would make great gifts. I have a couple of cloths I started before the games that I'm going to finish, but I think I'm going to pick out my next sock project! I really love knitting socks! I forgot how much until I started working on the Monsters again. I have a bunch of possibilities in my Ravelry queue and even more in my books...guess I'll just browse them while the girls are working on their writing assignments in the morning.
We don't have the school books yet. :( I'm not too very happy about that but what can I do? There's some glitch in the distribution system. *sigh* I'll have them work on what they can without them for now. Hopefully, they'll come before the week's over. Tomorrow they're going to be doing some writing, reading and math; the math should be fun. We're going to the farm stand and I'm going to have them figure out about how many pounds of peaches are in a half peck; they're also going to figure out how much it would cost for a 1/4 lb of peppers, etc...You get the idea. Practical math! LOL Things they'll actually need to know once they're on their own. The library will fit the bill for the reading; they'll pick out a book from the required reading list and either find it or put it on reserve.
The Olympic Closing Ceremony is beginning...off to knit and make out the weekly menus! :)

Ravelympic Hope!

2008-08-23T10:52:00.002-04:00

There's still hope of finishing one of my WIPs! I was thinking that the official close to the games was last night...it's not! I'm almost finished with my socks! I need to go achieve some victory!

Photos and Failures

2008-08-22T15:05:00.011-04:00

Here are the photos of the shoe bag:

I changed the greens and the pinks to make the shading more subtle; test pieces are a good thing! LOL I would never have been happy with the colors I chose for the test. The closure is heavy satin ribbon. She loved it; it got many compliments from her guests and a few "oh, it was done by machine." comments. I think they thought that the embroidery was something easily done, not realizing I spent over a month perfecting the layout, adding the lettering and designing the actual bag (there was no pattern, just my imagination, my trusty ruler and a rotary cutter). The embroidery itself took over an hour on the machine, not counting the time it took me to hoop it, select thread or change colors. Oh well, I had a ball making it! *grin*
I actually found some time to make a matching set of napkins and a bread cloth to go along with the bag; I love the way they turned out! I'm going to make a set with fruit on them for our kitchen. I found the perfect designs to go with the fruit plate I got in Mexico a few years ago.

I have officially failed at my attempts for Ravelympic glory; I haven't finished a blooming thing! *sniff* I've been working on my Monster Socks and the Star Aghan off and on but I've been so busy working on the embroidery, cleaning, organizing, and getting ready for the start of school on Monday that I haven't had a lot of time for my knitting or crocheting. Oh well, maybe I'll achieve victory in 2011? LOL There's always the Winter Olympics in two years, too...LOL

I have to get busy on the baby balnket and my hubby's aunt's tablecloth. The cloth needs to be done by September 13 and the baby's due in October. Yikes!

I'm off to finish organizing the kitchen cupboards; we rearranged the kitchen yesterday and I thought a complete cleaning was in order too. What on the world was I thinking?!? I still have to cook dinner (Chicken Pad Thai) and clean critter cages. *sigh* I wish I had another me! LOL

Finished!

2008-08-14T23:12:00.003-04:00

The shoe bag is now finished! Yippee! *doing the happy dance* I think it turned out beautifully; hopefully my SIL will like it. I made a set of chili pepper napkins and a breadcloth as well as three knit cloths to round out her shower gift.
I haven't a clue what we're doing for a wedding present; I want to get them a gift card to Best Buy (that's what my future BIL jokingly asked for) but my hubby's afraid his sis will get really mad. I think a Best Buy card would be a really cool gift; I know I wouldn't complain if some one gave us one! *grin*
I got to the heel flap on my Monster socks; I'm done working in the sewing room for a bit so I'm now going to concentrate on getting my WIPs done. I really want to get done before the end of Ravelympics!
I have photos but I'm too tired to get them off the camera, cropped and uploaded; I'll do that when I return on Monday.
Here's wishing you an awesome weekend! :)

A day...

2008-08-12T23:02:00.004-04:00

Warning, Little Miss Sunshine has checked out for the evening... complaining ahead!

Not necessarily a good one either; it started out with my middle daughter complaining that the foot that was stung by the bee over the weekend was hurting and really itchy. It looks awful, all hot, swollen and red! I called the doc and got her in; she's now on heavy duty antibiotics and has to keep her foot propped for the next couple of days. Fun, huh?
While I was getting ready to take my poor baby to the doc's, I discovered that someone knocked over the window cleaner right where my purse and knitting bag were sitting. They acted like wicks and sucked that stuff up! Blech...I lost a bunch of papers, gum, and a notepad from my purse; a pack of tic-tacs, a Reese cup, and another notebook from my knitting bag but everything else was unharmed, including my wallet and knitting. I had to scramble to find another bag for my junk before we could even leave! I'm now sporting a faded, well loved Micky Mouse tote. Even more fun! Not! It could have been worse though.
More fun was to be had when I picked up my girl's meds, they aren't covered by the insurance in the dosage she's on. *Sigh* Good thing they didn't cost the earth though.
Man, I'm glad I home and the day's almost gone!
Where did the year go? I was checking the girls' OLS (on-line school) today in preparation for school starting on the 25th and realized the year is two thirds gone! Yikes! That means the holidays will be right around the corner...I don't even want to think about gifts! I do know that I won't be making much this year.
It's already day five of the Olympics and I haven't even gotten to the heel flap on my stupid sock...I have three other projects to get finished before the torch goes out too! In my defense, I have been working on the tablecloth and the shoe bag; I should have the bag done tomorrow and the tablecloth will wait until after the Olympics are over (hubby's aunt won't be at the shower this weekend so I'll deliver it at the wedding in October). I'll pack up the sock and the star afghan to finish over the weekend, since they are the closest to being done. I'll tackle the mile-a-minute and the scarf when I get home. I should make it to victory, just barely!

Little Miss Sunshine will be back tomorrow...

Books...

2008-08-10T21:56:00.002-04:00

I didn't realize how many books I had crammed in the storage room until I started sorting them this evening. I have a huge box to take to Half Price Books and another smaller box to donate; I haven't touched three crates and doubt I will for a while; I'm still bushed! I woke up stiffer and more sore than usual this morning and the stiffness isn't letting up; it happens when I over do things. *sigh*
I didn't get anything done in the sewing room today but I did work on my Monster Socks for Ravelympics; just an inch to go before I start the heel! I should be able to manage that before I go to bed.
I got assigned my team for Dish Rag Tag! Yahoo! I can hardly wait for the game to begin! *smiles* Hello Team 7 members!
Well, I'm off to knit and watch swimming....have a pleasant night!

Bushed

2008-08-09T18:16:00.005-04:00

I'm bushed! This morning I decided to clean out the storage room so I could move the quilting magazines out of the middle of my sewing room floor and into their new home down there. It took me most of the day but I was finally able to get them all moved down (with the kids' help)! Now I can get my sewing room straightened out! The desk and cutting table have been cleaned off but the rest of the room is still a mess from when I got my grandfather's desk and rearranged the sewing room two weeks ago. I really hate working in a mess! I should be able to get everything sorted out and put away tomorrow when I run the embroidery; after the bag is done, I have a few accessory bags that match my new purse cut out that need to be stitched together.
I got two rows done on the tablecloth last night and another one done during my breaks from cleaning. Only four more rows to go! Wahoo! I'm not sure what I'm doing for the border but I'm sure I'll come up with something...
I need to go and fix dinner while the news is on so I can catch more of the Olympics in prime time!

It's go time!

2008-08-09T00:00:00.002-04:00

The official start to the Olympic Games and Ravelympics is today! Yahoo! LOL I watched the opening ceremony this evening as I was unable to watch a live broadcast; the athletes looked so happy! Hot, but happy! I would have been a puddle on the floor with those temps! I melt if it's above 75 out. LOL I can't understand why NBC would choose not to air it live. Odd, I think, but what can I do about it? LOL
I actually worked on my Monster Socks, which are one of my entries in the WIPs Wrestling event. I should have entered my hubby's aunt's tablecloth as one of my WIPs but I didn't think of it. I'm working really hard to get it finished by the time we leave next weekend for my SIL's bridal shower. The cloth was started years ago by my hubby's Grandma; his aunt approached me last fall about finishing it (I'm the only one in the family who crochets now that Grandma's gone.) and I agreed. I didn't count on the whole arthritis/Fibro thing so it's taking me awhile. I've had to do a ton of repair work on it; instead of doing a crocheted join, Gram used knots. Many of them have come undone and there were more than a few places where her joins came loose and unraveled. I don't mind the work though; it's like visiting with Gram with every stitch I take. *smile* It's nice to see her work and imagine her hands creating each stitch...
Well, I guess it's no longer today but tomorrow! Ha! I need to get some zzzzs before I turn into a pumpkin!

Progress!

2008-08-07T13:47:00.010-04:00

I've been working on my friend's baby blanket and have made some progress; not tons, but progress none the less! :) I really like how it's turning out and I already have the pattern memorized. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to work on it tonight.

I've gotten the test sew out done for the shoe bag I'm making for my SIL; it's turning out lovely! I'm not crazy about the greens I chose, so I'll be changing those. I got the design from Embroidery Library, one my most favorite place to get designs! :)
I have a couple of bobbin tension issues to fix and a couple of small test pieces to run then I'll make the actual bag. I should have enough satin leftover to make a small evening type bag for me. LOL
I need to go clean my machine and get the test pieces ready!

What's new?

2008-08-05T19:51:00.003-04:00

Not blogging content! LOL I've not done a very good job keeping up with the whole blogging thing; I guess I need a few whacks with some cotton yarn, huh? I'll try to do better, but there won't be any promises. Life just seems to get a way from me sometimes; fibro fog and fatigue doesn't help either. *sigh*
I've been knitting along, mostly dishcloths, but I've recently started a baby blanket for a friend's soon to be granddaughter; she's due to arrive in October so I need to get a move on! I'd love to have it done by the day of the shower on September 8th. Wish me speedy fingers, ok?
I have several other projects lined up but I'm not going to start any of those until after the Olympics; I'm taking part in the Ravelympics on Ravelry. I'm competing for TeamOhio in WIPS Wrestling; I've entered two afghans, a pair of socks, and a scarf. All have been languishing in my project box for way too long! I though the Olympic games would be a perfect motivating force! You can see my projects in my Ravelry notebook, I'm JAGsHunny there.
I just put my name in the ring for Yarn Miracle's Dishrag Tag, The Sequel. It sounds like such fun! I love making cloths and new friends so it should be a perfect fit! *smile*
Well, I'm off to work on reorganizing my sewing room so I can find the desk; I'm making a wedding shoe bag for my SIL's bridal shower next weekend. I'll get up a few photos once I get the embroidery done.

Another Try

2008-03-12T19:09:00.000-04:00

I'm going to give the whole blogging business another try; I really do want a log of all of my fiber/needlework adventures just no drama. The old blog is now history and it's time for a new name! So here I am again. LOL Please, bear with me as I get things back in order.