Monthly Archives: May 2010

Dog Bed

Posted on by
3

I finished Sieben’s dog bed. The crochet and knit versions didn’t work but the sewn one turned out great.

To challenge myself I decided to use as much recycled materials as I could. Everything but the the sewing thread is recycled.

I cut up sweatshirts for the top.

Sieben dog bed

Jeans were used for the bottom and sides.

Sieben dog bed

Scraps of linen and muslin fabric were used for the pillow lining. I wanted to make the outer layer washable so the stuffing needed to be made into a pillow.

Sieben dog bed

Old pillows are great to reuse for stuffing. I figured Sieben would like it if his doggie bed smelled like his humans. Prana helped out.

Sieben dog bed

The pillows weren’t big enough for the bed. I pulled them apart to puff them up.

Sieben dog bed

To prevent the stuffing from shifting I sewed in some dimples. This was the hardest part.

Sieben dog bed

The stuffed pillow:

Sieben dog bed

All done. It’s nice and thick and very comfy.

Sieben dog bed

I put a zipper on one end to easily take off the cover for washing.

Sieben dog bed

How does Sieben like it? Very much!

Sieben dog bed

Pattern: Sieben Dog Bed
Source: custom
Materials: recycled sweatshirts, jeans, linen, and muslin fabric, recycled pillows and zipper
Size: custom
Started: April 2010
Finished: May 2010

Knit day at El Gamal

Posted on by
2

A gang of us met at El Gamal for lunch and knitting.

El Gamal restaurant

I had heard good reviews of their food. I had an eggplant sandwich, a side of baba ganoush and a drink of lemonade with mint. Inspired by Ellen’s great restaurant reviews I took a picture of my meal.

El Gamal restaurant

It was delicious and I look forward to trying more of their menu.

Meredith and Abbey posed for a pic.

Meredith and Abbey

Laura joined us too but I didn’t get a picture of her. The four of us had a lovely lunch.

Meredith brought along some of her spinning. Isn’t it lovely?

Meredith's yarn

Franklin Mountains State Park

Posted on by
1

While in El Paso Thebes and I visited Franklin Mountains State Park.

I took this pic on our way out. We had to be out by a closing before they locked the gates.

Franklin Mountains State Park

The scenery was gorgeous.

Franklin Mountains State Park

We hiked on a couple trails. The paths weren’t easy. All the rocks were hard on our feet.

Franklin Mountains State Park

The park is really big-almost 25,000 acres total. It’s the largest urban park in the US and is part of the city of El Paso.

Franklin Mountains State Park

Thebes took some pictures with his large format camera. I had the Penguin pull a Crasher Squirrel moment.

Franklin Mountains State Park

There was so much beauty everywhere!

Franklin Mountains State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park

The yuccas were so big!

Franklin Mountains State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park

This yucca stalk looked like a spinal cord to me.

Franklin Mountains State Park

Thebes in the car, figuring out the way back to our hotel.

Franklin Mountains State Park

After our El Paso visit we headed back to New Mexico.

Latest Chaos Yarn

Posted on by
2

I have four skeins of Chaos Yarn spun up and there’s still some yarn scraps left. I think I’ll have enough for two more skeins.

Chaos yarn

It’s tricky to spin but the end result is groovy.

Chaos yarn

Prana was being cuddly.

Prana cuddly

Can you believe this cuteness brought me a dead mouse the other day?

El Paso visit

Posted on by
Reply

Between his dental visits, Thebes and I explored some of El Paso. We went to the El Paso Museum Of Art.

El Paso visit

Me with a big statue and a little penguin:

El Paso visit

Museums are understandably picky about photos inside. But there was a spot where photos were allowed. They had an exhibit that featured WWII propaganda posters for food conservation.

El Paso visit

Funny how the posters still apply today.

El Paso visit

Their gift shop was very fun.

El Paso visit

356 penguins

El Paso visit

This was a really neat pouch that had a long zipper and funky shape.

El Paso visit

I’m usually disappointed with art museum bathrooms. Even as a girl I felt their bathrooms should be decorated artistically somehow. El Paso had the best bathroom I’ve seen in awhile.

El Paso visit

Thebes’ allergies mean we can’t eat out at many restaurants. But sushi has always been a safe bet. We found some while on the road.

El Paso visit

Portal progress

Posted on by
2

I’ve made progress on The Portal. This piece is turning out just like I’m envisioning so far. I’m really enjoying it.

The portal

Behind the ice waterfall there was a cavern that Helen and I climbed into. Here she is looking out:

ice waterfall

New projects

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve started two new knitting projects. One is the Lotus Blossom Tank from The Best of Interweave Knits book.

Sugar Lotus Blossom

Abbey and I were originally going to do a lace dress knitalong. I pulled out my Rowan Kidsilk Haze and thought-nope, not doing this. I just can’t motivate myself to do lace knitting with mohair that’s hard to frog. But I support your efforts Abbey!

Instead I went with an easier lace project, the Lotus top. I’ve had to frog it a few times already. The lace chart is tricky. I’m using my sugarcane yarn.

Sugar Lotus Blossom

I’ve also done a gauge swatch for Thebes’ new kilt hose. The yarn is Trekking Pro Natura.

Thebes' blue kilt hose

I’m going to do a basic ribbed sock with a checkerboard cuff. At least that’s the plan right now.

Noro Striped Sweater

Posted on by
3

I finished my Noro Striped Sweater and just love it. Elizabeth Zimmerman’s percentage system worked perfectly. She was such a genius. She saved this project. Sieben posed with me.

Noro Striped Sweater

This project started off as Tubey. After I finished it and put it on the thing was so tight on the armpits that I was worried I’d have to frog the thing off. I had to peel it off myself. The sleeves turned out to be a struggle. But then I used Zimmerman’s seam sweater percentage system for the yoke.

Noro Striped Sweater

I worked the decreases until I thought it was high enough. Abbey suggested I do the collar in seed stitch. It really gives the sweater that perfect finished detail.

Noro Striped Sweater

This sweater fits great. And the yarn-oh gods I love Noro Cashmere Island. It was soft but after blocking it feels even softer. It feels comfortable to wear next to the skin.

Noro Striped Sweater

The Noro colors are just beautiful. I love this sweater so much!!!

Noro Striped Sweater

Pattern: Noro Striped Sweater
Source: Zimmerman’s Knitting Without Tears
Yarn: Noro Cashmere Island, #10 colorway, 8 skeins
Needles: 4.5 mm
Size: custom
Modifications: custom
Started: April 2009
Finished: May 2010

The Portal begins

Posted on by
3

Last month I started a new art project. My furry assistant helped me prep the canvas.

the portal and Prana

This piece will be called The Portal.

the portal and Prana

It’s based on a magical waterfall. Back in March my friend Helen took me to a beautiful ice waterfall. There was an opening in the ice and water was pouring down.

Looking at it I felt moved spiritually. I knew that I could walk into that opening and be transported into another world. The feeling was so powerful that I knew it was true. But then I started questioning it. Where would I go? What kind of world would it be? How would I get back?

As soon as I started questioning it the moment passed. The portal felt closed and I knew that if I walked into the waterfall I’d only get wet.

Still, the moment stayed with me. It was such a beautiful and sacred spot. For my art piece I want to capture that spiritual moment.

The ice waterfall was huge. I couldn’t get it all into the camera frame so I took two pictures. That’s Helen in the bottom pic.

ice waterfall

ice waterfall