tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83316879500629644702024-03-05T07:53:19.449-08:00Gwen's TracksGwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-87685308229590696582009-10-09T07:40:00.000-07:002009-10-09T07:45:23.080-07:00FrostWell Autumn is really here- the leaves are changing, I scraped frost off of my car this morning and I could see my breath... It is wonderful. In preparation for winter, I have been knitting myself a new scarf that actually matches my ski jacket and some glittens (flip top mittens with gloves inside!). Here are some pics!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzCmaoZg271Tm9Km-NwLpOT0p1lU-c8B72Etin6k7zgd8uGudFgFo61tDLrOMlnlS1wx-pG3UhHpVnEWBOSc1EQjcfPYkAPkTgWOO-fRh23jf7R_bJHhSeC_XeoR7R-cPWlWHsvFU6DZ6/s1600-h/PA040165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzCmaoZg271Tm9Km-NwLpOT0p1lU-c8B72Etin6k7zgd8uGudFgFo61tDLrOMlnlS1wx-pG3UhHpVnEWBOSc1EQjcfPYkAPkTgWOO-fRh23jf7R_bJHhSeC_XeoR7R-cPWlWHsvFU6DZ6/s320/PA040165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390611003547563794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPZ5vAuktmFHX0IKHW1DoqrzjspTPMkPC4kuKRK1gdL-pISs8vpB5n6mY-fiP_poYeprLFoS-a9tsU7FlS18uwujNsq5m82LdYmzfWT1CWidGsJaWh0agQ25AZCeQwd1HsXJJUeuxi6f6/s1600-h/PA080166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPZ5vAuktmFHX0IKHW1DoqrzjspTPMkPC4kuKRK1gdL-pISs8vpB5n6mY-fiP_poYeprLFoS-a9tsU7FlS18uwujNsq5m82LdYmzfWT1CWidGsJaWh0agQ25AZCeQwd1HsXJJUeuxi6f6/s320/PA080166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390611010112767154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9tP51O8LTiHn2kX8R-sDkTKlXrfHYDRUPVwJCVc2YGmh68rU3zYANjw27Bo2SD4mW6PhWyOaOXNJkJGGCfmZ4RfuvMOhn3MXhofQbPdl7IQyjPIVWu6r1-z6qUED-jRpLsZZV8O8c6gP/s1600-h/PA080168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9tP51O8LTiHn2kX8R-sDkTKlXrfHYDRUPVwJCVc2YGmh68rU3zYANjw27Bo2SD4mW6PhWyOaOXNJkJGGCfmZ4RfuvMOhn3MXhofQbPdl7IQyjPIVWu6r1-z6qUED-jRpLsZZV8O8c6gP/s320/PA080168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390611019316860210" border="0" /></a><br />I also made some kick-ass cupcakes for a work colleague's daughter's first birthday! Mmmmm...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKZbI7bFEgMXciZEP8KhCNPkDyrAbJ_9nMSZfHQdrTilfj7UM-WBGDjMjEp-4PJQtZT4kixN7s-k4XvZ7TeDbz3b6AkyITsR9e7aW8IdHnRqS3TacWp41lrPLOvv1cNeRTbQCAeWjrjPG/s1600-h/P9260162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKZbI7bFEgMXciZEP8KhCNPkDyrAbJ_9nMSZfHQdrTilfj7UM-WBGDjMjEp-4PJQtZT4kixN7s-k4XvZ7TeDbz3b6AkyITsR9e7aW8IdHnRqS3TacWp41lrPLOvv1cNeRTbQCAeWjrjPG/s320/P9260162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390611026932629746" border="0" /></a>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-66639248918686635372009-09-19T17:02:00.001-07:002009-09-19T17:09:54.462-07:00A Lovely SaturdayA mini-retreat at church today- a wonderful time of quiet. Plus, I just made some kick-ass scones- maybe the best scones ever... Orange cranberry and Lemon blueberry! The key is to freeze EVERYTHING and work fast!<br />Mmmmm.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0UIpBveWEgS6KKq3P789jVMe8pvd7KZf9T_J0Wq9fbP7jRwMlha8cXKew5VTPJlKUSYclWVjxRbF2oHSvWW5i-FvoYahW2AKUeMF8l4Hc3Qa3yrUaf5J7DSKp6wIbUaqxDoyqLHE-Mpd/s1600-h/P9190155.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0UIpBveWEgS6KKq3P789jVMe8pvd7KZf9T_J0Wq9fbP7jRwMlha8cXKew5VTPJlKUSYclWVjxRbF2oHSvWW5i-FvoYahW2AKUeMF8l4Hc3Qa3yrUaf5J7DSKp6wIbUaqxDoyqLHE-Mpd/s320/P9190155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383334971271384258" border="0" /></a>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-65614350438103740382009-09-16T08:41:00.001-07:002009-09-16T09:16:02.301-07:00Massive UpdateWell I've been busy- just not posting. Part of the problem was that I threw out my back (again) but two weeks later I'm back in commission!<br />I finally finished the quilt- I LOVE it- it isn't perfect (all of my corners don't match perfectly) but it looks just like I wanted it to- Yummy, yes? Plus it's huge- like queen sized... I didn't origionally intend it to be that big but it just sort of took over...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUWizRGcfxe_hrjJoAa345ZO6UWfFks3C_2adG0PiIrXTDqoNFbGyTndIrk5Zm1TpA1qiQydIVtvimZ39Jzs-bN3N-yrEN92oR252xEMlYOCAegacD1AdbWEGJKUsJvOSP_f6SqZsj692/s1600-h/P9150152.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUWizRGcfxe_hrjJoAa345ZO6UWfFks3C_2adG0PiIrXTDqoNFbGyTndIrk5Zm1TpA1qiQydIVtvimZ39Jzs-bN3N-yrEN92oR252xEMlYOCAegacD1AdbWEGJKUsJvOSP_f6SqZsj692/s320/P9150152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382096579405379714" border="0" /></a>I've got lots of other knitting and spinning projects going (yes, I said spinning!)<br /><br />As for the knitting, I broke down and got <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Socks-Toe-Up-Essential-Techniques/dp/0307449440/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253117437&sr=8-1">"Socks from the toe up"</a>. Love the book- I've started one of the pairs for myself!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwioYLQTcYBXjzBnQFBY-l8d9Mi-lqoIq4VT64BqZsK1cLyj21_eQ3DnTZWEw752qphneXpFu5umOhAFwWkt8QQnlMPnhtfdw8aE1qQrfkr_w0vPL7QLPPcWnwV2areCYziOOD69q9B72/s1600-h/P9130151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwioYLQTcYBXjzBnQFBY-l8d9Mi-lqoIq4VT64BqZsK1cLyj21_eQ3DnTZWEw752qphneXpFu5umOhAFwWkt8QQnlMPnhtfdw8aE1qQrfkr_w0vPL7QLPPcWnwV2areCYziOOD69q9B72/s320/P9130151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382096592543039314" border="0" /></a><br />I've also started knitting Christmas gifts but no pics of those as "certain people" may be reading this blog!<br /><br />I've also got baby gifts going... but again, no pics... it will be a surprise!<br /><br />Last on the knitting front, I'm starting a scarf... I saw this pattern on Ravelry and LOVED it!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp5IyrVqRqDlioidMZ1Ki_ZH57RvDlD6FUUjft7FbSiSp5acO5IscxrMp9ue4RG7QqVjLxVUTCqF1gCCeXi4G2R9n-GA17zsMStfe_ZyvcC50jWM5qdnKccB4LtjYtvXfJO9qbeKwdYTb/s1600-h/indian+corn+scarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp5IyrVqRqDlioidMZ1Ki_ZH57RvDlD6FUUjft7FbSiSp5acO5IscxrMp9ue4RG7QqVjLxVUTCqF1gCCeXi4G2R9n-GA17zsMStfe_ZyvcC50jWM5qdnKccB4LtjYtvXfJO9qbeKwdYTb/s320/indian+corn+scarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382099127950797522" border="0" /></a>Gotta get it done for fall though with my fall colors! I've not cast-on yet but here is the yarn- Cascade 220-Mmmmmm my favorite colors!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWcSYAQm4E2h7m0ThGCWwML2mcZxMkfaKn2qiENl7XuXCCUnOvuAYhpQBYLPyUbjG8S71edYqPGitvIuzHhv32DTB296HcKKErOeiVbz0Egaz1E9nbTRimxhLyi-0HkUTSUt0HvJeachj/s1600-h/P8270139.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWcSYAQm4E2h7m0ThGCWwML2mcZxMkfaKn2qiENl7XuXCCUnOvuAYhpQBYLPyUbjG8S71edYqPGitvIuzHhv32DTB296HcKKErOeiVbz0Egaz1E9nbTRimxhLyi-0HkUTSUt0HvJeachj/s320/P8270139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382096617909791138" border="0" /></a>Now, I mentioned spinning- Well my Grandma is quite supportive of my crafty endeavors and provided funding for my very own wheel!!! May I present my Ashford Traveller. I got it unfinished and oiled the wood before I put it together. I've decided to name it D.E.B. (My grandparent's initials- in memory of them!)- quarky, I know but there it is...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbdGOhKl0aM7ErDgcQ_XGo7Lqc81pDUnyKCd45M9j3dowuDQh4mg2bCAJgA2Aa8_4gR95S2cK47oi3S4dXnibbMQ98jP2HQIM-nJ8UktRIdYnYRCaY10wr4DcwgT0ARfSPAzTTLGYr-Je/s1600-h/P9130142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbdGOhKl0aM7ErDgcQ_XGo7Lqc81pDUnyKCd45M9j3dowuDQh4mg2bCAJgA2Aa8_4gR95S2cK47oi3S4dXnibbMQ98jP2HQIM-nJ8UktRIdYnYRCaY10wr4DcwgT0ARfSPAzTTLGYr-Je/s320/P9130142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382096609878091970" border="0" /></a>I also purchased a few other items that are neccessary for spinners including a niddy noddy (came with my wheel), a ball winder, a lazy kate and a swift. I'm now ready to SPIN!!!!<br /><br />Here is a pic of my first skien. I got the wool (merino) from a local fiber store. it is three ply and I'm going for one long color change- from light to dark - you'll be able to see it when I knit with it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oWKPWxlmnLGDOKj7NrcqZpf6SNWQ3tD8ZBgYbOYs08vHPhby6XzkvM0DPprGwFOvu8Jlg_IToF8U3L_Qz7DP3eDUbPfn5gL94tEErqSUDlK9Jm9hUjixHT9T6WJ7rp1qdfhQC2VhL28v/s1600-h/P9130149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oWKPWxlmnLGDOKj7NrcqZpf6SNWQ3tD8ZBgYbOYs08vHPhby6XzkvM0DPprGwFOvu8Jlg_IToF8U3L_Qz7DP3eDUbPfn5gL94tEErqSUDlK9Jm9hUjixHT9T6WJ7rp1qdfhQC2VhL28v/s320/P9130149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382096598371814450" border="0" /></a><br />Lastly, here is a picture of Smokers in the morning- all cute and curled up!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaaM-oWU1AwjVshXGgXvC5JdDI2tSdAWjmZNs1LoAYLpJ5jQ_cfkrxbkw144oV7LV5SKowZdpUvM7hPaVZqPSvItePE87_j-QZkOfJ9sX2lvvKkvwt84PDWLnukaqRYKdietaR6sD-WOo/s1600-h/P9100141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaaM-oWU1AwjVshXGgXvC5JdDI2tSdAWjmZNs1LoAYLpJ5jQ_cfkrxbkw144oV7LV5SKowZdpUvM7hPaVZqPSvItePE87_j-QZkOfJ9sX2lvvKkvwt84PDWLnukaqRYKdietaR6sD-WOo/s320/P9100141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382096752106457970" border="0" /></a>Happy Fall Knitting and Crafting!!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-12321250144817765802009-09-04T20:08:00.000-07:002009-09-04T20:11:14.890-07:00I'm still here!Things have been busy but I haven't gotten myself together to post... I've almost finished my quilt- I have a bit of quilting to do and the binding- to be posted soon...<br />My spinning wheel (and accessories) also arrived and I have finished the wood and assembled- I've done a small amount of spinning as I've thrown out my back (from the quilting!!)<br />Knitting has also been happening- baby sweaters, socks, scarves, bibs and burp cloths! <br />Pics and updates soon- this weekend (three day!) will be a major catch up/finish up/ order live weekend so stay tuned!!!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-42115617650124117602009-08-12T08:00:00.000-07:002009-08-12T08:08:22.159-07:00Friends and Progress....Here is a pic of us single ladies at Todd's wedding and a lab pic! It was a wonderful wedding!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1GOv5Hm5CYSUqlXJI1tw4Yt8koigzmwmaDgnguvHg9GgZE0ukFCTd9wFHE7bpflJp0p-7jbNQaJF-DncsA53dJh7zrRhbdBHtcEqLmNB2Age_RBQgOrfQfH2mHTuJGlDYXPqEg9hff-G/s1600-h/P8010129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1GOv5Hm5CYSUqlXJI1tw4Yt8koigzmwmaDgnguvHg9GgZE0ukFCTd9wFHE7bpflJp0p-7jbNQaJF-DncsA53dJh7zrRhbdBHtcEqLmNB2Age_RBQgOrfQfH2mHTuJGlDYXPqEg9hff-G/s320/P8010129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369093668516912706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6x52xSYd5Bf8uR8OrzDU7r8mGIkI3gwU80Frf_B_BE1O-OtKW2GCI1EDx31_BGe8U_yW0v7sOCjZwdXZB3c2VpxpyUx7NiK_fnAMcBWRGJx7PzXa2PLqqcSCSEnxXg8sBILsOJksPKWm/s1600-h/DSCN5671.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6x52xSYd5Bf8uR8OrzDU7r8mGIkI3gwU80Frf_B_BE1O-OtKW2GCI1EDx31_BGe8U_yW0v7sOCjZwdXZB3c2VpxpyUx7NiK_fnAMcBWRGJx7PzXa2PLqqcSCSEnxXg8sBILsOJksPKWm/s320/DSCN5671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369093683844667122" border="0" /></a><br />Plus, there has been some progress on the quilting. I have 6 completed blocks and 40 other center squares.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9Tos09dkWiJMfanCnwASpQ7s9qVTpe8EFVDTo1LhGNfck_kRi0EHngcpSPq2TwLyeoKNx74DhCBZPM0l00hYS-MsKVH4OasTH8_DDk39Qv1k1qba8TdXfvttlT8YKFoM6SpoIdihVcI8/s1600-h/P8100134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9Tos09dkWiJMfanCnwASpQ7s9qVTpe8EFVDTo1LhGNfck_kRi0EHngcpSPq2TwLyeoKNx74DhCBZPM0l00hYS-MsKVH4OasTH8_DDk39Qv1k1qba8TdXfvttlT8YKFoM6SpoIdihVcI8/s320/P8100134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369093659015130706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdv6nKF11kJ7UoRDYI0DI6i3QsSkEDUajpzF4TYFaz_mBPwEYguZimnUDIQ2ui0Qyjt0BDuRM_i1d8ok7ZgP2OJge9jq9A6SoCq-r0DatMvdX7pa1q2S-0-V-hpRhVZvzLfy1s1sCDw_N/s1600-h/P8110136.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdv6nKF11kJ7UoRDYI0DI6i3QsSkEDUajpzF4TYFaz_mBPwEYguZimnUDIQ2ui0Qyjt0BDuRM_i1d8ok7ZgP2OJge9jq9A6SoCq-r0DatMvdX7pa1q2S-0-V-hpRhVZvzLfy1s1sCDw_N/s320/P8110136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369093645164237666" border="0" /></a> I'm thinking that quilting may not be for me... though now that I've got the center squares done things are going much more smoothly. I'm determined to finish this one and one other smaller one that I've already cut fabric for.... Then I may stick to knitting, cooking, embroidery and crochet for a while!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-82107575547112972092009-08-01T10:19:00.000-07:002009-08-01T10:27:16.763-07:00Tough Decisions Call for a VoteI'm trying my hand a quilting but can't decide on a block pattern... vote for the one you like best !<br /><br />1:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteqb_QsMKZBN2xe6XHa7evCU5W7HlFY7Qxt0aGzwhD4Q8AF2VEH6fmjTuAM5tLLyXWyIUOmIHOCuRVaf55DL9HGQIEpcFzRkSMp9OxT-zUJ7o5G12zSG4MaYlBIkExh8OTOctiRjKtjTK/s1600-h/P7310123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteqb_QsMKZBN2xe6XHa7evCU5W7HlFY7Qxt0aGzwhD4Q8AF2VEH6fmjTuAM5tLLyXWyIUOmIHOCuRVaf55DL9HGQIEpcFzRkSMp9OxT-zUJ7o5G12zSG4MaYlBIkExh8OTOctiRjKtjTK/s320/P7310123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365046943312732034" border="0" /></a>2:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9w6MZcq-48RGOHsDWZCfzrr6vokDiBu14WP5HBQOy9A8PbD37lY6_Vee0LdEa5IN9NF3GqioaXVYdbyHZdz1qcRKCvSTFyoAHVGoWJgc85ZewHgn9UmmSRg3m0AXpr6mEml4kux5-gcg/s1600-h/P7310128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9w6MZcq-48RGOHsDWZCfzrr6vokDiBu14WP5HBQOy9A8PbD37lY6_Vee0LdEa5IN9NF3GqioaXVYdbyHZdz1qcRKCvSTFyoAHVGoWJgc85ZewHgn9UmmSRg3m0AXpr6mEml4kux5-gcg/s320/P7310128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365047126553428786" border="0" /></a>3:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Plibt05N2nZdNErmbnpCkOg7qWL7zlnSCUhdEiPNTrMnv8erTmA5gPdQ0i8uf5bXmkYLnKW-fr3eniXoHVEO1f20vVsPzDJZPetEqeB_Lr5yqB8xJsKEOfY6ihYp_FFnLZ-uOSWz5Li7/s1600-h/P7310126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Plibt05N2nZdNErmbnpCkOg7qWL7zlnSCUhdEiPNTrMnv8erTmA5gPdQ0i8uf5bXmkYLnKW-fr3eniXoHVEO1f20vVsPzDJZPetEqeB_Lr5yqB8xJsKEOfY6ihYp_FFnLZ-uOSWz5Li7/s320/P7310126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365046966616027954" border="0" /></a>4:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_brUylfRWTl_A4nqDx2b49uZwcA7zWnen6NsanHiBSBFe2ZfJP2IeHx6uygCAOFQPP2bAbUD_wPIgIUTu3dx2jB0vrSfxs4HrFRTYyLajRhpObjlB9ShXSGMuiSzmraXjH8krOQ-62fgO/s1600-h/P7310125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_brUylfRWTl_A4nqDx2b49uZwcA7zWnen6NsanHiBSBFe2ZfJP2IeHx6uygCAOFQPP2bAbUD_wPIgIUTu3dx2jB0vrSfxs4HrFRTYyLajRhpObjlB9ShXSGMuiSzmraXjH8krOQ-62fgO/s320/P7310125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365046963430293442" border="0" /></a>5:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYi4M25lbZ9_871AfaLJ6CoUpTAw0wVi1t0KX4Hh5AvkRkSPgKkm3yXG-o_X57WQN32YoacS-BS2kttZlQwqBZuF3bUkcgYZ4xAkp4YIw7WUMrCznYtk8UB9Ll0fXFTjd1aUxpWwE_kzT/s1600-h/P7310124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYi4M25lbZ9_871AfaLJ6CoUpTAw0wVi1t0KX4Hh5AvkRkSPgKkm3yXG-o_X57WQN32YoacS-BS2kttZlQwqBZuF3bUkcgYZ4xAkp4YIw7WUMrCznYtk8UB9Ll0fXFTjd1aUxpWwE_kzT/s320/P7310124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365046952258555890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteqb_QsMKZBN2xe6XHa7evCU5W7HlFY7Qxt0aGzwhD4Q8AF2VEH6fmjTuAM5tLLyXWyIUOmIHOCuRVaf55DL9HGQIEpcFzRkSMp9OxT-zUJ7o5G12zSG4MaYlBIkExh8OTOctiRjKtjTK/s1600-h/P7310123.JPG"><br /></a>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-31738985407013747672009-07-21T10:04:00.000-07:002009-07-21T10:11:44.312-07:00Some Recent FOsI've finished another baby sweater:<br /><br />This is the last one for a while using this pattern though... I'm really bored with it so I got a new one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzovrmwIOEKjSOk29se359JjSczRQ2mw1w63WLk1NRShRxrlX-S4zODphe_GlkfgScyNAefNU74-HYWrQ3Kba4Ov3_I7aiuL-0thOcQ19ugycZ6WAYd_vBadZ86jntgVowBNeF_V-8HmN/s1600-h/Purple+Sweater+for+Els+July+2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzovrmwIOEKjSOk29se359JjSczRQ2mw1w63WLk1NRShRxrlX-S4zODphe_GlkfgScyNAefNU74-HYWrQ3Kba4Ov3_I7aiuL-0thOcQ19ugycZ6WAYd_vBadZ86jntgVowBNeF_V-8HmN/s320/Purple+Sweater+for+Els+July+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360961733569620642" border="0" /></a><br />ALSO, this is my first yarn spun on the rented Ashford Traveller. It is 420yds of superwash merino at about a lace/fingering weight. I was really quite pleased with myself though I'm sure when I get my own wheel and practice my yarn will be more consistent!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNQi94ksu9YIv1kH3GonGNkweSMWc0OoKvhFDL0Qx4vZGRYrTGVKAhm5CXpyGs3dhqzDdRnjTFSginL1J_xqSrm5KatzwDspcrYSST_ZJrH_MYr7oiDdeCzcCFV28C8Q2O38vzQikCwKB/s1600-h/First+wheel+spun+superwash+merino+420yd+fingering_lace+weight.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-W2H5QA9lFZmX60oUBOF-x80eXu-cNLzkBDcxuTuDkwCcPG-uwPvNg0YtrzoL62LZ-z2Cge81ToPsH3FPaAuZzegmT8ptA2yqR8rZEGbKT9IZT4_wLWWkaW6FAbq16V4u9AuR7SBsAGZ/s1600-h/First+wheel+spun+closeup.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-W2H5QA9lFZmX60oUBOF-x80eXu-cNLzkBDcxuTuDkwCcPG-uwPvNg0YtrzoL62LZ-z2Cge81ToPsH3FPaAuZzegmT8ptA2yqR8rZEGbKT9IZT4_wLWWkaW6FAbq16V4u9AuR7SBsAGZ/s320/First+wheel+spun+closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360961753341920546" border="0" /></a><br />I'm planning some sort of lacy scarf with this... still not decided on a pattern though!<br /><br />As for WIPs I've got a few knitting projects still going plus a mystery project that has quickly taken over my living room! Poor Smokey now has quite the obstacle course to navigate to get to the kitchen and his food!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-83005207729717930372009-07-18T20:50:00.000-07:002009-07-18T22:12:25.185-07:00What do you do while watching a Harry Potter Marathon? Sew of course!In preparation for seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Monday evening, I'm watching Harry Potter 1-5 today! Now I can't just sit and watch movies- I have to be doing something creative!<br />I've been coveting the box bags that have been floating around on blogs and Etsy recently and decided to make a few for myself. I had purchased the materials over a month ago but the arrival of the spinning wheel put the box bags to the back of the closet! Sadly, the wheel has been returned and now I have time to try my hand at making some pouches for the numerous knitting projects I have on needles! So my apartment was turned over to sewing this afternoon:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0jaFA-uwuFYpEVGiq3TsbvJiRCaQSCSlyFP747PWGtuMoCumxt69ldGMuIhxYbEpq1SDLPBvtaPKuOvF1POQUFN3k_3MEmBhNunlCJnSBg6XVjR7rluynGQQD-5NnwjaeCFaML0K5Bou/s1600-h/Sewing+July+18+2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0jaFA-uwuFYpEVGiq3TsbvJiRCaQSCSlyFP747PWGtuMoCumxt69ldGMuIhxYbEpq1SDLPBvtaPKuOvF1POQUFN3k_3MEmBhNunlCJnSBg6XVjR7rluynGQQD-5NnwjaeCFaML0K5Bou/s320/Sewing+July+18+2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360014209015297890" border="0" /></a>Here are pics of the first bag:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9LUh71EiGBwS9wrBodHDA88XkTkavlsx_YKFQvfarDY06XAOsTPWD72Op-hNUAbQekBxyDwxHxelqqCrDdIP_vJq-zCnMXjH_qXr_Q3lFT1bmPDIlQP_p7rFkxQaFY1msLlvND0AyHnE/s1600-h/First+Box+Bag+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9LUh71EiGBwS9wrBodHDA88XkTkavlsx_YKFQvfarDY06XAOsTPWD72Op-hNUAbQekBxyDwxHxelqqCrDdIP_vJq-zCnMXjH_qXr_Q3lFT1bmPDIlQP_p7rFkxQaFY1msLlvND0AyHnE/s320/First+Box+Bag+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360013991110305682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhXSpbNsoCWsEbY9xy9F0y4QH3oogoMDKEhMPs8Doxb5LtUMXqMfVNy3xWbG6kKsS9w1orDYXsMRmxSi_zm71G7SWYvXXS2NVvMOLIn4wPjfFZ_SJ7YP_BYTqBlkseyK9xPUJtJO0SNwf/s1600-h/First+box+bag+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhXSpbNsoCWsEbY9xy9F0y4QH3oogoMDKEhMPs8Doxb5LtUMXqMfVNy3xWbG6kKsS9w1orDYXsMRmxSi_zm71G7SWYvXXS2NVvMOLIn4wPjfFZ_SJ7YP_BYTqBlkseyK9xPUJtJO0SNwf/s320/First+box+bag+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360013994656805266" border="0" /></a>I made three bags in all: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwCrT78l4Mw8jc7dRYUx_hAI2Q564dlobbpy6fWjxFfrMUFUXCPoWE-cSIsyYEu07D2NQtYJ8i8YyVzjZqR-ALYaLqY5LykpvmnCQXVwDQaqPWO-maW40OrPhD2du1CLgvUxgnRxeCsSD/s1600-h/Three+box+bags+July+18+2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwCrT78l4Mw8jc7dRYUx_hAI2Q564dlobbpy6fWjxFfrMUFUXCPoWE-cSIsyYEu07D2NQtYJ8i8YyVzjZqR-ALYaLqY5LykpvmnCQXVwDQaqPWO-maW40OrPhD2du1CLgvUxgnRxeCsSD/s320/Three+box+bags+July+18+2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360014205324908594" border="0" /></a> I also made a needle case for my double-pointed needles. I have so many of them now and they are spread all over the apartment so I can't find the ones I want!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KQ8T7HUMLm0s1zJ227NYOvu-GYgEZepnA5uI5LyaHdmWX3FbtI3Vpwc3qDQH_222xrfjOf54B6LeK_EG7Fb5Gm8B-7jpO9Li8nWrqhFKezEfjMfHbzKb3wwDNxzbWRA_aRZ5Ptw7xMpY/s1600-h/Duble+pointed+needlw+case+open+July+18+2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KQ8T7HUMLm0s1zJ227NYOvu-GYgEZepnA5uI5LyaHdmWX3FbtI3Vpwc3qDQH_222xrfjOf54B6LeK_EG7Fb5Gm8B-7jpO9Li8nWrqhFKezEfjMfHbzKb3wwDNxzbWRA_aRZ5Ptw7xMpY/s320/Duble+pointed+needlw+case+open+July+18+2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360013982974693458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtRgI4JFF-Emi1vqlGO61-NlWUmch93DIgCq4uXZkb-wk2Q7dLOLK_nZOiM3PyAfLrLk2xrdxSxbizQ01VYAfjBmtwWUhXh4BEZmkhzOuAQXZ4EdMG40nuWayxJX0Z_WNBMcK-mqUU3B6/s1600-h/Double+pointed+needle+case+half+open+July+18+2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtRgI4JFF-Emi1vqlGO61-NlWUmch93DIgCq4uXZkb-wk2Q7dLOLK_nZOiM3PyAfLrLk2xrdxSxbizQ01VYAfjBmtwWUhXh4BEZmkhzOuAQXZ4EdMG40nuWayxJX0Z_WNBMcK-mqUU3B6/s320/Double+pointed+needle+case+half+open+July+18+2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360013978644704866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrotCvKrMHgARx3FAlLMP4hF1KNiEhAiUf0ZBmUeWNBwwCl-Hj6xTezWsupFs78Z4PT3x1IU439lvO-n2Ay1KG6d4sfLMzUViDUFFr_6fQPmilU4toDmq7B9SFiLRWUiyLeoqzOA9iz0XT/s1600-h/Double+Pointed+needle+case+closed+July+18+2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrotCvKrMHgARx3FAlLMP4hF1KNiEhAiUf0ZBmUeWNBwwCl-Hj6xTezWsupFs78Z4PT3x1IU439lvO-n2Ay1KG6d4sfLMzUViDUFFr_6fQPmilU4toDmq7B9SFiLRWUiyLeoqzOA9iz0XT/s320/Double+Pointed+needle+case+closed+July+18+2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360016255256499170" border="0" /></a>While I was digging around for sewing things I realized just how big my needle craft stashes are! I have 5 half finished cross-stitch/embroidery projects going plus materials for 9 others! Then there are 4 knitting projects on needles and yarn for another 50-but all neatly (and compactly stored!) Someday soon I'll dig it all out and take pictures.<br />I'll have pics up later in the week of my first skein of wheel spun yarn and another finished baby sweater with the cutest buttons!<br /><br />PS. I have tried to post this several times... apparently this program does not like word... blagh...hopefully it works this time as I've retyped the whole thing!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-3047695706041180822009-07-14T10:06:00.000-07:002009-07-14T10:13:10.056-07:00In the BurghIt has been a few weeks since I posted! I had a lovely time with my rented spinning wheel-but sadly it had to be returned. I spun about 5 oz of lovely superwash merino into a nice lace-weight two ply. I'll have pics up soon and I'm thinking of turning it into a lacy scarf... I've not knitted lace before so that should be interesting! <br />Right now I'm at the parents house in Pittsburgh. I had planned the trip to coincide with the wedding of my oldest friend- (we played together before we were four!). The wedding was lovely- I have to snatch pics from some of the people who were there to show you all. It was really wonderful to see old family friends. <br />We've been spending lots of time with the grandparents and had a great family picnic on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately I lost the beanbag tournament- but in fairness, Kelly and John, who won, owned the cornhole set- they have an unfair practice advantage!<br />More time with friends and family for the next day or so then back to Minneapolis!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-47106077643588377782009-06-21T19:58:00.001-07:002009-06-21T20:22:40.442-07:00Misc UpdateIt's been about two weeks since I've had blogging time! Never fear- I've been busy crafting and creating. Last week I made a cake (using my Wilton Skills, of course) for a work colleague's birthday as per her request: chocolate cake, peanut butter fondant filling, vanilla buttercream frosting and covered with peanut butter cups- Mmmmmm...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsfw70CMVqEu9dcptFWWdGR5AMyzqlV8lTBBJJVnpWdqEq-3vCU8sV_w8xt3ZtBibOo1omu3YWnziIP52qEJxQnA6Bvv3twPyAzL67hO-db6FEsu8JGD7y-zGdJt28wyqjzOdVnaJOk9W/s1600-h/Nancy's+Bday+cake.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsfw70CMVqEu9dcptFWWdGR5AMyzqlV8lTBBJJVnpWdqEq-3vCU8sV_w8xt3ZtBibOo1omu3YWnziIP52qEJxQnA6Bvv3twPyAzL67hO-db6FEsu8JGD7y-zGdJt28wyqjzOdVnaJOk9W/s400/Nancy's+Bday+cake.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349981358406712754" border="0" /></a>Now for the real excitement in my crafting life... as you know, I've been experimenting with spinning yarn using a drop spindle. Well, recently I've felt frustrated with the slowness of the drop spindle process and have begun coveting a spinning wheel. Now, spinning wheels are expensive and I'm not going to drop that kind of cash without one, finding the perfect wheel for me and two, figuring out if this is something I really want or just a passing fad... Just outside of Minneapolis is a wonderful woman named Detta- she has a "shop" in her home with lots of different wheels (and looms and wool, and books....) so I took a trip out to visit. I spent three hours trying different wheels and have found one that I really like. Unfortunately the one I really want is not rentable... so I rented my second choice for two weeks to try it out and see what I think. Here is the Ashford Traveller....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4dc9ciz5EFEM1hCiLkh46vnyLUHsdfTGZGOO4NtBR-iVvXex64K8nDI8btawvl2HEAEwYjNI3xCtAQyKWuMAmONzFn1O7hUkzo-H_oN6gsD_UD0C3bEbOHzGpkTLjCq8fRoIQCHiF1OV/s1600-h/Ashford+Traveller+rental+for+Detta%27s+Spindle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4dc9ciz5EFEM1hCiLkh46vnyLUHsdfTGZGOO4NtBR-iVvXex64K8nDI8btawvl2HEAEwYjNI3xCtAQyKWuMAmONzFn1O7hUkzo-H_oN6gsD_UD0C3bEbOHzGpkTLjCq8fRoIQCHiF1OV/s400/Ashford+Traveller+rental+for+Detta%27s+Spindle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349981897236900946" border="0" /></a>This is the fiber I am spinning- a superwash (meaning it won't felt- see previous post- in the wash) merino (very soft) wool from the Fiber Studio in South Minneapolis<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv-z2-QF58ahGfCSxBo1B-Fs-Z6BLOmylFE-9nUReRlTyzzNDlLDuENeSAkzb4z0u-TjvlIp75ePAfUrsXv7snNpe206pnInHfsc1oAMfzRCnRyD3CMsj9N5vCA1bQ6xu0uCbK9CP3Ypn/s1600-h/Superwash+Merino+from+the+Fiber+Studio.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv-z2-QF58ahGfCSxBo1B-Fs-Z6BLOmylFE-9nUReRlTyzzNDlLDuENeSAkzb4z0u-TjvlIp75ePAfUrsXv7snNpe206pnInHfsc1oAMfzRCnRyD3CMsj9N5vCA1bQ6xu0uCbK9CP3Ypn/s400/Superwash+Merino+from+the+Fiber+Studio.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349981354372032978" border="0" /></a><br />This is my first attempt- there were some consistency issues and my plying (twisting two strands together) isn't perfect but I'm really pleased with my first attempt- I'd say that there is about 90 yards of sport weight yarn here. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it though- maybe just keep it as a reminder of my first spinning wheel experience...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rtOyJoTacr_r10HrovyeIkCBPLoWHLWDUb5dmiarJ8yy9vdQSp9r_OdhPYejT5-az6Y1gMLZxRGhlK09HkMjf61Dyud3y08o56I_2SQiQaHUpzEPTkXllFWPT9_eyD9h3BphOn84Lx4l/s1600-h/First+yarn+from+trial+on+Ashford+Traveller.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rtOyJoTacr_r10HrovyeIkCBPLoWHLWDUb5dmiarJ8yy9vdQSp9r_OdhPYejT5-az6Y1gMLZxRGhlK09HkMjf61Dyud3y08o56I_2SQiQaHUpzEPTkXllFWPT9_eyD9h3BphOn84Lx4l/s400/First+yarn+from+trial+on+Ashford+Traveller.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349981369141746914" border="0" /></a><br />This is my second attempt- much better- I'm waiting to spin all of the fiber I have to ply this- I'm not sure if I'm going to go with two or three ply but I'm hoping to get it fine enough to knit a pair of socks with it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcB2SxLDPDoPe_1lZ43MR5lpB0xGaPCapRKho6GOf11D9D0HDW2naWLCweCRqS4niygyqLMxvMiDtLUL1fKct21Px3J365VMYx4UzAcnJ5-hpHKGoyMt_e8slcCGEDhRBkDB_Sc9QnbS4/s1600-h/Trial+spin+on+Ashford+Traveller.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcB2SxLDPDoPe_1lZ43MR5lpB0xGaPCapRKho6GOf11D9D0HDW2naWLCweCRqS4niygyqLMxvMiDtLUL1fKct21Px3J365VMYx4UzAcnJ5-hpHKGoyMt_e8slcCGEDhRBkDB_Sc9QnbS4/s400/Trial+spin+on+Ashford+Traveller.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349981344670598546" border="0" /></a>Finally, this is for Els- your sweater orders are, in fact, in progress- I hope to have them done, along with Dad's Father's Day socks, when I visit in July!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-DCcXnTnwXQjs2BuJKYBDVE6pfRtZgLedDpOhoSHBXvhHQ_VEF9YYLmRoxx4E9Zje7Lutir6G-aeVV_sYteWMfCt0gbARD8TTv97S03Zbnrk1knCQEG7rn7f4HxKn-g8baf2R-vXQ0N_/s1600-h/Sweater+for+Els+in+Progress.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-DCcXnTnwXQjs2BuJKYBDVE6pfRtZgLedDpOhoSHBXvhHQ_VEF9YYLmRoxx4E9Zje7Lutir6G-aeVV_sYteWMfCt0gbARD8TTv97S03Zbnrk1knCQEG7rn7f4HxKn-g8baf2R-vXQ0N_/s400/Sweater+for+Els+in+Progress.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349981351084757906" border="0" /></a>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-51106067461471374552009-06-07T19:03:00.000-07:002009-06-07T19:06:43.297-07:00Fun with Felting<div>I've finished my first knitting projects ment to be "felted" or "fulled" One is a pin and the other a bowl. Here are the before and after pics!</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344772103090008594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvWD-iCwwFFRBKe9YoyIRzwAfABgDzAkkmuHsFivHEdmvkXPfkptk1Yg69hOQ8GWcK_a5o_FaipPPIBmfZP8TirblbCaQl9Zn_bz8ioi7VSdSLfbj1UW7zMlNQXUOG-rRkZ8nly_qnN8u/s400/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+power+flowers+1+June+2009.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344772105497823090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqSLl5Kaxd26rBXHRbYwFJhVewQjoT4bfQOrzwURTbREKfJZUWvoBYuat61StYFfEVAtBF6q5QYk-86aBk0GfU5DAkB5BI2YKw5emOejAvc9AKFkAbjkiyla8MzfinLrwX0cnhONSjK_2/s400/101+Designer+One-skein+wonders+power+flowers+closeup+2+June+2009.JPG" border="0" /> <div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAOwRtK3ILYxC1MZQ6K8ebmHuYfF1CCHftIX4jnO1gTlCccgsWuwPcl7hBW5goPL1hht2vbZdg7pBMeYqgNSkG88E5288u3vNOubW2tAZnjN6iPdoIu_D1bdDyWODeprxS201D7Zl8Yjc/s1600-h/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+power+flower+complete+3+June+2009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344772097926709858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAOwRtK3ILYxC1MZQ6K8ebmHuYfF1CCHftIX4jnO1gTlCccgsWuwPcl7hBW5goPL1hht2vbZdg7pBMeYqgNSkG88E5288u3vNOubW2tAZnjN6iPdoIu_D1bdDyWODeprxS201D7Zl8Yjc/s400/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+power+flower+complete+3+June+2009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBtTwczTILQonAnwiHFcy6eeNeGNCAA3up2597tPSux5qS7aCJg6upR57tis3334CM9nCO8tZJQ9QK55j_y1YuPude3Sud9e1Q6oQHsPuwdGDNghfukWpy90wthe5MUNImTJsWB4KCMoR/s1600-h/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+power+flower+closeup+4+June+2009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344772091275241154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBtTwczTILQonAnwiHFcy6eeNeGNCAA3up2597tPSux5qS7aCJg6upR57tis3334CM9nCO8tZJQ9QK55j_y1YuPude3Sud9e1Q6oQHsPuwdGDNghfukWpy90wthe5MUNImTJsWB4KCMoR/s400/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+power+flower+closeup+4+June+2009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnSUTR4iIm_Q32drayivf12QdxCEh5sF1lDPD7QWPgmk7wLeOwMB1ZY3CeQpAsY8pS7RvVQLXIzktJuI7J1JfmAPcHVjDJEmjEgKraEVJraeBO26lXsq70TqmnMo103WgqRa7GUHFXMQE/s1600-h/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+fuchia+fleted+bowl+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344771915949551106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnSUTR4iIm_Q32drayivf12QdxCEh5sF1lDPD7QWPgmk7wLeOwMB1ZY3CeQpAsY8pS7RvVQLXIzktJuI7J1JfmAPcHVjDJEmjEgKraEVJraeBO26lXsq70TqmnMo103WgqRa7GUHFXMQE/s400/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+fuchia+fleted+bowl+1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbcAeht22iJVF1XX4QUJfjNV6k_ter7yt1Kghg6yJppSJ0GPxnc0QNzk6-02j1PRf-NQOpzqOIIIlO2fxD1CjvYKdK2cnBkWmE29VchkpCR4UvF6Xhn867l8pXhuz4XeqaOmxeIcBEjhA/s1600-h/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+fucha+felted+bowl+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344771910316654498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbcAeht22iJVF1XX4QUJfjNV6k_ter7yt1Kghg6yJppSJ0GPxnc0QNzk6-02j1PRf-NQOpzqOIIIlO2fxD1CjvYKdK2cnBkWmE29VchkpCR4UvF6Xhn867l8pXhuz4XeqaOmxeIcBEjhA/s400/101+designer+one-skein+wonders+fucha+felted+bowl+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-56641080307918029562009-06-05T08:46:00.001-07:002009-06-05T08:46:42.152-07:00Morrell Mushrooms<div>One of the spring culinary crazies in Minnesota is Morrell Mushrooms... I had heard about these jewels of the forest and had seen pictures of them but never encountered them. Now, as you have read previously, Smokey took up chewing plants so in my search for pet grass (without having to trek to a Petsmart in the suburbs) I went into my local, organic co-op and what do I see staring me in the face at the front door???? You guessed it, Morrell mushrooms... Now at over $30 a pound I purchased only three....</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342536979862392434" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnNmp8f_1LnwkVbmIO_p4kDNb1eXvGSGQ_TUoAfw88Th4qyin9_4861EUT6-ZDuBfjZmTsvNJsh8kc4eTyLomyU_l2FmixPMdjpzVewlpNxj4XTwb7ky7TwpuVQ1qBbU_okNhB7hj46Xd/s400/Morrell+mushrooms+May+2009.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I sauteed them in a little butter, salt and pepper and boy they were worth the $5 I paid for the three of them... SOOOOOOOO good. I can't even describe the flavor as I've never tasted anything like it- I highly recommend that if you ever encounters these decedent little bits of goodness you get yourself some- they are definitely something to experience (but not to share!)</div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-70770496644238834182009-06-01T18:19:00.000-07:002009-06-01T18:25:59.093-07:00Smokey Eats Grass...<div><div><div>I recently purchased a new house plant to replace the one I let die.... Shortly after purchasing the plant and placing it in a spot where it would get the most of the limited light that enters my room, I began to hear a crunching noise at night... Smokey was eating my plant!!! </div><br />Caught in the act!!!<br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342534992112366306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuZz71pBnmV1v22X49fAhYUgzekeboevcBenhyM3LWazfFvU6bkp_Q1uQKgYKB2fC9LKaFrIgkoBZskR7-eaRjFMSRBA9DGzh8BOKMCdt067DSRwB0DKDq_ySVGVk90gYb_fPMbXfFJfY/s400/P5300010.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>I even got him this pet grass to eat instead of the house plant- but he still prefered "my" plant to "his" so I had to find a new home for it (the plant- not Smokey)</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342535000422393714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xCqYqB1z5g54RPW-IA6-5iCLqHu-OdoK1j3IFkm7JBCP1XgF87kEO5JgjTgQ_v7jnnxwfn6RPnX8W5z-b90CkX7UjciZtGH12Cly-xx4HJ-D-oIwUtyozUEeCmGA8gDs2n4QzBpStOjF/s400/P5300026.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-70695131190850662962009-05-19T16:23:00.000-07:002009-05-19T16:27:21.232-07:00I'm on a Busy Bee Crafting SpreeMy latest projects have been gifts... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337680376118211906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMGW6spu5nPZA7aV789pWyiuejKOItTIaBB65HcSWmMroRKFbLhwgqa40xISBLfeSYRj7MSuuwEi5yvvuAd81D8sn7Go0tfdYl81z1KtfjcO2_MwD6_N2aCRVP3WDeq2Xst8A-OCndwHl/s400/Angie+Grad+gift+05_09.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF8cyFZHyo2sL2_jeiDSL0N5ViPx93mj9oTJTKqu4u6pzneNNhj0grI5uoTaJ7lMeUNPCeMAWnCiU_6U2OsJn652mLRmdctSvKbIwxVPUcsLNJXIhPYc3w6T_Yc1JHQ0jsWVFrbVKU8qa/s1600-h/mason+dixon+knitting+bibs+cotton+for+Simon+Evans+May+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337680379312612610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF8cyFZHyo2sL2_jeiDSL0N5ViPx93mj9oTJTKqu4u6pzneNNhj0grI5uoTaJ7lMeUNPCeMAWnCiU_6U2OsJn652mLRmdctSvKbIwxVPUcsLNJXIhPYc3w6T_Yc1JHQ0jsWVFrbVKU8qa/s400/mason+dixon+knitting+bibs+cotton+for+Simon+Evans+May+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337680384094425042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93ueReGDvGkDaI3WDo_1XcQjmBuzxJACY9aRWhfGkHNrDHYZPueKiaBZQwGICJYTIv8-gRGEr7LqFxonaPaSt_WxvWvm-sNmiNMbiEKBZGO8njFvM1M3FrvhoKDEp5ZgWKPu78T6Jm-LX/s400/burp+cloths+from+mason+dixon+knitting+for+Simon+Evans+May+2009.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div>The weather is warming up here in MN and the trees are green!!! Hurray for summer!!! Now I just have to get my summer clothes out and put away the winter sweaters- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hmmm</span>... when was the last time I said that?</div></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-83127317444086265642009-05-12T15:30:00.001-07:002009-05-12T15:44:31.732-07:00The Obsession DeepensI went to Shepherd's Harvest this past weekend. It is a fair sized fiber/knitting /sheep show. It was totally wonderful and I was hugely tempted to spend LOTS of money on the beautiful hand spun and hand dyed yarns but I was good... I only got two skeins of sock yarn.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawc0JUrnvVwQGEC4HdPxqfmKStRqRDcavSq7Aph2hufKEeWkY8lZLZtVDXzwYtqB2-4VaV9BXET3X3IJDRSEPrq45URZQoM212tzEv4sUsrGSyCZ1WM43L-3j4amLAaAx8sdW3vJeFqJD/s1600-h/Samantha+in+StitchesHandspun+sock+yarn+from+shepherd%27s+harvest+2009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335070174443042482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawc0JUrnvVwQGEC4HdPxqfmKStRqRDcavSq7Aph2hufKEeWkY8lZLZtVDXzwYtqB2-4VaV9BXET3X3IJDRSEPrq45URZQoM212tzEv4sUsrGSyCZ1WM43L-3j4amLAaAx8sdW3vJeFqJD/s400/Samantha+in+StitchesHandspun+sock+yarn+from+shepherd%27s+harvest+2009.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335070166816210770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbbe0r8Hzn9iWLtT48-roLS50tOBM5wY9Jv_iyaYdDpgVa1N3IwEZwz30cwJZN9RuUBCkhypnWkT8Cu1eqq7MjiWidT4iJGLmtSkeGaJtfYvpAbxnJCXH9Ya9CwCnKcMMrTzPtbdzzXF2/s400/hand+painted+sock+yarn+from+shepherd%27s+harvest+2009+Nicole+brand.JPG" border="0" />The problem came when I saw how fun spinning (actually taking wool and making yarn) could be... because, really, I don't do enough crafty things already- must add one more to the list..... So I bought myself a cheap drop spindle and some cheap Merino wool... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335070154864709970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZy7RT83lRtFI4cv-NIefOujKROJMlVZpMsR0y3qbqzOYBxkkwKAmn-WQVbxWNwIwUNrt1GnnS4TwEdr6KUw1D4S27xzmxgt4b9fk7k_HcyDOWyxO1IweseXEPQqhdl37j1noWWjy5YCqq/s400/First+drop+spindle+and+fiber+from+shepherd%27s+harvest+2009.JPG" border="0" />I got home and thought I'd break out my new toys.... and here is the result:</div><div></div><div>Predrafting the roving:</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335070160464773794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyg9g2ghPu6_V2KKumv9qwA_63oJJRM2kQZ_K2soXEq6RoiBc5lz6txTM6JL_dYyvDgk0KYEctHHA3IwL9f-CcR5N6vORYFxsBlE2qliuDVSixcaiElBOe942WIh23An68f6Q-Jx3PWUx/s400/First+try+with+predrafting+roving+May+2009.JPG" border="0" />Setting the twist:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335070284318552722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbn9OjHnEMOHvB2kYmX3-L1xUak3MZCfihn0Q0p926bm2bTzXhRRkVuJX0TMpnqPZcqaReq6e2hwm72YkIxwVuolo3XqO2DC7wxTT1h2NBvtjdYoYpP3ekDnmyysTXQrtl1JHafg3qY7q/s400/Setting+the+spin+May+2009.jpg" border="0" />My first skein of yarn- single ply, heavy worsted weight, 50 yards:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0OCJntbQus5a_1ePb-Pas2zblJiBejbLzlmMEppZqdkO9aPeUkMN_R5UG8jILuGP7ra5_nLcYljeOQlnpzEjmfePLH4MR5LOWHMTTDe58IsQHh8Yxx3n5yUKofETgY9IcWWl750z9xII/s1600-h/my+first+yarn+May+2009+single+ply+heavy+worsted+weight.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335070169665799778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0OCJntbQus5a_1ePb-Pas2zblJiBejbLzlmMEppZqdkO9aPeUkMN_R5UG8jILuGP7ra5_nLcYljeOQlnpzEjmfePLH4MR5LOWHMTTDe58IsQHh8Yxx3n5yUKofETgY9IcWWl750z9xII/s400/my+first+yarn+May+2009+single+ply+heavy+worsted+weight.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm now obsessed. I LOVE IT. I will say that I was given fair warning... many blogs and websites say that it is easy to get caught up into spinning- well now I am. You can put me down in the "crazy lady who has a cat and spins yarn" category of nuts....</div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-26591894031169738282009-05-06T17:18:00.000-07:002009-05-06T17:29:55.963-07:00I've been busy!Hey everyone! Sorry it's been a while since I've posted but life has been busy! My weeks have been full at work and the weekends have been busy with outings, spring walks, crafting and cooking. I keep saying how much I love the spring but it is really true! I've been able to watch the tulips come up out of the ground and bloom and now the flowering trees are coming into bloom! Here are some of the tulips outside my door:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332870241435824578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0pIO3jSTmvRXIPjfM2V_gIKpY9ooXw1qbobcErOPud8B3kzGJ3QWovEadF2Kn44w1N1H2J_vGJwoDegIuV6-owhlSJffw1Y1oFDiNddvUCAdUHT_lzuWQMhhNLHv70WoKoEKhI_IdiuN/s400/P4250014.JPG" border="0" />As for crafting I'm working on lots of baby things. This is the latest baby sweater for my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cousin's</span> baby Mallory:<br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332870490044689074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBZ6kVnOoXuawnQorv4d28TLRw_F0hlpKg98H7qR_FpWzp2yOL1E7woJJ09idQs-hXY7sra7DVUZe24H3ZtEXuVMRCLEMBocdPnGjiWUFSOu8yUru8Dqb9QRF_8yc3BP-DxSifiuhIivR/s400/sweater+for+Mallory+Balsley.JPG" border="0" />I also managed a pair of slippers for Mom for Mother's Day:<br /><div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332870483091975794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq53twpKoPUMvBNvWC-Khvb_OVEM_B5D2Udw6-ujKm9QgYh_yC2C1ysza3gVngHCtA-lGc7i3SUYh-q6f4COxxUWWMlpRhDPyTcpumYmIlkDJgXduTL2ioKUXNugNeVHv6WwX1gQZuLlV/s400/Slippers+for+Mom.JPG" border="0" />As for cooking, I've been in an ethnic mood. I tried my hand at making <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pho</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ga</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Korean</span> chicken soup) for the first time and thought it turned out very well.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332870255833194450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfqd4YmQ_GPtbZ1FyjJvrCmqLIU338-paCSLt3JSc8JAL__QNjHR7LHPbWCAY6mYKi9NPqoYipP7v9tI2_J0XgBBjk_qM6K-K60Y4LQUb0XhKeno4skmyyWWuttENaUhyoq6U1WHHUnBk/s400/05-02-09+pho+ga.JPG" border="0" />I used the leftover chicken to make carrot, chicken chow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mein</span>:<br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332870265044564194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsV_TH32_ApBkRNoKlrfw5NWzWHmGnZy6JiT1NAxSGmkVBgy_axi-kpsiUxTbmuS63ay5eUJrdjxRSDCJTzZvM-TgYCDtL8Sb4EyuXeosR34Hx7RpZtuf1P5AXCwLnbnW28FNImZQwuNj/s400/05-01-09+chicken+carrot+chow+mein.JPG" border="0" /><br />Changing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">continents</span>, I made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pupusas</span> for the first time (think tamale without the corn husk)<br /><div><div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332870249622709042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXSQAv1nUw2WBBtlmpxPyFY0_Lnp0JbMz2CxVwJO9-GITueJmtokr0vUJdGKloz8glFuIAd_5210SR2PqTBYxGWgLR8IY4gLZvBv-IJg5dC0vstRKY3MnNEk3Q0rG124OaUO_ZQFtZeBX/s400/05-08-09+pupusas.JPG" border="0" /><br />Hope everyone is doing well- enjoy May!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-19040416496872964392009-04-15T16:56:00.001-07:002009-04-15T17:02:04.546-07:00The First Flowers of Spring and a Summer Haircut<div>The weather has been absolutely beautiful (and the allergies are remaining drug controlled so I can enjoy it!) and the first flowers of spring have blossomed. I have been watching the sprouts and leaves come up from the mud all week during my walks to the bus and here they are- these are in my apartment's front yard!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhSZi8GlB4tVzxtJ_F0fIF05s-8Iw71EbZseRZP-jz2BzVLsy3D5OwSWZHC9jWgJWlB7CX9-PpRpR0KSOLS-fRqO24gZBTk2xgOf3D3L2jvgLBqjfBZRiLZlcxiG8kzdoJXRaX6WmCoWE/s1600-h/First+Spring+Flowers+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325072341570967266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhSZi8GlB4tVzxtJ_F0fIF05s-8Iw71EbZseRZP-jz2BzVLsy3D5OwSWZHC9jWgJWlB7CX9-PpRpR0KSOLS-fRqO24gZBTk2xgOf3D3L2jvgLBqjfBZRiLZlcxiG8kzdoJXRaX6WmCoWE/s400/First+Spring+Flowers+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325072339605832066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g6QqiigAjronwxFxcwzvE5LgJ7pikDBvJz_CAv1JjE5g5EkWfYgiFOT9R-Ve6bxFApTIo015vRxcAHXjVgQrL9DogXfhu_t4KTQUTQPtfIhhllPFLtjLYGxZnbtBxE6R1l96FSDOr5i6/s400/P4150105.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div></div><div>I've also continued the trend of shortening my hair- I chopped it all off over the weekend and I LOVE it!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325072337559990802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhivwAh6cQS2VhruFVA6HQj6JN2eAUYYZt3_ZYzg9_2jjc43dNWxJjKwcFp9PF5Mp02y7P7dWrK_xDuq9gU-hQej_peE4foxggqJkt3ZYC57tyw50MlkSKsIIAWfSg2ZGUNdIqa6NiMLy/s400/P4110080.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Hope everyone is enjoying their spring and getting ready for summer!!!</div></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-74623992388624164012009-03-30T17:16:00.000-07:002009-03-30T17:21:42.656-07:00Fondant Finale<div>Here's the final fondant cake! It was a fun class but I'm glad that it's over- time to sleep in Saturday morning.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e14ny3gQxM-ZUMDvRDrBH1qiN89QSSYOXIT-yGkW4k-6SP7cKdw0fhXk3ZF3yFkWXFriCyhWYcwz2ZrAVkQAa_FrHimL3-bxQ5H_NBUroiR3r6TIJhZ9smHsU2GYrdj7qZStDIFtlAqe/s1600-h/Wilton+Fondant+Final+Cake+March+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319140322561037954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e14ny3gQxM-ZUMDvRDrBH1qiN89QSSYOXIT-yGkW4k-6SP7cKdw0fhXk3ZF3yFkWXFriCyhWYcwz2ZrAVkQAa_FrHimL3-bxQ5H_NBUroiR3r6TIJhZ9smHsU2GYrdj7qZStDIFtlAqe/s400/Wilton+Fondant+Final+Cake+March+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQgl5s6_aZ2aox2vJXFvkYgDAYPtCCjOkeCBl13VvahvyfzTADcEZ9KAQa9Rjq9rIzvFjYvHmCOouFrk9CZqYBzyZrr9YDz2TB4ndQK71_TcgHeez9m4hMm5o1ecj3KpdUhKBF8qbEMD4/s1600-h/Wilton+Fondant+Final+Cake+Closeup+March+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319140316762377522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQgl5s6_aZ2aox2vJXFvkYgDAYPtCCjOkeCBl13VvahvyfzTADcEZ9KAQa9Rjq9rIzvFjYvHmCOouFrk9CZqYBzyZrr9YDz2TB4ndQK71_TcgHeez9m4hMm5o1ecj3KpdUhKBF8qbEMD4/s400/Wilton+Fondant+Final+Cake+Closeup+March+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-21952192249034951472009-03-22T09:22:00.000-07:002009-03-22T09:32:43.176-07:00Spring Fever<div><div><div>While I do love the spring (I have even left the house without a coat- gasp!!!), apparently it does not love me. Hay fever has hit in a BIG way. Friday was a slightly sore throat and yesterday was full blown, can't breathe, can't swallow, no contacts, head exploding allergy attacks. Not cool... I've now dug out the allergy drugs- all sorts along with lots of tissues... Let's hope that whatever is blooming dies quickly. </div><br /><div></div><div>I've continued to be crafty during the nice weather, though soon I may move my knitting sessions to a blanket outside- it's not that warm yet! Here are some "in progress" pics of the burp cloths that I'm knitting- there will be bibs also! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050149264251458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2VJNYqNRv-VDY53-doN5zgx-ENdOs6RXFZTwOANxzSI2nep9eFyBp5Kvnjm9irYPurDrHd7SCGn5UViuRWD7wjVoP41SlnK5Lw6uTp9njVoUU0wUKoX3AXm5BJTL_1SRAi_w0T0lKnVk/s400/Lime_yellow+burp+cloth+03_09.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><br /><div>On the cake decorating front, we made gumpaste flowers in class on Sat- I love the daisy's and the "fantasy flower" though I'm calling it a poppy! There will be another cake next week!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050142254358370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pSizkuWDrHgrka6_W5TLr1rt4yprajN5FWPbl3sagdOs1rfSW21USUnPu7jS16IeLIgdRMESngeJ7eqLUrk2dglkSfKAIpH5Dw2S6WlXtO10xbutzpp9nUTeJ5E9Of1cVRy4kqf6myUU/s400/Gumpaste+daisy.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050138378328194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bxKfxkt-BE4uENz7Nv8oGrYfEYwAKM-v8qbkdKys3zi8-_3Qj4eEgN9mUiMWThaI58Ge9EMupgE8LC343sOBihAm7S0zDKsyVdPHTSqRV4ltP-2C9Xj5QsL2_NDYN91We4PlsQno4Fx-/s400/Gumpaste+fantasy+flower_pink.jpg" border="0" />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-27622185191648089882009-03-15T10:36:00.000-07:002009-03-15T10:42:15.350-07:00My First Foray with FondantI've finished my first fondant cake!!! I now realize why fondant cakes cost so much... The time, effort and expense are considerable... My arms and shoulders ache to prove it! Here are some pics- I went with a St. Patrick's Day theme for obvious reasons.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313470633016858482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72iCmMJKfSIc3FLoPpZRbFn1NqOuF7ruEI-GH8EGIbbYVEu8TWmixxhBzYIDB95dPKXu5zNganFcvitiS3MR32TiY-PqVslpx_KxzHUZMghbJ0FU6LojXj14PMBcALWcNkDRskAeC8MuP/s400/First+Fondant+Cake+St.+Patricks+Theme+03_14_09.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313470639604684194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL00aWPuBjJCkN2wk8KIC1M3HrAsE650E9hVFVR1pSGq5C8YM56jrPsUNRU76tUcONRxqgXOr86NqzarFOFg2aSSe5Omp_z-SvzYT5mZbOeX6gKpNf2nro59J-Zo6UVTegAL34dJ1fjtT/s400/First+Fondant+cake+03-14-09.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I've also finished the first sock of my first PERSONAL pair of socks. The other pairs I've knitted have all gone out as gifts but these I'm keeping!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIKXX946QT_aKWKaJS5l0vuzxAIiws8nvw67TBjGIllm62kGdHLxXW82rliFCKioJHyd7-41Z8BW3N4fvQ22OSoQAQH_UFuIWAF8LPtEdz44kut2uTi7lHuEeIdnZZZnhgk3gAzHo-e9E/s1600-h/First+pair+of+socks+FOR+ME+brown+03_09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313470628739372114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIKXX946QT_aKWKaJS5l0vuzxAIiws8nvw67TBjGIllm62kGdHLxXW82rliFCKioJHyd7-41Z8BW3N4fvQ22OSoQAQH_UFuIWAF8LPtEdz44kut2uTi7lHuEeIdnZZZnhgk3gAzHo-e9E/s400/First+pair+of+socks+FOR+ME+brown+03_09.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-40399345668093910182009-03-08T18:00:00.000-07:002009-03-08T18:04:52.007-07:00Blankie Friends and Fondant FriendsI've had my first fondant course and it went well, I think. No pictures yet as all we did was cover a cake board but.... next week is our first cake and in honor of St. Patrick's day I think I'm going to do a shamrock theme! Stay tuned for updates...<br /><br />I've also completed another knitting project- blankie friends! I remember how precious my blankie was to me and so I thought I'd make some special friends for some of my pregnant friends! Here are some quick pics...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310987312415980898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCozxdxSJrbsCnFRieUThyphenhyphenvHJRm1fI8czxDgqTKe7eZk9C-SSB0y0aaVtxbhyphenhyphenjpU3OrrHVPiCmPjIKN2dnQ0yFHeXaqFnuv2CaK7JhvmtMMqchoh_qvWSXu8CvaZLgv9S7SiHkCjtGyFkh/s400/Blankie+friend+(1).JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4eGHi1hAC5p0Z-icrSx07UYtRro55X0hr7BLdTPtBA5wCLtRKN1282z2-9gSw0ipXDrk2pzulL0gXOoNWlBMv5FvP4zyDUrr_jtdCnkVuMygkFOst0TQuwqXf8mwL7nejqIR5h-zSG7w/s1600-h/Blankie+friend.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310987309783367410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4eGHi1hAC5p0Z-icrSx07UYtRro55X0hr7BLdTPtBA5wCLtRKN1282z2-9gSw0ipXDrk2pzulL0gXOoNWlBMv5FvP4zyDUrr_jtdCnkVuMygkFOst0TQuwqXf8mwL7nejqIR5h-zSG7w/s400/Blankie+friend.jpg" border="0" /></a>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-42045904643332805382009-03-02T15:29:00.000-08:002009-03-02T15:45:13.045-08:00Misc. HappeningsI've been plugging along on a few knitting projects lately- the orders for baby sweaters keep coming in so I'm trying to get those done. Here is a pic of the latest one for Sam's friends...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKzZeavvUdaHbt0CvP9mWSRP0Skapu6RbqvLjZznpy-wwHAZH_0QC3cS-5okICp87QNCp440lfcivNUKc6ziiNn4h6qjx7T5QxzE_b2Ip753v29TXnQLMwucyuahFrFaynkJohAVEGx3V/s1600-h/Sweater+for+Sam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308739058413477570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKzZeavvUdaHbt0CvP9mWSRP0Skapu6RbqvLjZznpy-wwHAZH_0QC3cS-5okICp87QNCp440lfcivNUKc6ziiNn4h6qjx7T5QxzE_b2Ip753v29TXnQLMwucyuahFrFaynkJohAVEGx3V/s400/Sweater+for+Sam.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308739059997379522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtqMY5T2dD5d_obAPIzM1QTREuXAosJX1ei7tR4DNNdMgZNuM8TxtjZ-fyLssrzzBpdw7YhFe6CeGGtUpE6A6efHiGbfxSY9jpGMkXTPXhcm4STIRCRwsi3Il03_3JMVyURW1hY1FwUZy/s400/Sweater+for+Sam+closeup.JPG" border="0" />I'm also working on some socks (as always) and a hat.</div><div> </div><div>I've been up to my usual baking and cooking- I made mini cupcakes- dangerous to just pop in the mouth! </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308738529440880114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcKPajNts456npkUpt3OkSFPYbhoBF1qbMo2YoEFy-OGNJVXbH7S0HDdyo1GYHF4_5DbjNFgG-8cfgn2tS4EbnxoYAmN78NQyROwQN-nhhltpnfV6HU5xDzlly9qnWyzrBYWYv2DLwfZi/s400/02-28-09+mini+cupcakes+single.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308738530482504994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOLlzUF0BHyqW0ZASbqnweGd0Y62gd7CaqwNWvseq-Y66bboyt6wSU1dHftE72NIQ6lC_L-FrcErdvklgCThh8BWiJOCiaGeK7NHKuuFZiLxLSDcGBYTsBmp5pcbro4b4kLjIg5Is_0qY/s400/02-28-09+mini+cupcakes+multiple.jpg" border="0" /> <div>I've also been inspired to take another Wilton Cake decorating class. I've already taken Course 1 and taught myself Course 2 so I thought Fondant would be interesting... Plus it is at a reasonable hour on Saturdays in March. Now, I've heard that the Wilton Fondant is both expensive and tastes absolutely horrible. I've decided to make my own... there are some very easy recipes on the web for "Marshmallow Fondant". It is basically adding two pounds of sugar to melted marshmallows. It tastes great and seems to be quite malleable from my playing around- Hopefully it will work fine for the class. Here are some pics of the process- imagine powdered sugar everywhere!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308738540561780034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69Y0P7rDiUHWF9tYI2xy-tMY2VKu1kmsWSuM7M1I87X6HNlRZs0b6Zj-vAN3JoyYwvFOniX8Xboqyu_G5ZkmjNXD5JGAXqXDMqDzBY_paDCUmcbv-0oyil3fX_ybe2Ha6BXfKghL3luPO/s400/Homemade+Marshmallow+Fondant+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308738547571204562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietUCM6FYIRqFshUtRnPQx7QHkwxmu9OzvbUJKoSgRhCfyAavCXM0oiBi9bzdzeXr6kfuIwEmGGJEVTXqNHDtyRoirjRCG2AE-AtDMXQgOhnVoFSohug5q9fUL8OHnKG9A6t4Hs_ZRKkO4/s400/Homemade+Marshmallow+Fondant+2.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308738554754180834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmIc8IPBHEiPdIqyMrozCjyYRA6C4qXX9HchP6m1Z1M84LsDAm9rZre-CV9JhyphenhyphenBYW3P6C2AbSUJGkHXrOIV0Q1lvutbn3mbqGrz75caEhk4IFXxavBhcWaD1kshzYiS7B0_EXLHaK_yBf/s400/Homemade+Marshmallow+Fondant+3.jpg" border="0" /><br />Finally, while I believe I've weathered the worst of the winter, it is still cold. Here are some pics of cars frozen to the ground with icicles from the parking lot...Burrrr.... <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8HS055AcehLKf1VOe2S0SB2_7pc0WpSHDDE2A7JFwrFdpz6dIdTOD3UcL1r2UGsCKyiwDijjw0YJBvaf1W2Mb4-9FjQmcxVycDhRYMbcLgmmhGykdvp-uToQ9fiFdXNU1_EZi7STm16I/s1600-h/icecles+on+cars+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308739058231002114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8HS055AcehLKf1VOe2S0SB2_7pc0WpSHDDE2A7JFwrFdpz6dIdTOD3UcL1r2UGsCKyiwDijjw0YJBvaf1W2Mb4-9FjQmcxVycDhRYMbcLgmmhGykdvp-uToQ9fiFdXNU1_EZi7STm16I/s400/icecles+on+cars+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7j0nZ4wKvJKcUZF_7WxBYcTbABRXNonqEwPJvpFQJdUciREihrRPRPB_NAtymeeHtk9BW1hn8yEgBKy1LLGML_v8dovLhv4tsguMTKpBV63BwczAPLK4QsUhLHhZIvvTAjML2uxnjljR/s1600-h/icecles+on+cars+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308739051236914546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7j0nZ4wKvJKcUZF_7WxBYcTbABRXNonqEwPJvpFQJdUciREihrRPRPB_NAtymeeHtk9BW1hn8yEgBKy1LLGML_v8dovLhv4tsguMTKpBV63BwczAPLK4QsUhLHhZIvvTAjML2uxnjljR/s400/icecles+on+cars+1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-48136411046130709672009-02-10T19:13:00.000-08:002009-02-10T19:18:54.191-08:00A Weekend of Cooking<div><div>I finally had time this weekend to cook- lots.... I made long life noodles, scalloped potatoes, baked potato soup, cookie press cookies and baked three meat pasta- it was so much fun- and tasty! My freezer and fridge are now stocked for the next few weeks- I love cooking! </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6Emp5icUvyaRF7OMMmDyAmSG5ebjDi92Z_zSC_x2jIg80TMd9R80ZwWoJJP5tb8uY3e-ahdsYONGEk2ZOJ9P_4kZT3hrDrTjAxUqxZRYgUzXop9CpZ2eNPRcc1mu7yIAbskJHe1c2oH1/s1600-h/02-06-09+Long+Life+Noodle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301373376449922866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6Emp5icUvyaRF7OMMmDyAmSG5ebjDi92Z_zSC_x2jIg80TMd9R80ZwWoJJP5tb8uY3e-ahdsYONGEk2ZOJ9P_4kZT3hrDrTjAxUqxZRYgUzXop9CpZ2eNPRcc1mu7yIAbskJHe1c2oH1/s400/02-06-09+Long+Life+Noodle.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301373770732690370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJi2fO4xY9VWBf9eqdFU9hXIbdUkX1OjTAnk0cNV1Wdi4mWmBGocR1ZCgGlFEmh_TqUvHFeZ3yytmSeNt2baVg_mqTLhl1YN7N4Sih-M4vlilQEUnH6Eg1wMdHifMyn7-K58Hut9AyrMJ/s400/02-06-09+Cookie+Press+Cookies.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLp6VoSYOSAsCtkgHxpdkuIWAa7nC-oH0_hvlAOfazRr8kXdh7_A0fUcBi4nLo0C_FoJD4tILwYvcqB8Rir-a_Ht5EqAINP6SeoouIQzaSsuKV_5RAeZzJmzpvAtm_uvkLRfUhXyC27SF/s1600-h/02-06-09+Creamy+Tomato+Three+Meat+Baked+Pasta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301373373782724834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLp6VoSYOSAsCtkgHxpdkuIWAa7nC-oH0_hvlAOfazRr8kXdh7_A0fUcBi4nLo0C_FoJD4tILwYvcqB8Rir-a_Ht5EqAINP6SeoouIQzaSsuKV_5RAeZzJmzpvAtm_uvkLRfUhXyC27SF/s400/02-06-09+Creamy+Tomato+Three+Meat+Baked+Pasta.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1clYVSBd4nKfTnQkU4DP0ToRK-bh4erhV4yFUzrPwM5O-p_PkrzteftWH_DqdfhxA2PYPQJqTIoYvh4Tda7MSZ4lYR2AeEbNjjkr3UDHXuBChkQ8CpIbIuySF45dt4cobW-EujzAh0fpK/s1600-h/02-06-09+Baked+Potato+Soup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301373364501273986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1clYVSBd4nKfTnQkU4DP0ToRK-bh4erhV4yFUzrPwM5O-p_PkrzteftWH_DqdfhxA2PYPQJqTIoYvh4Tda7MSZ4lYR2AeEbNjjkr3UDHXuBChkQ8CpIbIuySF45dt4cobW-EujzAh0fpK/s400/02-06-09+Baked+Potato+Soup.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301373381060583746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdKsNudGuyvEEM0a24K21-nDdAQ6Mh-cLwIEZm8cf5-5lohyGjISvoZMN2xNwb2_EgFU9UKp4Kc-H3HwcZS7gfG51uvqlwDq_EdZamXewideUloj8gBagfRpBrh7rPO5hqy9WeNcena6h/s400/P2070158.JPG" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-76520959518990596822009-02-07T14:40:00.000-08:002009-02-07T14:43:17.218-08:00My First Afghan!<div>While I was home for Christmas Gram taught me how to crochet- I know, you say to yourself, how could I not already know how.... but there it is- I admit my deficiencies... Anyway, I just finished my first crocheted afghan- Smokey likes it too! </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBO8wPPxL3ZaGB5DDChzLp7Ho27U2yHYz4EcagVXht1XNsIoXKZUBj3LBnWlQy1zwdcpvuMdryaHTFqk_wEq5eEi_nuO1_PnfzugJfSP2pa1TY-elok8Nb91eprZFMs613maulZkD0ec1/s1600-h/My+First+Afghan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300189559685977794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBO8wPPxL3ZaGB5DDChzLp7Ho27U2yHYz4EcagVXht1XNsIoXKZUBj3LBnWlQy1zwdcpvuMdryaHTFqk_wEq5eEi_nuO1_PnfzugJfSP2pa1TY-elok8Nb91eprZFMs613maulZkD0ec1/s400/My+First+Afghan.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300189560584852882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUMnOVoeCnAyUv74JfxOze3e1Q1BHhImv5UJcRIrN2WA2KqsEP8eOdHL9hjR3m2GlV_W74mrMkU1H7LhRLf2LQeZL8yAmZarNOX178psqm-cF3xrazFgkhowvdOL8L_720ZEZN3dGei7h/s400/My+First+Afghan+with+Smokey.jpg" border="0" /> <div> </div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8331687950062964470.post-36144783947352898112009-02-06T15:46:00.000-08:002009-02-06T16:18:29.125-08:00Fun Filled Weekend<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I had a busy but fun weekend Jan 30- Feb 2. It was my friend, Alessia's, birthday - she is actually from Italy and we (the Lange Lab) thought it was a good idea to take her to the Olive Garden- so she could feel at home (can you hear my sarcasm?). </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299841681440745250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrunTf118PUnmcqL0MeCAGMCq3WvIVsU-_ZOjVzt61w6Wxb__7YxguQzNFzqrhaR3mV0B783-rGDE6lHSs3gBAtxQfDB7pUcbZVl2YK8tIqAQDXvJZE4h1GzY0ZVd-xCw9K_p9JGHjqH5L/s400/Olive+Garden+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299841679243329506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6gJfUjhEXH5Q-1XXDhwNxmkjQb9fzS6073X1VklYJymVflA-ysS2Jmv9vAdHD1nYXuIn5E6bDMb-nsYRUgLWzU3yeoFxW7O0dEifMKkEDX1aRVbwMjuQXzGL7H-5faFZZoFk6ZPo_sSa/s400/Olive+Garden+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299841681774520978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSImECw0GNHlvoqQ50kcLxFxnEcKDa8Alaynjd1ngOW0p2X-gAzuZRhbHZMv2RPVhQ-fYUcHDk7EEWyExi1VxtONd2ZhrjpX1pnL-DjCdlsrpS92bKfOq0DoGrGzW_bHeFQkfvtJoCg8Q/s400/Olive+Garden+3.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>On her actual birthday Alessia made pizza from her family recipe for Nancy and I- plus I kicked both their butt's in Oceanopoly (Monopoly with a sea theme- from my marine bio days). </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299841674430511474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K8VZU6Xy1sIDhLbVwEWJjXvqGvCTLIwpNCMq6r2oKJzaAvWiteXZihp-4D4ufbkKwcCb2Aafohy1JkEblcS8giZ73VDAmOYJCk968VQMfdnOshAtfzp6D_zGOu_4QJfqiwWzbS8tE5RR/s400/Oceanopoly.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>Then, on Sunday, we got together to watch my Steelers beat the Cardinals at my place!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299841967945468930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD0VlCRXrjR11EE9uMIbdVOf1nJtpssKR8W5t8YBg4S49s1B7u2vNOeU6-j7jLMpwcq7rDRnEgrGItSGsNXjkGW4CRJoHsUAnV83Pf8CcBhyphenhyphendaggN9UsDyHp_wOZBYPOoWyt_TS4Q6zTN/s400/Superbowl+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299841968650680770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvSpVKEDe8Y5F5VEg72uy3cqOCsgOVSfKPchop2EGfcOgawX99D0co60ggagjYbosbTU9B6Awxo0pbh0_lQjYhl-kd41m_S0bgWp7_h-UxLl1xD15yCJdbKrvy25AOxreO_EO4WU8bVQo/s400/Superbowl+1.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299841970923985778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiuM7U_lUbR4Jrsx1EKjRiN6Bpf5gp2QdNQ8EwT-OAeZYT3lDw_HIrRfBLC1wvGV7v5OC2hKITjubtqgIDOV_Kl05IRu3GLtRUH-rdeWeCzlDXTBqDN619m6ydcRXIcXjP7Xlw8_y-8z_/s400/Superbowl+3.jpg" border="0" />See- I told you it was a crazy weekend! Crazy but lots of fun...Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622701611916867614noreply@blogger.com0