tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156296192024-03-07T01:42:55.041-08:00Kangaeru"[Lady Bostock] considered, possibly correctly, that there is nothing that brings the sunshine into grey lives like a sock or two." - P.G. WodehouseBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-39213135115961632952009-12-01T16:51:00.000-08:002009-12-01T17:08:13.804-08:00How to make a tag blanket, part two.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1BdwkmLdfSBO3aju_aDR3jQw0ho5FTCd6kKc6qssiWqr7RAAYp1hWEHaeDJJpuOaQNKIb526oIrQQbEdeLxh8Dy4DJTvizMjF3LlC5tCnO9Zf2UGkRRMxGGAAYkTn7UGbAgF/s1600/100_2109.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/AVvXsEgh1BdwkmLdfSBO3aju_aDR3jQw0ho5FTCd6kKc6qssiWqr7RAAYp1hWEHaeDJJpuOaQNKIb526oIrQQbEdeLxh8Dy4DJTvizMjF3LlC5tCnO9Zf2UGkRRMxGGAAYkTn7UGbAgF/s400/100_2109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410436671282641746" border="0" /></a><br />So, we left off - several months ago - with your ribbons sewn onto a piece of fabric. Next, get your other piece of fabric and pin them, right sides together. Sew around the edge, leaving a small opening for turning it right side out. Turn right side out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmMScBU1FpoU_RE-OU38drddn3REYtiIDDvINODmU54ECVZ7cYXjJfb1XVz6Fy97nDUfZcZqIY7uRcyMl6D_wa6JNa1PrwcJm2AY_6oZJvQMUsFobjvkGTi0OSvicORPlK2Ue/s1600/100_2112.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/AVvXsEgxmMScBU1FpoU_RE-OU38drddn3REYtiIDDvINODmU54ECVZ7cYXjJfb1XVz6Fy97nDUfZcZqIY7uRcyMl6D_wa6JNa1PrwcJm2AY_6oZJvQMUsFobjvkGTi0OSvicORPlK2Ue/s400/100_2112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410437075634106354" border="0" /></a>Next, tuck under the edges of your opening and stitch that closed. Sew another seam (I think it's topstitching?) all around the edges, about 1/4" in. As you come to each ribbon, pull it out a little if you're using thick fabric like fleece; this helps it lay flat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIghpAfgo9W1nxx_Ej4KzYNf9qIryybl5J-s8NiKS8z8LZZIMmk9yx0-7Zy0w_LCPG0xsG40Sd1SUeNQKMMOlqpMwNTkehlGG4iD4meQWPCj50Hg_lwcpXgcXcgLa_aV7WhzS/s1600/100_2115.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/AVvXsEhjIghpAfgo9W1nxx_Ej4KzYNf9qIryybl5J-s8NiKS8z8LZZIMmk9yx0-7Zy0w_LCPG0xsG40Sd1SUeNQKMMOlqpMwNTkehlGG4iD4meQWPCj50Hg_lwcpXgcXcgLa_aV7WhzS/s400/100_2115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410438055021494818" border="0" /></a>Ta da! There's your finished tag blanket.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-uvFnaYrKKP8ud03MY-04Ota12KTFjLF5_LXQWQ5OQA4bFuwa1N-xEpt3bHiCMaZ1jslnUaM9V-QfiJTnBqfub6SePqjjyfm-8bHh9o3CeQ33FbbvnvEnsU-FOy7v26oBPhP/s1600/100_2116.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/AVvXsEjm-uvFnaYrKKP8ud03MY-04Ota12KTFjLF5_LXQWQ5OQA4bFuwa1N-xEpt3bHiCMaZ1jslnUaM9V-QfiJTnBqfub6SePqjjyfm-8bHh9o3CeQ33FbbvnvEnsU-FOy7v26oBPhP/s400/100_2116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410439194233273666" border="0" /></a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-58222692177357942682009-05-22T14:03:00.000-07:002009-05-22T14:20:55.876-07:00Raffle of sorts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPFon8oRPqSlU9qFbGr4ChGX2OOJ5PT-LfkFSAOg_QT5hzalTylLdfI9mAbSOKRCforRWuH5YqlNb88DT8zPhAnpUmuX8XIOntVRWG9u0z54bLqNAgVGQbbrJUWKTMJvrT6A4/s1600-h/The+Knittery+Sea+Breeze.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/AVvXsEhBPFon8oRPqSlU9qFbGr4ChGX2OOJ5PT-LfkFSAOg_QT5hzalTylLdfI9mAbSOKRCforRWuH5YqlNb88DT8zPhAnpUmuX8XIOntVRWG9u0z54bLqNAgVGQbbrJUWKTMJvrT6A4/s400/The+Knittery+Sea+Breeze.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338757615934222978" border="0" /></a>This is yarn from The Knittery (I couldn't find a link), handpainted in turquoise, purple, and a touch of green. It is a 3.5 ounce skein with approximately 490 yards, 100% merino.<br /><br />To enter to win this yarn, <a href="http://prayersfornoah.org/donations.aspx">donate</a> any amount to the <a href="http://prayersfornoah.org/default.aspx">Noah Henderson Tay-Sachs Foundation</a> and send me an e-mail at MitoRocks AT juno DOT com letting me know that you donated (no need to specify dollar amount) <span style="font-weight: bold;">OR</span> you can link to this post on your blog and let me know. If you link to this <span style="font-weight: bold;">AND</span> donate you'll get two entries. In about three weeks (June 12) I'll put all the names together and draw a winner.<br /><br />Don't like this particular yarn? Check back because I plan to raffle off something different in a few weeks!Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-38412458397657949532009-05-12T09:33:00.000-07:002009-05-12T09:52:47.504-07:00How to make a tag blanket, part one.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbXOplzIEpniUApzwWPF5rXbokCZ0ofZc0xUMC0eTT4X75PYdVdErjotzaYuWqqoVDq5Fy_YjOTvWxnysPbEbljwIF0Wg7_PtKn0yu1-Aui3YZ_76OjRGcl0j35V__elub6xN/s1600-h/100_2116.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/AVvXsEgkbXOplzIEpniUApzwWPF5rXbokCZ0ofZc0xUMC0eTT4X75PYdVdErjotzaYuWqqoVDq5Fy_YjOTvWxnysPbEbljwIF0Wg7_PtKn0yu1-Aui3YZ_76OjRGcl0j35V__elub6xN/s400/100_2116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334978137628121090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Supplies:<br />Fabric (as much as you want; the blanket can be as big or as small as you like)<br />Ribbons (DO NOT use wired ribbon unless you carefully remove all the wires first)<br />Thread (matching or contrasting, as you like)<br /><br />Wash your fabric. Cut ribbon into 4"-6" lengths, fold in half lengthwise, right side out, and iron to set the crease in each ribbon. You will now have a nice little pile that looks like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZuKhZHXiKQd8YtRfuMkLBEEdxFdBWPPxsB1hqXGKDb5HWKns0wWP9gdkk6zxVf2kx9o8SxXtq5BmgCvhiX5KYrjrCdLdBe3TcFHkU7sTFVhFQGQ-etQgjmgXyM-DRAQz32Fe/s1600-h/100_2064a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZuKhZHXiKQd8YtRfuMkLBEEdxFdBWPPxsB1hqXGKDb5HWKns0wWP9gdkk6zxVf2kx9o8SxXtq5BmgCvhiX5KYrjrCdLdBe3TcFHkU7sTFVhFQGQ-etQgjmgXyM-DRAQz32Fe/s400/100_2064a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334979278850801058" border="0" /></a>Next, pin the ribbons to the right side of your fabric like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijawQANe5n4zYzQOtt99wvgbWnQOQkShWQslyvAWSJBpMWSKsUlErGRXAOOAT_c15zFXhxHCtOHJmcD71msR42QcU1z8H7A0_0QKJamOq3vrohdxL0HW59n6mbo9OgFHNu5FXr/s1600-h/100_2066a.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/AVvXsEijawQANe5n4zYzQOtt99wvgbWnQOQkShWQslyvAWSJBpMWSKsUlErGRXAOOAT_c15zFXhxHCtOHJmcD71msR42QcU1z8H7A0_0QKJamOq3vrohdxL0HW59n6mbo9OgFHNu5FXr/s400/100_2066a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334979941531811090" border="0" /></a><br />I like to put them an inch or so apart. Next step: sew the ribbons on, using a narrow seam allowance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie88o9kaZ_g2kmk9IRJxF9OY4YIVi_d5BodRTp5Q-AjBowo_K29v6hfYv8CouaYzio6fX2JdvFb0KnFry27C7gN-voWJSpaha9d92i9KhJZeYf_CkbfEXj345fIbmM-Pov-BS5/s1600-h/100_2067a.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/AVvXsEie88o9kaZ_g2kmk9IRJxF9OY4YIVi_d5BodRTp5Q-AjBowo_K29v6hfYv8CouaYzio6fX2JdvFb0KnFry27C7gN-voWJSpaha9d92i9KhJZeYf_CkbfEXj345fIbmM-Pov-BS5/s400/100_2067a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334980839456448034" border="0" /></a>Part two, coming soon.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-64141524754225695642009-04-25T20:07:00.001-07:002009-04-25T20:20:16.030-07:00Eris, at last.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUJSKQdb-p5E_KQ76ujvGj0Mm4ucxGaDefKmZXKYLYm8St0BhoU21Tl8gidZefC58rrpIkDH0wpy986gAXfnKqF6LiVHEgtwXkTGC2LrFh18tllL5j3aMqmqscVko93LUAxvM/s1600-h/Eris+done.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUJSKQdb-p5E_KQ76ujvGj0Mm4ucxGaDefKmZXKYLYm8St0BhoU21Tl8gidZefC58rrpIkDH0wpy986gAXfnKqF6LiVHEgtwXkTGC2LrFh18tllL5j3aMqmqscVko93LUAxvM/s400/Eris+done.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328832852087066066" border="0" /></a>I finally got the zipper in a couple of months ago, but just haven't gotten around to blogging a finished photo until now. It is just a touch too long, which is totally my fault because I thought it wouldn't be long enough so I added two inches. I also just did a plain hem on the cuffs instead of the ribbing to match what goes around the bottom hem.<br /><br />This is a great, comfortable, warm sweater that I wear all the time. <a href="http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/eris/detail.php">The pattern</a> was very well written and easy to follow and I'd have no problem knitting it again.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-71470320221569765042009-03-04T16:51:00.000-08:002009-03-04T16:53:46.260-08:00Amazing hair bowsCheck out <a href="http://cottonkamibows.blogspot.com/2009/01/chloes-princess-fairy-army.html">these incredibly cute hair bows</a> from <a href="http://cottonkamibows.blogspot.com/">Cotton Kami Bows</a>. What a great idea for party favors!Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-62050358732523092202009-01-29T18:39:00.000-08:002009-01-29T18:40:55.717-08:00Aromatherapy is so relaxing.<a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09112.html">Except when it includes explosions.</a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-30775346301346898002009-01-14T18:03:00.000-08:002009-01-14T18:04:35.661-08:00Funny comicMy Esteemed Papa clipped out <a href="http://www.rhymeswithorange.com/index.php?date=20081207&view_comic=Get+Comic">this comic strip</a> and sent it to me. I think it's great.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-81228976475706855592009-01-13T14:09:00.000-08:002009-01-13T14:51:45.878-08:00More than you're probably interested in.<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">I found this on <a href="http://aprilseattle.blogspot.com/">Holly's</a> and <a href="http://thekrunchykrab.blogspot.com/">The Krunchy Krab's</a> blogs.</span><br /><br />Bold</strong> indicates experiences I have had; <em>italics</em> indicate experiences I would like to have; regular font indicates experiences that are not on my life to-do list.<br /><br />1. <strong>Started your own blog</strong><br />2. <strong>Slept under the stars</strong><br />3. Played in a band<br />4. <em>Visited Hawaii</em><br />5. <strong>Watched a meteor shower</strong><br />6. <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Given more than you can afford to charity</strong><br />7. <strong>Been to Disneyland/</strong><em>world</em> (Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland)<br />8. <em style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></em><span style="font-weight: bold;">Climbed a mountain</span> (Mount Fuji)<br />9. <strong>Held a praying mantis</strong><br />10. <span style="font-style: italic;">Sang a solo</span><br />11. Bungee jumped<br />12. <em>Visited Paris</em><br />13. <span style="font-style: italic;">Watched a lightning storm at sea</span><br />14. <strong>Taught yourself an art from scratch</strong> (mostly)<br />15. <em>Adopted a child</em><br />16. <strong>Had food poisoning</strong><br />17. <span style="font-style: italic;">Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty</span><br />18. <strong>Grown your own vegetables</strong><br />19. <em>Seen the Mona Lisa in France</em><br />20.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slept on an overnight train</span> (I almost died while I was sleeping on the train, too. I was about 2-3 years old and had a headfirst fall from the top bunk; my mother had woken up for "no reason" a few seconds earlier and sat up. She caught me just before I hit something very hard - the sink, maybe?)<em></em><br />21. <strong>Had a pillow fight</strong><br />22. Hitch hiked<br />23. <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Taken a sick day when you’re not ill</strong><br />24. <strong>Built a snow fort</strong><br />25. <strong>Held a lamb</strong><br />26. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gone skinny dipping </span>(I'm counting the public baths in Japan. It's close enough.)<br />27. Run a marathon<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><em></em><br />28. <em>Ridden in a gondola in Venice</em><br />29. <strong>Seen a total eclipse </strong><br />30. <strong>Watched a sunrise or sunset</strong><br />31. Hit a home run<br />32. <strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">Been on a cruise</strong><br />33. <strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">Seen Niagara Falls in person</strong><br />34. <em>Visited the birthplace of your ancestors</em><br />35. <strong>Seen an Amish community</strong><br />36. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taught yourself a new language</span><em style="font-weight: bold;"></em> (not exactly myself, but I think I've picked up enough to count)<br />37. <strong>Had enough money to be truly satisfied</strong><br />38. <em>Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person</em><br />39. <em>Gone rock climbing</em><br />40. <em>Seen Michelangelo’s David</em><br />41. <strong>Sung karaoke </strong><br />42. <em>Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt</em><br />43. <strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant</strong><br />44. <em>Visited Africa</em><br />45. <strong>Walked on a beach by moonlight</strong><br />46. <span style="font-style: italic;">Been transported in an ambulance</span><br />47. Had your portrait painted<br />48. Gone deep sea fishing<br />49. <em>Seen the Sistine Chapel in person</em><br />50. <em>Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris</em><br />51. <span style="font-style: italic;">Gone scuba diving or snorkeling</span><br />52. <strong>Kissed in the rain</strong><br />53. <strong>Played in the mud</strong><br />54. <strong>Gone to a drive-in theater</strong><br />55. Been in a movie<br />56. <em>Visited the Great Wall of China</em><br />57. Started a business<em></em><br />58. <em>Taken a martial arts class</em><br />59. <em>Visited Russia</em><br />60. <strong>Served at a soup kitchen</strong><br />61. <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Sold Girl Scout Cookies</strong><br />62. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gone whale watching</span><em style="font-weight: bold;"></em> (when I was little; I don't think we actually saw any whales)<br />63. <strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">Gotten flowers for no reason</strong> (as in having someone get them for me for no reason; I have bought flowers for myself for no reason)<br />64. <strong>Donated blood, platelets or plasma</strong><br />65. <span style="font-style: italic;">Gone sky diving</span><br />66. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><em></em>Visited a Nazi concentration camp<br />67. <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Bounced a check</strong><br />68. <span style="font-style: italic;">Flown in a helicopter</span><br />69. <strong>Saved a favorite childhood toy</strong> (I can't think of one but I'm sure I have)<br />70. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Visited the Lincoln Memorial</span><em style="font-weight: bold;"></em><br />71. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eaten Caviar</span><br />72. <strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">Pieced a quilt</strong><br />73. Stood in Times Square<em></em><br />74. Toured the Everglades<br />75. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Been fired from a job</span> ("let go")<br />76. <span style="font-style: italic;">Seen the Changing of the Guards in London</span><br />77. <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Broken a bone</strong><br />78. <span style="font-style: italic;">Been on a speeding motorcycle</span><br />79. <strong>Seen the Grand Canyon in person</strong><br />80. Published a book<em></em><br />81. Visited the Vatican<br />82. Bought a brand new car<br />83. <em>Walked in Jerusalem</em><br />84. <strong>Had your picture in the newspaper</strong> (I'm counting a magazine here. Might have had my picture in the local paper years ago, but I'm not sure. My picture is in an old, old issue of <a href="http://www.interweave.com/spin/Spinoff_magazine/default.asp">Spin Off</a> magazine. Like 15 years ago old.)<br />85. <strong>Read the entire Bible</strong><br />86. <em>Visited the White House</em> (I've seen it from the outside)<br />87. <span style="font-style: italic;">Killed and prepared an animal for eating</span> (Watched my dad kill and prepare chickens quite often when I was a kid.)<br />88. <strong>Had chickenpox</strong> (Three times. And yes, you are only supposed to get it once.)<br />89. <span style="font-style: italic;">Saved someone’s life</span><br />90. Sat on a jury<br />91. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Met someone famous</span> (I saw the emperor of Japan through bullet-proof glass. Oh! I just remembered, I once met <a href="http://www.childrensliteraturecouncil.org/myra_cohn_livingston_award.htm">Myra Cohn Livingston</a>.)<br />92. <strong>Joined a book club</strong><br />93. <strong>Lost a loved one</strong><br />94. <strong>Had a baby</strong><br />95. <em>Seen the Alamo in person</em><br />96. <span style="font-style: italic;">Swam in the Great Salt Lake</span><br />97. Been involved in a law suit<br />98. <strong>Owned a cell phone</strong><br />99. <strong>Been stung by a bee <span style="font-weight: normal;">(I wanted to be stung for years before I actually was)</span><br /></strong>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-70718891351663500852008-12-31T22:41:00.000-08:002008-12-31T22:42:28.650-08:00Inexperienced criminals......do things like <a href="http://www.kirotv.com/news/18382284/detail.html">this</a>.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-76397550479688658252008-12-30T07:15:00.000-08:002008-12-30T07:17:47.376-08:00Ah, Christmas.If you would like to read about our a-little-more-exciting-than-we-wanted-it-to-be Christmas morning, it's <a href="http://khazhad.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-was-your-christmas.html">here</a> on my husband's blog.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-75508281564401790122008-12-29T13:42:00.000-08:002008-12-29T13:54:17.959-08:00I love my garbage collector.I'm sure there's a more PC name for a garbage man (waste management technician?), but I don't care. Our trash is normally picked up twice a week, but due to the ice there haven't been any dumpster-emptyings for just over two weeks. It really did not help at all that Christmas Day fell during that two-week time period. There was a pile of bags at least as big as the 4-cubic yard dumpster right in front of it. Not to mention the five bags or so we had in the house, waiting to go out as soon as we could get within 20 feet of the actual dumpster.<br /><br />The garbage truck came today. The dumpster was emptied, refilled, and emptied again. Lots of full trash bags are now out of my house and awaiting the next pick up on Friday. Hallelujah!<br /><br />Now I'm just waiting for the recycle truck so I can be rid of my small mountain of empty boxes and milk jugs.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-15638147577673732492008-12-22T19:44:00.000-08:002008-12-22T19:55:06.050-08:00Eris, sans zipperAll done except for the zipper! And since I haven't yet bought a zipper, and since we are <a href="http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=118210">snowed in</a>, I am considering it to be done. Once I buy a zipper it will go back to an "undone" status.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0hV6C6StmmbXH-m1IrEyxoKSYX0ZqrX16z8HKyx_Yp0aATsvmNxkGHLG7sYQ7foiVFtYlG9n5rL688CLLbFm5aUqB0iiJ_uTB-mkjL77f9e2FHnJRk6wYXkNdPzwU7mA8nXt/s1600-h/Eris1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0hV6C6StmmbXH-m1IrEyxoKSYX0ZqrX16z8HKyx_Yp0aATsvmNxkGHLG7sYQ7foiVFtYlG9n5rL688CLLbFm5aUqB0iiJ_uTB-mkjL77f9e2FHnJRk6wYXkNdPzwU7mA8nXt/s400/Eris1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282827495664959682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG0ZoFXvVaj4m2gJqjfCgrSr-m0OG3h7BMClwUG0lxYup7NkQg3HR3U_TpP6vm4t_7ftkH-0f8MF94RBQALUBii-KXG0wOjBVolN2HpdVU5weRr5tp6jMed6HyebqZ_SelcQD/s1600-h/Eris+back.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/AVvXsEgJG0ZoFXvVaj4m2gJqjfCgrSr-m0OG3h7BMClwUG0lxYup7NkQg3HR3U_TpP6vm4t_7ftkH-0f8MF94RBQALUBii-KXG0wOjBVolN2HpdVU5weRr5tp6jMed6HyebqZ_SelcQD/s400/Eris+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282826923766016098" border="0" /></a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-66401614827728098842008-12-05T16:27:00.001-08:002008-12-05T16:29:03.825-08:00Just a thought.I cannot wait for the days to start getting longer. 3:30 is just way too early to have to turn on the lights.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-77279276203254912572008-12-05T16:12:00.000-08:002008-12-05T17:35:37.188-08:00Eris: Not Quite<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84DLP_QdBQKnoOzkJCaamVf7LYkD7V7voemVHw53BSKXKbBDGkJ6vtxRm2tWrUqyYE4rVMzdGehvoTirlJzNBzlZF9JGQBOjQsHJrQKwYPILNehTEx77DR9LN1Y8wqU4JAK82/s1600-h/100_3381.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84DLP_QdBQKnoOzkJCaamVf7LYkD7V7voemVHw53BSKXKbBDGkJ6vtxRm2tWrUqyYE4rVMzdGehvoTirlJzNBzlZF9JGQBOjQsHJrQKwYPILNehTEx77DR9LN1Y8wqU4JAK82/s400/100_3381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276466090146457794" border="0" /></a>So here is a photo of Eris on the night of November 30. As you can see, I finished the body on November but not the sleeves. Even though my goal was to finish before December, I am still really happy with how much I accomplished.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-27395536700757955572008-11-21T13:32:00.000-08:002008-11-21T13:38:18.593-08:00Eris, divided.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zmgcSsm70iFz_30qz2LYodz0lBvDmh1CkMDEqjKibmN1vSbFMu-7ajjh1C10SK_59KxKrB84wI2r1iB13zCelljyOSktxXpb38qBlMb-aFivDksfNKWul-yHPtao_Jju53Dt/s1600-h/100_3363.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/AVvXsEh5zmgcSsm70iFz_30qz2LYodz0lBvDmh1CkMDEqjKibmN1vSbFMu-7ajjh1C10SK_59KxKrB84wI2r1iB13zCelljyOSktxXpb38qBlMb-aFivDksfNKWul-yHPtao_Jju53Dt/s400/100_3363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271227886007481458" border="0" /></a>Just divided the body and sleeve sections. It looks a touch small but I tried it on and it seems okay; I think that if it does turn out a tiny bit small I can probably block it bigger.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-52057910755418687452008-11-19T14:23:00.001-08:002008-11-19T14:33:02.190-08:00Eris, take two.So after several days, a lot of chocolate, and a little bit of alcohol, I finally felt (mostly) not upset about my mistake and was able to re-start Eris. Here is the collar, half done and with the stitches picked up to start the second half.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh3Lz2FIdiyZqxOVafBe2fKpJaRPoSOm59hyClJge6t5iQ-lnua-CBgf7YNWayeREhp1_mz7g32Yh3wzz2Nc6XjJRTqpGNFtUakAiq0qYSdYOyxXtOmidmR-UnvlOF_uD3lj6/s1600-h/100_3357.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/AVvXsEhfh3Lz2FIdiyZqxOVafBe2fKpJaRPoSOm59hyClJge6t5iQ-lnua-CBgf7YNWayeREhp1_mz7g32Yh3wzz2Nc6XjJRTqpGNFtUakAiq0qYSdYOyxXtOmidmR-UnvlOF_uD3lj6/s400/100_3357.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270498528561707042" border="0" /></a>Irritated as I am, I really am glad that I re-knit this. The first try had several small mistakes that bugged me but not enough to make me rip it and start again. Once I discovered I'd used the wrong gauge, though, I obviously had to re-do the thing. This time around I was more familiar with both the chart symbols and how it looked on the needles, so I caught mistakes right away and could fix them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiIpBYhiWJ8aVomPU6FDB-riWUUx0btogrqUbWcPlxjx_otMwRiaA1-JNI-tztWPsWcgZr4fan2mrI7oXxVU-4fkkvtsTvbRIX940SwD9RyzvTRIGS6dLyQ5-VNWAAS3_sy8X/s1600-h/100_3361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiIpBYhiWJ8aVomPU6FDB-riWUUx0btogrqUbWcPlxjx_otMwRiaA1-JNI-tztWPsWcgZr4fan2mrI7oXxVU-4fkkvtsTvbRIX940SwD9RyzvTRIGS6dLyQ5-VNWAAS3_sy8X/s400/100_3361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270498761508219698" border="0" /></a><br />I'm much happier with this collar.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-90400659470924361882008-11-04T13:18:00.000-08:002008-11-04T13:45:46.312-08:00What goes up must come down.So apparently November is National Just About Everything Month (Write a Novel, Blog Every Day, Knit a Sweater, etcetera). I have had the yarn for a few sweaters for several months now and so I decided to take the plunge and make a sweater this month. Right from the start there were problems. I didn't have enough of such-and-such yarn to do that project, that sweater wouldn't look good in that color, and so forth. After doing some gauge swatches, I settled on making <a href="http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/rogue/detail.php">Rogue</a>. I got perfect gauge and even though I didn't have quite enough yarn, I was able to order more - in the same dyelot, even! - until disaster struck. It wouldn't print. Now, we don't have a printer so any printing jobs include copying files, traveling to the library, checking out a computer, printing files, and returning home. Since I was at the library, there was nothing I could do except retry to print the same thing that I had. Not happening. I must have done something to mess the pattern up when copying it. Plan B. (Well, C, actually, because I was planning on making a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hand-to-hand-aran-pullover">Hand-to-Hand Aran</a> [Ravelry link, you have to sign up] until I decided I didn't like that yarn worked up at that gauge.) I was able to print the pattern for <a href="http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/eris/detail.php">Eris</a>, and I had good yarn for it that worked up to gauge. The collar went beautifully. I adore the complex cables. So other than several mistakes, doesn't it look great?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUgoIjwC1rzpDwIXY1hULclghZ2k2vVFOKvrzCrySugLB3HvU1juGbHAtPGi4aG9MMZHqTibZlH-9YP8mmUZFR3O90usQjfx5Gh6zbfOFCPv__pf2qrdNr5DEdgb-IynLIhM6/s1600-h/100_3352.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/AVvXsEhIUgoIjwC1rzpDwIXY1hULclghZ2k2vVFOKvrzCrySugLB3HvU1juGbHAtPGi4aG9MMZHqTibZlH-9YP8mmUZFR3O90usQjfx5Gh6zbfOFCPv__pf2qrdNr5DEdgb-IynLIhM6/s400/100_3352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264919190100711490" border="0" /></a><br />I picked up all the stitches around the edge (one of my least favorite knitting jobs) to start the body of the sweater. I read ahead in the pattern to make sure I knew what I was doing. Everything was clear except there were no specific instructions for the raglan increases, so I checked to see if they were supposed to be done a certain way. Lo and behold, I discovered that I had been working the perfect gauge for the BODY portion of the sweater all the way through my lovely collar.<br /><br />My knitting will be in time-out until I have eaten enough chocolate to get over this.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-8520363892424806912008-10-30T13:24:00.000-07:002008-10-30T13:26:39.227-07:00Free barrette holder patternI had one of these <a href="http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/barrette-holder-pattern.shtml">barrette holders</a> when I was young and I may someday make one for my daughters. I thought I'd post it in case anyone else was interested - barrettes are not the easiest things to store neatly.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-18246328153510058952008-10-28T13:49:00.000-07:002008-10-28T13:50:33.771-07:00Playhouse<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6117191">These</a> are just the cutest playhouses ever. I wish we had a card table.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-19012649080601389692008-08-25T16:47:00.000-07:002008-08-25T16:51:22.122-07:00Slippers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJbXyImYlmalGBGxslQbK_GjESBgNiVTXXwyDqilfERNxBcwpGS6wW8w_FrXzlV4h1GeNYq8X9ZZ3jzxwlwLSvsj-XInlIkr1QTB_gC0myTsBxw1IggRENwYxgft9UljAVZ_i/s1600-h/100_3077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJbXyImYlmalGBGxslQbK_GjESBgNiVTXXwyDqilfERNxBcwpGS6wW8w_FrXzlV4h1GeNYq8X9ZZ3jzxwlwLSvsj-XInlIkr1QTB_gC0myTsBxw1IggRENwYxgft9UljAVZ_i/s400/100_3077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238606790761898034" border="0" /></a>The slippers turned out well and were well received. They did turn out to be the right size to fit the recipient in about three years, but you can't get everything right.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-38729203570640195732008-08-09T13:58:00.000-07:002008-08-09T17:01:17.446-07:00Sobering newsI just found out that my friend Amanda's little boy, Noah, was diagnosed with <a href="ttp://www.ntsad.org/">Tay-Sachs</a>, a fatal genetic disorder. Please pray for him and his family. They are missionaries in Mexico City. If you are able and willing to donate toward some of his medical expenses, you can find more information <a href="http://prayersfornoah.org/default.aspx">here</a>.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-17120290430746137292008-08-08T22:12:00.000-07:002008-08-08T22:28:58.338-07:00Knitting by the seat of my pantsScene: The girls are napping. We have a birthday party to attend in less than 24 hours, and I haven't come up with a gift idea that I like. I am suddenly seized with knitterly inspiration.<br /><br />No pattern.<br /><br />No gauge swatch.<br /><br />The exact size of the recipient is unknown to me.<br /><br />I cast on anyway.<br /><br />12 hours before the party, and I have this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxwVhib7JHWQ-U3K5kdggXQATJ0ZajEK5uS7a1_32PCZLzFkuMuNZwL-uYG1mTP7kjqJ1ij51VOwU2e-Na7GeqYFj6opZMxFJQdyqJG0SWURoWzn1KX9FUyx0-2LsTGJEl2NS/s1600-h/100_3075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxwVhib7JHWQ-U3K5kdggXQATJ0ZajEK5uS7a1_32PCZLzFkuMuNZwL-uYG1mTP7kjqJ1ij51VOwU2e-Na7GeqYFj6opZMxFJQdyqJG0SWURoWzn1KX9FUyx0-2LsTGJEl2NS/s400/100_3075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232383671128543122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They're <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/felting-fulling-or-boiled-wool.html">fulling</a> in the washer while I have my fingers crossed. Update tomorrow. (Assuming I remember to post; I've been forgetting every little thing this past month.)Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-28368181338673743262008-08-07T23:17:00.000-07:002008-08-07T23:21:45.611-07:00How cool are you?Do you ever wonder how popular you are? Do you ever wonder if your internet friends are real people? Is that rental house on <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html">Craigslist</a> the real deal or does someone in Nigeria just want you to wire them money?<br /><br />Find out on <a href="http://divvs.com/">Divvs</a>, the site that gives you online credibility but without revealing personal details. Go sign up!Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-14498473858446505912008-06-23T13:51:00.000-07:002008-06-23T14:01:18.249-07:00March, march, march.Have any of you seen the <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=hhrYmYRFieU">Algorithm March</a>? I was mystified until I watched <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=KWJ-mILF7zU">this video</a>. Now I get it.<br /><br />Sort of.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15629619.post-7309660262330892852008-06-10T20:14:00.000-07:002008-06-10T20:18:18.206-07:00Let's Cooking!So anyway, I ran across <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcMJpr0DqVE&feature=related">this song</a> today and found it absolutely hilarious. Even if you don't speak Japanese, you can kinda tell what they're saying: something along the lines of "the four pork product friends", "we sound so yummy", and my personal favorite, "discover the fun of ham."<br /><br />You'll never look at pig meat the same again.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15755045562688114489noreply@blogger.com1