Coming Undone and Waitin' on Tom Video

Sometimes, even as much as our creative juices are flowing, mistakes happen in the pattern and, well, it can't be fixed. 

I tried everything with this pattern.

I absolutely loved the edging it was making.

and as big and far as I had gone............into the first lace chart, I had to take it all back apart. 

I mean...........to the first knit stitch.

Coming undone.  I was undone to say the least. 

I spent a good 6 hours trying to avoid that but I decided knitting is a hobby not something to stress over, so the answer was to make something better with it. 

Lessons were definitely learned:

when starting to learn a new technique, start on a small scale

always, always, always keep a lifeline row!

don't knit when sleepy

everything can have a new beginning

sometimes we can even make something better

My DH took me for a road trip and consoled me as I did rewind the entire skein. 

I was inspired again to start over but not using that pattern. Nope. Had way too many start overs with it. It is a beautiful lace pattern but on to something new.

So, with some inspiration one morning near our homestead, I decided to try again.

Of course it also helped to be on the way to the local yarn shop.

The  colors in the early Fall air and clear skies got me thinking.

Even Abbie got to thinking.

So I tried to make a go of blending to start a new shawl.

I also was inspired by some Etsy stash of new, little owl markers from this sweet lady who sent her card and a bird. Right now, it looks like a turkey to me, but that could be because I see about 25 or them every morning and evening feeding in the yard, getting fatter and fatter for Thanksgiving.

If you order from her on Etsy, I can assure you she has great service, quick and fair shipping and will put in 1-2 gifties extra like these buttons and the extra marker.

Guess what?

I made a mistake again.......................

and I couldn't fix it.

so............my mojo for cross stitching a WIP was really making me antsy and 

I pulled out this one from about 3 years ago and re-pulled my threads to start working on it.

This is Pink Hill Manor from Blackbird Designs. 

With the use of my magnifying glasses with a light, I was in Heaven again...........enjoying my work, like revisiting a long-lost friend, and getting somewhere!

And I have had the best week on staycation!!!!

Instead of going on a trip, we both wanted to work on our house alot and we have really worked the outside and the inside, moving some rooms completely to other rooms, purging and finally letting go of some things I should have a long time ago. It's nice and cozy again. 

We also got the complete season 1-5 of Downton Abbey on DVD now and watching a few episodes, starting all over with popcorn and cuddling in the evenings. 

We've taken bookoodles of pictures of turkeys and put them on FB and we even made a video that was quite funny.

Even though we could have gone anywhere for the week on vacation, we really enjoyed it more staying home together. Improving our homestead and putting love in it, readying it for the Fall and Winter guests!!!

Enjoy!

 

not only these guests but people guests too!  :)

Feathered Friends at the Homestead!

Well, let's go on down to visit Fox Mountain!

 I've seen a few wild turkeys since living in the woods but haven't housed an entire flock like this year.

They just hang out with the children........show 'em how to find food......

Yup, an entire flock of about 30 turkeys are in our yard/forest every morning and evening.

For the last month, we've watched them from the porches grow into a nice size family.

They kind of are like our pets now. And, no, we will not be shooting them for Thanksgiving dinner.

This one came up to hubbie within 5 feet and just stopped. And stared.

I  held my breath and so did Abbie in my arms. She didn't even bark one time, amazed at them all.

This is one of the Tom's. He always waits for all of the little ones, or large babies now, to gather up. He's on baby watch.

And man, does he and the hen have babies that have grown. And fast.

They like hanging out at our homestead here. Gives a new meaning to Feathers in the Nest.

And we enjoy their company.

We just have to make sure we don't back over a turkey every day now.

Hubbie has cleared out alot of areas and they are lovin' it.

After their visit, they all gather and fly up in the trees when the sun is setting.

I can't wait to show my daddy these pictures soon!

Don't mind me crossing the driveway here...........got to go find that one youngin' that stays behind!

I found some interesting facts about wild turkeys here:

http://blog.nwf.org/2011/11/twelve-unusual-and-fascinating-facts-about-wild-turkeys/

Ya'll have a gobbly-good evening!

Jennifer and Gary Fox

Fox Mountain

P. S. Some stitchy news coming soon........

New Glasses and New Progress---Kate Spade

I've made some progress since last posting! I'm still working on the top down section with a lace border. I have about 30 rows left ( or when I have 191 stitches on the needles) until I get to all lace charts.

 And.........this will be my first project reading charts instead of written instructions.

A bit of a curl right now and hard to display but it's uber soft and buttery.

You can see at the beginning how the edging will look at the top and sides from the beginning.

So pumped about my glasses getting here in the mail this week!

 I ordered some readers and this time went a little out of my comfort zone for bigger lenses in size but I heart anything Kate Spade!

She mailed them to me like this AFTER I opened a box full of all different colored glittery paper.

I'm a sucker for packaging. I jumped up and down like a little girl. 

I love the detail she put on the outside of the wrapped part.

These are great quality. I used them today while knitting on the back porch. Hubbie likes them.  Alot. 

The inside of the case is so cute.

It's time for dinner and some knitting. I hope to get the first section completed by the end of the week if possible. 

Miss Abbie is hiding her treat bones. Yup, just don't shake out the throws on the sofa around here because you might just find one or two of them. :)

Hope your Saturday evening is a delightful one too.

Watching the sunset over the mountains, good food, a good book, good companionship, and knitting are my favorite simple ways to enjoy a Saturday night.

Tomorrow after church, a trip for fresh veggies. Maybe I'll take some pics!

Till later,

Jennifer

PS  Don't forget to take your vitamins.

My Favorite Place at Home to Knit During the Summer

Hot weather or not, I like the wicker chaise and the sounds of nature to inspire when I'm  knitting.

 It's peaceful.

It's soothing.

I like to spread out on the wicker chaise with fresh cushions and comfy pillows with the fan going on the back porch.

 It's my form of meditation.

A cup of tea from Teavana is always by my side out here. My favorite is Orange Blossom and Youth Berry mixed. It's a white tea and fruit base that is heavenly.

It's about 89 degrees, but definite high humidity today. The weather man says in low 90's but real feel is 103 F. The shady area on the side of the mountain is always a bit cooler.

I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked this week, but........hey, I've put in at least a couple of rows a night this week. Still on the stockinette top part of the shawl.

When blocked I hope it uncurls and looks more like this one. 

It doesn't hurt to smell something grilling and having good conversation.

Just chillin' while grillin'

I don't get much time for this but when I do, it makes me appreciate it more.

This pattern is free on Ravelry. See my previous blog post for materials and name, etc. It's basically a top down shawl.

The yarn is knitting like butter. It's smooth, soft, and such a pretty colorway.

I have 2 caked-up skeins for this one.

 I'm really enjoying my project bag I got from Cozy Crafting, an Etsy shop online.

She also has a sweet vlogcast on You Tube.

It's perfect with an arm strap to carry with me anywhere so I can have knitting on the go.

She has alot of bags and they are well made and lined inside. It will hold 2 large cakes of yarn, notions, and pattern. It was a bit on the smaller side than I thought but I love the Summer pattern of fabric. So tempted to get one for Fall.

This little birdie measure came from Bumbleberry's in Clarkesville, Georgia. It's a sweet addition to my notions this week. 

See ya'll later. The hot dogs, lemonade and oven baked beans are ready!

Hope you are staying cool!!!

Jennifer

Morning Progress Day 2--Knitting Shawl Kaihola by Heidi Alander

Progress

I usually have hardly any time to really dig into a project in one day but this is my progress so far. 

One thing I need to let you know is the color is off pretty bad here. These pics are by my Apple Ipad mini. The color is better represented like a cornflower blue in person. 

But.....................you get the drift...........

I'm still working top down on this pattern for the "body" section which is stockinette and edging special stitches to make it hopefully openwork when blocked.

This shawl is curling like a hot mess. One thing about stockinette that we have to embrace :)

I made a huge mistake last night and because I didn't have a lifeline, I incorporated it into the pattern.  

Doesn't look bad at all. I'm enjoying this alot. 

This looks like the bottom of the shawl but it's actually the top.

I've enjoyed learning the KYOK

That ridge row is a mistake but I just went with it. It actually adds some character and I might put another in after another repeat.

As stockinette is known for, it's curling like a hot mess right now.

But this yarn is like butter I  tell you.......butter.

The hand-dyed colorway is gorgeous.

You can read my previous post for info on brand and colorway. I only wish I had got more than 2 large skeins because I want to add xtra rows to make it bigger in the body section which is an option in the pattern. 

I haven't got near the lace charts yet.  I have another repeat at least of the body section. The lace charts will be the challenging part as this will be my first project from reading charts. 

My knitting friend who is a master knitter has confidence in me she said that I will be able to do it.

I love the edging this makes. This is actually the top edging of the shawl when finished.

The fabric is heavenly soft. I think it will add quite a few inches when blocked.

I will say I miss knitting with Addi lace ROCKETS. Those have much more pointed tips and seemed easier but this is what my LYS had Addi lace so I'm going with it!

Hope you are enjoying this Sunday! I'm resting up for another very busy week of work. 

Knitting and listening to music recharge my soul.

Stay safe and cool,

Jennifer