May 2006-July2006
Monday, March 12, 2007
De-nied!
Who knew getting a photo of a child in a handknit would prove as elusive as Big Foot or his ilk? Certainly not me. I had this idea that you would just say, Here put this on and I will take your picture, and all would fall into place.
You would think I would know better, having worked with young children for over 10 yrs. Apparently, despite all evidence to the contary: I am an Optimist!
Model clothes? Nope. "I'm goin' fishin'."
I then thought "Oh, I can be clever-er than that. I'll turn it into a game." And let the subject use the camera...
We got pictures of "sharks & whales 'tackin us" (we're on the boat - didn't you used to play that? I know I did)
Spiderman
Ligons
"Ahh. Let the sibling use the camera..."
Nope. You can see, if you squint just right, Darling on the couch behind us.
The best shot all night was this Self Portrait.
Not to worry. Her Grandma is on the case. She has some serious powers of persuasion. We'll get a picture.
It is kind of fun to see from another perspective here. There were a lot of delted pics - mostly of Kira. A pretty popular subject for more than just me! She eats it up. But let me tell you, she is sleeping hard after this visit!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Another one bites the dust
SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!
Can you see my Muldy up in the right hand corner? That is her newest perch. She looks so snuggly doesn't she?Labels: Garden, Kids, Stashalong
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Posture
One doesn't generally think of a slouch as a good thing. But when it is a jaunty cap, it is a very good thing indeed. Here is my 1st PS2 project.
Pattern: Le Slouch, by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Lang Tosca -- about 1 1/4 balls
I really enjoyed this simple pattern and I plan to make another in a neutral, solid colour soon. The best part of this for me was that for the first time ever I used my gauge to adjust the pattern and it WORKED. How long have I been knitting again? Never mind.
Very hard to get a photo I liked - mostly because it was moments from GA and I did not want to be bothered doing my hair or putting on makeup - result: I looked sheer exhausted. Not something you want to post online is an understatement.
I finished this hat at work, while the children played tag. Not something I do often but it did lead to this the following afternoon:
"Can I yarn something - I know how to knit." 5 yr old boy who demonstrated his ability to knit by intertwining his fingers and twiddling them quickly while moving his elbows up and down [not my knitting style in case you are wondering - he might just know another knitter].
I then spent an hour 'teaching' 3 5 yr old boys to knit.
It was too fun. They were so excited. 2 of them worked really hard at it too - their attention span was much lengthier than I expected. I plan on bringing in some needles to keep on site - we had one pair and lots of wool.
Here is an excerpt of some of the conversation:
"I'm going to make this into a sweater for my Mom." boy A
"I'm going to make my baby a shirt" boy B whose Mom is pregnant
"What about pants?" asked boy C
"Oh I'll make pants next time" boy B
"I chose Army. I am going to make a Army sweater for my kitten." boy D who had olive green and cream yarn
"I'll be done my baby shirt in about an hour" boy B "Then I guess I should make pants, but what about a sweater too?"
With one pair of needles the plan was to knit 4 sweaters, a pair of pants, a shirt and a blanket before we went outside - about 40 minutes altogether.
Boy C worked about 3 rows and then looked up to ask "When is it going to turn into a sweater?" I was torn between being honest and keeping the experience enjoyable.
Clearly this is something we are going to have to do more of. These are some hyperactive guys who stayed with it for 40 minutes - some sitting on chairs and watching their friends knit. I am sure knitting is good for all sorts of brain development. Could I be any happier to add this component to our day? I just hope none of them get hassled by their Fathers. It happens with dolls and dress up clothes - as if they are never going to be fathers themselves!
Last Sunday was my cousin's 1st Anniversary. Her Mom had an appy night to celebrate. Somehow I failed to take a picture of the happy couple...whenever there are children/babies you will be upstaged!
Here are the girls getting ready for some 'Su-see beans' [edamame].
I am amazed at how universal this is: Young children will put anything in their mouths -- except edamame - they always need an adult to squeeze the beans out for them. Why is that?
Here is Kai-Kai looking desperate to escape another set of arms. I took some video of him trying to walk but I didn't know that you cannot edit video with our HP program and I was holding the camera sideways. So, the picture is sideways. Not the best for ease of viewing.
Labels: Family, Kids, Project Spectrum 2, Stashalong
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Heartbreakingly Cute
At the moment I am working on a blue HC Kimono of Mason Dixon fame.
It is such a fast and easy knit. Its fun that it is knit
all in one piece too - though I do have to say I am
not such a fan of seams, but who is?
Overheard at work:
"You should have the ugly boyfriend whose also kind of mean 'cause you're bossy most of the time."
4 yr old girl
"I have 9 dice. How's that for a reasonable amount?"
4 yr old boy
"Is tomorrow Halloween? (asked for the billionth time IN A ROW on Monday, Oct. 30th) Oh! I am going to be so surprised!!"
5 yr old boy -- I know, kinda sad
"Is this horse a boy or a girl? (a pink My Little Pony) Oh. I know how to tell. Nope. No penis. It's a girl. What about this one? (checks 7 MLPonies) No penises at all. They are all girls. (looks over to where a group of boys are building with blocks) Well there are a lot of penises on the carpet over there."
3 yr old girl
"I had a bad day at Kindergarten. I thought I was havin' a good day 'til the Prince came and told me I wasn't."
5 yr old boy who was spoken to by the Principal
When told Inspectors were coming to see us & our building we were asked:
"What if he's cute?" Giggling with hands over mouth and eyes rolling
5 yr old boy
YEP! Same kid asking about Halloween
Labels: Kids
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Travels with Knitters
I surprised my mother and my Aunt today with a daytrip to Bowen Island.
We had the best weather. It was just a beautiful day.
We found this lovely little store that just happened to be having a sale on all Knitting books, yarns and needles.
I bought a small set of Birch DPN's for SS Socky III. They are lovely but I snapped the 1st one I used. Forgot my own strength and the fact that I knit quite tightly. Neither good qualities when you are knitting with what amounts to slivers of wood.
I also bought a skein of sock yarn that is dyed to look like Fair Isle. Kind of kitschy - she had a pair of socks knit up to see how they turn out. They are pretty good - I thought it might be fun to watch the pattern emerge on its own
. A little Potter-y perhaps?
I sent my Mom & Aunt to lunch while I relaxed with SS Socky III and Kira at the waterfront where we met some precocious children (not unusual for me - they seem to have a 6th sense - they just seek me out).
Three sisters eating hot dogs for lunch sat in the shade with us. After watching me knit for a few minutes the oldest (about 8) says "Do you mean to tell me you actually know what you are doing with that?" pointing at Socky and all his pokey needles. "Yep. I do." She slapped herself in the forehead and shook her head in disbelief. Her sisters mouths actually dropped open. I told them it looks more confusing than it is. Then showed them how a square of needles = a round sock. She asked me how I learned and when I told her I read it in a book she nodded very wisely and told her sisters "Of course. That is where you start. With a book." They both nodded solemnly, eyes wide.
"When you first started you looked at the book a lot, then you knew how to do it, then you got faster and faster and then you didn't need the book at all. Books are like that. They're a good way to learn anything you need to know." Well. I couldn't disagree with that. My Mom had the camera or you would have seen these three worldly wise children who were so very impressed by Socky.
We spent some time relaxing on the shore of Tunstall Bay while Kira explored. Then we had a fabulous Taco Salad Bowl and homemade pie before we got on our ferry home.
Oh - and on that ferry ride home, the very same pigeon whom I had been speaking of so kindly just moments before, flew into the rafters directly above our car and shat on me & Kira and the inside of our car door. It was hot, huge and completely disgusting. I was nearly sick. Kira just looked at me with the biggest, saddest eyes and laid her head on my lap. Boy was I glad my mother hoards napkins in the glove box. Let me tell you!
While I worked on Socky, my Aunt completed about 4"s of a cabled blanket she is making for my cousin. Talk about fast! Again, no pic - I blew it - sorry.
BTW - we were lucky to find some yarn on the Island. Not only has the Fibre Arts Studio closed, the farm where they grew the sheep, sheared the wool etc etc until they sold you the yarn has also closed. Talk about disappointing.
ALSO: I have had very little time to blog. Work life has been madly, insanely interesting lately. We are waiting for big changes on Monday. Perhaps Tuesdays blog will have some news...in the meanwhile it is very hard to wait. Nevermind concentrate on knitting...with toothpicks!
Grey's Anatomy
Buttons
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
HP and the Philosopher's Stone
