Happy New Year

The snow is falling.
The fireplace is loaded down and burning bright.
The dogs are sprawled out by the warmth of the fire.
Dean Martin is singing, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"....
I'm knitting the sleeves of my jacket in my favorite chair sipping Godiva coffee spiked with Bailey's.
It's such a perfect Christmas picture then I hear click, click, click as husband oils his new handgun in the kitchen. It's little moments in my life like this that strike me funny and make me appreciate how different we all are. Best wishes to you and yours for a happy new year.

Saturday Morning Felted Bowl

We had a good laugh this morning at our Saturday morning meetup. After all this time, Angelique discovered that she was knitting backwards. I had to come to her rescue and admit that I too had taught myself to knit twisted stitches that very same way and painfully had to reteach myself. After shaming Gwen not to stop, she finished all but the thumb of her first glove. It was a happy, rainy morning and I finshed this felted bowl from Noro Kureyon.

Cardigan Jacket

Long holiday weekends are great!! Now that I'm done with the wrist warmer holiday marathon, I finally got to start on the Chanel-ish Cardigan Jacket from Greetings from Knit Cafe. The honeycomb tweed pattern goes quickly and as you can see the jacket has no side seams. The directions for the set in pockets were surprisingly easy to follow.

Merry Christmas

I was really hoping for a White Christmas but it turned out to be even too warm to light the fireplace this year. The dogs enjoyed their knitted stockings filled with dog treats. Their gift to me was a new pair of (Harley) cowboy boots. They have such great taste!

Pillows Are Done

The quilted pillow covers are complete and now I can get back to my Christmas projects. They turned out to be a time-consuming undertaking but are quite darling I must say so myself.







Still spending a ton of time re-doing my craft room and added this lamp to the knitting side. It's a kit I purchased at Hobby Lobby, filled it with small yarn balls and added a stockinette knit shade cover out of Kiogu. The big news of the week is that I ordered a denim upholstered rolled back Parsons chair from Ethan Allen that not only will look good in the room but support my back while working on all my projects. Bad news, it won't be delivered until March.

I Was a Quilter ...

Long before knitting, I was a quilter. I attended local Quilt Guild meetings and made many family members and friends bed sized quilts. I even made a go at hand quilting for hire but found the very little money for the time invested took the enjoyment out of my hobby. My last partially completed quilt is a hand-pieced, hand-quilted Dresden Plate in reproduced 50's fabric that I hope to someday revisit. But since I found knitting I haven't looked back until recently when a coworker repeatedly asked me to redesign her daughter's old Pottery Barn baby bumper pad bedding into two pillows for Christmas. I'm a sucker for heirlooms and enthusiastically agreed to put aside my holiday knitting projects to undertake this challenge. Because bumper pads are over an inch thick, I had to remove the quilting, the batting, cut out the motifs and sew in borders to make each of the 27" pillow tops. Now I'm requilting the tops and found I really miss my old love of quilting.....

A Bit More Organized

You wouldn't know it by looking at this space, but it took over 6 hours to reorganize the "office" part of my sewing room into a knitting corner. Previously, it held old bodybuilding trophies, school books, tax papers, useless junk and dust. I pitched most of it and now I'm very proud of my new knitting area. Like any project that leads to another, I think I need to add a cozy chair.

A Long Thanksgiving Weekend

My Thanksgiving turkey and leftovers have been stretched throughout the long holiday weekend. My meal turned out fabulous and aside from being under the weather most of the weekend, I found plenty of time to watch movies, Project Runway reruns and knit. The Xmas dog stockings are both hanging from the mantle and I completed a custom made to order pair of felted clogs for the winner of the craft charity auction at work. Even found a little more time to complete a felted Xmas stocking from Noro Kureyon.

Stockings for the Dogs

One stocking down and another to go before Christmas. Sheba and Sassie are going to have a wonderful Xmas with their own stockings full of bones, toys and treats. I'm going to reverse the green and red on the next one and then knit one more for my mom's Chihuahuas. The pattern is from the book, "Christmas Stockings" by Interweave Press.

Knitting Ambassadors in KC

Lia, Jackie and I felt like celebrities as we rolled into the Sewing & Quilt Expo in Overland Park, KS and the man at the front desk asked us, "Are You Models?" Okay, so we had primped this morning, had our matching pin-up knitting girl t-shirts looking official loaded down with our knitting hardware -- so I guess we looked the part! Actually, we were the Knitting Ambassadors there to teach the basics of knitting and crochet. It ended up being quite a bit of work and required more patience than I had expected. Also, I found I prefer to teach children crochet over knitting. We got some nice gifts for our participation and headed back home very content with our fun-filled overnight stay and yarn shopping adventures in Kansas City.

A Long Texas Weekend

Spent a couple days in Georgetown, Texas for work meetings then a little shopping fun with female clients at the outlet mall in Round Rock. Once the hard work was over, made my way to an outdoor coffee shop on Congress Avenue in Austin that looked down the hill at the State Capitol.
Why yes, I had my knitting handy and found a shady spot to lounge for a couple hours before heading toward Dallas to spend the weekend with my grandparents in Gun Barrel City. One of my favorite things
about the drive around the lake is this patch of cactus that proves "Everything is Bigger in Texas!"

CMA Awards

The knitting needles sat idle tonight! Country reins and Brooks and Dunn got their share of awards for Best Country Video, Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year. They had my vote for Entertainer of the Year, but Kenny walked away with it.

Ronnie and Kix --- I'm your biggest FAN!!

Wichita Toy Run 2006

The weather was surprisingly nice today for the Wichita Toy Run. We were among the estimated 2,500 bikers who made the slow ride from downtown to the Kansas Coliseum with our toys.

Wrist Warmer Charity Auction

I've been pressed for time lately so I took the easy way out on my contribution for the United Way charity craft auction at work this year. These mock cable wrist warmers knitted up quick. I made the red pair for myself, a couple others for mom and the four pictured for the auction.

Wichita Eagle at KIP

The Wichita Eagle newspaper sent a reporter and photographer to our knitting meetup meeting tonight at Chipotle to interview us and take pictures. Jackie was talking us up and posed for a photo shoot. Our article should be in the paper sometime next week.

Tea Cozy

Today is a cold, rainy Fall Saturday and the FedEx fairy arrived with my new teapot from ebay. What a perfect day it was to drink hot tea and knit this Tea Cozy out of Sugar'n Cream cotton. Must.Use.The.Handknits!!

Knit Picks Order

My first Knit Picks yarn order came in the mail today. Can you say WOOOO HOOOO?!? It's such a high to come home to a package of reasonably priced, high quality yarn for a new project! Knit Picks suggests substituting their Wool of the Andes yarn for the Chanel-Ish Cardigan Jacket pattern from Greetings From Knit Cafe. I'm stoked to start it but have a few other projects to get done first. If you're keeping track, I'm at a stand still on my Tempting II sweater. I purchased the Calmer yarn in Texas and came up short so I have to wait for their shipment of one more skein. Lesson Learned: When purchasing yarn out of town for a big project, be sure to buy an extra skein---you just never know.....

Woofstock & Surprise Party

We started the day by going to the annual Humane Society fundraiser, Woofstock at Segwick County Park.








Sassie and Sheba strutted their stuff with hundreds of other dogs of all breeds and sizes. This was Sheba's first time to this event and for a Pit, she was very well behaved and only really disliked the couple friends' dog that went with us (not pictured).


Who would've known turning 40 would have been such a big event. Later, my friend Melanie picked me up for what I thought was going to be dinner with another friend and turned out to be a surprise party of 70 friends and family members. Husband and her had planned it out for months and totally had me fooled. Even my neice, Amy, flew in from Chicago. Guests were provided with ribs, chicken and beer. It was quite embarrasing to be such the focus of attention --- combined with the bikini picture of me posted at the front door!!

The BIG 40

Well....it's here and I bravely faced my coworkers today to be greeted with confetti, balloons, cards and gifts at work. That was great but I don't think it was necessary for them all to wear black today!! I'm told 40 is the "new 30" and that I've lived the lives of two 20 year olds--that's just great. Going to have sushi for lunch with hubby and momma's fixing me dinner. I think I still have PRINCESS status.

Pig Trail in Rogers, AR

Our last road trip for the season took us to the Blues, Bikes & BBQ rally in Fayetteville, AR over the weekend. We took in an evening at the rally and a day in Eurka Springs. The new Harley dealership, Pig Trail, in Rogers was well-worth the stop -- it's huge!! Hanging out with our friends, Razz & Stacy.

Tempting II

I saw a sample of this Tempting II top at Loops made out of the recommended Rowan Calmer. It's a very soft yarn and the k1, p1 rib is going to lend to a great fit. Of course, I choose my staple color, brown and have put unreasonable timeliness on myself (see below). Gee, I wonder why I'm stressed out so much of the time???

Day Three:









Day Two:









Day One:

Suss Fishnet Shrug

Purchased this pattern and 2 skeins of Suss Yarn (53% acrylic/30% nylon/17% Alpaca) at Loops Yarn in Tulsa. It's a simple 3 piece pattern on #9 needles in stockinette st. I know, what you're thinking....Lanora-aren't you tired of brown yet???

Moderne Log Cabin Blanket

What a relief to finish!! Finally, completed the Mason Dixon Knitting blanket for a finished measurement of 60" x 50". I have good intentions of using it as a light blanket perfect for napping but in all reality, it will end up balled up under a dog, covered in dog hair.

For those who haven't followed this project, I used the cheap ole Sugar'n Cream.

More Warshrags

I'm on a roll here with the cotton warshrag thing. Made a couple sets to use as facecloths matching my bathroom color schemes. Selfishly, I'm making them up for myself then will focus on making them for gifts if I don't burn out...

Smitten with the Warshrag

For the love of Mason Dixon and the vintage knitted dishcloth! I've joined the bandwagon of Ballband Dishcloth knitters. Go to the MDK website and you'll see the fascination with this inexpensive, functional resource that just may shut down the paper towel industry. Must.Use.The.Handknits.

Another Bunting

Just couldn't get enough of the first one. This one is for another coworker, Jamie, who received her first grandson. Obviously, this is going to be a standard for baby gifts.

Brooks & Dunn Long Haul Tour

Mom and I spent the night in Oklahoma City for the Brooks & Dunn concert. Of course, we had to make a stop at Toby Keith's Bar & Grill then off to the concert. (We had the choice of going to Kansas City or OKC and I prefer OKC). As always, they put on a good show but I found it shocking that Ronnie forgot the words to "Neon Moon"....of all the songs to forget...that one's a classic. Their background projection screens get bigger and better each time I see them. Mom agreed with me, this was the best show we've seen them put on to date.

Ride Safe Melanie

My riding buddy, Melanie made an overnight pit stop at my house before heading out of town for the weekend with her sister. They are both beautiful, strong, independent women. Two hot babes running wild and free.....ride safe Melanie and I hope you stay dry!

A Bunting for Jennifer

My administrative assistant at work, Jennifer, is expecting a baby girl next month. I find it funny that she comes walking around the corner and you see all belly before she rounds the corner. She's absolutely adorable pregnant with a cute waddle. I completed it just in time for her shower this Sunday. This bunting with legs pattern by Plymouth is totally functional with two ways to button it. Fits newborn to 6 months from 3 skeins of Plymouth Encore.

Riding Destination: Sturgis, SD

We left Wyoming on Friday to spend Saturday at the Sturgis Rally. It's hard for me to describe my fascination with the annual rally in Sturgis. It's a homecoming and familiar destination with many great memories made over the past nine years we've attended. The unpredictability of the elements and riding in the Black Hills always keeps things interesting. Then there's all the bikes and people on center stage on Main Street to watch. The trip ended with a bang (literally) when my tire went flat 200 miles from home. I guess if things are going to go bad, it might as well happen on the last day. A friend came to the rescue with a trailer and we finally made it home Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. Sure was hard to make it in to work that day.

Riding Destination: Jackson Hole, WY

Husband and I took off on a 9 day, 3,500 mile motorcycle road trip with our first stop in Cheyenne and on to Jackson Hole the following day. (We had rode to Yellowstone a few years ago but never made it down to see the Teton Mountains). The moment was right and I ended up having a few too many Corona's while sitting in the saddle at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar during our one night's stay in Jackson. We rode through the Teton Grand National Park and stayed 4 nights at Togwotee Mountain Lodge. They provided us with a guided trail ride, chuckwagon dinners and a float trip where we saw bald eagles, elk, beavers and a moose! We had a view of the Tetons from our cabin window -- it was awesome.


Knitting Confession: I deliberately did not take ANYTHING knitting related on this trip but halfway through the week (like a true junkie) I suffered from a severe knitting withdraw and we had to make an emergency trip to Knit on Pearl to get me what husband called "a project" so he could have some napping peace. An easy sock pattern, dpn's and fingering yarn helped this city girl to slow down, relax and enjoy the cool mountain air.