Thank You Mason Dixon

I was absolutely thrilled to receive my Amazon box last week that contained my Mason Dixon Knitting book. I actually bought two, one for myself and my friend, Celi for her birthday. The front cover of the book says it all, "Created for knitters everywhere who share the give 'em hell spirit of just picking up the needles and making stuff." After curiously watching Jackie knit a log cabin blanket for her children out of cheap 'ol Sugar and Cream cotton yarn ($1.27 a skein when not on sale at Hobby Lobby), I was intrigued to make my own creation of some kind. I've opted for the Moderne Log Cabin Blanket and substituted Sugar and Cream in colors to match my western spare bedroom. This is what I have accomplished after 17 hours of knitting. Thank you Mason Dixon for helping a yarn snob overcome her fears of cheap yarn....it's working out beautifully!

A Flock of Sheep

Before Felting







After Felting

I'd seen the Fiber Trends A Felt Flock pattern many times before but didn't give it much thought until I saw a sample of two felted wool sheep displayed at The Needle Niche in Joplin, MO. They were adorable and I was determined to make my own flock to decorate my knitting space and show my love of fiber. Sheep can be any size so any weight of yarn can be used. Mine are shown in worsted and chunky wool/alpaca. Wouldn't it be cool to shear your own sheep, spin it, dye it, and knit something fabulous? This is as close as I'm going to get to having my own flock.

A Shower Gift for Allison

My KIP friends, Lia and Jackie had a baby shower for Allison. I had aspirations to knit a baby blanket but didn't start in time for the shower so last week I made up this easy pieced teddy bear in alpaca from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies. This morning before the shower, I made up the booties. I always seem to work better under pressure. We had a great time with baby games, gifts and then painted and decorated wood picture frames for Allison's baby room.

Loops Yarn Store

Just when I thought I had already found THE best yarn shop in Oklahoma, I found Loops in Tulsa. It's tucked into Utica Square with shops like Ann Taylor and Saks. It was a breath of fresh air busy with knitters and filled with mannequins sporting beautiful, inspiring hand knitted sample garments. Found they had yarns and patterns hard to find in these parts by Suss and Alchemy. An added touch, the owner, Shelley and her staff are very helpful and friendly. It's really the knitting "boutique-like" shop I crave and well worth a trip to Tulsa. Can you say, "Road trip, ladies???"

Blue Sky Fitted Tank

I chose to substitute Blue Sky Alpaca's Dyed Cotton with this Goldenrod Mission Falls 1824 cotton because it matched the leather trim on my new handbag perfectly. Who in their right mind knits a sweater to match their handbag??? Anyways, the Fitted Tank pattern by Alison Williams was a breeze to knit up with an easy pickup/bind-off finishing edge around the neckline and armholes.

B&D Tickets

"Ahoooo - Play Something Country!!" I'm so excited. Just ordered 2 tickets to this year's Brooks & Dunn concert in Oklahoma City. It's been years since they've come to Wichita. Last year, husband took me to see them in Dallas. This year they are playing in OKC on my mom's birthday in August-- and we'll be there!!!

Okay, so I'll admit it, this is pretty redneck. I actually have a cookbook for Beer Can Chicken. Don't laugh, it's actually pretty good and makes the chicken really moist. I went to fire up the Weber and found I was out of propane so I had to resort the roasting in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. (You can also use a can of Coca-Cola).

Fish On!

We have a group of family friends who get together at 6:00 a.m. on a given weekend day for breakfast and then we all head out for a low spot in the lake at Marion Resevoir. Whenever we have a fish hit our lines, we yell, "Fish On".... I wish I could take the credit for this catch of white bass and wipers from this morning, but my dad gets all the credit. I didn't get one bite, but it was exciting holding the net and bringing these in. After we cleaned them, our catch will be enough to feed me and husband for 5 meals. I sprinkle with Creole seasoning, coarse black pepper, lemon juice and then grill in foil. It's delicious.