Freebie Dressform

I've debated investing in a dressform for a couple of years now. I've even considering making one but dreaded the thought of asking someone to wrap me up in duct tape (example here). So, you can just imagine how thrilled I was when mom called to say she went to an estate sale and they just gave her this very retro form for F-R-E-E. She was making another purchase but I guess it pays off to go to sales on the very last day at closing time. I picked it up and found that all the critical areas are adjustable to fit my own measurements and then sewed up a nice, coordinating jersey knit cover. I have named my new clone, Norma.

Settled In

I can't believe I'm going on a month at my new job. I've enjoyed setting up my office and this is my desk view. I found some great Keeper of the Plains prints at DPI that take up one corner of my office while golf pictures hang on the wall behind me. I'm thinking an orchid plant would look pretty by the window (to my right) but I haven't historically had good luck keeping them alive so I've settled for fresh flowers in a vase.

Felted Bags

Spring is here and I've got riding on my mind. I guess that's what motivated me to make these felted bags just the perfect size for a pair of sunglasses or riding goggles. I got the idea from a kit and used my own worsted wool, a 7" zipper and sewed on some patches I had laying around. These will work great to protect my eyewear when they are tumbling around in the saddlebag.

Ski Lodge Scoop Vest

When you step into Twist Yarn Shop, to your right, you'll find the most beautiful skeins of kettle dyed Manos del Uruguay 100% wool hanging from the wall. No two skeins are alike so they recommend alternating every two rows from different skeins. Really, not as cumbersome as you'd think and I finished this vibrant vest from the book, 12 Months of Knitting, in just one weekend.

An Office With a View

The old familiarity of working downtown came back as I drove in for my first day at my new job. (The 7 mile drive from my house isn't all that bad). I like this location much better as it sits on Douglas Avenue and my 8th floor office overlooks the Century II fountains and the Arkansas River. I was so caught up in decorating my space and getting settled in that I didn't take a break or lunch all day. Also, I am grateful to be working with two positive and funny coworkers from a previous employer.

Reserved My Seat

Here I go again, putting my knitting down this time around to read the book by Eckhart Tolle. Actually this one is going to be more time consuming as I've reserved my seat for the 10-week webcast class that begins Monday night at Oprah.com. Are you ready to be awakened?

Turquoise Beading

Went to Aspen Traders yesterday and purchased a pair of earrings with multi-colored stones and decided to make a similar pair of my own in turquoise. I always get great jewelry ideas from there and catalogs such as Silpada and Sundance. Made a trip to a couple of bead shops for head pins and a few more turquoise beads to add with my own collection and made up these earring sets. I'm going to share one set with a special someone that likes turquoise just as much as I do.