Sugar Skull T-tube

Found this great day of the dead skull t-shirt in New Mexico. Got it in XL so that I could make it into a long summer (tube) top. Sewed the sides with waist shaping and added a casing at top for the elastic.

Pumpkin Citron

The pumpkin Citron is off the needles. The alpaca/silk yarn is soft and shiny and the pattern design hugs the shoulders perfectly. I love it so much I'm going to gift it away. I can always knit another one for myself.

Day Trip'n

What better way to spend one-on-one time with an old friend visiting from Sweden than going on a day road trip. Although Mike grew up here, I'm sure it's been a long time since she fully got to experience small town America. Abilene, Kansas is my favorite destination (a short hour and half drive) allowing us time to catch up, shop and indulge in Mexican food. She said it was a day that fed her soul -- mine too.

FireKeeper Golf Course

After 4 hours of sleep, Pattie, Laurie and I got up early to tee off at the casino golf course at 8:00 a.m. By choice, so that we would beat the 100 degree heat. The course was beautiful and I would say one of the best golf destinations we've had. Everyone we came across was very friendly and accomodating. After a pretty good game in four quick hours we had cheeseburgers at the club house and headed back home. I would definitely like to play this course again.

Prairie Band Casino & Resort

My golf buds and I were looking for a quick golf destination and we found that in a two hour road trip to Topeka. First we had to stop for Mexican food and margaritas in Abilene getting us to the casino and the hot tubs around 10 p.m. Then plenty of time to do a little gambling on house money and hit the pillow by 2:00 a.m.

reCreate at Round Barn Ranch

My good high school friend, Michael, is visiting from Sweden. She is a well-known crafter and has a great blog. She is staying with her sister who runs the Round Barn Ranch in Derby and tonight Mike hosted a night of crafting her repurposed notebooks out of children's books from Sweden at the Ranch. Keep an eye out for another DIY craft night in a couple of weeks.

Shawl Knitting

Beautiful alpaca fingering yarn from Twist Yarn Shop. Every intention of knitting an intricate shawl pattern. But still love the easy pattern of Citron. So it's another Citron in the shade of Pumpkin.

Second Santa Fe Shrug

I had planned to get two of these completed before my trip to Santa Fe but just ran out of time. This one for Laura to remind us of our trip made from Mountain Colors Half Crepe in Hummingbird.

Turquoise from Santa Fe

I find the best jewelry in Santa Fe. I can offset the cost of a nice pair of Native American Indian earrings (top) by making my own necklace to match. There are several bead shops on and around the Square so I purchased a very affordable strand of turquoise nuggets at Jackalope, strung them, added closures and had enough beads to make an additional pair of earrings. So Santa Fe.

New Mexico Road Trip

My high school BFF, Laura, flew in from Seattle so that I could take her on a road trip and show her around New Mexico.  We spent almost 500 miles together in the car catching up, laughing, snacking and singing country songs all the way there.  Checked into the historic Taos Inn for a late outdoor dinner and cocktails on the patio over the music of a live jazz band and a cool night in the low 50's.  A welcome change from the recent Kansas heat.

The next day was one of the best ever filled with all of my favorites starting with an amazing breakfast at the award-winning Michaels Kitchen, a trip out to the Rio Grande Gorge, shopping on the square, checking into the Santa Fe Motel & Inn, walking around the corner to Cowgirl BBQ for outdoor dining under the patio lights while listening to the live folk-indie music from Colorado, Ethel Makes a Paperchain until the place closed.  At this point, it was midnight and we decided to take a pedi car (bicycle cart) ride through the lighted streets and art galleries of Santa Fe.  Simply magical.

The next day we checked into a hotel right next door for two nights that I have never been to before, Hacienda Hotel & Spa, where we had a swimming pool to lounge around and a shuttle service that took us anywhere we wanted to go for shopping and restaurants.  There was quite a bit of shopping involved and I found several really nice things to bring back. Before we knew it, our time together came to an end and it was time to drop Laura off at the airport in Albuquerque.  I made the long solo drive back home to Kansas so grateful for our time together on the road. 

Southwest Shrug

I needed a lightweight wrap for an upcoming vacation in Santa Fe. Temps during the day reach 90 degrees and drop to 55 in the evenings. When I saw this yarn, I knew it would be perfect for the trip but the challenge came in finding just the right loose-knit pattern I had in mind. I searched for weeks until I came across the free Ravelry pattern Same Thing Only Different shrug. It's a simple rectangle seamed up the back made from Mountain Colors Half Crepe.

Giant Bicycle

I'm riding my bicycle much more and have the need for more performance features than my 1968 cycle provides for long rides. After purchasing a Schwinn from a box store this week and finding the gears locked up on my first ride, I returned it the very next day and headed for a bicycle shop. Heartland Bicycle fitted me with a perfect 21 gear, aluminum Sedona(S)Giant that includes the service and warranty I need. An added bonus, they are located right in the middle of my commute.

Molly Turns 1

Molly and Mom's Morkie, Lilly, both turn 1 year old today so I had a birthday party. There was BBQ for the grown ups and cake, bones and presents for the pooches.

Recharge

Husband went on a motorcycle trip so I loaded up the dogs and headed for the lake. I use my solo overnight camping trips to recharge by setting up my tent in the shade, listen to the radio, sunbathe, knit, cook and make a campfire. I'm lost in my own peaceful thoughts, time passes slowly and simple things like hot dogs and VanCamp beans taste so good.

DIY: Western Shirt

I'm taking Mom to the country Riverfest concert tonight and need a shirt to wear and remember an idea I've seen on Pinterest. I got this men's western shirt at a flea market in Texas and I haven't gotten around to making it into a tube top. For this evening, I folded the collar down in back, wrapped around under my arms and snapped to secure in place. Then bring the arms in front and tie in a knot. Voila - the easiest reconstructed western shirt bandau.

DIY: Repurposed Luggage

This is why I collect vintage Samsonite suitcases. I apply my favorite Alexander Henry cowgirl fabric, cover with Mod Podge and acrylic sealer and then dress out with suede fringe and brass tacks. I've got a collection in many different sizes and they even look good stacked up in a corner in a bedroom when not being used. Some day I just might decide to sell them.

River Festival 2012

I so look forward to our River Festival every year. There's the parade, live entertainment and food court over lunch, and activities on and surrounding the river. Today, Jackie and I met up on our bicycles for breakfast, rode to the Farmer's Market and then to the river to cheer on the runners in the River Run.

Mud Hole

A funeral can bring family together to share memories, food and even play for the kids. I was the only adult in the pond with the kids making me the "coolest" aunt around. Really, I had to jump in in my clothes (and my good hat) to rescue my dog and then a three year old who fell off into the deep end -- a couple times. While a steep embankment made for the perfect mud slipper slide. Good times.

Uncle Larry

Larry Joe Fetty 8/14/51 - 5/23/12
Rest in Peace, Uncle Larry. You were sick for so long but that had a way of bringing our family together. Now I take comfort in knowing you are going home to be with Grandma and Grandpa. God be with you.

Green Valley

As we started a day of shoppping, Karen knew exactly where to take me. A short ride from Manitou Springs to Green Valley Weavers & Knitters in Colorado Springs, CO. A real fiber shop filled with spinning wheels, weaving looms and yarn. I was on the search for a special souvenir project and found it in a sample Shipwreck shawl (free Ravelry pattern) from locally hand painted superfine alpaca by Spruce Dragon, LLC in deep woods. The perfect shade of green turquiose.