Saturday, November 19, 2005

  Give me something to blog about

Your Birthdate: November 9
You are a born idealist, with more pet causes than you can count.
You prefer be around others, both when working and while relaxing.
Generous and giving, you believe you can change the world one person at a time.
You’re open minded and tolerant. People feel like they can tell you anything.

Your strength: Your go-with-the-flow flexibility

Your weakness: Your flair for the over dramatic

Your power color: Pine green

Your power symbol: Circle

Your power month: September
Posted by Eilene in

(0) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Friday, November 18, 2005

  Yes…I’m still alive and on this Planet

Hello…remember me?
Here are some reasons why I haven’t posted…
1. Back hurt too bad.
2. Had to pack and get things done before my trip to Las Vegas.
3. Went to Las Vegas whether my back liked it or not. My back did NOT like the plane ride there, but liked the ride much better on the way back.
4. Unpacking from my fabulous trip.
5. Had to do laundry you know.
6. Food shopping…we do need to eat.
7. Busy with my Holiday party invitations (I printed them out on the computer…also the envelopes.)
8. My web site has been very strange. I could not post or anything.
9. Upgrading my web site so I can get on my blog again and post. (My web host upgraded their PHP to the newest version…don’t you think they should let us know about these things?)
10. It was my BIG birthday (50…no way) on November 9th and I celebrated for a full week with all my friends & family. I LOVE birthdays.
11. My fabulous husband gave me a wonderful surprise party on November 5. I was so shocked, I was crying. All my friends & family were there and it was a great time! None of my friends called me on that day as they were scared they would leak out the surprise party info. Bless them!
12. I have not knit very much at all and I think that’s all I have to say.

Wait…one more thing…I only have a couple photos from my trip. My friend Jeanne carried her camera & she doesn’t know how to email me the pictures. Sorry! I will post this weekend though (and go through the blogs)...with whatever I do have. I’ll have to find something interesting to tell all of you.

Have a fantastic night!

Posted by Eilene in
Travel

(0) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

  A Zipper is in…finally

I’m proud to present to you a finished…Olive...
image
image
This is one casual and comfortable sweater. There is no itching going on here and this yarn is very soft against the skin. I must say that Karabella Aurura 8 is one fabulous yarn. I can’t wait to try the new Aurora 4. I’m so happy with how she came out. Remember when I thought she would be way too small…not at all. I used the recommended needle size (US 8) & I still could have gotten away with the US 7. I have been extremely pleased with my finished hand knits lately. Uh oh…I hope I didn’t speak too soon. All of the info regarding Olive will be updated in my Gallery (Been there done that)

Another One Skein Wonder...
image
And a close up of the lace pattern I used on the sleeves…
image
I used Karabella Aurora 8 in black. This one knit up totally different than the one I knit using the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. This is a much tighter fit and I used the same needle sizes. It goes to show that knitting a swatch is a necessity as even 2 aran weight yarns knit up so differently.

Marina’s progress...
image
I’m sad to say that I have to redo the entire back (which I did have done) as I didn’t like hoe the stitches looks. I thought I had gauge until I saw Donna’s (she is knitting the same cardi). Her stitches looked so much tighter than mine. I love her color…go take a peak. So I decided to do the fronts before redoing the back and she looks so much better. So I still have the back and the sleeves to knit.

Woohoo…I got some presents…
image
On the right are Circular Needle ID Tags that I got from Brenda. Thank you so much Brenda. That was very nice of you. The jealousy has eased up a little bit thanks to your generosity!! Everything else is from a little tiny rabbit that we all know and love. I LOVE everything. The cute little camisole fits perfectly. You will notice it peaking out of Olive in the photo above. In the round little case, there are 3 sections with 3 different colored beads. Becky…how did you know that I needed those beautiful red ones for my Liqueur KSH.  Thank you so very much Becky!!! Next time I’m coming with Brenda to visit you!

I will leave you with some nature photos…
image
image
image

Have a fantabulous day!!!

Posted by Eilene in
(0) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  The Positive…I can knit!

First, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who wished me well regarding my back. I will surely heal more quickly with all of your positve energy!!! I have my good days and not so good days…but at least I can knit now! Plus my DH has been wonderful! Gotta love that. It is pretty much all muscular and I have been getting spasms on and off…not fun. I’m still on a muscle relaxer and an anti-inflammatory. Since I really can’t drive on these…I can and have been knitting…a lot.
Here is my progress on Wall Street…
image
I just have to do the shoulder shaping & the neck bind off to be finished the back. Then it is on to the front. I figure I’ll give this to my DH for Christmas. The sizing looks good. I’m crossing my fingers though. I didn’t have my needles for Veer yet, so I have started a different project…
image
This cable sweater is from the Debbie Bliss Simple Living book. I just can not get enough of cardigans. I’m using Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK in color #986. This yarn knits up like a dream. It reminds me of Karabella Aurora 8, except in DK weight. That reminds me…I need to see if Karabella makes a DK weight yarn similar to their Aurora 8 for future reference. Most of my sweaters I have knit are in worsted and aran weight. I wanted to try something in a lighter weight yarn. It is too bad that Jaeger is not going to be around much longer. At least thats what I hear. Their yarns are fabulous. I just don’t get it!

Workout news...
NIL…I can’t wait to start doing something. I hate not being able to do anything!!!

Here are some answers to a few of my emails
...
Brandy...I printed out Cabling without a needle from Wendy’s archive. These are great directions. Good luck!

Diane...My Wall Street Cable vest is from ‘The Best of Knitters Arans & Celtics’

Donna...Regarding Eloise. I think if I used one size smaller needles than I did,  she would have worked…but I like a fitted sweater. Eloise wasn’t way too large, just more roomy than I would have liked.

Have a great one and hopefully I will be all better next time I post!

Posted by Eilene in
(1) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

  Wall Street continues…

Here is Wall Streets progress so far…
image
I feel like this is the neverending vest. I have 4 inches to go on the armholes & then I start the shoulder shaping. I love not using a cable needle for the the cables. I have gotten really good at doing it this way. It is much faster without a cable needle. Now I need to unravel the first attempt at this vest to reuse the yarn.

My DH and I played golf last Saturday. We walked the course. Feeling really good about this, we were on hole #18 (last hole) and I totally messed up my lower back on the tee with my drive. Sunday, I couldn’t even move. I called the Doc & he called in a muscle relaxer and an anti inflamatory. I slept & cryed all day & night. Because of all the meds…Monday morning I was feeling about 30% better. I could at least get up & go to the bathroom. I couldn’t even read or knit. Damn it…it would at least be better if we could knit when we hurt ourselves! I will not be exercising for at least 2 weeks. I want top make sure I heal all the way. Lesson learned...never put off what you can & want to do today…as tomorrow you may not be able to do it. Never take anything for granted…ever!

New Purchase...
image
Why it’s a new Offhand designs knitting bag. It is the Moss Crewel Zelda knitting tote. I love these bags! All their bags are made with vintage velvets and fabrics. I also have the Zelda Grande! They are very well made with lots of packets & pouches. I was looking for this at Stitches East and Dreamweaver yarns went out of their way to find one for me. Not only did they find this bag for me…they gave me the show discount and did not charge me tax or shipping. That’s what I call fabulous service!!!
image
The inside has 3 big pouches on one side andv5 pockets on the other side.
image
Open the Crewel front and there are 5 more pockets, plus the whole front. I LOVE it!!!

Have a great day!

Posted by Eilene in
(1) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Thursday, October 06, 2005

  Oh my…It’s a One Skein Wonder

I have been craving to knit one of these after seeing all the very cute ones out there in blogland. I finally broke down.
image
I used about 1 1/2 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in color #300102.
image
image
I know…my head is slightly chopped off!
image
I decided that I wanted to add a pretty stitch to the arm edging. This is called the Bead stitch and is from the fabulous book ‘Knitting on the Edge
The fact is that I really needed to knit something easy and quick as I’m waiting for Donna to return from her cruise. We are going to have a cast on party (a little wine, some cheese & crackers, olives) next week for Veer

Remember this...
image
And a close up…
image
I held up what I had knit of Wall Street Cables on my DH & it was way too large. I was making the small (41 1/2 in. chest) The ribbing was way too wide and he likes it to fit a little snug at the hips. So…I just restarted the whole thing. I was pretty aggravated after all that cable work. You know you LOVE knitting when you end up redoing what you have already done, all out of love for the hubby. I’m now knitting the extra small and going down a needle size. All I can say is that it better fit him! I would rather it be fitted that way too big.

I saw this on Heather’s blog and I LOVE it…
image
Lets see…Kidsilk Haze, lace, a cari…a perfect sweater! I have to knit this one! I can’t wait to get the new Holiday Vogue Knitting.

Well…got to go knit Wall Street to catch up to at least where I was. Have a fabulous evening!

 

Friday, September 30, 2005

  Smooch Me…baby

I’d like to present Smooch...
image
I started Smooch about a year ago and sadly put her down to rest for awhile. With the guilt of not finishing her, I decided to pick her up again and finally finish her. I’m glad I did. I love the way she fits. My only problem is how cotton stretches. I loved working with Rowan All Seasons Cotton though. Next time I will use a wool/cotton blend like the one from Rowan.
image
Book...Rowan All Seasons Cotton Collection
Yarn... Rowans All Season Cotton in Misty (#170)
Needles...Inox cirular US #5 & #7 (LOVE these needles…the coated ones)
Thanks to this rabbits helpful hints, it came out great and the design on the bottom lines up perfectly. I did have a problem with the front armhole & neck. I had to frog the right side 2 times. Following the directions, the right armhole was higher up than the left. I figured out how to make it work & now it is perfectly even. That is the thing I love about knitting…you learn to figure out things on your own when you have to. I also raised up the v-neck to start at the armhole shaping instaed of 17 rows below them. I love where the V lies now as it doesn’t show too much boobage. Overall…I love this sweater!

Stitches Purchases...
image
I bought enough of this beautiful Green Mountain Spinnery MOUTAIN MOHAIR (color~ Maritime) to knit up another long sleeve cardigan.
image
This is yummy Cashmere from Hunt Valley Cashmere to knit this fabulous scarfl.
image
Now who doesn’t love fingerless gloves. I know I do!
image
The yarn on the left is Jazz by Twisted Sisters. The color is Charcoal and is varigated. It is beautiful in person. I’m going to make a tank with this one. It is 100% Fine Merino Wool. On the right is Zephyr Wool-Silk in Basil. I love this green. This one will become a shawl of course.
image
The yarn…beautiful Suri Elegance in a variety of deep wine shades (color…#5011 Raku). The shawl…stunning.

My next project...
image
is going to be Veer from Rowan #32. I will be using white Kid Silk Haze. I already have the button and beads ready for decorating this very small gauge knit sweater. Donna and I will be knitting this one together. It’s fun when you have someone else knitting the same project.

Workout Update...
No…I did not work out at all while away (which adds up to almost 1 month). Bad girl! I am back on track now though. I got in 1 day of Pilate’s and 3 days of weights and cardio. I’m feeling more like myself again. I’m eating better also now that I am home and cooking once again. I still look forward to my cheat weekends where I eat whatever I want. Now that is really something to look forward to, don’t you think?

I will leave you all with this photo…
image
Did I hear you say Grasshopper?

Have a great weekend!!

Posted by Eilene in
Smooch

(1) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

  Return to normal…a good thing

My life is back in the slower lane now that I’ve returned form CA and Stitches. I am not used to over eating, over drinking, over shopping and too much fun all the time…like I said…return to normal…a good thing. I only had 2 days between my 2 trips. I unpacked just to pack all over again. I feel like I have been out of the loop forever. I didn’t knit at all or go on the internet while away. This is the longest break I have had from knitting…ever (It is hard to knit when you are partying…what do I think…I’m a teenager again?). I missed knitting more than I would have ever imagined. I have been knitting a little in the past few days. I’m almost finished Smooch. I had to frog the neck line a couple times. I’m done the right side of the V neck though and am ready to forge on to the left side. . No pictures though until I’m all finished.

WARNING...Lots of photos

San Diego...
I had a fabu time is SD and LA. I could easily move there. I LOVE the west coast and the lower humidity.
image
Jeanne and I in front of Mr. Chow’s in LA. Inside this fabulous Asian restaurant we saw…Eddy Murphy (much smaller in person then on the big screen) David Brenner (comedian) The daughter of Kiefer Sutherland on the show ‘24’. The food…fantastic!
image
We stayed at the Beverly Hills in LA. Everyone is so hospitable, especially Ron the bartender at the Polo Lounge in the hotel. He is such a nice man. Lots of people know us even from staying there only once a year. It’s like being at Cheers…you know?

It was not my birthday…but everyone at the table said it was. This is what I got…
image
Then they took this picture of the un birthday girl…
image
This is Glen. He is a big kook! He is a good friend of Jeanne and Steve’s.

Stitches East...
What can I say except that I love anything that deals with the knitting life. Donna, Heather and I got to AC at around 3:30pm…just in time to stop at my favorite chocolate shop…Jagielky’s in Ventnor. Their # is (609)823-6501 If you love fabulous homemade chocolates…call them…they ship!! We each bought a pound for ourselves and you can bet I’ll be ordering more. Stitches was smaller then it usually is. There were fewer venders there and the candy and nut booths that are usually in the convention hall were gone (they are always at the Convention hall) I really wanted that candy.
image
Happy hour in the Temple Bar at the Ceasers…where we stayed. We all shared a room. Donna brought a 2 bottles of wine, olive tepanade, cheese and crackers. I brought 2 bottles of wine, nuts and crackers. We had our own happy hour before going out on a few nights. We had a blast. I am already dreaming about next year which will be at the Convention Center in Baltimore…Woohoo!!!
image
Having fun, fun, fun!!!
image
The fabulous, funny, talented Harlot & me
image
Waiting very patiently (1 1/2 hr wait) for a fabulous Italian dinner at Angelo’s. Yum!!!
My next post, I’ll show you what I bought at Stitches and a finished Smooch.

I’ll leave you with some pretty photos of the Maderas golf course in San Diego…
image
image
This was our view as we sat outside for lunch. Gorgeous!

Have a great one!

Posted by Eilene in
Travel

(67) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

  I’m on my way

to sunny and beautiful San Diego.
image

Right now I’m on a layover in Atlanta Georgia. So I thought I’d catch up on visiting my favorite blogs & a quick post. I always look forward to this once a year trip to visit a very close friend. It brings back such fabuloius menories of when I used to live here. I will have lots of photos to show when I return…so be prepared.

I brought Smooch with me to finish. I will post as soon as she is done. I have 6 rows left to knit and then I start the armhole & neck shaping.

Have a great 2 weeks!

Posted by Eilene in
SmoochTravel

(7) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Thursday, September 01, 2005

  Simply Waiting

Now that I have finished Olive...I decided to try to put in the zipper myself. I got a comment from her and her about trying to sew the zipper in myself. They gave me the encouragement (” You can do it”) to try it. Thanks girls! Well…when I got out the zipper, it was way too long. I guess Olive is smaller than it was supposed to be. So off to the internet I went & ordered a couple 2 way zippers from Zippersource. So now I’m just simply waiting in the wings & hopefully one of the colors will match close enough to use. Here is a photo of Olive and Maya waiting patiently to be finished…
image
I tried her on and she fits really well and very fitted. I can’t wait to finish her up.

I decided that instead of starting a new project (which I always love to do) I have to finish some UFO’s. One of which is Rowans Smooch...
image
Her back was about 3/4 finished about a year ago. I finished the back and this is where I’m at on her front. I have 14 rows left to knit and then I start the armhole shaping. I decided to make the front
V neck higher up than what they call for.  1. I have no boobage, cleavage…whatever…you get the piucture.  2. I actually want to wear this top. I do try to knit things so that they fit and I will actually wear them. Here is a close up of the hem…
image
I really love Rowan’s patterns and they seem to fit me quite well. I am using Rowan’s All Seasons Cotton in Misty. This yarn is wonderful and I love knitting with it. I also am trying out my first pair of Inox needles and I have to say that I LOVE working with them. I am looking forward to using them for my next lace project.

I got a RAOK in the mail from Julie...
image
It’s a paper crane and is suppoesed to be for good luck. Thanks so much Julie.

We had knit night last night. What a great time…as always…
image
Heather, Donna, moi and Lauren (who left before we took thid picture…sorry L)
We dined on a fabulous Greek salad (thanks to Donna), Wonderful crusty bread with an olive oil & herb dip (Lauren’s doing), Yummy Pizza (Care of Heather) and wine (from moi) We also brought stash to trade with each other. I will miss my girls as I’m going on my yearly trip to San Diego & LA on Tuesday morning for 2 weeks. I am really looking forward to this trip, but I will miss my friends. I do have something to look forward to when I return though…STITCHES EAST!!! Donna, Heather & I are going on Thursday & coming back on Sunday. I can’t wait!!!! Now that is going to be a blast! Right girls?

Here is a photo of some Black Eyed Susans I will leave you with…
image

Have a fabulous sunny day!

Posted by Eilene in
OliveSmooch

(0) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

  Almost Olive Oil

I’m finished her body, finished her arms, finished her collar…though I still have to seam her & put in her zipper. Here’s how Olive looks so far…
image
She looks a little tiny…but as we all know…ribbing stretches…big time. I’m really looking forward to finishing Olive. As you know, she was put on hold for Birch and Butterfly.

I mentioned that I want to knit up another Butterfly for my Christmas party. I’m torn between these 2 colors…
image
I LOVE the black and I already have beautiful blackish grey irredesent beads for it. As far as the wine color, I only have clear beads for now. I can see the black one with a nude cami underneath with a pretty black skirt or slacks. Just don’t know!

Donna and I want to knit up this Rowan sweater from Magazine #32…
image
We both decided to knit this in white KSH. I know, I know more KSH. I’m sure I’ll get sick of it soon enough…not!

Workout Update...
Let me start by saying my that my Pilates instructor has upgraded my workouts to the intermediate to advanced level on the mat, the reformer & the Cadilac. Help me! I am so sore. My abs have gotton super strong from these workouts. I look forward to going as she is constantly changing and trying new exercises. No boredom here! Just sweat, sweat, drip, drip away!  I’m still going 2 times a week. I have also been doing my weights and cardio about 2 times a week. And of course there is my golf at least 2 to 3 times a week. More if I could.

I am getting so excited about Stitches East. I can’t wait to go!!!! If anyone else who is going wants to meet up…at the show or to get some dinner & drinks & gambling or any time, let me know. It is always great to meet the bloggers.

Pretty photos...
image
These beautiful butterflies are always on our Butterfly bush. I wonder what attracks them to this pretty bush with gorgeous purple flowers?
image
image
Did I mention how much I love my new camera?

Have a great rest of the day!

Posted by Eilene in
Olive

(1) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

  Truely Overwhelmed

Yes I am…truely overwhelmed by all of the positive responses I have recieved regarding Butterfly. I would like to thank all of you and let you know how much I appreciate all of your fabulous comments. You have made me feel extremely special…and who doesn’t love to feel special! As I have said in my last post, I love how Butterfly turned out and I have already worn her about 4 times. Every year we have a Christmas party and I have already decided to knit another Butterfly for the party. I’m either going to use the KSH in Liquer (Burgundy) or in Wicked (Black), except this time I am going to use beads…I think just on the front though. Gaile made a comment…“How on earth are you going to top this?” I am really not sure I have an answer to this one. I guess I would have to say that I would want all my knitted projects to fit me well…well enough for me to enjoy wearing them. That is all I could hope & pray for. If I think of anything else Gaile, I’ll let you know. 

Olive update...
I have not been knitting much, but I have been working on Olive. I am finished with all of the knitting except for picking up the stitches for the collar. I also still have to seam her & get the zipper put in. I am not starting anything elso until I finish her.

My DH and I went to the Cambridge Hyatt for a fabulous 5 days. We played golf 3 days in a row. Can you believe it was 98 degress with 100% humidity…but we did survive, thanks to the nice fellow who brought wet cold wash clothes by to us on the golf course. How refreshing that was! I played great. I broke 100 2 times. It was an easier course than the ones we usually play…but I still played great! We ate fabulous food, probably drank a little more than usual (it was a vacation you know) We went to the pool one day after golf. I haven’t done that in years (I try to protect myself from the sun). It was so relaxing though. It has been awhile since Rick & I have been away alone together and it was very nice. We actually enjoy each others company…alot!!! Here are a few photos from the golf course…
image
This was a par 3 that I pared. I got the ball in the hole in 3 shots!
image
A room with a view
image
Beautiful flowers…what flowers are not?

Here is a photo of Heather and I. She came over for dinner at our house. We grilled out & it was fabulous…
image
Go check out her finished Everyday Cardi. It looks awesome!!! Great job H!

I met Donna in Tysons Corner, Va for a fun filled 2 days. We shopped at the mall the first day. Then for dinner we went to Maggiano’s. This is my favorite Italian restaurant. The best!!!
image
Getting ready to go out for the evening…to Maggiano’s. She even brought with her a bottle of a fabulous Cab. Yum!!! We had a cocktail before dinner.
The next day we hit some knit shops & had a fabulous lunch.
Getting ready for the day. See I’m wearing Butterfly…again! I can’t get enough of this beautiful top.
image
We had the waiter take a photo of us after we stuffed our faces.
Thanks Donna…I had a fabulous time!! Can’t wait to do it again!

I gotta run to Pilate’s, so if I forgot anything, I will post it next time. I promise it won’t be as long in between posts!
Have a fantabulous day! grin

Posted by Eilene in

(6) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Friday, August 05, 2005

  Introducing Madam Butterfly

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Butterfly was so much quicker to knit than I would have ever thought. Even going to the ocean for 5 fun filled days didn’t deter her completion…
image
image
image
Of all the projects that I have ever knit…Butterfly is the one piece I am the most prowd of. She is my masterpiece. I LOVE this camisole. I love the color, the fit and the way she looks so antique. This is one unique knit! The best part about this project…it wasn’t hard to do! I will be posting all of Butterflys info in my Gallery under ‘Been there Done that’ if you would like to take a look.

Knit Night Update…
Last Wednesday I had knit night with my girls.
image
Lauren, Heather, Donna & moi
We met at Daedalus Books to start out the night. This place is very cool. It is a discount book warehouse. I will definitely make my way back there. I can’t believe I’ve been living in Columbia for 25 years & I didn’t even know about this place. Thanks Lauren for making us aware of it. Then we went to Macaroni Grill for a good old fashioned italian dinner. We had some wine and Sangria and then off to Borders for some knitting, chit chat & of course there was laughing…as usual. I’m so excited as they had the new fall 2005 Vogue Knitting in stock. More on that later.

Rick and I went to Ocean City, MD for 5 days. We had a fabulous time. Friends of ours invited us down to stay with them. We played 3 days of golf, miniature golf (I got 4 hole in ones…now why can’t I do that when I’m playing real golf), ate fabulous food, relaxed, had Cold Stone ice cream 2 times (my Fave…YUM!) & knit of course.
image
This is a photo of our view as we were riding across one of there many bridges in our golf cart at Baywood Greens golf course. Their landscaping was unbelievable. There were tons of flowers, fountains, even vegetable plants. I have never seen anything like it.
image
image
A pretty flower
image
This is my favorite photo. Doesn’t it look like a Monet painting?

Hope you enjoyed all the photos. Have a fantabulous weekend!

Posted by Eilene in
(0) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Monday, July 25, 2005

  The Amazing Beautiful Butterfly

Butterfly is oh so delicate…oh so beautiful…oh so I can’t believe I even knit this beautiful knitted piece of clothing!!! I am in love…all over again. Did I mention that I’m in love?
image
Isn’t she pretty? I had a few problems with the pattern. Once I figured it out…with the help of my Butterfly knitalong friends, it all worked out. This is a pretty quick knit. The pattern repeat is only 6 sts & I don’t have to look at the pattern anymore for the basic stitch pattern.
BUTTERFLY UPDATE...
You all think I am more quick than I really am. This is only the back of Butterfly. I am working on the front now. Still though…she is a quick knit. When I am all finished, I will model her with a camisole underneath. We wouldn’t want anyone getting any bad impressions now… would we!! wink

Birch Photos...
image
image
image
I just got back from Pilates…so forgive the workout clothes. Birch would look much better with a fabulous outfit!

Photo shots...
The birth of a flower…a Crepe Myrtle flower that is…
image
image

The heart of an Orchid…at least that is what I call it…
image
image
A White Orchid close up. I’m trying to get the whole middle of the orchid very clear. I think I need to get farther back, take the photo & then crop it. I’ll try that next time.

Workout Update...
Think I haven’t been working out because I haven’t posted about it…I think not! I’m still taking my 2 private Pilates lessons each week. When Rick & I play golf, we have been walking the course using a push cart. Each time gets a little easier. We walked both Saturday & Sunday last weekend. It was a sunny gorgeous weekend. So we probably walked about 5 miles each day while playing golf. Boy oh boy were we tired when we were done. I am improving so much in golf. Getting better makes me want to play more. I could easily play 4 times a week! I’m an obsessed golfer…really I am! I decided, I am at my happiest…knitting & golfing! I’m also working out my weight & doing cario at least 2 times a week. There is one thing I love about the warmer weather…I am much more active. I can’t wait to move where it is nice all year round.

Have a fabulous evening & more!

Posted by Eilene in
(3) TrackbacksPermalink
 

Sunday, July 17, 2005

  Birch…the ending. Butterfly…the beginning

Birch is all finished blocking and she is ready to show off her beauty. Have a look…
image
This beautiful Birch was my first lace shawl ever. I used Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Smoke and size US6 Addi Natura needles. Because I went down in needle size, so did the finished shawl size. I blocked it to the measurments…72” by 36”. It was a tough go at the beginning…lots of stitches to cast on, getting the first repeat fininshed to see if you were even doing it right, but overall she was an easy knit. The pattern stitch was extremely easy. I love the KSH and this yarn is light as a feather. Photos soon to come of Birch adorning my body.

Butterfly…the beginning...
I am soooo happy to announce that I started working on Butterfly…
image
This photo shows the provisional cast on & cast off. The back hem is done and I have already finished 1 repeat on the front.
image
A little closer view. I had a couple problems at first with one stitch, but I figured it out very quickly, This lace pattern is much harder the Birch’s. I love the way this lace hem looks. It is so antique looking. I can not wait to finish this beautiful canisole & wear her out on the town or even for knit night. Hey…I might even wear this baby around the house! I LOVE it in the Pearl color. The pattern calls for US8 needles and I automatically went down to a US7. I’m loose you know.  wink I ordered some of the Bryspun needles. I tested these out knitting the lace pattern using my KSH in smoke. They are fabulous needles for lace. The tips are very pointy & they are extremely comfortable to hold. The only problem is I can’t use them for Butterfly as the yarn is almost the same color as the needles. I do believe I need to see the stitches when kitting this pretty girl! Don’t you? Next time though!

Well…that’s all I’ve got for today.
Have a great one!

Posted by Eilene in
(0) TrackbacksPermalink
 
Page 3 of 5 pages  <  1 2 3 4 5 >