Day 243 of 2021

I finished the knitting on this shawl last week but just got the blocking done today. 

I can't wait to see how it turns out when it is dry and I unpin it. 

It wasn't until it was wet and I was laying it out 

that I realized I had forgotten to weave the ends in. 

I'll do that when it's dry, but in case you are doing some blocking 

I can tell you that the resources I read said to be sure to do it before blocking. 

 

Day 242 of 2021

If you need me I'll be here just making dinner on my Fisher-Price stove 

and then serving it on my mini Tupperware toy dishes.

 

Day 241 of 2021

The most important thing in this picture is in the upper left corner. 

There are two closets in this room that sit side by side. 

Each has a light that turns on by a switch between the closets. 

Up until today these lights were fluorescent fixtures. 

The light bulbs were very expensive to replace. 

The lights would sometimes come on and sometimes would not. 

The closet on the right had an especially difficult time. 

The light would come on and then shut off. 

Sometimes it would come back on and sometimes it would not. 

Today I mentioned that we should replace them right now. 

We agreed that we should go look for an LED option. 

So we did just that and got the whole job done in an hour 

that we have been talking about for years. 

The one thing that is scary is that the fixture in the right closet

 was very hot when we took it down.

 The wall behind the fixture was very hot also. 

I can't help feeling lucky that the overheated light didn't cause a fire. 

Now I am convinced

 that we need to replace the rest of the closet lights in the house.

 

Day 240 of 2021

Can I just tell you how difficult it is

 to find a coordinating fabric for an existing dress, 

and while I'm at it, how difficult it is to photograph this color? 

I believe these are fabric numbers 6 and 8. 

 

Day 239 of 2021

I'm sure I've said it before, but slow progress is still progress.

 

Day 238 of 2021

I got a late start on sewing today 

so this week's bag assignment is only partially done, 

but the week is not over yet.

 

Day 237 of 2021

I am happy to report that the gingko tree that struggled so much this spring 

did end up thriving through the summer. 

 

Day 236 of 2021

Fireball. My guy.

 

Day 235 of 2021

I woke to construction sounds this morning. 

After some investigation, I found that our neighbors were having something built. 

The builders were quite efficient

 and before long it was evident that it was a mini barn. 

It was complete by late afternoon. 

 

Day 234 of 2021

This is how I isolate the repeat I'm supposed to do

 in any particular knitting row. 

It is supposed to keep me from messing things up. 

It doesn't always keep up its end of the bargain.

 

Day 233 of 2021

Fireball's cousin died unexpectedly a few weeks ago. 

Today was his memorial service. 

He accomplished a lot in his life. This represents his military service, 

but he was so much more than just that.

 

Day 232 of 2021

Here is a shirt that I saw today but did not buy. 

I have a problem with crew neck shirts. 

I always feel like they are choking me. 

I thought this was a great solution for those casual t-shirts and sweatshirts. 

You can bet I will be trying this on a couple very soon.

(Photo taken 8-20-2021. Temperamental computer prevented an on time post.)

 

Day 231 of 2021

The last two days I have hemmed one dress for myself, 

and two pairs of pants for Grandpa H, my father-in-law.  

I'm so glad to be done. 

I'd much rather be doing fun sewing.

 

Day 230 of 2021

The only thing left to do for this kitchen clean up 

is put these cookies away. 

Then it's lights out.

 

229 of 2021

This week's bag assignment is done.

 

Day 228 of 2021

Another sign that fall is coming. 

I'm usually a little annoyed that this kind of display is out so early, 

but this year I'm not mad about it.

 

Day 227 of 2021

I knit fifteen rows tonight, finished one section, started the next section 

and inserted my next lifeline. 

This next section is not difficult 

but the stitch count has doubled from the last section. 

I am prepared for the progress to feel slower. 

 

Day 226 of 2021

Normally I like to listen to books

 but this one is not available from my library on audio

 and I know it's going to be one I'll need on hand to refer to as necessary. 

I've glance through it and read random pages, 

but tonight I am diving in from the beginning.

 

Day 225 of 2021

I frequently find that my favorite shirts are hanging in the laundry room

 instead of my closet.

 

Day 224 of 2021

For the outer portion of my Sew Together Bag I am using some of my orphan blocks. 

I originally wanted to sew my scraps into blocks of one preselected pattern

 and really make a dent in my scraps. 

At the end of this process I would, of course, end up with a quilt. 

Well, as it turns out, I did not enjoy making the block I selected

 so I never got very many made. 

I am pleased that I now have the opportunity

 to use a few of these pieces for a new project. 

Today I layered and quilted it 

with a rough diagonal grid and then cut it to size. 

This week's assignment for the sew along is complete.

 

Day 223 of 2021

Fireball and I were out and about most of the day

 so nothing crafty or quilty happened today, 

but while we were out we found these cool color-your-own Halloween ornaments. 

I think they will come in handy the next time the GBs come visit.

 

Day 222 of 2021

I found this knitted blanket in a bag

 while sorting through things in the house today. 

It was made by Little E. 

The ends need to be woven in. 

Fireball suggested that it might be great in our newly refreshed sunroom. 

I wrote and got approval from Little E, so now I am weaving in ends.

 

Day 221 of 2021

Grandma and Grandpa babysit. 

She's trying so hard to stay awake.

 

Day 220 of 2021

Here's another progress picture of my current knitting project. 

My progress is mostly due to daytime knitting which is not normally what I do. 

For this picture 

(I don't want to bore you with the same shot every time) 

I have clipped the piece onto a white lampshade to emphasize the design.

 

Day 219 of 2021

I got myself all caught up on the Sew Together Bag SAL today.

 

Day 218 of 2021

Here is today's progress on the special project. 

I had made a mistake in my car knitting and couldn't work it out

 so I ripped back about two and a half rows and put in a lifeline. 

Ideally this is done before it is needed, not after as I did here.

I continued from there, finished the second repeat of this second pattern

 and put in another lifeline. 

Only one is pictured here and I don't know if you can see it very well. 

It is the pale green yarn. 

I have learned my lesson and will continue to do the same as I continue. 

I have talked about lifelines before here. 

In lace knitting one will put in a lifeline in an uncomplicated row 

and mark it on the pattern in case a mistake is made. 

Ripping back to an easily recognizable row, not too far back, 

is better than having to start completely over. 

Go take a look if you feel so inclined.  

Also this pattern includes P2tog tbl. 

(purl 2 together through back loop) 

I was finding this very difficult to do with my yarn and slippery needles

 without much time and frustration. 

Rather than changing needles, I researched an easier way to do P2tog tbl 

and found a wonderful video that not only makes the stitch easier to do

 but also makes the stitch look better. 

I hope something in this post has or will make your knitting life easier.

 

Day 217 of 2021

I have finally started a project I have dreamed about for a very long time.

 

Day 216 of 2021

Progress report.

 

Day 215 of 2021

I've wound my yarn and have cast on for swatching a very special project. 

Of course, I'll post progress pictures.

 

Day 214 of 2021

It was cooler today

and these grasses blowing in the breeze reminded me

 that it will be fall soon. 

I'm not suggesting that I think we won't have any more hot weather. 

We will, but today was a nice reminder of things to come.

 

Day 213 of 2021

This is what it looks like

 when your tongue, eyes and pajamas all match.