Maker of stuff

Absence...

2011-11-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

They say it makes the heart grow fonder...however I feel like I am a slacker! My son has a very severe illness and is in need of a double lung transplant now. He has been released from the hospital after a month and a half in the pulmonary care and intensive care units. It is going to be a long haul for us I fear.

I believe that I am going to be posting in here a bit more often as I am going to need to have the sanity break.

The picture is of two of my grand daughters working on a pirate crazy quilt from Crazy Rebecca's (Etsy) while we wait for my son to come out of surgery.

Every Tuesday... right...

2011-07-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

I am just not trying hard enough to hold myself to a schedule I think. The MS seems to think that I don't really need one. LOL

With the many people I know in town who are a bit freaked from the continuous "sorry folks ... we ruined your budget" news. (up to and including stationing the military around the country to control riots if there is a collapse) I have to say... why does anyone listen to the fear porn that is going on around the air waves anyway? Why not just be ready to take care of you and yours for a short period of time as has always been The American Way ?

Having a stocked pantry isn't hard, you just have to buy that extra something when it is on sale and put it on the shelf. You use what you store, you store what you use, and you never have to panic when company drops in at dinner on how to expand it to feed them.

You don't have to go to the extent of having a years supply on hand, although I think it is wise. I would suggest a good radio with weather and emergency bands. You should have some food and water to get you and yours through a week or two in case of real emergencies... remember Haiti?

Katrina ring a bell for anyone?

Please accept this invitation to pour a hot cuppa and check out some of what we have to offer.

www.millionthmonkeyfoods.com

The MonSter...

2011-06-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

got me. I am only beginning to come back to day to day life again. It seems to have left me with a seizure pattern that is active so I am going to be trying to make myself post on Tuesdays as a exercise in getting back to it.

Thank you all very much for your patience.

sorry for the delay...

2011-03-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

pneumonia has laid me low for a week or so.

I have done much of nothing this past week except cough and fuss.

Still working on the knitted brown scarf and the quilt squares. I should have pictures by tomorrow.

Knit wash cloths

2011-02-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

This weekend I managed to put together enough of these to stock my kitchen! I think that there are eight of them!!!

Now I can just match them with a kitchen towel and have a clean one every day.

I joined in a scrappy 9 patch block swap so I will be posting some of those also.

tea tray pretties

2011-02-16T08:15:00.002-08:00

The potluck Sunday was a great success. Such great people and ideas. I was going by the "25% rule" of RSVP... but everyone showed up and it was standing room only!

The crochet and knit items are the busting of the cotton stash! Wash cloths, coasters, and hot pads.

tea tray pretties

2011-02-16T08:15:00.001-08:00

The potluck Sunday was a great success. Such great people and ideas. I was going by the "25% rule" of RSVP... but everyone showed up and it was standing room only!

The crochet and knit items are the busting of the cotton stash! Wash cloths, coasters, and hot pads.

2011-02-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

So far so good with the crochet baby blanket project. I have enough squares to make centers for about 12 baby blankets. Busy day today as I have to go into Denver! More later in the weekend. Oh the big black blob on the couch is Dusty Mae!

A challenge!

2011-02-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Well... part of this years goals are to de junk our lives. Ummm...yeah... that stash... I think I must use it up before buying anything else. Recalling all those times past when I thought "that once I had time on my hands I will make THIS!". I would now have to say "yeah... right!". So we moved to the smaller house last summer. Then there was this Storage Unit... once again... paying for somewhere to keep the junk that we haven't let go of yet. Some was the art studio stuff... now my 'studio room'... is floor to ceiling-wall to wall...STUFF! Very good artsy creative stuff... but stuff!

I am going to endeavor to use it all up. No buying anything else (except small items to finish that project I have lost parts to) I am going to use it and stop it from being money that was wasted. I may need to open a etsy store. There is beads, yarn, fabric, leather, glass, baskets, and boxes, and sacks of quilts that never happened.... well...you know the drill.

Last night I opened the first box of yarn and started baby blankets to go to my favorite charities. These will be simple granny squares turned into something warm and maybe worth making someone else's memories. I have a picture of the first squares!

I suppose that this is going to end up being somewhere between the Anyway Project and something that I have learned from FlyLady.com. Won't promise to buy nothing... just going to do up all these projects before I buy another crafty thing.

Orange blossoms

2011-02-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

I have to say that the house smells like heaven! My tangerine trees have begun to blossom. The indoor tomatoes have gotten some kind of bug and I don't know how much longer they are going to hold up. Good thing it is about time to sow seed for the 2011 growing season.

Winter has been an on again off again thing this year... but it is ON again now. Last Friday it was in the +60f range... today I think it is something like -20f. SO ... I am not going outside till it thaws again... like Friday! when it should be in the 40's again.

Today is a make a pot of soup day. I think curried rice and chicken sounds good.

All ya'll stay warm and prepared.

Don't forget to get that extra can of something for the pantry for when the circumstances don't allow you to obtain something. Please check out the website www.MillionthMonkeyFoods.com

We have all kinds of disaster preparation stuff there so that we don't need to worry about you!

You don't need to buy from us (though I encourage it!), but get prepared to take care of yourself in case of a rough patch in your road.

Growing stuff

2010-12-20T11:10:00.001-08:00

My tomato clones (cut from my mother plant before the cold hit) are doing well, and four of them are now in flower! I know that most of the world thinks I am crazy as a barking moon bat, but that just made my day somehow.

I think I get far more satisfaction out of having tomato flowers at the Winter Solstice than most would. So lets just take a look at that for a moment.

Dr. Oz did a show on GMO foods (Dec.3rd?) and made a statement that 80% of the food Americans eat is GMO. That you average American adult has about (or over) a pound of dissolved polymers in their bodies. (that is a pound of plastic folks... how you gonna work that off)

Growing my own veggies from heirloom seeds seems to be a bit of a health bet that I can make for myself and my family.

Yes, my tomatoes are in flower.

does your tap water...

2010-12-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

have enough methane in it to burn? Will your shower cause your home to explode due to methane build up in your bathroom?

Time to pay attention, so I thought I would share this with you today.

http://www.fwweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4412:forget-dont-drink-the-water&catid=1:static&Itemid=373

Trying to link this to my business ...

2010-10-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

so as we all know my learning curve is a straight line. So... I am having a business partner do it for me.

Yay for finding people who are smart and willing to help.

Picture for today...

My Grandfather William Ivy Shattuck and my sister Jill (Shattuck) Stafford.

Those walnut trees sure got much bigger since then.

Learning...

2010-08-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well let see if I can get this posted today. The picture above is the little Wendy house in the back corner of the court yard. It has been mistreated, but I think by spring it will be a lovely little retreat. It has two stories so the top level is a loft.

This one is the deep dry shade under the spruce trees. This is taken just about noon so you can see how little sun it gets. So far only hosta and rhododendrum are planted. The other plants are house plants waiting to be repotted for the winters wait inside.

Yay!

2010-08-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

My sister is coming to help save me from my tech challanged world! I am going to know how to post my own pictures without having to bug someone!
Great news for me.
The unpacking is coming right along and I should be able to post something interesting sooner or later. LOL Settling in slowly but surely.
That I have found an old recipe that my Gran used to make has made me smile and look for the canning jars a bit more seriously.
This is just a short post to keep myself moving toward five posts a week.

Self disapline...

2010-08-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

what self disapline... yep I am posting more than once every few months... I am hoping to get to where I am going to be more disaplined about it but with the move into a different house and getting a business started up I am slacking!!!

I am happy in my new old house. I am trying to figure out how to get the pictures off my phone and onto the computer. Boy do I have the tech challange.

I have my fall garden planned and some of it planted. I have tomato, crookneck squash, and eggplant coming on. This is going to be a happy place with roots.

I am working hard right now and that is different to me. I am trying to keep something going on a regular basis so I am not falling behind with the baby business. (www.millionthmonkeyfoods.com)

I am going to be writing more on sheltering in place and how to plan in case things go badly, and even if they don't. I know that looks odd but I am going to pull a page from my Grandmother's book and plan for a rainy day.

Have a pantry... G'ma did... and in the winter when things were not growing or the snow went deep she was set. Canning is a great therapy in nurturing yourself, your family, and still have something put aside.

Make a victory garden... and include some cold weather root crops. Carrots, turnip, beets, and such can be mulched heavily and left in the ground over the cold winter so you don't even need to harvest till needed. Just knock the snow away, move the mulch and pull the veg from the not frozen ground. Wash, cut, and cook... maybe five minutes from the dirt to the pot! Nothing will give you the vitamin boost that eating fresh will.

Crazy things run through my head. Quilting, drying meat, fruit, and veg. Gardening is a balm to my soul. That said I think everyone should grow something that will nourish them even if it is sprouts. Gardens ground you literally. Putting down roots... that is about planning to be somewhere for awhile.

I don't know where the blog is going to go. I think it might bounce from subject to subject for awhile.

I am going to make more effort to blog five days a week... that is an easier goal to put into my calender.

Moved...

2010-08-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

Alright... lesson for today, alway save your work!
The little house I moved to is as cute as a button. I am becoming more settled by the day.
The garden is started. The courtyard now has the rhododendron and hosta transplanted in.
The studio is at least a designated location.
I am trying to put a post in here but the program seems uninclined to be helpful.
The Tanner Gun Show is over the 7th and 8th! There will be a show special posted at the website. (millionthmonkeyfoods.com) That was so much fun last time we are going to make having a show page a constant thing.
I am going to try to post this again.

Well, the MS got bad for awhile...

2010-05-26T12:15:00.001-07:00

I am trying to get back to life again and the business around that. I have moved to Boulder Colorado to be closer to my kids. Living in hippee mecca is not so bad.
I do not have my own yard right now, but I don't have yard energy yet. I will grow my veg in pots and under lights and that may be something I am going to show on here.
My daughter is going to help with getting me out to take pictures and I am going to learn to post them myself if it turns me in circles!
Lets see if I can keep up with this now.

Well, the MS got bad for awhile...

2010-05-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

This is going to be harder than I thought...

2009-10-31T14:51:00.000-07:00

still, I got a pic to post today! These are the plarn purse I am working on. I really am fond of the flower detail.

alright this is harder than it looks...

2009-10-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

who knew that with a busy schedule one just runs in circles forgetting that they joined a challenge!

LOL

Today I am just really working on cleaning out the overwhelming crud out of my office closet.

What doesn't get donated to charity will be recycled. Old printer and some computer parts that I don't even remember what I got them for will be donated to the local school. Other stuff will recycle. Either way it will not be taking up personal space in my office.

I suppose that I am going to declutter the house eventually. Part of down sizing and simplifying things. Taking care of the psychic pollution as well as making it easier to open that closet without ducking things falling on my head.

The picture is of a cold hardy rose in my front yard. Making a valiant attempt to bloom even after a couple weeks of cold nights and snow happening on and off. Last year it bloomed until almost the end of November. If it has nice days perhaps it will again.

365...

2009-10-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, my friend Rebecca (Crazy Rebecca on Ravelry and Etsy) has challenged herself to post a picture daily for 365 days... or maybe it is 365 pictures. I don't know really. But ... doesn't it sound like fun!

What can I possibly do but take up that gauntlet and see if I can keep up.

So here goes for day one!

Using an older picture because I did not charge up my camera batteries.

This one is a picture of the flowering quince at the street end of my driveway... why... well, it has been cold and yucky for most of the week. Not today though, today is beautiful and it promises to be lovely for a few more days too!

Off to get that lecture taken and get my lab done. School can be a pain I think, but I like it.

something of intrest

2009-09-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.nature.com/nature/videoarchive/antikythera/index.html
I think this is facinating... it has nothing to do with what I am usually blogging about but I found it remarkable.

I am just not really with the...

2009-09-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

rat race right now. I am unable to really make myself want to do anything. Someone told me that I am suffering from ecoanxiety and it seems to make sense.

I am unable to work on my cable luxe sweater right now as the pattern has me stumped.

The garden looks awful because we had early snow and lots of hail this summer.

I am still in school and struggling to make myself finish up, but I will get it done.

Trying to not let my house fall in on me. LOL

Going to be making an attempt to sell the quilts and other stuff to generate the cashish that I need to get the wolf to back off my door.

Peace

Rain is here!

2009-08-01T03:36:00.001-07:00

The nights are cool enough now that we have trees that are putting on the colors of fall. That the maple trees have begun their color change before the last week in July was a bit strange. I am unable to post pictures right now as there is an issue of getting them off my camera. I am looking into getting a new camera because of it.

The garden is still plugging away. The chest band on the green Cable Luxe Tunic has been finished and the bottom of the sweater is under way. (but just barely as summer has me paying more attention to the yard than my knitting.) The neighbor kids are itching to go shopping for new clothes for school.

My daughter has relocated her family to accommodate work, which is not so happy for me, but great for my Mom and other family members. She has moved to the midwest and is closer to kin.

All in all though life is grand.

I think I need to have a long talk with myself..

2009-07-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

about procrastination. Some of the lack of photos is simply that we haven't had a good sunny picture taking kind of day in awhile. I don't have interior lights that work. Maybe I will get them in the next couple of days.

There was one heck of a thunder storm this afternoon and some areas are in flash flood warnings.

Still the zuchini are happily setting fruit and flowers. The cukes are also flowering but I have seen no sign of fruiting yet.

Started two crochet rugs. One from a old dyed cotton sheet and another from t-shirts cut to yarn.

Chest band for the cable luxe tunic ...

2009-07-24T21:39:00.001-07:00

is finished. Pictures on Saturday!

BUG!

2009-07-22T10:05:00.001-07:00

I have no idea what this handsome beattle is but would like to know. The picture is from my phone so it is not the best. He is an metallic antique gold and white. The best part is he hisses. Why he? Why not.

metamorphosis

2009-07-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

Seems to be my big word of the day. Rather like a caterpillar that has been inactive for so long, I can feel something happening. I do not know what form it is going to take, but I am feeling more interested in life again.

This may take many forms and this blog may travel along with my interests in many different directions now.

I have so many things that I am making right now that it seems funny to list it here.

Current favorites are my garden and playing with plastic grocery bags.

Plarn seems to be a wonderful way to recreate the grocery bags into other items that I find useful. Often new grocery bags. A bit like my caterpillar... the humble plastic bag has served it's original purpose. Feeling rejected and lost it finds it's way to a quiet corner to sulk and wait. Upon being found it is transformed from plastic bag to plastic yarn (in a manner to graphic to tell the faint of heart) and is eventually knit into something that is once again serviceable. Metamorphed into a new purse, a bag to put garden tools in, a flower pot, a flower pot hanger, the possibilities are endless!

Happy Day of Explosive Celebrations!

2009-07-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

NanoActivism

Someone I know introduced me to this word. It is all about doing that itty bitty part that you Can do to change something. That random act of kindness, or even just picking up a piece of litter and disposing of it properly. If everyone did a little bit, even one percent a difference would be world wide.

What could you do in your life to make a possitive change? Recycle, compost, garden, take an elderly neighbor to the store or out to lunch?

This is an old rose in my yard, fragrant and sweet. My wonderful neighbor Paul said he thinks the name was baby doll kisses. Even if it isn't the name is precious!

2009-07-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of fuzzy pics to help. I am going to need to find someone who has a steady hand to get better pictures.

2009-07-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have a mock orange that has a real history. It came from the neighbor who has had the parent plant for about 50 years. The plant he has came as a start from his mother in laws garden, and was gathered around the time she got married. In the late 1800's. This single flowered form has the most lovely fragrance, but I don't know enough about mock orange to find a name for this plant.

It is planted in with roses and honey suckle and I think that must be what heaven smells like.

Roses

2009-06-30T13:44:00.001-07:00

Opps one is the quince, but the other two are a small rose at the end of my sidewalk. It has no scent, and these orange-ish flowers. I would love to know what kind it is if anyone has a clue. The flowers look like little orange balls and do not really unfurl. They just open a bit.

Look the slacker with the MonSter is back!

2009-06-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well at least I am trying to be back again. The garden is coming along well and I will post pictures when I find someone to take them so that they are not always so blurry. We are all on pins and needles here awaiting Angels birth. That makes for a jumpy household.
I am housebound today due to the chill and wet outside. Thankful for both today, as it is really needed moisture.
Trying to figure out what to do about those people who smoke cigarettes and leave the butts laying around the yard. It has become a real issue for me since I am spending a lot of time there now. Wouldn't be an issue if the niece and companion... and all of their friends didn't hang out here. I am finding that I am a horrible person when it comes to that conflict of interest. I love the kids, I want to see them and their children, I hate the poison smoke that they consume almost as much as the companies that they are pouring money into. I wish that they could see it my way. It is poison, it is litter, it is so bad for the economy and ecology of the planet. Addiction sucks.

Greetings Earth Dwellers...

2009-05-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

It was always a joke between my brothers and sisters and myself. It was from some old space invasion movie. Still doesn't it make more sense now? I like to think of myself as dwelling on the Earth. To dwell... to remain for a time, to live as a resident, to keep the attention directed upon, to speak or write about insistently.... got to love Webster! I am not certain what form this awareness of dwelling is going to take in the long run, but for now it is enough that I am becoming aware enough to know that I dwell. I am not just here, or just living there, or gardening... I intend to dwell.

Spring snow has made all gone now...

2009-04-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

and the yard is trying to leap into spring. I have a bit of damage on one bush that flowered hard last year. It woke up early with the warm weather, and has some serious cold damage. I was putting some compost on the grape vines and the air shifted. There was this wonderful smell. Following that I think I have a current in bloom. Picture sucks, but I will try again tomorrow to get one that is in focus.

Ahhhh.... those big spring snow storms...

2009-04-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

well this one promises to stay until Saturday. The seedlings for this years garden are happily growing in the starter greenhouse in the living room. We can't set stuff out safely till the late part of May due to snows and frosts. Still it is going to give me a good jump on the growing season. Some of the things that are in containers already are some radish and carrots. Some salad greens are also growing. This weekend I have plans to also put some flowers into starters so that I have more happy bee goodies. Pollenators should be kept happy. I am still looking for someone that might want to share the yarden. So far no luck. I think that I am not hanging with the right old hippies. LOL
Green Cable Lux Tunic is on the needles, the chest band is finished, and I should get my stich markers made and the rest of the sweater started this weekend also.

Community is...

2009-02-15T23:22:00.000-08:00

something I have been craving alot lately. Perhaps it is the gardener in me that no longer wants to weed alone. I am wanting to have a good hot cuppa with my knitting in my lap and discussing the ways of living a simple life with someone face to face. I think that as more and more people come to want a more sustainable lifestyle that having community is going to be of great value. It will be both a teaching tool and a place of fellowship. Somewhere you can exchange ideas on what grows best where, or how to harvest water without great expense. How to combine aquaculture and hydroponics ? So many ideas. Perhaps the idea isn't just to be someone that eats food grown locally, but someone that lives locally as well. I know that I can't be the only one out there that is thinking these thoughts. (right along with the one that says I need to replace my cord to download my camera) My mind races right along, and then hits the brick wall of to many possibilities and has to go take a nap.
Today I actually made great headway in putting my studio space together. With much help from the dogs I might add. I think I am going to be happy with the results if we stay where we are. Dear Husband was laid off Friday. Wish us luck.

Grow your own...

2009-02-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

or how to have a Victory Garden at your house!
I reciently came across this:

"If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That’s not gallons, but barrels."*
- Oily Food, by Steven Hopp

somehow it hit me in the face like a dead carp. There really is something simple that can be done about the oil and gas thing. No real effort there, just good food!

So here I am wishing hard for spring time and planning my garden. The tea cozy is almost finished and at least one of my swaps is ready to go into the mail tomorrow. I feel all accomplished and stuff! My plans for the cardboard tea caddy are in place and I think I am going to have much fun with that challange.

Winter Blues

2009-02-15T01:01:00.000-08:00

So here I am with my case of insomnia and my dreams of perfect gardens. I know that this is not what happens, but I am dreaming of summer. In the real world I will have cats, doxies, and bugs in it! Still, if you use what you have and grow what you can you are closer to being self sufficient I suppose. I have been looking into sustainable urban agriculture, some call it permaculture, techniques and I think that I can do this. Even in a smallish yard you can grow most of the veggies that a family would need in a year. Perhaps even chickens.

paranoia is my friend...

2009-02-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

No real reason why. These past few weeks, perhaps months, I have become increasingly insecure about life in general. Being unable to really put my finger on why with out sounding like a moon bat, I have decided to do what I can where I am, with what I got. I plan to work toward an more self sufficient life style. I have decided to empower myself as much as possible by learning as much as I can. I am back in school. I have signed up to take citizen emergency preparedness courses. I have enough stash in my fabric to make a quilt that would cover my neighborhood. I have cheese making supplies and have some emergency food supplies put up. It is a start. This will be updated, perhaps in its own blog.

Sad news

2009-01-28T12:16:00.000-08:00

That even though the pups had their shots. They got parvo. Only Peanut survived. Puck and Princess had not made sufficient antibodies yet. They past last week.

just some pics

2009-01-21T15:39:00.001-08:00

These are some confusseled crocus and Harley on a rug. Peanut on the arm of the couch, and Puck and Peanut on the couch. It makes it hard to believe that they are from the same litter she is half his size.

This is a hanging basket that holds a jar candle. It throws the best spooky shadows at night. The bramble kind of stuff are roses. (alright so I am not so good at this) The mountain picture is Pikes Peak today I went outside bare footed to take this because it was almost 70 degrees out. It will snow in a couple of days, for a couple of days.

emergency preparation kits

2009-01-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

or are you really crazy if you have one or do you make one because you hope to never need it for the reasons given? Just a thread in a group I belong to. We have several kinds of emergency kits made up. One medical, one grab and go bug out kind of pack for each of us, and a in home ride the storm out emergency box put together. There is one that is for throwing into the car in case of evacuation that has enough stuff to camp for two weeks in comfort. I have friends that think I am a paranoid and others that wish they had it put all together. With my health being iffy at some points in time, I am happy with the structure it gives me. I don't need to rush about to find that flashlight and candles. If a neighbor was hurt by the lawn mower I could do a compression bandage if I needed to... but who cuts grass in an emergency. I have my red cross certifications in first aid as does my husband, and I know that this is starting to read like a list of crazy as I am. I have survived hurricanes (it was a himacane that got me), and blizzards, and hope to never have to deal with tornado or mad max scenario's. I hope that I never need them, I rotate out what needs to be changed every six months. If I had a pick em up truck and fifth wheel I think I would just keep it located there. Still I know that if the government were not there to help me for a few days I would be alright. Paranoid... you bet ya. Really really a child of the 50's with family that went through a few wars and a depression that would rock ya. Do I have a drop spindle and some roving in it... yeppers... and some yarn and fabric and needles. Even a couple of small toys and some cards and domino's. Life goes on... going on with some kind of stress relief is a good thing. I don't plan to need any of it.. but should I it is there. Might want to make sure you have some too. Cause you won't need it but shouldn't have to worry. Not worrying is a very good thing.

www.change.gov

2009-01-15T14:08:00.000-08:00

Please go and let the new president know what you are wanting to tell him. What is important to you... infrastructure, enviornment, food safety, small farm issues... they even have ufo disclosure. This way you will have a direct route to have your say, and know that you are not the biggest nut job going!

I am very concerned about the new laws going into..

2009-01-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

effect on February 10th. These are going to put many many crafters in a bad place of having to either break the law or go out of business. I know some of the big box stores and large chains have a start on getting into compliance, but I also know of many small shop owners that are unaware of it all. It will effect resale and charity hard because items intended for use by children 12 and under will be halted. No toys, or even give aways will be allowed without the proper third party testing. My emotions are all over the place over this as I have been making chemo caps for kids and now I am having the charity I use beginning to hem and haw about the content. I don't import and use the naturalist materials I can find but I don't think that they are going to be exempt. I don't have the attorneys to fight it (cause I don't have the cashish) so I am going to be discontinuing my kids stuff.

The flu came to our house for the holidays...

2009-01-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

Starting a new year with some recovery time. More later

snowing and I am tense about the CPSC

2008-12-23T11:07:00.000-08:00

Snow falling on the front range. I am wanting to be wrapped in blankets instead of worrying about the Febuary 10, 2009 start date for compliance with the consumer products safety commission. I am going to have to give up all of my charity knitting for children if I read this properly. Adult stuff only. (well 12 and up) This takes my kid chemo hats out of production because I can't afford to test for lead and phthalate. I am going to be sending email to my representatives and senators. I am also going to send snail mail to the CPSC small business ombudsmen. I will call and talk to the office of compliance and see how this really effects me and I will post the reply that I get.

busy busy busy...

2008-12-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

This month has flown by and I am still not being good about posting here. I am on ravelry most of the time and run out of go juice about getting to my other blogs. (here, myspace,and tribe) I have been busy knitting and trying to get the house to run smoothly.

The pups ate my camera cord so maybe Santa will bring another.

Here is a wine bottle sock I made Thursday night as a last minute gift. The yarn is repurposed and even though it doesn't show well in this light a lovely silvery green of unknown fiber content. I was very happy at how it was recieved. I can get insecure about gifting.

I think though that I will be making more as I am going to be starting a new batch of wine in a month or two. I don't know what kind it will be yet. Okay, so I do know what kind it will be... it will be yummy picnic kind of wine. The fruit is still in question.

The snowflakes are still drying and I am wanting to mess with them so much it isn't funny. I wish I knew what they will look like finished. Maybe tomorrow I will get pics.

Wow...

2008-12-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

Look what happens when you take pain meds. You just forget that the days go by. Lots happening here but nothing really getting made. No pics, just letting those that care know that I am feeling better.

crochet day

2008-11-28T22:59:00.000-08:00

I haven't gotten much done on any one project but touched about six today. Working on a tissue cozy that will organize my crochet hooks (sort of) and will post a pic when it is done. Most of the day has been quiet for me. Though T. and I set the treadmill up and both spent 15 minutes on it. I am going to try again tomorrow. I didn't have it fast as sometimes one foot in front of the other is a challange for me. lol Happy that I did it! Now here is the big !suprise of my day. Even after the snow I have one little pink rose that is in bloom. What heart!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T16:22:00.001-08:00

I have lots to be thankful here but I think I am not going to list it all here. I think that I have another fun thing to make. They are called Tawashi (I think that is the spelling) They are quick to knit or crochet and can really help you green your life. Cute little scrubbies that are going to let me take at least one more chemical cleaner out of my house. Wild thing is how wonderfully they work. With just a dampening of water they scrubbed my stove top today after the cooking of a feast and left it sparkling clean and didn't take much elbow grease!!!! As usual the pic is horible because of the cell phone and bad lighting. This is really a cream color.

new stuff

2008-11-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

I had a great time making this ball and have another on the needles already. My mind is spinning at what can be done with them. I'll post if they become other than balls. Cici9293 on Ravelry made the pattern up. Thanks Cici!

Sorry for the bum pictures, cell phones do that. It is closer to the picture on the right. Tealish really.

library

2008-11-24T08:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday night we decided to cheap date to the library. After bringing home several really good books I decided to start with Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters #1. Here is the first practise set. They are a toddler sock for a friends daughter. Shinny purple synthetic of reuse so I don't know the fiber content. (child has animal allergies) so this is the result. It made me tense that it looks so odd on the needles when you are used to traditional patterns but the urge to frog was successfully defeated. I like the way they fit. Though I think that there will be lots of learning before I get the technique down pat.

good start to getting the stash busted!

2008-11-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

These rugs may not qualify as an addiction, but they sure get the odds and ends taken care of. I had two boxes of skein ends that didn't have a designation past maybe some day I will get to using them. Well, the rugs I made this week just ran through those with efficiency. Leaving me with two rugs for the house. One oval in Christmas-y colors and one in everything else for in front of the tub. That one is round. Even used some bulky and novelty stuff. I am happy with them both and think that it is the best cure for those random balls that seem to breed in the back of the closet. Pictures later.

promised rug pics

2008-11-16T09:59:00.001-08:00

Not the best photos but what can I ask of a cell phone!

freaky

2008-11-16T08:56:00.000-08:00

I am a bit frightened but for no good reason right now. My daughter was supposed to move her family into an apartment in Boulder tomorrow. There was a big fire at that complex last night and it doesn't seem she will be able to be there. Where she is now she expects her out in the morning. I am to far away to offer shelter till this blows over so now I am trying not to panic about it all as there is nothing that will do to help. Any ideas?

finished rug

2008-11-15T22:25:00.000-08:00

pic is not good at all but it shows some of the sheen the gold fiber stuff gave it. Better pics tomorrow.

rug update

2008-11-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

FINISHED IT! I even think it could be done in less than four hours if there were less distractions. I will post a pick tomorrow when I can get one in good light. It isn't big but it sure is satisfying.

rug

2008-11-15T14:26:00.001-08:00

10,000 some odd ft of some kind of gold shiny stuff. Enough like yarn that it is going to be part of the rug. Goodness it might be part of several rugs...lol!

Went to Micheals and got a size 11.5 crochet hook to help.

comic relief

2008-11-15T10:54:00.001-08:00

Peanut in a fluffy sweater.

ruggin' it

2008-11-15T10:46:00.000-08:00

Started a crochet rug yesterday. Being inpired to try after following a link to someone off Wendysmodestdress. The way I had tried before it was just using a couple of strands of yarn together, but in this one she crocheted the two strands into a chain first then crocheted the rug. This makes a lovely heavy rug. Though I will need to get a larger hook to finish it here are the beginning pictures. (ok they are taken without enough light) One is of the beginning ball and the other is of the first three rounds.

2008-11-12T18:43:00.000-08:00

Puck and Peanut... she is still half the size of her siblings and doesn't yet weigh three pounds. Even though at eight months they seem huge to me. LOL I think that she sure looks cute dressed up, but she will go roll in compost everytime!

Here we go... I am trying to get my question answered. When are you a designer and when are you just making patterns up as you go? Is it design if you are not writing it down or making it for sale? Some days are just good for wondering about stuff!

tough times...

2008-11-08T20:45:00.000-08:00

so the house seems to be filling up with my sisters family. I am not unhappy but sure wish that we could all be making it without the fear of homeless kids! Happy news is that one of the twins is expecting. (due in June) Looking forward to more baby knitting. Also working on a soaker pattern for the boy dogs that have gone bad news with their house training in the hubbub! I will post picks if it works.

Suprise!!

2008-11-07T17:39:00.001-08:00

DHusband has brought home tickets to the ice hockey game. I think I am going to bring a small project along. LOL Got to love knitting for small dogs!

Harley's sweater

2008-11-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

Harley in his new jumper. Life is good for him though he looks like he isn't height happy! I still have to leave even trim off the arm holes as he catches his feet on it. Instead of a sweater I guess it is a vest.

little dog sweaters

2008-10-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

Are driving me crazy!!! I am trying to get a pattern worked out to put on my mini dachshunds! First one had arm holes that were way to big and the chest wasn't working out. Second the arm holes were better but it still looked like the basic sock top that I was using for inspiration. (ribbing knit tube with arm holes ribbing) Now the chest is getting better, the arm holes are smaller and even Ms. Peanut has one that fits. I have decided to leave off the sleeves because they seem to get in the way of those bitty legs. Though I am going to think about changing the needle and yarn to something finer and those will have finished sleeves and not just the arm holes that are left unfinished since I am still not happy with the pattern. These seem like they knit up in about two hours of tv time. Weather report says it will be a pretty day tomorrow so I will try to get a couple of good pics outside to post.

okay... promised pic finally

2008-10-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

knit from cotton that is a varigation of purple, cream, and sage-ish green. Though it became the bag that kept on growing... but knitting on pain meds is often like that. lol I can carry my laptop in it, along with several other books and some knitting in it...with a picnic lunch! I am happy with the result and even indulged in some public knitting.

Roses by my front door

2008-10-07T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of some of the roses by the front door! I am very happy that someone who was here in the past was a gardener. Life is okay today. I am going to post a picture of the knit bag tonight. I just have to make myself finish it and get a pic.

back at it...

2008-10-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

The yard has shaped up very nicely over the summer, though I didn't get as much done as I wanted because of school and the time that takes up. LOL Life is good though as fall comes on I am finding it more of a challenge to keep moving and off the convient medication. The MS isn't going to take the freedom of living away from me. I am going to be posting to my Etsy.com store and get myself back into the swing of having a hobby business until I can get the hang of business for real...lol. Should have my BA in business admin and accounting in about about a year.

Ok... knitting... yeah... doing lots and lots of shopping bags. It is an old pattern my GrandMa used. I don't know where it came from. I think that for pretty I am going to modify it for some of the lace patterns. I found out that I am able to carry my laptop, books, lunch, and thermos in it without any pain in my shoulder. They amaze me with what you can put in them because they just keep getting bigger. It reminds me of the carpet bag that Felix the cat used to carry. (for those of us old enough to recall)

ewwww...

2008-04-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

lookit all the dropped isis leaves... no don't look... ummm.... I will get this place looking better soon as the weather is nice on the weekend.

the garden at the new house is waking up...

2008-04-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

at one time this place must have been a wonderful garden. Now it all needs care and divisions. Though I have a plant that I have not seen before. I thought it was grass and almost weeded it out before noticing that it had a flower bud coming on. It has a pendulous cream colored flower that looks like an upside down tulip. The flower is about two inches long. And the dogs ate it!!!!

The plant looks intact but the flower was shredded. I have a pic that I took with my cell phone (oh look... if you like it... it must taste really good) so if anyone might know what it would be please let me know.

I have a baby sweater on the needles but really no urge to knit right now. Finishing up the gold and green crochet back pack by lining it. Picks tomorrow.

got to love

2008-03-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

the accelerated classes. Midterms at the end of week two! *Doing the happy dance* I aced it!!!
DH got me the rumor phone that I wanted and now I have the camera also. So look forward to pictures by tomorrow!!! Because today is cold and wet, so I am not doing nothing!!! Well, except suck down coffee like I have an iv and work on the lace shawl on the needles. All I have right now is the center piece worked out. It is a two count double faggot rectangle. I haven't even thought of edging patterns yet.

yay! We're in one house and one storage unit...

2008-03-13T01:16:00.001-07:00

finally I feel as though I am not completely lost in space. The kitchen is straight, I have found that I have way to many towels, and I think that I have found a local knit and weave supply that I like.
Its a very sleepless night but I am happy about making some progress with putting things away.

I can see FLOOR

2008-01-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

in the office/studio!!! Still getting some knitting done. January sock knit along is finished and a small rug in tones that will match the coleus garden for the patio. Have not even begun to think of the January shawl kal. Oh well. Life is going on while I continue to unpack and try to make sense of the house contents. We are still in two houses. I am finding it strange to be separated from the DH but I am doing ok. Recovered from the car smash up mostly. Found the new internist and pain management specialist... and beginning to get that almost on top of things feeling. Anyone that needs to have some of their stuff knit up should contact me as I am doing some consignment knitting now.

still scattered...

2007-12-06T23:27:00.000-08:00

across two counties... two houses... one storage unit... and I am ssssooooo fussy!!!!
Still, I think I have a basic idea of what I want the studio space to look like even if it is just in a spare bedroom right now until I can get the outbuilding put up. That is looking more and more like a late spring project!
One major thing that I have found out about myself is that I packed up lots of worthless crap when I was boxing stuff up that should have been put to the round file. I am SUCH a pack rat.
Though I have found a few pair of knitting needles and some of the yarn. The box of carded wool (with drop spindle) and the parts to my desk have made me happy and look like the project for the next couple of days while the snow threatens.
Trying to make myself settle down and finish up what is on needles. I have six one row scarves, two hemlock ring blankets, one hemlock ring doily, two pair of socks, and a tea pot cosy on and no urge to finish anything!
Well, I suppose that is what happens when you are dashing from dr to dr. The 12th is when I have the biopsy done. I am certain that I will settle down the flitting around after that.

Thanksgiving Eve?

2007-11-21T19:48:00.001-08:00

Here is hoping that everyone is warm and setting up to enjoy their families. Prayers and best wishes to those who are having harder times than I am. Hard times are no fun at all. Still they are a fact of life I guess.
I have made some nice chemo caps that are going to the cancer treatment center this weekend to keep some bald heads warm. I was making one for Bethany and got all carried away ! I still feel the urge to make another mans cap. Looks like the drive will be a productive time for all that knitting since I don't drive myself. DH does all the driving and even puts up with yarn all over the car!

chaos

2007-11-15T15:31:00.000-08:00

is not just some group of bad guys from the man from uncle. Sometimes it is a place that can only lead to creation. My frustration with the obsession that so many have with the mass produced "individuality" has become almost toxic. I suppose it is the reason that I left the RenFairs.
Once upon a time...awhile ago... in a land we made up for ourselves....
artists reigned ! Our kingdom was our market place. We produced what we sold during the year and also demonstrated our skills for the general populace to become entranced with. Often teaching classes during the run of the show. Then came the dark plague upon our lands. Imported items of low overhead and mass production produced by slave labour in lands far away were allowed to be obtained and sold in the market places for low cost and low standards.
Not being able to demonstrate the making of these things, merchants petitioned the King to release them from the requirement. Thus the general populace came to find that the show was not what they recalled and eventually the magic of art and handcraft was replaced by the cheap and plentiful. Slowly the artists drifted away in their caravans to the quiet corners of the land where the magic still lives but is often overlooked by those who do not create in their own life.

gaaaahhhhhh!!!!!

2007-11-13T21:26:00.001-08:00

Still have not heard from the hospital about when the biopsy is to be done. I am a nervous wreck.
So I bought some silly foofy purple eyelash yarn to work up with some black for a witch hat with ear flaps to wear! Either for myself or I will donate it to the cancer project for someone with a spark of silly to use.
Still no camera... still no personal computer. Medical care is an expensive hobby.

well... back to the knitting blog with no pics...

2007-11-05T19:21:00.000-08:00

still I am having a wonderful time with the lace knitting. The Hemlock Ring KAL is wonderful fun. Once you get past the urge to read the instructions ahead instead of just knitting them as you get to them. I made one in a heathered grey that is just beautiful. I have one on round needles now that is in a green baby weight acrylic (gasp>>> ok... it is for a baby and one that is going to get lots of use by a young mom) that is going to be just to cute.

Nest I am going to put some of the silk in my stash to use for a lovely cowl for daughter #1 or #2 I am not sure which yet. At least that is the plan now.

broke camera and borrowed computer...

2007-10-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

but needles are in hand and I should have something new posted by weeks end. I am still working with the hemlock ring kal and the results of this sweet pattern are a wonderful blankie.
I have it made up in grey and one in baby weight in green on the needles now.
Thinking of making a sweater next... maybe one of my OLD patterns from the fifties or sixties?

Yay!!!

2007-10-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am home for a couple of days!
Don't get me wrong. I am really loving the travel time I am getting in, but to bathe in my Own tub is such a treat! (how pink is that!)
One good thing about road tripping is that you have lots of time to make lots of stuff.
Baby blankies, neck scarves that feel like bankies, kitchen sets, all that Grandma kind of stuff, knit and crochet my needles are going. It makes the time between meetings go.
I will post some pictures later tonight. Right now I am going to do the laundry.

felt milinary roses

2007-07-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

starting to learn how to make milinary roses. These are felt as I don't have the money to waste on making practice work with silk or leather right now. My camera skills as usual are awful. The DH is going to have to take a new set of pictures for me.

Itnit he cute

2007-06-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

I know that I promised a picture weeks ago, but I had to wait until he was toasted enough to crash hard so I didn't wake him up. This was after a long hard days play with Muggsie and Bailey. Everyone was bouncing about the waterbed and then in almost one breath they just fell over asleep.

Tornados in Woodland Park?

2007-06-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought it. But I have a picture ... then I dashed downstairs. We had two yesterday. I have it backwards as they were on the ground then gone into the cloud again.

Having a rough week...

2007-06-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

and doing much of nothing but more medical testing. Tomorrow I think I am going to try to get back on schedule with my crafting something.
I lost the bid on the little green house as it isn't up to code. That only means that I have to look for another really cute little house that I love. The adventure continues.
Dear Husband is trying to insert logic into my cute house search by reminding me that I should really look at ranchers. As they are easily adaptable to be handicap accessable. He is so full of chili beans that I should wonder if it isn't a bad case of heart burn.

Well,

2007-06-11T19:11:00.001-07:00

I am finished with the mri and feeling the after affect of the contrast a bit. (you fill that blank in as yucky)
Today was really great fun though. Wandered through the Ben Franklin, went to coffee, sat out in a rain storm, chatted with my best cousin Mary. It was a great kind of a day.
Tomorrow I will put the even feed foot on my sewing machine and make that banner that I am behind on. Then it will be play time for me.
Fuse some plastic bags. Plant some iris and tiger lily. Make a tam or two.
Try to stick to the work schedule that I have made for myself... well... I can try.

grey shawl... finished at last

2007-06-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

The ruffles are a mistake but I really like them.

She is a warm and wonderful companion to a good cuppa in the morning.

Garden Party Tam

2007-06-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Crochet Tam with central posey motif. I have been on lots of pain meds lately and the knitting counts have been hard for me to keep up with. Though I did finally finish the grey shawl. I put a ruffle on the bottom edge instead of a simple lace (because the meds messed the count up!) and I really liked the way it came out so I left it that way. I will post a picture of it tomorrow.

Here is the starfish tam

2007-06-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

It is crochet in many different fibers that I had laying about. Several different colors including black and teal that you can't really see because the batteries in my camera decided to crap out with this last picture. Though I think I will post the face side later tonight with the dimensions.

It is up for sale on my Etsy site. 1makerofstuff.Etsy.com

At least it is only a few inches of snow

2007-05-24T09:24:00.001-07:00

Life is good.

look what I woke up too!

2007-05-24T09:16:00.001-07:00

another run to the er...

2007-05-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

that could have been handled elsewhere. Now I have my own nebulizer and think that I can handle most of what life throws at me.
The lungs feel a bit worse for wear, and I have enough steroids in me that I am yelling at the furniture. Plus side is I am getting some stuff finished up. Other stuff started. Ideas popping up around me. I like that part of the process.
I may not post for a couple of days because I want to finish the shawl, and post that.

no pic today

2007-05-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

as I need to get back to the packing up of stuff. I am finding that packing up with an oxygen tank in tow has slowed the entire process way down. Still it is coming right along in a slow kinda way. Any progress counts. Looking forward to a break and hafla this weekend!

That is what she looks like...

2007-05-14T05:14:00.000-07:00

That is what the little house looks like from the street. Soon to be the place of homie goodness.

It's just really a pic of the sun porch and attic but she has lots of possibilities.

Grey Shawl

2007-05-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

I found "The Secret of the One-Skein Shawl" on the Knitter's Review and thought why not give it a go... and a go... and a go... and third skein in I think I will finish it off. It is knit up in Caron's simply soft grey heather as that is what my DH brought me when I wasn't feeling well one day! Who wouldn't love that. I think that she looks lovely on the deck off the front door, yes, that is the front entrance to the neighbors house... why I need oxygen!!!! LOL I think she will look equally lovely in a book store with a cuppa, or my new/ old sun porch!

Just words today

2007-05-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

The packing of boxes is coming right along. I plan to take a picture of the shawl in progress later this afternoon as the sun becomes a bit brighter on the deck, so I can get a better pic. I am on my third skien of yarn and will probably end with this one.

The only thing I am going to miss about being here is the view. In town I won't have the horizon views. Though I think I will get out to see the sights more often because of it! LOL

The booties are up for sale at www.1makerofstuff.etsy.com

Looks like...

2007-05-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

I am going to have to make a photo station soon. A new camera is in my future, but the move comes first. The bullion roses just don't come out for me, and they are SO pretty in person. Must have more light!

Hey Lady!!!...

2007-05-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

What cha doing with that camera Lady? I'm going to help OK Lady? What's this thing Lady?

Ever had a day when the cat help is so deep all you want to do is hide?

correction

2007-05-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

above left is top
above is middle
below left is below
today has been long... I am going to find a cuppa and the fire