Speechless

Between a Rock and a Berry

 Anybody interested in a KAL?  I'm thinking about starting Juneberry on May Day this Sunday.

My Rock Island is off the needles and awaiting a well deserved bath.....can't wait to see what she turns into with the magic of blocking:

Flood Season

I'm not talking about the weather ~ we actually had a beautiful spring day on Saturday ~ sunshine from start to finish....

and we realized we have some new neighbors this year.  We finally removed Harley's dog kennel from under this tree (bittersweet) only to have this unused bird house finally fill up with a chickadee family.  I'll be on the lookout for tiny babies poking their heads out one of these days!

Nope, I'm talking about Flood, as in Jared, and if you've ever been on Ravelry you know who he is.  I've made 2 Hemlock Ring Blankets ~ both of which have been gifted... this one went to Trudy and this one went to a friend battling breast cancer.  I also have his patterns for Terra, Juneberry, and Celes, and can't wait to choose which one to get started on next since I'm very close to finishing Rock Island.

The KnitWits finally used the money we made speaking at the SKG meeting last October and took a day trip over to Bainbridge Island for shopping at Churchmouse Yarns and Teas followed by lunch at the Blackbird Bakery (delicious!) last Saturday.  It was a fun day ~ they have a wonderful Jared Flood display:

and I did get yarn for my first project from the newest Knitting Traditions magazine ~ here is the yarn I chose for my Appalachian Gathering Basket ~ a felted Fair Isle....hmmm....sounds pretty challenging for me!  I know choosing the colors was HARD!!!  What do you think?

So, that pretty much catches us up for the last 2 weeks.  The home projects continue, the furniture is delivered and much loved already, spring is here at last and I still am managing to get some knitting done.  What does everyone have on the needles right now?  Are you knitting for summer or looking ahead already to the next cold weather seasons?  Me, I'll just keep stitching away on my lace and hope for another sunny day in the not so distant future!  Have a great week, all!  ~ Melissa

Happy Easter

Here's a vintage postcard from my collection ~ enjoy!  ~ Melissa

Did I Really Do That?

Scissors and knitted items just don't go together. So when considering steeking I needed back up. I am blessed. Here I am with two of my supporters. Sherry in the middle and Fran on the right. When useing dark yarn it's really hard to see where to sew. I'll remember that next time.

I was nervous with the cutting process...really, you cut it? Just like that? But what about...

No way am I doing this to my vest! But won't it unravel?

Took 4 cuts,this is crazy.

At last my vest, after some growing pains. Can you see those rows and rows and rows of color?

(Last years tulip picture) this year the tulips are slow with their blooms.

Check off this dream come true from the 'bucket list'. I did it!...and love it!

I still have a long list of knits I want to try, I can't wait to see where this all takes me next.

Melissa keeps tempting me with spinning...?...hmm?

~Kelli

AWOL ~

just checking in before the chaos starts in our house ~ the furniture that wasn't to be delivered for at least another month is being delivered next Saturday and we have yet to paint our front room, so this week is going to be a total spank as far as chores go and, sad to say, little knitting will be done..

I did get my Bias-ed scarf finished and blocked last night:

 

And I've chosen my next project so I have something to look forward to when all the paint has been put away and the dust has settled....this is definitely incentive to get this place done and organized-

What do you think:

Jared Flood's Rock Island Shawl with the madelinetosh Prairie in Nutmeg that I got at Knit Purl during the Seattle to Portland Train event in January.  I wound my yarn last night and I'm ready to cast on when the paint is dry!

Happy weekend, all!  ~ Mel

Knitting at Sea

A cold wet 'spring break' but did come home renewed... Working on my needle case~ linen stitching.

Lizzy and Bella walking on the beach of Jones Island,(one of the few times it didn't rain)

The happy couple trying to stay warm.

Have you ever knitted by campfire? I'm wearing Kaileigh's hat while working on M'lis's.

Why even have a campfire if you don't have all the right gear? We had a wonderful time. Wish you we're here, but you pobably stayed home warm and dry...

Sometimes a Growl is Good ~

Happy Birthday, Sam and Jason!
Thanks, Tamra, for the link to relishmag.com where I found the recipe for Halekulani Hotel Coconut Cake.

After a rough start (a 30-minute bake took an hour for some reason???)...

I had a cake that closely resembled the picture on their site.  Now for the big test.....

My official taster took a poke, and a lick....

and a few more pokes, and with a growl that meant 'More please, Auntie!', the cake was declared fit to eat and the celebration commenced!
Happy Birthday, guys!
Kelli and family, you missed out on this one!
-Melissa

Who says?

...that there's no crying in baseball?

Not I.....

The season opener just wasn't the same without Dave Niehaus tonight.....

I went through my fair share of tissues before the game was over.  His joy and enthusiasm are definitely missed.

On a positive note, spring finally arrived for me with the first crack of a bat, the M's won, and I got a good chunk of my Bias Summer Scarf done while listening to the game.  Happy weekend, everyone!
~Melissa