On My Needles

     This is just so fun to watch the colorway. My grandson chose the yarn (not Noro) - and, I am knitting it as a gift for Xmas. Will be 5.5"w and 60"l when completed. Exciting! You can see additional info  including the pattern by clicking here.

Plymouth Yarn Company, Gina #16 (Blue); Gina #3 for texture

Beer Brats and Sauerkraut

     A few friends have asked for this recipe... it is from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cookbook, printed in 2007. I was raised in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where Oktoberfest was/is a "big deal;" we always enjoyed the festivities and ate these with mashed potatoes or on a bun... but didn't make this recipe until a few years ago. Hope you enjoy.

Fingerless Gloves - Weekend Project

     It started with Friday afternoon, a local 1-3pm knitting group, right here at the Senior Center! Decided to make myself a pair of fingerless mitts - finally - after making gifts of about eight pair to others. With the autumn chill (no snow yet), I am looking forward to wearing them - finished Sunday and didn't even rush. 
     Worked the pattern two-at-a-time on Size 6 - 47" Circular Needles. Very easy pattern by Churchmouse, called "Welted Fingerless Gloves." I love the white silk that comes through at random, a wonderful warm wool blend. Visit me on Ravelry if you wish.

October 12, 2014

Exciting to be Back

     It is exciting to get back onto my blog; May, June, July and August had me recuperating and feeling better from sciatica problems and a cracked cartilage. Then, unfortunately, September and still October have found me trying to pass a kidney stone - even after iodine CT Scan, general surgical blasting, and apple cider vinegar. Waiting to see the new urologist in town next Friday, the 17th... and, will get better from there.

     Meanwhile, the summer months still found me downsizing, organizing my little apartment in the senior housing in Kenai, teaching my granddaughters how to knit, finishing a few "unfinished projects" - hope to post a few, contributing to a couple of collaboratives... and more.

     This month our local Fine Arts Center has a showing called: "Books - An Experimental Exhibit" which I did not contribute to. They asked me to display some of my blank journals that would show different spine decoration. Here are a couple of pics before I completed the shelves, but at least a peak!

Kenai Fine Arts Center - Journals Display

"Vintage Journals" (1999-2004ish)

There are twice as many at home, and my "lace books..."

Didn't want to display those because I may "show" them at some point.

     Taking a couple of on-line inspirational activities with Co-Lab (Susan Tuttle and Alena Hennessy), Small Journeys (Jude Hill), two iPhoneography courses (one with Dave Cross), and continuing to revisit MAM (Mary Ann Moss), Kim Klassen, Lisa Sonora and Design Matters for inspiration. This winter I hope to be stitching more and incorporating items into a couple of artists books. 

     Seems like the closer I get to 70 than 60 in age, there isn't enough time for everything I want to complete - still love my knitting, too.

     Hugs for now and thanks for stopping by. Karen

Michelangelo LB

     My third beautiful LB returned today - one each of the last three years from late fall to May... and, what a gorgeous book this one is, yet again. One more page to arrive and I will determine how to attach the signatures. Very exciting. I did not "enhance" these photos - the transfer work is amazing. 
     A very special "Thank You" to the ladies who contributed: Teri, Liz, Terri, Sox, and Deb - you all rock, big time.

"Raven" Books

     Yeah! Raven Collaborative Completed... here is a photo synopsis for you to peruse. I enjoyed the process after finally getting "some" of my things unpacked. 
     Upon receiving the originals, each was reproduced on heavier textured paper and I used the person's submission as the cover for her book. The other four pages were used as signature covers. Found a great piece of paper from Hollander's to use as the endsheets for four books and then ran out of paper; so, I just made a plain front endsheet and a windowed back endsheet for my book. Kind of fun - and, since I plan to write in this journal - will add some personality. Enjoy!

Last Lacebook Page

     Yeah - last lacebook page for this season; the book will be heading back to its final destination in New York with Teri. An amazing book. 
     After my next project deadline (this week) I can begin organizing my space and I am totally looking forward to that.