Thursday, March 7, 2013

Piper's Sweater


Hello my friends!

Mandy asked me of I could make a white cardigan sweater for Miss Piper to wear with her little spring dresses. I found one in a six month size and checked my gauge, (which was spot on by the way). That doesn't happen often because I tend to knit tightly and have to go up a size or two in needles. I thought six months would be good as she could wear it throughout the summer and maybe fall too. She's just five months now. However this sweater looks more like a 9-12 month. I rechecked gauge and it's correct. My thinking is that it's better to be too big than too small. She will grow into it! I began it on Tuesday afternoon and after a marathon knitting day yesterday, (12 hours), I finished it about midnight last night. I washed it this morning and put the buttons on it. I still need to put the "Made with love by Grandma" label in it.

I apologize once again for the poor quality pictures. I look at all the beautiful photography on other blogs, but it's just not a talent that God has blessed me with. Hopefully you can at least get the general idea of what I'm trying to show you!

I'm leaving bright and early tomorrow morning to drive back to Portland for my week of taking care of Miss Piper. I'm so excited to see her again. Apparently she got a tooth since I saw her on Sunday! She was sure chewing on her little teething rings and I had a hunch it would be soon. She is just too far away. I'm missing my little Chloe dog too. Mandy says that she acts sad, like we've abandoned her. I don't think I'll leave her behind again if I can help it. The house is much to quiet without her toenails tapping away following me around.

And...lunch with Teresa, Gracie & Taci tomorrow! Excitement for sure!

Have a lovely afternoon everyone and I'll try to check in next week sometime!

Blessings,
Betsy

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Knitting Again!


Happy Tuesday to you, my friends in blogland!

Yesterday was such a bright, sunny day here in Spokane. I should have taken some pictures of the sunshine, because the clouds are back this morning. A chance of rain and/or snow tonight. Ick! I'm so ready for spring. I know this is perfectly normal for March and I also realize that we've had a very mild winter here in the Northwest so I shouldn't complain, but I am so anxious to get to the lake!

I've been busy with startitus, you know that knitting disease where you start a project, only to begin another project and on and on? Well, I do have an excuse. Let me show you some pictures. Okay. Well, blogger insists on putting the pictures at the top of the blog for some reason, no matter where I want them to go so I'll explain from top down. Will that work for you? The first is a completed baby hat and one on the needles. I always have one of these on the needles for the hospital nursery. The pattern is in my head and easy to pick up and stuff in my purse when I think I may have waiting time somewhere. I finished this one on the car trip from Portland Sunday and started a new one. I would much rather be the passenger with knitting time in the car. Hubby happily drives and I talk, and talk and knit!

The next photo is my Pimpelliese Scarf. Since it's for me it keeps being set aside for other projects. Hopefully it will be so warm that I won't need a scarf soon anyway and I'll have all summer to complete it.

The white yarn is a sweater I started yesterday for little Miss Piper for Easter. Mommy asked me to make her a white cardigan to go with all of her little dresses for the spring. I surfed around Ravelry and found this pattern. It has lots of little lacey details and so far it's been an easy knit. I'm hoping to have it done by the time I drive back to Portland on Friday, but we shall see. Size 3 needles don't make for very fast knitting.

And this was Mt. Spokane one evening last week. I forgot the picture was on my camera until I downloaded them just now. Isn't it beautiful? I believe we live in a very beautiful part of the country and I never tire of looking at the view.

Last but not least is a picture of a sweater I finished in Portland last weekend. I had thought to give it to Piper, but she's grown so much it wouldn't even begin to fit her. Remember, I hadn't seen her for almost two months and she grew A LOT! So this is going to go to the hospital or one of the charities that I donate to.

A person from the place we bought our woodstove from is supposed to come out this morning and "teach" me how to light a fire in it. We'll see if he even shows up. I haven't heard a thing from them since they made the appointment. Hubby chopped lots of kindling last night and I have newspapers and logs at the ready.

I'm looking forward to Friday and my return to Portland. One reason is that we left Chloe there to play with Polly. She's a great car-rider, but does suffer from nerves. She doesn't move the entire six hour drive or sleep at all, just pants. Since I was returning so quickly we thought leaving her there might be best. However I wasn't prepared to be in this house without her. It's so lonely and quiet when hubby is at work. Mandy say's she's missing us too. She follows them everywhere.

Another reward of going back to Portland is, of course Piper. But I have another reason. Lunch with Gracie, Taci and Teresa! Yippee! I'm excited. I hope to get there early enough to investigate the yarn store close by. It's so nice to be able to actually meet in person and become friends with the lovely people that I know through blogland.

Have a wonderful day everyone and remember, doing something kind for someone else lasts a lifetime. Just try it, you'll love the results!

Edited to add-The fireplace guy came out and the damper wasn't adjusted correctly. A beautiful fire is now burning in the woodstove! I'm a happy girl. :-) And, of course blogger put the picture of the now burning fireplace ahead of all the other pictures. I tried to get it to go right with this paragraph. Sorry.

Blessings,
Betsy

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Going Home

We're on the road right now, heading through the beautiful Columbia Gorge on the way home to spokane.

I had a wonderful time with Piper and her parents since Thursday. Her cold is better, just a cough now, but her Daddy has it now. We left Chloe there since I'm going back on Friday and she enjoys her time with Polly much better than 6 hour drives in the car.

Next trip I'll be staying for a week and keeping her home from daycare to play with Grandma. :-)

Grandpa handed over the keys to his beloved Expedition to the very happy new owners yesterday. It was hard for him, but knowing how excited they were made it a bit easier. We've known this young family for years and it's nice to know how appreciative they are.

I'm posting a few pictures I just took of the Gorge as we are driving. It's hard to get a good photo as you're going 65 mph down the highway! Also Piper of course with her Grandpa and Grandma! We love that little girl.

Have a lovely day everyone and be sure to tell someone you love them today.