Aliens, Acupuncture, and a Bunny

It can be funny how projects evolve.

Last weekend, I worked on the the "alien" on the way to a soccer tournament. At this point, it looked like I was performing acupuncture on him (or her, I haven't decided).

We had enough down time between games that I was able to finish up. It took a couple of days to add the eyes and nose. I think the ears could use a blast of steam, but I am pleased with the results! I'd like to make another one.

One of my favorite things about out-of-town soccer tournaments is stopping in at LYSs. I picked up some cotton for some more quick projects that I have in mind at Yarn. This was my first visit to this shop and it was a beehive of activity with knitters working away on projects and a class going on - definitely will stop by again when I am in the area. 

Last weekend was prom, and they had a fun time. Both of these "kids" will turn 18 this Friday... where has the time gone? I guess I will be baking cakes and cupcakes this week!

Thinking Green

Thinking Green is a good epidemic, and those who know me would not be surprised that I consider it a personal challenge to overstuff the recycling cart. DS was not amused when he had to stand in it to compress it.

I've been working on this green scarf for a while... seems like forever, and it'll get put away until fall. I'll still love the colors when it resurfaces in the fall. The yarn is Yummy from Fibra Natura, and it took a little less than 1 skein for the whole thing. Blocked out, it's about 8.5" by 60".

I played around a bit trying to decide how to finish off the ends. I tried a couple of other stitch patterns before settling on this one.

I battled the wind trying to get a good shot of the lace. The dark red tree leaves are what replaced the snow-killed pink blooms from a few posts back. 

Finally, I bought blocking pins a couple of weeks ago knowing they would soon get used on this project. Exciting, huh? OK, I'm done talking about this scarf.

What's on the needles now? Something totally different and totally adorable. I'm working on Sophie. So far she has a head and a little bit of a neck. It's a quick little fun project for no real reason at all, other than I wanted to make it!

I'll sign off on a good note... ::drum roll::

DD22 found out yesterday that she got a job. She will iron out the details next week, but she'll be starting her first real. grown-up. full-time. job with her own benefits on May 18th, only 3 days after her Master's Hooding ceremony. I bet she'll still call me for recipe advice!

Hodge Podge

Life is a whirlwind sometimes, and I can only hope that there is time in every day for knitting. 

.....I have some new yarn... 

I love the colors and the possibilities for this yarn (Anne, by Schaefer Yarn). It's so-o-o-o soft. The colorway is Eleanor Roosevelt. If you like it and can find some, grab it!! This colorway is being discontinued.

....We e-filed our taxes. (BTW, Happy Tax Day!)

Where's our refund????

....DD22 blew in for Easter.

She wanted her hair braided to combat the KS wind. (She has an interview for a REAL job today, as in post-Master's employment with her own benefits - good vibes, please!)

We've been prom dress shopping. 

This was not the winner.  : ) 

(Hint: She chose the same dress in teal)

I have decided that DS needs cooking lessons, or at least closer supervision.

Pancakes, anyone?

Mostly, there has been a LOT of work for me. Sometimes I have to swatch to understand.

Sometimes all it takes is a sketch. Notice the ever-present cup of coffee.

::sigh:: Time to get back to work. 

Excuse My Absence

Where have I been?  Obviously I think about posting more than I actually do it!

The Spring we thought was here was pretty short-lived. The flowering plum from the last post is sad these days. The blizzard made short work of all those pretty pink blossoms.

DD thought it was great fun... as did the dogs.

I didn't even want to step out on my beloved back porch. Would you?

This is more my speed for blustery snowy days. Where's the hot chocolate? The kids inhaled these cookies!

We have also had a flurry of company. Nephews passing through on their way from west to east, and niece passing through on her way from south to north. 

Cousins have a special bond (ok, so the tall one is not related to us (but we will happily claim her as a honorary cousin!). The 2 girls on the sides are travelling pediatric intensive care nurses - not a bad deal for the young and unattached. They are headed back to North Dakota after working all winter in San Antonio. They are kind of young to be snowbirds, aren't they?!

Meanwhile, I have had a lot of work and only a little time for knitting. Our Saturday morning Meet-Up group had a dishcloth/facecloth swap this week. There were all kinds of cloths in every color, and the swap was a lot of fun. My 2 cloths were made from this book -- one was green and the other was blue. 

This is Jackie "modeling" her ruffled swap.

And this is my haul! Lanora made the bath mitt (and the cute bag), and Amy made the checkerboard cloth. Fun time!

One more thing... check this out. How to ask a girl to the prom has changed! Apparently the boys try to be uber-creative in their date requests at our school!

Time to get back to work.... and here's hoping that I will find time to play with my fledgling lace project, too.