Ribbit

 Ribbit as in frogs have hit the design wall!

I used a 6 1/2" block to cut circles and then used the negative space for the sister block before

so I used the same layout here;  

the frog was cut out and then I used the rest of the square

 with blue behind it for the neighboring block. 

 It's a good use of fabric and makes a nice design.

 This block is the newest in Accuquilt's anniversary dies.  I couldn't resist!

 Originally I had planned to use the white for the background color 

but a white frog looked like a dead frog so I gave up on that idea!

So, of course, I found just the right blue but it was scraps and I am only 6 blocks short of what I need!

On top of that, I ran out of the paper-backed fusible so I am stalled until I can schedule a trip to JoAnn's.  I have to use invisible thread to applique each of the blocks so I won't be lacking any activity in the studio!  (This die does come with a free downloadable machine embroidery design but I will save that for when I use the frog on a t-shirt.  It wasn't efficient for all the blocks I wanted to do!)

Paired

The second sock almost flew off the needles as I worked on it in every spare moment!

These are men's socks, knit over 72 sts, in a k4, p1 rib up foot and leg on 2.5mm needles.

The yarn is KnitPicks Stroll; a very soft superwash/nylon yarn. 

 (I used most of two 50g skeins)

Local

 We took a very short visit to a local fish hatchery; 

 just a little local attraction that is often overlooked.

The boys ran from one 'window' to the next again and again.

 After that we went to the local boat launch and looked down the river-the blue was so intense!

Isn't the root system incredible on this very ancient Live Oak tree.

This tree is more than 6' across at the base! 

 It is quite amazing!

Ribbed...

 Can you believe it?  One sock is completed!  This is a man's sock with 4 x 1 rib up the top of the foot and up the leg.  

 As I neared the completion of the leg on this toe-up sock,

 I changed the needle size from a 2.25 mm to a 2mm for the last inch to keep it from drooping. 

 The top seemed to flare whether I cast off in knit or purl. 

 (Yes, I ripped out the first knit bind off and did it again in purl!)

But when the sock is on, the top lays flat and just right against your leg.

Now to remember what I did because my little scrap of a cheat sheet isn't where I thought it was!

I can be terrible about record keeping when I am in the middle of a project!

It's a good thing I am pretty good about reading my own knitting!

On to sock #2!

And speaking of ribs, 

I popped a rib again;

I have got to stop leaning hard and fast over the console in my car 

just to save something sliding off the seat-

this is the fourth time I have done this to myself!

I guess I need to do the bone scan the doctor's wants

just to see what the problem is with the easy breaks!

(Osteoporosis is not kind!)

In the meantime, I am moving carefully and breathing slowly!

You Know it's May When...

 The prickly pear cactus is in bloom!

Now is the time to pick the old fruit for dyeing wool again!

 Last night Bill and the boys were trimming branches in the yard,

branches that hang down too low which endanger a mower!

He reached up with his pole saw after a good trim and cut me some blooms

from our magnolia grandiflora tree-a 70' beauty!

I was sitting and knitting watching them ,

the boys ran these flowers over to me and the aroma was heady!

This morning....the blooms turn all brown and the smell is not as incredible.

A very short lived bloom but oh, the aroma!

See how beautiful the 'wrong' side of the leaf is-a stunning bronze color.

I can see why these flowers are a favorite subject for artists!

Little Guy is doing a bit better this morning

 but Boy Wonder woke up with the stuffy nose and fever!

Snuggles and story books to the rescue!

Frames

  This is a quilt from my neighbor, Millie.

  She has been going through the large supply of sewing things she inherited

 from her Mom after her death a few years ago and came across 12 large cross stitch squares. 

 She has added sashing and turned them into a quilt top.

A  much better way to enjoy them than have them in a bin in the closet!

 I loaded it up and then folded the batting and top up for the night

so I don't find any kitty 'nests', if I leave the layers down!

 This was quite an undertaking by her Mom;

12 larger blocks each 16" square!

I've never quilted something like this so I will do a lot of thinking

and trial run designs before I actually start the stitching!

And here is the little watercolor ready to gift to my counselor.

She talks about having a proper view of the bridges

we each have to cross.

I think this will be a good way to say thank you

 for her help crossing my bridges.

Finishing Touches

 Sibling sweaters are officially finished and ready to send off in the mail!

 Here's a little newborn sweater ready to send in a baby shower gift bag.

I can't even count the number of little top down raglans I have made with this pattern

that is decade old!

 The dragonfly wallhanging is off the quilting frame and ready for binding!

And the Flowering Snowballs quilt is framed with two borders.

Little Guy took a long nap and I was able to put the finishing touches on all of these 

projects-when he woke up , he was running a fever!

Now I know why he took the long nap....

Art Again!

As I waited for the boys the other day,

I used the hour and half to watercolor Palatka's bridge over

the St Johns River.

It was so intense, I was so lost in what I was doing,

I was almost late picking up the boys!

I was a bit rusty=I haven't touched an art brush in months!

But the joy still tingled through my brain.

Next time, I hope to try acrylics there, too!

When I got home, 
I dragged this old potting station out of the 'treasures' pile
Bill brought home years ago and didn't do anything with it at the time.
I am ready to apply the scraper and paint brush
(and a few new boards and screws)
to bring it into tip-top shape again!
It's nice to have projects so I will never be bored.....

Sitting Pretty Kitty

Lena was looking out the window at a squirrel,

I just happened to notice that her reflection was a perfect match!

As soon as she saw me, she approached and I snapped this silly out-of-focus shot!

I finally got around to grouting the last (for now) stepping stone.

I am trying lots of different ways of applying the grout and this one worked the best.

I applied the grout with a wooden paddle,

stroking it first in one direction and then the other.

It was the easiest application yet!

I have to stop at the thrift store to pick up some saucers 

so I have some more mosaic ceramics 

and stop in at Home Depot to buy some new stepping stone pavers!

King of the Mountain

I pulled another languishing knit out of the pile.

Since this will be a summer tank,

I think I need to get it going so I can wear it this year!

It's mostly stockinette so there is little to think about except going round and round.

Well except for the faux side seams which are just purl stitches you place at the halfway mark on each side.  This is also an easy guide for the waist shaping

which I have finally hit.

This is a worsted weight cotton yarn that I am knitting

on # 4 needles so I have a near solid fabric and not a gauzy one.

Isn't it lush looking-all the rain this year has been a welcome boon to our ferns! 

 The boys love playing on their mountain.  I can sit and take in the quiet 

while they battle their giants.....

Tools

I use this little tool, called a hump jumper,

when I have to hem jeans.

The abrupt thickness of the side seams causes the machine to skip stitches

if you don't use this tool.

A handy way to make a mundane but frustrating job

much easier!

Knit On!

 I finished knitting the open weave scarf and true to pattern directions, 

it measured out to 6' wide and 48" long.  

Not long enough for a scarf so I sewed the ends together for a type of cowl.

 It does look pretty and feels nice on so a success.

So I hunted through the started but languishing pile 

and found the shawl I had begun but had set aside because I ran out of yarn. 

 I picked it right up and took right off,

 enjoying it as much as I had originally; 

 always a nice thing!

(Silverleaf pattern by Lisa Hanes)

99% Done!

 The matching boys' size 4 cardigan is 99% finished! 

(it needs buttons which I do not have on hand right now!)

The skein repeated the last three colors almost evenly for the sleeves!

I used size 4 needles, Lion Brand Mandala yarn 

(with several knots!) 

which is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

The pattern I used is  Felix's Cardigan  by Jacki Kelly of The Complete Fabrication.         .

Very easy to read and follow and the best part is the sizing

which is from infant to 6 year old.

 Our bird feeder has a blooming sunflower underneath!  

It is very pretty but without seeds yet!

 It only stand 2' tall at this point but is a very healthy specimen.

I hope it survives a young toddler's attention!

I rearranged the quilt top again this morning!

I decided the thing I really didn't like was all the black patterning being so prominent visually, 

so I switched its placement in the 9 patch blocks and that gave the whole quilt a very different appeal!

I'm not thrilled with it, but I am sewing it together (top row is all so far) so I am committed!

It is a much more traditional layout now

but still contemporary in the use of solids.

I'm 99% happy with it!

Studio Thoughts

 I had an hour to work in the studio today 

so I cut out some pieces to make another Flowering Snowball with 9 patches quilt.

When I finished cutting all the pieces I needed, 

I placed them up on the design wall.

I was very disappointed with the colors.

They seem flat.A 

A few hours later when I could return,

I changed out several of the arrangements

and now I like the interaction.

It's tricky working with all solids-they don't play as nicely as the prints!

Smooth Sailing with Silk

The openwork scarf if going to be a good portable knitting project!

It is only a four row repeat and now that I know

how to tell if I am coming or going with the front row, 

I will enjoy it! lol

It moves right along and since I have done a lot of  'sit n the car and knit' time,

I should be able to finish this pretty quickly!

I ended up using this old pair of needles that have just the right 

balance of slick and stick for working with the silk.

I call them teflon needles-they were popular decades ago

but still sold by the Susan Bates company.

FUR FAMILY, TOO

This is Mindy, the lady of the house.  Almost 13 years old.

This is Felix, a Manx, who is 9 years old.

My oldest son, Jared, sends me a Noah pic each day

 and included this one with the big sister's, too!

At the end of a day, we are pretty worn out but having a wonderful time together getting ready for the graduation and party!

Crazy

Going Crazy.

The problem is going....

My schedule happened to be overloaded on a week where I am depleted.

I've nothing.

It's a beautiful sunrise...I will start with that.

Silky Plans

The latest arrival of the yarn club is in and it is a very soft yarn.

The directions is for a scarf.

I'm not usually a scarf knitter but I think this one will be a good change for me.

The pattern says the yarn will make a scarf 48" long which is a bit shorter

than my usual plans.  I will make it narrower to give me some more length.

I will begin as soon as that other sleeve is finished.........!

Upright and Moving Again!

 There wasn't too much knitting going on the last few days

 but I felt better this morning

so I finished binding off the bottom of the matching boy's cardigan.

On to the sleeves-I will knit these as the yarn comes off the skein

 and not sweat the matching thing this time!

 I am still enjoying this view from my bedroom window each morning!

 Another beauty to savor (this is as close as we get to lilacs!)

 each day is the blooming season of the sweet Viburnum !  

We have two trees of these-the whole side yard is delicious smelling!

And the sweet smelling jasmine is wafting its sweet aroma

in the front yard!

Pretend this is a scratch and sniff and you will be smiling!

And right near the jasmine we set the new foundation

for the birdbath when I finish tiling it!

Bill had to help me with this job since each of the pavers weighs 50lbs!

The wrought iron is a yard sale find he saved.

Most of the time he buys it because it is a deal and he has no idea what he will be doing with it.

Occasionally, I see just what I could do with it and so he shares!

A good arrangement!