Far From Normal

We began yesterday by exercising our citizen's right to vote for the President of the United States, assorted other justices and judges, etc.  The line wasn't too bad and the wait was only 20 minutes.  While we don't have colorful leaves this time of year, we do have the rain tree which is covered with yellow flowers and red seed pods!  If you squint, it looks just like colorful Autumn leaves! lol

When we came home, we went out back and cut down a Camphor tree (Bill wants them off our property because they are invasive)  so as long as it was going, I went along and pointed out interesting joins, crotches and sizes of cuts so I would have a stock of green wood!

Soon, you will see this pretty and aromatic wood as a bowl or plate!  (Camphor smells a bit like Vicks but a bit more menthol--it is very pleasing and the bowl will retain the light scent much like cedar does.)

This fungus was a first for Bill and I!  It stands 6" tall-very much like a sculpture!  It is called a Clathrus crispus--a red cage fungus.  I hope more will form.  

The newest sock is on the needles!  It's a zig zagular pattern which I have done numerous times but like it just the same!  I decided not to use twisted stitches this time because I am lazy.

Now I am not so sure I should've done that because the stitches just blend into the background.  I am going to rip back and try the twisted stitches and if it still doesn't stand out, I will knit vanilla socks and let the colors speak for themselves!
 

INKTOBER DAY 19-DIZZY  This wasn't exactly something that thrilled me but I did watch a lot of videos about optical illusions and that was fun! lol

Socks Again!

The Fer-de-Lance Socks are completed! 

 The pattern by WanderingCatStudiio worked for these toe-up socks, too! 

 I used 2.50mm needles with Stroll fingering weight in the Sashay colorway.  

The pattern showed up beautifully and looks very complicated! 

 While the socks are not exact matches, 

I didn't think it was necessary for this yarn. 

 What a good knit!

 INKTOBER DAY 18--TRAP 

 I had a Venus Fly plant as a teen;  it lived for a year, at least, 

I fed it a spider or a fly every few days!  

I've had a hard time keeping one alive in recent years for some reason.

 I did like having the plant in the window sill and will try again! 

 Watercolor with pen for the trichomes (hair triggers at the outer lobes of the flowers).

A Surprise!

While I was powering through these two quilts at the frame, 

my husband was working on cleaning out the second bay in the garage so we will have a wood shop!

My lathe is front and center where I will have sunlight and fresh air! 

 I was thrilled with the new work space! 

 See the pegboard hung on the wall right by me so the tools are within easy reach. 

 I spent about an hour working on this cedar pot-it's not really a bowl but looks more like a plant's pot!  It has been on the lathe too long and since I started it, 

I have found that I made about 10 rookie mistakes with this thing 

so I looked at it like I would view a knitting project--I'm done with this and want to move on! 

 I did some sanding and used the natural citrus and beeswax finish and am calling it done!

The container stands 7" tall and is 4" across.  

The grain is gorgeous--the cedar itself sure shines through.

This should be another 1" deeper but I couldn't reach inside any more with the tools I own. 

 Hence, finished if a bit before it is completed! lol

But look at that coloring! 

 I'm happy it is off the lathe and now I can start something new 

applying some of the newly acquired YouTube expertise I've picked up! 

 Stay tuned!

INKTOBER DAY 17--STORM  

I used masking fluid for the first time--it was fun to just play

 and see how it could be a real help  with just a little planning!

 

Blast Off!

The Crotons have really matured this year-they stay colorful all year

 but really have flourished with all the heat and humidity of the summer!

  (this stands about 4' tall)

I pulled out a few more Fall decorations, 

this wreath was made 22 years ago 

when my daughter had been recently married and lived in Chicago. 

 I took the train to go and visit her while her husband was away for work. 

 We had such a great time that weekend and each year when I bring this out, 

I have a few more repairs to do--see the bare spots?--but I fix it and smile at the happy memory!

Day 16 for INKTOBER--ROCKET  

This is for the space shuttle rocket we saw blast off while we were on Daytona Beach; 

 boy, could you feel the roar! 

 

Enthralled!

Lena has been introduced to 'Cat TV' for the first time; 

 I chose some birds and squirrels eating on a stump. 

 Puff Daddy tried following the birds right next to the tv and looking behind it 

but Lena just sat there like this for 30 minutes-the only thing moving were her whiskers! 

This is a friend's plumeria (frangipani); 

mine is yellow and hasn't bloomed because I repotted it! 

 In Hawaii, this is one of the most popular lei flowers!

 And for Inktober day 15, OUTPOST,  I have painted a Spanish outpost built in the 1740's.

Such Pretty Colors!

The Cana Lily is still producing such luminous blooms! 

 I like it when flowers give so much pleasure!

I finished sock #1 of the fer de lance pattern--it turned out just fine 

if the chart is upside down because I knit it from the toe up!

The yarn did a very cool change when the stitch count changed at the heel;  

the pooling is very different and they returned to its usual repeat!  Cool! 

 You can see the pattern up the front of the sock and then I knit the pattern front and back of the leg.

  I did knit this over 64 stitches 

so I just added another knit stitch to each end of the pattern. 

 I also did the double decrease differently so I have a very distinct line up the peaks of the lance.

  And you can see, I have sock #2 on the needles already!

This is Inktober day 14--ARMOR is the prompt.

  I painted a dung beetle who is armored in very bright colors for a guy with a stinky job!

 

You Know it's Fall

When the magnolia pods are all dropped and eaten by the squirrels, it is time for the red ginger cones to rise out of the ground!  

They are very other-worldly, standing about a foot above ground the cones are very dense and waxy.  You really expect to see a gnome any minute!

Yesterday's Inktober prompt was Dune....so I painted a very Florida dune presentation! 

Completely Finished!

this quilt is almost square which drives me crazy but it is a pretty purple quilt!  38" x  45"

This quilt is done with lots of straight stitching 

and then  my stylized flowers in the center of the large hexagons.  

The tumbling block quilt has beautiful butterfly fabrics, too.  36 " x 42"

The quilting on this quilt is a loose meander with dragonflies.

Pleasing array of colors in this flannel quilt for a boy--36" x 42"

I think this will be a favorite block...quilted in just an original meander.

Flannel quilt 36" x 42"

Just a simple meander on this flannel quilt, too. 

 I love the whales next to the desert cowboy scene!

 INKTOBER DAY 12--SLIPPERY  

 So I painted a slippery elm tree!

Fer-De-Lance

 A new pair of socks are on the needles!

This is one of WanteringCat's patterns which is written for top down socks.

It will be interesting to see how using the chart as written 

instead of upending it for my toe-up socks!

I've accomplished one repeat so far!

I went to church yesterday--it has been so long since I was able to join in the singing 

and sharing the sermon in real time-in person!

I can't even begin to share the joy I knew sitting among my church family.

Here's to a good week!

(No Inktober today-the prompt was dumb and uninspiring to me so I took a day off!)

Four, Two, One

The binding was cut and applied to four lap quilts! 

 I was still having problems at the frame so it was good to ignore it!

I did finish the second sock of the Muse yarn.  

These are really nice socks.  

They remind me of crayon colors.

Inktober Day 10:  HOPE 

 An attempt at self-portrait.

 

A Few Stutters

When I stood in front of the frame, 

I noticed I had loaded it upside down. 

 I cut the basting stitches and flipped it around and re-basted it. 

 And then noticed it was still wrong!  

I had to undo the stitches again and take it off the frame

 because I found that two of the centers on the Ohio Star kitties quilt...

were upside down and that was the problem!  

I ripped out the stitches and removed the center squares turn them around, 

check it 14 times and then stitch it back into place! 

 I loaded it back on the frame, basted it again, quilted one row and walked away!  

 I used up all of my patience with that dumb move! lol

INKTOBER DAY -9 Prompt is THROW  

  I am throwing a life-line to any who feel like they are drowning.

 

Just Look for the Rainbow!

We had quite a treat last night;  

a surprise downpour while the sun was shining so brightly 

which resulted in a rainbow in our own yard--both ends!

  It was so bright and lovely!

  I've never seen a rainbow with both ends so clearly defined in such a short span!

I finished the pink butterfly quilt and loaded on the Ohio Star kitties and will begin that today!  

I do have to bind all of the other quilts 

and will post proper pictures when I am completely done with them!

I was digging in the stash for some binding fabric

 and instead  found these pillow prints and decided to turn them into the real thing! 

 They are a heavier fabric and gave just the right change in mood for this room!  

A zebra...

...leopards, a smaller pillow made of the same fabric as the back of the panel ones and

a pair of elephants and finally, 

a lion!  They are large pillows, 16" x 20" and stuffed with polyfil.

To prove I am still knitting, I have one finished one sock

 and am about ready to begin the gusset in the second.  

These are with the yarn, Muse, in colorway, Impulse. 

 I am liking the yarn so much, I am playing with the idea of knitting a sweater out of it!  

INKTOBER drawing of the day for the prompt, teeth.

  Of course, I chose some sharks teeth!  

These are the most common ones on the Florida beach where I've found them. 

 It was a good study in using so many grays and browns!