Dear Silly Fru

Silly Fru - This was stolen from Fru's website...I admit it.

I want to introduce you to a friend of mine.  Her name is Wendy, but I think most people know her as Fru or Sassypants Knitter.  I met her a couple of years ago when I went to SAFF for the first time. She's an out of state Biscuit.  I will never forget the first thing I heard come out of her mouth.  Another person was showing her some amazing yarn and she reached over and reverently stroked the gorgeous softness and said "Holy s#*tballs! That's unreal!" I wasn't shocked or upset by that comment because what some of you don't know about me is that I have quite the potty mouth...it can be rather embarrassing because those awful words typically pop out at the most inappropriate moments.  I'm much better than I used to be but I've always admired people that will let something like that fly when they are enthusiastic about something.  I knew that this was a kindred spirit. I mean, come on, she's a fellow hippie chick!

Because she lives a state away, I haven't gotten to know her as well as I'd like to, but I have to say that this irreverent woman has one of the most amazing hearts I've ever encountered...and it's in mourning at the moment.  You see, Fru lost her beloved Grammy at the end January to esophageal gastric junction cancer.

I have found since I started knitting and crocheting that this community of people that play with sticks and string are an amazing, warm hearted group of people and that's what I'm counting on...that you will share this warmth.  When Fru's Grammy found out she was ill, she decided that she wanted to knit 100 hats for the homeless.  Fru put the word out on her blog, where she pod casts regularly, and the community responded. Boy, did they respond with over 300 hats.

2012's Hats - Picture stolen from Fru's Facebook Page

This is were you come in.  I'm asking you to help out this year.  Fru is going to do the drive again in her Grammy's honor. She tentativly wants to officially start the drive in September and close it out in November, but if you're anything like me, you need plenty of time and planning, but I also know that y'all can whip up some hats like nobody's business. 

So if you're interested, contact me on Facebook, Ravelry or email (melbatoast68@gmail.com). She prefers that the hats be simple, washable and dark colors. I just ask that the be filled with love and warmth.  Thanks!!

Additional info:
News Story
Fru's Website 

There are several hat patterns on Ravelry.  Here are a few of my favorites:
Simple Slouch Hat
Man Hat
Ribbed Watchman's Hat
Midnight Sky Men's Hat
Hats from the Heart

These aren't fancy hats, but they look nice and warm.

About That Time

Oh look!! The countdown is almost over!!

 

This time tomorrow, I will be stacking all the stuff I'm taking with me by the door....my suitcase, the food (Oh Lord, the food!), the wine and the projects (way too many)...both a must...and my fat pants.  It's all about the priorities, ladies.  Today is the planning...do we need to bring linens...who has a large cooler....Is it 5:00 yet?  You know this is going to be the LONGEST day ever!

We'll be meeting Fru there. Suz is winging her way from down further south and should get here some time tonight. And "Mom & Aunt Karen" are on their way from Yankee land.  Jen already warned us that Mom and Aunt Karen have appetizers and cocktails planed (YEA!) and, as she put it "are probably going to go overboard because they are moms and they need to feed everyone."  Works for me!

Annie spoke to the person who owns the house we are renting and he warned us that the bears are "active."  Yikes!!  He said to just keep the trash inside for as long as we can....Hey! That's no way to talk about us?!?! JUST KIDDING!  I've decided if they come, we'll just let Nicole have a go at them.  She's Sicilian, originally from Lawng Iland (Long Island for those who need an interpreter) AND she's pregnant. The bears don't stand a chance...just saying.

From last year at SAFF.  Left to right - Suz, Annie, Me, Dawn and Mel

Can you feel the excitement? And do you know what the most wonderful part about all this is?  It's not the yarn/fiber, although that is wonderful.  It's not just the long weekend away, even though I need it desperately.  It's these women - these funny, brash, strong, incredibly intelligent, amazingly gorgeous, outspoken, unbelievable women...and that's the short list of their attributes. I'm sorry if you get tired of hearing about how wonderful they are, but friend like this, well they are worth more than any amount of gold in the world.  They are a part of my treasure.

So for the next four days, I might appear to be quiet....trust me, I'm not.  I will be having the best time. If there is down time, I will try to check in and see how you are doing but please know that I am thinking of you and wishing you could all join us on this adventure we love so much.  Take Care!!

Back to Normal?

Number One Son is safely back at college after a long weekend home for fall break.  He visited with friends and family, ate lots of home cooked meals and annoyed his brother.  He left yesterday armed with plenty of baked goods from his grandmothers and his grandfather's old golf clubs.  I think he left a dust trail on his way out he was so eager to get back...and life moves on.  It was a wonderful visit and I wish it could have lasted longer but I'm so glad he is enjoying school, making friends and growing into his own person more and more everyday.

Things have settled back into the latest routine of work and school without a hitch. Car Guy is preparing for his next business trip...Peru this time. The countdown to SAFF continues...14 days, 20 hours. And I have started the feverish holiday knitting and crocheting...it appears that this is to be the "Year of Mitts" for the women in my family.

I'm afraid that the photos aren't that great.  You know how I've been begging for fall?  Well it's here and it's brought rain...lots of rain.  I don't mind until I try to take pictures.  Everything is so dark that even the flash isn't helping. Please notice that I didn't say gloomy.  I love this type of weather.  I love burrowing in with some tea and knitting or crocheting and a good movie.  I would say good book, but I just haven't mastered the art of reading and knitting/crocheting.  But I can watch a movie and, as all my friends well know, I can talk. I don't know about you, but there is something so wonderful about sitting with a group while we talk and work. Hopefully that's where I'm headed tonight...Some time with my girls and yarn.  What are your plans?

Things to Come

I have so enjoyed seeing the fall weather emerge everywhere with everyone's posts.  I am a fall/winter kind of gal.  I love the smells of change that come with the fall...the crispness and the eventual slow down that comes with winter. I so look forward to the burrowing in. No one looks at you cross eyed when you are working on woolen wear when it's 40 degrees or below. And of course, there is also the wearing of said woolens.  There is such a joy in being toasty warm in something of your own making...or better yet, seeing your loved ones wrapped up in a hand made hug.

The leaves are changing and the temps are dropping....and the countdown is on.  For the next 35 days you will get to hear me wax poetic with anticipation for the adventures known as SAFF - Did you hear that Biscuits?!?!! 35 Days!!!  A weekend of wine, food, chocolate, fiber and friends...it doesn't get much better than that I tell you. Throw on top of all that, there is an amazing shoe warehouse that totally ROCKS!

Thanks to my wonderful family and a perfectly timed birthday, the trip is now paid for and I have spending money...a generous amount. But I will still be scrimping and saving because there is never enough money for this experience...Hello? Yarn AND shoes...ahem....it's a girl's version of heaven.

I hope I don't bore you with the details.  If I do, just contact Car Guy...he will be in total sympathy with you...if he can unglaze his eyes and bring his brain out of the coma I've put him in....Bless his heart.

Is It Just Me?

Source

I'm just wondering.  You see, I have this little pet peeve and I didn't know if it was just me or if it's all knitters and crocheters who feel this way.  Does it just crawl under your skin when you see a product advertised as knitted and it's crocheted and vice versa? 
Those slippers over there are great...over priced, but great.  They are being marketed as crocheted slippers.    Really?  Anybody worth their salt will look at those and know that they are knitted...duh!  How do they get away with this.  Are they just assuming that we are idiots?  Or is it because a machine can't crochet and they are thinking if it's marketed as crocheted then they can jack the price up as a hand made one of a kind item...which is so totally WRONG! Do you understand my frustration as a bi-crafty individual?  Or am I just being touchy because of all the time it took me to learn said crafts....hmmmm....

So, is it just me?  Let's do some real scientific work here and let me know.

BORING...

So I've been cruising around the blogosphere, looking at everyone's beautiful projects and realized that my space is going to be a bit boring.  I'm still working on the same two projects that just drag on and on and on...sigh.  I thought about taking some pictures to show them off, but what's the point? They both are repetitive patterns, so all they've done is gotten a bit bigger....yawn.  I am forcing myself not to start any new, instant gratification projects and it's been HARD I tell you. Particularly when I see all the gorgeousness out there.  I am itching to start on a Citron of my own, but keep pushing it off.  My goal is to finish at least one of these - the Herringbone Poncho - while I'm at the beach next week.  I don't mind if the Chevron Scarf hangs out for a while because it's a great project to work on when I need mindless knitting...and it's a scarf, so it's a great "on the go" project.

So rather than bore you with the never ending projects, I thought I'd share some new purchases.  Whenever I go past a Tuesday Morning store, I have this compulsion to go in and see what kind of books they have because you can get some really good deals and guess what?!?! I scored!  Not one, but two really cool books!

This book is full of some really great, quirky and vintage (duh) patterns.  There are several that I can't wait to make and I'm sure that this is not helping my with my current state of boredom with current projects.  Not to mention the fact that I haven't crocheted anything in ages and I'm really starting to miss it.  By the way, I got this one for $6.00.

This is the other book I found.  What attracted me to this one is the whole section about fit.  I'm still relatively new to knitting, so learning all the tricks of making flattering sweaters appeals to me.  I don't want to be one of those women that works forever on a project only to put it on and...UGH!...end up pushing it to the pack of the closet because it looks so heinous on me. That would be so depressing.  There are some really cute accessories and sweaters. I also like the little tidbits and insights they share about their relationship. As part of a mother/daughter relationship, I always find the dynamic of other relationships interesting.  This one was only $9.00.  Like I said - SCORE!

All in all, not too shabby if I do say so myself!  And also so much more interesting than looking at the same boring pictures of the same old thing. 

More Beautiful Yarn...

Today you get a treat.  A post of mostly pictures...with little running commentary from me.  Because I've been asked, here are pictures of the yarn I purchased over the weekend.  I am now officially broke.

First, my Malabrigo ....Gorgeous! 

Cannot stress how much I love, Love, LOVE this yarn.

 I really just want to crawl into this stuff.

 Silvers, purples and greens. Yummy!

Now the JoJoLand Fantasia

 Love the colorway.  It makes me think of a box of crayons.

The next three are some of my bargain bin yarns. 

Not really sure what they are other than pretty.

Here's the sock yarn.  Pretty greens and purples.

This is a worsted weight with blues and emerald greens that bleed together.  

It doesn't show well in the photos but it is subtly gorgeous.

 I'm not sure if this one if lace or fingering weight yarn.  

I'll have to measure the WPIs, but it is so soft!

These last two are some more bargain yarns.  

They are both merino superwash and the colors are so bright.

So there you have it.  The beautiful yarn that is now happily sitting in my stash. I've been trolling Ravelry, and I'm sure to come up with some wonderful patterns. Until then, they will sit quietly, waiting and periodically getting checked on to see if they have any ideas of what they want to be.  Hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I enjoyed purchasing them. Hmmmm...it seems that all the green left my wallet and now resides in my yarn! Have a wonderful afternoon!

Work, Work, Work

Hello Everyone!  I hope you are all doing well this fine Wednesday!  It looks like the rain is finally clearing away, not that it's bothered me.  The weather was gorgeous while we were at the beach.  We were even able to spend some time with friends who were staying at a neighboring beach.  That's a slightly blurry picture of me and my friend Sue (on left).  She is truly a beautiful friend - LOVE her!

While we were at the beach, Car Guy pressure washed the deck while I cleared out the cobwebs inside. Basically, we just did some general maintenance/cleaning around the house, but we still enjoyed ourselves.  The boys and Car Guy are thrilled because they found a TV at a thrift store for $19.00.  The beach house now has a TV, but still no internet. We came home Monday, only to crash hard.  I didn't realize I was as tired as I was.  

I was able to start my One a Day project on time yesterday - Yea! I'm making the Urchins and Limpets Blanket. I was actually able to make two of the large motifs, so that means I have 28 more to go - that's not counting the 20 smaller motifs.  I really want to make at least two a day because there are so many and I'm a little short on time.  I am forcing myself to weave in all ends as I go so that I won't be faced with those pesky little buggers when I'm done.  I'm trying to use only stash yarn to make this and I think I'll be able to do so. 

Even though this isn't the best picture, here are the colors I'm using. There is a bright turquoise, fuchsia, dusty green and yellow - which didn't make it into the picture because I couldn't find it (Helps if you look under the table where it rolled out of the basket and was found this morning).  Anyway, that big ball of variegated yarn will be used fore the border because it has all the colors in it. I think it will be pretty, colorful and gender neutral.

The socks are moving right along.  I've almost finished one and I'm loving the way they are turning out.  I'm continuing the lace pattern across the top of the sock just because I think they'll look so cute. I like that I can work on this during lunch, make a couple of motifs after dinner and work on other projects as well.....can we say time management?  No, not really :)

The shawl/wrap is a little slower.  I thought (that was my first problem - thinking) that this would work up quickly, but that's not the case.  It's a really simple pattern but knitting that really skinny mohair like yarn with those big needles is making me really clumsy.  OK, it's making me clumsier than usual. I'm going to continue because I really do think it will be pretty when it's done.  If it isn't, it will get shoved into the back of the closed because that yarn sticks to itself way too much to try and frog that puppy.

Well, that's all for today.  I've got to get my needles and hooks moving because I'm no where near where I need to be as far as preparing for Christmas.  Let the fun and games begin!

Slacker!

That would be me...I have good intentions, I really do.  I also have all kinds of excuses but it all just boils down to life.  We seem to be constantly on the go.  I'm not complaining, but I'd love to be able to come up for air before school starts on the 25th! Where did the summer go? 

I know that part of this group will be wondering the same thing.  That funny looking group over there are all the kids...minus one who's still in it's mommy's tummy...He/She will be here late October, early November...NOT me, Aunt Wendy, thank goodness!  This was taken while we were on vacation and every time I look at it I get a little nostalgic because I remember when the "big kids" were babies. Number One Son will be a SENIOR in high school....What?!?! I remember when he was the only little one in the family. 

Speaking of little ones.  That little one on the end had a birthday recently and turned three.  He's a "big boy" now...His words :)  So I tried to make him something that a big boy would like....and that would be Rex.  At least that's what I was calling him while I was making him.  The "Big Boy" opened his present, promptly shook Rex in my face and yelled "ROOOAAAR!"  at the top of lungs and then took off running. Somewhere along the way, he tossed him at his sister...or to her, we couldn't tell...and started dancing around like three year olds dance.  He informed me that Rex was not the dinosaur's name and that he was Jacob...after his best friend.  I'm thinking that might be high praise, but I'm not sure because I don't speak "three year old" as well as I used to.  I'm a little out of practice.

Here's another shot of Rex...I mean Jacob...so that you can see he came complete with tail.  I've never done this type of crochet.  I think he's really cute but the little guy was crocheted completely in single crochet and seemed to take FOREVER.  I know that he didn't but I don't know how much more of this I will be doing because there is actually A LOT of counting stitches and it can get rather tedious.  And for crying out loud, don't talk to me while I'm doing it or I'll lose my count - Argh!  We'll see.  My nieces thought Rex Jacob was pretty cool, so I might have to make them a little something similar. 

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  My sister-in-law and her kids are coming to visit this weekend (the three kids right after my boys in the picture) so I'm sure we'll be busy as usual.  I'll get to get some girl time in with Gina and my niece, so I'm really looking forward to it.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I'll have August's Show & Tell for you next week.

Ta Da!!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!  Things have been so busy!  This morning I took Number One Son to have his Senior Pictures taken. The picture to the right is one of the locations that they take the "nature" pictures.  This is one of those "Rites of Passage" things.  Next year is his last year in High School, then he'll be off to college. So before Graduation, there will be pictures taken, special banquets, etc.  All to remind me that one of my babies is leaving the nest..sniff, sniff.  I can't believe how quickly the time flies.  My baby is a young man now!

Number Two Son made it home safely from Tulsa.  He had a wonderful time with his Aunt, Uncle and cousins.  I spoke to him twice while he was gone, so obviously I missed him a bit more than he missed me. At least he remembered to call his dad on Father's Day.  I'm sure I have to thank his Aunt for that phone call!

I have two Ta Da moments today.  The first is a scarf that I made for a friend's daughter that I've had the joy of watching grow up into a beautiful young lady.  She will be attending Appalachian State University in the mountains of North Carolina next year.  Since it gets rather cold in the mountains, I crocheted her a scarf in the school's colors of gold and black.  She will be getting a hat as well.  I'm feeling rather brave these days, so I decided that I will knit her a hat...in the round...I haven't started it yet, so we'll see if I can get it completed before school starts in August. Hopefully it will go much quicker than socks.

Speaking of socks......

Ta Da!!! It's a completed sock!!!  I can't tell you how excited I am by this! I had to watch the video several times in order to complete the kitchener's stitch, but it's done and I absolutely LOVE it!

Here's another picture so that you can see the ribbing around the top. I've already started the mate and I've noticed that they aren't going to match perfectly, but that doesn't really bother me because I think they will perfect in their imperfection.  I recently read in a knitting book somewhere that hand knitted socks are like lingerie -  no one knows that you're wearing them, but they make you feel special.  Isn't that brilliant?  I wish I could remember who said that because they so deserve the credit for their intelligence.

Well, lunch break is almost over.  I'll try to pop in later this week to update everyone on all the knitting drama.  As always, I greatly appreciate the emails and comments.  You guys are the best at encouraging me.  If it weren't for you and my Yarn Girls (Hey Ladies!!) I don't know if I'd have finished one sock, much less attempted anything else without all your warm thoughts.  Just imagine what a sad picture it would be of circular needles and DPNs crammed into a dark corner with neglected sock yarn, looking lost and forlorn.  That would have been their lot in life without your encouragement, so I'm sure they are thanking you as well :)  Have a WONDERFUL day!!

Argh! Hurry Up!

Have you ever noticed that when you want time to pass quickly, it crawls!  Like when you were a kid and the last week of school before summer break lasted FOREVER. Well I'm in that position now.  This week is positively taking forever!  You see I'm getting a wonderful treat this weekend.  I'm going on a girls' weekend!  Woo Hoo!! We leave Friday and come back Sunday.  Me and four other lovely ladies will spend the weekend talking, relaxing, and drinking wine.  There will only be a radio and each other.  No television, no husbands asking what's for dinner, no children needing help with homework or laundry.  No one to clean up after but ourselves.  All this and the beautiful mountains!  Can you tell I'm excited?  I'm truly not trying to be mean to Car Guy and The Boys.  I love them dearly, but Momma needs a break. And since I live in a testosterone filled house I'm really looking forward to a little estrogen time. And this time away will make me appreciate them all the more. I've already started a list of things to take and at the top of the list is.....my CAMERA!  I will be so aggravated with myself if I forget it.

OK.  I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest.  On to yarny goodness...Wait!  First I have to show you something absolutely gorgeous.  This past weekend, Car Guy, my MIL (mother in law) and I went to a few consignment shops just to browse around a little and I found these pillows. There were three of them and I bought them all.  I'm afraid that it's been raining a lot lately, so the lighting in the photo is lousy.  Aren't they beautiful?  The best part though, is that they were only $10.00 a piece! Can you believe it?  They are embroidered on a creamy linen and the colors are very rich.  Blue flowers with gold and burgundy centers and lovely green leaves.  It was love at first sight. I do love a good bargain!

Now yarny goodness.  Doesn't this look interesting? It's actually a hat that I'm in the middle of blocking.  It's sort of like a beret and pinning it wasn't working so it is currently stretched out over a bowl until it dries. You work with what you have!

Photo credit Crochet So Fine

It's another Kristin Ohmdal pattern from her Crochet So Fine book called Visage Lace Beret. It's worked mostly in chains and single crochet, so it's a little time consuming, but totally worth it. She used a lovely beaded lace, but the person I've made it for isn't really a beaded kind of girl.  This is just a little something for her that's a bit more stylish than your standard winter hat. On top of that, since the yarn I've used is acrylic and I've steamed it, she can throw it in the washer and it should hold it's shape pretty well.....we'll see :)

The last item I've been working on is a scarf of my own design - sort of.  It's a modified shell pattern that I found in a crochet stitch dictionary. The scarf is about four inches wide and it won't be to terribly long because I'm making for a very petite lady that needs a petite scarf.  Any time she finds a scarf she likes, it almost hits her knees! She wants green and feminine and I think I've accomplished that.  I haven't decided what kind of edging I'm going to put on it, but I want to do something so that it looks a little more finished. I'm using Bernat's Satin yarn.  It's really soft and an acrylic yarn, so it's washable.  I do love natural fibers, but I've found that so many people are a little leery of the care of them and then there are fiber allergies to keep in mind.  You'd be amazed at how many people can't wear wool. And I also make a lot of baby items, so easy care is important. So unless otherwise requested I try to find a soft easy care synthetic.  This also helps keep item cost effective both on the creative and retail side.

Well, I'm off to count down the minutes hours days until Friday - Ugh.  Would love to know what you think about edges for the scarf.  Have a wonderful day!

Happy Hookers

"I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." – Mark Twain

A friend of mine used this as her status on Facebook this morning and I think it sums everything up that I'm feeling about recent international events beautifully.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  We went to the Liberty Antique Festival on Saturday.  I'm afraid I didn't take my camera, but it was a beautiful day and the vendors had a lot of amazing stuff....most of which was out of my very practical budget. Sunday was spent crocheting.

Have I mentioned lately how I am really beginning to enjoy Tuesday nights.  After a long day at work, because lets face it they are all long, I head home and fix dinner for my men. Then I grab my yarney bag and head over to Panera's for some hooking fun.  It's so wonderful to spend time with these ladies!  And guess what?!?!  Dawn and I are turning two knitters into hookers!!  That's right folks, they are coming over to the dark side!  I love watching their enthusiasm and excitement as they are learning and achieving!  Granny Squares and wash clothes abound.

The knitters are going to return the favor and tomorrow I get to venture into new territory and get my first lesson on sock making! I am so totally over the moon at the prospect.  I was in the store this week-end to get my needles and sock yarn and there are sooo many cool sock yarns. Such great colors and textures. Mel makes such great socks and she's going to get me started on magic looping, whatever that is.  I'm sure it will be magic if I can figure it out.  I don't know why I'm so intimidated by knitting, but I am. 

As many of you know, I've been working on gifts.  You've gotten little glimpses here and there, and today is no different.  Alice has been making these beautiful cowls and she has inspired me to do the same.  Mine is a little different and is for a VERY special person. This person LOVES the color red, so....

This picture does not do the color justice.  A friend said that it's like the color of roses, which I think is perfect for the recipient. The yarn used in Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo in Rouge. It's 80% Bamboo and 20% wool and it's yummy and soft.  It splits just a little if you aren't paying attention, but looks and feels gorgeous. 

The pattern is in the May/June Issue of Crochet Today! As you can see, it's a rather lacy, feminine pattern, which I also think is appropriate as this person is always a lady.

 The pattern is the Infinitiy Scarf by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby. It's a four row pattern repeat that once you get the hang of it works up fairly quickly. This is a good thing because in order to get the length needed, you have to repeat the four row pattern forty-eight (yes, that's 48) times.  I'm a little over a quarter of the way through. So I have a lot to get done in a little time....though I'm not going to tell you my deadline : )

Well, I've got to get back to the real world.  I will let you know how things turn out tomorrow night. Hopefully you won't feel my frustration vibe across the yarn world!  Have a wonderful afternoon!

Just a peek...

Since it's the middle of the week, I thought I'd share a little yarn goodness. A peek if you will, of things to come....

Here's a bit of the  spiral...

 

A closer look...

With a little extra added...

Just to make it interesting.

Enjoy the eye candy...More to come soon. Spring has sprung and so have my allergies. I'll apologize now for all the sniffling. Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Too Much To Do....

So I have been a very slack blogger....I've been lurking on other people's blogs, but not posting anything on mine. I'm afraid I've just been very busy.  As I told a friend the other day (Hi Alice!) I have six (yes, that is 6) family members that have birthdays in May...and Mother's Day - I can NOT forget Mother's Day!  That means that my hooks are flying right now. I don't have a Ta Da post on the Fluffy Stars yet because I'm still weaving in ALL THOSE ENDS...Holy Cow!! I won't block it until those are done.

Here's a sneak peak at something I'm currently working on.  There are five of theses pretty swirly pieces. Do you recognize the yarn?  Yup, that is one of the yarns I used for the Stars.  It is such a lush yarn and the colors are brilliant.  I'm afraid my photography skills just don't do it justice.  I'll show you more once it starts looking a little more interesting.  I know, I'm such a tease : )

Speaking of teases....Here is the camera shy Smokey.  Please note that he is sound asleep on my lap, so he has no clue that I'm taking his picture.  It was Sunday morning when I took this, so I didn't even have to use a flash.  Look at that snugly little kitty....so sweet. I just want to hug him and squeeze him and rub his fur the wrong way and call him George.....I apologize, Looney Tunes briefly invaded. Click on the link and you will get to watch what I'm babbling on about.  Nothing like a little Daffy Duck to make your week better.

And on that note, it's time to get back to work. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Enjoy!

One Row Left!!!

Yea!  It's Friday!  I don't know about the rest of you, but this has been a long week. And dreary!  Ugh!  We've needed the rain, but I'm over it!

Before I get to my fuzzy stars, I want to say "Happy Birthday" to a few of my blog friends.  Teresa, Sandi and Alice are, or have turned, a year old.  This made me look back to see how long I've been blogging and I found out that I've been throwing my "random thoughts" out into the blogosphere for a year as well.  My first post was March 31, 2010.  I can't believe how fast the year has gone by.  So thank you everyone for sharing it with me.   I am honored and blessed to have spent the last year getting to know you all. You have enriched my life immensely.

How do you like that cake?  It's actually a picture of the cake that was made for my 40th birthday - He He!  Notice the black decorations?  I doctored the photo to make the candle a 1 (one). Makes me think I need to find better things to do with my time!

Now on to fuzzy stars! Just a few photos to show the progress....

Three rows done!  Yea! One more row to go and then I'll have to weave in all those ends. UGH! This is going to be a tedious task. There will be sixty stars in total with two ends to weave in per star.  I sort of worked the starting end into the center ring while I was going along, so they won't take as long. I hope.

Here is a close up of one of the colorways.  As I mentioned previously, this is a gift for someone and I know that this will be her favorite colorway. I thought about doing it in this one only, but decided to add the other colorway so that the wrap/scarf will go with EVERYTHING in her wardrobe.

This is my favorite as I have a tendency towards warmer colors.  All in all, I think it's turning out quite lovely.  I'm getting to the point where I'm wanting to be done.  Do you know what I mean?  When you get so close to the end, but you're just not quite there and start getting impatient?  That's where I am with this project.  So close, but not quite there. I think I will be able to finish it this week-end except possibly for the blocking.  Car Guy has a family adventure planned, so this will give me time in the car to work on it.

Because of various things going on this weekend, I'll have April's (already ?!?)  Pay It Forward the first of next week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week-end and gets to enjoy beautiful weather.  North Carolina will be sunny, windy and cool (around 60 degrees F).  Not quite spring, but getting closer! Soon, Car Guy and I will be going around topless......um, the car that is...not us...no way...not EVEN going there....Cheers!