Knitting success...

These is my new socks. I knit them my 0wn self. (Anna took the pictures for me). I'm not sure what you call the style of the toe; it looks like the toe on store-bought socks. I couldn't figure out how on earth to graft the stitches together at the end - it took me about 2 hours per sock! I persevered, though. I like how they fit, but I'm not sure I want to suffer through the kitchener grafting again. Perhaps it's hard for me because I'm left handed? The yarn is by Cherry Hill and the pattern is "waterfall rib" from "Sensational Knitted Socks" by Charlene Schurch. I'm already knitting another pair using that book - love it love it LOVE it! And the socks fit so nicely!

I did some postcards but mailed them before I took their picture.

For fun today I sorted all (ALL) my thread by colors. It was previously sorted by type (cotton, silk-finish cotton, polyester, rayon, sparkly, etc).

And I started a new job. I am working for Coldwater Creek, in a store here at the local mall. So far, it's ok. I have a hard time with the chipper 'Hi I'm Sherrie' greeting at the door. I'm not sure why , because I can talk anyone's ear off. I get to wear nice clothes, which is a great thing. I love dressing up.

Austin Ice Storm!

And Now For Something Completely Different

A Quilt! Ok, a quiltlet.

Can you guess who taught the workshop I took last weekend? Laura Wasilowski, of course.

It was great fun (LOVED the music) and a blast. Her presentation on "Me, It's all about Me" (is that really the title?) was also hilarious. If you get a chance, take anything she offers.

I'm trying to get back into creative mode. I sold 5 cards over my Christmas 'holiday' (if one can call it that) and need to put more up on Etsy. I also am waaaay behind on two postcard swaps (thank you to my patient swap-mates). I know what I'm going to do , I'm just feeling paralyzed.

There. I think I'm through talking for today.

One thing about Christmas in Austin

One can go swimming.

Of course, only crazy women jump into unheated pools on Christmas. Or those who are paid $5 by their grandfather for staying in the pool for one minute. Amazing how she is balancing on top of the water like that, no? Perhaps she's a saint. Or it's ice.










Wiser people just sit in the Jacuzzi and laugh. Keenan - my Godson), Anna, Jennifer (Tim's sister), and Michaela.





Bekah on Christmas morning. She's not usually this cheerful early in the morning, but she got lots of new jewelry.




And here we all are.

Back to the land of the living...

Christmas was horrible. I hate to say that, but the overall experience was bad. And I love Christmas! There wasn't nearly enough Christ in it. And way too much family. Or not-family.

Enough said. I won't discuss it.




Anyhow, this is a picture of my venture into dollmaking. I hated this pattern. Some pattern pieces (the head) weren't even included. The patterns were drawn poorly (say, no straight lines?), had no seam allowances indicated on either the pattern sheet or in the instructions, didn't fit together and didn't fit the doll. My "Eat Your Veggies!" is much better written. Perhaps my pattern doesn't need to be re-written to be successful.

Santa is my MIL's Christmas gift. She has a wonderful collection of Father Christmasses, and he's certainly neither the nicest nor the largest. But he is one of a kind! His clothes are very nicely made, if I say so myself, and I did actually knit his sweater and cap myself also. That was before I found the thrift store. If I ever do this again, I'll buy a sweater and cut it up rather than actually knit doll clothes.




This is the man I married. Yes, I took one look at those teeth and that hair style and said "Wow, how can I live the rest of my life without THAT?"














And here is Liz. Without her favorite gray "AF Academy" sweatshirt, she looks much more...elegant? Classy?




My Anna. Isn't she growing up?











More pictures in the next post...Why can't I do more than 4 pictures?