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Below are the 25 most recent journal entries.

	2008.05.09  18.55 Knitted/Crochet Quilt from sock yarn! A friend just told me about a quilt to make from sock yarn. You make squares 7.5" squares, from sock yarn...weave them together for a quilt..49 of them. I'm working with graph paper on how to do this in a quilt pattern using light and dark green sock yarn and some patterned sock yarn that has green in it! Think of the possibilities? Patterned yarns in stockingette and solid yarns in more interesting stitch patterns: seed, cabled, bobbles!

	2008.04.29  17.24 Much progress! One baby blanket down one to go! YAY! I may actually get back to my sweater sooner than I thought! Have a small package I need to get sent to my sister. Still anticipating the Estes Fiber Festival and side trip to the Stanley Hotel. I can hardly wait. I have the week after the festival off..but I have and eye appointment and 2 dental appointments! Blah! Just found out about a group in the area that is working on a knitted quilt project..made from sock yarn! I'm trying to figure out how to "pattern" the blocks like an old fashioned cloth quilt. I have some killer sock yarns in my stash in shades of green that would work well for this project, in addition to matching my bedroom decor. We are supposed to have continued nice weather tomorrow, but things get dicey on Thursday..DARN. I really like taking a knitting or crochet project up on the mountain and working on it up there during my break. There is this magnificent overlook at the Gross Reservoir. Picnic tables and a covered area to sit and enjoy the view, lunch and some peaceful yarn work. One of my coworkers found me on a side street today, he thought I was broken down...I was on my break and found a little street with a nice view to work on Brenda's baby blanket. He pulled up and I had my side door open, I was sitting on the floor of my truck and crocheting while listening to music. It was nice though to know he was concerned.

	2008.04.17  17.36 Chirstmas Well I'm looking ahead to Christmas. Going to make my friend Liz some stitch markers (bought a little tin with an L on it to put them in). Found a pattern for a nice Hoody to make my Grand daughter for Christmas. Have been churning out some Crochet Washcloths to go with the home made Bath Salts/Sugar Scrubs/shower gels...found a nice pattern to knit a bath mitt too. Also dug out patterns for felted hot mitts and hot pads that I'm going to knit and felt. Every time I come across yarn that is marked WAY down (like $1.00) a skein I get some for the knitters at the Senior Home. I snagged several skeins of some great Mohair for $1.00 each recently. I need to get my butt in gear for my son's birthday. I think I'll get him a gift card to spend as he chooses. Mood: busy

	2008.04.15  18.50 Dong some Crochet Took a break from knitting to work on a baby blanket for a friend Mood: artistic

	2008.04.03  18.29 YAY I'm about 1/3 rd done with my Bucks Bar sweater and quite happy with the results, got my back ordered Worsted weight Bucks bar ( I got the sport weight for the sweater, the sock weight for socks and the worsted for a matching scarf) Found a great pattern for the scarf too. I'm going to be sending the Olive stitch markers and point protectors out to my sister soon. Had a blast making them...she'll have to wait until "Sister's Day" (in August) to get the rest of the stuff that goes with them...serves her right for figuring out that I had an ulterior motive! I'm very excited about the fiber festival in Estes Park! ONe of my most favorite yarn companies will be there! I haven't seen these folks since the Stitches Midwest show in 2006..but I emailed them and expect I'll lighten my wallet at their booth..as usual. Life is good! Mood: accomplished

	2008.03.30  08.42 I spent yesterday playing with polymer clay and made these stitch markers and point protectors. Can't post pictures of the others I made, they are gifts! With some practice I'd like to make some little Gecko and Sheep markers. Mood: busy

	2008.03.16  08.35 Projects I'm currently working on making Picovoli from Lona's Laces Bucks Bar My next project is the following: I'll be using this yarn, from Farmhouse:

	2008.03.15  15.51 top down sweater The top down sweater I started with my new yarn is going great! I'm absolutely going to be posting pictures of it when I'm done. Working with Lorna's Laces is such a joy! Can't wait to start on the Farmhouse yarn sweater. I'm frogging that darn hoody, it's been an albatross from the very beginning. I think I'll turn it into a nice felted knitting basket to keep beside the fireplace! I also have some cotton chenille hanging around that I'm going to make into wash cloths to go with some of the home made spa stuff I've been making for Gifts! Woo Hoo I got the 2nd week in June off (right after the Estes Fiber Festival)...boo hoo have to have a bunch of dental work done..but no fear Interlacement's is going to be at the festival. I just emailed them to see if they would be bringing any Rayon/Silk with them. I already know I want some Oregon Worsted and Toasty Toes. Mood: accomplished Music: Real tv in backround

	2008.03.11  17.19 great day Went up to Ft. Collins for my eye exam...all is good. Clinical trials of new treatment have been delayed by a few months because it may work longer than originally though. YAY. Doctors new assistant is a knitter and referred me to a little cafe down the street from the yarn shop....WONDERFUL breakfast followed by an amazing yarn shop experience. didn't find the exact yarn I was looking for...i found something better. Owner and I had an amazing convo...she ended up downloading pics of mine to post next to yarns she has...well...Ok it earned me a nice discount at the register that I hadn't counted on. The yarn shop owner ordered the yarn I was looking for as I stood there and is going to ship it to me! Lovely shop that I'm glad is so close to my eye doctor. On the way home I stopped at a rural dairy and bought fresh butter, milk and cheese! I'm missing t hat Mustang less and less...I'd have never taken it down this gravel road...and would have missed out on some amazing diary products! Yarn and milk..gotta love it! Mood: amused

	2008.03.07  16.52 just stuff Stopped on the way home at Liz's, forgot she doesn't work Fridays. So I brought her "fish" yarn to her house! She was just thrilled...had the pattern and needles sitting there waiting! She is also working on a great vest from Knitty that I really like! With Easter coming, I dug out the pattern for a "felted" Easter Basket, going to make it for Sofia. I'd found some great yellow felting yarn sometime back that will work just perfectly for it. Mood: tired Music: just the quite of my home

	2008.03.03  18.40 Reorganization for the past couple of weeks I've been busy. I bought shelving units...organized my knitting, yarn and craft stuff. Frogged those "long forgotten" projects. Restarted a sweater, and I'm much happier with the results! For a time my knitting began to be a reflection of my life...messy. I've cleaned up both! Reconnecting with old friends..in many ways. Mary will be here this coming weekend (from Chicago). I can't wait to see her and meet her sister in law! Her sister in law lives on the mountain next to t he one I deliver on..she see's my truck daily and "screams" at me across the canyon...of course I cannot hear her..but still she yells thing like "be careful there's ice up there" or "watch the fog". Been eyeing patterns and planning projects. this is a "good thing".

	2008.03.01  22.03 It's been a while It's been a long time since I've posted here. Took a year off, getting back into knitting. Frogged about 15 hrs of work that I had done on a sweater and started over. My knitting suffered to due things going on in my personal life, so I just took some "time off". Things seem to be going much better in my life and my knitting reflects that. Mood: hopeful Music: just the news

	2007.05.25  21.19 Good Grief! Has this much time past since I last posted????? Well I have been super busy. I knit daily at work during my break, I've finished a boat load of items and haven't taken a single picture. At the moment I've got a shrug going for Sofia, another one for her Mommy, and am preparing to wind the yarn for my capelet into balls. My condo is finally becoming "mine". I sponge painted the half wall of the service bar and the backsplash wall between the cabinets and counter tops. OHHHHH it came out so nice. I used charcoal gray and silver and the results look like marble...or granite. It certainly broke up all the "white". Combined with the newly recovered chairs (black micro fiber suede) and new track light fixtures (2 mini halogen pendants over service bar/sink, 2 gooseneck halogens over range and 3 halogen double armed gimble spots over counters) it looks GREAT. I added some leather double stitched placemats to the bar and a new black lampshade to my favorite lamp too. Most everything was purchased on sales too! I'm still struggling with the guest bedroom..it's a mish mash of unmatched furniture and I'm looking for something to pull it all together....like a winning lotto ticket! Actually I really love the sleeper sofa I got for in there. My Barrister bookcase looks really nice too, as does the small dresser that holds yarn...its that darn sewing machine cabinet that drives me nuts. Butch picked it out...it's a great cabinet...just ugly as sin. I'm actually considering spray painting it. Sad since it's beautiful Pecan wood..but stained much too dark. I did find a cute Kokopelli wall hanging that matches perfectly the little "Koko's" in the drapes and throw pillows. Other than that one room I am very pleased with everything else! I even found a new "cheap" decorating trick. Those cute little wine bottle bags that look like Japanese Kimono's. If you thread a piece of bamboo through them..then tie a ribbon to the bamboo and hang them..they look simply adorable. I had one..then found 2 more on sale, so I made a little "grouping" of them. My extra day off will make for a nice weekend to get things done...sweep the garage, drag the boxes of Christmas decorations out there...get my oil changed in the Mustang...a haircut. Mostly I hope to spend the weekend knitting! Just a few short weeks till the fiber festival in Estes Park! Work is going well, I got the position as the Station Safety Leader! woo hoo! Ok it's not THAT exciting. The Boulder Police had to shoot a troublesome Mountain lion on my route yesterday..then this morning another one was spotted! Magnificent animals..until they no longer fear humans! Then they are downright terrifying! Mood: busy Music: silence..it's golden

	2007.04.21  18.19 WOW it's been a long time I just realized how long it has been since I've posted here. Busy is as busy does. Work, decorating, knitting, crafting, you name it and I have been doing it. Started a new shrug for the incomparable Sofia this week on my breaks, I'm about half way done with it too! I set the sweater from hell aside for a while and have been working on the aforementioned shrug, a baby blanket (that is wayyyy overdue) and a scarf. Found the coolest yarn shop in Boulder! They have everything, including the elusive "Not Just More Socks" that i have been in search of since forever! Needless to say I grabbed it up (the only copy no less), a cute sheep bank (to save for yarn of course) and some yummy sock yarn. I think the Condo is mostly done! Still working on the lighting and I need to do something with the built in entertainment center. It is magnificent, but needs something to zing it up. I don't know...was thinking about finding someone who could locate and install some smoke glass doors on the lower portion. Then I think "sponging" the TV Alcove with some charcoal colored paint would look nice. Since I'm such a chicken about these things, I've decided to invest in some poster board, sponging it and then placing it in the alcove to see if I like it or not. My color scheme seems to be a minimalist black and white with touches of celery green. I'm getting used to the "non" routine of work. Go in early..no idea of where I'll be delivering packages, grab a snack, knit for a few hours then the routine of my pick up route. Starting to get to know customers and co workers better. Mood: relaxed Music: soft hum of the dryer

	2007.03.21  21.31 Neglected journal, busy life Wow! I can't believe how time is just flying, seems like yesterday I was driving out to Colorado from Illinois. Now I've been here almost a month! Crafting has taken center stage (when I'm not working that is). Right now I'm doing the bi-crafter thing. In the process of recovering my bar stool, is a yummy micro fiber suede. So far the look....MAGNIFICENT! Also have been bringing my knitting to work. I usually manage 20 - 30 rows during my split hours. Not a single person I work with knits, so they have no conception of the amount of work involved in knitting a sweater. I'm a bit sick of hearing "aren't you done with that yet?". Somehow I thought I'd entered the newest secret pal exchange....guess I didn't. Oh well, next time. Music: Lost, in the backround

	2007.03.03  04.40 Secret Pal 1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Lorna's Laces, Kareoke, Opal sock yarns are some of my favorites. I detest pure acrylics. 2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have cases for everything. 3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Ive been knitting over 40 years..intermediate or advanced I supose 4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I Have an Amazon wish list. 5. What's your favorite scent? Citrus 6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Peppermint Bark 7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Quilting, quilling and Origami 8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like just about everything and am willing to listen to anything but RAP 9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I adore Purple/green/blue combo's. I really don't like reds. 10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm divorced, live alone, no pets. 11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I don't wear mittens. I adore wrist warmers or tipless gloves. 12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I'm not pinned down to any group of favorites. 13. What are you knitting right now? A Sweater, a baby blanket, a capelet. 14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes 15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I'll knit with anything, say are you going to use those chopsticks? 16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, Both. 17. How old is your oldest UFO? Argh, the sweater is older than I care to admit. 18. What is your favorite holiday? I love Christmas, but I have little time to enjoy it (because of who I work for), I also like 4th of July. 19. Is there anything that you collect? Gecko's and Frogs. 20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I'm dying to get my hands on "Not Just More Socks"! I have the first book and get a lot of use out of it. Interweave knits is the only subscription I have. I like Interweave Crochet and Vogue knitting. 21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Entrelac. I keep saying that! 22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I love to knit socks, but I don't like to receive knitted socks because my foot is small and I generally have to alter patterns due to a narrow heel. 23. When is your birthday? August 9th. Mood: sleepy

	2007.03.01  06.01 As Promised Well I made it to Colorado!!!!! Not without a slight bit of drama. I got stranded in a snow storm for 16 hours in Western Nebraska! Luckily I got to a truck stop that had a lounge upstairs where I could watch T.V., knit and sleep. Only 20 miles further west the roads were dry and clear! I made it here just in time! Got a motel, took a shower then went straight to walk through on Condo, out to lunch, saw the sights in town too. Next morning (Monday) a flurry of errands, insurance, banking, (a side trip to the dollar store), then closing on the Condo. Everything went smooth as silk, first closing I've ever been to where everything was "right". Unpacked my car at the Condo. It was so jam packed that it took me an hour to unload it. My plants all survived, though one had to be "trimmed" back due to some frost damage, no doubt from sitting in the car during the blizzard! I got some serious work done on a baby blanket as I waited for the moving van. Knitting in front of the fire place just rocks! It showed up yesterday morning at 7:30 am! I'm mostly unpacked already. The day just flew by as I unpacked box after box, after box.... My kitchen is all set up, living room (just have to put stuff in Curio cabinet), both bathrooms, my bedroom is mostly done too. The guest room will get some serious work today. Hoping to get everything done so I can trek on over to the Magnificent Sofia this weekend! Mood: exhausted Music: hum of the furnace

	2007.02.20  20.06 Down to days OMG I cannot believe that moving day is almost here. Mayflower came yesterday and took my furniture...and Yarn :o( I'm leaving shortly after work Friday. Saturday there was a small going away party for me with some friends. Thursday some gals from work want to go out to dinner. I just cannot wait to hit the road! Closing on condo has been scheduled for 11am on Monday! Right afterwards I'm heading to grocery store to stock up on cleaning supplies, then to housewares shop for shelf liner..and LOOK OUT! If I get the kitchen cabinets all cleaned and lined I may head over to Home Depot for a badly needed step ladder, a drill, nice trendy stainless trash can too. Not to mention some valence rods. Yeah the place has blinds but I want real window treatments too! Oh and one of those cool curved shower curtain rods for the soaker tub too!!!!! Computer will be packed up on Thursday. Next post...will come to you from Colorado! Mood: excited

	2007.02.17  05.48 ONLY a Week to go Well, the movers are comming Monday afternoon. That means I have to have everything packed and ready to go when I go to bed Sunday night. Went to IKEA last night and picked up the desk stool that will replace "Satan's Chair". Found a few other really cool things too. Just praying that the weather will co operate and I will not have to stop on the road due to bad conditions. Will leave out after work on Friday and drive as far as I can. Wish I didn't have to make the trip alone though. Even if I had someone to ride with me..there probably isn't going to be room in the car anyway!

	2007.02.13  21.59 10 days! Woo hoo, my new tires are amazing. I'm not nearly as worried about the drive now! Chicago had a blizzard today and my car handled amazing. What a relief. Management has given the go ahead on my extra week of leave. So when I leave on the 23rd I won't have to worry about work until the 13th!!!! Hopefully by the time that day rolls around I should be settled in! I found the most perfect stool for my new computer "nitch". Going to pick it up friday...the "orange chair from hell" can remain here! Movers will be here on the 22nd, I'll be leaving after work on the 23rd...I'm sooooooooooooo excited. My own place, a fresh start, a new life near the people who I love and who love me. I want to sign up for SP 10...I actually may be able to, if I can get comcast out to new place and sign up in time. Mood: bouncy

	2007.02.12  03.59 Soon, very soon I'll be leaving in 11 days for Colorado. I've barely had time to knit or crochet with all the packing and preparing. Don't imagine I'll get much knitting or crocheting done for the next month really. I am taking a baby blanket with me to work on while waiting for my shipment of household goods. Yesterday I went down to storage area and pulled out some things, my "traveling knitting chair" (a chair that folds up and has a case with a sling, for knitting at concerts and such), some decorator curtain rods, my car "junk". I'll wait for right before the movers come to bring up the Christmas boxes. Right now there's a few errant glasses staring at me on the counter, begging to be packed. Some clothes yet need to go into boxes...not much really. Have to make some purchases when I get out there: small ladder, kitchen garbage can, small stuff. I'm just so excited about this move. I'm sure a million small things will frustrate me between now and being fully settled in. Mood: nervous

	2007.02.07  19.40 FINALLY... Finally I know where I'll be working in Colorado, it's not the station closest to where I'm buying a condo though. The condo is very very very reasonably priced, the taxes are great, as are the association fees. So I'll put up with the commute. Similar Condo's in the area of the station I'll be working at are 100k more! The pay at the station pays more than the one near where I'm buying so, in the long run the finances will make this a better option. My condo inspection was done today, I signed a contract with a moving company, have firm dates on everything now. Tomorrow morning will begin with sending fax's to: Real estate Agent, Moving company and Mortgage company. I'm going to take a baby blanket with me to work on while I wait for my household goods to be delivered...and spend a day or two with my son, his wife and beautiful little girl. Then I'll be on pins and "needles"...waiting...for my yarn and knitting stuff!!!!!!!! Hey a woman has to have her priorities right? I simply can't wait to plop my butt down on my sofa (which I loooooveee) light up the fire place...turn on my new tv...and sit and knit in peace and quiet!!!!! Mood: enthralled Music: sound of the dishwasher

	2007.01.29  22.20 woooooooo hoooooooo On a scale of 1 - 10....today is a 20!!!!! I got pre approved for my mortgage, my transfer to Greeley is cemented, tomorrow I put my offer in on my new condo (which we will play the offer/counter/reoffer game) I'm about 40% packed and have appointments everyday this week with moving companies for estimates. I've decided to have a moving company handle all this "junk". This way I can just jump in my car early afternoon of the 23rd of Feb and cuise on down the road. Movers will pick up everything the weekend of Feb 17/18. I'll close the 26th and movers will deliver on 27th or 28th!!!! I plan on hauling things in my car...computer...blankets and pillows, some easy knitting, clothes...plants...toiletries and with luck I'll be able to fit a cup of coffee in the cup holder and change for tolls............hmmm Ok I haven't figured THAT out....LOL. I haven't been this excited in...omg I cannot remember when. Sometimes Change is difficult to accept....accepting change,, embracing it...can be soooo cathartic. Mood: excited

	2007.01.28  00.05 another blanket Katie got the blanket and loves it, so I restarted the other one I promised someone, I haven't gotten much done though. I'm packing for my big move. Naturally the first things packed were the MOST important...all things yarn and my electronic telescope!!!! I'm putting an offer in on a LARGER condo monday. This one is a two bedroom two bath unit with alot more square footage. This means I will have my very own sewing/craft/guest room! There's a million things to do. Today I paid off my car..in one lump sum! That felt really really good. Today I did a little packing, alot of paper work and alot of dreaming about my new life. Mood: anxious

	2007.01.22  05.06 Move may come fast Well last night I finished up Katies baby blanket. It's all packed up and ready to send to her. I'm putting in for two positions in Greeley, CO. I've already found a real estate agent who is darling. My son and his wife are going to get together with her to look at condo units in this one complex I found. Very large (almost 1000 sq. ft) one bedroom with attatched garage, in unit laundry, fire place, mountain views. The complex has a pool, sauna, hot tub, exercise room. I'm very excited.