our front door
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
A dabbler's diary. Blah, blah, blah.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
door to garage
door to garage
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Our most-used door. Marion made the world map long ago. Note the still-hanging Christmas cards...
view from the front door
view from the front door
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
That's a creosote bush just out front. When it gets wet, it has an aroma that epitomizes the desert. Sometimes I spray it down just for a whiff.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
HA! I have a British pal!
And she isn't secret anymore, either! Don't you wish YOU had her? But she's mine, all mine! *cackle*
My dear Mandella sent me a lovely parcel, wrapped in brown paper, which contained lovely surprises. She's going to help me part with my sock virginity. I guess that it's about the right time, as I've been knitting for about two years now. We're having a little Dorset-Mesa sock-along, and the only thing yet to definitely nail down is the pattern. Della, she's experienced, worldly, methinks, in the making of socks. I've not yet ventured into this realm.
Suggestions? Patterns? I know that all 3 of you who read my blog must have some sort of an opinion, so let's hear it!
Hooray for Brits, my dear girl in particular. Thanks Della, you've given me a big happy hug across the pond.
My dear Mandella sent me a lovely parcel, wrapped in brown paper, which contained lovely surprises. She's going to help me part with my sock virginity. I guess that it's about the right time, as I've been knitting for about two years now. We're having a little Dorset-Mesa sock-along, and the only thing yet to definitely nail down is the pattern. Della, she's experienced, worldly, methinks, in the making of socks. I've not yet ventured into this realm.
Suggestions? Patterns? I know that all 3 of you who read my blog must have some sort of an opinion, so let's hear it!
Hooray for Brits, my dear girl in particular. Thanks Della, you've given me a big happy hug across the pond.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Weekend
Seth once pointed out that the colors of an Arizona sunset are remarkably well duplicated in our state flag.
Yup.
The sky was YELLOW when I left work tonight, and it melted into more beautiful colors as I drove home. The time lapse between the shot from the truck and the top one was no more than 5 minutes. The only other place that I've seen sunsets like these was in Japan.
This omelette was the prettiest I've managed to make. My dad makes the best ones ever, and I've tried to duplicate his for years. Note to other omelette-chefs; if you're cooking bacon anyway, use some of the grease for the omelette pan. Lovely shiny browned eggies. Mmm.
The scarf is just knitting and some noodling with different stitches. Using up more stash yarn, and I'll probably make a few more hats as well. I really do like making things to give. Big warm fuzzy.
Marion's got softball tomorrow--she's throwing and hitting right- and left-handed. Someone told me there are great softball scholarships out there; hope she likes it enough to keep up the work! And she's back to ballet, as well, and there are BOYS in her class! Woo-hoo!
Happy weekend to all!
Yup.
The sky was YELLOW when I left work tonight, and it melted into more beautiful colors as I drove home. The time lapse between the shot from the truck and the top one was no more than 5 minutes. The only other place that I've seen sunsets like these was in Japan.
This omelette was the prettiest I've managed to make. My dad makes the best ones ever, and I've tried to duplicate his for years. Note to other omelette-chefs; if you're cooking bacon anyway, use some of the grease for the omelette pan. Lovely shiny browned eggies. Mmm.
The scarf is just knitting and some noodling with different stitches. Using up more stash yarn, and I'll probably make a few more hats as well. I really do like making things to give. Big warm fuzzy.
Marion's got softball tomorrow--she's throwing and hitting right- and left-handed. Someone told me there are great softball scholarships out there; hope she likes it enough to keep up the work! And she's back to ballet, as well, and there are BOYS in her class! Woo-hoo!
Happy weekend to all!
AZ sky
AZ sky and omlettes 005
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Shot from my truck whilst driving home tonight.
Generic scarf
Generic scarf
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Will likely join the hats bound for the Dulaan Project.
Omlette
AZ sky and omlettes 014
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
My finest effort--ham, bacon and extra sharp cheddar.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
Dulaan hats
Dulaan hats
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
The Cloud Hat pattern rocks! It's wonderful and fun and Ryan is a clever girlie for bringing it to us. Yay Ryan! I'm thinking of adding a scarf or two before I send a box off to the Dulaan Project. Just makes me feel good all over to be able to MAKE things that people will actually cuddle into and be snug in. MMMMMMmmmmm.
Full moon in our neck o' the woods didn't bring on too much craziness this time around. Just had to get a picture of the girlie and her amazing super-human strength.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Achoo!
Allergy time for me! Sneezing and blowing my nose are not conducive to knitting, so it's lucky I'm still in the "in-between projects" phase. I had such a good time with the Red Scarves, however, that I'm thinking Dulaan may be getting knits from me next. I have a bunch of acrylic taking up space. Combining that with the "It Came From Ebay" odd red-with-white-spots-mohair may make some funky, warm hats or scarves. That Cloud Hat(pattern here) is floating into view and may well be be next up on the needles.
I still haven't gotten up the gumption to knit myself any clothing yet, and it's in the upper 70's now, which means by late next Thursday, you can expect it to be in the 90's and we'll be having our A/C serviced and prepped for another year of pizza-oven-like heat.
Excuse me, my nose is running.
I still haven't gotten up the gumption to knit myself any clothing yet, and it's in the upper 70's now, which means by late next Thursday, you can expect it to be in the 90's and we'll be having our A/C serviced and prepped for another year of pizza-oven-like heat.
Excuse me, my nose is running.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Red Scarf Project Button
Red Scarf Project Button
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
I was a cranky girl a few weeks back. Couldn't find anything I wanted to knit that wasn't going to cost me, and I'm on a budget, what with the hubby's new biz. Michael's gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket, I went off in search of a book I'd coveted there previously, and upon review, found it to have ZIP in it that I wanted to knit.
Came home and groused at my spousal unit. Sat down to soothe myself with some helpings of knitting blogs, and lo and behold, Gayle pointed me in the direction of Norma, who wisely offered up something kind and calm and rational that would increase my good karma and prevent further tnatrums.
The Red Scarf Project was exactly what I needed to get my off my arse and back into better spirits. Thanks, ladies!
Lion Brand Scarf
Lion Brand Scarf
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Two firsts; I liked this acrylic and I liked the way the fringe fuzzed out!
Stash Scarf
Stash Scarf
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Looks darker than it is. This one contains some of the first yarn my mom bought when teaching me to knit! Also lots of my smaller stash bits from previous scarves, some of Della's Rowan Chunky, and a few others tossed in for good measure.
Stash Scarf being blocked
Stash Scarf 2
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
I cabled down the sides--it'll likely roll like mad, but oh well!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Lucky Seven!
As I'm fortunate enough to have dear Della as a friend, I'm taking up the meme challenge!
Seven Things
7 Things to do before I die
1. Visit Ireland
2. See Marion grown and happy and self-sufficient
3. Get Seth to dance with me in public at least once more
4. Raise a puppy
5. Add lots more birds to my Life List
6. Work harder at learning to play my concertina
7. Travel, travel, travel
7 Things I cannot do
1. Ride in open-car Ferris wheels
2. Set a budget or balance a checkbook (Thanks, Seth!)
3. Stay angry for long
4. Eat unfamiliar fish or seafood-y dishes
5. Keep my opinions to myself
6. Deal with guns
7. Wear pink
7 Things that attract me to blogging
1. I'm nosy--it's the ultimate peek into other folks' lives!
2. It's a great way to get ideas for creative stuff
3. Oh, the wonderful people you meet!
4. It's visual AND verbal
5. The world makes a great sounding board
6. Nice to find evidence of others kind acts
7. It doesn't cost anything!
7 Things I say most often
1. Fabulous
2. We'll see
3. Now I'm going to put drops into your eyes...
4. I just need to finish this row
5. Have you fed the dog?
6. Do YOU have any ideas for dinner?
7. Crap-o!
7 books that I love
1. Prodigal Summer--Barbara Kingsolver
2. Jewels of the Sun--Nora Roberts
3. The Silent Miaow--Paul Gallico
4. Desert Solitaire--Ed Abbey
5. Gone With The Wind--Margaret Mitchell
6. Eats, Shoots, and Leaves--Lynne Truss
7. Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel--Virginia Lee Burton
7 movies that I watch all the time
1. The Natural
2. Notting Hill
3. Lost In Translation
4. Grateful Dawg
5. Valley Girl
6. Goundhog Day
7. Bull Durham
7 people to pass this on to
I am going to follow in Mandella's gracious (if muddy) footsteps and say that I don't know if people want to be tagged, but I hope that anyone who wishes to will pick up the ball and run with it. Any takers? Good! Have fun!
Seven Things
7 Things to do before I die
1. Visit Ireland
2. See Marion grown and happy and self-sufficient
3. Get Seth to dance with me in public at least once more
4. Raise a puppy
5. Add lots more birds to my Life List
6. Work harder at learning to play my concertina
7. Travel, travel, travel
7 Things I cannot do
1. Ride in open-car Ferris wheels
2. Set a budget or balance a checkbook (Thanks, Seth!)
3. Stay angry for long
4. Eat unfamiliar fish or seafood-y dishes
5. Keep my opinions to myself
6. Deal with guns
7. Wear pink
7 Things that attract me to blogging
1. I'm nosy--it's the ultimate peek into other folks' lives!
2. It's a great way to get ideas for creative stuff
3. Oh, the wonderful people you meet!
4. It's visual AND verbal
5. The world makes a great sounding board
6. Nice to find evidence of others kind acts
7. It doesn't cost anything!
7 Things I say most often
1. Fabulous
2. We'll see
3. Now I'm going to put drops into your eyes...
4. I just need to finish this row
5. Have you fed the dog?
6. Do YOU have any ideas for dinner?
7. Crap-o!
7 books that I love
1. Prodigal Summer--Barbara Kingsolver
2. Jewels of the Sun--Nora Roberts
3. The Silent Miaow--Paul Gallico
4. Desert Solitaire--Ed Abbey
5. Gone With The Wind--Margaret Mitchell
6. Eats, Shoots, and Leaves--Lynne Truss
7. Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel--Virginia Lee Burton
7 movies that I watch all the time
1. The Natural
2. Notting Hill
3. Lost In Translation
4. Grateful Dawg
5. Valley Girl
6. Goundhog Day
7. Bull Durham
7 people to pass this on to
I am going to follow in Mandella's gracious (if muddy) footsteps and say that I don't know if people want to be tagged, but I hope that anyone who wishes to will pick up the ball and run with it. Any takers? Good! Have fun!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
More stuff on Spot's nose
More stuff on Spot's nose
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Lately, he's been licking stuff off so quickly I haven't been able to document it!
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Where have I been?
Basically, I've been tending to life away from the computer. Sorry, I don't know what came over me.
In a nutshell; Seth is almost completely over the plague and the business he began as of 01/01/06 is beginning to get up and go; Marion is also off the injury report and zooming through school, rollerblading, and preparing to start softball next weekend. My in-laws just had their 52nd anniversary, my parents are looking at and not-buying a house in Tucson, and my brother gets the award for smartest Christmas gifts (all the BEST gift certificates! Thanks Bubba!).
Your humble narrator is wishing she had more time for crafty pursuits. I have Tim's ties that I'd like to make a quilt from. I have ideas for some wire jewelry that I think would work. There is a lot in the back yard which requires tending. Oh, on that note, never leave a pan of birdseed down low enough for your Welsh Springer Spaniel to find it. Otherwise, you get a backyard full of what look like Nestle $100,000 bars. Eeew.
I do, however, have the delightful FO photos of the Frog Bag, This is a free pattern from Arlene Williams from this site. Go and knit it. It was actually very simple. I did it with two strands of yarn held together--a really neat, old greeny wool blend that a friend found at a garage sale. I'll post a photo of the ball band later.
We got a new camera! It;s a Sanyo Xacti DSC-E6. The instruction book is in Chinese, but with the pictures and a very nice review on a website we found, we're figgering it out. BIG viewscreen on the back in place of a viewfinder. It's fun.
We went to a Phoenix Roadrunners hockey game last night, and the visiting team, the Alaska Aces, beat them in a shootout at the end. It was Mullet night, and everyone got free black mullet wigs. Duh--didn't take the camera. Lots of fun, though; they're a AA league team and trying to get folks in for the game, so they have lots of fun stunts and audience participation stuff during the breaks. Marion got a t-shirt from a nice guy behind us who caught one and passed it to her.
Work is work; busy and busier. New people coming in to train, lots going on. Makes the days go more quickly. Off to do Saturday stuff.
In a nutshell; Seth is almost completely over the plague and the business he began as of 01/01/06 is beginning to get up and go; Marion is also off the injury report and zooming through school, rollerblading, and preparing to start softball next weekend. My in-laws just had their 52nd anniversary, my parents are looking at and not-buying a house in Tucson, and my brother gets the award for smartest Christmas gifts (all the BEST gift certificates! Thanks Bubba!).
Your humble narrator is wishing she had more time for crafty pursuits. I have Tim's ties that I'd like to make a quilt from. I have ideas for some wire jewelry that I think would work. There is a lot in the back yard which requires tending. Oh, on that note, never leave a pan of birdseed down low enough for your Welsh Springer Spaniel to find it. Otherwise, you get a backyard full of what look like Nestle $100,000 bars. Eeew.
I do, however, have the delightful FO photos of the Frog Bag, This is a free pattern from Arlene Williams from this site. Go and knit it. It was actually very simple. I did it with two strands of yarn held together--a really neat, old greeny wool blend that a friend found at a garage sale. I'll post a photo of the ball band later.
We got a new camera! It;s a Sanyo Xacti DSC-E6. The instruction book is in Chinese, but with the pictures and a very nice review on a website we found, we're figgering it out. BIG viewscreen on the back in place of a viewfinder. It's fun.
We went to a Phoenix Roadrunners hockey game last night, and the visiting team, the Alaska Aces, beat them in a shootout at the end. It was Mullet night, and everyone got free black mullet wigs. Duh--didn't take the camera. Lots of fun, though; they're a AA league team and trying to get folks in for the game, so they have lots of fun stunts and audience participation stuff during the breaks. Marion got a t-shirt from a nice guy behind us who caught one and passed it to her.
Work is work; busy and busier. New people coming in to train, lots going on. Makes the days go more quickly. Off to do Saturday stuff.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Feliz Ano Nuevo!
Knitting news first: Mom likes her shawl and Fran (my MIL) wants to use the Triangle Bag as a pillow! (It did felt up in a most snugglicious way) That leaves two knitted gifts yet to be placed in their recipients hands. Hopefully that will transpire tomorrow, if Marion's fever stays down. Poor thing got all hot again last night. She's been such a healthy sprout; this years' flu bugs must be making up for lost time with her!
We spent Christmas "The Day" with my folks and brother in Yuma, eating ham and ooh-ing and aah-ing at the old ornaments which have been in storage for a long time. Several of them came home with me and will grace our trees in years to come. Yay! Seth and I zipped off to Algodones, Mexico (all of 20 minutes away from Yuma) for some shopping and lunch on Christmas Eve. Our favorite little eatery, El Pueblo Viejo, was hosting a big family party, and a 9-piece mariachi band strolled in and serenaded the whole place! They were fantastic, as was the food and the people there.
Mark and Fran returned from their Christmas cruise and we had our Christmas with them this week. Good to have them back.
I am a bit at loose ends with my knitting--the post-project slump. I really like the Arachne shrug in The Knitting Goddess, but I hate the thought of spending money for more yarn when I have lots of stuff in my stash! Mind you, I can talk myself into it, and I know my stash is like a drop in the ocean compared to some I've seen, but... then there are Jane's socks...I want to try socks...and I really love the Backyard Leaves scarf, but I don't know if my abilities are up to it, so there's Branching Out...what next? The new year will tell.
We spent Christmas "The Day" with my folks and brother in Yuma, eating ham and ooh-ing and aah-ing at the old ornaments which have been in storage for a long time. Several of them came home with me and will grace our trees in years to come. Yay! Seth and I zipped off to Algodones, Mexico (all of 20 minutes away from Yuma) for some shopping and lunch on Christmas Eve. Our favorite little eatery, El Pueblo Viejo, was hosting a big family party, and a 9-piece mariachi band strolled in and serenaded the whole place! They were fantastic, as was the food and the people there.
Mark and Fran returned from their Christmas cruise and we had our Christmas with them this week. Good to have them back.
I am a bit at loose ends with my knitting--the post-project slump. I really like the Arachne shrug in The Knitting Goddess, but I hate the thought of spending money for more yarn when I have lots of stuff in my stash! Mind you, I can talk myself into it, and I know my stash is like a drop in the ocean compared to some I've seen, but... then there are Jane's socks...I want to try socks...and I really love the Backyard Leaves scarf, but I don't know if my abilities are up to it, so there's Branching Out...what next? The new year will tell.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Triangle bag
1-21-05 knitting and Spot 009
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
post-felting, looks kind of like a stingray!
Sunday, December 11, 2005
All the news
Have finished one of two main Christmas knitted gifts! And the other is approaching the finish line, too. Photos soon.
Marion's been down with a dastardly bug which ate up our entire weekend and left her pretty well pasty and wan. Hoping she's ok for school tomorrow. She's been a real trouper, I must say.
I'm really enjoying poking around all the knitting/craft blogs I'm finding. It's fun to see what other people are creating and get inspired by them. Yay for artful, crafty people! Keep it up!
Marion's been down with a dastardly bug which ate up our entire weekend and left her pretty well pasty and wan. Hoping she's ok for school tomorrow. She's been a real trouper, I must say.
I'm really enjoying poking around all the knitting/craft blogs I'm finding. It's fun to see what other people are creating and get inspired by them. Yay for artful, crafty people! Keep it up!
Marion with a friend
12-4-05 Marion & Spot 004
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
When did she get this big? I really was watching the whole time....
Here's Spot!
12--05 Marion & Spot 005
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Wearing a blade of dead grass! (I swear, he just walks in through the dog door with this stuff plastered to his schnoz.)
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Friday, December 02, 2005
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Puppets and Poppet
Puppets and Poppet 004
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
From "The Name of the Tree", here are Hare, Kudu, Springbuck, Lion, and Marion.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Shawl detail
Shawl detail
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
This shows the color well, and you can see the gold thread in it, too. Hooray for e-bay yarn sellers!
Blurry image
Closeup of the Moda Dea yarn
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
Rowan yarn, O Rowan yarn,
you sheepy, hefty strand..
I like the way you work and play well with other yarns. Well done you.
Further adventures with Triangle Bag
Further adventures with Triangle Bag
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
I'm really flying by the seat of my pants here. Not sure the decreases are going to do what I intend them to, but what the hell.
Thanks given.
Turkey day was an interesting blend of the wonderful and the surreal. Traffic was heinous both ways to Sells, and on the way back, we nearly got crushed by an 18-wheeler. Really shook me up; thank goodness Seth is such a good driver.
The celebratory part of the day was delightful. My bro-in-law did most of the cooking, and I got to sit around and knit and yack with my extended family for a lazy day. Dinner was delicious, and I made good on my promise to handle the dishes as I didn't really cook anything this year. My fingers are finally beginning to de-prune.
Work has been up and down of late, ending on a fairly pleasant note today. Hope we can continue on in this vein.
Enjoyable outing by myself to my favorite bookstore last night; found the exact books I was seeking and some surprises which leapt into my arms! Also a little giftie for a girlie I know and some really sweet Christmas cards. Has anyone else noticed just how difficult it is to find cards that actually go out on a non-PC limb and say "Merry Christmas"? It's getting tougher all the time! I am a non-churchgoing person with very spiritual beliefs, but I think that we really needn't water down EVERY holiday greeting.
I have been promised the opportunity to take cast photos of the sock puppet show performers tomorrow night. We really had fun with them; I had a blast watching Seth polish and re-do the set until it met his very exacting specifications. The kids who attended really enjoyed it, and I think Marion got a kick out of performing, too. More details when photos are up.
Until then, make due with the updated Triangle Bag shots and the e-bay yarn shawl, both of which are giving me lots of pleasure. Hope everyone knitting for the holidays remembers to take a breath now and again and head over to Kiki's blog to remember rules and regulations for gift-knitting. Thanks for the reminders, Kiki!
The celebratory part of the day was delightful. My bro-in-law did most of the cooking, and I got to sit around and knit and yack with my extended family for a lazy day. Dinner was delicious, and I made good on my promise to handle the dishes as I didn't really cook anything this year. My fingers are finally beginning to de-prune.
Work has been up and down of late, ending on a fairly pleasant note today. Hope we can continue on in this vein.
Enjoyable outing by myself to my favorite bookstore last night; found the exact books I was seeking and some surprises which leapt into my arms! Also a little giftie for a girlie I know and some really sweet Christmas cards. Has anyone else noticed just how difficult it is to find cards that actually go out on a non-PC limb and say "Merry Christmas"? It's getting tougher all the time! I am a non-churchgoing person with very spiritual beliefs, but I think that we really needn't water down EVERY holiday greeting.
I have been promised the opportunity to take cast photos of the sock puppet show performers tomorrow night. We really had fun with them; I had a blast watching Seth polish and re-do the set until it met his very exacting specifications. The kids who attended really enjoyed it, and I think Marion got a kick out of performing, too. More details when photos are up.
Until then, make due with the updated Triangle Bag shots and the e-bay yarn shawl, both of which are giving me lots of pleasure. Hope everyone knitting for the holidays remembers to take a breath now and again and head over to Kiki's blog to remember rules and regulations for gift-knitting. Thanks for the reminders, Kiki!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Nearly mid-November!
I'm really enjoying the cooler weather. It's still hitting the 90's on occasion, which is really a bit much, but the nights are great.
I have to stop working on my current WIP (see below) and take some time out to help Seth and Marion with their puppets. They have a show to perform next week, and I agreed to be the puppet designer. Have to knit a couple of manes and tails, and cut and sew some ears and horns and trunks.
Congrats to Della and thanks again for allowing me to assist with your de-stashing and for generously shipping to these here United States! What a classy dame!!
I have to stop working on my current WIP (see below) and take some time out to help Seth and Marion with their puppets. They have a show to perform next week, and I agreed to be the puppet designer. Have to knit a couple of manes and tails, and cut and sew some ears and horns and trunks.
Congrats to Della and thanks again for allowing me to assist with your de-stashing and for generously shipping to these here United States! What a classy dame!!
Triangle bag
Triangle bag 1
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
To this in Mesa! My first stab at designing... this will be felted and have a single handle with a chance of an intarsia-type design, if my bravery holds out. Stay tuned....
Triangle bag
Triangle bag 3
Originally uploaded by kamsarmer.
I like the contrast of the Moda Dea yarn. It's mostly wool, and so will felt a bit, methinks. If time allows, this will be a Christmas giftie.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)