fiber fest details soon

I'm still looking at and scrutinizing fiber fest pics. We had an awesome time, but now, I think I'll brag on myself a bit first. Look who was in the school paper! That's me! Teaching knitting! :)

I'm So Excited

'Cause we're going here tomorrow!

Really, that song is going through my head! "I'm so excited!"

I've been knitting some soap socks. More soap socks, I guess I should say. What I want to knit are socks, or really another lace shawl, but I can't decide on a sock pattern, and I don't have enough yarn for another shawl right now. So .... soap socks it is!

I went to the library the other day, and one of the librarians said "Hi, Arleta, how are you? Are you knitting away this Summer?" Hehe, yeah, they know me there. I told them I almost brought my lace shawl to show off, and they want to see it next time. "Bring it in!" Ok, I almost came home and ran right back there to show off, but I didn't. Next time, though, I'll bring it and show off a little.

This fiber festival is in August. It's a longer drive than this fest, and I believe we have a family thing going on that weekend. I would love to go, though!! This lady with her cool knit themed pottery will be there, I think.

I finally put the little hat and bootie set, and my shrug up on my other blog.

Also, Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the wonderful comments! I love them, and the knitblog friends I've made!!!

Well, I've gotta run do some stuff and get ready for tomorrow!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!! Knit on!

All Done!

Shawlly! My very own first lace shawl, The Sagittaria Shawl, is done!
I know I should hurry and put her on my other blog, but another busy day is coming up. I have some other fo's that need to go there, too. I'm just going to have to make time to post my details there!

I have to make some time to do a proper pic of me modeling this shawl soon! Here we have the Little Diva being a "modeler", showing off Shawlly for me. She went a little wild with the tattoos. I know she applied more than 20! Hehe, at least they wash off. I only have 4!

I am most definitely wearing Shawlly to a wedding this fall, I think I'll be wearing her a whole lot more, though! I am in love with shawls! I was looking for another lace one to knit, as soon as I had her off the needles! I have lots of socks I want to knit, too, though. Time! I need more of it!

Today, we are hopefully going to finish the patio, and next weekend I hear there is a Fiber Fest in Michigan! I really want to go. Look who will be there with her awesome shawl, that she designed! We'll have to talk about it again Carrie, and maybe make some plans!!

I am so sorry for not answering emails, and properly thanking everyone for the wonderful comments. I keep hoping to get to it, but with knitting like a crazy person, reading like another crazy person, and kids ~ Well, you know.... Soon, hopefully, soon!

Warning ~ Crazy Post Ahead!

Whew! I thought when Summer finally came, I'd have more time to do stuff I want to do. Haha, yeah right! I've been so busy! I miss reading everyone's blogs! I haven't been able to post. I've hardly had time to knit!! I feel really bad that I haven't returned emails or answered all of the nice comments!! Forgive me, real life has taken over here at Arleta's Motley Wool.

I even forgot to talk about my one year blogiversary, which was on June 29th!! I had a plan, but out the window it went. Kids are running me ragged!!

Birthday parties, family reunions, picnics, and a great 4th pool party. All fun stuff, but then I have to make food, and visit, and eat, and play. My poor knitting gets pushed farther and farther back.

I have been working on my shawlly. I am on the next to the last chart. I could have had it finished, but I find myself slowing down (when I do have time to knit) I think I'm afraid to finish it, even though I really want to wear it!





Speaking of wearing great shawls, I got to wear Carrie's at the park the other day. I had on a sleeveless tee, and it was windy. Mmmmmm! Warm and pretty! I loved it. Thanks, Carrie, you sweetie!!

Ok, sorry about such a quick, crazy, disjointed post! I have pics of the loverly fireworks we watched over Lake Michigan on the 4th. Camera phones are so amazing! If I forget the camera, Hubby can whip out his phone, and there's proof that we once in a while leave the house!

Here is my patio (to be) I want it done!!! We have to remove the bricks, level 'er out, rebrick, and pour some quick set cement stuff around them. Please don't tell me if we're doing it wrong. I don't want to know! LOL

Pics of Shawlly, too. I love her! I need to go knit a bit, then ~ Ewwww Housework. Oh well, real life, here I come!

Knit on, Knitters!!

Happy 4th to the USA

Here are some fireworks for you!

Have a safe, happy holiday!

Lookie ~ Lookie

Look what Rhoda nominated me for! She thinks I'm a Rockin' Girl! Isn't that cool! She's such a sweetie. =)

Since she put 5 Rockin' Girl Bloggers on her page, I'll do the same. Of course, if she hadn't already been chosen, I'd put her, but I love lots of bloggers, so here goes, in no particular order:

1. Carrie, The Barefoot Cobbler. Her blog is a fun read. Busy knitter with 3 kids!
2. Kadiddly, Backstage Stitches. Great read every post about her work, knitting, and life.
3. Amy, Boogie Knits. Homeschooling momma knitter. Shop owner, too!!
4. Bernie, Coming Up Blank. Crafty lady! She also started knit 1 blog 2 for us all!
5. Deborah, Deborah's Daily Dilemmas, knits, cooks, mothers, and shares it all with us.

I'll have to find some time to go leave them some comments and let them know I put them on here! Time? Hehe, yeah right!

If I didn't put you on here, you know I love you all! I'm embarrassed to admit how many blog favorites I have on my blog lines!! And we all rock!

Shawl KAL ~ Woo-Hoo!

Liz made a cute button for the Shawl KAL, that Carrie has gotten us all on. Hehe. She'd better be careful, or she'll have to start another blog for it. LOL I am going to stick it in my sidebar, when I'm not so busy.



Well, here's shawlly again. I have stuck a little pic of my cheater's lifeline in. Carrie really seemed to like the idea yesterday at our little knitting group.



Here's what I did. I threaded one row of stitches, Not the stitch markers, though, (Ergh! Yes, I did.) onto one of my knitpicks cords. I made a note to myself on what row and what repeat I put the lifeline in, so if (Lord ~ NO!) I have to rip, I can just screw the needles onto that cord, and redo.


I am on the seventh repeat of chart two. I am going to do it 10 times, then onto chart three. I am so in love with this pattern. The shawl is about 21 inches bigger than the last pic I posted. I can't wait to get done and see it all blocked out.

Well, another one of those crazy, busy days! Gotta run.

Thank you all for the nice comments and thoughts you've sent. I love this community! All y'all are the greatest!!

Here's Shawlly!

The shawl is on her way! I actually got my yarn on Monday. What a surprise. Knitpicks has always been so quick for me. I love it. I couldn't just order yarn for Shawlly, though, could I?

I got some sock yarn, too, and sock needles. LD had to have a bit of stash enhancement, also. She got the little roll of Get Away in Rafting. Hubby calls it Mystery Machine, because it looks like the van from Scooby Doo. Hehe. You can see the bracelet LD finger-knitted for me with it in one of the pics.

Wednesday, as I was knitting with Carrie, I had to rip and start over. All of the knitting that is done was done on Wednesday evening, though. I think I got to do about two rows yesterday. Urgh! Laundry and Housework. Yes, Rhoda, I forgot our rule, too. LOL

I have shared a pic of our patio to be. We are digging out the area in front of the garage and putting down cement and pretty bricks. We have to dig out the bricks we put down last summer, too. You can see the bricks piled up in front of my yarn tree. That's where I dry my yarn. I had to wash the gloss, because it smelled funny to me. I think it may have been the silk. That's what I'm telling myself any way! I washed it on Tuesday, and it was dry enough to take to knitting on Wednesday. I want to knit more! Hopefully, I'll have time to do it today. I just have to keep the rule in mind!

The tree in my shrug post is going to have a tire swing in it for LD. The boys have always played outside a lot more than she ever does, and I think that will help. I can sit on the patio and knit while she tire swings and we'll both get fresh air!

That's it for knitting right now. I usually don't get too depressing on here, but something very sad happened in our small town the other night. A young couple, that my oldest son knew, perished in a fire. I keep thinking about their families. The two of them were to be married in a couple of weeks. I'd like it if everyone could say a prayer, if you do that, or just send out some loving thoughts to them. I can't imagine the pain and heartache that must be flowing through those families. Hug your families and friends really tight, and let them know how much you love them.

While waiting for my yarn

My shawl yarn should be here this week. While waiting I dug out an old lacy project. This is my Branching Out scarf that I started a l-o-n-g time ago. I live in the house of UFOs. It is being knit with some of my kool aid dyed sock yarn.

Well, yesterday wasn't all sadness here, thinking about our Dads. We really had a very nice Father's Day. Hubby was awoken with presents and a wonderful bagel & egg sandwich, orange juice, and coffee made by his sweet little daughter. (with a little help from Mom) I think she's going to be a really good cook!

We spent a few hours at the beach, sunning, and playing in the sand and water. I took some really neat pictures on Hubby's new cell phone, and if I ever figure out how to get them onto the computer, I'll share them.

Here's a little bit about my Dad.

He was born on the 4th of July 1928. I believe that the picture I posted yesterday was from around 1945 when he was only about 17 years old! By the time I was born in 1973, he was 45! I am the youngest of 7 kids. The picture is a bit deceiving since it's old and in sepia tone, but he was pretty dark complected, being part Native American Indian. I apparently got the French, German, and Scotch Irish genes with the green eyes and lighter skin. At least I tan easily and stay that way for a while. :) He was color blind, and would argue with you about what color something was. LOL That's where MM got his color blindness from. Family ~ it's what it's all about, isn't it?

I want to say thank you to everyone for the nice comments about my shrug, and my Father's Day post. I love this community. It feels like family to me!

Now I have a Little Diva impatiently waiting for me to come play Polly Pocket Dolls with her. Hope everyone has a great week!

Vernon G. Joslin, Sr.

1928 - 1997

Happy Father's Day. Miss you, Daddy.

Stick a fork in it ....

it's done!


You know, I hate that saying, but my shrug is all done! I finished it Wednesday night. (Late) Then, on a long car ride today, I wove the yarn ends in.

I look so tired and dorky in these pictures, but I guess that's how I just look. I never know what to do with my hands when I'm posing. I tried a catalog pose, but really looked goofy!

I used the one skein wonder shrug pattern, and added some sleeves knit in the round to it. I love, love, love it. Of course it's too hot to wear right now, but you know I'm not complaining!

One more UFO down. Countless others to go.

My yarn shipped from knitpicks on Friday, so as soon as it gets here, I am starting my shawl! I have been trying out the chart on some left over wool, and I think it's going to be so fun to knit. We'll see how many mistakes I make while knitting with the girls on Wednesdays. I get to chatting, and you know how that goes.

Carrie has a progress photo of a really pretty shawl another knitter is doing for our Summer Shawl Along. I wonder if she'll have to start another blog for all of us. I don't know how many people she has enticed into knitting encourage to knit shawls.

I'll post all of the stats on my FO Blog, along with the hat and bootie set soon!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I sure am! Knit On!

Knitting pictures

Here are the promised pictures! We have a little bootie and hat set. If you click, you can see the patterns I used. If you click the pic, you get a bigger pic. :-) I'm not sure what baby will be getting these yet. Pretty soon I will add them to my finished objects blog, with all of the stats.

The other pictures are my shrug! I got the first sleeve done. The second sleeve is coming along nicely, and then the ribbing around the neck, back, and front of the shrug, and it's done!

I told myself when I finished the first sleeve I would order yarn for my shawl. So that's just what I did. (Even though we're broke) I chose Gloss from KnitPicks. The color I chose is Dusk. I think it will go with lots of things, and I can't wait to get started. As soon as I finish the shrug, and get my yarn, of course.

I just want to say "Thanks for all of the great comments you leave!"

I have stuff to do, and I get to meet the girls for knitting tomorrow! Yay!

See the little froggies!

I started this poor shrug a few years ago! If that doesn't work for the UFO Along, I don't know what would! It is a one skein wonder with long sleeves. Apparently, I decided I didn't want to seam sleeves, and left it in a bag for a l-o-n-g time. I have decided that I must finish it before starting a lace shawl. There are some before and after shots. There's my little yarn ball winder helping, too.

My friend Carrie has chosen her shawl, and I think she got the yarn yesterday. I know she was patiently waiting. Yeah, patiently ~ hehe. I think I have found the shawl I want to do. I love this pattern. It's called the Sagittaria Shawl, and if anyone has knitted it and has advice please let me know! I have done lots of lace knitting, just no shawl lace knitting. ;)

I restarted my shrug, and it is a few inches long now. It is such an easy pattern, if I find some knitting time, it'll be done in a snap. Then, I am going to knit long sleeves on it (in the round!) I don't feel like seaming them up, and it's my knitting, so I can do it my way! LOL

I did finish another pair of booties and a little matching hat. Pics next time! Sorry my posting is so erratic. With the kids home for Summer, (and the rainy days we've been having) I haven't gotten this machine much!

Time to run! Hope everyone has enjoyed their week! I can't wait for the weekend, myself! :)

Knit On!

School's Out For Summer!

Well, it's the last day of school, and I have a pizza party to get to. This school year flew by! I can't believe when September rolls around again that I'll have a 12th grader, a 9th grader, and a 3rd grader!

Today is a half a day, then I take LD off to a night at girl scout camp. Pick her up, and the day after that she goes off for a sleep over at a friend's house. I think it'll be a really busy summer.

We had our annual trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes yesterday. I cheated and put some pics from a couple of years ago on here. That's only because I didn't climb the dunes! I went up far enough to snap some photos and that was it!

I sat on the blanket and knitted some more booties. You can see how dangerously close some ice cream got to my yarn in one of the photos. Carrie was there, and so was our other knitting buddy.

LD had a blast, and so did I. It was really hard to find some pics of LD that I could show off, because she was surrounded by friends. Isn't that how it should be, though?

I have a pic of Melanie the other knitter, and Carrie. A pic looking up the dunes, and a view from the top are also hanging around. The pics bordered in orange are from yesterday.


Sorry for such a quick post, but like I said: "Yay, it's Summer!" I have to rush back to that pizza party, and get moving.

I hope everyone has a spectacular summer. I plan to, and I also plan to get those UFOs in order!

Oh, yeah, I need a title

Well, here are some more booties made with Christine's Baby Bootie pattern. My friend Carrie started some, too. Hers are tiny, but it would be nice to see them in real life, Carrie! LOL. I have made 4 pairs, now, and I have another cast on. We'll see what pattern catches my fancy next. I made 13 of these dishcloths before casting on for the booties. I guess I do have an obsessive personality.


I posted the stats for these new pairs on my fo blog.


I've been thinking about changing this blog around some. All of the copying and pasting the links is not sounding fun, though. We'll see. (I really need to update the template) No I am not a chicken!


I almost forgot to talk about this new sock yarn I got! Don't ask, I am getting so forgetful!!

It is potluck from Amy. Mmmm. She chose these colors for me, and they are great! (Too bad my pic is so not great) One is greenish-bluish-purpley-yellows. The other is darker with orange-purples-blueish. Yes, I am in love!

Ok, I am in a hurry, but I just had to share. Hope everyone had a great weekend. We sure did.

Knit On, Y'all! I've gotta run!

MM's Volcano

OK, here's where I prove what geeks we really are. I hope this works. I love trying new things, but this video clip remix is giving me fits! (Click on it to open a new window, that had better play the video!) p.s. I didn't realize the song I used says something about beer! (Oops!)

Look what Hubby brought home for me. He said they had black ones, too, but he knows I love orange. Then he said "Now you can be the punk rock knittar." LOL Flowers and a new bracelet. Gotta love that!

Knitting soon, I promise.Have a great weekend, everyone! Who knows when I'll get back on this machine, but Knit On!

My MIL Rocks!

And here's why:

She sent Hubby and me to a Joan Jett concert. (This link has a pop up of her new video) I love Joan Jett. Seriously! She was rocking! And she looks absolutely amazing! I was close enough (standing right at the edge of the stage) to reach out and touch her. (If I shoved this one woman out of my way) LOL Before Hubby and I moved up to the edge of the stage, I was actually asked to sit down. At a rock concert! Yeah, right. I needed to go up to the stage and dance! It was so great!

There were a lot of older people there. I mean 70s or older. It was in a casino, and they probably got free tickets for being such good gamblers. I was saving my ticket, but I left it in my wallet, in my jacket, and washed my jacket. Urhg! It and a couple of pics (which I have more of) of the kids were the only things that got ruined.






So, that was Friday. Saturday, LD went on a Girl Scout Trip. I was a little sad to miss it, but I had quite a peaceful weekend. SP had to work, and MM was at his friends. Lucky us, we got a tiny little break from constantly taking care of someone else! Another little honeymoon. hehehe

Luckily, Carrie and another mom I really trust went and I didn't have to worry too much about LD being away for the whole night! And I got to knit..knit..knit. I finished the two pair of booties, and started another pair. Here's a pic of the booties, yarn for the next booties, and some yarn LD dyed. I think she could give me a run for my money on the dyeing! This is left over from a school project. They dyed yarn (FUN) and did a braiding project. I haven't seen it yet, but I can't wait!

Sunday, Hubby and I went to another concert. This one was quite different. LOL We went to church with the MIL and saw The Staffmen Quartet. They are pretty neat. We've seen them once a year for a few years. We aren't regular church people. The church we like is a bit of a drive and you know about the stupid gas prices, so .... plus, we're lazy and like to sleep in on Sundays, but we didn't have to get kids ready, and it was a nice break to actually go and sit with the grown ups and listen to some church music.


Oh my gosh! The funniest thing about the whole weekend was that the woman who plays the organ at MIL's church was at the concert! The Joan Jett concert! So was another lady who goes to Carrie's church! I don't know how old they are, but past their 70s, I bet! I know they got free tickets for being 'Gold Card Member Gamblers'. The organ lady told Donnie's mom that the concert was kind of raunchy, but ok. LOL!

Then, Sunday night we got to have some delicious morels from Donnie's cousin for supper.

I really appreciate all of the good friends and family we have. They give us good times, and good stuff! Just Kidding. But really, thanks guys!


I also appreciate all of the comments I receive from all of you great knit bloggers! Hopefully, when all of the end of the school year craziness dies down, I'll be able to catch up on my commenting!!!!




Knit on!



p.s. I just posted on my fo blog about the baby booties!

Baby Steps

Thanks so much for all of the nice comments you've left, everyone! I really love to read them all.

:)

I have put down the dishcloths for a couple of days, and found another pattern to become obsessed with.

This is such a cute, quick knit! I'd been seeing such adorable versions of Christine's Baby Booties, that I had to give the pattern a try. Luckily for me, there is a neighbor, who has a little boy in LD's class, and she has just had a baby girl!

I'm planning on finishing the pink ones, and making another pair for her. The multi-colored ones are a little bit bigger. I know it's hard to tell from the photo. I think I'll give these two pair to the Mommy and let her decide if the third pair should be in the bigger or smaller size.

Then, I am going to make a pair or two for a friend who graduated high school with me. Her mother told me she is expecting a baby. Her first! I took the booties to the library to show them off, and she told me. She's very excited!

As soon as I finish the icord ties, I'll take a better pic to put on my finished objects blog. I'll give all of the yarn, and needle details on there.

You know the Koigu from the last post? I am thinking about some lacy socks for myself. Here's a random bit of info about me. I have never knit socks in a solid color before! I have done almost solid handdyed socks, but they were slightly stripy, and speckly. This will be my first time using Koigu, and my first time knitting with a solid colored yarn. Weird!

Remember to click on the pic and see those adorable little booties big!

Well, I have to go do laundry and the dishes. (and vacuum and sweep) That way, I can knit guilt free!
Have a great weekend, and knit on, everybody!!

A gift and a Meme

I got some great yarn! I won a contest on a blog. Brynne sent this to me. Thank you, Brynne! I love it! It's Koigu Premium Merino. So, what do I knit with it? Give me some ideas, guys! Seriously! (I mean it! Tell me some great ideas!)

Like the sparkles? I found out about RockYou.com from a post on knit 1 blog too site. Pretty cool!

I also got tagged for a meme. Heather and Rhoda both got me! It might take a bit of thinking to come up with something different about me. I'm pretty boring lately. I'm going to give it a go, though.

Here is what Heather tagged me with:
Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.


Here's what Rhoda tagged me with:
Here’s how to play…
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here is my list:

1. I should be getting ready to leave the house right now.
2. I get to teach knitting to 11 kids later today.
3. I have a new nickname: Sharky, since I'm so good at finding sharks' teeth.
4. I love Spring flowers, but Summer is my favorite season.
5. I don't really like ice cream.
6. I don't like the number 6.
7. I love dark, dark chocolate.
8. I love thunderstorms, but they scare my dog and cat half to death.

That was tough. When I have to think of things, my mind goes blank. I have no idea who to tag.

Carrie, Kat, Sherry, Momo, Valerie, Kadiddly, Janice, Mindy.

Hope that's ok, guys. If you don't feel like playing along ~ no biggie! :)

Well, I've gotta run! Knit on, y'all!!

Mushroom Hunter?

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms, Mommas, Mommies, and everyone who has ever Mothered anyone!! :)

Yesterday LD had two birthday parties to go to, so Hubby and I decided to go Mushroom Hunting. First we climbed up a scenic view thing in Arcadia, MI. I thought I'd share some pictures of the view. It is seriously gorgeous! (Click to make big!) I guess I've lost my fear of heights. I used to get dizzy from just standing up there, but yesterday, I felt good enough to lean over the edge and take a pic of the bluffs down toward where we live.



In the woods I got some great shots of flowers and tree stumps. I even brought my knitting with me, hehe. Hubby found two Morel Mushrooms. I found Zero!! My brother and Hubby's cousin find tons of these things. They are so delicious, but I just can't see them. (Just remember in Florida, I found 24 sharks teeth, and Hubby found 4)

Enjoy the nature pics and have a great Mother's Day!! I'm going out to dinner with my mom, Hubby is out to brunch with his mom right now. I got gifts, and of course gave handknit soap socks with other Mother's Day gifts today. :)

I'll have some knitting pictures again, soon! Knit on!! And, Thanks to everyone who wished MM a happy birthday! He loved all of the comments!