Monthly Archives: January 2017

Happy New Week Everyone!

As I’m sitting in my kitchen writing this blog post I see blue jays flying by, each with a peanut in their beak.  My husband filled the bird feeder this weekend.  I daresay they’ve practically cleaned out the peanuts . . . already.

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Look at the shadows!  We have a sunny day!  I know it’s no big deal for some of you, but it’s only the third one since January 14th; and we’ve waited 9 days to see the sun this time.  It’s amazing what the sunshine can do for your spirits!

My weekend work consisted of knitting this cardigan.  I wanted to create a marled effect, and I think it worked out rather nicely.  I held together two strands of yarn throughout; it’s a bit fiddly to make sure you are getting both strands with each stitch.  I got used to the “feel” when made properly, so when I would forget a strand I would know right away and could correct it.

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Knitwear is pretty messy right off the needles, aren’t they?  The sweater is blocking right now, and already looks neater.  I hope to get the dress sewn today.  (Ha ha!  Well, started at least.)  This ensemble will be for Gracie and Talyssa, Kaye Wiggs’s MSDs.

Yesterday my husband and I went to a dog show at the county fairgrounds.  I needed a happiness boost (after all the sunless days), and dogs do the trick for me.  When I saw the golden retrievers I got a little teary eyed though.  It’s been about 8 months since we lost our last girl, and I miss her still.

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You can see goldens are quite popular; at least where I live.  They were all over the place at this show.  A lot of professional handlers were here and each had many of them in their care.

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(Sorry, for the bad quality photos, iPhone and hand shakiness.)  My husband and I both picked number one out of this group of goldens.  They are all beautiful, but the winner had that extra something.

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After watching the golden retrievers, we spent most of our time watching these teensy tiny cuties.

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We are still new to Chihuahuas, so cannot pick out the winners as easily as we can the goldens.  The Chihuahuas are all equally perfect to me.  I’ll take them all!  Ha ha!  My guy wouldn’t be too happy with that arrangement.

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We also watched the corgis go around the ring.  We both were wondering where their tails were.  I Googled it!  The Pembroke Welsh corgis are born without tails have their tails removed a few days after birth, and the Cardigan Welsh corgis have keep them.  (Thanks for the updated information, Judi!)  We also watched the huge mastiffs and St. Bernards (who could miss these two breeds!).  Oh my goodness, those breeds are huge!  I need to be able to pick up my dog, and these days my back says the lighter the better.

Oh, one more thing, this was in my inbox from Kelly at livelaughrowe.com this morning.  I printed out the February calendar and have it in my studio.  These words are so perfect for “now” and  something I want to read every day in February. ❤  I included the link in case you’d like to print one out too.

I hope you all have a wonderful and sunny week.  Thanks for visiting.  Bye for now!

 

“Around the Corner are Roses”

Our warmer than normal temperatures have gotten me thinking of spring already.  And I’m afraid it’s affected what I feel like creating.  I am so sorry to all of you winter lovers out there.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to get back to winter things; I have spring fever early this year!

On Wednesday we did get a light dusting of wintry snow, but I must admit that when I took the dog out Thursday morning there was that springlike smell in the air—the smell that comes with an April snowfall, not one that happens in  January.  I am not the only one fooled—my crocuses have started popping up already.

My Little Darling, Alice, is feeling the fever too.  We both know that roses growing in the garden are indeed just around the corner.  Meanwhile we’d like you to enjoy the roses from my studio.

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“Around the Corner are Roses”  will be available tonight (January 27, 2017) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

A New Knitting Pattern

Hi all.  I hope this new week is starting out great for you.  Sorry it took me so long to get this pattern published, but it’s ready for your knitting pleasure now!

This pattern is the first for Patsy and Ann Estelle.  It is a light weight cropped cardigan knit with lace yarn.  I used Knit Picks Aloft, a mohair/silk blend.  The stitches are tiny, but the fuzziness of the yarn hides stitch imperfections.  I actually enjoy knitting with lace yarn over heavier yarn.  It creates less hand strain because it is so light weight, but yes, it is harder to see.

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You can see more photos featuring this cardigan in “Blossoms for my Love-ly”.  You can view information and purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Thanks for stopping by tonight.  Wishing you all a great week! ❤