Happy New Year!!!

Ok, so I am 20 days late. Better late than never.

John and I rang in the new year by seeing 'Flogging Molly' at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. Standing room only. Would have been fine, but I put in nearly a full day of work, so I got a tad tired towards the end of the concert being on my feet for that length of time. Needless to say, we had a great time. Flogging Molly was great, but I think I still like the Pogues better overall.

John and I made our first dive of the year in Malibu. It was a great little dive spot with lots of kelp and small rock out croppings. Sad to say, we haven't dove since due to weather and other obligations.

On the crafty side of things, I managed to finish spinning a pound of Alpaca/ Merino Blend, as well as some Blue Faced Leicaster, that 'if' I counted correctly, I was able to spin 1600 yards!!! It litterally took me three days to wind onto my kniddy knoddy by hand. Here are pics of the results:

I am anxious to start knitting these fine fibers into some wonderful garments.

Sad to say, I don't have anything currently on my spinning wheels. That won't last long, for I have plenty of fiber to keep me busy for a long time!

Other crafty adventure include Road To California Quilt Show that was just held this last week at the Ontario Convention Center. I took three classes: Strip Therapy, Endangered Species Quilt Project lecture by Rob Appell, and a Fearless Machine Applique class. I am currently working on a turtle wall hanging that is machine appliqued/ topstitched.
These Quilt Blocks were sewn on my antique 1934 Singer 221 aka 'Featherweight' that is sitting proudly on its antique sewing table that was found at a thrift store for $15!



I am in the process of completing my blocks from my Strip Therapy class and will post them when they are completed. We had some 'issues' during the class in which I will share later.

For now, I think I am caught up.

I forgot to add that I bought myself the 'Addi Clicks' that I absolutely LOVE! I got them for a great price through Amazon.com for $119 that included tax and shipping!!! That's a savings of $40+ so made it for a very sweet deal!

How Time Flies...So many Projects, so little time!

Wow, I seriously can't believe I haven't posted anything since November! Shame on me!!! So much has happened in past two months.

First, I got my first commission to make a scarf, matching hat, and wristlets.

The scarf pattern is from the book called 'Luxury One Skein Wonders.' Using the same pattern design, I designed the matching hat and wristlets. They were a huge success!

In early part of November, I attended the Torrance Fiber Festival. Fortunately, I didn't spend a whole lot of money, but I did find some great fiber, magazines, and a 'mini' swift!

This is some gorgeous Merino that came from Newton's Knits in Anaheim.
Here is the funny little minature swift that I picked up for $1.00!

Tencel and Silk Roving to blend with my fibers

This is a fun batt that I picked up that reminded me of lemonade and/or Orange and Lemon Sherbert. It is primarily yellow with orange flecks and angelina. Should be a fun fiber to work with.

Hmmmm....another yummy fiber full of fiery reds and oranges, also with Angelina.

Taking me further into the month of November, I spent the Thanksgiving Holiday with my BF John visiting friends in Thousand Oaks in which we had a delightful time.

The first weekend in December, my daughter and I journeyed to Arizona to visit my mother at her Board and Care where she is now living in Mesa. Talk about a HUGE home!!! 22,000 Square feet, single level, 26 bedrooms! Whew! I have to say, the staff are wonderful and my mother is receiving wonderful care. She has really made progress since moving from her assisted living...and she appears to be adjusting well.

December seemed to have flown by in a gust of wind. I barely was able to get my xmas decorations up, or at least the tree. My children spent the vast majority of Christmas with their grandparents on their father's side (grandmother has terminal cancer) while John and I headed up to Santa Barbara to spend the day with our friends Don and Hilary Santee. They have a beautiful home over looking the pacific ocean with a wonderful view of the channel islands. It was so relaxing just sitting on the patio looking out over the ocean sipping on our cocktails. Wish that moment could be bottled.

I was able to spend some time with my children Christmas morning in which my son and his girlfriend brought home a pure white kitten they had found. She is now a member of our family and is our third 'rescued' cat. My daughter Briana has named her 'Alice.'

Alice, half the size of my 'Size 4' slipper


Briana and Nathaniel

Briana and Alice