You'd never guess....................

I was sitting in the chair, before supper (of fabulous Chicken Souvlaki-from Costco-you bring it home and BBQ it yourself-I will buy it again)-and I was working on "the sweater"-You can see some shots of it here. I must admit-the yarn is Silk Stream, by Fleece Artist-and the colourway-Sangria- is miserably hard to catch on digital camera. Take my word for it- it is stunning- an absolutely wonderful blend of crimson red, fuchsia and vermilion. I have the back done, one part of one front, and the sleeve started-I am designing as I go-and this one will be a winner, I think. It has a panel up the back, then it is knit sideways from picked up stitches, with ridges knit in between the sections. The band around the shoulder, and hem to hem, is a mosaic stitch. The part with the short "lines" on it is the part that goes under the arm and along the sides-so that part wider than the back. You can sort of see my circular needle- I am making a sleeve.

The front will be scoop-necked, with a little mandarin collar, a nice fancy frog attachment high up on the left side, and left open from there down. I will probably just do an icord edge around the fronts and the hem- but I would like to do a fancy edge to the hem, say 6 inches deep, of some stranded knitting, and some embroidery. And I think I am going to love wearing this sweater/kimono- if I can actually finish it in time.

So what is the crazy rush for this? Next week is the auction, to support the grandmothers in Africa who, due to AIDS, have had to take in their grandchildren. I painted a Muskoka chair, and I was pretty proud of it. And, since all of the artists are to be recognized at the event, I want to look sufficiently "arty"-so I want to wear this damn coat. Anyhow........tonight, just as I was settled in to do some knitting, I got a call from Carol (my "handler" I call her- she is the rep from the organization that tells me what to do when)-anyhow-she wanted me to know that everyone has been oohing and aahing my chair, with its absolutely fabulous finishing (my husband put a high lustre automotive clear coat on it- it looks like it is sopping wet). AND, the organization would like to use my chair as their focal point (!!!). AND they want to interview me (!!!!) on TV (!!!!!!) On Wednesday at lunch (!!!!!!!) Little old me. Cool.

Pink Suede Shoes

Tonight, my little girl is at a sleepover, and my husband and I decided it was time to just kick back and relax. We went out to a local "greasy spoon" for some of the best clubhouse sandwiches we have ever had (real turkey, shaved, lots of it, bacon, tomato, lettuce, a touch of mayo, with great fries and oil and vinegar coleslaw) (yee ha!) And the little shop down thew way from this place is a shoe store. "Thanasis Shoe Store and Repair Co."-one of Kingston's best kept secrets (email me if you want a phone number or an address) We were looking in the window- at the new Birks, and then I saw them-the "I MUST have those shoes" kind of shoes. I went in, tried them on-perfect fir- I fell in love with them- and bingo bango- I now have my early Mother's Day gift from my husband. And, without further ado- here are my new Mephisto Special Edition Allrounders- (aside....when I tried them on, my husband told the owner that I make all my socks-and then he said-"Hey, Deb- You should get these shoes- they will show off all of your hand made socks!!!!!!" The owner just kind of rolled his eyes at us, but...I am so pleased that my husband "gets" my socks. And yes, he has hand knit socks, too)

For all of you who are looking for specialty shoes in Canada- this store stocks many kinds, many brands-I don't know if they ship, but the service is spectacular, it is worth a visit.

They are the special "Breast Cancer Support" edition ($10 from every pair gets donated). I have wide feet (and big feet, as well) and these fit like a glove. While I was there, the owner suggested a lift for my Birkenstocks- to make them easier on my "plantar fascitis"sp????-so, for $30, I said, "Sure!"

My husband really is a keeper, don't you think?

Wow- what a haul!!!!

Well, It's like this- I won a contest, for being the 201st commenter, over at Knittnfool (here- http://missscarlett.wordpress.com/) And this is what Michelle sent!!!! A beautiful skein of Spunky Electric- "speedy super"- a sport weight merino(Pie in the Sky), a pattern for socks, a pattern for a cool belt, knitting needles (metal ones! I do love me good metal needles), seeds for my garden (how could she know how barren my garden is looking these days???) darning needles, chocolate (okay- so I am showing the box only- my bad), and, down in the bottom- a treat can for Mr. Bear!!!! (filled with doggy breath mints) It seems that Kira was able to sneak something into the envelope for Bear-and Bear, well, he was so pleased. He shook hands, he "High fived"- did all his tricks.
Thank you, Michelle! I love it all!!!!!

And may I present......

So-what do you think? Sean took it to the shop and put a super clear, super shiny car finish on it- so it will be able to live outside. Because I used a lot of darker blue, I worried about fading and what not.
When I was speaking to one of the organizers, she told me that she is hoping to get at least 200 dollars for each chair (during the auction). I just hope my chair isn't going to be the one that everyone looks away, doesn't make eye contact with anyone, and goes for fifty bucks. I won't be able to keep myself from wailing if that should happen!
So- May 10th-here we come!


I have the back of the kimono done, and part of one front. It'll be close, but I think it will be okay. Keep your fingers (and your knitting needles) crossed!

The Gala......

Well, my husband took the painted chair in to the workshop (he teaches tech at a high school) and, let me tell you-he finished it beautifully! He used an automotive car finish-very shiny, very hard (when it is finally cured), but applied thinly, so that the brushstrokes from my work were still there. This guy has the heart of an artist. But the chair glows-like from an inner light. This weekend, I will take a better picture of it- I will set it outside for maximum impact.
Now- about the date-and the winner is.....my husband. I asked my mother if she would like to come as well- her answer-"I don't think I would be comfortable going to a shindig that cost $25 just to get in." I said that I would spring for the ticket- but she felt it would be better to go and have a date with my husband. Okay, then.
And the wardrobe- I have been knitting like crazy-I have the back done and one of the fronts started. Of the kimono inspired sweater. I think I should be done by the time the 10th rolls around. I hope I will be done. I might have to pull an all-nighter to get it all done!!!!!!!! Picture will come when it looks more like a sweater.
And I don't want to bring my cane (I have walked with it for years)
Now to figure out my shoes.............................................................................................

The Gala

Well, I am starting to get kind of excited about this big gala thing on the 10th of May. This is where all of the painted chairs will be displayed and then auctioned. I found out this weekend that the tickets are 25 bucks each! Holy Cow! This is a pretty swanky event!!! So I am starting to rethink my wardrobe. I guess it is not formal-but nice clothes are required. Soooo-here is the thing. I am wondering if I have enough time to finish my kimono style jacket (the bright red-orange-fuchsia Silk Stream from Fleece Artist) I have the back about 70% finished. That leaves the fronts and shorter sleeves (sort of wide). And then I have some of those separates- you know- the slinky knit that is really heavy when you hold it and doesn't ever get wrinkled? I have a tunic, long skirt and pants in dark navy blue-I could wear the jacket over top, right? Hmm- what else do I have....I have a hand painted silk jacket (sort of pumped up pastels). I also have a lovely linen blend suit- long navy blazer with a lovely goldenrod (hey- they named the colour) skirt and matching silk blouse. And navy pumps. I guess I want to look more "arty" (and less like a middle aged teacher). Apparently, the artists will be wearing name tags and will be introduced as "the artists" Hmmmmmmmm. What else do I have? Not much. I have a couple of dresses that are more summery (hey-this is April, now, and it is snowing to beat the band out there). I also have one extra ticket- should I take the husband (who is putting the clear coat on with a sprayer) or my mother? (who can't believe I actually have done all of this creative stuff- designing clothes, getting into books, painting chairs, and on and on).
Suggestions for clothes? For my "date"?????????



Edited later:
Oh no. It has happened again. Those poor people at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. Bless those families who are looking for their children's names on the lists of those hurt and killed. I don't think I could bear it.

And we have a winner!!!!!!!!!!

I actually had a total of 19 suggestions-in my little "Name the Big Furry Sheep" Contest- and the ideas were truly marvellous. Now, remember- in this family, when left to our own devices, we name things in totally odd ways- our last dog was Mr. Boufu Butterscotch, with a runner up name of Colonel Joe Pinocchio-and yes, people were worried when we had a baby-sooooo, I figured I would let "the expert" choose the name. The expert is, of course, my 9 year old daughter- when she was a wee toddler, she "created" a large, integrated family of invisible mice-Clown Face was the patriarch, Daisy was one (!) of his wives , Ruby, Angel, and thousands of little baby mice- they used to drive around in a rainbow glitter limousine (in fact, when driving along in our car, she would often point out the window and tell us that the mousies were just barely catching up to us) Anyhow, imagination is not a small commodity in this house.
And the winner is............................RAMSES (ikkinlala was the email name)
And, because there was a need for a last name.............WOOLINGTON (Renee of Froggie Meanie)
So winners- send me your full names and snail mail addresses- so I can send you something luscious in the mail! (Oh- and an idea of colours you like might be of some help-if I have something in the stash that might work) My email is debDOTseanATsympaticoDOTca (and take out the BOLD words and replace with the right stuff- you know the drill)
Thanks to everyone for sending in their suggestions!!!

PS- My husband feels that he has been slighted- he named the big sheep Lam-bo, after a super high-end Lamborghini extreme sports vehicle (the nickname for it was the Rambo Lam-bo)I can't see the resemblance. You? Tee hee

Contest

C'mon now- it'll be good stuff for the prize- try a name for my big sheep/ram- (scroll down) Contest closes tomorrow!

I am such a kid

Okay- so I got up and turned on the television, because I wanted to see Amy Singer "do her thing" on television. You see, it always interests me about what people look and sound like-after I have gotten to "know" them on line. Amy has always been great to work with, very personable. And of course, I knew what she looked like from the books. But such a kick to also hear her! (and she sounds like I would expect) Anyhow, she also brought along the trunk show from "No Sheep For You." And what do you know- the first of her models had on the robe that I designed and knit. What a kick. What a kid I am to take such pleasure from seeing it on tv! And her models were other knitters/bloggers that she has spoken of, on her blog (knitty.com/blog). I just peeked at Amy's blog- she has the whole piece from the tv show up! Go and see it- I'll wait. Back already? Wasn't that cool? Now to get them to mention my name......hmmmmmm (mine was the green silk robe, by the way).

Happy Easter! ... and a contest.......

And so, this morning, Annie had a wonderful time finding all of the plastic eggs that Ahab the Bun-Rab had hidden around the house (all inside- way too cold to be outside- we even had snow! In fact-it feels colder today that it did on Christmas Day!). And I found this-a huge stuffed lamb (that was addressed to "little Debbie" and has a "baaaaaaa" noise all its own when you squeeze his ram's horn) and a cashew-butter-truffle chocolate bunny-in a metal case. My husband, once I ooo-ed and ahhhh-ed over it all, said,"I thought the case might be the right size for your double pointed needles. Or you could use it to hold something or other for your knitting things. I got the bunny because of the box." Oh- he's a keeper all right. And the big sheep- he needs a name-anything good comes in, I just might have to send the suggester some yarn. Like some sock yarn or something or other. You'll let me know what you like- but it will be NICE- from my stash. Email me- debDOTseanATsympaticoDOTca (but fix it up first) or leave me a suggestion in the comments-and I will choose the best name for the giant sheep. By, say, Saturday? A CONTEST it is, then.
I am also fiddling with the bright BRIGHT Silk Stream (Fleece Artist)- something that Deborah Newton did in "Designing Knitwear". She made panels of textured knit, with some patterned, two colour stuff, and sewed them into a kimono type coat. So I have been playing with a big swatch- you can click it for BIG. I kinda like it. Anyhow., I was thinking of putting a big swatch down the middle of the back, with some two-colour ones beside it, then some sideways knit (pick up stitches and knit towards the side seams) next to that. I like the idea of shorter sleeves (like to the elbow) and longer body- to wear over a solid one colour outfit. Any suggestions? Has anyone done this before? I will keep on knitting-see how it goes. I thought I would use some charcoal tweed silk (It is almost jet black), as well as some of the blue left from Big Blue-the blue would be in thin rolled reverse stockinette strips between the larger parts-we'll see if it looks like what I have in my head. If not- well, to the marination chamber it goes!
Well, I have to go and check on cooking the supper- instead of ham, I thought I might go with salmon on the BBQ- but it is too cold. So I decided on a nice prime rib. But now I have to check how long to cook it-
Happy Easter!

PS- Two, very, very sad Easter jokes-
Q-What do you get when you have a line up of bunnies, and they all take one step backwards?
A-A receding hare (hair) line.

and, as ever....
Q- What kind of rabbit practices medicine in the operating room?
A- The Ether Bunny.

PPS- Bear got a new squeaky toy- he loves it!

Edited later- Oh my- Excitement time! --Amy Singer, over at http://knitty.com/blog , is going to be on Breakfast Television-in Toronto-this Wednesday, between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.- with the trunk show for the "No Sheep For You" book. I wonder if they will show the silk bathrobe?

Later again- For some reason, the picture of the swatch I have been knitting is not always on the blog. Hmmm- let me know if it isn't there, would you? Thanks-

I won I won I won!

Yep- little old me, who rarely wins much of anything- I was the 201 st commenter over at KnittnFool (here- http://missscarlett.wordpress.com/) and I am getting some yarn for my trouble! Gotta love that!
The chair is off to get photographed for the event-it still needs a bit of a clear coat on top of it-but that will come-next week's job-
I ended up putting a quote from Henry Van Dyke on the bottom of it- "Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars." Kinda says it all for me.
The baby hats have been a huge hit-people are asking me if I take orders right left and centre. I never really know quite what to say- it's like saying- thank you for the compliment, but I am a busy girl. Ya know? How do you folks handle it? By the way, I quoted outrageous prices for a baby hat- they didn't even BLINK!

This is Bear-

I love this picture of Bear- he looks like a punch drunk puppy- doesn't he? He has a piece of chewbone in his mouth-and Annie's hockey helmet on. Poor guy- he doesn't know how entertained I am by this picture.

Speaking of pictures- check this out- this is in one of Lavold's books, and I just fell in love with it. And, elann.com had the Lavold angora on for half price, and in the bright red, and soooooooooo..... well, you can guess what happened. This sweater is for the next Christmas season, so I figure I have lots of time to make it. I think I might modify the sleeve- I don't usually do well with a dropped shoulder. We'll see. And I could wear it over black? Or dark gray? Or..? I think it will look quite smart.

Annie just got back from an overnight Brownie camp- and man- is she pooped! Off to go hose her down..........

Knitter's Treat Exchange Questionnaire

I signed up for this exchange- courtesy of Miss Ewe-http://missewe.blogspot.com/ and I swear, they should have called this the Q & D exchange (as in Quick and Dirty) Anyhow, you can sign up for another couple of days- here-http://knitterstreatexchange.blogspot.com/index.html and this is the questionnaire- Here goes...............
Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire
1. What's your favourite type of yarn? anything that really did come from a plant or an animal, and not from a chemistry set.
2. What's your least favourite type of yarn? crunchy acrylic and fun fur. Not my cup of tea
3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop? sniff. I smell the yarn and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Then I cruse through the fancy shmancy stuff.
4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do? I paint, and then I paint some more. I also do all kinds of crafty things. But I would love to learn how to spin.
5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?Just about every knitting thing. I would LOVE the Feb. Piecework. My local store didn't carry it, and I guess I missed my chance to get it.
6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference: 1. Knitting /8. Crochet / 2.Other Craft / 5. Food /3. Home / 6. Fashion /7. Celebrity Gossip / 4.Garden
7. What items do you like to knit / crochet? Oh- anything, everything- I am on a kick lately of wild sweaters because I want to look arty (and not like a 48 year old mother of a 9 year old) (No, I didn't know what I was thinking) 8. Are you allergic to anything?Yup- I have contact allergies- to perfumes and colours and such. Particularly bad is PABA. 9. What do you like to* smell of?(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of) I love light florals and fresh cucumber 10. What's your favourite way to relax?Uh, is my husband reading this? Because he features greatly in this one. 11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first? The Italian cafe for a canolli and a cup of Italian coffee. What do you come out with? read back there again13. Where do you go next? Probably the bakery for some bread. Or some sweet rolls. mmmmmmm 14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal? Well, I am Canadian. So that will figure in the shipping if you are US or Europe. And I have a particular love of hand dyed anything. And, um, just read my blog for other hints!

OH I am too excited........................

Okay- I am really excited over this one. As some of you know, I have tried my hand at designing sweaters and such, and the last design (that I got paid for) was in the "No Sheep For You" book (by Amy Singer). I did a silk bathrobe in that one. I initially specified a silk and cotton blend, thinking that no one would even pay for a blend for a housecoat. But Amy was adamant that it had to be this absolutely decadent 100% shiny silk-and so, that was the end result. I loved it, but wondered who would ever make it. I got an email from Ann Budd (major player in Interweave) saying that she really liked it, and so I felt I had "arrived". Anyhow, today, I got my copy of Spring/Summer Vogue Knitting. In the Books section, right there on page 26, was a write up of the "No Sheep For You" book (and a very nice one, at that). I read along, happy that "the people in the know" liked the book. Then I got to the last couple of sentences-and there it was- in black and white........"You'll also be treated to a batch of modern designs for shimmering silks-you'll want to wear Deb White's silk bathrobe to the opera-...." The Vogue people mentioned me BY NAME! And they didn't talk about any other design! Oh my. I am so pleased.
By the way- I wore Big Blue today- got lots of compliments on it. I will try to get a picture-later.

Edited later..................
This is Big Blue laid out on the bed.

I also decided against buttons, so I used a lovely pewter and wood shawl pin (by Perl Grey) I got the pin at Grand River Yarns (see sidebar for link)


Gratuitous shot of Bear...."This is me, Bear, with all of my toys. I need someone to play with me. Anyone? Please? You can even pick first."

Progress

First off, this is a shot of "the boys" watching the races on a Sunday afternoon. All they need is a beer and a dog cookie (and I am not saying who gets what!) And yes, Bear often crosses his paws like that.

I have lots of progress to report- for one thing- BIG BLUE is finally done! I had sleeves on, sleeves off, different sleeves-you name it-even different buttons. But I have finally decided to finish the poor thing- with narrow sleeves and an extra big collar. It is currently lounging on the drying towel- after a swish in the sink to block it. Bear spends his time trying to roll on it, and to give his face a wee bit of a wash while he's at it. Bad puppy. Every time I take the big towel out and lay it on the floor, Bear seems to think I am doing it for his pleasure- he gets himself on it, couple of twirls around, and settles in for a snooze. Anyhow, better pictures when Big Blue is dry. (That is the "proof picture"- that it really IS done!) (you can click on the sweater picture to make it big- and lighten it up a bit).

And my mother, bless her soul, volunteered to knit me some socks (with my yarn). I chose two kinds, to let her have her pick-and she knit them BOTH up! Aren't they gorgeous????? The one on the left is Opal Petticoat, and the one on the right is one of their newer yarns- "Feeling" in colour 1705. I'll be wearing a pair tomorrow, for sure!

The apple hat for the up coming baboo is made- and looks quite sweet. (I used Paton's Classic Merino in red, and I have no idea for the stem and leaf) The"way girlie" hat is halfway done- I used some hand dyed angora I had kicking around- in shades of blue and mauve- I think it will be quite sweet. It is all "yo, k2 tog" lace-in a swirl pattern, with a wee knitted flower on the side. I have one more to do-a bunny hat (baby is due around Easter)-and I have some "local" alpaca (the yarn is called Hidden Touch, 80% alpaca, 20% kid mohair, from Osgoode, Ontario) for that. This stuff is pure heaven- soft , lovely hand-if you want some of your own, their address is Hidden Touch, Nature's Way, 5815 Main St., Osgoode, Ontario, K0A 2W0. Each 100gm skein (3 ply) is about 230 yards, and I have no idea what they cost (this was a "stash enhancement" from a while ago, and I forgot to write the cost down. I thought it would make a great bunny hat for a baby.

I also worked for an hour or two on the Muskoka chair- I should have that done this week (May 10th is the gala).

So, all in all, a fairly productive weekend!

One down................

So this is the first hat. I took Sarah Peasley's "Cameron's Cap" pattern- a freebie (http://sarahpeasley.com/freepatterns/cameronscap.pdf)- and, if I might add, a truly perfect hat pattern for all ages. It is shaped with short rows, so it fits extremely well. Anyhow, some Paton's Classic Merino, a couple of pompoms and some felt-and ta da! A Kermit the Frog Hat! I think it's kinda cute.
I found a pattern for flipper socks on the internet-here- http://www.p2designs.com/images/patterns/set-froggy.html#website/p2new%20folder/p2new/images/patterns/set-froggy.html except that I turned it so that the smooth side was out. I just liked it better. And, yes, I know, I have another flipper to finish.
Bear couldn't stand seeing those pompoms-it was all he could do not to chomp them!

Decisions, decisions......

One of the itinerant teachers to our school is having a baby, (number two) and she turned down our offer to have a baby shower. So, of course, we are still going to have one- but this is a book shower-hey, we're all teachers, so it works. So, everybody is to hand over $$$ and the committee is going to go out and buy books. Everybody, that is, except me. Why? As it was put to me....."Well, I know you knit, so we thought you would do a little knitted something or other". Yeah, while everyone else gets to hand over cash and the present and wrapping is all done for them. Hmmm. Not quite sure what to think. But anyway, I have decided to make a mini-wardrobe of baby hats- there are so many out there on the web these days. So, I have a froggie one started (have one flipper bootie made to go with it), and I thought I needed to do a bunny hat (baby is due in about a month), and the kitten hat out of the "Vogue on the Go" series for babies (I think it is actually a second volume? I will have to check it). And...? Any other ideas out there? We have not had confirmation that it is a girl or a boy (wee babe likes to keep the knees crossed during those peek-a-boo scans!) But the mother is quite sure it is a girl. (I do think soon to be mommies have a sense of who they are about to meet, don't you?) So I do want to make something truly girlie (maybe an angora one, or that cute cupcake hat I have seen out there as a freebie.

Soooo- here's the question...

Should I make the Viking hat?

Or a lady bug?

Love that leafy one, too (or maybe it is just that sweet baby!)

So tell me-do you have any great ideas for baby hats?

PS- All of these hats were on a website of free patterns- here- http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php under baby hats. Great site, by the way.

Lots of pictures coming............

First off, this is what happens when a wee girl, all sleepy on a Sunday morning, decides she wants to lay down, in exactly the same spot as a giant Bear feels is his rightful throne? I am not entirely sure I would trust him enough to put MY nose that close to his tail!!!! (Once I mentioned that, she moved very, very quickly)

That stuffed basketball is Bear's most favourite toy these days. He is too funny. I don't think he had a whole lot in the way of toys when he was a pup. He is 18 months old, now, and he snuggles his toys, even when he sleeps.

In other news- I have been working on "the chair". It is coming along- see?

You can click for B-I-G. I still have to add details to the arms of the chair.

Here is an up close of the seat-I am not done this part yet-I still have to add sepia and black details. But there is enough there to give you an idea.

The back of the chair will be swirled blues and some yellow- with a few of Van Gogh's "stars" sprinkled in for good measure. I hope the thought of someone sitting on his masterpiece wouldn't have made Van Gogh cut off his other ear, but...? We'll never know.

I have been knitting on the Silk Stream sweater, and you know, I am concerned about weight and drape. It is quite soft, and I think the jacket needs a firm hand, so I think it is back to the drawing board for this one. I have the back (and the back of the sleeves) almost done-and man, it IS bright. But I got to thinking- I have some black silk (it is Fleece Artist, from way WAY back-before they started all the colours). The silk is ever so slightly tweedy-more of a dark charcoal. So I might figure out some way to use the two together. That mosaic piece in "No Sheep For You" is rather sweet, don't you think?

Or maybe I could try something like this from LaLana? (I copied this picture from their website)

Any other ideas out there?

The time has come,I decided, to paint the chair. Yeah, the one I talked about in my last post. The one that has been in my basement for about three weeks. Yeah- that one. Sooooooooooo....This is what I started with, my "blank slate", so to speak................


Add my inspiration-a Van Gogh print, "Starry Night", and two hours later.......a start.........

I still have another couple, three hours left-but it is coming. The group will put a clear coat finish on top of the paint.

IN the meantime, I have this old, beat up chair in the family room- and Bear has claimed it as his own-I mean, hey- what's not to love? A couple of old blankets, a perfect view out the sliding door into his own backyard, and a way to keep an eye on the rest of the family......

So this is Bear, keeping watch, to make sure I didn't paint anything weird (please excuse the faded and torn upholstery-what can I say? Bear likes it).

And finally- proof positive that my wee Annie is growing up- she now can make poached eggs on toast, without any help- and will even take orders in the morning!!!!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh...............

First of all, hubby has done it again!!!!! In the interest of reclaiming a corner of our bedroom (previously known as a rather embarrassing mish mash of yarn and books and magazines), he invested in a lovely drawer unit(see above)(from one of our favourite stores- Canadian Tire!). He helped me organize stuff. He even did the dozen or so trips up and down the basement stairs to stash my stuff!!! (Don't worry-we have an elevated bungalow, and the basement is very high and dry). But the drawer unit is for ongoing projects and needles and gizmos. I thought it was a great idea, because the wool would be quite happy in wicker (and there are no errant twigs or nasties that would pull on the yarn). He says I can consider it my birthday present. Works for me! I love you, Sean-it is the perfect gift!

My other major job this March Break (well, other than showing my husband how much I appreciate him, and, um, knitting) is a painting project. "The Kingston Grandmother Connection" is a group that raises funds that go to support African grandmothers. (These are the grandmothers whose children have died of AIDS, and who have then taken in their grandchildren). In the spring, they are holding a big shinding-the main event being an auction of "one of a kind" Muskoka chairs. There are 21 adult chairs, 4 kid sized ones, and a table or two. The deal is this- the association has contacted local artists and such to volunteer their time and services and talents-to do the painting-and I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh I was thrilled. Totally blown away. Anyhow, there is also a big night (in May, I think), that I will be attending. I have an idea for the chair (I will take pictures when it is done), and I also have an idea for some knitting to go with it. So-no worry. But.....what does one wear to such an event????????? I have, in my stash, 3 skeins of Fleece Artist Silk Stream ( 50% wool, 30 % silk, 20% something else-nylon, maybe?) in a rather electric colourway-called Sangria. It is bright pink, with orange overtones. Yeah, I do love me some bright colour. It works well with black, or with white. Anyhow, I tried on a jacket that looked similar to one from "Andean Inspired Knits". And I loved it! I am bigger on top than on the bottom, so I was a bit skeptical as to the way this would look. But it is on of those tricky ones-it actually minimizes some things, and accentuates the fact that one has a waist!

So here is my question-too weird? Not right? (I would probably choose all black underneath it) With a great chain link belt. And, since I am still using my cane, I will have to redo it (the last paint job is looking a bit tired).

Ideas? Suggestions? Please help!