I finished my slash-handled bag.  I returned the library book before I had a chance to read the pattern, so I fudged it.   

Here she is pre-felted on my front porch.

And here she is drying in the warm sun after a good washing.  

And here she is after I left her outside for a moment to go warm up my coffee.

Hmmmmm.

You wouldn't know anything about this, would you?

Specs:  Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (nice buy).  Chained 150 and worked a tube with two rows of double crochet for each color.  For the slash handle, I worked 25 stitches, chained 25 (and skipped 25 stitches), then continued dc for 25 stitches - repeat for the other side.  When I came around for the second row of that color, I triple-crocheted across the top of the handle and then fudged it when I joined the other side.  If you try it, let me know and I'll give a better description.  It was fast and fun.  Perfect bag for a gray spring day, don't you think?

Keepin' your finger on the pulse . . .

I just downloaded THE best album and I'm loving every damn minute of it. 

It's a new album by Lionel Richie called "Tuskegee".  The entire album is remakes of his hits but the twist is that he is singing duets with a whole slew of country singers.  If you ever had the radio on in the 70's-80's, then you will LOVE this album.  

Next post will have some fiber fun to share!  I promise!

Zombies! Run!

 I do not enjoy exercising all that much and from the looks of a lot of people around here, I'm not the only one.  So I have to tell you about what actually got me moving and . . . brace yourself . . . I enjoyed it!

If you have an iPhone (I don't, but my son does . . . long story) there is an app called "Zombies, Run!". You turn it on and go for a walk/run (for real) and zombies chase you (not for real).

It is so funny! If you slow down, the zombies will start to catch up to you and you can hear them moaning and dragging their feet. There is a storyline to go along and the background music is your own playlist. So fun!

Throw your running shoes and your headphones on and start the app.  You can turn off your screen and it will continue to play, so you can run hands free.  Each "mission" is about 25-30 minutes, which is a good length for a workout, don't you think?  

 

Here is the link:  Zombies! Run!

Taste the Rainbow

The kids made this chilly fella a few weeks ago. 

I went outside to take a picture, but he had entirely vanished.  You see, it's hot.  I mean, 70 degrees hot.  Not your average 35 degree March thaw.

Strange weather does strange things to people, so between stints of crocheting my rainbow-colored slash handled bag . . . 

and throwing the ball for ol' whats-her-name . . . 

I made this for my dad's birthday.  Straight out of the 1970's church potluck experience.  The original may have had some marshmallows in it, too, but I thought this was pretty enough as it was.

So here is what to do:

1. Buy 6 small boxes of jello in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple and a large container of sour cream.
2. Dust off your bundt pan.
3. Pour 1 cup boiling water into the first color and stir for about 2 minutes.  
4. Pour just over 1/2 cup into a bundt pan and chill outside (if you're cold enough) or the fridge for 15 minutes.
5. Mix 3 Tablespoons (or a nice big glob) into the remaining jello and whisk until it smooths out all the little chunks.  
6. After the first layer has set for 15 minutes, GENTLY spoon the creamy layer on and set it in the fridge for another 15 and start the next color.  

HA!  That's it.  Add fruit or marshmallows or whatever your grandmother used to do. My grandmother would put shredded pineapple and pastel marshmallows in hers and I believe she used cottage cheese instead of sour cream. 

What to do. . .

I'm rippling along on my Neat Ripple blankie when I realize that I'm being swallowed by a boa-constrictor of a project.


 Ok.  I'll admit I thought the original chain I made seemed a bit short and wimpy so I may have added a few extra chains.  The throw is now large enough for a king-size bedspread.  No exaggeration.  To boot, I'm using a G hook which is like a US 3.  What the hell.  Do you see my little pink G hook down there?  T.I.N.Y.

What to do?  What to do?  Should I yank it all out and start again?  I mean, this will be a mother-F$%#er of a blanket.  And will I really make another one of more appropriate proportions once I've completely burned myself out of the whole ripple mess?  This may be my one and only.  What do I need with a King Sized THROW!?

What to do?  What to do?

Hockey Hockey Hockey

  If you live here in Minnesota, then you know that we are in the full throws of boys' state high school hockey tournament - if you don't know then you live in a cave.  

One underdog team, Benilde-St. Margaret, lost a player to a tragic injury. Jack Jablonski #13 suffered a serious spinal injury during a game earlier in the season.  His spinal chord was severed, leaving this young man paralyzed.  

His team has fought against the odds and upset the state tourney, defeating teams ranked much higher.   They continue their quest this evening with their #13 cheering them on from the stands. 

For more information on Jack and his fight, visit his website and if the spirit moves you, make a donation to his cause.

***********

I have also been watching my little PeeWee and his band of mighty warriors on their own rise to the top. . . almost.  One more game on Sunday will decide the fate of the Mighty PeeWee's!

You'd think that hours spent at the cold rinks would be a productive time to knit and crochet.  But is is considered shameful not to pay attention to the action on the ice and there is quite a lot of action.  How bad of a mom would I be if my son looks up into the stands to find his mom and she's busy looking at her decrease stitches and counting rows.  Bummer.

 And so the pile of yarn sits undisturbed in my lap.

What is a cold mother to do?  Get home asap, turn on a hot bath, throw in a delicious bath bomb, pour a cold beer and sink into oblivion.  And then check my decreases and count my rows.

Road Trip

Preparations for a road trip with my sister and her two little kids went something like this:

Super Aunty makes a special stop on the way to pick up her sweet little niece and nephew.  Oh, and my sister, too.  She's pretty cute.

Walk into family owned donut joint (owned by a fellow Ole), thinking how cool of an aunt I am.

I notice the Snap Fitness to my left and Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating on my right.  I pay no attention.

Climb in my car and take inventory of my donut stash.  

 

 

Yes. . . that's bacon.

Stop at Starbucks for a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

 Pick up passengers and ensure their comfort and happiness (hence the donuts)

 And off we go!

A Good Read

If you are a Yarn Harlot fan or even if you're not, her lastest post, "Dear Luis" is worth a read.

Here is the link.

Enjoy!

Fun Bags

Knit Picks Brava Sport

I received my order from Knit Picks. I was so excited to show you that I took that crappy, under-lit, blurry picture and posted it right away.  This bag off goodies will be the amazing "Neat Ripple Pattern" by Lucy of Attic 24. 

I might add that it's acrylic.  The whole kit and caboodle.  ACRYLIC I tell you!  Why?  I'm taking a chance here.  The last time I tried acrylic, the texture and unearthly squeak it made threw me over the edge.  BUT I could not find the vibrant colors I wanted and adorableness in any of the natural fibers.  I'll give it a full review as I begin rippling along.

Knit Picks Wool of the Andes ($2.49)

This is a goody bag full of Wool of the Andes in all sorts of delicious nutritious colors.  Believe it or not, these colors aren't as bright as that Brava from above.  I'm going to make myself a fabulous felted bag that will rival Josephs amazing technicolor dream coat.  

So I don't really have time to sit here and post about it because I'd really rather be working on it. 

Fiber Artists Rock

Most of you already know all about the "yarn bomb".  But for folks who visit my blog (thanks mom) and may not know:  this here is a seriously kickin' yarn bomb - all the way from Germany.  I might also point out to those of you who have either not come out of the crochet closet that this little example of yarn bombing is done with the crochet hook.  Thank you very much.

I did not take these pictures.  I took them from THIS website which is entirely in German and I can't read a lick.