Well 'ello, 'arry Potter!...

Jan gave me a gift last time we were together. It's a Harry Potter crochet kit! This one includes the patterns and materials to make my very own Harry Potter!

According to the back of the box (I haven't opened it yet), also included are instructions and materials for Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Voldemort, Ginny, Dobby the house elf, The Sorting Hat, Hedwig, Norbert the Dragon, and student robes/scarves.

I admit I'm only slightly disappointed that the crochet hook doesn't resemble a wand, but I'm sure these will be fun when I get to them.

There's a 30% off sticker on the front of the box from Target, so my keen deductive mind is going to conclude that's where Jan found this gift (in case any of my crochet friends want a set for themselves).

I think it might be fun to work on these when Handsome and I have another Potter marathon when I'm recuperating from my knee replacement this fall. Of course, not right away, as the meds might make for some deformed characters. (ya think?)

Nevertheless, I's a fun gift from one Potter fan to another, and it will be fun to work with yarn again. Thanks, sis!

I Can't Believe It...

Brynwood Needleworks - Extremely Large Sock

 

I'm going to put all the blame for this on the meds. Yes. I'm still uncomfortable enough to need them, and am able to function moderately well with them. I'm not allowed to drive under the influence of them, and apparently, I've got a few other deficiencies, too. 

I know full-well how many yards of yarn I need to knit a pair of socks (400 yard hanks/balls), yet I chose to begin a pair of socks using a 280 yard ball...and I don't think I have more of it. Also, the blue  is also a thicker yarn, so this first sock will likely fit Handsome - making it waaayyy to big for one of the girls. ugh

Brynwood Needleworks - Rose-Colored Sock

So, once I finished one huge sock, I decided to cut my losses and start on the rose-colored pair. This is sizing as it should be, and will become a lovely pair. 

 

I haven't made up my mind whether or not I'll unravel the blue sock - or if I'll make a funky mismatched pair for Handsome. I'm going to keep moving forward (making the socks, mittens and caps on my list) and look back at that blue one after I finish the gifts. I guess I'd better stay focused. Perhaps coffee would help?

Brynwood Baby...

I think I've told you before how much I enjoy making things for babies.

They're so small and sweet, and I can't help but smile when I finish a piece

meant just for a little one. This is just such an example...a cotton baby kimono.

  This one already has a home. I used soft Rowan Luxury Cotton DK yarn. It will 

wash nicely, and provide a soft, breathable cover for a sweet, new child. I knitted 

this one in the 6-month size so it can be worn for a while. Babies grow so quickly!

I have enough of this gorgeous yarn to make another for my Etsy shop. I think

I'll knit it while we're traveling and list it up when we get back home. Do you

think that I should knit another in a newborn or 6-month size? I can't decide.

Wait until you see what's next (tomorrow)! Another baby gift!

Just Like The Good Ol' Days...

Our garage looks like a shop this weekend. I'm selling a considerable amount of my knitting and crochet supplies to create more elbow room in my studio. It feels like the old days when I had my needlework shop, Stitches in Wisconsin. Perhaps not as polished as my shop used to be, but definitely as well-stocked!

I have cotton yarn, wools and many high quality blends, along with sock yarns and a few bulky weights, too.

I have crates, boxes and plastic containers full of books. Knitting and crochet patterns and lots of techniques within their covers. I'm moving out about 150 books. (Don't ask how this happens. I'm sick, I tell you! I have no idea!)

Lots and lots of books. If you're looking for a specific knitting or crochet book or leaflet, send me an email. I just might have it, and I'm happy to send out anything that you might want for actual shipping costs.

There are also sewing patterns that I've pulled to share for a song (25¢ each!) and Amy Butler patterns and fabrics.

I'm "open for business" again today, and I've been asked to do this again next weekend, which I will.  In addition, I'll be listing up many of the items on eBay to make the items I have after the sale is over available online.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the studio. You know, my fingers ache when I'm not working on something! I need to get back to my Farmer's Wife blocks! What are you doing this weekend?

Soft Noses and Wooly Butts...

I woke up yesterday morning deciding that nothing else mattered except listening to Handsome rehearse...and finding the Leicester Longwools.

Well, I had been told the day before that they were in a pasture behind Wetherburns Tavern. "See the red building?", I was asked. "Yes", came my reply, as I apparently gazed upon the wrong red building. I then proceeded down Duke of Gloucester Street and turned in the opposite direction. How do I know this?

I later returned to our hotel room, bummed that I hadn't found the sheep. I sat down with a bottle of water and decided to look through some new postcards I had and, what do you know? There's an image of Wetherburns Tavern. "Hey! That's not the red building I was looking at!".

So after eating breakfast with Handsome and listening to an hour of rehearsal, I exited the hotel to make my way to Colonial Williamsburg and those elusive sheep. This time I knew which red building I was looking for and if the sheep were still there, I'd find them.

I walked straight to Wetherburns Tavern, and this time I turned south. Guess what I saw? You've got it...

OK, look closer...

Can you see what I see? Could it be?
Hurray!!! It's the Leicester Longwools!

Singing my own refrain of "Heaven...I'm In Heaven"
Sheep Heaven, that is.

I spent the next hour alone with these lovely animals.
Of course, I wouldn't forget to take my camera so that
I could share them with all of you!

You can click on the mosaic and it will take you to my Flickr album of my favorite shots of the Colonial Williamsburg flock of the Leicester Longwool sheep. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

You can learn more about the Leicester Longwool breed by clicking here. You can learn more about the Williamsburg flock by clicking here. Alas, I knew there would be no lambs to photograph, as they are only born in the spring of the year.

Oh, one more thing...You may have noticed my new header. When walking through Williamsburg this week, I saw a garden with TWO pomegranate trees heavily laden with ripening fruit. I always think of my mum when I see a pomegranate. We've both loved eating them since I was a kidlet. Just peel and eat. I can't imagine a better image to welcome Autumn.

In Search Of The Leicester Longwools...

I told you I'd be on a mission while in Williamsburg...to find the Leicester Longwool flock in Colonial Williamsburg (it's pronounces "Lester"). So Tuesday morning, I traveled down Richmond Road and into another century.

I started on Duke of Gloucester Street.
This is a view of the Palace Green with the Governor's Palace at the north end.
No Longwools here...
Then I was told at Prentis that the Longwools

were grazing behind Wetherburn's Tavern.
No Longwools there, either...

So, I tried to be creative and search the backstreets of Colonial Williamsburg.

I looked in paddocks and pastures and even lovely manicured lawns.
Still no Longwools...

Not in gardens...

Not down quiet and picturesque lanes...
No Leicester Longwools to be found.

What I did find was their beautiful and soft yarn. I was thrilled to find it. Half my mission for this trip complete. The woman behind the counter had told me where the Longwools should be grazing, but alas I didn't find them yesterday.

My Wednesday goal will be to find the flock. I'm going to "time travel" again in search of the elusive sheep. I'm not going back to the hotel until I find them.