Gramma Jewel

Socks and more socks

2009-10-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Are you sensing a trend here?

I'm liking the sock knitting these days. I'm also excited about a group event going on at the Ravelry Group, Socktoberfest. It's a month long event celebrating socks with no real rules other than to encourage others. I have some projects going.

There's this Mystery Knit Along for a pattern designed just for this event that I started this morning with this yarn:

Then there's the Grandgirl's socks. And John's socks partially done. I just want to keep knitting socks. Let's see how many I can complete this month. Happy Socktoberfest one and all!

Oh, and though it took me until the end of November, here's the first completed pair of socks for ME:

Ivy's Croc Socks

2009-07-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

I thought this would be the perfect color for Ivy. Bright greens, yellows and blues to match her Disney crocs with the Mickey Mouse cutouts. Of course, wool socks in the Arizona summer isn't ideal, but when I brought Ivy her handknit socks today and the first thing she said when I put them on was, "It's a rainbow!" She preened and posed for me, showing off her feet.

They're bright, bold and colorful, just like Ivy....and they fit perfectly! Yay!

Yoga Socks

2009-06-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

I just love these socks! Okay - my first pair, so they were pretty easy, since they didn't require toes or heels. But I tried them on before I sent them out to my yoga swap partner and they were oh so soft and luscious on my feetsies! Can not wait to make some more for myself.

Knitting Fun

2009-04-26T21:31:00.001-07:00

Okay, now you can all see that I have loads of new yarn and other goodies! Bet you're wondering what sort of projects I have in the works. Well, I have plans, people. BIG plans! :-) Put in your requests early if you have some wishes, because the Christmas knitting is already being planned. Here's the first finished project for the new little one on the way:

Here's some Easter love for Ivy and Grandma Oma. One of my swap partner's little girls in Switzerland got one too:

Here's Carli's Birthday Bag:

and the lining:

I'm so proud of all my new projects! I'm on a roll kiddo's! Maybe there's one coming your way soon...

Color Swap

2009-04-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

Julie from Michigan sent me this gorgeous green and blue themed package for the color swap theme where we picked our own color(s). She made the fabulous butterfly bag, which my very favorite projects go into now. :-) Sooo pretty! She also sent some new fun yarn to try and interesting patterns along with other little lovelies. Really, really nice! She sells her project pouches at her etsy shop, JoolieSews

All the way from Germany!

2009-04-26T21:18:00.001-07:00

Liesel from Munich, Germany sent me some of the most beautiful wool yarn I've ever seen in person. The colors are so deep and rich looking! I also received little goodies such as bamboo double pointed needles, lip balm and hand cream, and coffee and chocolate for this Coffee and Chocolate Swap. Loved it!

Tea Party Swap

2009-04-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

This was a fun swap where Shannon sent me some delicious tea, (my favorite), and some tea themed fabric for project bags. I also received some really lovely hand dyed sock yarn made by a local artist in her area of Oregon. So nice...

Swap Happiness!

2009-03-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll admit it. I have a problem. I am so hooked on swaps these days! Here's the latest package I received from Georgiegirl65 on a Ravelry group swap. Look at all that fibery fun!The best part? She sent me a skein of her own personal hand dyed yarn. The colors are like the Caribbean sea! Knowing nothing about dying, I can't imagine how she does it, but I'm so impressed...
She sells her lovely yarns at Zona Blue Design

Latest Favorite Project Bags

2009-03-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, these are fun to make and to use! I love how I can hook the handles over my wrist and have hands free. I also have attached one to a tote bag or purse handle with one of those little carbingers. The contents stay secure and seperate from the other stuff in my purse or totebag. When we're talking knitting projects the last thing I need is yarn all tangled up with my keys and sunglasses. Pattern and instructions can be found here
My recommendation: Use interfacing. It makes a much nicer finished product.

Blessings to my sister, Michelle

2009-03-11T18:26:00.001-07:00

who married the man she loves on March 7, 2009. Isn't it just so obvious they belong together?

Meet Monkeyboy

2009-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

He likes to climb trees. He's mischevious, but in the most lovable sort of way. Noone should tell Monkeyboy what to do. He likes to figure it out for himself because he's really very smart. He likes people and he likes bananas.

Meet Eli. Monkeyboy's new friend.
Happy First Birthday, Eli!

I heart Hearts...

2009-02-11T14:57:00.000-08:00

Hearts went out in the mail to my Grandkids today. For the girls, little red ones with hangers and clips so they can attach them to zippers or backpacks.

The cupcake cooking got double hearts sent to Mom that she can put on her keychain or hang from her rearview mirror.

On Being a Gramma...

2009-02-02T06:55:00.001-08:00

This is a great time of life, being a Gramma to these wonderful little people and watching them grow. I feel so privileged to be a part of it - to contribute.

One of the best parts is being so unconditionally loved. It's a title you earn with the years of work you put in with your own kids. Such a nice reward! My own Gramma was truly a special one. She, by example, taught me excellent Gramma skills.

I have another little one on the way. You can follow his/her progress here. I am so excited to meet this new person - this wonderful combination of genetics I have some small part in.

A Gramma again... oh yes, life is so very, very good!

Half Marathon #2

2009-01-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

I repeated the PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Half Marathon again this year. I trained, (though during the race it never seems like enough), and I learned a few things. I can see how the learning of little things can greatly improve your results each run. If not in time, then certainly in quality of experience.

I was pushed by my running partner this year and as a result, decreaed my time to 2:45:10 - 25 minutes faster than last year. I wasn't crazy about the pushing, but the result feels good. I decreased my minutes per mile to 12 and a half minutes, a full 2 minutes faster per mile over last year. I also feel better prepared to train myself for faster times. For the first time, I am seriously considering the possibility of tackling a marathon. 26.2 miles seems so huge at this point, but I remember clearly when 13.1 seemed unattainable.

Big Dream: I'd like to run across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. What an experience that would be! The San Francisco Marathon does that, but it's a difficult one with big hills. I'd consider putting the San Francisco Half Marathon in my future, if I could find some way to train on hills to prepare.

I need to become a stronger runner...back to training.

The Nutcracker Ballet

2009-01-13T17:40:00.000-08:00

The oldest Grandgirls were entranced with the ballet, and it was spectacular! Thousands upon thousands of crystals were used in the sets. The music was fabulous - live by the Phoenix Symphony.

They all looked so nice. It was a magical sort of "uptown" evening...

Both Oma and Great Grammy came along with us. We decided we need to do more "girls night out" things like this!

Cruisin'

2008-09-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

I'm looking so forward to 11 luxurious nights on a cruise ship this November - a celebration of my 50th birthday. The itinerary is so exciting: Caribbean waters and central american ports. It's all quite exotic for my little world. The shopping has only just begun!

Update:
This was such a wonderful vacation! Snorkling in Aruba; exploring Cartegena, Columbia; walking the streets of Panama City, relaxing on the beach in Jamaica and boating in Grand Cayman. Fabulous!

Ivy's First Easter Bunny

2008-04-04T08:34:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter to Ivy! Her very first Easter on this earth! Gramma sent her a little bunny to celebrate.

Now my left wrist is actually swollen from too much knitting. Time for Gramma to turn to a different thing for awhile - hmmmmm, maybe sewing?

Stormi Ponders Rain

2008-02-22T05:36:00.001-08:00

Isn't that so appropriate? My oldest Granddaughter, Stormi entered the Science Fair this year with the question: At what temperature does rain form? After all her research, she concluded it's not one specific temperature, but two: when cold air meets warm air. (I'm honestly not sure I could have answered that questions without embarking on some research!) I'm so impressed with her initiative in planning, executing and coming to a conclusion on this project. She's definately going to be the responsible one.

Anyway, very smart, inquisitive kid....and beautiful too!

XXXXOOOO

2008-02-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

My three oldest Grandgirls are getting soft Nintendo DS bags that I made more or less from See & Sew pattern B4839. This is supposed to be a wallet type bag, but I made mine a little deeper so there would be room enough for the game and decided to go with a wrist strap rather than the longer strap shown on the pattern.

It's teal butterflies for Stormi, Puppy dogs for Jade, and the bees for Jaci B. They're each lined in coordinating fabrics. This was a fussy little project. Seemed to take forever with all those little pieces to interface, iron and top stitch.

I sent them off in the mail today, so I'll be waiting to hear if the games fit in them. I know the girls will like them. They love everything you give them. They're such lovely young ladies with wonderful manners and great attitudes. I'm very proud they're mine.

Voila!

2008-02-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Somehow, I've stumbled upon the perfect mug. Really, who wouldn't love this shape? It's sleek, it's streamlined, it's up to date, yet classic. I loved it so much that I redesigned my original cozy pattern to hug it securely all the way down.

Shopping for buttons is so gratifying too. It's an excercise in creativity, pairing gorgeous buttons with different textures and colors. I already have dozens of different types waiting in the wings for just the right yarn. Art deco's, brights, glass, wooden, leather... (Somebody stop me!)

For now, I'm happy with Cotton Ease yarn. It works up well with that great cotton texture, but still has plenty of the bounce back-ability it seems to me 100% cotton lacks.

Okay, so now you know what a total shmooze I really am. I get a few compliments and I'm stuck in cozyville, fishing for more. I'm pleased with the finished design though. Now I'll just make a bunch of them til my family and friends beg for mercy. (That could be awhile, since I hang with a very polite bunch, so expect cozy updates!)

Mug Cozy Fun

2008-01-28T07:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've seen these things on other sites. They're so cute and seem so simple. But like most things I do, instead of just whipping up a mug cozy using someone else's well conceived pattern, I have to try to make my own. I have to figure out how to get the end product I envision. Yeah, I'm one of those people who feel compelled to reinvent the wheel every time.

One of the pros of this tendancy is that I learn something everytime I attempt something new. But I do get frustrated. Take mug cozies. I've noticed that other mug cozies I've seen seem to hug their mug a little better than my prototypes did. They just seem...well, mug cozier. Is it the yarn? The needle size? Who can tell? I'm in mug cozy hell. Ah well. :-)

Here's what I came up with. It's made in DMC cotton microfiber. Although the end result is cute, I wouldn't use it again for this project. It doesn't have enough stretch. Wool or acryllic would work better.

Aren't cables so pretty? It looks like you know a thing or two, knitwise! Even if you're just putzing around...

Rocky Road!

2008-01-14T07:02:00.000-08:00

In my immediate family, a rebel yell of "Rocky Road!" while playing an imaginary air guitar = "Rock and Roll!". Always has, always will. That's the kind of silly we are.

And this is just what I've done: On January 13th, I ran the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll Half Marathon here in Phoenix. I did it and I rocked!

I've trained since last April to become a runner. At first I couldn't run more than 2-3 minutes at a time. I used an article from Runner's World called Running 101 to get started. And when I understood that it was a slow progression of training the body, (I wasn't insufficient to the task, the task is similar for everyone), I began to enjoy the process.

I started to like the feeling of being a little sore the day after a long run. I also began to experience the meditative aspects of long distance running. It was almost as if I was transported to another place where the sound of my breath and the pounding of my feet and the beautiful scenery around me were the only things of importance. I didn't think of what I was going to do later or the mistakes I'd already made, I was just right here, right now, breathing hard, but in a good, comforting and rhythmic way.

It also gave me something to celebrate and be proud of in my everyday life. I got a little internal thrill each time I ran a little better, a litter faster - acheived a "personal best". More than once, I heard the theme from Rocky playing in my head while I ran up my driveway, arms in the air.

I have never, ever, in my life been an athlete. But I am now. At 49 years old, I'm a half marathon finisher! Life is good. Oh, and for the record, I ran the 13.1 miles in 3:10:56. That's about a 14:30ish minute per mile pace. It's the time to beat next year.

The Girls are Taking Over

2008-01-10T22:07:00.000-08:00

When my husband and I were dating a few years back and he was just getting to know my family, he said to me once, "Your family certainly has some gorgeous girls!" We are a cute group, if I do say so myself.

There's my daughter, who is amazingly talented and indeed, gorgeous. She partners with her best friend at Fluffymail. (The two of them make these incredible cloth diapers with more precision and attention to quality and detail than I can muster on my best day.) Then there are her four extraordinarily lovely daughters. (Who all, incredibly, bear a striking resemblance to their Gramma Jewel!) I also have three nieces, one who had a baby girl last year and two who are sisters, (Trish, and Tanya), who are both expecting baby girls in February. I've even inherited bragging rights to a beautiful and caring daughter in law. (Example: Last Thanksgiving morning, so early that we're all still slurping our first cups of coffee, she called in my Granddaughters to the bathroom mirror one by one and curled and styled their hair! You can imagine the kind of person who'd actually volunteer for a task like that.)

I've also been privileged to have several other beauties become part of my life: My step-daughter and two step-daughter's in law. All of them beautiful, inside and out. My life has been enriched by having them in my circle.

According to my husband, this is a rich family resource, and we seem to be tapping it for all it's worth. May the beautiful girls keep coming!

For the latest two female additions, I'm doing up some quicky knitted booties that are from one of my favorite patterns. I found it free on the internet years ago and have made dozens of pairs. I no longer remember the source. They stay on well, especially for booties done on two needles rather than on double points. When you use a fingering yarn and small needles, they are a preemie to newborn size. I made them this time in Bernat's Soy Yarn and size 8 needles and they look to be sized newborn to 3 months or so. They're a quick and satisfying little project, and did I say they stay on?

Stay On Knitted Booties

Beginning at top edge, cast on 24 stitches
Work K2,P2 ribbing for 2 inches, break yarn.
Slip first and last 6 stitches to a holder.
Working on center 12 stitches, work 12 rows of stockinette stitch. (instep). Slip these stitches to a holder.
Foot- from right side, knit the 6 stitches from the holder, pick up and knit 10 stitches from the side of the instep, knit the 12 instep stitches, pick up and knit 10 stitches from the other side of the instep, and knit the remaining 6 stitches from the second holder. (44 stitches)
Work 3 rows in stockinette stitch.
Shape foot
Row 1: Slip 1, Knit 1, PSSO, Knit 14, Knit 2 together, Knit 8, Slip 1, Knit 1, PSSO, Knit to last 2 stitches and knit them together.
Even Rows: Purl
Row 3: Slip 1, Knit 1, PSSO, Knit 12, Knit 2 together, Knit 7, Slip 1, Knit 1, PSSO, Knit to last 2 stitches and knit them together.
Row 5: Slip 1, Knit 1, PSSO, Knit 10, Knit 2 together, Knit 6, Slip 1, Knit 1, PSSO, Knit to last 2 stitches and knit them together.
Row 6: Purl and bind off.
Sew Seams.

Jade's Birthday Apron

2008-01-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

My middle Granddaughter, Jade turned 9 this month. They say middle children can be insecure, but not Jade. She's confident and well adjusted - always has something to contribute to every conversation.

One of the gifts I gave her for Christmas was a cookbook for kids. Since her Mom gave me this beautiful apron for Christmas from BellaBeeDesigns, (Is that great or what?!), Jade decided she also wanted an apron to use when she made recipes from her new cookbook.

What a great sewing opportunity for Gramma! :-) I worked up a pattern for a vintage style pinafore type apron. I used a tea towel for the bodice that was monogrammed with her first initial and some calico that I had on hand. A row of bright red buttons on each of the back criss-cross straps allow it to be adjustable as she grows.

Now I think Jade should make Gramma some yummy treat from that new cookbook. She's certainly dressed for it.