The Beekeeper's Granddaughter

Crochet Cast On

Remember those "Magic Eye" pictures that were so popular several years ago?  The ones that looked like a jumble of colors and patterns, but if you looked at them just the right way you'd see a dolphin or a unicorn or a dolphin eating a unicorn?  Well, I never "got it".  I was never able to see the hidden picture.  And now I think the same thing is going on with the provisional cast on.  I've searched the Internet, watched a dozen videos, read at least 2 dozen "how-to's" and I can't figure out what happens to the stitch!  Here's my little crochet chain waste yarn where I picked up 12 happy little stitches.  Go ahead and count them:

And now I pull out the crochet chain, pick up the stitches and the stitch on the right (where I started the main yarn) vanishes!

I must be missing something!!  None of the tutorials mention this!!  Should I just M1 on the first row? Why is this being kept secret from me?  If I don't figure this out soon, I'm going to chuck knitting and take up quilting...or scrapbooking...

Longhorn Hiking Scarf

I started this scarf on the cruise I took in March 2006.  We were docked in St. Thomas and I was on the balcony with "Il Divo" on my iPod and enjoying the Caribbean breeze when I cast on.... The project sat for a long time and I would pick it up now and again, but with a burst of "finishitis" I cast off last night.  I could have made it a bit longer, but this is a nice length for once around the neck and tucking into a coat.  Jane likes this length, too!

Pattern: Irish Hiking Scarf
Yarn: Instant Gratification Sock Yarn from Hill Country Yarns
Colorway: Hook 'em Horns (Burnt Orange & Cream)
Needle: size 7
Size: 41.5" x 4.5"
114 Cables
15 Zig Zags
Model: Jane Giraffe

7/4/1776

I think what impresses me most is that these guys had the guts to write it down, sign it and defend it to the death.  Thank you, Tom, George, Ben, John,  et al..

 

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

 

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

 

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation...

Relay for Life

On July18-19 I'll be participating in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life".  It's an overnight event to raise money for the ACS.  This won't be the first time my weirdo friends and I have pulled an all-nighter, but it's for the best cause.  I lost both of my parents to cancer - Mom from stomach cancer in 1982 (she was 54, I was 20) and my Dad from liver cancer in 1995 (he was 72, I was 33).  Cancer sucks, there's no denying that, but the strides that have been made in the treatment and diagnosis of the disease over the past 26 years have been astounding.  Even comparing my experience with my Mom's illness with my Dad's it's almost like night and day. And just think about what new developments there will be in the years to come?  Anyway.  If you would like to donate to the relay, there is a link on the right side-bar.  Thanks!

Mom & Dad 1980

Siegfried & Roy & Nancy

Look closely, just a plain ordinary orange and white dishcloth, right?

Muckaluckahi, Muckahineyho...

It's a Bunny!

Bag Stop

I finished the Everlasting Bagstopper...

taa daa...

I knit a fair amount. Not an absurd amount like some people (you know who you are) but, a fair amount and except for the occasional afghan square, I never seem to finish anything.  So, here is an honest to goodness F.O.

Pattern: Everlasting Bagstopper

Yarn: Hempathy

The bag turned out smaller than I'd imagined, but still a nice manageable size.  It's not especially sturdy though.  If you're going to, let's say, JoAnn Fabrics to pick up some, oh I don't know, Cotton Ease to start a new bag than this one would be fine.  But, if you're going to buy a new anvil, I'd suggest taking the canvas tote bag from Trader Joe's.

From Lynette

It's me in mosaic form! 

I was supposed to include links to each picture on Flickr, but I forgot. Oops.  The first picture is of a "Nancy the Librarian action figure fighting a giant squid".  And picture 5 is of Lego "Men in Black" figures. 

1. What is your first name? Nancy
2. What is your favorite food? Macaroni & Cheese
3. What high school did you go to? Evergreen Park Community High School
4. What is your favorite color? Forest Green
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Tommy Lee Jones
6. Favorite drink? Diet Pepsi/Coke - which ever is on sale
7. Dream vacation? England
8. Favorite dessert? Key Lime Pie
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Content
10. What do you love most in life? Friends
11. One Word to describe you. Silly
12. Your flickr name. It’s Bkeepergd.  There were no pictures for "Beekeeper's Granddaughter" so I picked a picture of "Beekeeper".

Devolution...

 

 

2/18/08                     6/12/08

Hey Kids! It's a contest!

But, not from me, Silly People!  Karen, from Mostly Self-Taught Knitter blogged about this contest.  Gingersnaps with Tea is giving away some sock yarn.  All you have to do is tell her your favorite non-sock pattern that uses sock yarn and your favorite colors.  On June 15th she will draw names and send the winners some yarn.  Big fun!   Now that I think about it, I really shouldn't be telling y'all about this because the more entrants she has the lower my odds of winning...um, never mind, there's no contest, forget I ever said anything...

It's Purrrty!

Looky what I got!  This is "Charlie" superwash merino sock yarn from Lavender Sheep.  Debby, who knits by the seashore, gave it away in a drawing for those who contributed to her Get Your Guts in Gear fund raiser.  The yarn is a custom colorway in honor of her late cat Charlie.  Debby also sent a wrist band from the ASPCA which I will wear gladly!

(I don't know why the picture came out so dark; the background is lavender colored.)  This is the first new sock yarn I've gotten since I declared that I don't like to knit socks.  However, I think I will either pair it with another yarn and make the chevron scarf that all the cool kids are knitting or make a cat's paw scarf.  We shall see...

On a more personal, whatcha been up to, kind of note - I am now officially, legally disabled.  I got the letter from Social Security approving my claim for disability last week.  I'm glad the process went so smoothly and I got approved on the first try (and in record time only2 1/2 months, the minimal time SSA suggests is 120 days).  I'd hate to have to go through the appeals process!  So, what now, Nance?  I dunno.  Perhaps I'll get a little something part-time or perhaps I'll write a novel... stay tuned!