Basket Case

I'm a big fan of basket weaving (here, here, here and here). It's not something I want to do on my own - I definitely don't need to buy yet more supplies for yet another craft - but I love when the Guild or SCIART holds a workshop.

  

Today's offering was a random-weave basket workshop. The "random" was kind of scary - no directions, no pattern, no "you should's" - just a "here's the materials" and "do what you want." 

  
You don't realize how hard that is, especially for a bunch of weavers, crocheters and knitters who are used to following patterns and specific directions, until you've got the reeds in your hands and you think "now what?"
 
Turns out, you just start at the top and let the basket tell you what it wants to be. We all managed to have fun once we got going. I really like the interior of my basket (above), although I'm not that crazy about the outside.
 
Viewed bottoms-up, you can appreciate how really random this thing is. What do you think? A bird's nest beehive?
 
All the baskets were unique - different shapes, colors, materials, and sizes. (Click any image to see it bigger.)
 

Even one almost perfectly round basket (center right, below) that is 'random' because the weaver "didn't plan it out beforehand." 

 

I'm not sure random-weave is my thing - I like following patterns - but I very much enjoyed the process, the sunshine and hanging out with my fellow weavers. Plus I have a pretty little basket to remind me that not everything needs to be planned in advance. Random is good.

Super Secret Stuff

I've got several projects on the needle - sewing machine needle, that is - but they are going to be gifts, so I can't talk about them yet. This one - 
  
is now complete, except for some ribbon and a big bead or 2. And this one - 
  
is about a quarter done. The plan is to add borders this weekend and ship it to the long-arm quilter before we leave for Colorado in June. (fingers crossed)

Armed and Dangerous

I learned one lesson, at least, the last time I let Leia "help" me block a scarf - this time I took her and the spray bottle outside.
 
Last time we had a drowned scarf and a minor flood in the house. This time we still had the drowning and the flooding, but at least it took fewer towels to clean up. 

 

She works so hard at this and is so pleased with herself when everything is "all wet".

Guess it really doesn't matter that it'll take at least a week for my poor scarf to dry out.

 

She's having fun - and I'm building a future 'yarnie'.

Waffles

Another class sample is done. 

Couldn't believe how much fun this was to make and how soft and squishy it turned out, a combination of the waffle-stitch pattern and my new favorite yarn, Liberty Wool.

 

I got this done in just 2 days since I literally couldn't put it down. Watching the colors change and the little waffles take shape was addictive.

I'm thinking this would make a great 'boy' scarf for hubby - maybe in a slate gray?? Using the Lord of the Rings yarn I bought several years ago? 
Hmmmm, I love it when a plan comes together.

In Which Crochet Happens

I actually finished a couple of crochet projects! Ok, they're Tunisian crochet, but still. With all the quilting, traveling and grand-kidding going on around here, crochet has been on the back burner for much too long. I'm thrilled to have these done - not least because they're both class samples . . . and the scarf class is next week. Nothing like leaving it til the last minute.

First up - Tunisian basketweave scarf.
So much more subtle than crocheted basketweave. I tried it with a variegated yarn but the patterning got lost. Love how this looks in madelinetosh Pashmina.

I also completed a pair of Tunisian fingerless mitts using sock yarn.
It's amazing how much Tunisian knit stitch looks like knitted stockinette. These are worked flat, then seamed together; they have shaping around the thumb and three rows of beading at the top.
Hadn't tried beading with Tunisian stitches before and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Next up - real, live, honest-to-goodness crochet projects.

Star Bright the 4th

I started another star block before we left on vacation but didn't have a chance to finish it until today. It's a bit more complicated than previous squares, so I was glad when my LQS scheduled a how-to class for this one.

 I'm beside myself with joy pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Four down, eight to go.

Monster

This sweet, adorable little child?
 
Has turned - almost overnight - into a computer monster. If anyone is using a computer, she has to be right there - turning the monitor on and off; banging on the keyboard; and her absolute favorite - pressing the main power button to off. This last one gets a strong reaction, needless to say, which is probably why she likes it so much. Tell her 'no', move her away, substitute other toys? Nothing works.

My little darling outdid herself this weekend though. She swiped my computer mouse - while Naia was using the computer - and very carefully dropped it into the cats' water dish. Oh, the irony.  And oh, the very dead mouse.

Fortunately, the mouse was very old and the little girl is very cute. 
But I'm keeping this new one well out of her reach.   

Dancing Princess

The little girls have had a great time these past few days, coming up with all kinds of things to do and games to play together. Last night, Leia decided they needed to dress-up and dance. She put on her favorite princess dress, then helped Leanne into a Tinkerbell outfit, adjusting her wings,and finding the perfect shoe for her. (Only one though; who needs two high heels, right? Maybe that's been my problem all these years??)

 

Leanne waited impatiently, banging on the door constantly, patiently and quietly while Leia took care of a little business  

 and then they were off -
 
twisting and turning, 
 
to-ing and fro-ing,
 
spinning here,
 
and twirling there,
 
while Leanne just kept grinning and grinning and grinning. 
 
Can't wait to see what they decide to do tonight. 

Wedding Pix

These pictures were taken by the wedding chapel's photographer. I'm hoping there are others out there (Rachel?? Bre???) especially of the reception. 
Flower Girl Addy. She was upset because she forgot to drop the flower petals on her way down the aisle. Think we could get a do-over?
Miss Leanne. She stole the show with her grin and baby steps.
Proud Dad, giving the bride away.
Rachel and Addison.
 "I do."

First toast.

 Parents with newlyweds.

 My favorite shot of the day. Leanne has learned how to steal the show, every time a camera turns her way.

 

Travel Day

I'm hoping by the time this is posted that we'll be well on our way home.

We spent our last night in Vegas visiting Treasure Island -


checking out the pirate ships in the 'harbor' since we were too early for the first show -


and having dinner at Gilley's.


Leanne was a huge hit with both the waitstaff and our fellow diners. She has such an infectious grin and she was in full entertainment mode, flirting and charming everyone.


It was a great ending to our little vacation.

Little Girls and Weddings

The last few days have been busy, busy, busy. We picked up Rachel and Addison from the airport Friday morning, walked miles and miles down the Strip - ok it just felt that way; but we did do blocks and blocks, including a revist to the Bellagio's Conservatory. We met up with Breanne, Garrett and the handsome, 4-month old Mr. T later in the afternoon. We were all staying in the same hotel - a wonderful find by Garrett; 1 bedroom luxury apartments for about $100 per night - so it was easy to hang out, waiting for Leanne and her parents to arrive. Addy was in heaven, holding "her" babies one after the other. Dinner and some games at Circus Circus and we were all ready for bed. Saturday was the wedding. I don't have the 'official' photos yet but Addy got her first limo ride and Rachel - the matron of honor - and Addy - the flower girl - looked lovely in blue. We're staying another night in Vegas to avoid the horrible Sunday traffic back to L.A., enjoying a laid-back, peaceful day with Leanne. We're looking forward to being home but not to tomorrow's 5+ hour drive.

Casinos. Check.

If you're in Las Vegas, you have to check out the casinos, right? We wandered around the Bellagio checking out their super high end stores - including hubby's favorite, Omega watches - dropped a (very) few dollars, and admired their gorgeous Conservatory, complete with carousel, stunning flowers, and a giant bumblebee made mainly from sunflowers. We also drove by the Pawn Stars shop, but weren't going to wait in line to gain admittance, so we just kept going. Just as well. Love the show. Don't want reality to spoil the illusion.

Vacation

Hubby and I are in Henderson, NV - next door to Las Vegas - for a few days of rest, relaxation and seeing how many books we can read, before the wedding madness starts on Friday. Today, we took a side trip to the Clark County Historical Museum, home of my favorite Pawn Stars expert, Curator Mark Hall-Patton. Didn't see him (didn't really expect to...) but did get to see a very nice exhibit of Native American beading and crafts. Now it's back to reading and debating what's for dinner. Ahhhhh, I love vacation. P.S. anybody know what flowering tree that is? We want one for our yard.....