Rain, Rain and More Rain

We've seen blue skies exactly once since we arrived in Alaska - about 30 minutes ago as we left Rose's Cafe after dinner. Today we drove over 200 miles, from Wasilla to Healy, and it rained the entire way, except for the short time we were in Talkeetna.

Not complaining though; it's lush and green, with rivers, creeks and marshes everywhere. So very different from S. California!

A friend who used to live in Palmer recommended we stop in Talkeetna. She said they had the best views of Denali - weather permitting.

Since the weather wasn't permitting, we settled for a walk around town, admiring our first moose

and the gorgeous flowers,

then lunch at the highly rated Roadhouse.

Reindeer chili, huge hot-from-the-oven biscuits, fresh salmon sandwiches - it was all delicious. We're planning our return trip to Anchorage just so we can stop here again.

Road construction had us stopped for over an hour on the Parks Highway, so we got into Healy just after 5, sore, tired, and ready to relax. Our room for tonight -

lakeside,

with big picture windows overlooking the water and mountains.

I could get used to this.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Traveling

A few weeks ago, hubby and I decided we needed to go somewhere. Since we usually think alike, we both came up with the same destination - Alaska. And just to prove it was meant to be, I lucked into first class airfare that was less than a competitor's econo fare to the same destination. Score! Five hours on a plane, and arriving at what would have been 2 a.m. our time, is hard on a body, but I can assure you that first class makes it much better.

We were back at the airport this morning to pick up our rental car, then hit the road, planning to do some sightseeing on the way to Palmer and the Musk Ox Farm.

Constant rain put the kabosh on sightseeing - except for stretching our legs at the Hatcher Pass mud flats overlook -

and I decided to forego the Farm tour (waaaaay too wet and muddy for this city girl)

but I did manage to pick up a quiviet* smoke ring cowl for me and a small stuffed musk ox for the little girls' collection.

Tonight we're in a cabin between Palmer and Wasilla - watching for the moose that we're told hang out around here -

with a great view of the mountains out our windows,

and surrounded by trees and wildflowers.

And rain.

No matter. Tomorrow we head for Healy and Denali! And, in theory at least, the rain has to stop sometime. Right??

Alaska roads are very different.

*Quiviet is the soft down found under the coarse outer hair of a musk ox. One of the softest, warmest, most expensive fibers around, and treasured by fibery peeps. Hoping to get my hands on the raw material when we get to Fairbanks.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Yarn Spinners

Hubby's been busy again. 
 
He's been making crochet hooks - both regular and Tunisian - for awhile now and was looking for another little something to add to his repertoire.
Top to bottom: curly maple, cardinalwood, oak.

These have been popular with my buddies and Thursday night cohorts. They like being able to pick their own woods and have something custom made, just for them.
Top to bottom: canarywood, curly maple, oak.

The spinners are made with all hardwoods, and surprisingly - at least to me, since I'm a dark wood fan - the light maple, oak and birch have been the most popular.

Top to bottom: cardinalwood, walnut, and walnut. Mine!

We had a little trouble with the lazy susan mechanism that makes these spin. Turns out, it matters where you buy them. The ones from the big box hardware stores are lousy; slow or no spin at all. But the ones from Rocklar and Woodcraft? Lightning fast! And everyone needs a little lightning in their lives, right? 

Crochet Classes

Every quarter, I swear I'm going to cut down the number of classes I offer at my LYS. But then I get excited over all the possibilities and bam  - 15 classes in 4 months. Not many pictures yet; making samples is next on my list. (I'll add the pix here as I take them.)
  
Beginning Crochet: Three Sessions- Monday, October 14, 21 and 28, 6 to 8 pm. In this series of 3 classes, you’ll learn basic crochet stitches – chain, single, double, half double and treble; how to make granny squares; and how to work in the round. In addition to the samples you make in class, you’ll have a ‘homework’ project each week - Week one: double crochet square. Week two: hat with scalloped edge and optional flower. Week three: granny square.


Crocheted Pi Shawl: One Session - Saturday, September 14, 6-9 pm; This lacy, semi-circular shawl is loosely based on Elizabeth Zimmerman’s knit Pi Shawl recipe. The 3-row repeat encourages variation - make it short or long; use solid- or multi-color yarn; change the shape from semi-circle to batwing. You’ll learn a variety of sizing and shaping techniques and have a unique, classic shawl that’s sure to draw compliments.

     Join-As-You-Go For Crocheted Squares: One Session - Sunday, September 15, 12:30 - 3:30 pm;
Love making squares/blocks/motifs but dread sewing them all together? This class is for you! You'll learn several methods to join items as you create them, making it a snap to complete your project. From plain to fancy, straight to scalloped, the perfect joining technique is waiting for you.
 
  Happy Hippo: Three Sessions - Fridays, September 20, October 4 and 11;
Be happy, crochet a hippo! This design uses the popular African flower motif to make an adorable stuffed hippo that any child (and most adults) will cherish. We'll use a variety of multi-sided motifs and join-as-you-go techniques to shape Happy, then add finishing touches with cute ears, sculpted eye sockets and glass or embroidered eyes. Bet you'll make more than one!  Note: "Happypotamus The Happy Hippo" crochet pattern" is required for this class.
 
     Noro Beaded Lace Shawl/Scarf: One Session - Tuesday, September 24, 6 to 9 pm;
We'll use join-as-you-go motifs, beads and picots to make this beautiful lace scarf/shawl that will take you from day to evening without missing a beat. The size is easily altered, so make this as long or wide as you'd like. In class, you'll learn tips and tricks for adding beads and picots to your work, along with row-by-row assistance to make the most of this beautiful design. Note: the book "Crochet Noro: 30 Dazzling Designs" is required for this class.

Double Lace Tunisian Scarf: One Session; Sunday, October 13; 12:30 to 3:30 pm; 
Double your fun! We'll use a double-ended hook and 2 colors of yarn to make a lacy scarf with a unique, reversible design. Also known as 'cro-hook', this Tunisian technique makes working with multiple colors fast and fun. A 'block a month' pattern will also be available. 

Wild Flower Sweater: Four Sessions - Wednesdays, October 16, 30,  November 13 and December 4 - 6 to 9 pm;
A surprisingly easy-to-make sweater, with a variety of options to make it just right for you. We'll start with the beautiful back medallion, then you decide - cropped or long back; long, short or no sleeves; rounded or straight front; buttons, shawl pin or leave it open? This sweater uses basic crochet stitches and has step-by-step directions. A perfect choice for your first crocheted sweater. 
  

Beaded Wrist-itts: One Session - Saturday, October 19; 12:30 to 3:30 pm; 
Elegant - or funky, depending on your yarn/bead choices - these wrist-itts are functional and fun. Make them into wrist-warmers or fingerless mitts; long or short, beaded or not; the choices are all yours. This is a great project to learn, or practice, beading techniques; simple ribbing; and working in the round. Adventurous "lambs" are welcome!

Crocheted Market Bag: One Session - Tuesday, October 29, 6 to 9 pm; 
Practical doesn't have to mean boring. This market bag will stretch to hold your shopping treasures - and look great doing it. Plus, it is easily customized - change the width, length, color(s), handle size and more. Oh, did we mention it makes a great gift? So practical. 

Star Bag: One Session - Saturday, November 9; 12:30 to 3:30 pm; 
Thick yarn, large hook, and interesting stitch = a quick-to-finish bag that will look great carrying your latest yarn project, toting your everyday essentials, or giving as a gift. Worked in the round, using a vintage stitch pattern, this bag is easily customized for size, color and more. 

Tunisian Cable Scarf: One Session; Sunday, November 10; 12:30 to 3:30 pm; 
Let's cable! Another easier-than-it-looks technique, Tunisian cables add dimension and depth to any project. Make it thick and warm with a bulky yarn, or softly draping with something thinner. Step-by-step directions will have you cabling in no time. A 'block a month' pattern - and suggestions for making an iPad cover - will also be available. 

Mary's Scarf: One Session - Tuesday, November 19; 6 to 9 pm;
A fast project, with an easily learned stitch pattern, that looks great in any yarn. What more could you want? How about a variety of fringe techniques - including corkscrews and dangling flowers - that will make each scarf unique. You'll also learn how to ensure you get the most scarf from the yarn you have. This is a great project for those one-of-a-kind skeins of must-have yarn. 

Spiral Hotpad or Pillow: One Session - Saturday, December 14; 12:30 to 3:30 pm;
This multi-color spiral is fun, easy to learn, and looks great in a variety of projects from potholders to hats, pillows and blankets. We'll start with a magic ring and work outward with 2 or 3 colors; layer two spirals to form a hotpad or pillow; add ribbing to a single spiral for a hat; keep 'spiraling' and make a uniquely colorful blanket. So many possibilities!    

Noro Short-Row Scarf: One Session - Tuesday, December 17; 6 to 9 pm;
Basic crochet stitches, combined with short-row shaping, gives this scarf its distinctive triangle shapes and subtle shifts of color. Simple to learn, short-rows add a "how did they do that" element that's sure to generate compliments. Note: the book "Crochet Noro: 30 Dazzling Designs" is required for this class.

Tunisian Best Friend Scarf: One Session: Sunday, December 8; 12:30 to 3:30 pm; 
The textured diamond pattern - a combination of basic stitches and simple shaping - makes this scarf a winner.  Dress it up or down simply by changing your yarn. This is another scarf that's sure to become a wardrobe staple. A 'block a month' pattern will also be available. (Get it? "Diamonds are a girl's best friend"? Yeah, it's late . . . . )

 

Hannah Hippo

Hannah is done, at last! 
 
Soooooo pleased with how she turned out. 
 
I put the finishing touches on her last night - a little red lipstick, 
 
sculpted eye sockets,
 
and cute little wiggly ears.

I'm still amazed at the neat way Hannah went together;
 
Heidi Bears, the designer, has an amazing brain for 3-D work and a wonderful eye for detail. (Check out her other animals. Amazing!)
 
Pentagons fit onto hexagons, which fit onto octagons,
  

which narrowed and widened as needed to give Hannah her perfect, sweet shape.

 
I used sock yarn, as recommended in the pattern, but didn't change colors on every row as Heidi does. Can you imagine all the tails there'd be to weave in?!? Instead, I did rows 1, 2 and 3 in a variegated color, then rows 4 and 5 in the solid cream.
  
Pretty darn cute, even if I do say so myself. And yes, I've already started another one.

Still Sorting

As promised, here are a few 'after' pix from the great yarn relocation.
 
The bins are up, labeled and in a kind of order. I love my matchy-matchy bins! Looks pretty good, doesn't it?
 
Until you look behind the curtain, as they say in the movies.
 
But even this is encouraging, if you know where to look. The green arrows are bins of yarn that is outta here - some to be donated to a friend who does charity crochet/knitting (hi, Reyna!); some for the Guild's raffle basket at the annual Harvest Sale (coming Oct. 26! Mark your calendars!); and some for my buddies because it's really, really nice yarn, just not the right yarn for me.

See the brown wall by the window? That desk is getting moved over, under the window, and another rack will go in its place and that rack will hold all my quilting/sewing supplies.
 
The red wall rack will hold all my weaving stuff, excepting my looms. So excited to have all my crafty crap supplies in one place and not spread out all over the house. Want to take a guess how much more excited hubby is about that prospect??
  
And anything that doesn't fit on these shelves? It's outta here, baby. 

August Surprise

The little girls had such fun playing in the berry farm's sandbox that PopPop decided they should have one of their own. He spent Sunday and Monday locating the perfect sandbox (red, of course), 300 pounds of sand, and a truckload few toys.

 

This morning, I got set up with the camera while Pop led them, eyes closed, out the back door.

  
They were happy to have something to climb on, 
 
but a bit confused as to what all the hoopla was about . . .
 
until Pop took the lid off and their eyes lit up. Sandbox!!
 
The girls have spent several hours bickering playing, both before and after their nap, 
 
with PopPop refereeing sharing issues lounging in the shade beside them. 
And when it's time to say goodnight? 
 
The lid goes on to keep the neighborhood critters from also "playing" in the sand.

Zoo

One of our favorite things to do is take the baby grands to the local(ish) zoo. A 45 minute drive is still local, right? 
 
I love seeing the animals. And buying presents. This time it was stuff-your-own animals. Leia chose a black pony she named "Moon". Leanne saw this zebra - named Baby - and fell instantly in love. She wouldn't even consider a different animal.

And what do the little girls love best? The sliding hill in the kid's play area. This time, we remembered our sleds (aka cardboard) and the girls had a blast. Leia is an old pro and tried to help Leanne in between her trips down the hill.


And despite evidence to the contrary (see video), Leanne actually did make it down the hill successfully several times, a giant grin on her face the entire way. But her 'oopsies' are just too funny not to share.
  

Hippo Butt

Making progress on Happy. We have hippo butt . . .

  

and hippo body.

 
Only 10 motifs in the neck and head to go!