What's Up, Doc?

First, I should have explained yesterday's SOPA/PIPA thing. It's not that we approve of internet pirating, just that the current bill under consideration seems to give the government too much power to censor web sites.

Now ... on to fun stuff.

Here's some yarn that I finished a couple of days ago. I've lost the card, but know it came from Dyeabolical Yarns fiber club last summer. I also don't know what kind of sheep it came from. I see that she has a lot of Falkland posted for sale now, but somehow think this may be BFL.

Last night I purchased a pattern for a long, skinny shawl/scarf that has both lace edging and stockinette body. I'm just not sure whether this will work better with lace or solids, so I'll have both and will know next time.

The yarn for Mom's socks is dry and ready to wind. I need to decide if I want to try Cat Bordhi's "Minnesota Moonlight" pattern again (depends on whether there are instructions for a smaller size) or pick a new pattern.

This is the quilt I'm working on in class for a while. It's called "Deer Friends." The kits were all sold by the time I saw it, but I was able to buy the center panel and then pick fabrics for the rest. I get some funny looks since I started it after Christmas, but I need to have something to work on so I can be there to keep in touch with my longarm customers.

In the longarm quilting world, I have two waiting to be done after newspaper deadline, and one large one coming in the first week in February. It's always slow after Christmas when people are starting new projects and catching up on holiday expenses.

I have three projects on the needles right now. Striped 2x2 rib socks and a pair with Spring colors from last year's Tempted yarn club. The third project is a cabled headband. And, of course, the fourth ... because three is never enough ... will be the shawl/scarf from the handspun yarn. The fifth will be Mom's replacement socks. At least they're all small projects and it helps that I have no attention span, so I have no problem jumping from one project to another. Pics tomorrow ... maybe.

Speaking of attention span, I need to get to work on newspaper stuff and stop playing here. See what I mean?

STOP SOPA / PIPA

Stop SOPA / PIPA

 The American Rag is opposed to legislation in the US Congress that we believe is unnecessary, over-reaching, and ultimately harmful to the fabric of the Internet.

What is SOPA/PIPA? Learn more on Google, Wikipedia, and Stop the Wall

Deadline!!

Yep, it's Deadline Week again. Getting stuff ready to print, not seeing much of Don (I work in my craft cubby -- a 10 x 10 spare bedroom -- on a laptop until the weekend and then move to the official office to use the big computer).

It won't be long until the sounds of Dixieland fill our ears again at the Fresno Mardi Gras (Feb. 9-12). I have received an engraved invitation to attend Jury Duty on the 9th, so we'll be in Fresno Friday through Sunday. Which reminds me ... if you're going and want to stay at the host hotel (the Radisson on Ventura St.) ... be sure to call the hotel directly for reservations and ask for the Jazz discount. It apparently isn't available on their web site.

On The Home Front
The results of the CT scan I mentioned last week are in. There are "no major changes," and I don't have to have another one for a year. There may not be a cure (yet) for asthma or emphysema, but they sure are good at stabilizing it these days!

Last night I finished plying some yarn that I spun from roving won last summer. It took forever to spin, even though it was glorious stuff, because there were so many other things to do. It's been soaked and thwacked and is drying now. Should be ready for pics tomorrow.

Now I need to get back to knitting. I have two pairs of socks on the needles, and need to start a third pair. The "Minnesota Moonlight" socks I knit from Cat Bordhi's pattern with her new Sweet Tomato Heel were too big for Mom, so I've unraveled them, soaked the yarn to straighten it, and need to get it wound to make some socks that fit. The yarn is NummaNumma, and you just can't waste that wonderful stuff!

Don's daughter, Donna Lane, has been making Stampin' Up cards for a while, and they're so beautiful I suggested that she sell them. She has an Etsy shop now, named "smilewhilestampin." Check it out! You won't believe how great these cards are.

From today's e-mail:

and speaking of dogs, some are really, really patient!

I get great e-mail, don't I?

Stuck

I can't seem to do anything but sit here feeling sleepy this morning. Don't even have the energy to turn around and see what DVR'd last night.

No quilting jobs until later today. Can't eat because of a CT appointment around noon. Guess I'll just sit here and wait for something to happen.

snore

Home Again

So, after a week away we're home again. Last Monday we drove as far as Fresno and stayed at the Radisson, so we could watch the Rose Bowl game. Then on Tuesday we finished the drive to Windsor (near Santa Rosa) to visit Don's daughter and her family, and his 2 sons and their families. We stayed there (at a wonderful Hampton Inn) a few days, and drove home yesterday.

It was a great visit. It's always so good to reconnect with your adult "children" and grandchildren. This is Don with granddaughters Sara (left) and Shay (right).

So, after our month with no deadline, we're back at it, ready to get started on the February issue of The American Rag.

Our next festival will be the Fresno Mardi Gras at the Radisson Hotel in Fresno next month. We're looking forward to that one ... it's always fun! Hope to see you there.