New Toy

A Knook!

To put it simply, it's a crochet hook with a hole at the end of the handle.  You run a long chord through that hole and then knit using the hook end. There are "how-to" videos at www.leisurearts.com if you're interested in seeing how it works.  (I didn't check out the videos until this morning - probably would have taken care of some mild frustration if I had watched them first!)  Overall, pretty simple and fun to do......otherwise I wouldn't do it!

I can't say if I like "knitting" this way better than the traditional way quite yet.  It's just fun to play with something new every now and then. :)

Take care, thanks for stopping, and please feel free to come again! - Elizabeth

Forever and a Day!

Greetings to those of you who still bother to check in on me now and then!
I apologize for being such a rotten blogger as of late.  There are no real excuses as to my absence- just life I guess.

I started a new teaching position in August and things have thankfully gone well :)  I have grades K-5 general music, 6th grade choir/general music, 7th/8th grade choir, and a 9-12 choir.  So, I'm busy, but it has been a manageable busy.  For that, I'm extremely thankful.

Unfortunately I have not done as much sewing, crafting as I would like. I did get a purse and table runner done for Christmas gifts but of course did not get pictures taken.

There are a group of ladies that meet every Thursday night in town to crochet/knit and are aptly called the "Knit-Wits". I don't make it every week, but when I do go, I work on an afghan I started in November of 2008 (if the date stamp was correct on my camera). Here's the last picture I have:

December 15, 2008

January 22, 2012

Almost sad that it has taken me 4 years to add approx. 18 rows! I didn't realize how wide I had made this afghan until I took this last picture.....it spans the width of a queen size bed nicely.  No wonder it takes me forever to get one row done! I'd like to make it long enough so that it can tuck under the feet and chin - I'm 6'2"......so, maybe in another 10 years I'll get it done :)

Well, thanks for stopping by, and please come again! (I'll try not to wait another 3 months to post anything).

Take Care! - Elizabeth

Believe it or not....

.....but I am still alive and kickin'! 

:) Elizabeth

9-11

10 yrs. ago I was at home sick in bed, when my dad called and woke me up with the words "get up, we're being attacked!".  The rest of the day was spent wrapped in a blanket in front of the television along with my college roommates in stunned silence. The following day, I went back to my student-teaching assignment. By the time I had completed my 9 weeks of student-teaching, several of the young men in my high school choir had enlisted in the military.  The urge to avenge our country was their new focus in life. I have had many students since then serve in all branches of our military. I am very proud of them, but I often wonder what their path would have been if the attacks of 9/11/01 had not occurred.

Now 10 years later, I stand in front of my students, ages 5-18. It is an odd sensation to realize that the majority of these 'babes' were just that, babes, of whom have never known a life without war, and the fear of terrorism. How sad, and unfair.

I "will never forget" 9/11/01 and I pray for a future where our children can remember the events of our nations past, with honor, pride and reverence, but that they too will never have to utter the words, "I will never forget"........

"Dazzling Dishcloths!"

Yup, suffering from my crafter's ADD! On to crocheting dishcloths! 

Here is the book:

Here is my version of "Spring Meadows". The pattern calls for 2 strands of size 10 crochet cotton, however I used 1 strand of a slightly thicker cotton. (no, I didn't forget one of the picot edges, it must have gotten folded under as I moved it around to be photographed)

This next one is the "Pineapple". Again, the pattern calls for 2 strands of size 10 crochet cotton.  I only had 1 skein, so, that's what I used. This is probably the most complicated pattern I've done in a long time, so don't look too closely - I'm sure you may find a few mistakes!

 Here is a picture of the two side by side so you can see the difference in size.

I don't know about you, but I believe they are much too pretty to be used as dishcloths!

Well, thanks for stopping, come again, and take care! - Elizabeth

And there's more....

Purchased some zipper tape today and am going to experiment with dying it different colors.  It is hard to find the color of zipper I want in the length I need, so time to play!

I'm sure you're getting tired of my zipper flowers, but I did buy some beauteous corduroy today that is just dying to be made into a purse......as if I need another!

Take care, thanks for stopping, and come again! - Elizabeth

Favorite?

I'm thinking this white one is my new favorite!

Which one(s) do you like the most?

Thanks for stopping, come again, and take care! - Elizabeth