Diamond Cable Gilet

I completed my Diamond Cable Gilet...Before starting this project, I did not know that a gilet was a sleeveless jacket or vest.  Apparently they are to be worn as an outer layer of warmth.  Every time I knit a new piece I learn something new.  This vest was no exception.  Other than learning what a gilet was, I learned to keep track of when I began decreasing for shoulders and for the neck. (Trying to eyeball it just was not cutting it) My seaming skills also improved while putting this piece together. This site really helped me a lot.   

I really enjoyed this hand knit and I've worn it a couple of times since I finished it and after wearing it, I like it even more. Whew, that's always a relief.  Knitting is a bit gamble in so many ways.   Don't you hate when you finish knitting something and you really don't like it?  That's happened to me on more than one occasion. 

But, I guess that's the thing with knitting and life....it's the process that matters and what you learn along the way.  The shaping that happens is what makes it all worthwhile.  However, sometimes that shaping requires much patience and many attempts.  Ahhh, but enough philosophizing...

Here's the knitty gritty:

Pattern: Diamond Cable Gilet from Sirdar Winter Glamour booklet 339
Needles: US 9 and US 101/2 circulars
Yarn: Sirdar Click Chunky; cobble  I used 9 1/2 balls. 
Size: 32/34
Modifications:none

This yarn is a wool blend; it knit up wonderfully and has a great softness to it.  The price made it perfectly affordable as well.  I found the button at Michaels.  I thought it was just right.  (and it meant that I didn't have to run across town to the sewing shop!  bonus!) 

I have about 5 more projects in the Winter Glamour book that I'd like to make.  Now, it'll just be picking the yarn out.....and finding the time.  How about you, what's in your knitting basket right now?  Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy the process as much as the finished project. 

undefeated

I tried to come up with a clever title....

The Middle School girl's team that Mckenzie plays on and that John coaches finished their season with a conference record of 17-0 and a banner for winning playoffs.  It was a great season.  Not just because they had a winning record, but because they made new friends, worked together as a team through good and bad times and they shared the good news everywhere they went. 

They really were a FORCE this year.  Mckenzie was named to the all-tournament team and I think she was as surprised as anyone when they called her name.  She played great this year and I couldn't be more proud of her than I was when I saw her reach down and help another player from another team up off the floor.  She's got guts of steel and a heart of gold. 

 And my vote goes to Coach Quick for Coach of the Year!  I figured out that he's coached 36 middle school games this season.  That's a lot of jump balls!  Anyways, I'm so proud of both of them.  They are both winners in my book! 

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing FORCE  is from God

and not from us."

 2 Corinthians 4:7

a corner in my world

It is sunny in my corner of the world today.  I was so thrilled with the light that I went around capturing it with my camera. 

I even discovered some daffodils peeking up through the leaves and mulch.   Isn't it amazing how powerful sunshine can be? It reminds me to spread sunshine into the lives of others.  Sharing light is always a powerful thing.

While I was taking photos I captured this corner of my craft room studio.  The sun was beautiful in this room and then I remember that just last week Tracy had shared a corner of her world. 

I really enjoyed seeing pieces of her reflected in that one place.  So, I thought I'd share a corner of my home with you.  This is the place where I have my therapy sessions.  I sew, stamp, block, blog, craft and create in this space. The desk and drawers and shelf unit were given to us from our neighbors when they moved to Arkansas. Can you believe that?? For free...and they fit this space perfectly.   The lamp was made by my husband when he was in high school.  I love that his mom gave it to me.  The printer trays hold about half of my rubber stamp collection.  I really enjoy them as art on the walls.  The snowman plate rack holds all the yarn that I'm 'planning' to use in the near future.  Some of it has been in my 'plans' for over a year. 

 My knitting books and sewing books are on the shelf and the baskets and boxes hold my ribbons, cards and tape runners.  I keep my fabric and yarn stash in the closet....that is going to be a spring cleaning project.  I need to organize and purge that whole area. All those magazine holders are where I house my scrapbook/art papers.  And as you can see I've got a couple projects in process.  I love that I can start and leave something out.  When I have time I can come back to it.   This room is the spare bedroom in our house and it has the best light...the sun just shines right into the room most of the day.  It's where all of our favorite friends stay when they come to visit.  It's also the perfect place for creating.  I feel really blessed to have this space.  If you've got a special corner in your world...feel free to share it.  Spread the sunshine. 

ramblings

Thanks so much for all the virtual hugs and well wishes.  Everyone is fever free!  Inhalers are still being used and we're finishing up the antibiotics but we're knee deep back into our lives again.

 And that means lots of time at the basketball court.   We are a basketball family.  John coaches, I help run the book, take the pictures, pack the dinners, keep the schedules......you get the idea.  Maggie, Mckenzie and John Samuel all play - on different teams.  That means lots of games and even more practices. 

 So, to say that I feel a bit distracted is an understatement.  In between running here and there and shouting from the bleachers; these are the things that are dribbling through my mind:

* I finished knitting my vest and am frantically patiently searching for a time when I can seam it and block it.

* I really need to come up with a plan for our entry way...this is what I look at all the time as we're coming and going.  Coats and shoes are everywhere. 

* Sandwiches for dinner are getting old....I'm longing for lasagna and crusty garlic bread

* Valentines would be so fun to make and send, but I'm guessing my family would prefer that I go grocery shopping instead.  

* I'm thankful for John Samuel's workbook time as that's when I sit with him and work on some stitching....some days it's the only time I get to stitch/knit/sew. 

*  I wish Chipotle's chips and guac weren't so good....I like them way too much!

*Why does it take Molly so long to go to the bathroom when everything is snow covered and iced up and I'm certain it all just smells frozen?  

So...there.  Now you know the inner ramblings of a basketball mom who is longing for warmer temps and some time at home.  What's going through your mind lately? 

98.6

The past week has seen plenty of this:

I've got two kids on antibiotics and the third is running around with Lysol spray. She requested Clorox wipes and masks when I went to the pharmacy.   She is trying her hardest to avoid the germs. 

It's been one of those weeks that press hard on a mother's heart.  We've spent lots of time resting, watching movies, listening to books on CD, and checking temperatures.  I'm thankful for 98.6.  It's one of those numbers that you just take for granted until the thermometer reads otherwise.  I hope your week has been healthy and fever free!  I'll be around to check in and say hi after the dust settles.  Until then have a great end to your week.