Visitor Today in our Back Yard

Not as close as I would like for a picture, but I still had to post it. A real beauty!!!!

Coming up to the Birthday Celebration

Hi, my name is Butterscotch. I am kind of the leader of the pack when it comes to Baby Bears. I asked MommaBear for a Canada Day Party and she agreed. So we met earlier today to plan the event. Carmel, Mocha, Chocolate, Vanilla, Snowflake all were very enthusiastic. First of all we had to review the designs that we would model at the party. That was fun. I know that it is pretty hot these days but we are babies so we will wear our cardigans and pullovers just in case.

Vanilla had a bit of a problem as a butterfly landed on his nose. We all had a good laugh at that. We were able to select our garments in spite of Vanilla's little problem. There certainly was plenty of sweaters to choose from and great colours too.

Carmel also met up with the flutterby. We are all looking forward to the party on Tuesday.

Until Tuesday MommaBear will be knitting and planning the party.

Likely it will be in the woods if it does not rain.

Tuesday is Canada Day

I am taking an extended long weekend in celebration of Canada Day. Saturday, Sunday, Monday (yes Monday too) and Tuesday Canada Day. I guess I am pretty lucky to be here in Lake Country; having a four day weekend; no need to travel; just hang out in my sanctuary, eat, drink a little beer, and be a little merry. Oh yeah! Knit, Design, and write and rewrite my Baby K and its offsprings.

Butterscotch has requested a Canada Day Teddy's Picnic. I guess I will try to work around the rain and let him do it. I will dress them all up and we will all have fun. Lot's of pictures will follow. This party, hopefully, will be outdoors, perhaps even in the woods. Keep watching for more postings and pictures of the party.

Our guild had a great wrap-up meeting last Wednesday night. See the pictures on Deb's blog http://cabinfeverknittingdesigns.blogspot.com/ Ann is a wonderful hostess and her home is awesome, both indoors and outdoors. A wonderful neighbour and knitting buddy.

Will definitely be back with the party photos. Signing out as always MBK

I am Still Knitting

I have been absent from my blog for a while but I assure everyone that I have been knitting and designing. See above, the hat and baby sock (Lynda's Pattern) but with my baby V pattern. It will be included in the Cabin Fever Book. How proud I am to be a Friend of Cabin Fever.

We recently had a night out.....rare for us old folks. We went to Casino Rama on Thursday night and had a great dinner at Rinaldo's then we proceeded to a fabulous show "Andre Philippe Gagnon" there are no words to describe the show, Awesome.

Jerry and I have finally got around to putting up our Gazebo for the summer. Our back yard is our sanctuary. We have plants (that live in our dining room all winter and this time of year I am very happy to move them out, now we can walk around our table).

This crazy plant (see above) has completely outdone itself. We cannot kill it and not sure if we can live with it one more winter. I don't know what to do with it......................

We call this area our Hanging Gardens of Babylon. (above and below)

The gazebo is where we spend private and quiet times. We eat out here and sometimes even stay outdoors until bedtime. (bug repellent, dinner, black and white TV and radio for music)

Our back yard is our space. Our home is not real special but it is ours and our back yard is our private space. Gazebo, hanging gardens, humming bird feeder, and a great BBQ. Why would we go anywhere in the summer. We already live in Lake Country.

Can you see the wild turkeys that come to visit regularly. We are getting reports from all around us that there are bears on the prowl. MommaBearKnits and walks the CrusterRuster, wish me luck, bears are scary even for a mommabear. We also had a visit by a very handsome Buck (Deer) the other night. No pictures yet but I will keep trying. Until we meet again remember......

MommaBearKnits

CrusterRuster and MommaBear Still Doing Very Well

I started out with my Baby "K". Did the #'s, worked out the pattern in all 5 sizes (Preemie; 3 mos; 6-9 mos; 12 mos; 18 mos). One would expect that to be it, done, finished, onward and upward to another project. Not!!!!

Next I got the idea that the #'s should work for lots of other designs, both cardigans and pullovers. So I dug right in. So far I have Baby "K"; basic cardigan and basic pullover. That was not enough. Next I started a cardigan with a very grown up look. It contains knit/purl diamonds and knit/purl stripes. Sample in progress below and above. It is in size 18 mos and worked in Sirdar Country Style DK.

The blue pullover is in size 3 mos. worked in Berroco Comfort DK.

The tiny green cardigan is size Preemie, also in Berroco Comfort DK. I plan to do several in all the sizes, some will be striped, some with a colour pattern, perhaps lace, definitely cables, even girly ruffles if the mood strikes me. Until we meet again, CrusterRuster is keeping my bed warm, patiently waiting for me to put those sticks away and WALK!!!!

Remember, MommaBearKnits on and on.

Retirement here I come, more time to knit;

I hope.

It is the Weekend !!!!! Summer is Trying, Very Trying!!!!

It is beautiful here in Lake Country today, a little cool but sunny and quite breezy. This morning I walked the bugler and he dragged me into the woods and stopped at a wild apple tree. I could not resist taking a little bouquet home for the dining table, I like wild stuff and it is just as pretty as any florist's work of art. Chocolate, of course, jumped at the chance for a photo op. Isn't he just too cute...........

Now on to the creative stuff. I have placed Baby "K" on hold for now, until Deb crawls out from under her huge project..... "The Baby "V" Neck Cardigan Booklet." Judging from what I have seen so far it will be great. The pictures are just soooooooo cute.

What I am doing now is taking my baby "K" numbers and working each size in a somewhat basic design; cardigans and pullovers with the neckline that I used for the Baby "K" Jacket (or Cardigan, not sure yet what to call it). While checking the #'s for each and every size, usually one of the five just don't jive and it takes a little tweeking, I will let the creative juices flow and work different patterns, such as Colours, Lace, Cables, Knit and Purl patterns and whatever else enters my my head while working, lazing around and even sleeping. Dreams are an amazing source for the creative spirit.

This is the first go at it .........Preemie cardigan with seed stitch borders. I am now working on a pullover with pockets and a ribbed border in a size 3 Mos. Both of these are knit in Berroco Comfort DK. Next size, next style, I will use another yarn just for the fun of it.

Signing Out, Please Come Back for an update............ MommaBearKnits "on and on"

May "24" Holiday Weekend

Here we are in Ontario's Lake Country. The Port of Orillia is open for business once again. A lot of work for me, and others, but it is "The Jewel of the Trent Severn Waterway". My job at the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce ties me to the Port from May 9 to Labour Day Weekend. I do the books, Susan (my boss at the Chamber) is the Harbourmaster, and all members of the staff do a fantastic job of welcoming our guests. How good is that. And that is why I would not chose to travel on the busy highways this weekend----- why would I, we live here where everybody wants to visit. The weather is not so great for the beginning of the summer season, but that is not our choice. Rusty, the CrusterRuster has found solice in my bed, on my comforter and hugging my afghan. Lucky little devil that he is. I, on the other hand, can knit, design, and veg out on my three day weekend.

Baby "K" has aquired some accessories; a hat and socks. Of course Baby "K" is related to my blanket "Kimm's Baby Blanket" (Another Cabin Fever Pattern).

I do sometimes go overboard with knitting and reknitting when I work out a design but it does eliminate the weird little glitches that crop up on one (of 5) of the sizes for some crazy reason. I can always find a home for the rejects and the tests.

Baby "K" -------

The work is done. I am just fine tuning the socks and the rest is history. I will hold off on Butterscotch's Goodbye Party for "K" until Deb is ready for yet another labour (hopefully, a labour of love, and profits). Watch for the party, Butterscotch would like this one to be out in the woods, a true Teddy Bear's Picnic.

Until then ......

MommaBearKnits

Designs

&

Dreams her Creations

Most of the time they look good in dreamland but do not make it into the real world

Baby "K" back on the Burner

Well I have parted with the Baby V cardigan. Watch for the pattern book to be released. It is amazing just how much work still has to be done. Deb and Lynda are by no means near finished with the project.

As always, I am proud to be a friend of Cabin Fever and a small part of the big picture. On to (or back to) Baby "K"................

Now Baby "K" is finished too. I am working on a hat to be part of the pattern, if it is wanted or needed.

This hat is a Preemie size just as a test. I have worked the #'s and am working on a larger size. The jackets in these pictures are size 6-9 mos. I am now working a final version in Preemie just so that I can knit the rows, write (or in this case check) the rows, and then Butterscotch will likely want another party.

Of course I don't know when or if Deb will want or be able to cope with this pattern. She is very very busy and I understand. This jacket has been designed to match the Cabin Fever Pattern # 801 "Three Baby Blankets", my contribution was "Kimm's Reversible Baby Blanket" that was worked in the same twist 2 stitch pattern as this Baby "K" Jacket.

Until the next time MommaBearKnits..........................

Deadline for Baby V and Guild Night, how good is that!

It was a great night, as usual. We enjoyed dinner at Zat's, a new Italian Restaurant and then on to Cabin Fever for the guild meeting. We enjoyed Knitting, Talking, Networking, Show & Tell, and a preview of the Baby "V" submissions. How good is that?
Overview of some of the group. It always amazes me that, although we are all Friends of Cabin Fever and are following their criteria, we all are the same only very very different in our designs.

Deb's basic and also, in the back ground the design that Deb will feature as her own.

Sophie's, Oh Boy is she brave, a lot of writing I am sure, but oh soooooooo tailored in the bamboo and super cute in the Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed. Two very different looks, both are super.

Dana's submission, a real baby sweater and a very cute hat. We all remember these and still love them. A style that will never never go out and will be knitted forever, especially by loving grammas. I am sure I will save the pattern for this one, someday, maybe even soon, I will become a great gramma and will start all over again for the third time.

Megan. Oh Megan. You are such a colour person. Your design is modern, grown-up and will look good on the babies when they are dressed in those wonderful grown up pants and T's that we see on babys these days.

Lynda. What can I say. Cute as can be and just look at the socks. Looks good and the colours are to die for.

Karen's is on the way.

Lynda has gone off to photo babies for the book.

I can hardly wait to see the published pattern booklet.

And of course, if you have been following, I was ready with my Baby Bear. I am sure that everyone is sick of my pictures ----- so ------ none in this posting.

Remember ----- MommaBearKnits on and on--------

GOODBYE PARTY FOR BABY BEAR

Butterscotch has been a great model for my designs and he approached me and asked if he could host a Goodbye Party for my latest pattern and denim sample, Baby Bear, who will be joining Cabin Fever in their V neck Cardigan Baby Book. His career will begin soon which will include, travel, admiration, photo shoots, and hopefully, he will end up warming the body of a very lucky little boy. The first arrival was Carmel, wearing one of MommaBear's designs in progress.

The rest of the guests also were outfitted in MommaBear Designs. The guest list included Butterscotch (host); Carmel; Chocolate; Vanilla; Mocha; and SnowFlake. It was a fun teddy bear's picnic and a good time was had by all.

Of course, saying goodbye to Baby Bear was a sad moment but the Teddys are all proud to be a part of the design process. Good Luck Baby Bear. Luv ya!

And as always----------

MommaBearKnitsToo

I Did It

The Little Man has left the nest, Deb, please be kind but be careful. I want to live up to your standards.

I am proud to be a Friend of Cabin Fever.

MommaBearKnits

Baby V continues

Deb may have startitis, I understand completely.

But what do you call it when you stall just before the finish line? Perhaps it is similar to the "Empty Nest Syndrome". I always seem to have a mental block when it come to writing the last line; checking the numbers; and parting with my baby. But I have set myself a deadline. The knitting is done, no problem! The pattern is 90% written (or in this case re-written from Deb's great basic design); and now I have to part with it and leave myself exposed to the experts out there in "Knitting Never Never Land."

Oh well if I want to be one of the "Friends of Cabin Fever" the deed must be done. So ----- Deb, I promise on a stack of knitting books the following will happen. You will have my design no later than bedtime tomorrow night (Sunday, April 20, 2008).

Baby Bernie V is just hanging out until then and will be ready for the final test.

A Promise is a Promise ---- Right?

Mommabear is still knitting!

P. S. Do you see the ground? The snow is gone, the snow is gone, and I am wearing my summer garb. We survived another winter in Canada. We are strong, we are brave, we are Canadian!