19 Days since my last Post, That is bad!!!

I have been in a hiatus for the last two plus weeks.  But, Deb don't worry, I am still knitting, and trying to write this pattern out so that you can get through it.  That is not easy, but I am now on the home stretch.

As always it is real easy to knit out of your head, but making it a written out pattern is the challenge.  But, MommaBear can do it if you push her hard enough, right Deb?

I have also been knitting socks, socks, socks.  Just because I needed a break.  Over the last two weeks my Mother in Law has been in a poor state of health, understandable as she is approaching her 98th Birthday.  But, she is pretty tough and seems to be improving.  She is a resident in LeisureWorld Orillia and they are very good to her.  PoppaBear is the main family caregiver and it has been stressful for him as he is in constant pain with a bad back, knees, hips and bad arthritis.  Getting old is not always fun.  But MommaBearKnits on into the night and it gives her coping capabilites. 

16 Days and I will be in the middle of it!

I have not been working the sticks and string very much today.  I walked Cruster Ruster this morning and then went to visit my Mom in Law.  She is still doing pretty good for 97.  I love her she is so cute and she still has strong opinions that she is not shy expressing, good for her.  Then I visited with Deb, my Knitting Guru. We had a talk about knitting and she gave me some good advice for my first craft show participation, I really appreciate help from someone who has been there (of course Cabin Fever Sisters go to much bigger venues than a local craft show, but the advise will still help me).  Then I came home, hauled out all my stock and worked all afternoon and into the early evening preparing the stock tags for everything.  Lots and lots of stock.  I still have some tags for hats to do and then all those socks.  I am winding down and will be ready ------

 It doesn't look that large in the picture but believe me it is.  I cannot believe that I actually knit all the items along with the designing and the huge project knitting my JJ Jacket. Thanks for retirement time. 

I have been wearing JJ and am truly amazed at how many people approach me and say how much they like it.  Makes me proud. 

MommaBear is going to rest now, that means of course, she will pick of the sticks and work an easy project to relax.  Love to knit, yes I do-------

MY ADDICTION IS GETTING WORSE

I am addicted; I admit it; I can live with it (although, not sure if PapaBear can); and I am looking forward the the 'Arts and Craft Christmas Tour in Oro Medonte'.  I have finished some projects and am working on more:

This one (above) is a pullover version of the Jr. J.  It is worked in superwash wool and is size 2-3.  I have added a little different edging on the cuffs and bottom but the #'s are the same.  I encourage anyone who has worked the "J" series ('Baby J'; 'Jr. J'; and the latest cabin fever release 'J J Jacket') to branch out and be creative. The numbers can be worked for a sweatshirt style pullover; a crew neck pullover; a vest; and a hip length, waist length or I bet a full length coat would be great.  Go for it and if you do, please send me a picture, it will make me very happy to see my beloved "J" in many many different ways. I have worn my 'J J Jacket' in the public a few times already and it has never failed to attract attention and receive compliments.  Everyone is facinated with the directions and the no sewing.  If you are interested in seeing the leaflet patterns that I have self published and Cabin Fever published click on the link at the top of the left side panel.

This one (above) is similar to Sam's Delight, but not!  This one is size 8-10 and will be available for sale at the upcoming craft show.  I will likely write it up as a new pattern as the neckline is different, the yarn weight different, body texture different and there will be more sizes (2-52 hopefully).  That will likely not happen until January 2010 as I am kind of busy with the Craft show and working with Deb, Dana, Lynda and Sophie on the new Cabin Fever book.  Keep an eye out for it, you will like it, I promise. 

Hanging on my clothes line (I love outdoor clothes lines) are some more small projects, not quite finished but soon.  I gifted my Son, Daughter-in-Law, Grandaughter with the first three pairs of Fingerless Gloves, so will have to keep on knitting some more before November 20.  I think they are very popular now.  The hat looks weird right now but in my head it looks real neat.  Will post the finished hat, if it works.

I am also working on another multi-directional garment.  This one is just for ideas, so it is just size 1-2, but it will help me with the ideas and various panel stitch patterns.

Close-up of the back 2 panels.  Keep watching, it will change a lot before it is done.

As alway the addicted MommaBear cannot stop, is there help out there for me? Or if you don't have any help, join me, I love knitting with other knitters, awesome networking opportunity.

Countdown to the Oro Medonte Christmas Tour

I am counting down to my first Art and Craft Show participation (6 weeks to go).  Scary, but I need to do it or else I will have to add on a room or two for my stash and my projects and take out a second mortgage to keep me in yarn; just kidding, my stash would keep me knitting forever.  No matter how the show goes, I will still "Knit On Into the Night".  This morning I decided to sort out the sweaters by size.  I have overdone it with the Preemie/Newborn sizes, they are sooooo cute and very quick to knit.  I have 13 Preemie/Newborn; 6 Three months; 8 six months; 5 nine months; 9 twelve months; 9 childrens sizes 2-10.  Total 50, I think--- I keep finding more tucked away with other projects. Quite a few of the baby cardigans will also have matching hats and booties or socks.  I will also have many Baby/Children/Adult hats.  There will be a special price for the ones that I call my Scrap Hats.  Dish cloths, mitts, scarfs; baby/toddler socks and fingerless gloves will be for sale as well.  My Huggy Bear and my Hoodie Bear patterns will be available and there will be a special show price.  I plan to take copies of my Friends of Cabin Fever Patterns and if anyone is interested I will be proud to direct them to http://www.patternfish.com/ or http://www.cabinfever.ca/ to see all the Cabin Fever Designs and, if they are interested, they can be purchased for download on line. 

So, one more time:  The 16th Annual Christmas Art & Craft Tour in Oro-Medonte will be held Friday November 20; 9:00 am - 7:00 pm and Saturday November 21; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.  Four locations, all within 10 minutes of each other; Old Town Hall, Oro Fairgrounds; Oro Station Community Hall; St Thomas' Church Hall, Shanty Bay; Art and Sale Show at the White House, 628 Ridge Road East, Oro Medonte.

MommaBearKnits will be located at the St. Thomas' Church Hall in Shanty Bay.  Please drop by, I would love to meet everyone and there will be a great variety of arts and crafts of all kinds at each of the locations. 

-----MommaBearKnits on into the night. 

Wild Visitors to My Back Yard

Most mornings when I get out of bed, the first thing I do is look out the kitchen window. Sometimes I see deer walking by, of course the Cruster Ruster usually howls and sends them on their way. He is never never allowed off his lease or he would be off and running.

For the last few mornings I have had wild turkeys cleaning up under the bird feeder. Usually I scare them away trying to photograph them, but this morning, look what I seen when I got out of bed. I was lucky enough to get some pictures.

Oh Yeah, MommaBear is still knitting. I have been asked (prodded) for some time to do the #'s for the final version of "Baby J". It is a grown up jacket with the Garter Stitch Multi Directions, the same as the 'Baby J' and the 'Junior J'. It will be called 'J Walker'. Garter Stitch is a lot of knitting and it takes a lot of yarn but the finished product is worth it. I will keep you posted with progress photos. Right now I am working (in garter stitch) the collar, not much to photograph yet. A long way to go.

MommaBearKnits on into the wee hours and also in the morning after she has her tea and views the wild things in her backyard. Life is good, Freedom 65, why does one have to wait so long for the freedom to do what you want, when you want.

Counting the Hours!!!!

It is Thursday, January 29, 2009. I am sitting at my "soon to be former" Desk, in my "soon to be former" office, at my "soon to be former" Computer. It is 12:23 p.m. I just have today to finish and, although, I will be here tomorrow, how productive will I be, who knows. There will be some goodbye's and I am going to lunch with my "soon to be former" Boss. I bet the afternoon will be kind of redundent, bet I get out quick. I already removed my Green Glass.

Yahoo!!!!!!!

MommaBearKnits!!!!!

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.

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