From Knitting Wench to Crazy Lady ... not really a big leap eh? I know that's what Fernando, Jorge and Carlos think of me. When I made the comment they all laughed, but with a laugh that said, "Yep, you got it lady!" So, why do these men think I'm crazy? Because while they were digging I collected rocks:
Lots of rocks. This one took a Bobcat:
We live on a former volcano, so when you dig, you dig rock. There are more piles around, but you get the idea. Let's face it, pictures of rock piles are only so interesting ... for now. Have faith my chickadees, it's really good rock. Once it's cleaned and used to face walls you will understand. It's beautiful rock. It's going to have that wonderful effect of looking rooted and natural, like the stone walls in Italy.
I moved all but the largest pieces, which I had my dear husband do over the weekend. I focused on the rocks since he was busy excavating on the hillside for the avocado tree. Look at that soil ... or lack thereof.
Amazingly, things do grow. These are perfect arguments for planting native - they've not had a drop of water for three months:
We tried to use our available child labor, but with limited results.
Bribed the eldest with MP3's but she still got bored in about 3 minutes flat. (Doesn't it look like she's throwing that rock at her father?)
She did come to appreciate the utility of closed-toe shoes that her nagging mother demanded she go find after this photo was taken.
Youngest set about collecting the most colorful rocks and washing them ... and the dog ... and herself.
Not posting my favorite photo since it's Emily using her dress to hold a big collection of rocks, thereby showing off her Pooh Bear underwear.
Most contractors charge you to haul away this rock, then charge you to buy already cleaned and sorted rock from the stone supplier. Javier is willing to build with this, but he charges $25/hr for pulling it out of the rubble and sorting. Fair enough because he has to take a man off regular work to do it and let's face it, the charge is intended to be a disincentive. Enter La Señora Loca. Actually, once I explained that my husband would pay me so I could go shopping they all laughed and the ice was broken. Anyway, it's good exercise, satisfying in the way hard physical work can be, and, most importantly, I really do get to go shopping. Well, OK, I already went shopping, but now I'm not feeling so guilty.
Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere in one of my favorite colors - steel blue 11 (I think it's been discontinued - get it where you find it).
Don't know exactly what I'm going to do with it yet, but I bought enough for a sweater.
Got the labeled 22/4 in gauge on US #5's. It's got a nice hand and knits up evenly. The larger swatch was on #6's (21/4), but the #5 definitely looks best.
(Sad news to report... one swatch was just retrieved from my retriever. First yarn lost to dog. Possibly not the last.)
I love this new Knit Picks ruler! In fact, I love the whole new Knit Picks Options line:
After reading about them in Knitter's Review I just had to have some. They are as good as described. Excellent in fact. I love the cables - more flexible than any I have (and I have them all) - and the needle tips are wicked sharp. These are destined to become my favorite lace needles hands down. Each cable package comes with two cables - what a deal! One to knit with and one for stitch holding. No more transferring stitches off a holder. Are you feeling the love here? I'll let you know if my opinion changes, but for now I'm sold.
I've got fabric for a new quilt too, but not out for photographing today... soon. What I had to dig out for photography was this:
Thank you so much Froukje! We are Project Spectrum postcard pals - this is what she sent me for blue. I just sat there stunned when I opened the package and examined the needlework details.
A sewn postcard stitched in cursive and in English. I am impressed! The accent stitching she did on the Delft tile blocks is so charming.
Then there was also this blue kerchief bag with decorative stitching. She even included a quilting book with loads of good detailed information that I can most definitely use.
I am so sorry it's taken me so long to blog this Froukje. No good excuse, so please accept my apology. At one time your mail was on the top of one of these piles, but it was quickly buried.
The room above is sad for all that's not getting done. Where are the wall quilts currently existing only in my mind? Where are the knitting swatches and sweater pieces? Where are the scrapbook pages?
This room? ... It's sad for being so clean.
No sewing machine.
No piles of fabric.
Desperately needs a rug.
Watch this space though...
A tutorial for The Wench's Two-Yard Bag will take over this table later in the week. First, I must finish our landscaping plan.