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.
I am so happy you will be doing the tutorial on your lovely bags. The shape is fantastic and the choice of material - Awesome!
Posted by: lindar | July 17, 2006 at 08:15 PM
Aww man.. your pictures make me want those needles even MORE! And now I want the needle gauge too. Darn it. I didn't know it had a red line to help you measure.. that's really cool and handy looking. Measuring gauge seems to be really difficult for me for some reason.
I am also jealous of your clean dining room.. Mine has laundry all over it. Ugh.
You posting a bag pattern might actually get me interested in sewing enough to try it.... Now that's scary. lol.
Posted by: Kim | July 17, 2006 at 10:03 PM
Thanks again for your compliments, so glad you liked my card! I'm really rocked by your rocks: what a hard way to make a wall! And as for your clean dinig room: mine looks that way just once in a year(when my mother in law is visiting), it is our centre of life. Wishing you loads of fabric, wool and children's crayons on it, love, Froukje
Posted by: froukje | July 18, 2006 at 04:58 AM
Loco sounds about right :) The pictures, as always, are beautiful. And oh my, now I have to have some of those knitpicks needles. Thanks for the review of them!
Posted by: Risa | July 18, 2006 at 06:16 AM
Well, we don't have quite as many rocks and they aren't as big - at least on our property, but I do admit to loving them and sometimes even sorting them. Abby loves to find smooth rocks like river rocks and wash them and then paint them. She has her own rock garden in the front yard. Some painted, some waiting for paint. We cover the picnic table with an oilcloth and let her paint rocks for hours. I was curious about the knitpicks needles, thought I am not extremely picky about kneedles so long as they are the right size. I am excited about the tutorial, and promise not to bug you any more about it. That dining room is stunning. I want one just like it. But, I'll have to move.
Posted by: Julia | July 18, 2006 at 07:58 AM
Ok, this is just a hilarious post! First, your out taking pictures of rocks..... actually is not loca what your doing...that is USING resources..can't wait to see the finished project! Then your desk looks exactly like mine. Love the piles! Your kids faces say it all- HA! (cuties) Love your stuff from Holland!..and your yarn looks great!
Posted by: PJ | July 18, 2006 at 10:23 AM
I LOVE that picture of your oldest "helper"--what an expression on her face! (And, if I remember correctly, that's more or less identical to the one I used to get when my parents would try to get me to do yard work, too....)
Posted by: --Deb | July 18, 2006 at 11:47 AM
wow that room is toooooo tidy! As for collecting rocks - my mother when on picnics always used to carry an extra large handbag to bring home "a good rock" which was then used to build an extensive rockgarden piece by piece. Your garden is going to be gorgeous and it looks so sunny - though I shouldn't complain in Scotland we hit 30 degress where I work today (a rare occurrence). Your two smallest helpers are gorgeous - their expressions are hilarious. The greetings from HOlland are stunning - your friend must know you really well to pick such treasures
Posted by: juliet | July 18, 2006 at 01:53 PM
woowsa! thats a lot of rocks! Your going to have a fantastic garden when you are all done.
Posted by: amanda cathleen | July 18, 2006 at 07:20 PM
The rocks made me laugh. My mother builds a new rock wall whenever she feels stressed. She's now 76. Her doctor told her this week to STOP IT!!!! and to take a holiday instead! But that's not why I'm here. Have made not one but 2 bags down here in Sydney thanks to your heads up about the tutorial in craftster. They look fab. One with one hand, the other with two.
Thanks
Posted by: Stephanie | July 19, 2006 at 05:14 PM
As always, your blog is an inspiration. I am looking forward to seeing your landscape project. I have been looking at the KnitPicks needles, but have had bad experiences trying to knit laceweight yarn on metal needles. It seems to slide off much too easily. I am working on a Zephyr scarf using ebony needles; they seem to "grab" the yarn and prevent slip-offs.
Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to the tutorial.
Posted by: Ellen | July 20, 2006 at 11:52 AM
May I ask where you live? I presume in the west. I think it is crazy that you live where there was once a volcano!
BTW, your swatch of the Debbie Bliss yarn is yummy. I love the color-so....I bought some:)
Posted by: Jeanie | July 20, 2006 at 12:41 PM
oh my! what a beautiful dining room you have, though! Good move on saving all of that rock! I recently learned that rock like that is hella expensive! who would have thought? We have lots of volcanic rock up here, too, and it really is beautiful when used in landscaping.
Ooh, ooh! can't wait for your two yard bag tutorial!
Posted by: Moni | July 22, 2006 at 11:06 AM
Those rocks look like backbreakers! I'm sure it will all look lovely when you're through, though. And lots of satisfaction that you did it yourself.
What beautiful mail you've received. Looks like you lucked out in the exchange.
I'm looking forward to your tutorial. It's been a while since I've made a bag and this is going to motivate me to freshen up my supply.
Posted by: Jan | July 24, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Fantastic bags! That has motivated me. Right, I am off into town tomorrow...
And welcome to the new knitter. Visit my blog and read about my adventure in bringing on new knitters... with chopsticks!
http://knitplosion.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_knitplosion_archive.html
I love the stiched postcard tiles from Holland. Lucky you!
Posted by: Tusa | July 28, 2006 at 12:54 PM
I've really slacked off in my blog reading and yours is one of my favs! I too purchased the Options needles and feel the same - love them! I brought them to my Thursday knitting group and it seems every week or so someone else is showing up with them and loving them. If I read the blog correctly you are going to step by step sew one of your lovely bags?? I hope this is so, I will be there with machine plugged in! I still rotate your beautiful pictures on my desktop background, I'm going through an orchid phase at the moment. Thanks for the beautiful pictures.
Posted by: Linda V. | September 01, 2006 at 01:14 PM