Travel Tuesday - Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Mass

It's been a few weeks...when school starts, I just seem to have so little time,..or am too exhausted to sit at the computer....

Old Sturbridge Village is a living history museum.  At the end of the summer, I took my young niece and her two brothers...they had never been....

The day we visited, they were having special displays on fiber, yarn, yarn dyeing...yes, that might have been the reason I chose that day!

They do have costumed historians, who will answer your questions....

Yarn dyeing, drying in the sun...yarn on the hoof....

We took a boat ride, she let each of the kids steer the boat for a bit.  Sammi was very into it!

Processing the wool... carding mill

 Blacksmith shop

Some examples...everything is made by hand, the way it would have been done in that time period...it is just remarkable....

If you've never visited a living history museum, I urge you to find one....they are fascinating...

Here's a throwback...remember those students I talked about on Sunday...here are two more from the same class, on our field trip to Sturbridge (I was awarded a grant, it was the only way to afford it for our students...some of them said it was the best trip ever)

A Stitch in Time, Bethel, CT

The first stop for me on Saturday was A Stitch in Time. I had been there several years ago.

Half the store is knitting/crochet supplies and the other half is needlepoint.

The owners were very friendly and they had some cute kits made up for the yarn crawl.  I snagged a kit for fingerless gloves, but I almost got the pumpkin kit...

There was some very beautiful yarn..I was immediately drawn to this, as I walked in the door..

Yep, yummy Madelinetosh..but I thought I had a color similar to that already...(and I do)..so I put it back....

They had so many wonderful displays....it was hard to choose...

In addition to the kit, I walked away with

The Trendsetter is going to be a yummy cowl...I love olive and wear it often, but have no squooshy accessories in the color....and the Cascade Multi will be some stripey fingerless gloves...I took quite a few pictures there..

I loved that they had some children's books tucked away in a corner...

I wanted that basket so much...but really had no need for it.....the bottom display are magnets, very cool....

So if you are in the neighborhood, definitely stop and check them out.

YOP #39

This week has been busy, but not busy with crafting...it seems as if my crafting has been relegated to the weekends lately...Tuesday night was Open House..about 1/3 of my parents showed up..Friday night I went to the HS football game...see, some previous students are Cane-ettes..the majorettes for the team/band...and they do a whole half-time show.  The band is the biggest HS band in CT....and "my girls" have been asking me to come see them since last year....when I went over to say hi..there was a lot of screaming involved..and hugs...I love these kids..

That's another one of my girls, front and center..she's graduating a year early!  What a hard worker...I sat and talked to her mom for a bit...so proud of this group of kids....I looped with them, so I had them in second and third grade..and I've kept in contact with many of them, even some of the boys..although they don't scream and come running to hug me when I see them..;) It's a dignified nod and smile usually...

Saturday I spent the day yarn shop crawling! I managed 4 of the 7...I don't plan on doing the other three today...and I was pretty good about purchases...Stitches East is in two weeks, Rhinebeck the week after and then NEFF 2 weeks after that...I'll do some separate posts on the shops...

So what have I worked on?  I put a few stitches on some things here and there, but not much else has changed..I need to add a few things...2 baby things, a garter for a wedding, and some possible Christmas orders....

I did start and finish a project last night when I got home from the crawl..a big squooshy flower power hat, but I'll save that for Friday..and I need to get pics of it...I made it while watching the mid-season finale of Outlander..

2014 Completed Projects:  
Gift Cowl 1/3/2014
17/17 Hats for students (December/January 2014)
Chicago Mitts (1/15/14)
Take Two Cowl (1/11/14)
Take Three Cowl  (1/22/14)
Twin Cowl (1/23/14)  
It's a Flesh Wound cowl (2/3/14)
BOK BOK (2/23) Ravellenics
Rainbar (2/22) Ravellenics
Rainmitts (2/22) Ravellenics
Rainbow Pom (2/9) Ravellenics
Helmetbow (2/22) Ravellenics
Jasper Hat and Mitts (2/23)
Elegant Downton Hat for swap (3/16/14)
Leprechaun Tam and Beard (3/16/14)
Baby Jacob Hat (3/23/14)
Sockhead Hat (3/28/14)
Dr. Who Scarf (2/13/14)
Oliver's Hat (4/8/14)
Crochet Crown (4/6/14)
Crochet Mermaid Barrette (4/6/14)
Crochet Rose Barrette (4/6/14)
Bunny Hat (4/17/14)
Snake bookmark (4/28/14) 
Tutti-Frutti Cowl (5/11/14)
Fifth of November (5/22/14)
Apocalypse gloves - for a swap (6/8/14)
Swap Secret Sprock  - for a swap (6/28/14)
Out of Gas - for a swap (7/7/14) (sooper secret project)
Hop on the Bus, Gus (7/20/14) NW T11R2
2 Stargate keychains as prizes
Zelda Cloche (7/21/14)
Spring Gloves (7/20/2014) NW T11R2
Chiana Cuff (7/20/2014) NW T11R2
Guantlets (8/6/14)
Vanilla Latte (8/14, /2014)  
Rainbow Wings (8/22/14)
Swap Cowl (8/21/14)  
Bella's Kawaii (9/13/14)
Stargate Swap (9/20/14)
Flower Power Hat (9/28/14)

WIPS: Crochet:
Mission Falls Poncho: (Started 2006)
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)
Aran Blanket: (Started 2009): two panels done
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done
Betty Shrug: I don’t know how long I’ve been working on this, but it only has an arm and a border to go.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.Orange cotton wrap (started ?)
Tis the Season (11/10/13)
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14)
Outlander Cowl (9/13/14)

Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done
Knit the Sky (1/1/14)
Light in Shadows (1/14/14)
Fire and Blood (5/4/14)
Garter Path (6/1/14)
Lanesplitter (7/7/14) NW Diss
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)
Swap mitts (8/9/14)
Turtleneck Capelet (8/12/14)
Turtleneck Capelet 2 (9/1/14)
Willow Fields (9/6/14)


Big Squooshy Cowl (9/20/14)  
Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Faces in Wallpaper (Sept 2013)
Adele Socks (April 2013)
H's Everyday Socks (Jan 2013)  
Johnny's Socks (Jan 2013)


Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in
Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt
Water Bottle Cozy
 
Gifts/Charity: 
Owl for Rose
Hats for friend's babies
Frog ring toss for Alicia
Kimberly Skye's tunic
garter for Caitlin

WIMs: Projects I have the yarn and the pattern
Sweaters:
Test Pattern Sweater
Car Coat
Cowl Vest
 
Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 
Rockefeller
Wholehearted
West End Scarf 
Gathering Leaves
Alhambra
Petal Edge Scarf
Filippi Scarf 
Firefly Scarf 
Fraxinus 
Danube Cowl
Simple City
Fire and Ice
Multnomah
Leylines 
Holden Shawlette
Daybreak
Trellis Shawl
Bedford Springs Shawl   
 
Hats and Mitts
Hermione Hearts Ron
Nehalm Hat
Felicity
Stellar
Cabled Headband
Fetching  
Cayunga Hat and Mitts set
Preposterous
Ruffled hat and mitts
Evergreen Gloves
Sheepy Cuffs
Twisted Rib Mitts and Hat
 
Socks:
Memento Mori
Rubus
Siren Socks
Hey, Have I Ever Steered You Wrong?
Savory Lace Socks
Autumn Flame
Firebird
Rescue Me, Chin Boy and Show Me the Stars
Twin peaks
 
Bags:
Sarape Shopper
Pleated Purse
Circular Felted Bag

Who Woo?

I finished an owl this week...well an owl pin...I bought a skirt with little owls on it and decided I needed a pin to go with it...

I used the middle of this pattern for the basic shape..Everything else is slow going, even the super bulky "fast" cowl I'm working on...

tomorrow it's going to be in the 80's...and I'm going on a yarn crawl! Western Connecticut Yarn Crawl

I've been to all the shops, but Westport Yarns...I'm planning on hitting that one, plus Nancy O and maybe A Stitch in Time..as it's been years since I've gone to either of those...and Nancy O's is in a great little area of other shops and restaurants.....New England Yarn and Spindle is up the street from me (literally), so I'll probably stop in there on Sunday....

Creative Friday

YOP #38

This week, I dabbled in several projects..and finished one....I finished a swap project, which will have to remain secret for now....(sorry, flash pics)

I crocheted on the sleeve for my Tabard Tunic, but it came out way too wide, I need to rip it out....I somehow added several shells to the last row...

I put some time into my Lanesplitter...it is still rough on the hands, so can only spend so much time on it...no new pictures right now..still looks like a big square...

My second turtleneck capelet saw some time...I'm almost to the body! (This picture makes it look like Gryfinddor colors, which I don't mind...but they are actually not those shades..)

I also pulled out my Light in Shadows, which is just heavenly to knit, as it is silk singles...I got to the first color changing rows....

Also put some time into the Outlander MKAL.....

I also worked on my Willow Fields....I am so gonna love this when it is done...the yarn is by one of my favs, MadColor..but it'll take me awhile to finish..it's q quick 8 row repeat, but it's knit side to side...

Plus finishing the swap project...I also got yarn for a baby shower project...and I have are request for some fingerless gloves for a friend's daughter's birthday.....so I have busy crafting times coming up...but I also have Open House this week....and well, working really gets in the way of crafting...but I crafted most of the weekend...also catching up on Dr. Who, The Leftovers and Intruders....

I'm still shocked at myself for knitting using more than one color.....


2014 Completed Projects:  Gift Cowl 1/3/2014
17/17 Hats for students (December/January 2014)
Chicago Mitts (1/15/14)
Take Two Cowl (1/11/14)
Take Three Cowl  (1/22/14)
Twin Cowl (1/23/14)  
It's a Flesh Wound cowl (2/3/14)
BOK BOK (2/23) Ravellenics
Rainbar (2/22) Ravellenics
Rainmitts (2/22) Ravellenics
Rainbow Pom (2/9) Ravellenics
Helmetbow (2/22) Ravellenics
Jasper Hat and Mitts (2/23)
Elegant Downton Hat for swap (3/16/14)
Leprechaun Tam and Beard (3/16/14)
Baby Jacob Hat (3/23/14)
Sockhead Hat (3/28/14)
Dr. Who Scarf (2/13/14)
Oliver's Hat (4/8/14)
Crochet Crown (4/6/14)
Crochet Mermaid Barrette (4/6/14)
Crochet Rose Barrette (4/6/14)
Bunny Hat (4/17/14)
Snake bookmark (4/28/14) 
Tutti-Frutti Cowl (5/11/14)
Fifth of November (5/22/14)
Apocalypse gloves - for a swap (6/8/14)
Swap Secret Sprock  - for a swap (6/28/14)
Out of Gas - for a swap (7/7/14) (sooper secret project)
Hop on the Bus, Gus (7/20/14) NW T11R2
2 Stargate keychains as prizes
Zelda Cloche (7/21/14)
Spring Gloves (7/20/2014) NW T11R2
Chiana Cuff (7/20/2014) NW T11R2
Guantlets (8/6/14)
Vanilla Latte (8/14, /2014)  
Rainbow Wings (8/22/14)
Swap Cowl (8/21/14)  
Bella's Kawaii (9/13/14)
Stargate Swap (9/20/14)
 
 WIPS: Crochet:
Mission Falls Poncho: (Started 2006)
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)
Aran Blanket: (Started 2009): two panels done
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done
Betty Shrug: I don’t know how long I’ve been working on this, but it only has an arm and a border to go.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.Orange cotton wrap (started ?)
Tis the Season (11/10/13)
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14)
Outlander Cowl (9/13/14)

Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done
Knit the Sky (1/1/14)
Light in Shadows (1/14/14)
Fire and Blood (5/4/14)
Garter Path (6/1/14)
Lanesplitter (7/7/14) NW Diss
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)
Swap mitts (8/9/14)
Turtleneck Capelet (8/12/14)
Turtleneck Capelet 2 (9/1/14)

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Faces in Wallpaper (Sept 2013)
Adele Socks (April 2013)
H's Everyday Socks (Jan 2013)  
Johnny's Socks (Jan 2013)


Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in
Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt
Water Bottle Cozy
 
Gifts/Charity: 
Owl for Rose
Hats for friend's babies

WIMs: Projects I have the yarn and the pattern
Sweaters:
Test Pattern Sweater
Car Coat
Cowl Vest
 
Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 
Rockefeller
Wholehearted
West End Scarf 
Gathering Leaves
Alhambra
Petal Edge Scarf
Filippi Scarf 
Firefly Scarf 
Fraxinus 
Danube Cowl
Simple City
Fire and Ice
Multnomah
Leylines 
Holden Shawlette
Daybreak
Trellis Shawl
Bedford Springs Shawl   
 
Hats and Mitts
Hermione Hearts Ron
Nehalm Hat
Felicity
Stellar
Cabled Headband
Fetching  
Cayunga Hat and Mitts set
Preposterous
Ruffled hat and mitts
Evergreen Gloves
Sheepy Cuffs
Twisted Rib Mitts and Hat
 
Socks:
Memento Mori
Rubus
Siren Socks
Hey, Have I Ever Steered You Wrong?
Savory Lace Socks
Autumn Flame
Firebird
Rescue Me, Chin Boy and Show Me the Stars
Twin peaks
 
Bags:
Sarape Shopper
Pleated Purse
Circular Felted Bag

Etsy Find

I was recently etsy shopping for a swap...(not finished) and came across Little Shoppe of Hodge Podge...many things needed in this shop...but I refrained myself to two...

They are made from the pages of books!  Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth....and be still my heart! Sam and Dean from Supernatural!  The Boyz, as they are known in this house....I hooked the Hubs a couple years ago with this show....Pride and Prejudice and Supernatural...yes I have eclectic tastes..the back of the P&P earrings is pretty too...

which I did not notice until I was taking the pictures...

My swap partner may or may not have also scored a pair....

**Damn, I just went to etsy to get the shop address to link, and BAM! several more things jumped into my shopping basket......2 are for my swap partner...but not the others....

A Request

I have one finish this week...it was a request from a friend's child.  She had seen some of the things I had made on Facebook, and asked if I could make something for her daughter.

It's a Kawaii...it's kind of bizarre...there was no pattern for it, so I made it by looking at a picture...I do this quite often....I've made a Moss from the IT Crowd this way...

I've made a Mike W. from Monsters Inc and a Minion this way, too...

I am donating the Kawaii to her, as she is a wonderful little girl who has helped raise a lot of money for the battle against cancer.  She lost her grandmother to Leiomyosarcoma two years ago.  Check out their page, Sandy Toes and Soggy Dollars.

Joining Up with Creative Friday

Travels with the Nephew

I don't have kids....well, as a teacher..I'm responsible for any number of them on any given day...but I can come home to the peace and quiet of a kidless house....but I have nieces and nephews I enjoy spending time with...and the summer of 2013 was the summer of Christian...I have posted some of our adventures...but I gave Christian an old camera of mine....so let's see what pictures a 14 year old boy takes...shall we? (we traveled from Connecticut to Wyoming and back)

Notre Dame stadium

Waiting for the train into Chicago

It was raining in Chicago

There he is, in the mirror

Mississippi River

Amana, Iowa

Badlands, SD

Mount Rushmore, SD

He added his name to a rock wall on the Oregon Trail in Wyoming

Somewhere in Wyoming

Obviously I took this one..this is how he was for most of the day while we drove...then he was up for most of the night...

Yep, travels with a teenager....but I absolutely loved it!