Happy Mail

I came home Friday afternoon and noticed as my ride pulled into the drive that my recycle bins had been turned right side up. I had left them upside down to keep snow/ice from accumulating in them I thought it passing strange, and when I got to my stairs I noticed that UPS had left my delivery in them.


Clever, as long as no one came by, noticed it, and reappropriated it. Because a UPS package has got to be good! It's secret projects, but at least you get the intro to the story.

Then yesterday I went to the post box and finally picked up my mail for the past week. I'm going to have to get my knitting in order so I can get in some spinning.


I won this fleece from Kim in the Storm the Fleece group on FB. I know - those colours!!! She included a surprise pkg of tea, which I am excited to try.

Todays post brought T-shirts.


I love teefury shirts, and have, with much self-restraint, not purchased any in over a year. I just couldn't resist when I saw these two.


"Falling"


"Stealing Time"
I have a few more on the way - $5 grab bag, with no charge for the upsize (American Apparel wears well but fits crazy small!!) Even with shipping + exchange, I'm happy to roll the dice.

The TRR Poncho is growing at a pleasing rate.


I started a child-sized Yuka sweater out of Bernat Giggles for Len's. Not nearly as pleasurable to work with, but needs must.


It's a lovely pattern; I think I should like to do one for myself out of something lovely when I get a day or two.

I went for physio today; got a list of exercises for stretching and strengthening to do at home. As well as a brace. Yes, so happy this is happening now as this would be a seriously not sexy look with shorts!
The chiropractor is quite fascinated with my injury and is looking forward to seeing my X-rays. Lol. He's not ever seen a break like this (high fibula, no lower ankle break, not from rolling and/or impact). He suggests that the muscles broke the bone by the way they sustained the injury. So I have weak bones and/or strong muscles. I'm rather more fond of the latter. I also found out that my ankle-modeling career is shot. Aside from the staple scars, this swelling, while it will reduce, will probably not diminish altogether for upwards of two years!! We are not pleased.
I also am in desperate need of a pedicure!!


Horrible cracks on my heel, not to mention the dryness all over my leg/foot. I'm creaming it at home, and doing my best to keep Petey from licking said cream off (weirdo).
I'm going to start driving again the end of this week, woo hoo!!! Freedom at last, again!!!

Okay ... Busy day, not quite over yet.


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Cast Off

Yesterday was cast off day!!! It was such a relief to be unburden!
It was not a pretty sight, and as I sat waiting for the final X-ray, I realized that the funky smell was coming from my leg - yuck!



The staples came out and the good Dr Casses declared me healed. I'll go for physio and get a brace next week, and my plan to return to work on the 14^th is on target.

I had the most wonderful bath, slightly against medical advice, but the Epsom salts cleaned out the staple holes and I am none the worse for the experience.
The skin where the cast was is still delicate. I put off shaving so as to not irritate it further, and generously applied Glaxal Base cream. The bath certainly improved the appearance of my leg!!!






I am walking much better than I had imagined, though there is work to be done on stretching and strengthening. I'm not overextending too soon. The swelling is vastly reduced today, nearing on normal.


Resting was aided today by The Dreaded Lurgy. I have spent most of the day sleeping, both Gravol-induced, and sheer recuperative exhaustion. I have a crushing headache on top of it all. My friend and music teacher Myrelle dropped off Canada Dry. The puppies have been excellent nurses, gentle and sleeping with me.

Not much to show in the way of knitting ...
Joan loved the baby blanket (yes, I forgot to take a picture. I'll post one when she sends me one with the baby).
I've gotten a good start on the TRR Poncho, once I sorted out the gauge. 5mm needles were just the ticket, and it's just the easy knitting I need at a the mo.


Hopefully a solid nights rest will be the ticket to a more enjoyable and useful day tomorrow.


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Two Steps Forward

I was making such good progress on my raincoat, then my sewing machine rebelled. Again. This time it's not a tension adjustment; something is seized in the motor. I'm hoping that Sharon at the HummingBird Sewing can sort it.

Fortunately, I've got a thing or two to knit. ;)
I made excellent progress on the baby blanket yesterday - I'm over 1/2 done!!

I am on to my 3^rd swatch for the Twice Reversible Ribbed Poncho. I started on 6mm needles, as I tend to knit on the tight side. Just a stitch and a half too loose. So, down to the recommended 5.5mm needles. No difference!!


I'm nothing if not persistent in the pursuit of perfection ... a 5mm needles swatch is under way!

As soon as it's blocking, I'll be back to the baby blanket for an easy, seed stitch knitting evening.


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All The Projects

I spent yesterday feeling rather poorly. Some sort of stomach bug had me laid low. No sewing was done, and I spent more time just holding needles than actually knitting. The puppies made sure that I napped enough.
I feel better today. Still not quite right, but better.

Better enough to make some progress on my Amy Butler raincoat!





I am really enjoying seeing a garment start emerging from the pieces of fabric. The laminate cotton has its challenges, but it is really fun.
The colourful Kaffe fabric distracts from my less-than-perfect sewing skills, but I am quite chuffed with the early results.

I am loving my new iron! Helen picked it up for me from Costco.





I haven't had one in ages, but a necessary tool for sewing neatly, and really, I'm an adult. I have clothes that should be ironed.

I managed to cast on another Bernat seed stitch baby blanket yesterday.





It's for a co-worker who is expecting, yes, a boy!! I really do love this Baby Blanket yarn.

I also couldn't resist winding a few balls of Lorna's Laces Cloudgate.





I'm going to be knitting up the Twice Reversible Ribbed Poncho by Churchmouse for The Needle Emporium. I'm planning to swatch tonight.

The puppies took turns today distracting me. They're just too cute to be cross at!!











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Winner

Valentine's Day has come and gone. Still one of my least favourite calendar days. 'Nuff said.

I did draw, finally, for the Denise 2 Go needles ... Teresa, please leave a comment letting me know the best way to reach you about getting the needles to you. and if you're the Teresa I'm thinking of, text me!!
Thank you to Yarn Canada for allowing me to try the Denise 2 Go needles out and the opportunity to share them.
Thank you to everyone else for participating. Since I know most of you personally, it was hard not to hope for all of you to win. You can watch the drawing if you'd like. Since I didn't have an impartial person to draw, I let the camera do the job.

I sewed today!! For real sewing!! I'm so happy, it's taken so long to get everything sorted with the machine and all.



I did darts and pockets. I know, not terribly impressive, but visible progress!
And yes, Kaffe fabric ... swoon.

I really don't like seeing by incandescent light, so I've packed up for the evening, and will be working on the Secret Shawl. I'm doing a crocheted bind off/edging which is not just a simple edging, but it is perfect for this piece so the effort is worth it!

I am resting my leg, finally, until I'm really fit for the rigors of retail. I should've taken time for the get go, but I am not one to cry "uncle" until I'm ready to go down for the count. The upside is I am knitting, sewing and cooking to my hearts content. Both of my legs are grateful.
The cast comes off on the 26^th, but I'll likely not be for to drive and this walk much for at least a couple more weeks. But at least I will be able to bathe and shower at my leisure!! I will never take "jumping in for a quick shower" for granted ever again. It will be on my list of Things For Which I Am Grateful, right up there with eyelashes.



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This 'n That

I finished my Doodler!! It's not been blocked, I really will do that this week, but it's done. I'm quite pleased with it.

I have picked up the Secret Shawl and have been working on it.


The linen had been hard on my hands, but I am pleased that it's almost done; tonight should see it to a conclusion.
I am a fiber snob, preferring natural fibres. I especially love the way that plant fibres soften with wear & work. It makes using garments made with them a special pleasure.

Chica loves her squeaky toy. She was quite amusing today in her gentle relentless chewing.

Petey has this quirk where he will "sing" whenever there is any operatic music, whether it's on the tv or stereo. Every. Time.
He also derives an intense pleasure from licking my toes.





I generally don't find it ticklish, so it's a winning bonding time for us.
Chica has never shown such an interest, so fortunately there are no fights near my 'ickle piggies!! She has her fave spot on my lap.



I took advantage of a cold day to defrost my freezer. It was well past time, but I needed an alternate "freezer" to use to get the job done whilst maintaining food safety standards.


Thank you Mother Nature!!

Don't forget to comment on this blog post to be entered to win the Denise-2-Go circular needle set.

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The Doodler

So. Finally. I have cast off and am on the picots.
Except in not loving them as a treatment, so I'm experimenting.




Picots as written.



Knit one row, cast off on next row.


Casting off as I pick up & knit the first row.

I am partial to this last one. I'll think on it as the day goes on, maybe get some impartial opinions at work and then get busy at it tonight.

I really want to finish this, then I'll set to the Amy Butler raincoat with a passion for the weather to go with it!!

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Giveaway, revised

So from the feedback from a significant number of my readers, the Instagram part of the contest is not a popular option.
So to make this fair and open to you all, simply comment on this blog, or on Facebook post of this blog link, and you will be entered in the draw for this travel-friendly Denise-2-Go circular needle set.



I'll do the draw on Feb 14 ❤️❤️




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First one of the Year

Woohoo!!

Seeder is a fait accompli!
I went with a crab st rather than a double or single crochet around the armholes. I find it's a sturdier, more stable edge, and it gives it just a bit of texture.





It is now ready to send off to The Needle Emporium, so you can have a look in person if you'd like.

Now what?
To figure out where I left off on The Doodler!! It's been entirely too long, but I'm near into the 4^th weeks clue.


I got this.

I had a minor terror yesterday. To let the puppies out for pee, I put them on their retractable leads, stand at the outside doorway, and they use the 16' of lead to do their business.
I apparently didn't actually latch Petey's lead to his collar, because he just kept trotting away!!
He's normally not the one to do a runner, that's Chica. But he did. I called in my happiest, "mommy's not mad" voice, offered "num-num's" for the hungry puppy, but he was not to be enticed.
I took Chica back in, went out on my crutches on the sidewalk to the side of the workshop, but he was nowhere in sight.
I was truly beside myself. I knew in my head he'd come back, lived pets know where home is, but my heart was beset with fear.
Chica didn't understand how she was on a lead and Petey got to go off on a walkabout.





I fed Chica, texted my work wife that I might not be in to work, and just keep whistling and calling. 10 of the longest minutes later, he came trotting back like all was right in the world. I reined in the instinct to yell at him for worrying me, gave him a treat for coming inside, (and gave Chica one for being a good girl), and rushed to get myself sorted after giving him the biggest hug ever. Idjit dog is lucky I love him so very much.


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