Wobbly Casey

I've been on the verge of finishing up my wobbly tote bag this weekend. When I pulled the 1st side of the bag out from hibernation I couldn't resist placing it onto Casey like a coat. He didn't seem to mind. I have a couple of questions about the construction of the bag, have any of you made this project?

The Things I Make My Dog Do...

Recently I knit Casey a party hat...

The photo shoot didn't go so well. This isn't really the pose I had in mind for the project I'm doing so we'll have to try again. He only keeps the hat on for about 3 seconds before pulling it off with his paw, which is cute in and of itself.
If you've been reading my blog since the beginning you may remember the original doggie party hat.
If you're on Ravelry you can see the details here.

1st Day of Autumn / AHEDE Topic of the Week #2

Wow how time flies. Today is the 1st day of Autumn, it seems as though Summer just began last week. I can tell Autumn is in the air by the subtle change in the color of the leaves, squirrels scurrying around gathering acorns and the cool nights. My favorite part of this season is the fresh orchard apples, there's just nothing like them. Happy Autumn!

Typical Saturday

After participating in a 5K early this morning, my day consisted of what you see here. A combination of sugar, knitting, decorating for Halloween, outdoor clean up / switch from Summer to Fall and I did manage to sneak in 2 short bike rides / errands! All in all a fairly productive day I may say.

AHEDE Topic of the Week #1

One of the requirements of joining the All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Exchange is to participate in weekly topics. This week consists of checking out other participants blogs and posting their links along with a little something about them.
It's always fun to see new blogs so here it goes:

This summer Wendy entered stuff into her County Fair, just like I did!

Michelle & I are on the same Dish Rag Tag team, the Gold Medal Knitters.

Barb lives in the same state as I do and she went to one of my favorite places this summer, the MN State Fair!

I picked up a couple pots of mums todaay, Fall is in the air! This is a variety of the Hardy mum, developed by the University of MN.

Happy 40th Bday Bro.

You look like a monkey & you smell like one too.

Rain Out

There was a bit of lazy-ing around today mostly due to rain and partly due to a weekend away with friends. I have a short week coming up at work and then a few days off!! I can't wait.

All Hallows Eve Dishcloth Exchange Questionnaire

Knotting Yarn
1. Do you knit or crochet? I knit only, I tried crochet years ago but it never stuck. For how long? since December 2002

2. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using the most? I'll use just about anything but I favor birch needles. Are there some you've been dying to try out and haven't? Not that I can think of.

3. What kind of projects do you most enjoy? Socks, dishcloths, felted items: slippers, bags Small things you can take with you, or big complex ones that are just gorgeous when they're done? Small, portable projects.

4. List one pattern for a dishcloth that you love to make, or just tell us about one you've made or received that you loved. My favorite is a variety of the ball band dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting, I make it a little bit smaller than the original pattern.

5. What are your 'must have' notions? Darning needles in a Chibi, scissors. Are there any notions you need or can never have enough of? I like fun stitch markers but I probably have a lifetimes supply. Any that might make you cry if you owned more? No.

Petting Yarn
6. What are your favorite yarns to work with? I love wool, of course! Any you hate or are allergic to? I'm not a huge fan of plasticky novelty stuff.

7. What colors do you like to use in projects? I tend to gravitate towards bright colors. Any we'd never catch on your needles? Probably not.

8. Any cottons you'd like to try you can't find by you, or just haven't gotten around to getting? I don't know..??..

Halloween, Fall, and General Stuff
9. Do you like to use bar soap or shower gel more? Bar soap What kinds of scents do you love? Fresh smells, vanilla, fruit What kind do you hate? Rose, Gardenia, etc...strong floral scents.

10. What's more 'Halloweeny' - Ghosts, Pumpkins, or Witches? Pumpkins, but I like them all.

11. What's your favorite Treat to get? Peanut M & M's Sweet or Salty? Either / Both Anything you're allergic to or just hate? Nope

12. What was your favorite Halloween Costume as a kid? A bear costume that my brother originally wore in a 3 Little Bears play As an adult?? I don't dress up anymore!

13. Are you on Ravelry? Yes What's your ID? smileshiner72

The Mojo Might Be Back

A couple of years ago my mom mentioned that she always wished she had a summer birthday so I started celebrating her 1/2 birthday which falls in July. This year I promised her a stow-away bag but it took my until now to finish it! For some reason the handles gave me a bunch of trouble this time around but last night I sat down to finish it once and for all. I quickly realized that I had the bag inside out which at one point does make a difference. Ten minutes later, it was finished and now my mom can use it.

Pattern: Stow-Away Shopping Bag by Oat Couture
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Color: CW-730 Raging Purple (from the stash!)
Needles: Size 15-24" Bamboo Circular
Started: June 12, 2008
Finished: September 7, 2008
Knit for: My mom's 1/2 birthday - 2008

Scorecard

As promised, here is my scorecard from the socks I entered at the state fair this year. My total score was 93.5 and the remarks made by the judge read: "lovely work! watch join at top. lots of competition in this lot this year."
The points given were as follows:
Beauty & Character 10
Color 10
Design - Structural & Decorative 10
Condition of Article 20
Materials Used 10
Workmanship 33.5

This year I'll be working on my cast on & the way I join it and hopefully in 2009 I'll take home a ribbon!
Congratulations to all the winners at the fair this year, it's a tough competition and there were many fabulous items entered.

Autumn

I've been observing a few signs of Fall this week: the changing colors of the sedum flowers (below), squirrels busily collecting acorns from around the yard, slight change in leaf colors from a bright and dark green to a yellow-green, a drastic drop in temperature - high 80's on Monday, low 60's since then - and kids on the school bus. Ahhh, Fall is just a few weeks away.

September

Remember my goals from earlier in the summer? I do. And unfortunately I only finished one of the 7 knitting projects pictured. I can't really say I've been too busy to work on anything, I just haven't had the motivation to do so. My nieces came for a long visit at the end of June, I've worked more hours this summer than I have in summers past, I got a new mountain bike, attended the MN State Fair 4 times and in general I've just been out and about.
I'm going to give myself a mulligan and extend my deadline to the official end of summer, September 22. Stay tuned.

Today I finally managed to recover my little ironing board. It was in desperate need of a makeover. Before on the left, dingy dirty green. And after on the right, bright and fresh teal and orange flowers.

The socks I entered at the fair were not winners. I pick them up on Wednesday and I'll let you know what the judges had to say about them.

OK, so what am I looking forward to in September?
* Cooler weather
* My brother's 40th birthday!
* My birthday!
* Apples
* A weekend away at a friends cabin
* Some new TV shows - yes, I love TV
* Leaves changing colors
* My turn in the dish rag tag