New Toys!

On my "When I retire" list is learning to quilt.
I got this beautiful Janome sewing machine.


I hope to take lessons this summer.

Also on my list was "learn to Text"
So I got me an iphone


and lots of cool apps


even a stitch counter!!!!


I also got this great floor steamer by Haan.
The floor must be clean for Eloise!


On the knitting front I finshed a Whirligig Shrug by Stefanie Japel in 3 month size.


I'm going to start a 12 month size next.



This is my second Oden finished.


I add a crochet trim to the sleeves.

Spring has Sprung

This is what February looked like!



Now we're here!
My Azaleas are over 60 years old and every year are more beautiful!


First Born is also blooming with her First Born!


Yet another sweater for the baby is almost done.
This is my second Oden Baby Cardigan by a gifted designer Lena Lundbladh who is one of the original Lesser Known Skeins. This free pattern can be found on Ravelry here. The fabric this pattern makes is great for a baby sweater because it's warm yet soft.
Her great blog is here check it out.


Almost two years ago I had an idea to start a group for fiber artists who blog.
The Lesser Known Skeins is now a group on Ravelry here
and also has a website here.

First Born started the website but was unable to keep up with it because of all the stresses of being a 5th grade math teacher, working on her Library Science degree, husband,house and now Baby on the way.
I reached out to the LKS for help and Sara was kind enough to help. She is doing a great job keeping my dream alive and I can't thank her enough!
Check out her great website here.

Road To Retirement!

On April 9th my world changed!
After 36 years of teaching in the public school system my retirement papers were filed.
Those who have gone before me have always said, "When you're ready you will know!" They were right,I know I'm ready!!!

I will miss going to work with my daughters and seeing some of the people I work with, but there is so much I don't like about teaching in a Middle School that makes leaving a good thing for me and my students. Time to let the Young Bloods take over.
I am sad for the Young Bloods and what they face in public education today.
The Govenor of New Jersey wants to make needed changes in the budget but feels he must bully teacher to make those changes.

Stand strong Young Bloods!


On the knitting front I just finished another Top Down Raglan Sweater by Carole Barenys.


I just love this pattern!
It's free and so easy a beginner can make it.


I made it from Zara Filatura Di Crosa yarn. The colors and feel of this yarn is amazing and great for baby sweaters.


This is a little hat I made out of some left over yarn.
The pattern is from Natural Nursery Knits by Erika Knight,a beautiful book filled with special baby pattern.


This is a sweater I'm making with size 17 needles out of Loop D Loop yarn.
The pattern is Dumplin by Kim Hargreaves and can be found in Rowan Babies.



On the Grandma front.
I got this great Grandma photo album/memory book and can't wait to start filling it up.
I also got Martha Stewart's new sewing/fabric book. I love sewing and hope to take quilting lessons this summer.

Not sure how much time I'll have in the Fall when the baby comes.

Many Good Things!

A great thing!
First pictures of First Born's baby bum.
Only 14 weeks and my grandbaby is pretty big!


The girls on their way


to the



Martha Stewart Show!




The set is just beautiful as you would expect.


Planting set.



This show had a doctor from the ASPCA with some cats.


This is some well known designer. Well known to those who follow that kind of this.
Sorry don't remember his name.
I thought he was full of himself but his designs are beautiful.


I love all the Jade Wear!!!



Joey Kola is the warm up comedian for the show.



He's very hard working and funny! I hope Martha knows what she has in this great comedian!



Martha will be 69 in a few months and looks great!


At the end of the show she stays a while to answer questions.


Check out the shoes. She started the show with a pair a few inches higher!


Now some knitting.
I just finished these cute little hats.
Aviatrix baby hat by Justine Turner is a free pattern and can be found on Ravelry.



This one is made from Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets Let's Twist. Just love her yarns!


This one is made from Baby Zarella.


The Teddy Bear Baby Blanket by Barbara Breiter is finished!


Made with Sky Tahki cotton yarn this free pattern was well written and easy to follow.

A View of Many Things

I just love our Maggie! She's an old lady but still has a great spirit.



We had a great time at The View!


Barbara came out to talk to everyone before the show started.
She looks awesome!
I have a signed copy of her book Audition which is a great read.


The girls getting a touch up and chatting.
Whoopi was off but we saw her the last time we went.


Barbara getting ready for the next guest Lisa Kudrow.
I have no pictures of her because she ran off without even looking at the audience!


Sherri is very sweet and funny.
Both times I've gone to the show she spent the most time in the audience during the breaks.


Here is Producer Bill Geddie with the cast.


There were no give aways but it was great fun and First Born put in for more tickets!



I finished the Top Down Raglan Baby Sweater a great free pattern by Carole Barenys.


I have been making button holes on both side because we don't know what we are having.


Also finished is the Oden Baby Cardigan designed by Lena Lundbladh. Lena is an awesome designer and she was so nice to give this great pattern for free.


I made it with Finnean's Rainbow yarn by Autumn House Farm.
I love the pattern and have already started a second one.


I'm also working on a design by Bianca Boonstra who was so kind to gift me two of her beautiful patterns. More details to follow.


This free pattern Teddy Bear Baby Blanket by Barbara Breiter is another project I'm working on for my future Grandbaby.



Last is a picture of the last snow fall. I hope!!!!