A Baby Is Born....

Well, here she is! The baby llama (cria) that was born yesterday (September 30th). There really is nothing that I know of more adorable than a baby llama!! She weighed in at 25 pounds and was on her feet and nursing in 30 minutes!!! Isn't that amazing? Here she is with her mom Celeste...









I have a few bags to show that I felted this past weekend. The first is the Sophie bag that I knit with the Lion Wool... It needs a good shave, but I like the colorways....












The second one is one I was hoping to be for a friend at church, but I made the larger pattern instead of the smaller version, and it may be too large! But it's a fun bag! I'll just make a different one for her!










The third is a version of the Runabout bag that I added a bottom to and didn't put in the dividers. It is a great shape. My daughter has dibs on it and can't wait until I attach the strap and add a button....










Lastly is one that I tried to add snowflakes to a bag.., and it didn't quite come out as well as I had hoped, but I sure learned alot of things of what NOT to do!!)

I will still use it at night in poorly lit areas.....









I am quite excited about the bag I am knitting now. It is a take-off of the ballband dishcloths that I have been making... It is a fun pattern to knit and I think will be a great pattern to felt.





Lastly I leave you with a quick and easy dessert which impresses all who dig in! My daughter made this today for the group of teens that are invading my house even as I type!! It is a chocolate brownie truffle...

1 box brownie mix
1 large box instant chocolate pudding
1 large container cool whip
chocolate (heath bars; snickers; hershey bars etc..

Bake brownies. Cool and cut in cubes. Prepare pudding. Layer 1/2 brownies; half the pudding; half the whipped cream; chopped chocolate 2 times in a glass bowl. Wa La!! So easy and everyone is always so impressed!!


Well, I am off to finish the cooking for tonight and then head to the hospital to visit a dear friend who had a baby boy this afternoon. I think I'll take my knitting.......

On the Road...

Well, last week I was on the wagon... this week I have been on the road. We left for Minneapolis on Wednesday (for my husband's conference) and then Friday went straight to Galena for the weekend to celebrate my hubby's birthday!! Haven't had much time on the computer, but wanted to write a quick post to let you know that Celeste had the baby cria yesterday (Sept. 30) and I will post pictures later today or tomorrow after we get home. A gorgeous little girl from the sounds of it.


Before we left for Minneapolis, I sent the bag I had knit for the International Tote Exchange. I so enjoyed taking part in this exchange! I knit a modified Vintage bag and then also sent one of the Sebastian coin purses I shared earlier. I was so hoping that my exchange partner (TeAntae) would enjoy her bag. She was extremely kind in her comments and I am just so relieved that she likes it!! Here is a picture of myself holding the tote and the coin purse, with Sebastian, (who provided wool for the coin purse, thank you, Sebastian!!)





I have been busy felting 4 purse while in Galena, which I will share when I get home. Also started knitting a bag which uses the Ballband concept from the dishrags I love... Can't wait to finish it... I love the look of other ones I have seen. When this bag is done, I FOR SURE am going to do a pair of felted clogs!!

Well, that's it for now! Stay tuned....

On The Wagon...

Yep, I have jumped on a few wagons this past week. The first, being the Ballband Dishcloth wagon. I had seen these in the Mason Dixon book and was a little intimidated by them, but decided to give it a try. What fun they are to make!! Here is one I just finished for a good friend of mine.. (they are her favorite colors!) Hopefully it will make dishwashing just a little more fun!!



The next wagon was a literal hay wagon, as it is that time of the year again to get hay for the llamas for the winter. Always a big job to get 250 plus bales of hay up into our neighbors barn and into our barn. But with a beautiful day and lots of good help, the job gets done!




There is nothing like the smell of fresh hay! And now we are ready for winter to come. We are keeping a close eye on our neighbor's llama, Celeste, who is expecting a cria anyday. I will post photos shortly after the new one arrives!!























The cheesecake wagon is next..... We have to bring a dessert to a music night tonight at church and I decided to make these fun little individual cheesecakes. Using a pan I got from Williams and Sonoma and the easy recipe on the box it looks like I really slaved hard!! But in reality I was sitting in front of the T.V. knitting watching my Vikings lose to the Bears. Aargh! 4th down 2 yards to go is not a time for a long pass!!!(Well, it might have been a bit more complicated than that... I was knitting after all and only looking up for the 'highlights'!) Mom just said the Twins won, so that is some consolation!! (If I haven't mentioned before, I am a Minnesotan by birth...Iowan by marriage)





Back to knitting.....
I have two bags about ready to felt... The first is a Sophie bag made with Lion Wool. Haven't used this before, but it was on sale at Hobby Lobby this past week so thought I would give it a try.











The second is a modified Runabout bag that is about finished. (will be tomorrow) Made with Wool of the Andes Bulky. Will add a green strap and a fun button. Decided to not make the compartments and added a bit of a bottom.




INTRODUCTIONS: Well, just two this week. The first is the miniature pony that came to live with our neighbor. He's a funny fellow. We call him 'Phoney'. Our daughter actually takes him for runs like she use to run our dogs. Gets some funny looks. He actually is trained to pull a cart, but you feel bad making him pull you because he is so small....
Llamas are afraid of him, but he really is a gentle little guy!



















And then there is Miss Molly. She is a Wheaton Terrier that lives next door with Phoney. Talk about a bundle of energy. Miss Molly loves to jump up and dirty a perfectly clean pair of pants. Good thing she is so cute....






Life is good out here on the 'farm'. Always an adventure.......

Fall Is In The Air....

Well, it is definitely starting to feel like fall around here. Had to pull out a warmer sweater today and start thinking about what coats I have and what coats I might 'need' this year. (I LOVE coats!!!) Also decided it was a good day to make a nice batch of Taco soup and my cornbread rolls for dinner. Thought I would share these two recipes with you, because they are both easy and so delicious.

CORNBREAD ROLLS:
1 beaten egg and water = 1 cup
1/3 cup honey
3 cups flour
1/2 cup corn meal
2 Tbsp dry milk
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp butter
1 pkg. yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

1. Put into bread maker in the order given.
2. Complete the dough and first rise cycles.
3. Remove the dough and form into rolls (approx. 16)
4. Place on greased cookie sheet.
5. Let rise for 1 1/2 hours
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.
7. Can also be made as bread in bread maker

I can tell you that my mom took 'Grand Champion' with these rolls at the Ortonville, Minnesota county fair so you know they have to be good!! (She even won $2.00 and 5 pounds of honey!! Way to go Mom!!)

This is the taco soup that warms you up on a crisp fall day. We like to eat it over rice with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
TACO SOUP:
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
4 cups tomato juice
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix*

1. In a large pot combine ground beef and onions.
2. Cook over medium heat high until onions are tender (about 5 minutes.)
3. Add the tomato juice, corn, beans, tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
4. Stir well, and heat throughout, but do not boil
*We like to use 'Hot and Spicy' taco mix





I did get a few things felted this past weekend.
I made two coin purses with some of Sebastian's wool. They actually fit an Ipod or cell phone and are nice and thick, so they will be great protection for either.







Well, here it is. My first felting disaster!! That wonderful Fling bag I showed in my last entry had a major operator error... I had twisted the strap when I connected it, so when it felted, it was twisted. Still not sure what I will do to fix it. I may find some fun wooden handles in Minneapolis next week and cut it at the top and add those... Who knows. I have set it aside for the moment as I get over my disappointment. (Again, it is not the patterns fault... I love this pattern!) I will post my final outcome when I decide what to do!! In the meantime, I press on......






HAPPINESS IS........


BEING MARRIED TO YOUR BEST FRIEND!!

And I am lucky enough to be just that!! This is my husband and best friend, Steve.
We have been married 23+ years and are extremely blessed.

Took this picture on a recent trip to Colorado (no, this is not Iowa!!!) We love the mountains and go every chance we can.

What's On YOUR Needles????

As I have mentioned before, I have SO many projects that I want to make, but am trying hard to finish up the projects I have started before I start TOO many new ones. Right now I have several that I am working on:

The first is my second attempt at a dishcloth. The first cloth I did, I used too large a needle, so it is very loose. Still cleans a mean dish, but I went down a size for this one and will see how that comes out. This one is about half way done




This is my first attempt at a sock. I started this in June and barely have enough to keep my toes warm at this point. I hope to wear them before I am 50. At 2 or 3 rows every 3 or 4 weeks, that should be just about right....... (I'm 45 now)




This is the first of a pair of Fiber Trend Felted Clogs that I am trying. It is by far the most complicated pattern I have attempted and has required tremendous concentration on my part. (I have even been seen counting out loud the stitches I have been knitting). Anyways, I messed up a row and had to FROG it (which, for you non-knitters means to Rip-it; Rip-it; Rip-it)
But I am not a quitter, and plan to start again this afternoon.







On the needles to the left is a Fling Bag made from Noro Kureyon. I have only the one side of the strap and the tab left to knit and it will be ready to felt. Hope to do that this weekend when I head to Galena with some friends.








Hot out of the oven is this batch of Monster Cookies. These are my favorite cookies to make (note the M&M's of course). I have even been known to refer to them as breakfast food because of the high oatmeal and peanut butter content!! (No flour at all!!) These cookies are going in a box and heading off to Ames Iowa to my son Aaron who is a sophmore at Iowa State. (well, most of these cookies are going.......)


And now to introduce my daughter, Kirstin. Here she is (on the right) with her cousin, Sarah (on the left) on a recent trip to Vertical Endeavors in St. Paul Minnesota. Too bad we don't have any mountains here in Iowa to practice her rock climbing skills!! Kirstin is a senior this year and READY to head to college!











Here is another picture of Kirstin (on the left this time) with Aliya, a University of Northern Iowa student from Mongolia, who is living with us for the year. (She lived with us half of last year as well).




Of course I am saving the best for my next post when I introduce you to my wonderful hubby...

Until next time.....

Mmmmmm... Why Do I Do This???

Ok... I LOVE Rice Krispie Treats. And I LOVE M&M's and the two of them together... well, just plain yummy. My question is why I even make them. 1. I am the only one in the family that really cares for them 2. I need the calories like I need a hole in the head. 3. I think I am going to have the willpower to leave them alone.. but obviously I don't. (This picture was taken just a bit ago and there is even more gone since then... and I am the only one home!!!)
So I will cut what is left and take them to someone who 'needs' them....




A few more bags to show you today. This is a Vintage Bubble Bag that I am growing quite fond of. May need to keep it for myself!! It is made with Paton's new varigated wool that I have been aching to see how it felts up. I double stranded it with a plain color and it made a wonderfully thick material. Have decided to do longer, knotted handles that can be adjusted if desired. Also, I started a new Vintage Bubble Bag and adjusted the pattern so it has a bottom to it. Making it from the bottom up instead of from the top down. Excited to see how it comes out!!








This is another bag made with the new Paton's varigated wool. I also double stranded this... tried to match the colorways in the yarn... it was a bit off, but not bad. Am going to make the same bag single stranded and compare how it is size wise and thickness wise. I'll keep you posted.....






The third bag is a small bag that I made with Paton's wool and Noro Kureyon. It is almost like a booga bag. It felted wonderfully and is very very sturdy. The dark purple almost overshadowed the beautiful colors in the Noro yarn, but still a fun bag.












Introductions: Well, last time I introduced my oldest son. Here he is again (on the left) with our middle son, Aaron (on the right). Isn't it amazing how different 2 children can be??? Can you tell which one produces more laundry??? Fortunately, they are both in college and do their own laundry. (In theory, of course, it still often comes home for mom to do!!!)

I LOVE my boys!!!




Parting shot: This is Hoover. He is an alpaca that lives next door. He makes me smile!

Here they are......

Well, my new bags have dried and are ready for the finishing touches. The first is a Sophie Bag made with Cascade Quatro and Cascade Heather (one strand of each). Not sure the picture really does it justice.. it is a beautiful purple color. And I love the size. Now just to add a snap, and it will be complete!












This is a blue Sophie, done with 2 strands of Paton's Wool Merino and a strand of Elegance novelty yarn. Hard to see the sparkles from the Elegance, but it is beautiful.














Next I tackled the Vintage Bubble bag from the book Pursenalities. As soon as I saw this pattern I knew I had to make one (or two, or three.....) The first one I made double stranded with one strand of Noro Kureyon and one strand of Paton's Wool Merino.









To add some fun and to try something different; I took on the Spring Fling Bag from the Pursenalities book, which is a larger version of the Vintage Bubble bag with a fun eyelash type yarn added in. Here is what I created! I made it with 2 strands of Galway Wool and one strand of Crystal Palace Fizz. Of course, it still needs the perfect buttons....









And, finally, an introduction. I decided to move from the animals in my life to those who mean most of all... my family. I will start with the oldest, my son Ryan. This is a picture of he and I in Lancaster, England when we went to visit him in April. (He was studying abroad for the year.) He has since returned and is living here in Cedar Falls attending UNI. It's wonderful having him close! (and he now has hair...at his mother's request :-)!!) Until next time.........

Did someone say Galena???

Well, I am off to Galena! It is my home away from home. It is also the site of my washing machine that felts my bags. (For some odd reason, my washing machine here at home is too 'gentle' and doesn't felt worth beans!!) But, as anyone knows, I am always looking for an excuse to head over to Galena and spend a little time at our 'Galena Haven' We initially set up our townhouse as a scrapbooking (Crop-and-Shop) get-away, but now that knitting is my new love, I have come to appreciate it as a great 'Sit-and-Knit' retreat!




There is a great little fiber studio, Fiber Wild downtown Galena that I love to visit every time I head over there. The owner, Amy, is a weath of knitting knowledge and has helped me as I struggled with my knits; purls; ssk; pm; etc.. etc.. She has some yarn in the shop that I have been eyeing, so I may have to pay her a visit.....




I have no new bags to show you today.. but will by the end of the week! (Be sure to check back!)

I do have a couple more introductions to make. These are not llamas, but the real animal loves of my life.. our two yellow labs.





This is our Nikko. She is 11+ years old and still acts like a puppy! She is the brains of the two.






And, lastly, there is Sumo. He is 10 1/2. He is a full sibling to Nikko (different litter). What he lacks in brains, he makes up for in love. We still fondly call them both 'puppies'. They make our house a home.

Buttons, Buttons, Who's Got The Buttons????

Well, as I have posted in several earlier posts, I have been on the hunt for the 'perfect button' for several of my bags. Then, in the back of my mind, I remembered a 'button jar' that my mom had that was just full of fun old buttons. My daughter happened to be visiting my mom, so I asked her to send the jar home with my daughter. What fun it has been going through all the old buttons!!!







Every time I pour the jar of buttons out, I find new favorites. And instead of looking for the perfect button for a completed bag, I'm starting to think of a bag that will match a fun button!! I'm thinking it's going to be very hard to turn this jar back over to my mom!! I guess I'll have to put my name on the bottom....












Speaking of completed bags, Here are a few that I don't think that I have posted yet. The first is my 3rd Booga bag. This is a fun pink!
















And my first Sophie Bag. I love this bag. I knit it with Knitpicks WOTA Bulky and it felted up beautifully.







On that note, I leave you with a parting shot of Sebastian. He is standing tall and proud!

Until next time.......

It's Magic....

If you have never felted a bag, you have missed out on a magical experience. (Well, I guess if you have ever accidently 'shrunk' a wool sweater you will have experienced some of the magic in a not-so-positive way!!) Anyways, there is something about knitting a bag and then throwing it in the wash and watching it turn into something completely different! I worked on a Fling Bag (a Carol Bristol design) this past weekend and was AMAZED how HUGE it was after I had finished my knitting. I think I could have crawled inside!! Here is a photo pre-felting:



Then after a few cycles in the machine, this is what emerged! I LOVE it! (I think my daughter has 'dibs' on it already!!) The button isn't attached... Still searching for the PERFECT button... I know it's out there....






I also finished another booga bag and it is drying. My daughter also has dibs on that. Hmmmm, starting to see a pattern here.





And, finally, another introduction. This is Jericho. He was the first 'cria' (baby llama) born at our farm. He's cute enough to kiss, isn't he?