Wyoming Breezes

neck warmer on the needles August 2017 The final cowl for the gift box from yarn dyed at the Guild Spring Retreat and reclaimed from an off-white, thrift shop sweater.

smoke coming from the inside of the washer August 2017 One morning put a batch of pillow cases into the washer and went to check some blogs. After a bit, I noticed an odd smell - part smoke and part rubber. I opened the lid of the washer and literally saw smoke roiling out - not good. I knew it wasn't a fire, so I unplugged the machine and moved the pillowcases to the kitchen sink for a hand wash. The Amana washer and dryer were purchased in 2001 and in the last year, I noticed little signs they were getting close to the end of their lifespan. The latch on the dryer door was broken, so I kept it closed with strong magnets. The washer had been filling the drum at odd times during the wash cycle. Little things tend to add up until it's time to replace. I went shopping for a washer and dryer and found that many of the new "bells and whistles" on the machines weren't to my liking. I wanted a washer that I could open mid-cycle. I don't do a lot of felting, ...

neck warmer knit with Kool-aid dyed yarn August 2017 All of the cowls I've knit this summer are destined to be gifts, and I needed to finish a couple more to round out the gift box. A skein of yarn, dyed at the Spring Retreat , made a nice addition to the box. the middle skein is the one used for the cowl pictured in this post. I was surprised how the mix of colors in the skein complemented each other once the yarn was knit. The yarn was reclaimed from an off-white, thrift shop sweater: 90% wool and 10% mohair. Yarn : reclaimed wool that was dyed with Kool-aid and food coloring. Pattern : Eternity Scarf by Michele Wang (Ravelry link)                pattern was adjusted to ensure I would have enough yarn                The pattern has directions for three sizes and has a                        rolled bottom edge     ...

It's fun to come across unusual scenes on my neighborhood walks. Recently, I discovered two rubber ducks contemplating the gutter filled with rain water. Do you have a clever caption for this photo?

thirty-one pillowcases August 2017 A couple of years ago Marilyn gave me several yards of calico fabric from her stash. Before my surgery, I cut some of Marilyn's yardage and added some yardage from my own stash to prepare pillowcase kits. The kits were good rehab sewing projects. I worked on ten cases at a time over the course of several days. The cases are laundered and pressed and ready to be donated. Some will be donated to the local hospice home; the rest, as presentation cases for Quilts of Valor. Marilyn, thank you for much of the fabric for these cases. Since each case uses a yard of fabric, the fabric stash is now 31 yards lighter.

colorful 28's Cousin 53 August 2017 Previously, this yarn was cast-on for a cowl, but I wasn't happy with how it looked. The cowl was frogged, and I cast on another 28's Cousin 53 shawl . This pattern showcases the yarn much better than the cowl pattern. Pattern :    28's Cousin 53!  by Lynne Ashton (Ravelry link) free pattern Needle :  US, size 7 Yarn :  Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn             Color S102            70% Wool, 30% Nylon

I had the opportunity to snap photos of the murals that have recently been hung around town, and thanks to the recent edition of Wind River Country, they can be properly identified. Riva San Biagio Venice by Maurice Prendergast 100 W. Main, Riverton, WY Man with Crossed Arms by Paul Cezanne between N. 2nd E. & N. 3rd E. Riverton, WY The Mounties Always Get Their Man by Charles M. Russell 2441 Peck Ave. - C.E.S. Building Saddlestring Cavvy by Bruce Graham Broadway at Main St., Riverton, WY Contemporary Sioux Indian by James Bama Broadway at Main St., Riverton, WY murals hanging at Broadway and Main Riverton, WY There are a couple more murals that I need to photograph. Hopefully, I will be able to do that soon while it's still on my mind. Other murals can be seen here: (some are grouped together in the posts)     Carson's Men     The Wind River     Still Life - Plate of Peaches     Luncheon of the Boat...

pre-loved quilt from Wedding Dress Blue August 2017 I was notified on August 6, 2017 that my name had been drawn for the Pre-loved Quilt Giveaway on the Wedding Dress Blue blog. The quilt arrived last week, and I am beyond thrilled with how it looks on my sofa. It's the perfect size for napping, reading or knitting on a chilly day. Deanna included three pillow covers (I don't have that size of pillow forms yet) that match the quilt. This and That was made by Deanna Treadway in 2012 This and That by Deanna Treadway made in 2012 Deanna, I love this quilt: thank you for allowing me to adopt it.

I settled in my chair just as the moon began to take a bite out of the sun August 21, 2017 Riverton, WY I snapped a before photo of the corner of my deck and house for comparison as the eclipse proceeded. Dark in the middle of the day - totality in Riverton, WY 11:39 AM August 21, 2017 looking southeast It was noticeably cooler as the moon covered the sun. At the second of totality, I heard honking horns from around my neighborhood. Totality - the moon had totally covered the sun looking to the north during totality Totality was just over 2 minutes, and it flew by so quickly.  The sunlight following totality had an eerie bronze tone.  immediately following totality - sunlight was a bronze color I didn't venture out on the streets after Saturday afternoon, but from these photos posted on Facebook this afternoon, it looks like predictions were not too far off. Federal Blvd. is normally not this busy. I doubt it has ever had so much traffic on...

finished PAIRFECT Socks August 2017 The PAIRFECT socks were finished last week, and they are nearly identical. I recommend the PAIRFECT yarn for those who desire matching socks. I usually do not have difficulty knitting matching socks with self-striping yarn, but those who struggle with the technique might enjoy working with this practically fool-proof yarn. (p.s. PAIRFECT comes in many color ways) Information about the yarn can be found in this earlier post . Do you have a favorite sock yarn?

inflating a hot-air balloon for the Night Glow Riverton, WY July 2017  During the Rendezvous Balloon Rally in July, Brenda and I went to the launch field just before sundown to see the Night Glow. Four hot-air balloons were selected to inflate and "glow." Other balloonists simply surrounded the field and "candle-sticked" which is just igniting their burners without the balloon attached. Cloud Kisser glows on the launch field It was difficult to "time" when to snap photos. When the burners were turned off, the "glow" disappeared. As dusk approaches a small crowd gathered on the field. Many more spectators stayed in the vehicles that lined the perimeter of the launch field. The huge Humpty Dumpty balloon required a lot of people to anchor the gondola so Humpty wouldn't take off. He was also anchored to a nearby pickup.  This was the first time I had attended the Night Glow portion of the rally. I will definitely go again.

PairFect sock in progress August 2017 I was intrigued with the PAIRFECT  yarn in a Denver shop. It's possible to knit a matching pair of socks with this yarn because the skein is clearly marked where to begin. See the yellow strands on the skein - cast on after the yellow strand and knit the first sock. The center of the skein has another yellow strand of yarn, so it's easy to know exactly where to begin the second sock; thus, making it easy peasy to knit a matching pair. I'm following the recommendations for stitch count, given on the yarn band - 64 stitches The yarn is  a delight to knit, and like all Regia yarn, it is guaranteed - 10 years Pattern : Happy Feet Splash (Basic Socks) - free pattern link Needles :  US size 2 Yarn : Schachenmayr REGIA - PAIRFECT design line          Color 09090           75% superwash wool and 25% nylon Yarn cozies:   courtesy of Betsy in the Anything But Yarn Swa...

Awesome! by Joan Dillon A diverse selection of eclipse art is currently on display at the Lander Art Center. If you're in the area, I urge you to see the complete exhibit, as I am only sharing a fraction of the items on display. The show closes August 26, 2017. "Silent Shadow" by J. C. Dye "Collaboration of Inspiration" by Willie Cunningham and Stacy Wells "Time Cycles" Karyne Dunbar "Freeform Dream" by Samantha Gale "Oh Wow!" by Joan Dillon Is there an eclipse themed art exhibit in your area?