Wyoming Breezes

February's panel for my pillow features a patchwork heart. Both of my sisters love to quilt and to piece fabric together; however, I did not inherit that gene. I have managed to make a few quilts, but it is not a passion of mine. I admire the quilts others make and appreciate the time and skill it takes to create them. I prefer to spend my time knitting. My current project is another Guidepost sweater, a red one for February.

Two packages sent today will touch both coasts: one will go to the Ships Project in Florida, and the other is being sent to Rad Bad Beanies in California. Another package is going to Cooper Hospital in New Jersey. I am working ahead for the All Crafts for Charity's September project - Guidepost sweaters. It was the first time that I used the pattern, and I made some adjustments to accommodate my aversion to seaming. I knit the entire sweater without seaming by starting at the bottom on circular needles. When I reached the arms, I switched to two circular needles. I cast on the required stitches to the body on one needle and knit about an inch. Then using the other needle, I attached another ball of yarn and picked up the required stitches from the cast-on edge of the sleeve on the other needle. I then knit the sleeves on the two separate needles until the required length was reached. I finished the sweater with a three needle bind-off from opposite ends. When I reached the point...

I decided it was time to find the bottom of the storage bins, so this week, I made receiving blankets and burp cloths from my stash. The blankets are easy to make with flannel on one side and cotton on the other and the corners rounded. Right sides are sewn together with a small opening and then turned right side out. The edge is pressed, and then I blanket stitch with my machine around the edge. The two sides are secured by stitching an "X" from one corner to the other. The burp cloths were made from scraps. Some of the burp cloths are probably too narrow, but I am sure that new moms will find them useful anyway. This batch was taken to Abba's House, a local pregnancy center. I buy the fabric from the remnant bin or when it is drastically reduced ($1 a yard). I also purchase flannel sheet sets during spring clearance sales. The sheets and pillow cases provide a lot of yardage.

The Community Outreach office at the local community college approached me to teach a rug-twining class this spring. I have been making the rugs for many years and use numerous ones in my home. I have made them as gifts for friends and family. It is a fairly simple process, not braiding or weaving, but using two strands of fabric and twisting (twining them around the warp). It produces a strong and sturdy rug. I don't "plan" the rug. I pick the colors that I want to use and then reach into the basket and grab them randomly. I think it makes a pretty rug. I have made some that have definite stripes, but I don't like them as much. I work on both end of the frame and meet somewhere in the middle of the rug. I think it helps keep the rug's tension on the frame equal, and it is more motivating. It would be terribly difficult to end the rug at one end because the last rows are very tight and awkward to finish. Once the rug is completed, the side rods are pulled out so t...

The items are packed and ready to be mailed to the Baby Pack coordinator tomorrow. I posted a photo of the sweaters before, but now they have accompanying socks and/or hats. It was a lot of fun making the items for this charity. Knitting the sweaters was addictive: I couldn't stop at just one. I will definitely be knitting more sweaters for the three patterns that I used. The tiny socks were easy to make. I used Super Quick Baby Sock s by DilysSutherland. The socks are knit cuff down and have a square-turned heel. I am sure that a baby would not be able to kick it off very easily. It warms my heart to know that my humble efforts will be helping children halfway around the world. It adds meaning to the line from an old song, "Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me." Will you join me in creating this Peace by making something for a charity, local or international?

Here's a chance to voice your opinion. Before you is a yogurt container with a lid covered with the creamy delight. What do you do? a). immediately throw the lid away b). check to see if anyone is looking, and then lick the lid c). use a spoon to scrape the yogurt off of the lid d). lick the lid regardless of who is looking e). are you kidding! I don't eat yogurt.

The pillow made its debut under my 2006 Christmas tree. The gift from my sister included an over-stuffed pillow, four interchangeable panels (December, January, February, March), and a promise to provide the other eight panels. The months sped on without additional pillow panels: Summer flowed into Fall and these months and seasons were represented by the plain back of the March panel. I didn't remind my sister of her promise to make the other panels because she was distracted with her grandchildren and her other sewing projects. I was happy to have the pillow and the four panels that she made. Fast forward to Christmas 2007 - I nearly squealed with delight when I opened her gift on Christmas day. Tucked in the box were the eight pillow panels! In the coming year, each month will show a photo of the pillow in my favorite knitting chair.

A worn book with stained and tattered pages rests on the shelf, and despite its neglected state, it contains invaluable memories of my childhood. My mother's scrawled handwriting on the back pages and cover make the book priceless. Mom rarely tried new recipes, but she was a collector. She would clip recipes out of magazines and newspapers and tuck them into every cookbook and in the recipe box. She would write recipes she heard on the radio on the backs of envelopes and receipts. Recipe cards were stuffed in the box of foods tasted she had sampled at a neighbor's house. Her favorite recipes were used often and are linked to memories of special occasions. I am much like my mother. I have numerous cookbooks and rarely use them. I also clip recipes and file them away for the perfect occasion.

Since I began knitting socks, I have wanted some sock blockers. I thought it would be helpful to gauge the length of the foot, especially those socks knitted for gifts. I saw these blockers on Loopy Ewe and knew they were exactly what I wanted. They were a Christmas gift to myself. Now, I can also take clear photos of the socks I make and have made. For this sock I used the Gull Wings pattern and Lornas Laces Shepherd Sport yarn -- Cedar This easy rib-cuff sock also is from Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport yarn -- Vera Another easy rib-cuff sock using Austermann Step, self-striping yarn. The yarn has Aloe Vera in it, so it is so nice to knit and to wear. All of the socks have been worn and laundered several times, and I am pleased with the ease of their care.

Isn't this amazing! I spotted it in the backyard when I was doing dishes, and I don't have a clue how it got there. Any ideas what created this impression in the snow? The area around it is void of any tracks, and it would be extremely difficult to make something like this without disturbing the surrounding area. This phenomenon was visible until the wind drifted the snow in my backyard.

During the holiday season it is common to give gifts to family and friends. In that spirit, I offer this challenge to my readers. I saw this challenge on Rites of Passage , and I responded to Debbie's offer. By accepting her invitation, I promised to provide the same opportunity to receive a handmade gift to my blog readers. I hope that you will be moved to leave a comment and join the fun. It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So, here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, but it will be sent (within 3 months) and that’s a promise! What you have to do in return,...

My Christmas spirit has been fading, so this morning I recruited some old friends to help pull me out of my “Humbug” state. It has been ages since many of these LP’s have been played. Okay, I realize that some people reading this may not know about LP’s, so let me explain. In ancient times, the 1950’s through the 1980’s, Mp3 players did not exist. CD’s did not exist. Gasp! Without these modern devices, music was played and enjoyed on something called a phonograph or a Hi-Fi. Even in those days, music was recorded on many formats: 78 rpm, 45 rpm, and 33 rpm. The 33 disks were called LP’s or long-playing records. The 45 was almost exclusively limited to new, single releases and many were sent to radio stations to allow artists to get their work “on the air.” The 78 is an older format and was nearly phased out by the time that I bought albums although I do have some from my mother’s collection. At a craft show in Kansas this fall, I was aghast that people were painting on old LP alb...

Tuesday night is dedicated to my knitting group. We meet faithfully at the local library in one of the multi-purpose rooms and bring our latest projects (completed and on the needles), knitting questions, newly purchased yarn, and sometimes even treats, and for two wonderful hours we are immersed in a calm atmosphere that only knitters can appreciate. The actual size of the group varies from week to week. Sometimes as many of 15 attend, other times merely a handful. LeAnn worked several weeks on the components of this felted wreath. I joined this group about a year ago, and thanks to them, I have challenged myself to try more difficult projects. I have grown as a knitter thanks to these ladies.

I finished two more sweaters for the Baby Pack Project, bringing the total of finished sweaters up to six. I hope to get some socks made to match these sweaters. Since they are going to South Africa, I doubt that I will make hats to match.

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. by Emily Dickinson

Sitting in my favorite chair with a cup of steaming tea on the side table, I complete my morning routine of checking e-mail, message boards, and blogs. It has become habit, almost an obsession. The morning newspaper is on the floor, unopened and unread, waiting for its appointed time. Reflecting on my daily ritual, I recognize that the cyber world is a higher priority than my "real world." I remember watching the movie, "The Net" when it was released in 1995. The main character's (Sandra Bullock) life revolved around her computer and her job. Technology nearly erased her life. The message of this movie is sobering. Even though my existence is not threatened like Sandra Bullock's character, I have to wonder if I have I allowed technology to erase my reality?

This Knitting Angel found a soft spot in my heart and a special place on my Christmas tree. The hostess of the Knitting group, Christmas dinner crafted these cute ornaments for everyone. They would be simple to make and include: a purchased doll about 3 inches high, feather wings, toothpick needles with bead ends, and some gold cord for the hanger. They are absolutely adorable.

This is my first attempt at knitting a garment, and I am pleased with the work in progress. The pattern I am using is Baby Raglan Sweater I know I made mistakes, but my learning curve is steep. The maize yarn is a Red Heart acrylic sport weight that was given to me this summer. An elderly lady gave me four or five bulging garbage bags of yarn this summer, and most of it is sport and fingering weight. I am gradually knitting baby items for charities with the stash. I will make another sweater now that I am rounding the bend on my Learning Curve. Update: The sweater is finished as is one from a different pattern. I think I am addicted.

I've felt the subtle and sometimes not so subtle tremors since mid-October when I left home. They started so slowly that they didn't even register on my warning system - the scale. Have a little piece of cake, take some licorice (it's fat free, but unfortunately not calorie free. Then I progressed to splurging on entire meals. "What do you say we go to Panda Express for some fast Chinese food?" Duh, as if that was a hard decision to make. "Want a pizza tonight?" A lovely bread crust with gobs of melted cheese? Let me think on that as I lick my fingers. Slowly my clothes became tighter, but I still didn't stop my destructive behavior. I gave in to all of those tempting treats for a month, and boy did the scale show the effect. I gained pounds and even some inches. Did I stop this behavior when I got home? Shamefully, I must say, "No." I am taking steps to get myself back on track, but it is so difficult. I am exercising every day in two shor...

Every year I try to find a book that focuses on the meaning of Christmas, and this year I hit the jackpot. I read Christmas Jars by Jason Wright yesterday. It is a quick read, but it packs a punch. The whole concept of the book appeals to me - a pay it forward gift for those in need. The ending was a bit contrived (the author worked too hard to tie up some loose ends), but it didn't diminish the impact the story had on me. I recommend this book to anyone who has lost faith in the spirit of Christmas or in mankind or just wants a booster shot of goodwill. You should be able to read it in an afternoon, but the message will stay with you indefinitely. Here is what others are saying about Christmas Jars