The Royal Wedding

I had tons of fun making these. No, I am NOT completing the balcony scene. It is time to start my next project: a grandchild in a box. More on that later.

 

 

Note: NO, there is NO grandchild on the way in my family.

Finally. Now Lizzie is happy!

Still waiting for the hatmaker!

Queen Elizabeth and I spend all day together. We waited and waited... but the hat maker still has not shown up. So we decided Her Royal Highness would come out and briefly greet her people and wave....

Hat Research

Last night I located in my stash some very soft and fuzzy light grey alpaca. The hair is knitted, sewn and all coiffed. Perfect.

This morning I looked for the box of notions I gathered when I was sewing outfits for my girls' American Girl dolls... a few years ago now. Came upon a treasure trove of tiny little buttons in all colors, ribbons, flowers, etc. Again: perfect.

Now a little research:

All I need now are the signature pearl earrings, 3 strand pearl necklace and some kind of brooch. Perhaps even some little colored feathers. Must go shopping...

Biggest decision of all: WHAT COLOR OUTFIT????

(PS. I doubt the Queen will wear those dark shades to the nuptials.

And what was up with that Butterfly Bonnet Beatrice donned?

Queen looked miffed!)

Knit Your Own Royal Wedding~ Fiona Goble UPDATED!

First of, a disclaimer: I am NOT a Royal Watcher. Not at all. Now, I will admit that when I saw this book KNIT YOUR OWN ROYAL WEDDING, by Fiona Goble, I thought I needed it just as part of my knitting book collection.

I really do enjoy knitting little objects that look like the real thing. Have knitted quite a few of them, some of them posted on Raverly. But this is just too funny and very cleverly done I must add. Lots of credit to Fiona Goble for coming up with what is probably the most unique way to commemorate this event. But then, I am a knitter. Yes, of course, I ordered the book. I even overnighted it because I was inpatient to see it (even though all the images are viewable online). I thought about downloading the digital version of the book onto my iPad for instant gratification, but there was something about the tangible experience of perusing the actual book that was irresistable. And let me tell you, if you have not seen it, it is a hoot! As I was chuckling at Harry with the red hair in conversation with the groom, the Queen surrounded by her corgies, and Camilla with her hat and pearls, visions of the Royal Wedding party knitted with of all the left over sock scraps stored in my boxes started to dance in front of my eyes. Oh the colors I could use! The tiny buttons. The little decorations. The shiny embellishments.... Am I nuts??? I really do not have time for this with over 400 projects in my queue and enough yarn to last me through 2012. But it is fun to think about and I might have to try just one. Just one.

UPDATED with WEDDING VIDEO! Thanks for that Cheryl!

(Images are from the book, Knit Your Own Royal Wedding, by Fiona Goble)

Halle Berry sweater reverse engineering

About a month or more ago, my friend Emily emailed me a photo of Halle Berry wearing a gorgeous sweater. The question: can you knit this? OF COURSE, I said. Always up for a challenge, I thought, why not? Well, the main reason: lack of time. But that aside, I was at my LYS the same day buying yarn. The first attempt rendered a fabric too thick and heavy, albeit beautiful and luxurious. Went back a couple days later for other yarn. The second attempt resulted in a combination of two yarns to get as close as possible to the fabric in the photo. I was curious to see of anyone on Raverly was discussing this sweater and sure enough, there were already some folks wondering about it. In no time I had the front almost done and then got really busy at work. When I picked the project up yesterday, I realized I had forgotten some things that were very clear in my head a month ago. Together with my friend Paul (an AMAZING knitter), we poured over the fabric, remeasured, recounted, redrew, and reworked until we figured we got it right. Gauge is VERY VERY crucial on this project, much more so than any other thing I have knitted. My next task is to finish knitting and see what the sweater actually looks like. I really do think we are on the RIGHT track. Normally I would whip this thing up in a couple days, but I have my taxes to do today....and since I am self-employed, this is a HUGE task. Ugh.

Update: today I took down the photos and some detailing information, after I realized someone was trying to take credit for the work I had done, under the guise of wanting to be a "test knitter". Right after I provided info on my project, she posted on her own blog that she had done a mock up, was crunching numbers, and commented on the specifics of the yarn I had suggested on my blog and in my email.

NOT COOL.

For those who are interested in knitting this sweater, stay tuned. More info to come soon.

Kim in the desert!

Just spent the most amazing long weekend in the Palm Desert area desert, attending the BNP Parisbas Open at Indian Wells. We were joined by Lauren and Emlyn and their boyfriends, Mike and Justin. The weather was awesome, the food incredible. Most of all, we had a blast supporting our very best Belgian tennis star, Kim Clijsters, during her first two matches. Keep playing well, Kim, we want you to win another title!!

White Christmas

Three months after I was last in Belgium, I came back to celebrate Christmas. My first Christmas with my family since 1983. Lauren's and Emlyn's first Christmas in Belgian, ever. And their wish for a White Christmas came true. So much, though, that their flight, which was right behind mine, was rerouted. While I was waiting forever to retrieve my luggage, I received a text from Lauren that they were stuck in London. Airports closed. Too much snow and not enough resources to deal with the logistics. So instead of being greeted by their family to celebrate their highly anticipated first Belgian Christmas, they were trying to figure out how to get off that damn island. No planes. Not one available spot on any of the trains crossing the Chunnel. Nothing. I was crushed. Thoughts of them sleeping on a crowded airport floor on Christmas eve kept me from really taking in the reunion with my family during our first meal around the large round table. Tomato soup with tiny meat balls. Usually my favorite. Then Lauren called to say she was able to get the airline to pay for a hotel and some meals. They are supposed to get out at 8 tomorrow morning. Back to the snow. There is lots of it. Word is they have not seen this much snow in 40 years. The wheels on my luggage were useless. Lots of cars stuck in the snow everywhere. I took some photos around the house. Snow is beautiful. Snow is fun. But sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

Yes, I'm still alive and well

Hello - I have not written on here in a really long time. All I can say is that I have been super busy both with work and knitting, and just living life in general. Feeling super healthy for the first time in at least five years (with my 5-year survival from BC just 3 days away). Enough said. Have been through some major shifts in priorities and have figured out quite a bit more in the past few years. Who knew? Life is a continuous learning experience and I enjoy the ride most of the time. Most liberating of all is having decided what matters to me the most; and making choices that feel right, which is now very easy compared to when I was younger. I travel to see my girls when I can and savor every minute I spend with them. They are the light of my life. In August and September, I went to Belgium (to see family) and Portugal (to see my best friend Chris). It was amazing. In a couple weeks I am crossing the Atlantic again; this time to spend Christmas with my family in Belgium for the first time since 1983. Yes, that is a really long time and the main reason for that long dry spell is that I have avoided traveling there during the cold winter months. We have always gone back during spring, summer or early fall, never for the cold winter months. But when I pondered life in recent times, I felt it was crucial that my daughters experienced the "real" thing at least once. And for myself, it was also an experience that was on my "bucket list." So December finds me scrambling to get a lot of presents knitted for my very large family, and shopping for warm clothes. But all is well. Wishing all of you out there a Holiday Season full of love, cheer and family connections treasured.

All dogs go to heaven

All great dogs go to heaven and today time has come for Puppy to leave us. Our 13-year old Puppy showed her first signs of illness less than 72 hours ago and her health declined rapidly. Cancer is taking over her liver and surrounding organs and robbing her of strength and joy and certainly quality of life.

We have loved Puppy from day one, when we picked her out of a basket on Good Friday, 13 years ago in front of Safeway. She was the cutest one of 10 puppies that had a Dalmation Mother and a Sneaky Neighbor Dad!
Puppy has been our best friend and truest companion, and also the funniest, most wacky Pup anyone could ask for.
Thanks for 13 great years of lounging on the sofa, barking at everything and anything, chewing homework, chasing squirrels and guinea pigs, stealing meatloaf and baked rigatoni, destroying retainers and hearing aids, running on the beach, shaking rubber chickens, licking peanut butter off your lips, dancing the Salami Samba with Lauren, and crawling under the covers when you were cold at night.

Because we love Puppy so much, we will not let pain and fear take over her being but will allow her to leave in dignity - on her favorite bed, where she can go to sleep peacefully, in the comfort of my embrace, and leave our home on little hairy angel wings.
Goodbye sweet Pup! We will always love you and miss you!

Born Valentine's day 1997 ~ Left us March 19, 2010 2:45 PM

Patriotic Earflap Hat!

YOU TOO CAN MAKE THIS HAT!

Now available for FREE on Ravelry!

You asked for it! THE HAT!

UPDATE:



This pattern is no longer available.
I apologize for this inconvenience.

Are you melting yet?

Georgie and Bailey! I do not think more words are needed.

The Twins again!

What's not to love about these two chillin' together on the sofa?
The twins, Bubba and Jethro, seem to get along quite well.
Carol sent this picture this afternoon and it made me smile big.
Even chuckle.
This has been a wonderful week with all kinds of great photo updates coming from all the kids.
We love to see how they are all growing up and settling in.

Georgie (in Roseville) and his new sister!!!!

Today we received a really sweet email from the Jacobson family in Roseville. They sent us this wonderful new photo of an almost 5 month old Georgie. What a gorgeous coat; he looks absolutely amazing. Not to mention very comfortable in his cute little bed.
And then the most unexpected photo:

Georgie got a little sister! The Jacobsons just lost their old dog Copper and added this cute little black and tan Dachsie to their household. That will be so wonderful for Georgie, who already looks really interested in his new playpal.
How adorable are they??? I wonder what her name is...

Update: Her name is Princess Bailey!!

LEO!!!

We just received these wonderful photos from Leo's new mom Patricia. She writes that Leo is a "spoiled brat." Hmmm. I can't see that at all. What I do see is that he is half Bella and half Bacio. He has his mama's nose and his dad's facial expression. He also has Bacio's fur on his ears. I have to admit it is absolutely wonderful to hear how the "kids" are doing and to see how they look as they get older.
Leo sure looks like a sweetie and I am thrilled he went to a nice home!

Lainie Bug & Georgie Boy

We just received this wonderful photo from Laurie and Greg of Georgie and Lainie showing off their new sweat shirts.
I cannot believe how much Lainie has grown and how much she and Georgie look alike. It is easy to see who their parents are!
Word came from Antioch that Leo is doing well and has grown a lot. Patricia promised us some photos so we will try and be patient.
All is well with Bella and Bacio - they are back to their usual antics.

Lauren is 23 today!

Thought it would be appropriate to mention that today Lauren turns 23. What this also means is that exactly 23 years (and 20 minutes) ago, I became a Mom! It was an amazing moment, as is looking at who Lauren is today. Some of what happened in between was great and some not so easy, but the sum of it all is that I have an awesome 23-year old daughter whom I would not want to miss for the world!


To celebrate her birthday, Lauren went to Disneyland with her friend, Jonelle. It is a free ride (excuse the pun) on your birthday. Not too shabby, considering they now charge $72 admission per person!

Here is Lauren, hamming it up by the big L.

Sweater for Harper Grace

I finished the little sweater I was making to match Harper's little booties. I am pretty happy with the outcome, I just wish I had better photos. After a Micheals run this morning, I put the finishing touches on while already at the office: a little orange flower patch and some beads (which you cannot see on this photo as I had to rely on my iPhone for picture taking. )
These will have to do for now.

Updates!

On Sunday, Tom and Carol brought Jethro over for a visit. He remembered us, his old home, and Bella and Bacio too, of course. He even checked out Bella to see if he could still nurse! That was pretty funny.

Even though he was curious to explore his old surroundings, he never strayed too far from Tom and Carol - it is very obvious he has bonded well with his new Mom and Dad who are absolutely nuts about him.

Jethro is still small, but his personality certainly isn't. I guess living with Bubba (the English Bull dog pup) forces him to stand up for himself. Based on the stories we heard, that does not seem to be a problem. Apparently he likes to taunt and excite Bubba and then runs and hides under the coffee table. That is a safe place because Bubba, ... well, let's just say he does not fit underneath. And little Jethro has that figured out, of course!

He is almost off all his meds and is healing up well. It is just unbelievable what that little guy has been through, and yet he seems so unaffected by it all. Sweet little guy!
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We also heard from Steve and Elaine, who gave a wonderful home to Newman, who is now called Buddy. This is what he looked like when they first took him home.

They tell us he is a sweet and exceptional pup who has brightened their lives.
Well, to be honest: that made my day. The reason we decided to let Bella and Bacio have puppies was to share their amazingness with others.

Another well-loved pup! (whose nose has grown too!!)