Tuesday, July 28, 2015

A day late....

I was going to post at my usual time on Monday, but -- well, you'll see why I didn't manage it!

Before all that, I'll just show what I've been working on.  I'm pretty much finished with the front of my Sous Sous sweater.  Just a little strip that goes around the back neckline and the grafting to the back to do.  Which I have to learn how to do first.


There it is folded up in my Bookhou bag from Fringe Supply Company.  (Great shop, connected to a great blog.  And no, I'm not affiliated.)

I stopped working on that (for a reason, which you will see) to work on yet another mitred square or cozy memories or sock yarn blanket.  I'm using Koigu yarn for it so far.


This is a big thing in the knitting world -- everyone seems to be knitting one.

So what has happened since my last post?  My birthday, for one thing.  Paula from Kelmscott Designs sent me a wonderful package full of her lovely products.


Here you see the next in the series of queen threadkeeps, the Gray Queen Threadkeep.  Also the flower power scissors in red, perfect for my red scissors collection!  And at the top are the US and UK flags from the Flags of the World Needleminders collection.  Paula knows I went to London and am an Anglophile.  Thank you so much, Paula!  I love everything!

I also received a lovely package full of lovely presents from a dear friend.  Thank you!!  I love everything and had such fun opening everything up too.


A few days before my birthday, I went into NYC.  I shopped a bit, including a brief stop at Purl Soho.


I was a good girl, just checked out the new colors of Brooklyn Tweed yarn which had just come out that day.

Then the real treat.  The girl child (I need to think up different names -- she's not a child anymore!) took me out to dinner at the swanky restaurant where she waitresses part time! (Yes, she works full time already.  No, I don't know how she does it.  lol!)

Anyway, we had a lovely time, the decor was beautiful, the food was amazing!




On my actual birthday, we didn't do much.  But we did go out to dinner at a local Indian/Nepalese restaurant.  Delicious!


This past weekend, my father was up at my sister's house, so up we went to visit too.  The boy child came out from Boston too, so we got to see him as well.  It was a nice, relaxing visit.


(That's Lily the cat.)

The cousins

My father with Emily the dog.

The boys setting up a train.

We got home again Sunday night -- thus my not getting around to posting this blog post till now.  (And the reason I started the mitred square blanket -- much easier to knit on while visiting since it's pretty mindless knitting.)

Mia was happy to have us home, but I was sad to leave everyone behind, especially the boy child.  He will be home in a few weeks for a short break before the fall semester starts.

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a great week.


(Mia in her new bed, the box the present from my friend came in.  Nicely padded with bubble wrap.  Her new favorite place to sleep.  Still.)

28 comments:

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Happy (Belated) Birthday--looks like you had a great one. Your knitting like your stitching is incredible. Love the look on sweet Miss Mia's face.

Ali said...

Belated Birthday Wishes Margaret. It's lovely to catch up with family and it looks like everyone had a great time. I love the colour of the wool your knitting your sweater with and it looks cosy too.

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I always enjoy your posts. It's like catching up with a dear friend. Girl child has definitely grown into a lovely lady, that's for sure. How sweet of her to treat you. I'm still in awe of your knitting. So pretty! Have a good week.

Jeannine520 said...

Happy Birthday Margaret. It looks like you had a fun and relaxing weekend. There's nothing better than a new box to sleep in, is there? Mia and Lily are both darling kitties.

Robin Sutton said...

Margaret, it's so good to hear and see from you again! I know, sad, when we rely on blogging to bring us such joy!! LOL :) What wonderful birthday gifts and your trip into town and seeing your family...all so great! Thank you for sharing your trips to NYC because I am green with envy at all of the different things you get to do there...I love it! That second birthday gift is like looking at the books, I Spy; what fun!

Mugwump Woolies said...

Happy Birthday, Margaret! My but you have some very nice friends! Lovely gifts! Always enjoy seeing your wonderful family...and their critters. Have a great week.
Robyn

Vera said...

Hi Margaret and Happy Belated Birthday. Looks like you celebrated in style! What lovely gifts and, of course, best of all spending time with family. Can't believe you restrained from splurging at Purl Soho...easy to do for sure. Mia in the box -- too cute!

Evelyne said...

Happy birthday Margaret. Lovely birthday gifts!
I like the family pictures and last but not lasted Mia in her priority box!

Have a nice week,
Evelyne

Vickie said...

Happy Belated Birthday Margaret! What fun you have had. I spy Johnny Rockets! Wish we had those here.

Annie said...

Happy Birthday! It was a good one too from those photos. Nice haul of new stitching gifts from friends. Your daughter is so sweet to show you such a nice time.
Looks like a nice trip to see the extended family too.

Love the knitting. I guess the sock yarn squares have become popular with all those pretty variegated yarns and the squares are good for using up leftovers.

Mia is so easy to please!

Carol said...

Happy Belated Birthday to you, Margaret--looks like lots of good times with wonderful gifts, great food, and your loving family. I can't believe you daughter works full time AND waitresses! I guess it must be pretty expensive to live in NYC, though, to it is nice to have that extra job.

Lovely colors in your new blanket--I bet you'll have it done in no time :)

Linda said...

Belated Happy Birthday Margaret. Looks like you had a fun time.

Linda

Mary said...

Happy birthday Margaret!! It appears you were a bit spoiled, but deservedly so. Have you been stitching at all lately? Please keep posting, even if you haven't!

krayolakris said...

Happy Birthday! What a marvelous time you've been having! You have the nicest family! Congrats & keep celebrating!

Margs Primitive Quilts said...

Happy Birthday...hope you had a great day! With lots of celebrating! I like the knit squares..very colourful!

Jackie's Stitches said...

There is a free class on Craftsy called the Ins and Outs of Grafting by Ann Hanson that is really helpful. She explains it in a simple way that I can remember for my project. And then I forget it and have to go back again!

Happy Belated Birthday! It looks like you had a delightful celebration.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

I enjoyed that post greatly. Happy birthday too! Loved Mia in the box!

marly said...

Glad you had a very nice birthday and family visits! Happy belated!

Beth said...

Happy Birthday Margaret! It looks as though you had a wonderful several day's celebration with great gifts, family and food. I do like your blanket pattern. I love the way the colors weave in and out.

Anonymous said...

Great post, happy Birthday!

Kaisievic said...

Happy, belated birthday, my dear friend - lovely to catch up on all your news. xoxox

Melody said...

Happy belated birthday to you, Margaret! I love the beautiful colors in your new knitting project. How cool that you got to go into New York to celebrate your birthday. Nice family visit also!

woolwoman said...

what fun you've been having. A visit to NYC and Purl and a nice dinner with your DD - all sounds great ! I love your Koigu blanket - wow - great colors. Can't believe you didn't buy a single skein of that BT Loft - I am dying to try it myself.
this may be the Fall I do it. Hope your week is a good one so far ! Mel

Faye said...

Happy Birthday a little late Margaret!!! I'm playing catchup and enjoyed the family pics ~ all of your projects are awe inspiring.... And from the looks of things, your children have turned into grown ups really fast.... I know you're proud~

Hazel said...

Happy belated birthday. Lovely pics of your family. Your daughter is amazing! Lovely knitting too. X

Brigitte said...

I'm late, too, and not only one day late. So happy belated birthday wishes to you. So much was going on at your place, how nice you got the chance to meet both your children around your birthday. And very nice progress on your knitting projects.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Happy belated birthdya, Margaret! It looks like you had a wonderful celebration, pretty knitting, delicious food and loving family - does it get any better? I hope your birthday brings all good things, this year!

Jean said...

Happy Belated Birthday, beautiful Lilly, my little black girl mortitia might like her:)
Mia is lovely as always.