Something New

 Once upon a time there were four pretty fiber braids that were bought at the MDSW.

 Daughter gave them to me for Mother's Day a few years ago.

 It took several Tour de Fleeces to spin them and then they were stashed away.

 Now that White Pine is in time out, her spot is being filled by yet another attempt at a handspun Featherweight. This one will be striped. My first try was a disaster of epic proportions when it grew to a ginormous size during blocking. Hopefully the BFL will play more nicely than the naughty Merino did.

 When I was swatching it I discovered the needle size I needed was in use so I took the opportunity to try out Knit Picks new Majestic needles.

They are blue and purple and have spiffy black cords. Sadly, while waiting for them to show up in the mail I discovered they weren't going to be the right size for gauge after all. Boooo....now I'll have to figure out another project for them. They are just too pretty to ignore.

On the Needles

 It doesn't seem like it but there is knitting going on. Everyday. All day here and there. I just turned the heel on the second Retro sock.

 Regina Marie looks like this now. I do half of the 16 row pattern in the morning and the other half at night. I need to do this 26 times and I think I have done about 22 so far.

 It's hard to get an idea what is going on because of the unusual construction. It doesn't lie flat. It's all joined together as you make that edging. It's a bit awkward but it's still a fun knit.

 The back of Son's second gray cardi is done. Now I am on the fronts. I am doing them at the same time on separate needles.

 Speaking of fronts, White Pine is all done except for her front bands. I have to do the pick up and knit thing and I have to be in the mood to do that. I'm pretty sure the mood won't strike me until fall so it's officially in time out during the warm weather months.

 The gray socks I am making from Son's first gray cardi leftovers have been heading to the toe for an eternity it seems. I'm still walking and knitting almost everyday on them but like that 10 pounds I am trying to lose, they are going nowhere.

Window Shopping

 I went out to lunch with my old work buddies the other day and the place we eat at is right next to a Home Goods. That's always bad for the pocketbook and the waistline. First I saw this cute as a button water bottle that looks like a soda bottle. Sold. Then it was this mini popcorn popper for the microwave. Mine is too big. I make a tub. I eat a tub. I don't need a tub. This makes just the right size for a snack attack. Sold.

 Mmmmmm......my morning crumpets could use some upscale sweets. Sold.

Finally I debated whether I really needed these cookies after all that Easter candy I scarfed down last week. I ate a whole box of Peep chicks and a whole box of Peep bunnies and you know what...they were GOOD. Who knew. I decided I did indeed need the cookies but I am only allowed one a day for dessert. At 110 calories they are much too dangerous to be just a snack.

Looming

I hate when the loom is empty. I know I should have been winding another warp while I was weaving the Easter towel but life got in the way.

 Up next is another kit I am very excited about.

 This is the towel from the Cotton Clouds website. It's called Rollerbird Bumbaret and it was designed by Jean Newsted. I've seen lots of pretty variations on this pattern on Ravelry so I am itching to get started but it's going to be an epic warp. Look at all those colors. Epic.

Sunday Soap: Tropical Dreams

I've been wrapping the latest small batch of cured soaps.

Some of the early spring scents are going to new homes, some went on Easter. I really like the new fragrances. I wish I'd made more. I always wish I'd have made more and then I remember that I can. Duh.

 Maybe I just like to walk around looking like this. It's my favorite outfit these days. Can I get any goofier? Probably.

 The weather took a nasty turn last week so I made some happy, fruity smelling soap. First up was Island Nectar. It is one of my all time favorites. It smells like passion fruit and sugared citrus. I really want to eat it. It was so gray and dreary outside I went a little crazy with the colors but I like it. It will be a good summer soap.

 Next up was a new scent, Aqua Spa. It's really pretty but oh, my that fragrance is strong even though I went well below the lowest side of the usage chart as I always do. Maybe it will cure out in time. We'll see. In it's favor it is full of aloe and coconut milk so it won't be all bad.

Then there was my favorite Beach fragrance from last summer. It's light and airy filled with sea clay and kelp. I was not happy with how the colors were working out and I didn't make enough batter but it turned out to be a sweet little bar in spite of it all.

Finally, I decided to give Monkey Farts another try. I hated it in glycerin soap. It was harsh and very acidic smelling but in cold process soap it smells lovely. The heat from the lye must change the fragrance for the better. Now I can smell the bananas, oranges and coconut cream. Since I couldn't decide what color monkey farts should be, I exercised restraint with this one. Sometimes less is more-especially when you are dealing with farts.
Now I have to wait six long weeks before giving these little wonders a try. Boooooo.....

Little Blossoms

 While everyone who lives up the hill in the sunshine are enjoying their spectacular blooming trees, we down here in the valley have to be content with smaller things.

 Some of the green stuff blooms this time of year. It's not obvious. You have to go looking for it.

 I love violets.  Right now the back is carpeted in them.

 Out in the woods those little funny umbrella looking things are popping up everywhere.

Here's one close up. You just know they are an alien species planning on taking over the world. They scare me.

 The ferns are being kind of creepy right now too.

 The hostas make me want to eat asparagus. Pass the hollandaise please.

 These are pretty. They are growing on something that looks a lot like marijuana. It's not. If it was we'd be rich. We're not.

Here is traumatized Pup trying to hide under a pillow. While I was out photographing the flora she encountered her first bee of the season. It wasn't pretty. It's going to be a long summer.

Old Fool

 March has been done for weeks and April has just a few stitches and some outlining left.

What started as another project with no hope of completion is turning into a real done deal. I've surprised myself. Now to just keep this momentum going.

My reward for getting April done ahead of time was to order this kit from 123 Stitch. I told you that when Daughter saw the one I was gifted from Dee on Easter she would pitch a fit to take it home. Lucky for me I could find one for her. Now I just have to stitch it and hope it is as beautiful as the one I have. All together now: Good luck with that.