Finishing touches

I finished my Blue Jean Saturday shawl quite a while ago, but I didn't get around to blocking it until today. I used a finer yarn than the pattern called for, so it's more of a neck wrap than a shawl. Still, I'm happy to have it finished and ready for wear!

I also finished the last four scrubbies for my grandson this morning. This pattern is Elongated Rib Check.

Basketweave

Basket Welt

and Basket Rib round out the set. I wanted to wash them so that they could use them right away. I knew washing was necessary, because the green dye from Aidan's set rubbed off on my bamboo needles. I'm sure the green will rub off as I knit with other yarns.

The scrubbies were still slightly damp when I took them out of the dryer. They should be ready for mailing tomorrow!

I did start a Doodle Ice Drop yesterday. I just didn't finish it, because I was focused on knitting scrubbies. This one is in size 20 Lizbeth #707, Sky Blue Dark. The shuttle is out of coconut shell and was made in the Philippines.

Today's Ice Drop is in size 20 Lizbeth #708, River Blue Medium. This shuttles is also from the Philippines and was made out of water buffalo horn with inlaid mother-of-pearl by Peter Cua.

It's time to make dinner. I wonder what I'll get up to tonight?

Garden walks and lace...

Even though I've been working on my lace curtains, I haven't completely forgotten my tatting! The top left edging is "Itsy, Bitsy, Baby" from Nice and Easy Tatted Edgings by Diane DiRosa Biswas, Altin Basak size 50, Sherry Pence (Lady Shuttle Maker) ceramic shuttle. Bottom left is a daisy edging I learned from watching Bev Dillon's video, Tatting from Start to Finishing, Hakelgarn size 20, "Diane" shuttle from Sherry Pence (yes, it's named after me! I feel so special!). I've been using this edging to decorate bobby socks for my granddaughter, Lily. I have 4 pair completed, 2 to go! On the right is Basket Edge from Vintage Tatting, Cebelia size 30, Peter Cua shuttle. I love working on edgings because I can evenutally memorize the pattern!

Yesterday I went to the Crete Women's Club Garden Walk & Bazaar, "A Day in the Country" with my friends Pat and Brenda. Despite a few showers, we had a wonderful time. Pat and Brenda are really into gardening... I'm into looking at gardens and I leave the actual work to Dave! Two of our Grant Park friends, Amy and Ingeborg, each had vendor stalls. They both make the most beautiful cement pieces out of leaves. I have three for garden accents and three in the house... one is used as a decoration in my dining room, one is a soap dish from my friend Kris, and one is in my sewing room as a pin dish. I have a rhubarb leaf, 4 hosta leaves, and I can't remember what Ingeborg said the other one was (my pin dish).

One of the gardens we visited was at the home of Bill Aldrich, publisher of Chicagoland Gardening... what a wonderful surprise! We each purchased books from him, which he kindly autographed. I can't wait to read, and Pat and Brenda can't wait to garden... life is good!