Home again

It is Sunday night and I am starting my post early. I could pick up my knitting but decided to write instead.

Mom, dad and I had dinner and then I was going to the outlet mall. I didn't know that it closed at 7. I got there at 6:45. The plan was for me to meet up with them again at 8:30 for ice cream. I didn't feel like going home so I decided to head to Walmart. The Walmart right beside Coastal Carolina University. Fall semester started on Friday. The store was full of students and it looked like a bomb went off. There were no sheets or pillows. The housewares aisles were bare. They had carts full of food and anything you could think a university student away from home would want or need. I didn't stay very long. Now I'm at home waiting until it is time to head out and meet the parents.

It is Monday morning. I have been up since 7. My sheets are washed and the bed is remade. The dishwasher is running. All garbage is in the garage. I think the house is in order. I will be leaving soon to go to my parents but had one thought to put down before I go.

I met up with mom and dad at 8:30 last night for ice cream. It is a Sunday night ritual to go to IHOP for a sundae. Mom and dad went Wednesday night but they had run out of ice cream. How does a restaurant run out of ice cream? Can't you run to the supermarket to buy more? Dad wasn't happy and had to have chocolate cake. Last night we place our order. The waitress comes back five minutes later and says that there is something wrong with the freezer. The ice cream is like soup. Dad looked crushed. He loves his ice cream and waitied all day for it. Chocolate cake again for him. I don't like chocolate cake so the waitress suggested funnel cake. Sounded good (would be much better with ice cream) but there was a catch. They didn't have any strawberries-all out. So I sat there while mom and dad had desert. I could have stayed at home and got a few more rows of knitting done!

Now it is 7:15 and I have woken up from a nap. Time was a bit tight in the airport. I was there an hour and a half before my flight. I mentioned before that Direct Air is very slow checking people in. Then the security line was huge. I got to the gate just as my flight was starting to board. No time for the washroom or to get a magazine for the plane. The flight home was easy and the border was a piece of cake. I'm happy I was going in the direction that I was. It was crazy going into the US.

When we were leaving for the airport I had dad drive by the house to make sure the doors were locked. We drove down the court behind the house to see if there were any new houses going up. I had dad stop to take a few pictures.

The window to the far right is a bedroom. The next two and the door are the kitchen. The two windows over the barbecue are the living room. The two windows on the left up high are the bonus room. This is the room that we bought bedroom furniture for.

Above the screened in porch is a deck. This is off the bonus room-soon to be Beth's bedroom. From the deck you can see the golf course.

I'm off to knit. Clue #4 for the shawl came last night. I need to get #3 done asap.

Last day

It is my last afternoon in Myrtle Beach. I'm spending it by myself sitting on the couch and knitting. Mom and dad are napping at their house. They have a house full of people coming later this week and when the group arrives they won't be getting much rest.

Dad was here earlier and we hung the mirror in the bathroom. Part of the group will be staying in this house. Now they can see when they are shaving or putting on makeup. We considered a white mirror but I am glad that we went dark. The shower curtain is dark brown as are the towels.

I also bought a cabinet for between the sink and toilet. The previous homeowners left this space empty. It looked funny. We also needed a counter or something for people staying in the house. Where do you put your makeup and toiletries?

Beth decided that she would like to have some friends in our gardens. Meet her new friend. Dad and I found him on Thursday afternoon. We wanted to find one much bigger but the store didn't have any. Now we will be on the lookout for gnomes.

I have made it to the last repeat of my Mystery Shawl. I can't wait to see how the shawl is going to be finished.

In an hour I am meeting the parents for dinner. Then I am going to do a quick tour around the outlet mall. Thankfully the humidity goes down some at night. It is really hot here during the day.

Big Brother tonight. Who is going to win HOH? Who is going to be nominated for eviction? I can't wait!!

Golf and Hammocks

I survived getting up so early this morning. We drove the back roads to get to the course and everyone keep commenting on the surroundings. I told them that it would look much better if it was light out.

Here are a few pictures from the course-The Heritage.

I played very well. Beat my dad and won $10. Can't complain about that.

There was a bit of a lay down when we got home. Then it was shopping time again. The guest bathroom doesn't have a mirror. Very weird that the owners before us never put one in. Now we have a mirror that dad and I will hang tomorrow afternoon. Then I introduced my parents to 5 Guys Burgers. I think they will be eating there again.

I forgot a few pictures from yesterday. Dad and I went to The Hammock Shops. Beth really wants a hammock for our back yard. The problem is that there are four different colours and three sizes. We decided that she needed to pick out her own.

Dad said it was very comfortable. He wanted to stay and take a nap.

It's knitting time. I have one more repeat to do on The Mystery Shawl. The next clue should be out Monday morning. I won't be ready but I should be close.

Hello from Myrtle Beach

The flight was uneventful and Dad was waiting for me when I walked off the plane. I am sitting on my back porch and here are some pictures of the house.

 

Beth picked out these mixing bowls while we were in Columbus but she wouldn't let me buy them for her. I was in Crate and Barrel on the day of her birthday and the bowls were on sale. Happy Birthday Beth. She thought the colours would work great in Myrtle Beach so mom and dad brought them down.

Trellis one on the front of the house. The plants had just been planted when we were here at the beginning of July. It is hard to tell in the picture but there are purple flowers on it.

The other side of the front window. This plant is much taller than the other side.

Trees in the backyard with flowers.

Beth complained about the stairs when we were here. The owners had painted the walls without covering the stairs and there was paint splattered everywhere. Our painters came in and now they are shiny-so shiny that they look wet. Beth is very pleased.

A dried flower arrangement I made for my bedroom.

It is now Friday afternoon.

This morning dad and I did some running around and then went furniture shopping. Beth and I decided that the bonus room upstairs really needs to be a bedroom. A king size bed and night table are being delivered in two weeks. While in the furniture store I fell in love with a wall unit. It is so perfect for the house. It will be on the truck in two weeks as well.

Dad was chomping at the bit to go golfing so we went to play The Parkland-my favourite course at The Legends. As we were playing the third hole the skies got very dark. Very, very dark. Then they opened up and we were soaked. It was dad's idea to play one more hole and then called it quits. Soaked!! We left our balls on the fifth green because neither one of us would run out to get them.

It is now just after 9pm. We have been to dinner and then some shopping. I am on my way to bed. Golf tomorrow is at 7:16 at The Heritage. A beautiful golf course but an hour away. The car is pulling out of the driveway at 5:45. I might not be a happy golfer tomorrow.

On my way

I am sitting in the terminal waiting for the plane to arrive. It was an uneventful trip until the border. The border guard spent a lot of time with the car in front of me. Lots of questions. Open the trunk. Get down on hands and knees to look under the car. More questions. Then look under the car again. He pulled them in and I was starting to worry that he was going to give me a hard time too. "Where are you going?" "How long?" "Why?" "Bringing anything that you will be leaving there?" " Have a good trip."

I was the last car that got into the lot right in front of the terminal. It's not a long walk from the other lot but this one is better. The check in line was huge. They don't work quickly here. If you are checking luggage you have to pay. They hand write receipts for payments. It's like the dark ages. The good thing about slow check in is that the security line is always short.

The plane just arrived from Myrtle so we will be on time. Land at 11:15 and then lunch with dad. Mom has 'ladies lunch' today with a group from the neighbourhood. Dad is hoping to be on the golf course by 3.

How about Big Brother last night? The look on Rachel's face was priceless. How could Dani nominate her Brendon?

I can't do a post without pictures. Here are a few more free patterns that you can download from Rowan's website. Bailey and Kew.








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Colourscape Chunky

Today has been a bit of a whirlwind. I am flying to Myrtle Beach in the morning for the weekend. This means getting the store in order. There were bags of yarn everywhere. Shipments are arriving daily and I don't have anywhere to put them. My mannequins have been redressed with new fall clothes. Garments have been moved around. I think there should be a sign on everything and all yarns should be in the price book.

Ms. Canada Post brought a box from Ann. This is Camelford knit in Rowan Colourscape Chunky. I love the yarn! Self striping chunky and the colours were designed by Kaffe Fassett.

You can download the pattern for free on Rowan's website. You will need to register and then log in to get the pattern. It is free and doesn't take very long to do.

There are ten different patterns for Colourscape Chunky on the website. When you get to the Free Pattern section enter Colourscape in the Search box.

This was tough for Ann. She wants the stripes to match on the front and the back but I like it better when they are totally different.

Here is a quick look at the shades.

Colourscape is a roving type yarn with an artisan look and rustic appeal which is spun and made in Britain. Available in 16 unique hand blended colours designed by renowned textile artist Kaffe Fassett. Each hank gives a single repeat rainbow effect.

You can see better pictures on Rowan's website.

It is much later in the day. I think all my tasks are done. I left Jane four pages of notes. I hope I didn't forget anything. :) Now it's off to the chiropractor (of course I will be golfing while away) and then home to pack.

I don't have a vehicle today so I am at Beth's mercy. The tire pressure light keeps coming on in my truck so it went into the dealership this morning. The valve stem was broken but it is all better now. I guess I will have to take her out for dinner when we go to pick it up.

Holly

I had a blog post written and was ready to hit Publish when Jane walked into the store this afternoon. Scrap that post. Okay, it is saved for tomorrow. Jane brought in Holly. She's almost done and it is absolutely beautiful.

Here is the back.

Jane has picked up over five hundred (yes I wrote 500) stitches around the edge. This is just for the front. The back will be same.

She timed herself and it takes 45 minutes to work one row.

And the front. The edge is curled because there are way so many stitches on the needle. I got her a 150cm (60") circular to hold all the stitches and they just fit.

This is truly a work of art. I don't know if I will be able to wear it-it might hang on the wall beside my blanket.

Parking Lot

The battery on my camera is charged and ready to go. There are lots of pictures today. :)

I had to wait until Beth and the dogs left for work to take this picture. Roko freaks out more about pictures with the camera then when I take pictures with my phone.

In the sun the colours are looking a bit pinker than they really are. The pattern is very easy and a great way to try intarsia (picture knitting). If you aren't familiar with the term here is wikipedia's definition

Intarsia is a knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. 

Common examples of intarsia include sweaters with large, solid-colour features like fruits, flowers, or geometric shapes. Argyle socks and sweaters are normally done in intarsia.

This morning I received an email showing a new yarn coming from Rowan. This is supposed to come sometime in September. Kidsilk Haze dyed in amazing striping colours. The balls are 50grams (as opposed to the 25grams of Kidsilk Haze) and one ball will make a scarf.

It was a big day at the store. The parking lot is being repaved. They were there early this morning to take out the old pavement and this afternoon the repaving started.

For the next few days we can not drive on the parking lot. Please park behind the variety store.

Hopefully there will be some knitting tonight. It's Gordon Ramsay night.

I figured it out

It's been a great day. I finally figured out what was wrong with the Home Sharing between my computers and it works. Even Apple TV. I found the cord so that I can recharge the battery on my camera. Another repeat is finished on my Mystery Shawl.

Fast forward half an hour.

You should never get too confident. While barbecuing steaks it started to rain and then we ran out of propane. Beth has run to the gas station to exchange the tank.

I can't wait for Big Brother tonight. In a sick way I am glad to see Brendon come back. Dani was so confident that they could trust Rachel. I wonder how she is feeling now? HOH tonight is going to be huge!!

Clue #3

Clue #3 for the Mystery Shawl came on Thursday night. I showed the beginning of the clue yesterday and am now two rows from finishing it.

I need to repeat clue #2 and #3 once and then #2. There won't be a lot of writing tonight so that I can get back to it.

I love tweed yarns and Debbie Bliss has done some great patterns for her Luxury Tweed Chunky.

Curved Edge Coat

Cocoon Tunic

Easy Sweater

Belted Coat

We have two new colours of the yarn in stock-25 grape and 23 black.

One thing I don't have in my pile of knit wear is a simple sweater that I can throw on like a sweat shirt. The Easy Sweater will fill that void. Purple or black-that is going to be a tough decision.

Freedom

Last night after work I went to see my chiropractor and then to have my eyes checked. Lately I have had a bit of a problem. I can read with my glasses on but it is easier to take them off for small print. This causes a problem because when I take my glasses off I get bad headaches. This means new glasses for me. My current glasses are fine but the new ones will make everything a bit clearer.

If you are working on the Mystery Shawl from Westknits make sure you check Ravelry. Clue #3 came early. Do I really want to make the large shawl?? I know that I do want it large but there is a lot of knitting to do. My thought was to have the shawl done for the Knitter's Fair. Sarah and Lynn decided we are all wearing purple. They are knitting their own cardigans. Lynda is knitting a sweater for Wannietta to wear. I am giggling while reading this. I'm sure no one has ever knit a sweater for Wannietta. What am I going to wear? The shawl would be perfect.

It's later in the day and I need to step away from stocking the shelves. It is taking some creative thinking to get all the new yarns on the shelves. After looking at them for a while everything starts to blend together.

A bit of knitting has been done today as well.  I just finished the seventh row on the next pattern of the Mystery Shawl. Golf was on today so knitting was a good excuse to sit and watch.

As you can see I haven't sewn the ends in yet. I'm saving those for another day.

A shipment of Twilleys Freedom Wool arrived today.

Freedom Wool super chunky is a beautiful soft 100% pure new wool roving yarn, which is knitted on 10mm knitting pins and produces the most gorgeous garments. With an abundance of colours to choose from, the shade range also includes a selection of subtle colour mixtures.

See the shades..

We have this vest knit up in the store in colour 430 Smoke Blue. The colour has been out of stock for months but we have it again!!

Three great new patterns came in the shipment.

It's home knitting time. 

Lots of New

This time of year is great. Every day we are receiving boxes from suppliers which makes blogging very easy. There are many pretty pictures to share.

My job today is redoing the master price list for the store. There are many new yarns and I need to make sure they are all in 'the book'. New labels are being made for the shelves as well. Oh yeah, I need to start rearranging too so that everything can fit. Right now there are bags of yarn sitting everywhere.

Yesterday, Mr. Canada Post brought in a box of fun from Lorna's Laces. Lots of new colours of Shepherd Sock.

And now from one extreme to the other. Sock to bulky.

Sirdar INDIE is a gorgeous, light and lofty yarn with a riot of magnificent colours in every ball - the fabulous colour effect appears as you knit. INDIE comes in a beautifully lightweight blend of 51% wool and 49% acrylic and comes in a conventional 50g ball. INDIE is fantastically quick to knit on 12mm needles and is easy for children and new knitters alike

Yesterday in the many boxes that Mr. Canpar brought were patterns for Indie and 4 new colours.

163

162

161

160

Ms. Canada Post just brought in a box from Jordana Paige. L.J. Kaelms is back in stock.

L.J. Kaelms is a north-south tote, tall enough to fit books and magazines, your latest knitting project, supplies and purse items. The straps are that perfect length for carrying on your shoulder, which you can do comfortably because the bag starts out so very lightweight before it's filled up. Inside you'll be happy to find all the great pockets Jordana Paige is known for, plus a new one. Below each circlet is a yarn pocket. Drop your yarn in the pocket, clip the circlet around your yarn and get to work, knowing your yarn isn't going to sneak away from you.

Were you shaking your head at Big Brother last night? What was Luwan thinking when he said that they could nominate him? Has he ever watched the show? It will be interesting to see who will be rejoining the show tonight. Please don't let it be Brendon.