February 2006 Archives

This true story of Owen (the baby hippo) and Mzee (the ancient tortoise) made me cry! Get the new book about them at Amazon: Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship. Learn more at Lafarge Eco Systems and read the caretaker's diary.

We've indulged ourselves in a lovely set of kitchen knives from JC Penney. We must now be careful not to cut off a finger or two...!

cooks Elite Cutlery 22 Piece Block Set. Regular price $379.99; sale price $199.99; less 20% associate's coupon good only on February 12; plus tax; plus shipping = $194+. (The set is now on sale for $179.99.)

• Double forged blade
• Triple riveted, bakelite handles
• Taper ground stainless steel blades
• Full tang provides balance
• Bonus santoku, a $19.99 value
• Dishwasher safe (but hand washing recommended)

Includes: 8" and 10" chef's knife, 8" slicer, 6" sandwich, 3¼ and 3½" parer, 6" boning, 4½" and 5" utility, eight 5" steak knives, 6" carving fork, kitchen shears, 8" sharpener, 24-slot knife block and a bonus 7" santoku knife.

Size: 29 inches x 49 inches
Colors: Grey Heather, Burgundy, Soft Navy, Teal, Cameo Rose (pink) (Red Heart)
Pattern: Heart & Home (modified) by Kathleen Bernier WIlliford
Book: Afghan Favorites - ISBN 0-9638031-1-5 - Copyright 1994 - The Needlecraft Shop
Hook: H
Date: February 2006

So it took me just over 1 year to start and finish making the couch blanket for Paula and Leslie's cocker spaniel Buttons (the idea came to me on February 5 last year!)...

I love the pattern - it's imagery is perfect! ("Heart" for love of Buttons and each other and their "home" together.) And, it will go nicely in their livingroom with the Quilt Afghan I finished for Paula in January 2004.

Buttons likes to lay on the back of the couch - much like Cleo is modeling in one of the above photos. I arranged the blanket squares so that the images will be right-side up either way the blanket is placed lengthwise over the back of the couch.

Size: 35 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Scraps in Grey, Peach, Cream, White
Pattern: Ripple (p. 116) (modified)
Book: 40 Fabulous Afghans - ISBN 0-696-02357-1 - Designs by Patricia Bevens - Copyright 1993 - Meredith Press
Hook: L
Date: February 2006

I started this lap blanket last month and have worked on it in between other projects. I finished it today while I am home from work trying to get rid of a cold (?) that crept up on me. After last week's 4-day migraine, I'm worn down and taking a few days sick time hoping it won't get worse.

I miscalculated the width of this blanket (only 28 inches), but since I didn't catch it soon enough I added the rows on the left and right sides to make it wider so it matched the length better.

The ripples are smaller than the original pattern: The number of stitches is 7 up and 7 down. The original pattern is 11 stitches up and 11 down.

The fourth month (of 12) of sample skeins from Elann arrived last week. I am especially charmed by the fourth sample, although the other 3 are very nice to touch.

Size: (NEED)
Colors: 4-ply worsted scrap yarns
Pattern: My own
Hook: J
Date: February 2006

(1) Jaz under her new pet bed wrap. (2) Cleo on her "target" in her pet bed.

I bought a ped bed a few weeks ago to see if Cleo would enjoy it - and she did! Jaz also took a strong liking to it, and there were at least two rustle-tustle fights over who got to sleep in it (they ended up in the bed together). So, I bought another for Jaz and one for Bubba. (I got the beds at PetSmart in the dog section - yes, these beds are for small dogs!)

They love the beds!

I put Cleo's "target" on her bed (the "target" is Bill's name for the round pet pad I made in November that was quickly adopted by Cleo in her spot next to me on the small couch).

Jasmine always seems to be cold. When Bill is seated on one of the livingroom couches, she must lay on his legs over his knees facing away from him. It's her thing. At just over 10 pounds, this isn't very comfortable for Bill after 20 minutes or so. Now, she snuggles up in her bed next to Bill on the couch. Bill suggested I make her a blanket so she can be covered up to keep the top of her warm.

I started off yesterday thinking I would make an igloo-shaped object that would go around the pet bed and be open on one end so Jaz could go inside, do a U-turn, and lie with her head outside the igloo. I decided, however, to leave both ends open so Jaz could go out either side and have fresh air coming in from both sides. She likes it! Sometimes she lays with her head sticking out. Sometimes she keeps her head covered and her back end hangs out.

Size: 38 inches x 47 inches
Colors: Spring Breeze (light blue), Soft White (Bernat Baby Boucle)
Pattern: Two-color Reversible Shells Baby Blanket
Hook: J
Date: February 2006

After 4 days of false starts on 4 patterns, I finally settled on this one. Boucle yarn makes it difficult to see stitches and so intricate stitching is not something I would recommend with this type of yarn. I do, however, like the feel of the bumps in the yarn so I was determined to start and finish this project with an appropriate pattern.

It is done! The second of two "baby boy" baby blankets! The Boucle yarn kept me from getting really tired of working with the colors until the last few rows. I finished it Saturday evening - including yarn ends! In plenty of time for the expected April birth!