wood wall n wool ~ cast-on-itis, full blown case

We got a new tv, perfect to put over the mantle.  It was hard to see with our necks cranked up that far and the tv was sitting up a bit too high.  And I wear bifocals so tipping my head up to see the screen had me peeping through the reading part of my lenses.  We planned to lower the brick by 3 rows and put the oak mantle top back on.  What we thought would be a simple, weekend project and a small drywall repair wasn't quite what we expected.  The fire brick behind the decorative brick front of the fire surround we discovered was installed before the drywall.  The drywall was butted up to the frame.  Result? The firebrick of the chimney stuck further into the room than the wallboard around it.  There were lots of ways to fix that, most easier than what I was hoping for, but Don was a sweetheart and humoured me.  We clad the wall - after a lot more chiselling, grinding and dust then first planned - in wood.

We used rough hewn pine boards that we had planed to a smoother surface and brought all the boards to the same thickness.  They range from 11 to 13.5" wide.  Amazing how out of square a 26 year old house is, but Don did a fantastic job cladding the wall.  I put a fresh coat of paint on the adjacent walls, then made a stain from the left over paint by cutting it 50% with water to stain the pine boards.

Loving the finished wood wall.  We need to deal with the wires, blu ray player and cable box on the mantle in some sort of attractive manner and accessorize on the right side of the fireplace.  Any suggestions would be very welcome.  Check out the wall all finished up with the pine planks!

I haven't knit in forever.  Not for a lack of wanting to.  I'm about to cast on for Lily Kate's pretty shawl pattern McCafferty .  It's just what I'm in the mood for with spring here, something chic to wear  my favourite white blouse and jeans.  The pattern is available here on Ravelry.  The yarn I plan to use is The Plucky Knitter Primo, but just can't decide on which colour?  Pink or Gray?  Help?!  Which colour should I use?

I'm pretty certain I'd wear the gray more, but this pink "Gumball" colourway is fun too...     

If you have

I am grateful for all I have.  Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.  Renee

Poodles in Snow Suits in a Snow Storm... yeah, that's really what this is

We have a ton more snow than in this video clip taken 3 weeks ago. This was the start of one of the snow storms.  This past Saturday evening we got 15" of snow in 2 hours.

My fav part of this video clip is at 3:21 into it. Don's had to blow the dog playing field clear with the tractor more than a few times, not to mention the 1000 foot laneway. Hope everyone who lives where it snows is managing to shovel out from under this year. We went to Home Depot on the weekend and the store front is full of bbqs, lawn furniture and ride mowers. Retailers are pretty much sold out of snow blowers and shovels.  Spring must be coming?...  I hope so.  Course, where we live we get blizzards in April and it can snow on Mother's Day.

Be well, stay warm, hug and tell those you care about you love them.
Renee

FO: knitting the blues

"Not Noro Striped Scarf" in Rowan Tapestry 

Pattern: Noro Striped Scarf by Jared Flood
Yarn: Rowan Tapestry, 2 balls each of colours SH 170 Country and SH 176 Whirlpool
Size: 5" x 88"

Knit up in Rowan Tapestry ~ "a modern blend of wool and soybean protein fiber; the yarn has a slightly felted look. It is soft and has a gentle drape. This self-striping yarn knits up into stripes that shade subtly from one to the next."  Tapestry is discontinued but still available in some yarn shops and on ebay for really reduced prices.  It's a yarn I'm sorry to see go.  If you can still find it I highly recommend it for knitting accessories.

It's been a while since I've blogged ~ but we're still here and doing fine.  Home today with the "big" blizzard which wasn't big by Canadian standards, but we did get about a foot and a half of snow that's been causing white outs and some pretty impressive snow drifts. We're inside with the woodstove on enjoying pristine winter views.
 

 
What better to keep warm while shovelling snow than a snuggly new scarf?  I finished knitting this just before Christmas, but wanted to share it on the blog.  Both Nicole and I have gotten some cozy, warm wear from this scarf.  It's the same as my other one in berry reds, knit in my favourite blues.  Knitting these striped scarves is addictive, I don't tire of the colour changes.  I like scarves very long - at 88" it can be worn in all sorts of ways.  http://ravel.me/ReneeKnitsToo/9p9af

Nina finished her show Championship in 2010 and was a delightful girl in the ring.  Now we've moved on to the fun stuff...  obedience and tracking.  She has a lot of hair and looks very grown up ~ just 9 months old in this photo.

I've been sewing, not so much time for knitting.  Very adorable baby boy quilt to share soon .

Be well, stay warm and tell those you care about you love them.
Renee

how did it get to be the end of November already??

Over the past month I have knit several pairs of fingerless mitts, all of which I gifted before taking pictures.  In the past 2 weeks I haven't knit a single stitch.  sigh.  Quilting?  nope.  Spinning?  nada.  I have baked up and storm for a few different parties and events, but that's all eaten and gone too without any pictures or recipes posted...
The only pictures I do have lately are of Nina - puppy girl is doing great in the show ring, so lots of fluffy poodle puppy pictures.  She's half way to her Championship and entered again in December.  No wonder I have no time to knit...    enjoy the puppy pic, she's looking very grown up, but just turned 8 months old.

Be well, be happy and hug those you love!
Renee