Creative Diva knits Blog

The socks, booties, hats and scarves have been fun to knit and the baby blankets have turned out to be every thing I expected them to be, but……yeppers there is always a but in many things.. I am ready to move forward and explore  other things I can accomplish in the knitting world. So my newest project is a toddler pullover sweater.  So far I have the back knit and I am almost finished with the front of the sweater, but (there’s that 3 letter word again) I am stumped with the instructions for the front top part of the sweater. My question of the day is “why are knitting instructions so hard to figure out at times?”

Sometimes the instructions just make no sense to me and they may as well be written in greek. The pattern is from Coats and Clark – Red Heart  and its pattern number LW1611 – ‘knit baby pleasure pullover’. It looks cute in the pic and by looking at it – it appears to be simple to knit up……beeeeepppppppppp – squealing of brakes and crashing of knitting needles!

The instructions for the back of the sweater are easy, its the Front- Dividing for the neck and working the shoulders that has me twitter brained. So with all this mess, I,  have been searching the internet to find some clarification on the topic of knitting sweaters.  I hope to have this newest project finished by the end of this week. ( I’m dreaming here)

If all turns out well , I want to knit up a sweater for myself.

My latest wonderings ……is the current economy hurting knitters?   It has certainly hurt me. I am currently unemployed and thankfully I had a small stash – (small compared to other knitters) -  I am digging through my stash so I can continue to knit. Knitting provides me with focus and some reasonable form of sanity. I am hopping to be able to sell some of the items I knit too. I know you can never get out of the items in dollars sense the amount of time you put into a project but at least you can get some much needed cash and there is nothing nicer than buyng an item that was hand made with love. I guess that is where the term ‘Labor of love” comes from. 

Now a station break so I can get back to me sweater project……

I guess I am a hopeless romantic and perhaps I am even barking up the wrong tree but I am going to give it a try any way. Since I don’t think a message in a bottle will work in this case I am going to try using the WWW instead.

I normally don’t go to bars, but a couple weekends after New Years eve I went to a local bar and met a man.  Yeah, yeah, hold down the comments for a minute.  There was just a few of us in the bar and we all started talking,. No one knew each other and it was just fun banter between strangers. As time passed we discovered more about each other and I found out that one man was a Sgt in the Army. At the time I was working for a company that sends me around the USA to provide medical services to the Nat’l Guard so we had that in common to talk about.

He was home on leave and after he told me his story I passed him my email addy on a bar napkin.   Yeah I know not smart because he probably washed it in his pants pocket….ughhhhh I can see all the shreds of paper in the washer in my mind. bye, bye email addy!

So after a night of slow dancing ( he was a fanstastic dancer) and singing many songs in my ear ( he’s a good singer too) I was smitten. I know it sounds corny but  it was like we had been dancing all our lives with each other. It felt so right in so many ways.  We closed the bar down and he asked my to join him for breakfast and I accepted. We talked and talked and I was sad when I knew the night – morning had to come to a close.  He told me his email addy but I never wrote it down. I so wish I had – ughhhhhhh – dumb move on my part.

Now I am in search of Sgt Rayburn. He is stationed with the 101st Airborne in Fort Campbell Ky but I have no idea how to email him.  This is where you come in. If you know him, please tell him I am seaching for him.

Nope I’m not into stalking I just want to be a email pen pal. He may be over in Iraq as he was thinking that  he may be sent back for another tour of duty.

He was a super nice fellow and such a nice gentlmen. He certainly made a lasting impression on me.

No matter how anyone feels about the Iraq war I believe and think our troops deserve our support at all times. They are  giving their lives so that we can remain free from terrorists and from harm.  Their familes deserve our thanks and prayers as well .

Next time you see a soldier , tell him or her “Thank you”.

So February flew in and out. It brought lots of rain and plenty of cold weather along with it. March is here and on its very first day it brought us rain and cold  temperatures as well.  Florida has seen quite a bit of cold weather this year. Kind of unusual for Florida, but also a Welcome. Hopefully it will kill some of our many bugs that call Florida their home.

We seem to have an abundance of roaches, spiders, flying insects and ants and lets don’t forget fleas! Ughhhhhh!!!!!

I have a cat. His name is Mr Romeo.He and  I do the battle of the wills and battle of the fleas throughout the year. He hates it when I change his flea collar and he spazzzs out when I put flea powder on him.  For the most part he and I get along well until it collar changing time. That is when he pulls out all his claws and screams Oh NOOOOO you don’t !

Romeo is a Hemingway – Maine coon cross and he is a sight to see and be around. His 6 toes are a sight to see and I always think of thumbs when I see them.  He is all black and like most cats he chose me, I didn’t choose him.

I went to a local county shelter in search of adopting a kitten,I walked by a cage and this little black ball of fuzz reached out this odd looking paw and tried to slap me. Needless to say he got my attention and within minutes I was filling out papers to take him home with me.

The first night was interesting. He kneeded the covers, and purrred,  then he sucked on my hair,  and purred and purred and purred some more and  nearly drove me nuts.

Off to the bathroom I took him. I put his bowl of food, water and his litter box was already in there waiting for him.   I thought to myself what  can a kitten harm in a bathroom, right??????     lol

Let me tell you, a kitten can shred a roll of toilet paper into a gazzillion pieces of little bitty tiny shreds of paper!

Now Romeo  is a big fella and is still quite enthralled with toilet paper. I make sure I keep it out of his reach.  He has also been caught red handed shredding paper just  like a dog would. He has other canine like qualities as well.

 He waits at the edge of the yard waiting my return from work or when I have been out running errands.  He talks a lot and he certainly understands what is being said to him. If he could actually speak he would,  there is no doubt in my mind about that. To date , he is the only male that can manage to make me fuss without running him off for good.

And no matter how much I fuss about him. the truth is I’d be super lonely without him,  if he were gone.

Yes, he is demanding – typical male but he will curl up at the foot of my bed and sleep with me when its cold outside and I hear him purrr and I can’t help but smile. So far he isn’t interested in my knitting projects. I even knitted him his own blanket and he will not lay on it. No amount of begging will convience him t sleep or lay on that blanket! I guess I should be happy that he leaves my yarn and WIP alone after all there is nothing worse than having cat hair all over your knitting projects.

The other thing he likes to do is eat. This cat eats 24-7 and he doesnt’ like left overs either. He also will not eat just any cat food. Its Meow Mix or nothing!

He meows to come inside and he goes to the door and meows when he wants outside …..pretty smart guy!

Mr Romeo doing what he does best

For those of you who like fast knitting projects here is one that is actually easy and quick to make. I can make a pair up in an evening while watching tv or I should say while listening to tv.

Baby Socks to knit – super easy pattern
I use cotton yarn or baby yarn my choice or fingering yarn.
5 DPN’ s Size 3 ( I like using bamboo dpn’s )

Smaller dpn’s will make a smaller sock and larger dpn’s will of course make a larger sock.

With your choice of yarn cast on 24 stitches.

Join in round being careful not to twist stitches.

Cuff ribbing
Knit 2 , purl 2 around for 20 rows.

Then knit in the round for 3 rows.

Heel work
Next – Knit 12 stitches onto one needle

Note: You can divide the remaining 12 stitches onto two needles if you like.
Sometimes it makes working with the yarn easier.

Here you can do a basic heel stitch of Slip 1, knit 1 to end of 12 stitches and next row slip 1 purl to end. Alternating each row for 13 rows or you can do the Eye of partridge stitch heel below. This makes a nice looking heel.

On Needle with 12 knitted stitches turn work and
Row 1 – (WS) Slip 1 stitch then purl the remaining 1 stitches turn
Row 2 – (RS) Slip 1 * knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, * continue to end , ending in knit 1. Turn work
Row 3 – (WS) Slip 1, purl remainder of stitches. Turn work
Row 4- (RS) Slip 2,* Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, slip 1* repeat across ending with knit1, knit 1. Turn work
Row 5- (WS) Slip 1, purl remainder of stitches. Turn work
Row 6 – (RS) Slip 1,* knit 1, slip 1, knit1, slip 1 *continue to end of row then turn work.
Row 7 – (WS) Slip 1, purl remainder of stitches , turn work
Row 8 – (RS) Slip 2, * knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, slip 1, * continue to last 2 sts then knit 1, knit 1, turn work
Row 9 – (WS) Slip 1, purl remainder of stitches , turn work
Row 10 – (RS) Slip 1, knit 1 * repeat across ending in Knit 1. Turn work.
Row 11 – (WS) Slip 1, purl remained of stitches, turn work
Row 12 – (RS) Slip 2, knit 1 slip 1 repeat across ending with knit 2
Row 13 – (WS) Slip 1, purl across to end.

The heel will be 13 rows long

Turning Heel -
Row 1 – Slip 1, purl 7, knit 2tog, turn work
Row 2 – slip 1, knit 4, knit 2tog, turn work
Row 3 – Slip 1, purl to stitch before the last turn, Purl 2tog, turn
Row 4- Slip 1 knit to 1st stitch before the last turn, Knit 2tog, turn
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all stitches at the end are used up ending with a right side row. There will be 6 stitches left on needle.

Pick up a spare needle and use it to pick up 8 stitches along side of heel flap. ( this will needle will become needle # 1 ina minute ) Knit across the 12 stitches on needle #2. Pick up 8 stitches along heel flap and place on needle #3. Knit 3 stitches from from the original needle that you had the original 6 stitches ( this is actually the center of the heel) on when you finished turning the heel. Add the remaining 3 stitches to needle # 1. You now have 11 stitches on needle # 1 and 12 stitches on needle # 2 and 11 stitches on needle # 3.

Knit 1 full round. – Knit needle #1, #2 and #3.

Next round, knit 8 sts on #1 dpn , k2tog , knit 1,
Needles # 2 knit all 12 stitches
Needle # 3, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1 , pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch. Knit remainder 8 stitiches
Knit in round again
Continue in this manner until you have 6 sitiches remaining on needle # 1 and # 3.
When you are finished you should have
6 stitches on needle #1,
12 stitches on needle # 2
6 stitches on needle # 3

Knit 7 to 10 rounds depending on how long you want the sock to be.

Toe shaping -

Round 1
DPN # 1 – knit to last 3 stitches. K2tog, knit 1
DPN # 2 knit 1, skp, knit to last 3 stitches k2tog knit 1,
DPN#3 – SKP, knit 1, knit to end of needle

Round 2 – knit in round

Continue Rounds 1 and 2 until only 12 stitches total remain on the dpn’s.

Cut yarn leaving a long enough tail to thread into a needle and run through the remaining stitches. One at time, pulling stitch off needle. Once all stitches are off pull yarn tight. Weave in and out to secure yarn and stitches then Bind off and cut yarn.

Terms -
Sl 1 = slip 1 k2tog = knit 2 together SKP – slip knit pass slipped stitch over

The socks are all finished and turned out great. My sister really likes them so I am going to knit her up a pair.

I knitted them out of Barnet baby yarn that was self patterning.  They look like fair Isle knitted socks without all the changing of yarn. Its a great way to get out of a lot of work.

The socks really wiz’d right along once I got the hang of it all. I think knitting baby booties and baby socks before  tackling big peoples socks was helpful.

I’ve been busy knitting the fast stuff just to be able to keep knitting and baby socks are a great way to use up those left over yarns that you can’t figure out what to do with.  I knitted a awesome bag to turn into a pocket book but I have yet to find the type of handles I want for it so it continues to remain unfinished

My daugtherin law and daughter are delighted with the knitted dishcloths I’ve given them and I get orders from them now and then for ‘More, Please Mom’….. I wish our local Walmart offered cones of Peaches and Cream yarn but they don’t. They have such a limited choice of colors and they are all the little balls of Peaches and Cream and limited in  color choice as well….. Shame on Walmart!

Finding someplace that has a nice selection of yarns , needles and other knitting supplies is hard to do here in the South.  I found  a yarn shop over in Gainesville Florida that has a wonderful selection and  the owner will ship things to you for just he cost of the shipping charge. The place is called ‘Yarn Works’ and when I ventureover there I just want to stay there forever. Its a 45 mile drive for me but its worth every mile and I am sure to spend some money as well once I arrive and start looking around. I really like knitting on Bamboo  needles and they are  especially great when knitting socks. You don’t have to fear your stitches slipping off  the needles.  The shop carries a nice selection of bamboo needles and her sock needles come in packages of 5 needles which is wonderful in case you lose one.

I bought a circular Adi turbo when I was there last time and I love it!  Its light as a feather and you can just zip right along with your knitting.

I”m off to knit some more.  Happy Knitting to all you knitters out there.

Here’s the 411 on Yarn Works for anyone that is interested.

Yarn Works                                           http://www.yarnworks.com/
4113 N.W 13th. St.
Gainesville, FL
Phone: (352)-337-9965

My favorite restaurant closed this past year and luckly I remembered one of the dishes that I liked so well.
Its super easy and fast to make but guests and family will think you slaved for hours over the stove.

Its called Spaghetti and Artichokes and it is absolutly delicious.

Ingredients for the sauce are -
1 jar of marinated artichokes – Do Not drain
1 tbs of Capers
1 sm pkg of fresh mushrooms sliced
1 can of black olives with out pits
2 jars of tomatoes in basil and olive oil – Do NOT drain

Combine all the ingredients into a sauce pan and bring to a low simmer. Turn heat off you don’t want to over cook these ingredients but keep it warm.

Prepare 1 pkg of spaghetti pasta or Angel hair pasta according to pkg directions.

When finished put spaghetti onto plate and top with the prepared sauce.

The combination of basil and olive oil and the marinade in the jar of artichokes is simply to die for and is what makes this recipe so delicious.

You can double the ingredients for a larger group of people or use the amount above for a romatic dinner for two and you will likely have leftovers.

As usual, this sauce like most sauces gets better the longer it sits.

Add a nice tossed salad with some Fetta cheese and greek olives added and a red wine vinegerette dressing.
Finish it with some garlic bread.

Add candles and your favorite person and Enjoy!

The 21st century has brought about many technology advancements and the World Wide Web or as we all have come to know it as simply the WWW……….is one of those advancements.

The world wide web has opened up a world of information and placed it quite literally at our very fingertips.  No longer are we stuck with being spoon fed information. We now have the ability to sit in the privacy of our homes and seek out the truth of things.  Ignorance is not bliss and knowledge is indeed power if only in the sense that you can at least chart your course in life.

With the current state of  our economic status, I decided to take a look at the history of American government and our banking system, as well as the Federal Reserve.  I recalled learning that the  Federal Reserve system is not actually owned, operated , controlled or overseen by our government or any or its various branches. Yeah, using the name Federal is a little deceiving huh…….

The F.R. is privately owned and operated at the will and desecration of its owners.  The Fed Reserves main objective is to control all the money in the world. In a nutshell , it is and  has been the Fed Reserves goal to slowly and systematically bankrupt the United States of America through a series of  events over the course of  many years. The  members/owners of the Fed Reserve have quietly entwined themselves into our political structure thereby ensuring their plans success of bringing about a National Currency and One World Government.

SUMMARY OF QUICK FACTS
1a. The Federal Reserve (FED) is a PRIVATELY OWNED, organization. Unbelievable? Check the ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA.
b. Below is the list of the owners of the 12 Central Banks:
- Rothschild Bank of London
- Rothschild Bank of Berlin
- Lazard Brothers of Paris
- Israel Moses Seif Banks of Italy
- Warburg Bank of Amsterdam
- Warburg Bank of Hamburg
- Lehman Brothers of New York
- Kuhn Loeb Bank of New York
- Goldman, Schs of New York
- Chase Manhattan Bank of New York
In all, there are about 300 VERY POWERFUL, partly foreign individuals that owns the FED.

Bloggers Note: Those 12 banks above make up the Federal Reserve system.

Noteable quotes

“The way to make money is to buy
when blood is running in the streets.”
John D. Rockefeller

“Give me control of a nation’s money
and I care not who makes the laws.”
Mayer Amschel Rothschild

Both familes  above are owners of the Fed Reserve.

Henry Ford said,
“It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.”

Through this study I have learned many things.  The imporatant one being that,  in order to know where we are going we must first know where we have been and what events/plans were set into motion. That is the real importance of learning OUR history of America.

http://ddrevival.blogspot.com/2006/07/fed-jekyll-island-monster.html

http://rainbowwarrior2005.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/federal-reserve-owners-and-history/

Florida can’t decided if  it wants to be cold or  warm. I feel like a Yo Yo when it comes to the weather.  Each day I stick my head out the door to see what kind of clothing I need to put on for the day….ugh!  Its  a pain in the butt.

The ability to sleep seems to be avoiding me at night and I have yet to find a solution to the problem.  A girlfriend says its caused by menopause…..maybe so since  I seem to have taken a pause when it comes to having a man in my life….lol  Okay that was meant to be a funny ha, ha.  

I find the single dating life to be hard at my age.  Dating at 50 is  plain weird feeling. Its like dating was reserved for teenagers and I’m no teenager. I’m like a fish out of water, floundering around on the sand trying  to figure out how dating in mid life works and what the rules of  engagement are.  I think I need a map or instruction booklet on dating how to’s and the do’s and don’ts.  I’ve tried Internet Dating sites. They were horrible. I don’t recommend them.

Are any of you sick of reading about Corporpate bailouts while we sit and worry about how to make our last dollar stretch futher without it sreaming rape?????

Corporate America was greedy and in her greed she screwed herself financially and now she wants me to bail her out with my tax dollars and the dollars of countless more generations to come.  I say STOP THE MADDNESS!

Me, I’m an opinionated Republican female and I’ve had enough of  Washington DC, Congress, the House of Rep and all the other politicians and Corporate CEO’s of our time. They cry poor mouth while we are losing our jobs, homes and cars.  News flash, a car, a home and a job sand a paycheck should not be a luxury.

Here is my Bailout Plan for America.

One – Washington needs to start collecting on the loans its given over the years to other counties.

Two- Charity begins at home.

Three – Issue every adult US American a bailout check of $250,000.00 and let us pay our bills off, and let us stimulate the economy.

If I had that money I’d buy a home with cash, furnish it and pay my car off.    If each American had that money they could buy a car and the Big 3 wouldn’t be filing bankruptsy. People could make their mortage payments or pay them off and banks and lending  companys would not need  Washington and OUR MONEY to BAIL THEM OUT!

After all, it is OUR MONEY.

Hello Washington. This isn’t rocket science. This is basic economic’s 101. If I have no spendable money, I can’t buy, which in turn hurts the stores which in turn hurts the vendors , maufacturers etc on down the line.

I’m the CEO of my house and no one is bailing me out or giving me a big year end bonus.

“We  The People” are the backbone of America. If we have no jobs, homes, food and the necessities of life then America will fail and she will never recover. The surest and fastest way for America’s government to fail is to continue bailing out Corp. America while allowing her citizens to parrish financially.

One more thing. If gas price continue to climb as they did this past year, America will be dead. Gas price increases will finish off what little is left of our economy.