Toe Up Socks!

I finally got the heel done on the second sock. I pulled it out 4 times, and I still have a couple of mistakes. I guess that is how you learn though. Both socks are now in the home stretch...knitting the cuff. Since I used Wendy's basic pattern, it had just a plain stockinette cuff, so I am doing it in a 3/1 ribbing. I can't wait to wear them! The color is so nice and bright. I hate that I have the boo-boo's, but the next pair will be better. At least I didn't knit a million socks learning the technique, as I did when I first started learning to knit socks. I can knit cuff down socks with my eyes closed now, and I hope to be able to do the same with toe up soon.

Vision Walk

We got the proof for our VisionWalk t-shirts today and they look great! The screenprinter said they would be ready by Friday for Randy to pick up. We have raised over $2000 which is pretty good considering that we have not had a chance to do as much fundraising as we wanted to do. I am excited that the walk is almost here. I love doing this with my family, I just wish my Cali bunch could be here too! I have had a rough couple of days. A week ago last Thursday, my beloved Shih Tsu, Max went to be with the Lord. He was very sick and he was almost 14 years old. I just can't seem to stop thinking about him and missing him. He was my best friend and constant companion for so many years. I feel like there is a big hole in my heart that needs to be closed, but I don't know how to close it. Headed to my small group tonight. I love those guys! We are studying a book called "The Christian Atheist" and it is a really good book. I have learned so much and we are only about half way through it. Working hard on my toe up socks! I love them and they are going to be so beautiful! Til next time~~~

Socks Rock!

My first pair of toe up socks are coming along great! I am so happy with them. I have finished the first one, just needs top ribbing and bind off. I am about half way up the foot on the second one, and feel it will be even better than the first one. I do have an error in the first one. When I did the wrap and turns on the heel, I did not knit them correctly. I know the mistake that I made now, so I won't make that mistake on the second sock. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Sheperd Sock and it is a dream to knit. I am using the basic pattern from Wendy Johnson's book, Socks from the Toe Up. Wendy writes great patterns and instructions. Once these socks are finished, I am going to make a pair with a pattern. I really do like toe up much better than cuff down. Let's face it, folks, I am a sock junkie! Til tomorrow~~~

Catching Up

I intend to make this my last "Catching Up" post. I am going to post everyday, somehow. I have so much on my plate, but I am going to find 15 minutes to post from now on. Ok, here is the catch up: My last post was February 22. That means I have not posted in about 21 days. Since that time, I have completed the first toe up sock to about half the calf, and started the other one. I have started a pair of mystery socks with the Yarn Garden gang. I have had Brian and Anna for the weekend. I have started cleaning my borders and small gardens, getting ready for spring. I have done 1 Zendala Dare. I am still taking care of my mother and working full time. Our family is planning to walk in the Atlanta VisionWalk for my grandson, Brian, who some of you know, was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in 2010. The walk is so much fun and we have such a great family time. It is held in Piedmont Park here in Atlanta and is a 5K. We raise money for The Foundation Fighting Blindness to fund research. RP and several other genetic eye disorders are incurable, and research is needed to help find a cure. They are making great progress in several clinical trials that are going on right now. I would love for anyone who is here in Atlanta to walk with us. The walk will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 3PM. Donations are so gratefully accepted and are 100% tax deductible. Please click on my homepage here Lynn Herrin and donate. Any amount, large or small is appreciated. I will post pics from the walk the week after. Here are couple of pictures from the 2011 Walk. We did not get to participate in 2012 because of a scheduling conflict, but we are rockin' this year.

This was a great weekend, all things considered. We went over to Columbia, for Anna's 4th Birthday, and we had such a good time. We kept missing the snow that they were getting in SC. As a matter of fact, shortly after we left to come home, it started snowing at Richard and Kate's house. I couldn't help but laugh. This is a picture of Anna with her cake. It was beautiful and delicious! Here she is opening presents....she had a great birthday! We kept Lucas this weekend too and we took him over to the party. He was so good and everyone loved him. Here he is with his Uncle Richard: And here with Poppy and Anna: And of course, here is my best bud, who is in a growing spurt right now. He is getting so tall and thin. He will be 8 in May. I finished a pair of great socks over the weekend. I have started another pair of top down, but I am getting ready to start a pair of toe up. I have been trying to learn toe up for a while now, and I am ready to strike out and go for it! Knitting socks is my most favorite knitting, and I am determined to become an expert. Will post pics tomorrow. My long weekend is almost over and it is back to work tomorrow, but I am ok with that. It gives me a break from home! Til next time~~~

I Love My Busy Life!

Well, things did not turn out as planned. Everyone in the family is sick I think, so we had no house full of grandchildren this weekend, and things have been relatively quiet. We had no family dinner and only Mom and I went to the baby shower from our family. Things are looking better though. It seems that most everyone is well and we are shooting for another family dinner tomorrow. It will be the first time that Mom and some of the kids have seen Lucas and 4 weeks since Brian and Anna have been to visit. I am chomping at the bit to see them, and Lucas. I have so many projects in my head and I just don't know how to organize them all. Here is my list: 1. Traveling Woman Shawl 2. Snuggle Blanket for Colin 3. Birthday Cards for Class Next Week 4. Bookmark for my Swap Partner 5. Learning more embroidery stitches 6. Sewing a purse organizer 7. Sewing a purse for Anna 8. Birthday gift for my BD Swap Partner 9. Sweet Baby Socks for Lucas and Colin 10. Bag for Valentine Swap at Work 11. Valentines for my Fam 12. Planning Anna's Birthday Party Whew, what a list. I will accomplish most of it though. I finished Anna's Girlie Scarf and I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow.

Snuggle Blanket for Colin is coming along nicely.

The Traveling Woman shawl is on hold for just a bit until I finish some other things.

I am thinking about Christmas gifts, believe it or not. I would so love to make stockings for all the grandchildren this year and also make a gift for all the kids. That would be the ultimate Christmas for me. Giving all handmade gifts makes the holiday so special. I am going to shoot for it. If I start planning now, and gather materials, patterns, etc., I might just be able to pull it off. Ok, I am off to update the calendar, take my Bernina for service and try to eliminate a little dust from my house. Love and Peace~~~

Friday Wrap

Today is the big day! We are moving our offices from Duluth to Alpharetta! It is total madness at my office! Looking forward to the new office. It is so much nicer and we have so much more room!

The bath will be finished today and I am so excited! Two weeks in the guest bath has been an adventure, to say the least. The entire house is covered in sheetrock dust, but it is all worth it! I guess Randy and I will be doing our spring cleaning now. Can't wait to post the pictures of a remarkable transformation.

Kids are coming tonight! It is going to be a great weekend. Kate, Liz and I are taking in Water for Elephants at the movies. We read the book and now we are going to see the movie. Poppy will be the official babysitter. Tomorrow we are having a family BBQ and just chillin' out. It will be nice to have everyone here.

Making great progress on my sweater and socks, but will take a break this weekend while the kids are here. While doing a project for a swap, I realized that I so need to get the studio organized and start using it more. That is on my agenda for the summer. Getting it super organized and useful!

Friday Wrap (On Sunday Morning)

It was a good week, but soooo busy. I have so many projects going on and they are all so fun! I am still working on the test flowers with Sharon, knitting the Twilight socks, and I am about to start on ATC's. I am so excited to do these ATC's. I tried them a few years back and they were fun! This time we are doing it in my PlayShop group and we have a tutorial that we are using. I finished a couple of projects for the Lose the U, something I didn't do in March. We are also starting a button swap in the PlayShop and I have been looking through all my buttons picking out ones that I like.

Randy and I worked in the yard all day yesterday. Two of my Rav friends sent me irises and daylilies and I got those in the border, along with 2 foxgloves and 6 more Blackeyed Susans. My border is really taking shape. Here are some pics:

These are my Columbine's. They have the most beautiful flowers.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

These are old fashioned roses and they smell so good!

This is Spirea and Feverfew. The spirea is blooming and the feverfew will be soon.

This is a look at the border from the street. This pic does not do it justice.


I love gardening!