Friday, June 14, 2013

Friday Mishmash

My running buddy Jenny is an amazing photographer and recently offered to do a photo shoot for me, and since my mom was going to be in town, I included her, too.  Naturally we had to go shopping for some coordinating clothes, and once we did that, we were set.  Jenny had us meet on the grounds of the George Bush Presidential Library...I have to say, in all the times I've been there, I had no idea the grounds behind the library were so pretty.  We had a great time - here's a few of the shots:
I like this one...
I really like this one...there were so many great shots that it's been hard to narrow them down to place an order!
Me at 50!

 A couple weeks after the session, I went over to Jenny's house to go over the pictures.  Her little dog, Chula, was making me laugh - she's a Jack Russell terrier and reminded me of Paco, especially with how attached she is to Jenny:
Chula nestles in the chair behind Jenny's back - there's just enough room for her!
...and she's out!  I loved that one set of eyelashes are white while the other are brown.  So cute!

The really amazing thing about Chula is that she can climb trees!  I'd love to bring Paco over and have him see this - I know he'd be all "wait...dogs can do THAT?!!" - his mind would be blown!
Chula REALLY gets into squirrel patrol!

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In knitting news, I finished a couple of projects recently!  First up is my Cabled Feather Cowl, made with Madelinetosh DK yarn in Baltic colorway.  I LOVE THIS YARN.  Love it.  It knit up beautifully, it felt fantastic in my hands, it never looked worn, even though I had to restart this project several times before I finally understood the pattern - I am a huge fan, which is why, knowing we were going to be in north Texas this week, I talked Jeff into going to their store.  More on that in a minute - here's the cowl, modeled by Paco:
Blue is my color.  I beautiful.  

Henry was on the bed watching Paco model and wanted in on the action:
Please leave here so I can throw up on it later.  Thank you for your cooperation.

I love this cowl and look forward to wearing it (and who knows, maybe even modeling it when it's not Texas hot) in about six months.

I also, finally, FINALLY, finished that mystery shawl.  The actual pattern is called Dinner in the Eiffel Tower.  This thing gave me fits throughout much of the process - I'm glad to be done!  While it was a good learning experience, especially because many other ladies were knitting it at the same time, so there was lots of helpful advice available, it was a hard one to knit.  Plus, at this point I'm not really into knitting shawls - some people love them and turn out gorgeous pieces, but it's just not my style right now.  Anyway, it's done, or I guess I should say "c'est fini" considering the title.  Pics:
Blocking it - note the straight edge at the bottom.  This was achieved by using a blocking wire.  I was going to also try and use the wires to block the curved edge, but it's rather challenging with fine-gauge yarn that is wet from washing.  So I gave up and just pinned the rest...have I mentioned I was kind of over this project at this point?
Trying to get a decent picture that shows the (hard-fought for) lacework...
Better shot?  Hard to tell.
I seeriously embarrassed to model dis, Mom.  NOT a little old lady, you know.

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I mentioned going to the Madelinetosh store.  It's in Ft. Worth and it's so awesome - not only did they carry a ton of their own brand, which I love, they also had a lot of other brands of yarn that were so, so pretty!  I ooohed and awwwed over everything before making my selections:
The pink (Carnation) is for a baby sweater - a good friend is having a girl in the fall.  The blue/purple/gray (Steam Age) is to make a hat for my Mom (a Mother's Day gift).  The pink/rose/gray  (Black Velvet) is to make a sweater - for me!  Now to narrow down my pattern choices, do a gauge swatch, and go for it!

Oh, and I couldn't resist this cute project bag:
Such bright and happy colors!  Love it.

Have a great weekend!

31 comments:

  1. I can't believe you made all of those things! Paco looks AWESOME in a cowl. The pictures of you and your mom are so beautiful, as is your solo shot. You are such an inspiration, not just for your weight loss but for your kind and loving soul. So happy to i-know you!

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  2. You look GREAT! Love the shawl. I should. Get knitting.

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  3. That shawl is amazingly beautiful. I wish I could knit (two right hands) if only for all the beautiful yarn available.

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  4. Wow! What a fun and newsy note!! Madtosh!!!! I've been waiting on pins and needles(LOL) for the report. For some reason I thought you were going this weekend. Was it a large store? That's nice they had other brands--looks like you stuck with Madtosh for your purchases?

    Sophie likes to do that on the chair behind me too! I don't like it because she jumps up there when I get up for a minute and sometimes I don't realize she's there when I come back. I'm afraid I'm going to crush her. I'd love to see Chula climbing a tree!

    The photo shoot of you and your mom is a great idea--I should do that... So many gorgeous pictures of you. I like the one where she's really laughing--you look great in that one!

    Your knitting accomplishments!! The shawl is amazing. The attractive thing about shawls is that they are just one big piece of knitting. The wearing--not so much. It'll be nice to throw over your shoulders or your knees when it gets cold.

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    1. I did stick with Madtosh, only because I loved it ALL. Figured I had to get as much as I could afford, considering I was in their HQ. :)

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  5. Absolutely awesome photos! And you look great!

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  6. The photos of you and your mom are just beautiful and you look terrific

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  7. I love all the pictures, but the second one of your momma and you laughing looks like pure joy - love it!

    You are quite the knitter Shelley! I haven't knit or crocheted since I was a child - my grandma taught me and I swear I must have made 100 pot holders one summer until my Mom finally told me she had plenty!

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  8. If you were to start a blog that's just Paco modeling things, I'd most definitely follow it. Nice work on your projects!

    I've been meaning to say how good that blue looks on you in your profile shot above! Your photo shoot looks fun, and how cool to include your mom!

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    1. Paco already thinks he's the star of my blog - can you imagine how big his ego would get if he had his own blog?!? LOL!!!

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  9. Love the photos! Thank you for sharing. Paco made me smile as usual!!

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  10. Those are awesome photos! You and your mom are both photogenic!

    I have a friend whose dog climbs the tree in their front yard. The tree is long-since dead, but they can't cut it down because Foxy would be traumatized. So they trimmed it up as neatly as they could, and it kind of does look like yard art. Art with a dog perched on it. :)

    Happy weekend, Shelley!

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  11. Awesome photos of you and your mom!! What a precious gift!!
    And that shawl!!!! LOVE IT!! So dainty!!!

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  12. Great photos! It would be hard to choose. That cowl is beautiful - and Madtosh is blocks, mere blocks, from my house! Next time you are coming by, give me a shout.

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  13. I love Madtosh (I'm knitting a sweater with tosh sock vintage sari right now). AND to find out they have a store in Fort Worth ... I definitely see a road trip in my future this fall.

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    1. TOTALLY worth the trip. Sweet people working in the store, and so much gorgeous yarn - you'll love it!

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  14. Those are some gorgeous pictures, Shelley! Love them. And love all the blue. That was a nice theme for your post :D

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    1. How funny, I didn't realize there was a blue theme until you pointed it out! Yep, I do loves me some blue!

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  15. Sweety it sounds silly I know but I have tears in my eyes from the photos with you and your mom. They are so beautiful especially the second one where you both look so happy. I really love these. Jenny did a fantastic job.

    The mystery shawl looks like a very difficult project. Very well done my friend, it's fantastic. And your models are great too, how do you pay them? With a cookie?

    Have a fabulous weekend lovely lady.

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    1. Aw, thanks Fran! I agree, Jenny did such a great job with our pictures - she really got us to relax and I think it showed. :)

      Paco gets a cookie for his payment. Henners gets nothing and likes it, lol!

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  16. Tell Paco that he makes a GREAT model and that he needs to raise his fees! But I laughed hysterically at the "Please leave here so I can throw up on it later. Thank you for your cooperation" by the cat!

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    1. You must own/have owned a cat...glad I could make you laugh!

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  17. Your mom is beautiful! I love her haircut! The tree-climbing dog is cracking me up!

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  18. Wonderful pictures of you and your Mom!
    That shawl is a wonderful colour of blue :)
    Poor Paco a cute but bashful model!!

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  19. I like the shawl a lot! I'd love to go to the madtosh store - Steam Age and Black Velvet are both ones I've been lusting after :)

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  20. Oh, those shots of you and your Mom are fantastic. Those are the kind you have forever. Love it!

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  21. Beautiful pictures!!! I love the first one!

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