Rumors of my demise . . .

Are greatly exaggerated, as the saying goes.  I have really adjusted to being retired.  If I had to go back to work now, it would kill me!  However, I do have a job of sorts.  DH works as a ring man for Fields Auctions.  When another member of the staff was injured, I got to step in and help.  Now, I'm the regular substitute, and it puts a little money in my pocket now and then.  That is, if I don't spend it all on something being sold like 83 pounds of yarn, and Sterling silver jewelry, with the once in a lifetime (so far) scoring of an 18 karat gold and diamond ring . . . for $20!  The markings inside the ring were obscured a bit, so it was sold as Sterling silver.  A gentleman seated next to me asked to look at it after I won the bid.  He had a jeweler's loupe in his pocket, and quickly offered me $50, which I declined.  Well, he said . . . it says 18K inside!
I am starting to get things ready for The Old Tippecanoe Quilt Guild's Annual Retreat.  Theme this year is "All Creatures Great and Small", so we will have lots of animal themed projects and blocks, such as Bear Paw, Fox and Geese, Wild Goose Chase in pieced blocks, and some foundation piecing, as well as embroidery and applique.

I've also kept my knitting needles very busy . . . that's a good portable project for the auction, when I am not standing up displaying and delivering items.  Have made several pairs of socks, such as:

Tentacula Leaves designed by Heidi Nick (available at Ravelry.com):

A pair of Monkeys designed by Cookie A for my DBIL's birthday.  This pattern has taken the sock-knitters by storm.  Ravelry notes its' listing in over 17,000 projects!  Every pair uses approximately 300 yards of sock yarn . . . that's three football fields . . . how many miles is that?

Timothy Green's designed by Patti-Joy White.  These were for my friend Viki over at www.fiberobsessive.blogspot.com.  She likes hand-knit socks, and I have an overstock of quilt tops requiring some quilting.  As you will note, she does beautiful work.  Each of us believes we have the better end of the bargain!

I also made Patti-Joy's Heart Socks for myself and mastered a new technique for me, Judy Becker's Magic Cast-on for toe up socks.  I had tried before, reading the instructions, but the written word did not convey what was happening on the back side of the cast on.  Once I watched a YouTube video, it was a cinch.  

Back in March, when I discovered the 13 in 2013 KAL at Ravelry, I dug into my knitting bag for a pair of socks that deserved to be finished, also for Viki.  This pattern was a Harry Potter themed design, called Patchwork Weasley, and I made them in  coral Louet Gems.  

Another pair languishing in a holding pattern was for my DSIL, Jan.  I started teaching her to knit socks, and she worked diligently until she reached the heel, when panic set in.  She returned the project, so I finished them.  The pattern was Cat Bordhi's classic from Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles.

I currently am working on a test knit for Heidi Nick . . . I've been sworn to secrecy, and would have to kill you, and myself,  if I violate my oath of allegiance to her.  Also have a pair started for one of our dear friends, Dwaine; design is Athos by Caoua Coffee, another Ravelry pattern.  A pair called, "Beaded Peacock Socks" with a scrumptious hand-paint, which will include beading on the leg, and also found on Ravelry.
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And finally, a pattern called, "Eleanor" by Gigi Siva a/k/a Monkey Toes.  I've made this pattern before and love the results, plus it is an easily remembered pattern repeat, so I don't have to watch a chart constantly as I knit.  

That just about covers my recent knitting endeavors, unless I confess to cleaning out my extra skeins to please DH, and then filling the recovered storage space with premium yarns at a going out of business sale and auction.  I shouldn't have to purchase yarn to make anything for quite some time!

Next posting, I will show my current quilting projects.  There are just as many of those as there are knitting projects.  Can you believe it?