Oh sure, I knit LOTS of sweaters. The completed pieces have piled up for years in neat stacks, with the instructions, buttons, etc. all neat and tidy. Many are so old they have cedar cubes in the middle to keep away the moths! But, they hadn't been sewn together.
And here's the problem, the yarn stores have dozens of classes telling us how to knit, purl, do cables, intarsia, etc., etc., but they then offer one class every year (limited to 5 people) for finishing. I've read the books, watched the videos, I can mattress stitch with the best of them, but I needed a neutral third party (sorry Sue, I know you offered) to instruct me and correct my human failings on sleeves. So the pieces sat in neat piles awaiting some sleeve-sewing fairy.
After being rejected for yet another finishing class (sold out before advertised, really) I decided it would be worth my money to hire a tutor to do an individual session. I really didn't want an individual thing, I like the give and take of a class setting, but… This idea had been percolating for a few months so when Shannon from Cultured Purls in Issaquah spoke at the Eastside Knitting Guild last month I asked about individual lessons. Well - they have Project Central where you get four two-hour sessions of help. You share that time with a bunch of other people working on various projects, but no more people than would be in a regular class setting. I knew shops had such groups, but they never seemed to fit into my schedule before.
The part I knew would be hard was putting away my preconceived ideas of how to do the sleeve seam. I'm a good knitter I should know how to do this and I should have opinions. It was difficult to shut up and listen, but I managed, sort of, and came out with lovely sleeve seams.
The sweater is now complete and I have enough confidence to work on sleeves in another sweater.
Now that I've tackled sleeve seams maybe Shannon can help with that lace shawl disaster.
After being rejected for yet another finishing class (sold out before advertised, really) I decided it would be worth my money to hire a tutor to do an individual session. I really didn't want an individual thing, I like the give and take of a class setting, but… This idea had been percolating for a few months so when Shannon from Cultured Purls in Issaquah spoke at the Eastside Knitting Guild last month I asked about individual lessons. Well - they have Project Central where you get four two-hour sessions of help. You share that time with a bunch of other people working on various projects, but no more people than would be in a regular class setting. I knew shops had such groups, but they never seemed to fit into my schedule before.The part I knew would be hard was putting away my preconceived ideas of how to do the sleeve seam. I'm a good knitter I should know how to do this and I should have opinions. It was difficult to shut up and listen, but I managed, sort of, and came out with lovely sleeve seams.
The sweater is now complete and I have enough confidence to work on sleeves in another sweater.
Now that I've tackled sleeve seams maybe Shannon can help with that lace shawl disaster.
You need this ...
This is the temporary fencing around the pea patch, but effective all the same. In the next couple of weekends, we will have Johnny fences around all of the beds, all about 12" high. Got to keep the little critter out of the garden beds. 
You need this to keep Edgar from freaking out the neighbors each time they bring their dog out to pee and poo right under our noses (but that's another story).
This was David's project this past weekend. 
We will enjoy it. The biggest plus is the lattice will keep the sun out of our eyes this summer, and provide us some privacy from the neighbor's security lighting at night. 
A motley crew of dogs.
A fence around .75 acres to keep your doggies in the yard.
And out of the neighbor's yards.
And I am worth it. Overtime has to pay for something, right? I got two skeins in this green, and two skeins in grape. I have been fondling this yarn since I got it trying to figure out what to knit with it. After finishing up Frank's fingerless gloves, Barbara's comfort socks, and the baby blanket, I decided the time had come to knit up the Hand Maiden yarn. I decided on a scarf to wear this summer at work when the air conditioning is on full blast, blowing down on my neck. 
It's called the 
and I love the way it feels when I knit it. This is a very special yarn. I love this yarn. Not only does it feel like heaven on the fingers, it is well twisted, and is a dream to knit up. The stitch definition is clear. I am using size 3 Addi Lace Needles to knit this up and it is moving like a dream. It is also very soothing to knit this lovely stitch with this heavenly yarn. What a nice way to finish off a day. 
Isn't this cool. I planted lettuce and radishes, and on the second shelf is another planter that has spinach. In one of the beds below I planted the peas. I had to get the peas planted early this month so I can sow them early, before the heat moves in. 
The only one missing here is Edgar, and he was on the couch snoring his head off. 
I then got to thinking that maybe this is an upcoming design and knitters beware. I did an Internet search and only came up with another pattern. This one from Interweave Knits. It's a bit better (and the model looks human), but I am still asking why?
Last year the sparrows cleaned up all of the brown stems in one week. I'm going to leave the bed as it is for a couple more weeks so the birds can take what they want. I imagine the dried stems make for a nice comfy nest, and it probably smells good too!
The bee balm plants will get moved in a couple of weeks as well, and I'll use this last bed for my salad garden. 
We've been eating commercially canned green beans this winter and we have NOT enjoyed them. My whole family has told me we have to have enough of the 
I pulled all of the fuchsias out from their winter hideaway and cleaned them up. I gave them haircuts. I think they liked their winter digs under the catwalk in the back. All of them have new, little pale green growths on them. Of course, they were mostly dry, but today's rain took care of that. This coming weekend they will be fed and then they will be off to do their growing thing. By the time the first weekend of April comes around I'll know how many I need to buy to replace the plants that didn't make it. We are heading out to Covington to 
I love how vibrant the spring colors can be. The crocus are so vivid and so welcomed. This picture doesn't do the color justice. When the first crocus start blooming, there is hope of longer days and more sun to come. 
We also know that as soon as the Anniversary Rhodies are in bloom, we are going to have a bad storm. This year, however, the rhodies are blooming a bit late to coincide with the Camellias. The rhodies usually bloom in early February, which is why we have always called them our anniversary rhodies.
This morning I went outside and noticed the camellias were looking beautiful, all nice and flowery. The Anniversary Rhodies are in full bloom, and we even have some daffodils in bloom. The sun was shining through the fluffy clouds and it was nice and temperate. The dogs and I spent quite a bit of time outside this morning just enjoying the day.
That was this morning. Around 1:00 this afternoon the Camellia storm moved in. We have had rain, wind, thunder and lightening, and hail. The weather continues to be stormy so who knows what the camellias will look like in the morning. On the flip side, however, generally after the camellia storm, comes Spring.
I got the hand candy socks done. They are now official FOOT CANDY. I know the recipient will love the socks. It's cold where she is, so the socks should feel good on her feet. I had Cynthia try them on last night to make sure the size was right and I could tell she didn't want to take them off. Who knows, maybe Cynthia will start knitting socks.
Frank's fingerless gloves are done too. I am really pleased with the way they came out. They are so soft now that they have been washed. The dogs like the gloves too. Edgar is usually so good about leaving my knitting alone, but for some reason, he likes these gloves. He hasn't been rough with them, just wants to carry them around and then sleep with them. It's Johnny I'm worried about. He'd probably try to eat the pair. The gloves are currently behind a CLOSED door so they can't get them.
Tomorrow I do taxes. If we get a refund I'll send the tax return in right away. If we owe taxes, I send them off on my birthday. Got to love April 15th.