Woven Alpaca Squares on the Zoom Loom

Since I really didn't know where I was headed with this project, I was glad that my friend, Patty, wanted to make a bag out of these woven squares. She had given me the yarn so it is fitting that it will head back to her for the next step.

There are 45 four inch squares in the pile. They are nice and soft and tweedy looking. Originally, I had planned to make a scarf but I thought it looked a little too quilty - too much like patchwork. I'm happy to send them off. Bye bye!

This Summer with Friends

Aren't friends just the best part of life? Here are a few pictures from this summer that document some of the easy times I spent with friends from near and far, catching up over a meal or a walk on the beach. So fun!  

Chico

Oregon City

Alaskans in Anacortes

Juneau pals in Port Townsend

Outdoors - On The Road

My friends in Oregon City have the BEST outdoor shower! I stayed with Patty for a couple of days and enjoyed the goats and the fresh tomatoes and the huge amazing walnut tree. We shopped a bit in Portland and had fabulous meals and worked on our knitting while listening to great music. It was so fun to hang out with my buddy. I sure miss living in the same town as her. 

Camping near Mt. Hood - Oregon

Crater Lake - Oregon

Diamond Lake - Oregon

Goose Lake - Northern California

Black Rock Desert - Nevada

Black Rock Desert - Nevada

Dave and I camped for a few days en route to visit family and friends in Reno and California. The family reunion on his side sort of blew up and didn't really happen but it was fun to drive through the gold country of the western Sierra Nevada range and stop in small towns and at scenic vistas. I went on up to Chico for my 40th high school reunion and was glad to spend a couple of days in my home town. It was hot and as dry as a dog biscuit but the peaches were ripe and I loved reconnecting with pals from way long ago. It was lucky that some people still have landlines or some of the contacts never would have happened!

Outdoors - At Home

Bicycling on the Cascade Trail along the Skagit River

Looking at my life through this blog, one would almost suppose that the only time I get up from the couch is to take pictures of the stuff I have made. I haven't neglected my craft projects this summer but I have found plenty of opportunity to spend some quality time outside. My friend, Jeni and I walked in a local half marathon event in July so we were out getting in some training miles several times a week and tried to "cross train" by riding our bikes at least once a week or so. She has access to the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, which was our favorite place to walk - the roads are lightly traveled (or empty) and there are long stretches right along the water. It is so pretty around here!

Hiking on Goose Rock with Maureen and her dog

Biking on Guemas Island with Jeni

September Bee Blocks

Brandy chose a paper pieced block for our September charity quilt. It was featured in the book, Modern Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks from Your Favorite Designers by Susan Woods. This block is called Freewheeling by Natasha Bruecher; we were given directions on Flickr since not all of us had the book. It wasn't difficult but more time consuming than most of the quilts we make for do Good Stitches. It is destined to be a glorious end result with all of these different fabrics and the bright and happy colors! 

Sunshine Socks 2

This is my second pair of Sunshine Socks, this time in a bright Robin's Egg blue. I made this pair from the toe up with 64 stitches and a short row heel. I think they fit better but it's hard to know; the other pair is now living in Michigan.

There are a few more construction details on my Ravelry page. It's a popular project from a great sock pattern designer, Cookie A. 

Misty Muggy

Mt. Erie in the clouds, just up the hill from our house