This is what we call the puppers show......

Heather and I went to have dinner at Karen and Vic's yesterday, and I was able to give the puppers or finger puppets I have been making for their son Jordin. He was a bit shy but did warm up to us by the end of the evening (Heather also brought him a key chain with an OPP motorcycle floating about in a bubble....he was keen on that too). So here he is with Vic (Heather is just off camera) giving Karen and I a puppet show.

We had other 'puppers' show up too. A family of raccoons live under their backyard deck, and they arrived at 8 p.m. to climb the cherry tree and have their breakfast. It was quite a show with two little guys showing up first, followed by mama and three more. They kept us quite amused and were seemingly unaffected by our presence (although mama did keep a keen eye on us as she chomped down on cherries).


To make sure no one missed out, Karen tried to point out to her cat (Alia is it's name, I think) all the activity going on in the tree. The cat didn't seemed to be too impressed that it was being picked up, and really didn't catch on...perhaps she had seen them one too many times.

Anyway, it was a lovely evening, and it was fun knitting up the little puppers for Jordin.

This little piggy went to market....

Yesterday we celebrated my mom's birthday (last week) and my aunt/her sister's birthday (next week) in Guelph. It was a wonderful day, great weather, great food, lots of fun, and it gave me chance to work on some finger puppets that I found in knitty.com called Puppers.

Here's one that is finished. Can you guess what it is? I asked a couple of people, they didn't quite get that it is a pig.






But I had better luck with my other puppers even though the faces weren't done. You'll have to tell me what you think they are.







I should also update you on the sea silk shawl. As yesterday was International Knit in Public day (which entails a yarn crawl in Toronto which carries the euphemism the TTC Knit-a-long) I took it out for lunch. Mom treated Heather, Jennifer, Sarah and myself for a lovely lunch at the Artisanale (formerly known as the Bookshelf Cafe. Unfortunately, I made a 'boo-boo' and wound up ripping it back to a safety line. It is the second time I have had to do so, but what a godsend those little safety lines are (mine are done in dental floss and are a continual source of interest). The shawl is past the half way mark and I am hoping to have it done by the end of June.

Here is one of the birthday girls, and the book that I had signed by the Yarn Harlot during her book launch in T.O. Mom always loves getting books, and the Harlot is a welcome edition to her collection. I think I have mentioned before that my mother learned from her mother when she was a child. Without telling her age, it is many decades of knitting.

Happy birthday to you both !!!!!

Isn't she lovely....and the sweater is pretty nice too....

I've told you about my 'other life' as a library technician. Well, seems I can't get enough of school as I am now going to George Brown College for Archival studies. We did a field trip on Tuesday night, to the City of Toronto Archives to have a look at their conservation lab. Doors Open was on last weekend, and they still had a display up of different items. This picture immediately got my attention.

I was so taken with it, I asked the conservator Holly if she had any back ground information on it. I told her I was a knitter, and was struck by not only the beauty of the photograph but the sweater as well. She said it was part of the teaching collection (not part of the archives) and there was no information. I then asked if I could have a copy of the picture, she said take it. I was shocked, but immediately said yes. She said she got it at an antique show for next to nothing. Thank you Holly, I truly love this photograph.

Anyway, as far as I can determine the sweater is hand knit and probably dates from the 1920's or 30's. I can see that the top is done in stockinette stitch, but I can't quite figure out what the ruffle is done in. If I can find me some time this fall, I would love to have a go at replicating it.

If you know anything about the woman, the sweater or the picture, please let me know.

P.S. I love the ring on her pinky too.

Long time, no hear.....

Yes, well, sorry about that. It has been a difficult/hectic few months that I am starting to come out of the fog of. Don't want to give an explanation here, ask me if you want to know more.

So, what's new? Had a fabulous Harlot sighting last Friday, as she did a book launch at Indigo Books at Bloor and Bay in Toronto. After many, many months about hearing about her talking at all these places in the US and the rest of Canada, she finally did a hometown appearance.

I forgot to take my camera, so I am going to us Eden's pics to tell my story (thanks Eden!!!)

Here she is in all her Harlotness. She was great, spoke for an hour, made us all laugh, was a very good speaker. Being a Torontonian, you do see her at various places and functions about town. But it was great to see her in an 'official' capacity.

Here is Jacquie from the DKC, and Amy Singer. I was quite nervous about meeting Amy for pre-Harlot dinner, as she is the editor of knitty.com and I was having a 'We're not worthy' moment (Wayne's World). But she was fun and easy to talk to (which means a lot to the Shy Knitter) and it was great meeting her.

My best knitting bud Eden (thanks again for the pics) as we wait for the Harlot. We did have fun waiting, although I screwed up my lace (don't knit lace at such things, it just isn't worth the agrivation) and had to unknit 2 rows....thankfully I didn't have to rip it back.

Finally, this pic.....just to prove that I am a Shy Knitter. I will post again soon.