I have finished my second Fusion. This one is for my Mother. She is an incredible woman that has always been self-sacrificing, loving, and available. She is the Senior Pastor of the Tabernacle of Worship Church and also has a non-profit organization called Hilltop Light Ministries. She has done humanitarian work in North America, South America, Africa, and the latest - India. She has a huge heart that always has room to love. Growing up, there was always a stranger that was living with us, because she found out they didn't have a place to live. While she was born Patrica Ann Cain, when she went to Malawi, Africa and started doing AIDS relief work and started a grass-roots orphanage, she was renamed Kwacha. The name is derived from a nationalist slogan alluding to a 'new dawn of freedom' from the word for 'dawn' in some Bantu languages. She has indeed brought liberation to those she has helped. Kwacha "I Love You. No one could be blessed with a better Mother than you."
As one of her presents, I have made a matching shrug. This one is out of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. Instead of using the silk Ella Rae yarn like the one I made for myself, this wool/cashmere blend will get a little more use in Vermont, with it's fickle weather. As you might see in the photo, it's a little snug on me. My Mom and I are close in size, but she has smaller arms, so I made it one size down from the one I made. I think it'll be a perfect fit!
I'm also finishing up the last of the Three Tams from Knitty. She really liked the one I made for my Sister, so this one is for her. Another FO to come soon.
So I’ve been a busy bee with knitting these days. I have managed to go to the Infinite Knitters Starbucks meet-up for the last 2 weeks in a row and am going this evening. Who-raw!!! I have a quick FO pic that will be re shot soon….my Ella Rae shrug is finished and worn to work, but not quite finished due to running out of yarn. I cast off for the mere joy of an FO…it’s been sooooooooo long, but am having my trusty knitting bud Brandi frog back the entire neckline. I have already placed an order for one more skein of the Shibu in Caramel along with 5 more skeins in the color blue haze. I’m really loving this shrug. The pattern is so easy to remember and the finished piece is a great addition to any warm weather wardrobe, where the temperature can drop just enough to make you wish your back was covered. I’m making one for my Mother for Mother’s day while I wait for my last skein. I had 3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from a previous secret pal swap. I ordered 2 more skeins to make sure I have enough to make it for her, but am loving the texture and feel so far. Here’s some progress pics of both.
Sunday afternoon Brandi and I met with the Ravelry Knit Nutz group to do a little KIP at Balboa Park. Let me tell you – it was a scorcher that day…my car said it was as much as 97°. What was so great, was that we were on the lawn, under some trees, but a fountain. Could it get anymore “picturesque”? Yes, it could – there was a man playing the saxophone nearby…not too loud, just great background music while we sat, knit, ate, and chatted amongst each other. For those in the San Diego area, please feel free to join. Next week we will be meeting at the Living Room in La Jolla at 1:00 pm. This is a nice little spot, which I was first introduced to a year or so ago when I met a Knitters Review member named Gail in person for a little KIP action. Good memories all around.
Today I had a wonderful surprise, I received the most beautiful gifts from my favorite color swap pal Laura from D.C. She is a spoiler indeed. Since I am actually both a quilter and a knitter, Laura spoiled me with both! The package includes a National Cherry Blossom Festival bag filled with:
- Washington, D.C . – Then and Now book. Perfect for my coffee table! I also love that Laura put little stickies in it sharing her experiences at different locations.
- Fons & Porters Quilting Magazine – A perfect way to get me back on the quilting wagon, since it’s been a full year!
- The Quilters Apprentice – a Jennifer Chiaverini book. I am hoping to go away for a little getaway sometime soon and this will be the perfect read.
- Yarn Harlot’s “Things I Learned from Knitting”. This baby is going with me to Balboa park this weekend!
- A cute DPN case
- Notecards
- Last but not least….(hey – she made me open this one last too! Lol)…7 skeins of Ella Rae Bamboo Silk in plum. The color is GORGEOUS and it feels so luxurious, I can’t stop touching it.
Thank you so much Laura. You are so wonderful! I couldn’t have picked out better myself!
I have a long-over due meme, but will save that for Tuesday or Wednesday, as this post may have dragged on past the normal knitter’s attention span. Plus…I’ve got to look over my blog roll before meeting with the Infinite Knitters myself to catch up. I’ve missed all of you!
