More building

Well, it looks like we have another new neighbor.  He (we think it's a he) has been delivering construction materials to the site for a couple of days.  We're not sure about the choice of a site, though.

It's in between this clematis vine

And the trellis.  Not a lot of flat space to build on here.  But then, this is our builder:

A lone robin.  We're feeling a little uncertain for his future as a family man, though.  There isn't a mate around and he keeps flying to his reflection in our window.  Is it possible that he's identified his reflection as a potential mate?  That would be an extreme outcome of narcissism, I think.  We're still hoping that the Mrs is just waiting for the nest to be finished. 

Ruby Tuesday

Here's a busy little tug out scouting the harbor for some barges to push and pull into place...

Or maybe the work is all done for the day and it's time for home. 

For us humans, it's Ruby Tuesday.  Mary T hosts this cheerful meme over here.  Find a photo with some red - a little or lots -  in your stash and come play. 

Sunday Wonders - F

F is for Fun.

What makes something fun?    We always have a good time taking the kids to the playground...

but sliding down the twirly slide with your granddaughter is just plain laugh-out-loud fun.
And it's always great to to watch the kids play in the back yard...

but when we play too, it's fun.  He's laughing, not crying.  Really.

So, is it participation?  Is it doing something we haven't done for a long time?   What takes you from enjoyment to fun?

Deadline met!

After the feverish knitting on last month's Project Runway challenge, the silence around the April challenge must have been deafening.  If you listened real hard you could hear the thoughts running around like gerbils, though.

The challenge was, for those not on Ravelry, a bag designed for a specific client complete with the back story. It took a long while to percolate through the gray cells, but I finally had a client - me!  A knitter,who lives in Vancouver, who loves being close to the ocean,  who doesn't mind the rain and who wants a knitting bag that is really a purse.   It should have a shoulder strap and no felting, please.  I wanted to design something  to reflect this part of her life.

I looked in my stash and found some Buffalo yarn that I'd been collecting.  I also had a lot of old patterns for those Cowichan-style sweaters that were all the rage in the 80's.  I figured it would be a pretty quick knit.  Oh, I've forgotten how hard that yarn is to work.  It's just 6 strands of roving;  it breaks often and unpredictably.  It's very hard on the hands and quite slow.  But, it is very strong fabric,  almost waterproof and it will last forever.   So, I decided on a wave motif in blue/gray  and a big pink setting sun falling into the waves. In Vancouver, there is always the possibility of gray clouds.

The strap is knit all in one piece in a moss stitch.  Oh, we have lots of moss here.  But I really chose it so the strap wouldn't stretch.  Then I noticed that the bumps were like rocks on the seashore - perfect.  I made a flap to keep the rain out.  And for those purse days, I included a removable pink clutch which can hold wallet, keys. etc.  All that stuff which can get tangled in knitting.  I put a vintage button on because my client loves buttons and  bit of glitter always makes her smile.   I call this The Vancouver Bag.  All puns intended.

It's big enough to get a pattern magazine in as well as the knitting and the clutch.  I don't think it would look out of place with jeans or a something  more dressy.  Maybe not with the sequins, though.

So, if you were worrying, I did make the deadline - just.  Now I have to stir my mind for the May challenge.  But that's another post.
If you're a Raveler, please go to the Project Yarnway forum and vote for your favorites on the amateur, as well as, the professional runways.