first day back...

i am having a lunch break, thus giving me time to stop by and let you know two miracles have happened.

sadly, neither of them in the kitchen... just when i thought my cremated grilled cheese sandwich was the lowest i could manage, i surpassed myself on Saturday lunchtime...this time the grilled cheese sandwich i was serving up to our #4 looked just about near perfect, i beamed with pride...

until it became apparent it was missing vital ingredients. unfortunately, this happened in front of our #2, giving her more proof that her mother is a 'waste of space' these days...(ah, those heady days of being 15...)

dear readers...the first miracle took place in my studio...yes, i have been reacquainted with Miss Ethel and we have 'sweated' together like we've never 'sweated' before, all for the grand 'update' in my little shop...

and the second miracle to occur (you might have to sit down here) Miss W. Machine and i have been 'dying' together (doesn't matter how i phase it, i sound barking mad)...

there are half a dozen slips, as i type, doing a whirl with Miss W. Machine.

it is a 'trial and error' session for several reasons, first it has been over a year since i have meddled in 'dying' and with the current state of my aging brain i can't remember what 'tricks of the trade' i mastered (not surprising, considering i can't even remember if i put a cheese sandwich on the grill just a few mins ago)...and another reason, i wish to have certain colors for the winter season and of course the 'dyes' that i use do not come in the exact colors i wish for, so i am experimenting by mixing them all up and seeing what happens.

i can tell you are quite fearful at that little bit of info...you are not alone, it is quite possible that every slip i own (and trust me there are rather a lot) will end up one mass of 'sludge' and then everything will be up the creek and i don't have a paddle...

instead of dwelling on the negative i am thinking of the positive...my grilled cheese sandwich may not have achieved a 'rosette' if entered into a W.I. contest but i think my little scarf might have faired better...(not 'first place' better, but more like 'it functions' better)

i found the most lovely teal silk blend yarn at the thrift store a few weeks back and knew instantly it was destined for a scarf...i think this has been the first yarn project in a long time that hasn't been tossed out the window and little old me left defeated and frustrated...

it's just a very simple crocheted shell pattern, not terribly long (due to my ability to get bored quickly) and no surprise here, i added a little detail...

considering Mabel was born in the 1950's her neck (amongst other things) has faired much better than mine, so she is 'model for the day'...

i shall be without power tomorrow, so Miss Ethel and Miss W. Machine will sit idle. hopefully we will have recovered by wednesday to get cracking again...the cobwebs have been blown off and i don't want my little creative brain cells to gather dust a moment longer...

she's off to see what 'color disaster' or 'color delight' is waiting for her in the laundry room ~ Tif

FOOTNOTE: well, it's not a disaster, competely...more a "well, mmm, it's not what i was going for, but i think it's okay" delight...back to the drawing board :)