Lisa Kay Knits... and Quilts!

I finished the handles on the bags. Here's an updated photo. For more information on how to win a bag, see the contest post . If you want to make your own bag, I used McCall's pattern 5487. How do you like the updated blog format? Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

I noticed the latest More , magazine cover in the grocery store, and it turned my head. I just had to buy it. It jumped into my cart. I wonder if I can make this sweater ? The picture at the link is the cover shot. The sweater just looks so soft and wonderful. I'm not even a great fan of this color, but I like it in this sweater! The article in the magazine gives the information on the sweater. It is angora and viscose (so not even all natural fibers... shocking!), and it costs $1235. Ack! Maybe I'd be better off knitting it... What yarn do you think would be a good substitute? It looks like it might be DK, but it is quite fuzzy. Maybe Rowan Kidsilk Aura? Hmmm... Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

We'd been holed up inside doing chores, but the day is too good to miss, so we took a drive up the road to visit the neighbor's horses. There is a patch of clover just outside of their reach, and we pulled it up in bunches to feed them. Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

I've always liked the word, "Autumnal." It evokes a feeling of crisp, cool air, images of beautiful, turning leaves, and, of course, the comfort of cozy sweaters. I'd been thinking the word and not saying it, but broke down and used it the other night at dinner. Chris said, "I was waiting for that." He knows me too well! I've been enjoying the trees. It is hard to capture a general feel of a neighborhood in one tree, but here's one I like. Doesn't it make you think of crisp air? Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

I'm going to give away a tote/knitting bag. The winner will be based on writing a caption to the cartoon post . Please leave a comment on that post. Leave some way for me to contact you, either Ravelry name, email in DOT AT format, or whatever. I'll pick the winner the first weekend in November. You have to be willing to give me a snail mail address (when contacted). Sorry, family cannot win. [Feel free to put in a caption, though. Honorable mention?] The tote is hand-made by me. The ladybugs are machine embroidered. The fabric is upholstery, and fully lined. The handles aren't on there, yet, but will be the same fabric as the red front panel. I have no intention to ever make these for money, and it isn't a promotion, other than just bringing readers to the blog. Happy Captioning, Lisa Kay

We visited the Scottish Games in Forest Park, yesterday. Predictably, I was interested in the sheep and shepherding. Shetland Sheep in Multiple Colors "Keep that wolf away from us!" "Is he still back there? Go with the man..." "Run away! Run away!" Less predictably, they gave bird of prey demonstrations. The bald eagle was impressive, flying in from above to land on the glove. "Brace yourself. I'm coming in." "Flaps down. Landing gear out." "Where's my treat?" It is amazing to get this close to the birds The hawk approached from below the glove... ... and enjoyed his treat. "Scottish Games" apparently include golf One of the weaponry demonstrators fitted Mitchell with a helmet "How do you hold your head up in these things?" "Can Momma knit me one of these?" "Oh, the sweet smell of haggis!" "No, I don't want to try the chain mail....

We have a garden visitor, taking up residence on the outside of the garage window. While it resembles what we called, "banana spiders" when I lived on Guam, it seems to be a rather common yellow garden spider , in a group called argiope . Anyway, we were all in a flutter, here, over her presence. Whole window pane and bricks give sense of scale... She is outside the window, inside the web One the move Sitting outside the web and window, facing the sun As far as garden visitors go, I think I prefer Mitsy. Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

I worked frantically last week to meet a pattern submission deadline on Friday, and I took off of work Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday morning, I took a little break and went with the boys to school. Chris normally drops off, because I have been at work a couple of hours by the time they go to school! Mitchell likes school, and he is all smiles as we arrive. Making Eyes at Dad Any Opportunity for a Hug (Dad, not Mitchell) Mitchell Brings Home Work to Show Us in His Backpack Eager to Start the Day   First to Arrive; Let's Get Started!   Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay