Sunday drive

It was a sunny day so we headed north for a ride. There isn't much ice on the big lake, but we did see some in the bay and harbor. Also saw a few ducks, and a pilated woodpecker.



My husband was in charge of the camera for these photos.


Finished this hat for Matthew while driving back home. He has outgrown the first one I made him! Used the same yarns, Cascade 220 blue, and Paton's Classic Merino for the gray, just a different strip sequence. He tried to pull it off his head the second I tried it on him. Oh well, he was interested in it during the knitting process at least.

Finished the basket

Getting ready to lash the rim, this is the first time using zip ties to hold it. Much easier than clothespins!

Here is the finished basket. You can find the pattern here. While it was drying, I pinched it together in the center, so it would be narrower, and not so round. Didn't tighten the weavers enough and it bowed out quite a bit. Mine turned out shorter than the pattern,due to using narrower reed than what it calls for, but I used what was on hand and am happy with it. Also skipped the filler pieces in the bottom of the basket, someday will have to learn how to do that.....

What I bought today

Wasn't going to look at these yet, but while grocery shopping was drawn in anyway and they came home with me. I am never successful starting seeds in the house. Forget to water, cats get into them, not enough light, I could go on. So will just plant them June 1st and hope for the best. Cosmos usually do well here, they had two different types, and the morning glories will be planted under the mountain ash and lilac bush, using them as supports. Saw that in Green Bay over the summer at the Botanical Garden and wanted to try it here. Also want to try growing them in a hanging basket near our back porch,cascading down by the back steps.

Wondering how the poppies, new primrose plants and other perennials are doing under their snow cover? Will finish up a basket tonight, and post a picture when it dries. Got the pattern from a very nice basketweaving site, also in my blogroll. Click here to go check it out.

Miniature African violet

Here is a picture of this plant's second blooming. It's a miniature violet, and has grown quite a bit since the first photo I took awhile back. Will post another picture when it's fully in bloom. Have a bit of cabin fever right now, and the flowers from the violets are always a welcome bit of color when the garden is still months away.

Here is a way to compare the size, it is probably not going to get much bigger than this.

Weaving event

Check this link out for information on a midwest weaving conference in Michigan during the summer of 2011.