Wonderful Wildflowers

We had our last 12 inch snowstorm here in the Lake Tahoe area during the first week of June and as a result wildflowers have just started popping up all over the place in the last few weeks.  Went on a walk with my daughter and her friend on the Tahoe Donner Nature Loop and here's what we came across:

                                                                            

                                                                                      

These are called Alpine Lillies:

                                                                                      

Mule's Ears are everywhere:

                                                                                                                                                            



                                                                        

Corn Lillies:

                                                                            

And some other beauties :

                                                                              

                                                                                      

                                                                                              

  
Where's the bug spray girls?

                                                                                

                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                    

Summer Sweaters and Shawls

We now have an IPad which is so easy to carry around and I've been browsing through various knitting sites off and on through these lazy summer days.  There are some lovely patterns out there:

                                                                                  

This is the Sorelle Laced Edged Pullover by Angela Hahn which is done in a worsted weight cotton on size 8 needles which should work up pretty quickly.  I think this would also look nice done in wool for winter.

                                                                        


    This is Gundrun Johnston's Soay which is shown here in the project done by scratchnsniff on Ravelry.                                        
She used Malabrigo Silky Marino and said the pattern was really well written and easy to follow.   I think these flowers are so cute!

                                                                          

Not sure if this really falls under the heading of Summer Sweaters, but if you spend alot of time in the Sierras, it definitely works.  This is Metro by Connie Chang Chinchio, also done in a worsted weight yarn on size 8 needles.

This is Lizette by Anne Ginger and I thought this was one of the prettiest designs in the summer issue of Twist Collective.

                                                                                

Came across this pattern on Knitty, their Summer 2010 issue, and my daughter wanted me to drop everything and make it for her.  Well, that didn't  happen, but since she is moving to Los Angeles I figure I still have lots of time to do this.  It's called Inamorata and the designer is Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark.  The yarn is fingering weight Kitchen Sink Dyeworks Silk Linen.

                                                                          

This is the Nina shawl from Mason Dixon Knitting and there are lots of knitters who have done this simple pattern in all kinds of creative colorways.  This was done by whitedaisy in Reynolds Saucy.

I love this shawl!  So light and graceful; what a great shawl to have for summer!  This is Annis by Susanna IC:

                                                                                        

  This was done in Miss Babs Yet which is a lace weight but it is knit on size 8 and 10 needles.

                                                                        

This sweater from Wendy Bernard looks alot like the very popular Mr. Greenjeans.  It's called Something Red and this version was done by fanciepants

                                                                                  


Another summer poem I came across on Writer's Almanac.  It's called Modern Love.  And now off to the lake for a swim!




                                                                              

                                                                                        


                                                                               

Primary Structures: Knitting As Art

Spent a morning at The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles to see their current exhibit called
Primary Structures, an exhibition of knit and crochet art done on a large scale.  The museum is located right next to the Institute of Contemporary Art and despite being downtown is really easy to get to; heck you can pull up and park your car at a meter right out front!

                                                                          
More evidence of yarn bombing - those kids!

                                                                              

                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                  
                                                                              


The intent of Primary Structures is to showcase the inovative work of some talented fiber artists while exploring new ways of using knitting and crocheting.  There are several wall hangings by Mary Walker Phillips whose improvisational knitting was at the forefront in changing public perception of knitting as art.

Trilogy is a graphic piece by Xenobia Bailey and is done in crochet with some beading :


                                                                          

                                                                               
                                                                      
                                                                                    
                                                                            

                                                                                

Tatyana Yanishevsky has two obsessions, botany and knitting.  She combined these interests to create a Knit Garden series which is both fascinating to look at while being botanically accurate.  Here is her
Tiger Lily:

     

   


Arline Fisch created an arrangement of delicate floating flowers called English Garden which is really lovely:

   
There is alot more to see, including a video at the end featuring our friend Jasmine Canty (on the left)  from The Knitmore Girls:

  

The exhibit will be there until August 7th and there is also a nice exhibit of Southwestern Banded Blankets:                                                                    

    


                               

    

Gotta put in a plug for the Gift Shop - it really is special with lots of handmade items including these felted scarves:

      


     

    
      
Definitely worth a visit!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

A Few Images of the Fourth

Spent the Fourth of July in the Lake Tahoe area with family and friends enjoying the sunny, warm weather and watching the last bits of snow disappear around our house.   Took our boat out on the lake  - still some snow up on the mountain tops:

                                                                                  

                                                                                      

                                                                                    
Keep Tahoe Blue is the name of the campaign around here to keep the lake clear and free of environmental damage.  I think it's working!

                            

Heading into Emerald Bay:

                                                                       

A few pictures of our Fourth of July Parade in Truckee.  Here's the Bag Pipe group getting ready:

                                                                            

Check out these socks!

                                                                        

The Wells Fargo Stage Coach and a few cowboys:

                                                                            

                                                                                

My Zumba group.  You go girls!

  

Our Tahoe Donner float won first prize for commercial floats:

                                                                              

Hope everyone had a great Fourth!