Casting Spells Contest winner

Contest Winner - Patt! Congratulations!

You can enter this contest even if you have not been able to read the book. Just click on the Barbara Bretton links on the sidebar and begin your investigation. Caution: There may be some slight spoilers, but you won't find out Whodunnit! PM your answers to me (grammieknits@yahoo.com) by January 31, 2009.

1. What is the name of the town in which the story takes place?
2. Where was the rocket scientist from?
3. Who was the owner of the Cut & Curl?
4. What is an Orenburg Shawl?
5. What trick did Chloe show the buyer of the Orenburg Shawl?
6. How many visitors were staying at the Inn?
7. Who did Chloe go to her Senior Prom with?
8. What family is Chloe a descendant of?
9. What is Chloe's wine of choice?
10. What were the names of Chloe's cats?
11. What was Chloe's favorite kind of cookie?
12. Where did the Stallworth's learn much of what they knew about the mortuary business?
13. What are the ingredients in Barbara Bretton's Snowy Day Cream of Celery Soup
14. Where does Barbara Bretton live?
15. What is the name of Barbara Bretton's Yahoo Group?
16. What 'free stuff' is Barbara Bretton giving away?
17. What is Barbara Bretton's 'secret' to writing a book?
18. Where does Barbara Bretton like to spend as much time as possible?

Group #1 Traveling Charity Baby Blanket

Here is Karen's section of Group #1's baby blanket.

I love the bright yellow color and the pattern. Now to decide what I will add to it!

SANTA CRUISE PROJECT

I finished my Santa Cruise project earlier than the last day of the month this time. I have so much more knitting to get completed for swaps and for MOI!!

Sooooo... I went to my bedroom and what did I spy? Someone was in my bedroom eating chips. AND they left them on the bed for me to clean up. See for yourself.

Close up of those chips on my bed.

Violet The Guilty Sheep

**PRESS RELEASE**

Violet the Guilty sheep was arrested on January 21st, 2009 for the theft of a Violet colored blanket. Thanks to the brilliant detectuives, the Dunnit's, Violet was caught red (or violet) handed with the goods on her back. It was "sheer" astute detective skills that kept this crime from unraveling and brought this mystery to an end, even Sherlock Holmes would have been proud.

Hugh Dunnit was quoted saying " It was just a matter of sewing the pieces together, even the smallest clue played a part in this tail."

Violet the sheep admitted to her guilt but smiled as they took her away saying " Can you blame me, I mean really, this blanket matched my eyes perfectly."




Violet was sentenced to community service, she will be donating wool to local yarn shops for the rest of her life.

Clue #6 - The Mystery is Solved!

Open up Evidence Bag A and take a look at it. You should have a rectangle that looks something like this:
See the four little rectangles on each corner of the larger rectangle? Those are legs and the purl side of them should be facing you.

Now - fold the right side of the rectangle over to meet the legs on the left side. Now you have a body with four legs - right? Weave the stitches on one side of the rectangle together - this is the front of the body. The legs are still dangling. Fold them in half and roll them up and weave them together. Then sew up the bottom seam and stuff the body through the back end. If you have fiberfill use that - if not, you can use the leftover yarn from Suspect #1, then sew it up.
Next remove Exhibit B from the evidence bag. This, in case you haven't noticed, is a head. Make a running stitch around the edges, stuff lightly and pull tightly. Remove the ears and tail from evidence bag C and sew the ears onto the head. Use the brown yarn to embroider eyes and mouth. If you don't know how to embroider, just make an X for the eyes and a straight line for the mouth. Sew the head to one side of the body and the tail to the other. In evidence bag D, you have, of course a sweater. Try it on your sheep. Sew a few stitches up the front and slip it over his head. Turn the garter stitch rows down to make a collar. Sew the back seam up leaving a hole for the tail.

This pattern is adapted from Frankie Brown's "Sheep in Sheep's Clothing" - I re-wrote the pattern and made some changes, but if you post a photo of your sheep, please give credit to Frankie Brown (pattern on Ravelry).

And here is the guilty sheep. He broke into the yarn shop and stole the wool to make himself a sweater. But don't be too hard on him - he lives in Maine and he was cold! Take good care of him. You might want to make him a few more sweaters - or better yet - some friends to play with!

Hope you enjoyed this Mystery KAL!

My 'training' diary

Had lots of errands today......the truck got an oil change, and a bath - getting ready to pile the miles on it for the next 5 months. And we picked up another pallet of pellets (say that really fast!! LOL). And then we had to see a movie - poor hubby has had movie withdrawals over the past few months.

So just did a walk around the neighborhood - but clocked in 1.6 miles!

And for the second day in a row, decided I really really need new walking shoes....

A Whoduknit Mystery KAL

Lt. Hugh Dunnit and his brother Howie Dunnit, along with their sister Ms. Dunnit have a new case for you to solve. They are trying to find the culprit who made off with a very large stash of yarn from a local yarn shop. Your assignment, if you chose to accept it, is to follow the clues to determine who the perpetrator is. In order to receive your clues you will have to log onto the WhoDuKnit Yahoo group using your security code. You will receive one clue a day for 7 days beginning Thursday, January 15. Each clue will require less than one hour of investigative work. When you think you have solved the case, send a private message to Ms. Dunnit c/o grammieknits@yahoo.com. If you are correct, you will be eligible to receive the reward that has been posted by the owners of this LYS.

Here is some preliminary information that you will need to solve this case:

Suspect #1: White, off-white, or cream colored, knitting worsted weight yarn,
approximate weight - 2 oz.

Suspect #2: Variegated, self striping or solid color worsted weight yarn -
approximate weight - 1 oz.

Accomplice: Brown or black yarn - approximately one yard.

Weapons: Size 3 straight knitting needles, a darning needle, and 2 stitch markers
Optional weapon: Crochet hook around a size E - (this weapon is not required for solving the crime)

You will also need:
4 evidence bags (plastic baggies or envelopes will work too)


You do not have to sign-up to join this KAL, just gather up your supplies and log in to the WhoDuKnit Yahoo Group for your first clue on Thursday, January 15!

Holiday Swap Package from Joyce

Look at all the goodies in my package! Not included in the photo is a mini-sock ornament, some chocolate, recipe, and pattern. Thanks, Joyce!

Joan in West Texas