Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Feather Feather & Fan Shawlette–Knitting FO

 

Great use for a single skein of sock yarn!

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This free knitting pattern by Betty Balcomb is easy, and forgiving - considering my boo-boo of accidentally starting with US 11s instead of 9s, for instance.

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I truly love this yarn - Stricken Smitten’s Shimmer Glimmer – a 50/50 silk and merino blend. Lovely match for the pattern.

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I bought the yarn at Sock Summit 2011 in Portland, and cast on while flying home (that’s when I made my needle size error) … and then the project lingered forever in my UFO basket.

Fast forward to New Year’s Eve 2012, when I resolved that this year I would make myself finish one UFO for every new project I cast on.

All that I needed to do on this one was weave in the ends & block it (and take its pictures), now it is all done!

--MaggieBelize
Designer, kNotes for kNitters
Creator, Happy Hands Hand Cream for Knitters
Sandia Park, NM

Monday, July 16, 2012

Peace, Quiet & Permaculture: New Mexico Ranchette for Sale

 

Yes, we’ve listed our East Mountain “ranchito” for sale. And I know this will be somebody’s dream home, just like it was ours!

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This is a custom 3 or 4 bedroom (2 masters, one up, one down), 3 bath, 2,520 sq ft Pueblo-style home on a 5-acre horse property … passive solar … part fenced pasture, part wooded with pinon and cedar.

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We added 700 square feet to the existing home, including a ground level guest suite (or second master bedroom) …

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and a home office/4thBR with floor-to-ceiling bookcases & captain's bed … Sliding French doors open to the back patio and deck.

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The home is heated with in-floor radiant heat and a massive kiva fireplace with heat returns.

Thanks to the kiva, the open floor plan, and the passive solar orientation, our propane guy told us we had the lowest propane usage in the whole neighborhood.

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We installed Saltillo tile throughout the downstairs, which looks great with the tongue & groove ceilings and Southwestern wood detailing.

Kitchen has granite counters and a fabulous 29-cubic-foot French door Samsung refrigerator that I’m crying to leave behind …

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The garage is an oversized 2-car with custom storage cabinetry & a workshop.

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The outbuildings (2 barns and 2 coops) have electricity, and there are 4 freeze-resistant pumps for irrigation (reduces your fire insurance, too). And the entire perimeter is “Invisible Fenced” for dogs.

Beautiful views of the Sandia Mountains and the Sedillo valley …

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We’re asking $349,900 for our dream ranchito … you can see the Keller Williams listing with more pictures here http://bit.ly/McXiBH …. and take a virtual tour here http://www.pfretour.com/7921 !

--MaggieBelize
Designer, kNotes for kNitters
Creator, Happy Hands Hand Cream for Knitters
Sandia Park, NM