May 2006-July2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Secret Pal Delivery!
A surprise package came from my Secret Pal today.
And man did she deliver! Check out that generous bounty!!
There is a video on Fair Isle (seriously I know! a video) - the technique and how to instruction. They even show from 'sheep to sweater' with the wool. That is so cool.
She sent a yummy melon candle, curly parsley (I have never grown that! thanks) seeds, a lovely quilted accessory holder -- I had just been looking at one online too -- a floral print tea towel (that my Mom loves too), two balls of sock yarn - real sock yarn (I have never used that before) in a great stripey pink and purpley shade and a fabulous skein of 100 % wool - like it still has little twigs and stuff in it 100% wool!
I love, love, love the colour of that wool.
She also included a dear little card, two sock patterns AND a chocolate bar.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Nearly Nautie
Well - this has been an interesting project.
In my effort to use up Stash yarn I thought I would make Nautie with my favourite 100% Unknown Fibre in blue (I still have no idea where it came from!)
The thing of it is, that is damn thick fibre.
My fingertips are still tender - I was forcing with clenched teeth for the last 20 or so rows of his shell. Waiting to hear the audible 'click' when the fibre slipped between the needles so I could pull the stitch through - hilarious. The fibre actually squeaked on its way through the needles.
I decided that couldn't be good for him or me, so Nautie is about 8 stitches smaller than his original pattern - but look at the size of the guy!
I only have 2 tentacles done - I think this project is so cute. His little face has personality already - before his eyes are even formed.
I still haven't decided what to do with Nautie when he is finished. Any ideas?
On another note altogether I have been shopping up a storm for my One Skein Exchange & Secret Pal 8 Pals. It is so much fun buying to surprise other people. I love it.
If you haven't checked out the Secret Pal 8 site lately do so. There are all sorts of special sales for people taking part. The needles at Purlescence are simply stunning!
Friday, May 26, 2006
So I finished sewing this precious Sweat Pea of a sweater. Getting ready to block it and lay it out for a photo op and...
Ummmm...can you spot the sewing mistake?
Ignore the pattern mistakes if you can - the sewing mistake is a doozy.
I think I will wait til tomorrow to fix it.
Sheesh. Such a simple project. Wouldn't cha know it.
Shipment Arrived
Such relief! Had my root canal yesterday - with every complication
possible, naturally. But today I am feeling nearly normal and my pain is
minimal.
Ahhhh....sweet relief. Also I was able
to sleep. Now that is worth it's weight
in linen blend yarn - such as the yarn to the right.
My lovely linen tweed yarn arrived
today. It is actually a slightly browner pink in reality. I quite like it. It is unlike any other colour I have worked with so far.
Good. I was thinking I should expand my colour horizon some day!
This yarn is slated for the Stacy Pullover on the cover of Big Girl Knits. I can't wait - though of course I will because I already have so many things on the go...or will I?
One of my colour slump challenges is going to be the Laura Tee from BGK's as well. I am thinking some sumptous yummy yarn in a moss green, maybe with a bit of shine to it?
I am such a predictable colour person - my closet is like a sea of black, blue and red. Different shades of blue, hues of pink to red but mostly black. SO I think it is time that I spice it up a little. Oooh or maybe a rich deep purple, hmmmm...that might be good too.
If you have a colour preference for me feel free to comment! I will take it into consideration.
Monday, May 22, 2006
The Agony...
minus the ecstasy.
I have had a long weekend filled with pain.
Brutal, relentless and exhausting.
A nerve has died in a tooth - or something
equally dreadful.
I spent an hour and a half in the ER
waiting room Saturday night reading
the depressing book to the right
and trying not to gag on the smell
of all the drunks keeping me
company.
I watched Return of The King and
knit about 8 rows - it is hard to knit
when you are in pain - I hadn't realized.
I worked in the garden for about 5 hours, got a sunburn on my back but it was worth it - the work either stopped the pain or helped me ignore it.
It is sitting down that brings it to the fore - so knitting, or reading or anything else I would dearly love to do after 3 nights with 4 or less hours of sleep.
So...the laundry is done, the living room is organized, the back yard is immaculate, the bathroom is cleaned (read sterile!), the hall closet is organized, the mail is organized, I made the most un-Martha topiary frame for my ivy out front and I started painting a wooden bird house.
I will try and take some pics of the garden later this week - I made 3 extensions to beds and filled my baskets (hanging etc.) plus put together a basket for my sister.
The cats have been confused by this whirlwind of activity - and Kira is exhausted - she gets up when I do (aside from the constant napping) and goes to bed when I do -- so she too has had about 12 hrs of sleep over the long weekend.
Speaking of cats - last night the patio door was open and I could hear this strangely familiar chirping sound getting louder and closer. As it approached the door I was thoroughly confused - I thought the squirrel was coming IN - then Majeeks scuttled in suspicioulsy low to the ground.
He had a hummingbird in his mouth - I screamed and he freaked out - which resulted in the bird flying back out the door, hopefully unharmed - and the cats were nervous all night.
You try to do something nice...like feed the birds, and what happens? Actually this year we have barely been able to keep the hummingbird feeder filled they are at it so constantly.
I have to buy a statue or something to place beneath the cedar hedge - that is where I caught Majeeks today, stalking the feeder - it is an ideal location for pouncing and you really can't see him, he just blends into the shadows.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
LOL
Had to share this from At Knit's End:
You know you knit too much when...
You are so excited about the yarn you just bought that you buy new Size 5 knitting needles (even though you have nine pairs at home) so that you can start your project on the bus ride home from the yarn shop.
Ok - I didn't realize I was not the only person to do this. But I can explain my actions: My local yarn shop used to be a one hour drive (without traffic) from my home!
So I HAD to buy new needles. You see?
It is all reasonable. It is not an obession!
Labels: Books
Monday, May 15, 2006
Heartstrings
Why, why, why did I have to be right about Denny?
I nearly posted a post Grey's Anatomy pic of my swollen eyes - but it was too scary!
I do not know how I will make it to the fall - Derek & Meredith. Finally. Finally?
Before the drama reached its peak I completed the precious, precious hat.
Can you believe there will be a head that small to fill it out?
Crazy miracles.
I was in the middle of casting on the sweater when Denny stopped smiling.
Maybe during 24 I will find the stamina to carry on.
Who would have thought fictional characters could halt knitting?
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Mama's got a Brand New Bag!
I am excited. It is like whole new vista has been opened before me! I learned how to knit with 5 Double Pointed Needles this weekend. AND it was not all that hard. My fingertips are a little raw, the progress is slow going but it is so much fun. I am amazed at what a sense of accomplishment learning new skills can bring.
I started my first ever pair of socks with my own hand dyed yarn. Now I know that I am not even halfway through the cuff, and nowhere close to that tricky heel turning bit, but maybe it won't be as bad as I have read. Famous last words right?
(Sorry Socky is so blurry - could not for the life of me get a decent pic of her - could be her complexion - seemed the wood table doubled her orange patina - maybe an outdoor shot next time)
The tiny, tiny, tiny-ness of the needles is shocking. I would never have known you could be creating patterns on such flimsy little bits of plastic - and my Aunt's beading needles are even smaller.
I am also totally intrigued with the square = a circle when you use double pointed needles. Who, tell me who first discovered such a thing? I am in awe.
So, I barely got the socks started when I got the news that my very pregnant cousin's baby has descended and could deliver any day now. Of course I dropped the socks and started the baby hat. It is so precious. The yarn has this little irridescent thread running throughout that is so sweet. I was hoping to finish it tonight and start a matching Bolero (from the same book) but there was so much exciting TV tonight - so many times I had to put those needles down. And at least once when I DROPPED my needles and actually screamed! Preston Burke has been shot?!?! NOOOOOOOO.
Knitting and television might be a bad match after all. Knitting relaxes. Season finales can be distressing!
Kira nearly jumped out of her skin when I yelled. I am not sure she recovered from my reaction to Libby being shot last week and now Preston! When Libby was shot I was just passing through the room from the garden, it was on early and I was planning to watch at 9 when I saw it. I screamed and Kira leapt from the couch barking and growling, ran out the back door and into the yard frantically looking for the cause of my distress - likely she was expecting her nemesis, Bad Cat, or better yet, a squirrel. She was on high alert for about half an hour after that.
Well. I need to get some rest before tomorrow night's episodes - or my episodes, whichever is more entertaining.
Labels: Socks
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Rewards
While I didn't get involved with any alterior motive I have really walked away the richer for this experience.
When I heard about Warming Grace I got involved right away - I even learned some new techniques about knitting along the way - patterning with purl stitches, graphing and the power of gauge!
I did it for the joy of giving to someone in need - and that was before I saw Grace's close up! How could you possibly resist those eyes? Being a part of something that has met with such overwhelming support was reward enough.
BUT I also was extrinsically rewarded with a $100 Gift Certificate for Make 1 Yarn Studio - how generous is that?
Plus I had the pleasure of seeing the bunny my Mom made for Grace posted on the blog - and that is great because we totally forgot to take a picture before it was wrapped and shipped
A big Thank you to Cynthia & the good people of Make 1 Yarns!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Yarn to Dye for
Ooh - I have had so much fun tonight!
Survivor AND my KnitPicks wool came so I got to try hand dyeing.
So much fun.
Doncha like seeing it resting on the rustic bench? It just sort of belongs.
I decided not to dye both - I was worried it might go very badly and it sounded so messy when I was reading up about it online.
The reality was quick and easy - oh, right. Except for that first attempt at seperating the skein. Yeah that went very, very badly (going to have to get my Mom to unravel that disaster).
But seriously the whole process probably took 40 minutes from potion to hanging to dry. I can't wait to wind it in a ball and get to work with it.
Still don't have a pattern for socks though...time to start surfing blogs!
Ooh the next one is going to be orange and green - yummy.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
I is for ...
IMAGINATION!
Imagination.
What a miraculous thing.
It becomes whatever is needed,
anytime and anyplace.
With it you can fondly refer to
the time your whole class were
lobsters, have a monster hand
with its own identity, hide in
a cave, be a world explorer
or a superhero.
You can be anything. You can do anything. You can conquer everything.
All you need is your imagination.
Grey's Anatomy
Buttons
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
HP and the Philosopher's Stone
