Friday, January 30, 2009
what a relief that it's Friday...
Today's Eye Candy is a photo I took of some beads. I used some of Picnik's effects (Gritty and Hypnotic) to modify the picture. The beads are all the same size, but the effects make them look like they are different sizes. I like the way it turned out (click to see the larger version):
I'm making good progress on the Argosy scarf [Ravelry]. I had to make a checklist when I got to the part where the pattern said "repeat section 2 26 times." I need check boxes for something like that! Anyway, here it is after 2 repeats:
I like the way color changes in this yearn and I hope it softens up some after washing and blocking.
Oh, and my sock club installment arrived...yay! I love the colors and the sock pattern is cool. Click on the spoiler picture to see the package and get to other pictures I have on Flickr.
Up this weekend: spinning, knitting, and who knows what else? Have a good one!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
so after all that whining...
I ended up frogging the Argosy scarf because something was wonky with the squares. This was a user error, not a fault of the pattern. I started again and have almost gotten back to where I was. It doesn't look like much yet.
I'm still plugging away at the Jaywalkers. For me, the sock gusset is the most time-consuming part of the sock and that's where I am.
My Stitches West 2009 packet arrived and I have a little homework to do. On Friday, I am taking "Spinning Cotton for Knitting" (we learn to spin on an Indian charkha) and on Saturday, "The Infinite Variety of Magical Moebius Knitting." The homework I have is for the Moebius class. Mostly, I just need to watch Cat Bordhi's uTube video of how to do the cast on and practice a bit. Anyway, I am really looking forward to both of my classes. (And the market, of course!)
I'm
Monday, January 26, 2009
it's a Monday...
Messenger bag with work stuff; check.
Mail to send; check.
Stuff for breakfast; check.
Purse, phone, glasses; check, check, and check.
Knitting bag...Oh Noes! I left it at home!! Cr@p!! It takes 20 minutes to drive home and then 20 back...not to mention the gas. And I can't justify buying more yarn and needles at this point, so no Knit Night for me.
I hope this is not an indicator for the rest of the week.
My weekend was good, though. I did manage to unearth some of my craft room—enough to where I can move around now. I had a whole bunch of fabric leftover from the Christmas sewing that I folded and put away. I also moved and put away the stuff that belonged in my office (AKA the Daughter's room) and bagged up some leftover Christmas stuff to move into our upstairs storage. Things just gravitate to my craft room for some reason.
I did do a little spinning. I'm almost done with bobbin 1 of Dragonfly Wings. LOVE these colors!
I worked on the Jaywalker socks and looked at the February Lady sweater. I'm not feeling the love for the sweater right now. There are just so many great patterns, why am I not working on them? LOL! I ended up starting the Argosy scarf [Ravelry] because the pattern intrigues me and I already had the yarn and needles. (Of course, since I left my knitting at home, I can't show you what it looks like! grrr...)
One thing I forgot to mention was that Sunday was our anniversary...the Husband and I celebrated 28 years together and 23 years of marriage. Rather than go out to dinner like we usually do (and spend way too much money), we decided to have a nice leisurely lunch. Nothing fancy, just lunch at a brew pub. But the place wasn't crowded or noisy, so we could actually hear each other speak. And the food was good and the beer was great. Normally, we take a weekend away and go to the coast. We just couldn't manage the time right now. Maybe later in the year.
That's it for now...I leave you with a picture of the snow pea plant growing in the back yard:
No flowers yet, but soon!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Eye'm-really-here Candy Friday...
I went to Knit Night at Full Thread Ahead on Monday and worked on the Jaywalker socks. They are coming along nicely, see:
While I was there, some yarn jumped into my hands and begged to come home with me (I swear!!). Nice person that I am, I obliged:
On Tuesday, I went to work late so I could watch the Inauguration on TV—the Daughter got to see it in person! (well, as in person as you can get with 1 million+ other people.) She sent me a text message during the speech and a picture so I could see where she was. It was pretty awesome all the way around.
Other than that, I don't have a lot to report. However, as promised, I do have some pictures of what I bought at Purlescence last weekend.
I bought two skeins of Socks That Rock Lightweight (because you can never have too much sock yarn, right?). Here's Peacock:
and Mocha Berry:
I also bought 4 ounces of a Wool-Tencel bland by Creatively Dyed. Unfortunately, the color was not marked on the label and I didn't notice that until I got it home. I named it "Just Beachy" because it has elements of the sea and sand :
I really love the colors in this fiber and it will be interesting to see how they will blend when spun.
Up this weekend: maybe those things I didn't do last weekend...unearth the craft room, finish spinning Dragonfly Wings...who knows?!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
weekend pot pourri...
A side-effect of letting the Daughter use my car when she's home is that I don't go shopping for anything other than groceries. The Husband is really good about sharing his car, but it's just not the same. as hopping into my own little car and zooming around. I decided it was high time to go shopping!
Kohl's had my favorite shoes on sale, so I went there and got two pairs. They don't often have them in my size, so when I find them, might as well buy two pairs!
I had a 30% off coupon at Borders, so I went there and bought "The Harmony Guides: Lace & Eyelets: 250 Stitches to Knit", several magazines, and a CD of E. Power Biggs playing Bach Fugues.
I hadn't been to Purlescence in ages, so I stopped in to fondle the Socks That Rock yarn, check out their fibers (I'd love to spin silk hankies some day), and look at the store models. After seeing the store model, I fell totally in love with Sandi's sweater pattern, Mesh Back Cardigan, so I bought the pattern. I won't get the yarn for this one until I finish the February Lady Sweater. (I'll admit to buying a couple of other items, but no pix yet!)
I went to Michael's to scope out the jewelry findings. I'm always on the lookout for silver split rings...I like to use them when I make stitch markers. I need a lot more practice getting a clean join with jump rings, so for now I use the split rings. Anyway, they had a package and I found a string of shells that I can use for the markers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading my new magazines and books. I also finished a Debbie Macomber book (Married in Seattle) that I started on Wednesday. It was an OK book...it's a reissue of two earlier books. I like her later stuff better. When I finished that one, I started Fern Michaels' "Final Justice."
When I wasn't out and about, I was playing with my new toy. Did I mention that I acquired an iPhone? One of my brothers-in-law had to economize, so I became the happy recipient of his iPhone (and he took my Sony Ericsson). I've been having a grand time playing with my new phone! I spent hours perusing the App store and looking for ring tones ...whoa! Big timesink! Here it is with a Jaywalker sock:
I downloaded some apps (Koi Pond, Magic iBall, and Enigmo) and a couple of ring tones (Abba's "Chiquitita" in Spanish and The Blasters "Dark Night"). It's all set up to pull my Yahoo! mail and gMail, and got it to sync with my Bluetooth device. I loaded the Bach fugues into iTunes and set them up to sync with both my iPod and my iPhone. I still have a ways to go on checking out all the iPhone's possibilities, but I'm a very happy camper!
Some might say that I frittered away my weekend. Well, I don't think so. I tend to cram as much as I can into a day, much less a weekend, so this was a nice change!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Eye Candy Friday, blog-and-run edition 2...
Hummingbird feeder made of recycled glass (the Daughter's Christmas gift to the Husband:
First bobbin of Dragonfly Wings (Merino-silk from Yarn Wench):
Up this weekend: catch up from last weekend! I need to unearth my craft room again and get some spinning done.
Have a good one!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
the house was strangely quiet...
No WIPs to show you right now. I haven't done much since the last time I posted pictures. I've been really tired at night so I've just been watching TV. I've been feeling kind of like this:
I need to get back in the groove soon...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
and the winner is...
You win your choice of:
- 1 skein of Sundara Sock yarn (enough for a pair of socks). Choose from these colors:
Lenten Rose
Magnolia
Bird of Paradise
Thanks to all who participated!
(For those who want to know how I chose: after removing my comments from the list and one obvious duplicate comment, I assigned everyone a number. Then I used Random.org to choose a number:
Breien was #31.)
Monday, January 12, 2009
last chance for the contest...
So the weekend was really busy, but it was all good. My brother and his girlfriend arrived late Friday night and we stayed up for a few hours catching up. On Saturday, we went to Los Gatos for lunch an wandered around there for a while. I begged out of a shopping trip to Fry's and stayed home to spin a little. I didn't get very much done, but it was just nice to stay put for a bit.
They decided to spend an extra night and leave Sunday morning. So, darn, we had to go out for dinner Saturday night! We went to Country Gourmet, which is just a mile from the house. The food was good, as usual, and it wasn;t too crowded for a change. After that, we just hung out and looked at old family pictures.
On Sunday, they headed for the Gilroy Outlets and home. We ran around getting things together for the birthday party at noon. The party was pretty low key and we enjoyed visiting with everyone. We kept the menu very simple...a meat and cheese tray from Togos, deli salads, and fruit and veggie trays. However, the star of the menu was the cake. Check this out:
This is a Key Lime Cake from Sugar Butter Flour. It is vanilla cake with key lime mousse and white chocolate. Yummy!! It was rich and tangy—a very nice change from standard birthday cakes. The adults all loved it (the kids, not so much...they like their cake terminally sweet).
It was a great weekend for reconnecting with family, which meant that knitting and spinning were mostly ignored. Things will be a lot more "normal" next weekend.
Tonight is the Daughter's last night at home, so I'm skipping Knit Night again. She leaves tomorrow on her journey back to Baltimore and school. I've thoroughly enjoyed having her home for 3 weeks and will miss her terribly. But I have to admit, it will be nice having my car back! (lol!)
I'll be back tomorrow with the contest winner!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Hard to do Eye Candy Friday with no camera...
So, it's back to the archives to show you an old project. It seems fitting that I show you a stitched object since I mentioned my transition from stitcher to knitter/spinner.
Here's one of the mermaids I stitched...this is Deepest Love by Mirabilia:
I have her hanging in my bedroom, opposite the other Mirabilia mermaid I stitched. I love Mirabilia's mermaids and will eventually finish a third one that I have in progress. (That is, if I can ever pull myself away from the knitting and spinning!)
Up this weekend: one of my brothers is coming for a visit tonight and will be here for at least part of the day tomorrow. On Sunday, we are giving a family party for the Husband's Dad. So pretty much, my weekend's taken up with social obligations...we'll see if I have time to do any crafty things!
You still have a few days to enter my contest...go here to enter. I'll post the name of the winner on Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
WIP-it Wednesday, sweater edition...
As you can see, I have the arms on waste yarn and I'm working my way down the lace portion of the body. I'm hoping that blocking will make the button bands a little less wavy. I also plan on reinforcing the buttonholes after blocking. I do like working with the Cascade 220 yarn and the color is wonderful.
Entries are rolling in for my contest—thanks for all your good wishes! One of the comments asked if I could share progress photos of a project from roving to knitted object. Now, I've only knitted two projects with my own handspun: one was a gift and the other is hibernating while I try to decide whether to frog it and use larger needles.
Here are the photos of the Blue Moon Corrugator Scarf that I spun and knit in 2007:
The pictures are:
- Fiber: Spunky Eclectic Corriedale top (4 oz) in Blue Moon
- One bobbin complete
- Completed yarn of two Blue Moon singles and one rayon thread (180.8 yards)
- Yarn cake and knitting in progress
- Completed Corrugator Scarf, gifted to my friend Jane
Pretty much, I spin to enjoy the process rather than for a specific knitting project. To me, the project is the yarn. Someday I'll figure out what to do with my handspun, but for now I'll just enjoy the spinning!
Don't forget to enter my contest. Leave a comment in the contest post; deadline is midnight 1/12/09!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Blogiversary Contest...
It's been 3 years since I started this blog. In that time I've gone from being mostly a cross-stitcher and quilter to being a knitter and spinner. I still cross stitch and quilt, but I spend far more of my craft time knitting and spinning.
In honor of the blog turning 3, I'm having a contest!
- Leave a comment in this post to be entered in a drawing for a skein of Sundara Petals Collection sock yarn (or a skein of my handspun, if you prefer).
- The winner will be chosen at random from all entrants.
- Deadline: 1/12/09 at Midnight (Pacific time)
Friday, January 02, 2009
Eye Candy Friday...
This morning's sky:
The fruit on our tangerine tree is nice and ripe now:
It's back to work for me on Monday...need to make the best of these last couple of days! Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2008 Year-End Recap [LONG]
Those not on Ravelry can see pictures of these items in my Flickr photostream and sets: Knitting, Spinning, Quilting/Sewing, and Needlework.
Christmas Baking
- 388 biscotti; 955 cookies
- 154 truffles; 9 lbs. chocolate bark
- 25 cups of flavored nuts
- 15 mini-fruitcakes; 13 pumpkin bread loaves; and 12 gingerbread mini-loave
- Bike Helmet earmuffs (knitting) [Ravelry]
- Bunny toy from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" [Ravelry]
- Crossover Top by Debbie Bliss (knitting) [Ravelry]
- Feather and Fan Baby Sweater [Ravelry]
- Foxglove baby socks [Ravelry]
- Iris Baby Cardigan #1[Ravelry]
- Iris Baby Cardigan #2 [Ravelry]
- Knitted wire necklace (copper and beads) [Ravelry]
- Lenore Socks from BMFA Rockin' Sock Club (knitting) [Ravelry]
- Little Monkey Foo Foo socks (knitting) [Ravelry]
- Midsummer Paradise socks [Ravelry]
- Saartje's Bootees [Ravelry]
- Siamese Kitty (knitting) [Ravelry]
- Siamese Kitty, small version (knitting) [Ravelry]
- Silk Waves Scarf [Ravelry]
- Simple Multi-Color hat (knitting) [Ravelry]
- Tulips Baby Cardigan [Ravelry]
- Hydrangea tote bag for Jane
- Knit2 bag in “Knitmare on Elm Street” fabric
- Knit2 Bag Pattern
- Pink Baby Bib (sewing)
- Six Christmas stockings, AKA secret project (quilting and sewing)
- The Wright Stuff quilt
- Tickled Pink Baby quilt
- Apricot Orchid 2 yarn; Falkland top (4.5 oz) from Yarn Wench; 162.9yds Navajo-ply; 11 WPI (average) [Ravelry]
- Aster yarn; Merino-Tussah top (2.0 oz) from Chasing Rainbows; 128.4 yds Navajo-ply11 WPI [Ravelry]
- Copperhead 2 yarn; Falkland Wool top (4.2 oz) from Yarn Wench; 320 yds. Navajo-plied; 14 WPI (average)[Ravelry]
- Deep Blue sea yarn; Seawool top from Creatively Dyed; 391 yards traditional 3-ply at 14 WPI; 14 yards Navajo-plied at 13 WPI [Ravelry]
- Deep Night 2 yarn; Falkland top (4.1 oz) from Yarn Wench; 36.4 yds beaded; 145.7 yds not beaded; 182.1 yds total; 13 WPI [Ravelry]
- Guerrilla Girl yarn ; Merino-silk top (4.0 oz) from Tempted Yarns; 208 yds. Navajo-plied; 12 WPI [Ravelry]
- Josie yarn; Falkland Wool roving (4.1 oz) from Yarn Wench; spun half by spindle and half by wheel; plied by wheel; 337 yds. Navajo-ply; 17 WPI (average) [Ravelry]
- Mermaid yarn; Falkland Wool top (4.2 oz) from Yarn Wench; 394 yds., 2-ply; 14 WPI (average) [Ravelry]
- Morning Dove's Cousin yarn; Merino-silk top (3.9 oz) from Yarn Wench; Navajo-ply; 320+ yards; 1 skein 143.75 yds, 14 WPI; 1 skein 176.3 yds, 16 WPI [Ravelry]
- Penngrove Purples yarn; superwash merino (4.0 oz) from Royale Hare; 315 yds. 2-ply; 11 WPI (average) [Ravelry]
- Plum Honey Light yarn; Merino-Silk top (4.1 oz) from Yarn Wench; 273.8 yds Navajo-plied; 12 WPI [Ravelry]
- Plum Smoke 2 yarn; Falkland top (4.1 oz) from Yarn Wench; 180.2 yds Navajo-ply; 14 WPI [Ravelry]
- Plumcopper yarn; Merino-silk top (3.8oz) from Yarn Wench; two skeins Navajo-plied, 220.4 yds total; 13 WPI (average) [Ravelry]
- Plumthorn yarn; Wensleydale top by Pigeonroof Studios (gift from Terry); spun on spindle and wheel; plied on wheel; 440 yards, 2-ply; 16 WPI [Ravelry]
- Reef 1 yarn; Falkland top (4.1 oz) from Yarn Wench; 2 Falkland singles plied with Copper rayon thread; 105.4 yds; 8 WPI [Ravelry]
- Vampira yarn; Falkland top (4.3 oz) from Yarn Wench; 302.8 yds Navajo-plied; 17 WPI (average) [Ravelry]
- Best Things in Life pillow by Pine Mountain (cross stitch kit)
- Block Party pillow by Pine Mountain (cross stitch kit)
- Christmas 2002 ornament by Just Nan (cross stitch)
- Seahorses needlepoint pillow
IDJ (It's Dead, Jim)
Works In Progress:
UFOs:
- Angora Cottage 70% Merino and 30% Silk 4 oz.roving in purple [Ravelry]
- Cascade Fixation anklets (knitting)
- Central Air socks (knitting)
- Chasing Rainbows Heather--one Merino-Bombyx (2 oz) and one Merino wool (2 oz) (spinning)
- Dogosaurus Rex sweater (knitting) [Ravelry}
- Flower Power quilt; top finished, need to sandwich and quilt (quilting)
- Hopi by Susan Portra (needlepoint)
- Jungle Songs quilt; top finished, need to sandwich and quilt (quilting)
- Montego Bay wrap in Walking on the Wild Tide yarn, using Montego Bay scarf pattern from Interweave Knits Summer issue (knitting)
- Paint it Black quilt
- Peacock Majesty by Just Nan (cross stitch)
- Queen Mermaid by Mirabilia (cross stitch; still languishing in its stretcher bars)
- Sangria shawl (knitting)
- Twinkletoes slippers; just need to make one (knitting)
- Violet Needle Roll (cross stitch
December 2008 recap
The Recap
Finished:
Worked on:
Merino-Silk top from Yarn Wench
Spun and plied on Lendrum DT wheel
Yield: 320+ yards; 1 skein 143.75 yds, 14 WPI; 1 skein 176.3 yds, 16 WPI
Started:
Frogged/On Hiatus:IDJ (It's Dead, Jim)
- TTL Mystery Sock for Socktoberfest knitting [Ravelry]
Works In Progress (did not work on):
UFOs:
Happy New Year!!
Specs:
Started 11/28/08
Finished 12/31/08
Merino-Silk top from Yarn Wench
Spun and Navajo-plied on Lendrum DT wheel
Yield: 320+ yards; 1 skein 143.75 yds, 14 WPI; 1 skein 176.3 yds, 16 WPI
Spinning each bobbin on separate days played hell with my consistency. I spun much thinner on one bobbin than the other.
Close up of skein 1 (176,3 yards, 16 WPI):
Close up of skein 2 (143.75 yards, 14 WPI):
I'm working on my December and year-end recaps and will post those later. I'll also start taking down the Christmas decorations today. Since I don't go back to work until Monday, I can take my time doing it!
WIP-it Wednesday...
...a little of this, a little of that. I needed to inject a little calmness, so I started another handspun. Here are the singles for ...
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...Happy Blogiversary to me!! It's been 3 years since I started this blog. In that time I've gone from being mostly a cross-stitcher...
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Yeah, who knew I'd still be doing this five years later? There have been a few changes since my first post . I'm no longer just a...
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...and a finished object. I finished beading the Mermaids of the Deep Blue Sea cross stitch project! Here is the first look at the fi...