New Year graphic pulled to save bandwidth
Happy 2004, everyone!
Monday, December 15, 2003
Friday, December 12, 2003
OK! The whining of yesterday is officially over. Got lots of nice cyberhugs from my readers, I did! Made me feel much better. Break out the gingerbread cookies! Oh. I forgot I'm on a diet. OK, a round of protein shakes for all! Soy-based and everything! Oh. You don't want one. (don't blame you, actually!)
Here's how I'm getting myself into the Christmas spirit at work:
My Own Little Christmas Tree (about 18" in height)
True Confessions Time
I have a dirty little secret. I don't always swatch for gauge. Most of the time, I escape without serious injury to myself or the knitted item. But occasionally I have a flat-out disaster.
What Is It?
I Know! It's a Felted Candy Dish!
The CSI team is still on-site, investigating. Their preliminary findings indicate that the perpetrator attempted to knit a Bucket O'Chic hat in Lamb's Pride worsted. Further investigation revealed that perpetrator allegedly knit said bucket without swatching for gauge. Hence, the senseless felting of innocent Lamb's Pride into something resembling a winter hat for Strawberry Shortcake.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Here's how I'm getting myself into the Christmas spirit at work:
My Own Little Christmas Tree (about 18" in height)
True Confessions Time
I have a dirty little secret. I don't always swatch for gauge. Most of the time, I escape without serious injury to myself or the knitted item. But occasionally I have a flat-out disaster.
What Is It?
I Know! It's a Felted Candy Dish!
The CSI team is still on-site, investigating. Their preliminary findings indicate that the perpetrator attempted to knit a Bucket O'Chic hat in Lamb's Pride worsted. Further investigation revealed that perpetrator allegedly knit said bucket without swatching for gauge. Hence, the senseless felting of innocent Lamb's Pride into something resembling a winter hat for Strawberry Shortcake.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Thursday, December 11, 2003
I'm tired.
Uninspired.
Pretty much mired.
Feelin' low.
Lost that glow.
San Diego; no snow.
What's a girl to do,
But whine to you.
I'm gonna go get a Coke.
Somebody tell a joke.
This time of the year is rarely festive for me. DH's busiest time of the year at work occurs smack in the middle of the holiday season. RockStar's mom has only let us have him once for Christmas (he's 15); he heads back to North Carolina next week. My house is torn apart during the flood restoration. I miss my family in Oregon terribly.
I need a big ol' shot of Christmas Spirit, stat!
Just so y'all don't think I'm a total schmuck, I consider myself extremely blessed in my life and family. Just had to let off steam, know what I mean? Good.
Uninspired.
Pretty much mired.
Feelin' low.
Lost that glow.
San Diego; no snow.
What's a girl to do,
But whine to you.
I'm gonna go get a Coke.
Somebody tell a joke.
This time of the year is rarely festive for me. DH's busiest time of the year at work occurs smack in the middle of the holiday season. RockStar's mom has only let us have him once for Christmas (he's 15); he heads back to North Carolina next week. My house is torn apart during the flood restoration. I miss my family in Oregon terribly.
I need a big ol' shot of Christmas Spirit, stat!
Just so y'all don't think I'm a total schmuck, I consider myself extremely blessed in my life and family. Just had to let off steam, know what I mean? Good.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
I'm not going to bore you with endless pictures of the Aran Poncho as it progresses. Instead, I'll treat you to what came in the mail over the last few days:
Peruvian Connection Baby Cashmere from Elann
Estelle Mohair Shawl from Ram Wools
Patons "Pull Up Your Socks" Book from Ram Wools
Hope everyone is getting the Christmas spirit! Personally, my decorating theme this year involves fresh drywall and spackle, but feel free to choose something that might be a bit more, well, traditional.
Happy Wednesday, everyone.
Peruvian Connection Baby Cashmere from Elann
Estelle Mohair Shawl from Ram Wools
Patons "Pull Up Your Socks" Book from Ram Wools
Hope everyone is getting the Christmas spirit! Personally, my decorating theme this year involves fresh drywall and spackle, but feel free to choose something that might be a bit more, well, traditional.
Happy Wednesday, everyone.
Monday, December 08, 2003
The Cavalry Has Arrived!
The contractors are arriving to start the drywall work at our house, apres flood. Posting may be a bit spotty since one of the affected areas is the home office and there'll probably be a few days with no computer access.
Weekend Hijinx
Actually knit a few rows on Aran Poncho while at, of all things, a Los Angeles Kings hockey game! Mind you, all knitular activity was accomplished prior to the faceoff -- RockStar kept giving me anxious looks and finally couldn't control himself. "You're not going to knit during the game, are you?" he asked. "No, don't worry. I won't embarrass you in front of all these macho Kings fans," I replied. The tix were freebies, courtesy of my BIL. He assists in recording stats while his old hometown team, the Washington Capitals, play on the West Coast.
Made for a loooong day (didn't get home from LA until after midnight), but we got to show RockStar a bit of LA (Santa Monica), which he thought was quite cool. We dined outside at a cafe on the Promenade, where he was transfixed by a very talented flamenco guitarist busking on the street. Yes, dining outside in December. It's one of the nicest perks of living in Southern California. RockStar is transitioning from heavy metal to classical guitar (think Andres Segovia). It's quite beautiful to listen to, but the long fingernails on his picking hand are a bit disconcerting until you get used to them. All in all, a very nice day was had by all.
Happy Monday, everyone.
The contractors are arriving to start the drywall work at our house, apres flood. Posting may be a bit spotty since one of the affected areas is the home office and there'll probably be a few days with no computer access.
Weekend Hijinx
Actually knit a few rows on Aran Poncho while at, of all things, a Los Angeles Kings hockey game! Mind you, all knitular activity was accomplished prior to the faceoff -- RockStar kept giving me anxious looks and finally couldn't control himself. "You're not going to knit during the game, are you?" he asked. "No, don't worry. I won't embarrass you in front of all these macho Kings fans," I replied. The tix were freebies, courtesy of my BIL. He assists in recording stats while his old hometown team, the Washington Capitals, play on the West Coast.
Made for a loooong day (didn't get home from LA until after midnight), but we got to show RockStar a bit of LA (Santa Monica), which he thought was quite cool. We dined outside at a cafe on the Promenade, where he was transfixed by a very talented flamenco guitarist busking on the street. Yes, dining outside in December. It's one of the nicest perks of living in Southern California. RockStar is transitioning from heavy metal to classical guitar (think Andres Segovia). It's quite beautiful to listen to, but the long fingernails on his picking hand are a bit disconcerting until you get used to them. All in all, a very nice day was had by all.
Happy Monday, everyone.
Friday, December 05, 2003
A New Cubicle Visitor
This little fellow flew into my cubicle yesterday, courtesy of a coworker who also owns a parrot. We indulge in "bird-speak" quite a bit. People think we're nuts, but anyone who owns a parrot would understand.
Peep! Peep!
He now lives in a quiet corner of my cubicle, sparkling in the light of a small lamp. My cube is in a kind of dark corner of the office, and the auxiliary light helps. Plus, it shines on that handsome couple in the picture! (aw, aren't they cute?)
Serenity in Cubeville
Happy Friday, everyone.
This little fellow flew into my cubicle yesterday, courtesy of a coworker who also owns a parrot. We indulge in "bird-speak" quite a bit. People think we're nuts, but anyone who owns a parrot would understand.
Peep! Peep!
He now lives in a quiet corner of my cubicle, sparkling in the light of a small lamp. My cube is in a kind of dark corner of the office, and the auxiliary light helps. Plus, it shines on that handsome couple in the picture! (aw, aren't they cute?)
Serenity in Cubeville
Happy Friday, everyone.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Blogger is Weird
I don't understand its capricious whims. To quote Forrest Gump, "that's all I have to say about that."
C'mon! We're Going to the Frog Pond!
But it's a good thing, really. When I started the Aran Poncho, I cast onto circular needles without thinking. I'm not liking the results. The "pull" of the circular cables is causing some loose-looking stitches that I'm not happy with. So I'm frogging and recasting onto my favorite Swallow casein needles today. I know a lot of people like to do flat knitting on circulars, but it seems I ain't one of 'em.
Happy Thursday! One day closer to Friday!
I don't understand its capricious whims. To quote Forrest Gump, "that's all I have to say about that."
C'mon! We're Going to the Frog Pond!
But it's a good thing, really. When I started the Aran Poncho, I cast onto circular needles without thinking. I'm not liking the results. The "pull" of the circular cables is causing some loose-looking stitches that I'm not happy with. So I'm frogging and recasting onto my favorite Swallow casein needles today. I know a lot of people like to do flat knitting on circulars, but it seems I ain't one of 'em.
Happy Thursday! One day closer to Friday!
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Poncho Progress
Didn't have time to felt the Bucket-O-Chic hat last night, but I did have a few minutes to finish up the first pattern repeat of Aran Poncho:
One Down, Many More to Go
Feelin' The Love
Got a package in the mail from Elann yesterday ... new patterns!
Cabin Fever Shawl Pattern: Evening in Eden
Eyelet Ribbed Top by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
From Stahl #22
Gotta keep this short -- lots to do today. Happy Wednesday, everyone.
Didn't have time to felt the Bucket-O-Chic hat last night, but I did have a few minutes to finish up the first pattern repeat of Aran Poncho:
One Down, Many More to Go
Feelin' The Love
Got a package in the mail from Elann yesterday ... new patterns!
Cabin Fever Shawl Pattern: Evening in Eden
Eyelet Ribbed Top by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
From Stahl #22
Gotta keep this short -- lots to do today. Happy Wednesday, everyone.
Monday, December 01, 2003
Felt Me, Baby
Betwixt cooking, housework avoidance, and general merriment over the long holiday weekend, I worked on this:
Looks Kinda Like Roadkill, Doesn't It?
It's a pre-felted, Bucket-O-Chic hat for my 6yo niece. I made it in Lamb's Pride, Amethyst shade. The Lamb's Pride has that touch o' mohair in it, which makes it very nice to work with.
I just couldn't bring myself to seam up LoTech Sangria this weekend. Just felt like too much work. I have to be in a certain Zen state to tackle a bunch of mattress stitching, and I just wasn't feelin' it. So it's simmering gently in the WIP pile for now. I did find one of the reasons that the hood is too big -- silly me, I knitted an extra 4" onto the length of the hood. Yup, that'll do it. So we have a semi-frog situation on our hands, which will be dealt with in due time.
Meanwhile, I needed a "car knitting" project to work on while RockStar is at his weekly guitar lesson. So I started the Aran Poncho from Lopi #21:
From Little Seeds Grow Big Ponchos
The Lite Lopi is definitely scratchier than the Lamb's Pride, but since it'll be outerwear it won't be a problem. The poncho design is by Nora Gaughan. I love her work -- no errors (so far) and a classic take on a funky clothing item.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like "Less-Mass"
Yeah, I'm probably nuts to be doing this during holiday season, but I've started a serious diet. I'm on the Medifast plan for at least the next few months. I tossed around a lot of ideas (Weight Watchers, SlimFast, Atkins, etc.) and decided that this plan would be the safest, most effective way to shed the excess weight. Plus, it's not cheap, so I'm motivated by not wasting the money I've invested in the Medifast products. I started on Saturday, November 29th, so I was able to enjoy Thanksgiving. I don't have any entertaining plans for Christmas, so it seemed like a good time to start this project.
I'm doing the Full Fast for the first 2 weeks, then will consider going to the Modified Fast for the duration. Full Fast is pretty austere -- 1 Medifast Oatmeal (breakfast), 2 Medifast protein shakes during the day, Medifast Chili for dinner, and a 3rd shake at 8pm. Plus a big handful of vitamins, and gallons of water. The Modified Fast substitutes a sensible dinner of 4oz of protein (chicken breast), salad w/fatfree dressing, and non-starchy veggie. Look for a meter of some sort on the side of the page to track my progress.
Happy Monday, everyone.
Betwixt cooking, housework avoidance, and general merriment over the long holiday weekend, I worked on this:
Looks Kinda Like Roadkill, Doesn't It?
It's a pre-felted, Bucket-O-Chic hat for my 6yo niece. I made it in Lamb's Pride, Amethyst shade. The Lamb's Pride has that touch o' mohair in it, which makes it very nice to work with.
I just couldn't bring myself to seam up LoTech Sangria this weekend. Just felt like too much work. I have to be in a certain Zen state to tackle a bunch of mattress stitching, and I just wasn't feelin' it. So it's simmering gently in the WIP pile for now. I did find one of the reasons that the hood is too big -- silly me, I knitted an extra 4" onto the length of the hood. Yup, that'll do it. So we have a semi-frog situation on our hands, which will be dealt with in due time.
Meanwhile, I needed a "car knitting" project to work on while RockStar is at his weekly guitar lesson. So I started the Aran Poncho from Lopi #21:
From Little Seeds Grow Big Ponchos
The Lite Lopi is definitely scratchier than the Lamb's Pride, but since it'll be outerwear it won't be a problem. The poncho design is by Nora Gaughan. I love her work -- no errors (so far) and a classic take on a funky clothing item.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like "Less-Mass"
Yeah, I'm probably nuts to be doing this during holiday season, but I've started a serious diet. I'm on the Medifast plan for at least the next few months. I tossed around a lot of ideas (Weight Watchers, SlimFast, Atkins, etc.) and decided that this plan would be the safest, most effective way to shed the excess weight. Plus, it's not cheap, so I'm motivated by not wasting the money I've invested in the Medifast products. I started on Saturday, November 29th, so I was able to enjoy Thanksgiving. I don't have any entertaining plans for Christmas, so it seemed like a good time to start this project.
I'm doing the Full Fast for the first 2 weeks, then will consider going to the Modified Fast for the duration. Full Fast is pretty austere -- 1 Medifast Oatmeal (breakfast), 2 Medifast protein shakes during the day, Medifast Chili for dinner, and a 3rd shake at 8pm. Plus a big handful of vitamins, and gallons of water. The Modified Fast substitutes a sensible dinner of 4oz of protein (chicken breast), salad w/fatfree dressing, and non-starchy veggie. Look for a meter of some sort on the side of the page to track my progress.
Happy Monday, everyone.