Tuesday, September 30, 2008
great. I'm obsessed again...
So why can't I stay away from them? I'm drawn to them like male cottager is drawn to a new boat. (Let's guess what our conversations at home have been revolving around... anyone??)
I've been spinning and stringing beads in all manner of colour combinations, using up the seed beads I've had hanging around. (This is good, right? Using up stuff that has been hanging around? It's not like I've been buying them... much... okay, well, maybe a few, or so... damn - okay, I'm buying them as well).
SO I've been spinning ans stringing, and making the basis of necklaces, and then matching them up with the pendants, and, well, making shiny sparkly things to give away.
Monday, September 29, 2008
a somewhat productive weekend (for some of us...)
Friday, September 26, 2008
comment comments
Carol said:
If you are still in a cleaning mood, you can come to my house (that gets you away from all the people pissing you off) and clean my house (which will burn off some pent-up energy) and I will give you beer and snacks and stuff.....and then you can show me how to spin (since you will have brought your wheel) and life will be good. For a while anyway....
Two things - the cleaning jag is over - sorry, you're on your own, and I don't spin. I don't have a wheel or a spindle, and I am trying desperately not to get sucked into the spinning black hole. I knit, I sew, I weave. I hope to keep it at that...
Tracy said:
Could you do the simple top down black raglan on your LK150?
That was always the plan - Once I clear off the crap from the top of the machine. I don't use my machine much since I keep if for simple stockinette stuff, and most of the knitting I do is either lace, socks and colourwork. And yes, I know you can knit socks on the machine, but I hate seams in socks (even the Bickford seam is noticeable), and doing socks on the machine defeats the purpose of portable knitting. But a raglan cardi - absolutely. I will make up a swatch, and plug it into my Sweater Wizard software and crank out a pattern. I still plan on hand knitting some sort of edging, however...
Dierdre has commented on the fact that we keep missing one another at shows and such. I know! This is annoying. We both knit (a lot). we both buy wool (a lot). We both are influenced by other blogs and buy looms (the same one!) We live not that far apart! - Deirdre - we HAVE to meet up soon!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
state of the knitting
Socks are motoring along:
(oops! there should be a picture here of 2 pairs of socks - both in the final lap - each needs about 2 inches of leg to finish on the second sock) Alpaca sock for my father in law, and Eliza hand-dyed for my nephew, or husband.
Beads are being strung and knit up:
Yes, that can only mean that we are in the throes of Christmas knitting! (Except for Kauni. She's all mine. No one is wheedling her from me, unless it looks like crap on once finished. And even then, I'd probably hang it on the wall rather than give it away...)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
random stuff
I took my son to the dentist yesterday - lucky kid that he is, has inherited my family dental traits. Soft teeth, thin enamel. So we go to a pediatric dental specialist. Can I say something? I LOVE HER! Her whole team is fantastic! They calm the kids down, and in our case, let my son listen to his MP3 player while in the chair - kept him calm and reasonably happy. The only issue? Kid's programming on the TV in the waiting room. But my knitting took care of that - I was happy.
The boy also had his first basketball practice with the new team last night. It looks like a good one, and I like the coach, so we're looking forward to a fun season.
Kauni - I meant to have a picture here. I've finished the body, and will put the bottom live stitches on a thread tonight before starting the sleeves. I decided on a folded hem, rather than ribbing, and did the hem in a 2x2 colour block. What I can't understand about fair isle knitting is this? Why did it seem to take longer to knit the hem facing (straight stockinette stitch, no colour changes), than the entire sweater? (Okay, slight exaggeration). But really, 2 colour fair isle knitting just seems to grow at an exponential rate compared to regular knitting. Strange.
Socks - very close to finishing the alpaca socks, as well as the dyed by Eliza socks. I will need to get some more on the needles, and Christmas knitting is starting to go into overdrive. But the next sock yarn I want to use, I don't want to give away. Helga gave it to me, and I'm keeping it for ME! Which means, I can't knit with it next if I want to knit gifts.
I need to figure out who is on my Christmas list, and what I want to give them, soon. I know it's only September, but I'd like to have the "potential gift" box at least started.
I need to find my camera - I thought I knew where it was, but I was wrong. Now I think I REALLY know where it is, ans will look tonight.
For someone who says she doesn't watch a lot of reality shows, I'm ridiculously addicted to Dancing with the Stars, Survivor and the Amazing Race. All of which are starting this week.
At least I don't watch reality dating shows, or celebrity family shows. (Although, I will admit to watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels at times.)
Criminal Minds starts tonight - I love that show, although a touch less now that Mandy Patinkin is gone.
I'm secretly hoping that I need knee surgery that will lay me up for a while, so I can watch some shows on DVD that I have never seen (I'm thinking Lost and Heroes)
We've had a shuffle at work - my boss (great guy) has left - family issues, and he's relocating to Vancouver to rebuild his marriage. While I applaud his reasons, I wish he hadn't left - I liked working for him. My new boss is good too, but there will be a learning curve as we adjust to the other changes here. My job is safe for the foreseeable future, so on a selfish note, I'm happy.
For someone who didn't have a lot to say, I've actually said a fair bit. Maybe next I will get some pictures up.
Monday, September 22, 2008
I should get frustrated more often...
If things continue to annoy me, I may actually get my house organized.
And, you may not hear from me for a bit. I may either have nothing to say, or I am awaiting bail after killing some family members. Yeah, life's like that.
Friday, September 19, 2008
arrr..... the power of a popular guest...
Then again, I'd hate to have to read hundreds of comments each day, so I guess it's a good thing I'm kind of boring.
And yes, it is Talk like a Pirate Day - spread the worrrddddd....
Thursday, September 18, 2008
planning
I have plans - oh so many plans!
I want to finish my Kauni, NOW! I've got about 2 more inches of body, then sleeves, then the banding. I'm hoping for a Christmas debut.
I want a simple black top down raglan cardigan.
I want another cardi - in my blue and brown Silky Wool. I've got a book - Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard which is all about top down sweaters - and there are some stunners in there.
I want my ordered copy of Stephanie's new Book, which should have come with the new Mason Dixon book, and I want it NOW! (The Mason Dixon book is pretty awesome, as well).
I want to get my Christmas knitting organized - who should be getting what - to see what I still have left to make. (I'm hoping for lots of beaded projects - they make me happy to knit, and they're small and quick.)
And, I want to thank those of you who commented on "priorities". Having kids is a choice, and one we thought long and hard about (I was in my late 30's when we took the plunge). It's not for everyone, and I applaud those that make the conscious decision not to. Peer and/or family pressure are the absolute worst reasons for having a child, and in this day and age, with all the options available, "accidental" children should be few and far between. We still get heat for only having one, as if it was the choice we made. We would have loved another, but it didn't happen, and at this stage, it won't happen. We're happy with how things are, and if my lifestyle doesn't suit you, no problem. It's MY lifestyle. I try not to push my opinions on others, and I expect the same in return. I need not, nor do I want, judgements on what I do, and how I raise my child, or how I live my life.
I told my friend that in so many words over lunch. Once she stopped trying to fit my life into her definition of what she thought it should be, lunch became much more pleasant.
She's still trying to get me to use her (massively expensive!!) hairdresser. Not going to happen - I hate it when my stylist has clothes that cost more than my car...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
priorities
Can I even bear to look at wool, considering how much is in my house, and how much I added?
Anyone? Bueller?
I'll take pictures tonight, promise...
In the meantime, life continues on. My son starts basketball practice this week, the next level of swimming starts up, his additional school programme that we decided on with him also starts this week, so he'll be riding a school bus to school for the first time, and we had to get that all organized.
I had lunch with a friend of mine the other day. She's married, and they don't have kids (her husband is WAYYYYY too selfish to ever have kids.) I was explaining all this when she asked what was going on. She sat back and said "Why do you do all this? You're overdue for a haircut, you never get your nails done. When was the last time you were at the spa? You spend too much time on your kid, and not enough on yourself". Now I'm starting to think that both of them are too selfish to ever have kids, and thankfully they came to that decision before they had one. It's all about priorities. Personally, I can't do the spa more than once a year - bores me. I know I need a haircut. It has to be on a Saturday, because there is not enough time during the week. Hubby is lucky if he arrives home before 7:30pm or so. But lately, Saturdays have been busy - either the cottage, the Knitter's Fair, or other events have conspired to keep me from the salon. So should I have bagged the Knitter's Fair for a hair cut? No, that's not my priority. And when we chose to have a child, we chose to put his interests in the forefront, for the most part. I think most parents do this. I can't be the only one whose non-parent friends get all out of sorts when things get cancelled or moved around to allow for kid activities.
It's all about the lifestyle choice. It's not like my family situation was thrust upon me without notice. I knew when I married this guy, that he worked late, pretty much all the time. He owns the business, so it's an investment in the future. I have adapted to that, and before our son was born, ate dinner late with him. Now? Not so much. I make dinner, eat, and get on with the evening's activities - whether inside or outside the home. Hubby gets a plate left for him, and he eats when he gets home. Ideal? Not by a long shot. But it's what works for us, right now. Even his parents seem a little shocked. His dad called the other night around 7:30pm.When I mentioned that he wasn't home, his Dad was all, "But it's 7:30! What are you doing about dinner?" I just laughed and said "Your life. My life. Two different things."
And, an aside - I never call my husband "Hubby" and I'm pretty sure I don't even like the term. I need to give him a psuedonym here, as I don't use his real name. I should come up with one for my son as well, I guess. Today is probably not a good day to come up with one, as they both pissed me off this morning, and dumping "shithead" on the husband and "lazyass child" on the kid isn't good. Maybe I'll wait until I think better of them...
Monday, September 15, 2008
4.19 am
I almost bought another needle felting kit, but wisely decided against it. I have not even touched the two kits I presently own!
I did spend a little of other people's money - I pretty much forced Linda to buy some fabulouse stuff at Yarns Plus - that grey/purple blend will be stunning! SPending other people's money is almost as fun as spending my own...
I did miss meeting some people I wanted to meet - Dierdre, where were you? And there were some others. I think having it in two rooms made it more diffiuclt to run into people, but it did make getting around a lot easier - the aisles were not nearly as crowded. All in all - a success. I can't wait until next year!
Friday, September 12, 2008
argh!
What do you think my chances are?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Crap.
***E.T.A.***
well, what do you know? Calling early in the morning has it's benefits - they had a cancellation last night, so I got my appointment moved to Tuesday the 14th at 5:00pm! Soooo much better! Guess I'd better order the turkey from the butcher...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
ow, ow, OW!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
COuntdown to Kitchener
Plans are being made - Lucky and I meet up and shop and lunch until she either leaves, or my bus leaves. We of the York Region Knitting Guild band together with the Barrie Guild and get a bus to take us there. No driving means more knitting time. There are also draw prizes - I know I have about 10 prizes to donate! Lucky is even donating a couple of prizes to the cause.
Wish lists are being formulated. I'm after a couple of sweaters' worth of yarn - enough worsted weight for Manon - colour to be determined, and some black wool for a go-everywhere cardigan. I know there will be Kauni there, but I think I'm well stocked on that, unless of course I fall hard for the black/cream/grey colourway...
There may also be some bead kits purchased. One can never have too many sparkly things to knit, can one?
Monday, September 08, 2008
knitting and sewing, and a pretty good Canadian!
This is the blanket strip - the "knitted hug" so to speak. It's a lovely brown, Cara Mia by Needful yarns - a 100% merino, soft and squooshy, and perfect for this. I'm almost done - probably another 40cm or so. It's a "Joan" colour - autumny and rich. I hope she likes it.
I also did some sewing, in anticipation of Christmas. My husband likes short pajamas - not t-shirts, not knitted. Shorts, short sleeve buttoned top - no collar, no lapel, woven cotton blend. Yeah, try finding those. Not easy I tell ya! Every year when I'm in Florida, I look, and most years I'm lucky to find 1 pair. This year, I decided to take the bull by the horns and make him some. This way, I choose the fabric (100% cotton - no blends), and I have a few presents ready to go. I just need to get some buttons and we're done with these.
You may notice that piece of newspaper lying there. Last night, the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) ran a show called Test the Nation - it was a quiz about Canada. They had teams in studio, and had the country playing along on line or by themselves. We decided against the online version, since the computer and TV aren't in the same vicinity, but I have to say, I'm a proud Canadian! 40 out of 50 - well above the national average! (I can't believe I thought a young Mike Myers was a young Rick Moranis, but whatever...) The show itself was a bit lame - they were trying too hard to be funny, but still - a good primer on Canada and Canadiana. The in studio team that won? A team of Americans living in Canada! Who Knew?
And, we're in Kitchener Knitter's Fair countdown - this Saturday a busload of knitters from the Barrie and York Guilds will descend upon Bingemans in Kitchener, and buy up hordes of yarn none of us need. I'm meeting Lucky there, and we'll have our traditional picnic lunch. I'll be carrying my yellow "I KNIT" messenger bag, so if you see me, say hi. Or not. I won't be offended. Who wants to bet I find Stephanie and Rachel H in the bead booth again...
Friday, September 05, 2008
knitting to help...
Thursday, September 04, 2008
the post about why I don't need to post...
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
back to school, and decisions, decisions...
Of course, this was after we spent a glorious long (but really too short) weekend at the cottage. It was the weather we had been waiting for all summer. Hot, sunny - everything you want when you are sitting by a lake, watching kids swim and play. The horseshoe tournament was played, the new deck at a friend's cottage was admired, drinks were drunk, food was eaten, everything we wanted to do was done. We just couldn't warp the time-space continuum to stretch the weekend out any further.
The drive home was humourous - my SIL and older nephew left on Sunday - he's starting high school, and wanted a day with friends to "map out" how they were going to do this. What hat to wear, how the shoes were tied, is the shirt tucked in or out? The minor details that define the cool from the nerd. Unfortunately, he's going into grade nine - he has no chance at being cool for a while. But still, that extra day was needed. To make a long story less tedious, that left my BIL and other nephew to come home with us, and get his car (conveniently left at our house) to go home. So that's five people in a Pathfinder. No problem, there's an extra row of seats - it says it sits up to 8 people. Well, yeah, if you have no luggage, no cottage laundry, and want to share the back seat with two nine year olds! So it was left to me to be squished (literally) into the third row - sitting sideways, since I could not fold my legs into the space provided. One would think this a horrible fate for a 2.5 hour drive. But then it dawns - I have the width of the car to myself, with all the pillows, my Ipod, my knitting and an excuse to ignore the 4 males I'm sharing the car with. Can we say prime knitting time?? I'm almost ready to end to Kauni body, and start in on sleeves! I guess I should determine what kind of edging I want to do...
(thanks to Helga for taking the pictures). We had discussions about the edging, and I think between Tove, Helga and myself, we have possibly decided on a 3x3 checkerboard folded over hem. I think. I still want to do another couple of pattern repeats - I want this cardigan to just hit the hips, and it's just past the waist right now. Once I get the length I want, I will probably put it back on a thread, do the sleeves, and decide the edging then.