merry christmas to all

Holiday Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the complexity of wrapping the gift and how late we are to the party.
2. Real tree or Artificial? I love the smell of real but I can't bring myself to murder a tree for mere decoration. Plus we use our fireplace and that's too much of a fire hazard for me.
3. When do you put up the tree? My love won't let me do it before December 1st, so the first chance I get after that. I usually want to do it following Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Depends...some years not until New Years day, some years the day after Christmas
5. Do you like eggnog? Not especially, but I like the rum I thin it with.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I would have to be the year I got my play kitchen. It even had a little water dispenser in the door.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband's family
8. Easiest person to buy for? My little brother
9. Do you have a nativity scene? no...I do have the one from my childhood in a box somewhere waiting to be repainted.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail...I usually do handmade too if I can swing it.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? apparently I've blocked it out.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas or Die Hard
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Far later than I should
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? maybe
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? cookies...certain ones only get made this time of year.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes. All one color or separate strands of single color. I abhor multi-color lights on a single strand.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Traditional: Silent Night
Parody: Twelve Pains of Christmas
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? It depends
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? yes
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning...after tea, before breakfast.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Being a child of divorce the fighting over visiting who when and the fact that it seems everyone dies this time of year.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Blue and white/crystal
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't know.
24. Angel on the tree top or a star? Really cool vintage star that has spinning color action.
25. Favorite Christmas dinner? Goose or Roast beef of some sort.

What we've been up to...

I did finally finish the Baby Yoda Sweater. I had to sew the sleeves in twice. Next time I'd make the sleeves shorter. The yarn is Moda Dea Washable Wool. I scored a bunch of it on clearance at JoAnn's a while back.


This is the Sally Melville scarf that I knit as a thank you for my doula. I couldn't have gotten through the birth without her. It's knit out of Berroco Comfort. I liked this pattern so much that I'm knitting myself one out of some lone Malabrigo in my stash.













And I finally did something about my hair. Saturday was spent at the Angry Chair going from this:


to this:


What you really can't see in this photo is the purple hilights. Yes, I finally dyed my hair purple and I love it. I also got a job out of the trip. I'm going to be repainting the salon and they're giving me free reign.

And if you didn't notice in the picture above my little one is wearing his NIN onesie made by Jenny.












And because he's just too cute here he is in his skeleton sweats (thank you Rachel and Jack).

Inspiration

I'm almost done with the Yoda Sweater. I'm in the process of seaming it at the moment. I hope to have it finished tonight.

My husband directed me to this YouTube video and it completely blew me away. I love John Williams...I really wanted to walk down the aisle to one of his pieces but the priest was not so keen on that. My old priest, who died several years ago, would have loved it. But anywho, enjoy and then wrap your mind around how much work this must have taken.

hey you!

Get out and vote!

Still undecided? Try this quiz but please, please vote.

And if you don't, then I don't want to hear you complain about the outcome or anything related for the next four years! Here's a few images to ponder in your ambivalence...

The force is strong with this one

Happy belated Halloween.

It was a busy day here. I didn't get the Yoda sweater done in time but the hat was a go. We had a lot less kids than we normally do, which is odd because the weather was rather pleasant. We had family visiting as well.

Here he is:


There is a disturbance in the force.

I made something!

I had to make this for him. I couldn't resist and it's just too cute. Some day I'll be able to post a picture of him with his eyes open. My next knitting project is his Halloween costume which I hope to post before too long. I'll be dressing up as usual this year. Now I can coordinate my costume with someone.

I've been trying to figure out how to nurse hands free so I can knit at the same time. It's going fairly well. Life in general is feedings, diaper changes, laundry, figuring out which of the trifecta (eat, sleep or shower) I should do when he's asleep, and just sitting and staring at this amazing little person.

Rock...tech geek style

Here's an article about the setup at the NIN show I went to. We talked about this for days afterward. If you get a chance SEE THIS SHOW. It really is a sensory experience.

Introducing...

the new man in my life:

All in the Timing

That's more than just a collection of David Ives plays in my life. I had to make it to my anniversary date of September 4th to qualify for my short term disability leave. I wasn't too worried as I was due on the 17th and told I would most likely be late.

Imagine my surprise when my water breaks at 4 am on the 5th! My little guy waited just long enough and then decided to arrive....two weeks early! We were so unprepared. We had planned on the weekend as our time to finish up the baby prep. The joke was on us.

At 5:22pm on the 5th our little one was born. It was 13 1/2 hours from when my water broke. I had no drugs, no epidural...there was no time to really even consider one. Someone got a little stuck and I was almost headed for a c-section. But I did it...and he's wonderful.

For sake of privacy I'm not posting his name on the net but the initials of his first and middle name are JA. We just came home yesterday and haven't up loaded pictures yet.

So there it is...don't know when I'll get on next.

Takin care of business

Last week I went back to work and jumped right in and hit the ground running. So I've been utterly exhausted. I'm taking it easy as much as I can. I was sore as hell last week, but at least I am sleeping again. Though now I am dealing with swelling of my hands and feet. Luckily I took my rings off a few weeks ago. I was using a inherited ring as a substitute wedding band, but it is of too much sentimental value to wear at work. My hands go up and down so much I don't think any rings could be comfortable. Most nights I come home and crash on the couch with my feet up. Some day I hope to see my ankle bones again.

I did get some sewing done. The dust ruffle for the crib is nearly complete. My bag is all prepped, I just need to sit down and do a marathon sewing session. The earliest that could happen is Friday night. I've got a full week with my hospital tour, lactation class and a doctor's appointment. I've chosen a doula and I'm starting to get our little guy's stuff situated. I swear he already has more clothes then the both of us combined. He's head down now, which means he's kicking my ribs and stomach constantly.

We took him to his first concert...NIN. He loved it, but then who couldn't love Trent Reznor. The show was amazing. It was the most visually stimulating concert that I've ever been to. Of course we were getting our geek on by analyzing the equipment. It was my last concert for a while and what a memory to have to cling to.

My brain is fried at this point, I think I've updated on everything...I'm off to bed.

I'm just watched Serenity again and you know, I still can't forgive Joss Whedon for what he did to Wash.

Not quite sewing yet...

The weekend went well. My sew-fest today was slightly put off by a scheduled trip to the vet and the writing/addressing of thank you notes.

I have started cutting projects. I do need to pick up a tad more fabric, and plan to do so first thing tomorrow. I'll be a single girl tomorrow due to some ill-timed truck arrivals at the theatre, but that leaves me uninterrupted sewing time.

And today I realized I go back to work next week...where did my summer break go?

Trains

I'm hitting the rails again this weekend for a quick jaunt to the home town. Reason?; one of my baby showers. I have another there next weekend...long story, don't want to tell it. If you know anything about my family situation, that's enough.

When I return, Monday will be sewing day. I have these fabrics waiting in the wings:



I can't wait to get down and dirty with my sewing machine at last. I had planned on spending much more time with it this summer but life intervenes. I guess you'll just have to wait until Monday to see what they will be.

Updates

I just did two updates on Footprints in the Sky. The next (and uber-long but very cool) one will be up sometime tomorrow.

(now it's up)

Check out the shiny shiny pretty.

50 Days

It's 50 days until my estimated due date. As you can see, Isis can't believe how big I've gotten. I can't believe how big I've gotten. I still run into things, especially counters, since I am use to stepping much closer to them. I had to take off my rings on Sunday. They weren't getting tight, but it was getting much harder to get them off. Better off now, then with bolt cutters later. I feel completely naked without them. And without the wedding band I get dirty looks when the belly and I are out. I have behaved myself so far and bite my tongue...but one of these days I'm bound to unleash on some stranger. Speaking of strangers...man if you want unsolicited advice or opinions, walk around pregnant. If one more person asks if I'm having twins or tells me I'll never make it to September, I will unleash some serious Pregzilla on them. I'm measuring right on time and I've gained the recommended amount of weight, but people feel the need to make me feel like I'm carrying an elephant and about to drop any moment. What is wrong with people. Luckily I've been spared people touching the belly uninvited. Maybe I just look like the type of person who would break their wrist if they tried...because I am.

I know I promised more blogging and it hasn't happened. We've been the land of chronic thunderstorms here. Actually lightning struck right outside the other night; it was like a huge flashbulb (remember flashbulbs?) went off in the street. Then a deafening crash and the whole house shook. Then the sound of sirens...something was on fire nearby, but not in viewing distance of our front door.

The other anti-blogging factor has been our internet connection which has decided to be spotty at best. My love can't seem to get to the root of it, and our phone company (we have DSL) claims there are no problems on their end.

I have been knitting. I can't show too much of it right now as it is a gift. I've hit a small snag with several projects though...with the crib up, my blocking bed has been packed away. Now I need to find somewhere to block that I can shut the cats out of. Not an easy task in this house.

Home sweet home

I'm back. I came home on Friday. The emotion of the last week and half really hit me when I came home.

While I was gone my husband took down the guest bed and put the crib together. Birthing classes start this week...actually we switched nights and it started last week, but the instructor said it was ok to miss the first class. This is starting to get all too real.

I don't know what to say right now...

I'm back

actual blogging to follow

On the Road Again

Well I'm headed out of town again.

My Grandmother passed away on Wednesday morning and the services are this weekend. It was an expected passing as she was under Hospice care, but still very heartbreaking. Back in the early days of my parents divorce I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. My Grandmother could be a difficult and frustrating woman, but she loved us all very much. I wish she could have been here long enough to see my little guy, but she was completely thrilled about the pregnancy. Even in her less lucid moments she would ask how I was and how the baby is doing. I'll miss you Gram, but I shall carry you on in me and with your cooking. I mean, after all, it was me who you gave your coveted cast iron frying pan to.

I'm not sure how long I'll be gone. And I know I promised more blogging but we've been plagued with random thunderstorms and spotty internet access. We can't seem to figure out why we keep losing our connection.

And the fun begins...sorta

I have a few days of work in the weeks ahead, but otherwise I'm on my summer break. I can't really remember the last time I had a summer off. Since I have had a job, I've worked on all my breaks. I have a lot of plans for my time off.

Today I received my first Amy Butler pattern. I got the Weekender Travel Bag. I can't wait to start working on it. I plan on making one as my hospital bag. A little treat for myself. I don't think I will be using her fabrics, but I'm not sure yet.

I've been knitting in fits and spurts, but I did finish the Cable Baby blanket. I still have to weave in the ends and block it yet. Yesterday I scored some superwash wool at JoAnn's that was a $1.97 a skein clearance. I have no plans for it yet. I hope to get my stash on Ravelry on my time off.

The little guy is doing well. He's quite the active fellow. Though I keep warning him that he's got 12 more weeks in there and he better save some room.

I've such a big list of things I want to (and need to) accomplish that I'm not quite sure where to start. Tonight is a night alone as my love is off to a bachelor party for my boss. I'm tired and my brain is having trouble forming real sentences so I shall go now.

A moment of silence...

for George Carlin.

And I will freely admit that I cried when I heard the news. The man was a comic genius who influenced so many people. I quote him all the time. He's made me laugh at my darkest moments, and shown me that I'm not the only one out there who thinks the way I do. He will be deeply missed. It's a shame he didn't live long enough to receive his Mark Twain award.

Oh and I'm off contract now...I've a few days of work over the next week and then I'm done for several weeks, so expect a lot more blogging happening.

And then there were three...

Yesterday we had 6 cats...now we have 3! And with any luck by the end of the week we will be left with our original two.

Yes, finally after a year and a half of fostering the little monsters, um I mean stray cats, we found a home for most of them. They have gone off to be barn cats on a lovely little farm down state. Thank you, thank you, thank you Audrey for putting us in contact. And thank you Wanda for having a generous heart to take in the furry ones.

It was fiasco central this weekend getting them ready for their new home. We needed to get their rabies booster. Our vet won't take cats they can't handle, which is completely understandable. We had hoped to get an appointment for the clinic at the Humane Society, but they never answered their phone, nor did they call us back. Our vet let us know of a clinic at Petco on Saturday. So that was the plan. It took my love about 3 hours and several puncture wounds to get them in the cages. We get to the store and get in the rather long line. There were a lot of dogs there...I'm not really a dog person. Especially when people don't clean up after said dogs. Come on people ! They provide you stuff to clean up after your animals! Use them!......anywho. The dog behind us (the one with the choke chain...I won't start in that rant) got a few nose scratches because they didn't keep him from sniffing our cages, even after warnings. Our turn came finally, but not before someone's dog took a very smelly dump. We get to the table. We warn them about the nature of our furry ones. The tech dons what look like gloves for either welding or falconry. The first one (Spec) is pulled from the cage and given her shot. Slightly difficult but she's the easiest one. The next one (Juno) is the one full of piss and vinegar, and she proved that....by escaping and running loose in the store. She managed to crawl under the shelving. It took 5 people and about 10 minutes to get her. As she was tackled the vet managed to get her with the vaccination. They decided to take the last one (Sam) into the bathroom to do his. He raised a paw and then decided to give up. Finally they had their shots. But what to do with them while waiting to hear from their soon-to-be home?? We didn't want to put them back into the studio because we were afraid that we'd never get them into the cages again. We settled on the handicap bathroom at my husband's shop.

Monday went much better. They were huddled in their cages when we went to gather them. Two in the big cage and one in one of the smaller ones. We merely shut the doors and then took them to their new home. It's a lovely place that I'm very comfortable leaving them at.

Finally.

The last furry one is being integrated into our upstairs domain (she's lonely without her siblings) until we get her a home of her own. We didn't send her with the others because she's defintely housecat material. And this means I have my studio back!!! Woo Hoo!!! Now we just have to clean it...a lot.

psuedo post

Life has been a blur since I've gotten back. I have been taking pictures, but haven't had a chance to blog. The belly grows ever bigger and I think this will be the week I say goodbye to my belly button. The weather warms (finally) and everything has turned green. For the first time ever I saw my Queen of the Night tulips bloom. I've been knitting when I'm not working on the house or passed out on the couch.

I'll have a real post with pictures this week, I promise. I just need to upload them all.

And for my PIF people. I haven't forgotten you. I'm secretly working on your goodies.

Home again

I'm back (I got in Sat nite) and all went well. Unfortunately I'm now in allergy hell and unable to take my usual medicine. It may be a few days before I get the pictures and such up.

Off again

I'm off again to help while a family member is in the hospital for an operation. I'll be gone for about a week and won't be able to post. I should have a bevy of knitting photos when I return.

ps...I've updated Footprints in the Sky with pictures of the last few months. I think you'll be able to forgive my lack of posting when you see what my days have been filled with.

And the winner is...

Anyone who said boy!!! Yep, we're having a boy and there is no doubt about it. He pulled his little toes to his nose and flashed us! He also didn't stop moving the whole ultrasound...until she needed him to move his legs out of the way to check something. Then he wouldn't budge. That is definitely our child. It was really amazing to see him move and feel it too.

So who won...well since so few people voted...we have 3 winners. Yes, all of you that said boy get a prize. Mouse, pamudom, and cygknit will be receiving a set of my handmade wooden knitting needles. You'll have to be a little patient about their delivery date. It will be a few weeks before I can get into the shop and make them.

Woo hoo!!

Contest!!!

Since I missed my blogiversary back in February, I've decided to do a little contest of sorts. Tuesday evening is my ultrasound, where if the little flying monkey cooperates, we will know what it is. I'm taking guesses up until 1pm Tuesday, EST. Then I will choose a name or two from the correct guesses to win something. I'm not completely sure on the prize yet, I think it will depends on who wins (I'm not going to give knitting gifts to my non knitting readers)

So...leave comments if you think it is a boy or a girl.
Some possible helpful info

• my main cravings have been for fresh fruit with a few other odd ones here and there (pad thai, tater tots, Friendly's ice cream sundae with peanut butter sauce and hot fudge) but the fruit has been the constant.
• Food aversions- chicken. If it is cut up and small in the dish (and not the predominate flavor) I can manage it. Sit a chicken breast in front of me and I gag. And salmon.
  
• No heartburn yet.
  
• I've only had one baby dream that I can remember and it was a girl.

And this is how I am carrying:



So let the games begin!

Um...yeah

I really don't have words for this...I think it speaks for itself.

Random Conversations With A Insatiable Geek

Wow, I didn't realize quite how long it has been since I've posted. With my morning sickness gone (yea!) and some renewed energy I've been a busy bee around her. I also have my husband back from his 3 month stint of overtime, which means I get little to no computer time.

I also hit a stale point in my knitting. I finished the projects I had been working on and found myself not sure where to go next. I've been finding it hard to sit and knit lately. It seems the little one is giving me bouts of RLS, not fun after a day painting in your stocking feet. (those pictures will be up soon). I pulled out the Ballet wrap cardigan and attempted to figure out where I left off...then I really stepped back and looked at it. I decided I didn't quite like how it was coming out, so off to the frog pond it went. I'm debating the same with Kyoto. I have the sleeves and the neck band to do. I wanted to do the sleeves in the round but may just do them flat to get them done. I don't have enough dpns in that size to do them in the round and I'm having trouble finding more in that size. They are just two small to go with circs. I could magic loop if I felt like learning how to do that, but I don't on this project. I'll try to make a decision by this weekend.

I wanted to start some of the duck feet booties for my little flying monkey but the store I usually but the yarn at no longer carries that color. So more hunting for that. I did finish my last pair of boot socks...I'll get pics soon. After digging through my stash (ugh..hey did I miss flash your stash again???) I found 12 balls of a light violet wool that I got on clearance from JoAnn's. I had hoped to get more colors but never made it back. Anywho I am making the cabled baby blanket from Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss. We don't know what the little one is yet but if it is determined the blanket is too "girly" then I can always dye it. I need to knit something.

I fell last Friday. I mean I completely wiped out on the sidewalk. I had either missed the curb or tripped over it but I dropped a bunch of things along the way down; I even lost my shoe. I went down hard on one knee, tearing my pants and then on my hands. I managed to protect the belly. I'm fine except the abrasion and bruise on my knee that still hurt. What can you expect...I'm the girl that can trip on a shadow.

Oh and I completely missed my blogiversary.

There's no place like home...

and I'm glad to back in mine.

It has been a long, long week, but we made it. Dad is doing great and actually left the hospital sooner than expected. Thank you everyone for your wishes and prayers. It will take me a few days to catch up on my email not to mention the laundry and house stuff. Please be patient. That's all for now...I have a stack of mail to go through and some cats to suck up to.

The witch is out...

I'll be gone for most of this week. My father is having surgery again, and I'm going to make sure he wakes back up. I'm a complete basket case about the whole thing right now. Thankfully my husband is going with me to save what little of my sanity remains. I got a ton of knitting done last time...I forsee at least a pair of socks and something for the baby. I hope to return with good news. Please send what ever good juju that you can.

Bags and books and illness...

Oh my!

I'm sick again. Well I'm not sure that I am sick or if it is a bout of allergies. Normally this is a nuisance that I would drug out of existence. Not anymore. While there are several things I can still take during pregnancy, the one thing that really works for me, I can't. So, I do what I can. It has wiped me out again, just as I was gaining momentum with the waning of my morning sickness.

I did end up buying a bag, if nothing else to get me though my little trip this week. Even if I don't keep it as a knitting bag, it is one I will find useful for other things.

I also ended up getting my hands on my very own copy of Simply Baby. I love the Debbie Bliss baby knit books. I love most of her stuff. And now I have a little one of my own to knit this stuff for.

On the hunt

I'm hunting for a new knitting bag. Unfortunately Target is out of stock on all the bags I was considering. I'm not one for internet shopping on things like these. I need to touch and look inside and try it out. I want something smaller than what I am using that zips shut and looks more stylish. Right now I have a large open tote.

So what bags do you guys use?

And for something completely different...

So the difference between this



and the real thing would be this little one:



Yes. We are knocked up again. All is well with the little flying monkey. Thursday we got to hear the heartbeat. It has been a roller-coaster of paranoia and excitement. The Doctor told us the chances of anything happening this point are very slim.

So now you know why I've been so sick and tired lately. I'm pretty much useless weeknights between the "morning" sickness and exhaustion from working all day. The guys at work have been fabulous. They won't let me lift a thing.

So no I can finally knit baby stuff for me!

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Can you tell I'm getting my geek on???

In the tradition of the Princess Leia hat (which I will make one of these days) ...now we have the R2-D2 hat.



Hrm...I think I know what I'm making the boy for his birthday. Whether he wants it or not. (not that he wears what I knit him anyway.)

keeping warm during the zombie invasion

This was just too cool.


Read about it here. I originally found it here.

Holiday (for some)

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

I know I've been quiet lately. There are big things a brewing here at Chez-Goth, things I can't talk about until somethings are finalized. That and I'm still struggling with my health. I've been battling a headache for 5 days now. We also lost the computer for several days due to storm induced power failure. The surge protector and battery backup didn't prevent a fun little glitch that was over clocking the CPU, and my tech support (aka husband) was working long hours at the time. But the computer is running, he's nearly done with the insane hours, and we should be rid of the extra cats by the end of the month. Things are looking up. Now if I can just get rid of the gnome in my head with a jackhammer, things would be going quite well.

Year of the Rat

I can't believe it has been so long since I've written. I'm still not feeling 100% lately. After working all day I'm whipped and pretty much completely useless. So the only real progress I've made on anything has been the weekends. I even skipped out on both my knitting groups this week. I'm just so tired.

I actually had my husband home for about 24 hours between yesterday afternoon and today. I really miss him. He has about two weeks of sheer chaos left. Then he's mine again. Today I attacked the linen closet and the green room. It is amazing how stuff just clusters and gathers and multiplies.

We finally found a home for one of the cats in the basement. Her new owner will be coming to claim her in a few weeks, after the show is out of tech. I think the other three are going to have to be taken to a no-kill shelter. We just can't keep fostering them. We've had them over a year and work on the house is being held up by the residence in the basement. Not to mention my inability to use my studio while they reside there.

I 'finished' the back to school vest. I haven't joined the shoulders yet. I tried it on quickly at knitting one night and wasn't too happy how the upper portion was fitting. I have to put it on here and see how I care to proceed. I do need to write the designer though. I discovered some eratta that wasn't listed on her site.

I've picked up the ballet wrap cardigan again. I'm more than half way done with the sleeves. I still have to figure out where I am on the right front. I took it to SnB the other night and started the sleeves as they were conducive to talking and knitting. The front will be me and the cats and some solitude.

Beyond that I need to figure out my next project. I have some more baby knitting for friends looming in the future. One of them is having triplets!!! And I'm hunting around for a spinning wheel of my own. That's what I'm going to do with all my birthday money.

So there we are. I'm going to keep puttering around the house while I still have sunlight to burn.

um..whatever

I'm still not feeling well and insomnia leaves me completely drained by the time I get home. At least work isn't boring right now. And my Love has been home more so I get less computer time, though he recently realized he has overtime from now until MARCH!!! We've also been catching up on last season of Lost, before the premiere on the 31st.

I have been busy when home and semi-conscious.

I took a bit of my Christmas money and purchased Fitted Knits and Knitting Lingerie Style. I've been eying these two for a while so I splurged.

I reknit my husband's alien scarf from the first Stitch and Bitch book. I knit it on too large a needle last time and it stretched a lot. I did notice a few mistakes when blocking this one, but he doesn't care, so I didn't either. He better wear it this time.


Here is my sewing project from before Christmas. I finally got around to photographing it.


It's a generic shift to wear under period garments. I was horrified when the Renn faire rolled around and I had nothing to wear. So I'm working on my period costumes. My next is either the Regency undergarments or the Civil War ones.

On a whim I started knitting this little number from Fitted Knits.



It's the Back to School Vest and knit in Plymouth Encore Worsted. Meant to be a stash buster I find that I need one more skein. Hopefully the color won't be too off. This will probably be a painting sweater anyway. I've got some Cascade 220 in mind for a 'good' one.

And then there is my special project from my handspun. I knit a womb. Yep, that's what I said.



This project has special meaning to me, after this summer. It's meant to be a good luck charm of sorts. And I think its damn cute. Though the original pattern is lacking in ovaries, so I may have to whip up a few of those.

So that's what I've been up to. Well, I'm off to bed.

Blah

I'm not dead...just sick. And blogger's been giving me trouble.

I have been knitting tons though...

Hopefully pictures soon.

Happy Birthday to

ME!

This is what I looked like 31 years ago today....well tonight. At this point I was still folded in half and stuck in my mom. (I was born after 11pm.)

So everybody CELEBRATE however you see fit!

My First Handspun

Here I am finally posting the pics. I believe I finished this on New Years day.

Here's the plied yarn on my swift. I don't have a niddy noddy (honey if you are reading this Hint HINT) so I used the swift and measured around. I ended up with about 93 yards.



Not a great close up but you get the idea.


Here are my weapons of dying...my crock pot, food dyes in straight red, red with a touch of black, and red with a touch of purple, and the instructions found here.


Here's the dye pour. I put on the cover and walked away and wrestled with the computer for several hours...



When its done it looks like this. I actually added dye several times to get a deeper red. It was still in the pot when my Love came home and asked if I knew there was yarn in the crock pot. *sigh* boys.


Here it is. My first hand spun. I'm very proud of it. There are a few wonky spots. I liked doing the singles on the drop spindle but the plying really killed my hands. I couldn't knit for a few days. This experience really is pushing me to seriously take steps to getting my own wheel. I'm addicted to the dying too. I keep thinking of color combinations. I may try some acid dyes but I'll do those in the shop at work.




So there it is...and tonight it will become something else.

A little spin

With my time off I'm trying to finish off a few in progress projects. Some knitting, some other. This was last night's task:

I'm very happy with the progress I made. I've managed to get a more even thickness in my spinning. This is only the second spindlefull that I have done. Now to transfer this lot over to a holder and ply them together. I'm doing this for a very specific project. I won't tell what it is, but show you along the way.

And for something differnet...

Knitting!

Here are the mittens I made my Dad for Christmas:

Pattern:Manly Mitts
Yarn: Ultra Alpaca
Size: Large

Not a bad pattern. Easy to understand. Next time I wouldn't pick two colors so similar to save my eyesight and sanity. I did knit the cuff twice as long, fold it under and sew it in place. I felt that gave it more security keeping it on and keeping snow out. By the way...these are HUGE. My Dad has freakishly large hands...just like I have freakishly small feet. (No large hand jokes...this is my Dad we're talking about, ya pervs.)The gods help me when I ever make him a sweater...

This scarf was made for the wife of my FIL. (No not my MIL, she's someone else. His second wife).

Pattern: Fan and Feather
Yarn: Imagine

This is the same yarn I used on the shawl for my love's Grandmother. My FIL's wife admired the color so much I made her a scarf out of the extra.

I nearly finished the Teva Durham shrug but frogged the whole thing last night. I think I may need to put back in the stitches I had taken out. I still haven't figured out the whole neckline thing. Not sure what to do with it, but now I have some time since I have to knit the sleeves over again. I'm actually thinking the yarn may be a little too thick for that project...maybe I'll do a vest out of it and hunt for something else for the shrug.

I made a single blue boot sock over Christmas. I only had the one ball of Foliage. I'll have to pick up more. They may be basic and boring but damn they keep my feet warm at work. I'll probably make enough to get me through a whole week.

I've also frogged and restarted the alien shadow knitting scarf (from the Stitch n Bitch book) I did for my husband several years ago. I stretched a ton, so I've switched to smaller needles.

Wrapping up and moving on

I packed up Christmas yesterday. My love was surprised as I usually leave it up until at least New Years. I just needed it to be over this year, and he agreed. Now we can move on.

Today was a yucky rainy day. I didn't leave the house at all. That paired with a headache has left me not very productive.

Happy and Merry to all

Enjoy and call me if you need bail for killing family members...though I may be there myself.

Run for your lives

Christmas is coming and I am so not ready.

Let it snow...

not like we can stop it.

They closed the University at noon today due to the weather. Even though we are not physically on campus, we follow those rules. Actually our boss kicked us all out at 11 because it was coming down so hard. I made it to the grocery store and grabbed a few items and then home. I even shoveled the driveway...that that you can tell anymore. I only came in about 5 minutes ago and you can't see the driveway at all.

I have the afternoon all planned out. I'm going to have lunch, make some rum punch and then make some cookies and a pot of beef stew for dinner whilst quaffing said punch. Then I will knit and watch movies. Maybe I'll do the final touches on the christmas cards before I drink the rum...just to be safe. We wouldn't want the family to know what I'm really thinking, now would we.

depressed

I've been very depressed lately. Between the death of my friend, the aftermath from the loss of my baby, unsuccessful attempts to conceive again, being sick and just the holidays in general (everyone dies around Christmas in my life)... I've been a down right mess.

Work has been slow painting wise. I've been knitting and hope to have pictures soon. My chemise is all sewn, I just need to pick up cording. The line for the cut table was way too long when I went to buy it.

Well its late and I must to bed.

no words

I was going to post my pictures and blog about various things this morning until I read an email that a dear friend and fellow techie passed away. Someone who is only a few years old than I am. Someone who always brightened my day when I saw him. I'm a crying mess and in somewhat of shock, so you'll forgive me if I don't write more.

Not myself

I've been feeling 'off' lately. Can't really describe it. Just not myself. Not really sick, but maybe. I don't know. I've been quite tired though.

I did a lot of driving this week as I was touching up a production of Nutcracker many miles away. All that driving kinda pushes me over the edge. Too much traffic and stupid people and construction, and poorly laid out intersections. Welcome to New England.

The weekend has been quasi-productive. I ended up not going out to opening night parties with my husband on Friday. I crashed on the couch and then went to bed. Yesterday I made chex-mix (or our family version of it), dehydrated the rest of the apples and made a big pot of pasta sauce.

This morning we raked the leaves...hoping they do another pickup. With the turning of the foliage so far behind, everything fell past the collection dates. We have more out there now than both previous pickups combined.

I'm plugging away at the knitting. The mittens are taking what seems forever. Color work slows me down and the person getting them has freakishly huge hands. The shrug as hit a little pattern adjustment snag, but I think I've solved that. I'd have pictures if I knew where love left the camera.

Oh well. Stay warm...we're suppose to get our first storm of the season tonight which ought to make the morning commute just lovely.

Black Friday

Its Black Friday and I got to sleep in. Did a little shopping...and now I'll spend the rest of the day watching movies, knitting, decorating, making holiday cards and wrapping presents. To think this time last year I was in a stupid red apron at 5am sucking down coffee, red bull and chocolate covered espresso beans attempting to be perky and helpful to idiots who didn't deserve it. *sigh*

One thing I'm completely thankful for this year is my new job.

Now to liberate a few loved ones from their occupational hell and all will be well.

Happy Turkey Day!

It has been a lovely day here. We slept in. We made a delicious breakfast of stuffed French toast (stuffed with black cherry jam and cream cheese) and bacon. Then we raked the leaves as they are coming next week to suck them up. The weather is perfect for it, warm and sunny. It didn't go so bad considered how wet the leaves actually were. Now the turkey is roasting and the rest is waiting to start cooking. I'll do a quick mop in the kitchen, take a shower and sit and knit on the mittens.

Hope your day is going as well.

First snow

This is what I woke up to


And I'm not pleased. Its too early for snow...(at least it gets me out of raking today)

Slow start today, I awoke with a headache. Oh yeah....I'm off all the rest of this week. The boss dangled a huge carrot in front of us yesterday. Long story short it was do this, this and this and we get the rest of the week off. Have I mentioned that I love my new job? Not quite sure what to do with myself. I do have some holiday knitting to tackle. We're not having anyone over for Thanksgiving so I don't need to worry about that; though there is some cleaning that didn't get done this weekend. I need to make our holiday cards as well. I think I'll be busy enough. Maybe I'll hit the library for some old movies too. BB can't seem to keep up with me these days. I've got two DVDs sitting there waiting for Love to watch them as well. Speaking of watching...Heroes last night...Holy crap! and the best part was no goo twins the whole episode.

Monday news

Not really what one hopes to hear when one gets up on Monday...

for one talks fell through on the Local 1 Stagehands strike.

and then this: Student dies at Yale Rep.
Update article.

Theatrical accidents are never good, but do bring to light many sketchy things that we do. How many of us have done something risky and nowhere near OSHA approved thinking "oh I'll be fine." I have a friend who broke his back falling from a ladder while hanging lights. Too many times a cavalier attitude is taken towards safety. We've all done it, some sporatically, some with frightening consistency. I use to get mocked for wearing my respirator, and scoffed at when I told others (mainly carpenters) to put on theirs. I'm forever yelling at love to put his on. I don't know where this attitude comes from....well I know where mine comes from. I'm ashamed to say much of mine comes from the fact that I'm a 5'2" petite female in a male dominated business. For some reason toughness and lack of safety sense have been linked and I was sucked into that mindset while fighting to prove myself. Thankfully I've learned (for the most part) since then. Robb's accident really shook me up, as did meeting and learning from Monona Rossol (who totally rocks by the way). Pregnancy is a huge wake up call. I can tell you that I don't plan on losing another baby by doing something irresponsible and stupid to prove how tough I am; or how hard core old school I am either. It's not worth it.

Ok enough of my early morning soap box rant. Happy Monday.

Title goes here

Wow I've not written for a while. I've been doing a fair amount but I've not really been in the mood for the computer. Speaking of computers, Love has agreed that with the next system we can do something like this. I'm so excited. This sort of stuff makes me want to learn how to solder. They usually keep me away from toys like that since I electrocuted myself with the electro-pounce.

We're currently in load in at work so knitting at lunch is not happening right now. I was making progress before the hiatus. I did hit a pattern snag though. Since I reduced the number of stitches in the shrug sleeve the decreases ended up like this ugly mess. I know it's not that bad but I didn't like it. So I ripped back and spread out the decreases in the purl sections to keep the same look in the ribbing. I don't have a picture of that yet. I've only been working on this during SnB.

I've been sewing during my lonely nights at home instead. The sewing bug has really gotten me lately. I'm working on some period costumes as to not be caught unawares next Renn Faire season. Plus I'm toying with getting involved with some reenacting groups. Besides I love the clothes. I'd dress in costume everyday if I could. I am starting with a basic chemise pattern (McCalls M4091) to wear under the other pieces. This pattern isn't exactly period but it's a good place to start. I'm doing a modified version of A/B; adjusting the length to fall mid-calf which is more accurate and eliminated the lace . The fabric is just an unbleached muslin, again not period but something I had on hand. I'm actually taking my time (for most of it) and trying to do it right. I'm hand finishing the seams so it takes far longer. I hand gathered the sleeves as well. I could have banged this project out on the first night but I'm attempting to elevate my sewing skills. Sewing, like knitting, is an addiction; I collect sewing patterns much the way I do knitting books.

Otherwise I've been busy with the house and foodstuffs. Much of yesterday was spent running around. Today I baked a cheesecake, a loaf of whole wheat bread and dehydrated a batch of apples. Laundry is also been a monumental task this weekend. I don't know how we go through so much laundry during load-ins but we do.
The other night Love got home fairly early (7:30ish) and we had dinner and then just sat on the couch, leaning on each other whimpering with pain. I've not done a 'real' load in for years. However I've been impressing the pants off of everyone lifting and carrying and working hard and being just as foul mouthed and dirty minded as them. Love is in Christmas Carol hell. He was put in charge of it a few years ago so that it ruins his holiday and not other people's. Normally it's not an issue since I was either involved in it as well, or having to work Black Friday. But now I've got time off and he's trapped at the theatre. Oh yeah...I don't have to work Black Friday anymore. hehe. I might stop by the store at 10 or 11 and tell them how I just woke up. Yeah, I'm evil.

I've caught the girls together like this the last few days. Yesterday bathing of one by the other was involved.


I know I've not been responding to comments...for some reason I can't seem to get to you people's email addresses easily to do so. If I'm doing this the idiot way, please tell me the easy way. Or suffer my late replies.

Brrrrrr

I should be used to the cold by now but I am freezing. I can't seem to warm up at all. It makes it al the harder to get out of bed when I am this cold. But onto the knitting pictures

These are the Flame Foliage boot socks. I finished them ages ago but never got a picture of them. With the chill in the air these will be on my feet often. Actually I have been wearing two pairs of sock everyday; knee highs and then another pair. I think I will move onto tights this week.

This is the Teva Durham Turtleneck Shrug that I've dubbed Wicked shrug. The colors remind me of the Wicked Witch of the West. I'm now in the decreasing for the top of the shoulder. I had to put it down last night. It was difficult to pay attention to the pattern and watch Donnie Darko at the same time.
I'm still debating on the turtleneck aspect of this project. I might make it a cowl neck; I might do a mock turtleneck. I'll see when I get that far. I did shorten the sleeves from the pattern, though I did keep the cuff. I didn't like the look without it. Plus I can pull it down if my hands are too cold and roll them up when mixing paint.

Other than that I'm still clearing out the house. I've got quite the pile of things to get rid of. Wait until I hit the studio. I told love I'm not touching that until the damn cats are gone. Yes, we still have the foster cats. They need to go soon.

I'm in love

I'm riding a total high at the moment. I love my job. (did you ever think you would hear me say that). I phucking love my job. I get paid to do what I love to do. I'm the happiest I've been in a long time. What set this off today was talking to one of my old co-workers and the total disaster that I left behind paired with a really successful faux oak I am painting. I kept looking at it thinking "omg! that looks like oak. my job is so cool!"

Ok enough gushing for now...off to snb

Duck feet, cleaning and cats

I've not been idle while not blogging. These little beauties were knit during my lunches and a few stolen moments at home during the last month.



They are from Zoe Mellor's 50 Baby Bootees to Knit. I actually bought the book for this pattern. I knit mine from Patons Grace and alter the pattern some. I bind off the back seam together, sew up the foot, and knit the cuff in the round. Why seam if you don't have to. This was a stash busting project. I knit as many as the yarn I had would make. I believe it works out to one set per skein of Grace. It was something I could do at work as well.

I've started on the Teva Durham shrug thing from Scarf Style. I'm making it out of crap yarn from my stash to wear while painting at work. I think the yarn is Lionbrand's Jiffy. I had two balls of it in the stash in an olive green shade. I need one more ball and I'll probably get black. Even if they still make the green I don't think I can get a good match, I'd rather go for contrast. Plus I could use any leftover black more readily than the green. Again I am altering the pattern some. The 66 stitches was just too big a sleeve so I dropped it down to 60 to keep in the K3, P3 pattern. I've done as far as I can on one sleeve in the green and are about 5 inches in on the second. I got a ton done the other day since I am so far ahead (read bored out of my ever lovin' mind) at work. I'll pick up some black later this week to continue. I don't think I'll go full turtle neck on the neck. I don't know yet. I have a great turtle neck sweater that I love but the neck kinda chokes me. (I'll probably rip that out and reknit it. Its a goodwill sweater). Once I finish tweaking the pattern I'll make a better one for regular wear. My paint clothes are becoming a sort of test kitchen for my work (or so I plan) especially with some of my sewing.

The weekend has been lovely. My first real free weekend since sometime in September. I've posted Macbeth pictures over on Footprints. Yesterday was spent cleaning the house (we finally got bags for the vacuum cleaner) and putting away the Halloween decorations after a lovely breakfast out. I also picked up a digital food scale for my spinning. The big project of the day was sorting stuff in the house. We're doing a big clean out of stuff. After love went and helped pack up his grandmother's house he vowed to come home and throw out half his stuff. We had already gotten into this mindset with the pregnancy, and now we have more time. Bit by bit we are going through everything and tossing what we don't want/need into boxes. Then we will sort the boxes into things to sell on ebay, things to tag sale, and things to donate. I'm taking a new policy on my stuff, just as I am blogging without obligation, I am cleaning out without guilt. No more keeping stuff because it was a gift. If I don't use it or don't like it, out it goes. I can't keep holding on to all this crap.

As for today, that project will continue. We raked our yard this morning as this is the week they come and vacuum them up. The town comes by twice in the fall, sucks them up, and mulches them.

And for fun here's a picture of Loki defending our home from a 'vicious' young squirrel. The rodent was desperately trying to get in through the window and my girl smacked the crap out of him. Granted the glass was there the whole time keeping either party safe, but she was valiant and fought like a demon. I gave her a treat and tons of praise after the squirrel took off in fear. Mind you, this is my pretty one, not the evil genius. She was off sleeping somewhere. I think she's training the younger one to do her work for her.

Speaking of training, I think Loki is training Isis to cuddle up with her. It isn't totally there yet but she's making great progress. One night in bed Isis settled in her spot next to me, and then Loki came and settled in next to her. Disgruntled by this shameless attempt to curl up with her, Isis got up and moved. And Loki did too. About 5 times this happened (can't say I slept very well that night) until Isis left the bed completely. Hopeless it would seem. But they have been found on the cat bed together. And now every morning they are together nested on the down blanket on the couch. You can tell Isis isn't totally into it or quite comfortable. I think she's just tolerating it for now, but I also think she starting to notice the warm and toasty benefits of such and arrangement. She stays there for a while and then will move on. It is as if she's letting Loki have her way for a little bit each day just to get her to leave her alone later. Can't say it always works. My little Loki can be a persistent one, bless her little addled brain. It will be interesting to see how far this goes once the snow flies. But it has answered one of the kitty mysteries...Loki's inability to lay in the middle of the cat bed. She's leaving room for Isis.