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.

Happy Halloween

Enjoy the night my dearies!


FYI tonight marks 10 years that the boy and I have been together. wow!

A day off...

I took today off at my boss's suggestion. I'm rather caught up on the show that's not loaded in for another 2 weeks. Actually I'm waiting for them to build the last few pieces. I'm done with Macbeth at the high school. I'm home alone on a lovely fall day and loving it. I slept in with a cat curled up on either side of me.
I have a fair amount planned for today. I've got tons of pictures to upload and post. Now that I use Flickr it takes me a little longer to do so. I'm going to clean the house today since that has been on the back burner for a bit. I need to get the kitchen back in order...cupboards that were emptied to move them for the new fridge are still empty. I've had the sewing bug lately too. I made out like crazy at the 99c pattern sale at Joann's last week. I'm going to hit BB and trade another movie and sit and play with my sewing machine and/or my needles. I'm going to cook a real dinner tonight too.
It's so lovely to have my life back.

The day of rest

This is my first complete day off in a while. I decided to forgo the Renn Faire. I'm just too tired and longed to be home. Yesterday was a lovely day at Rhinebeck . I did get my spindle and nothing else. (pictures to come) It was wonderful to spend time with my friends. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. My allergies are not happy about that trip though.

Love comes home tonight. I miss him so.

Today is all about tea, knitting, organizing, movie watching, and some laundry and light cleaning. And figuring out a costume.

WTF!

I'm so mad right now. Its Friday and rainy. I got out early so I went to do my running around...buy cat food, hit Target for various items, trade a movie at BB and get some wine to enjoy a night at home. And the stupid beyotch at the liquor store said it wasn't me on my license and wouldn't serve me. I'm 30 phucking years old!! I know I look young but I sure the hell look like the picture on my license....know why....BECAUSE IT'S ME!!!! Well they just lost our business, which really sucks because they have a great wine selection and we are in there all the time. I'm writing the manager to complain. It's great and all that they check but don't tell me my actual license is fake. Especially when she's rung me out before!!! This really put me over the edge this evening. I just want some frickin Pinot Grigio! Is that too much to ask! I need to go have a nervous breakdown now.

Tired and sore

FYI tons of pictures over on my painting blog.

If only my knitting could be as prolific as my painting. I'm looking forward to NYS Sheep and Wool on Saturday, also fondly referred to as Woolstock. I have a feeling I will be walking away with another Bosworth drop spindle from Journey Wheel. I'd love to leave with a Sonata but the budget says no. To me picking out a spindle is like picking out your wand in Harry Potter. You just try them until one just feel right and when it does, it's magic. I've not spun in a while...actually I filled my spindle and have to figure out what to do next.

Love is off to the South dealing with family stuff, so I'm a single girl until Sunday night. It really sucks. I didn't see him much after his 82 hour work week last week (down from 88, he got Sunday off, but I went and painted) and now he's gone to warmer places.

I'm sure I had more to say but I'm tired and the cats are insisting I go to bed.

A New Leaf

This is my new resolution. Thank you Mouse for directing me to this, and thank you, Tiffini for starting this.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately (blame the clapboards)and I'm starting to make some choices. Like the high school show for example. It has sucked up my fall every year (minus my first year out here, but I had no friends then so...)and autumn is my favorite season. The lead up to Halloween is just delightful. But the shows get bigger every year and I miss more and more of the season. And the neighbors will kill us if we don't get out and rake soon. So this is it...my last show. They are trying to keep me on, at least for the winter show, but I doubt they can convince me. I have too many other project that I would like to work on. And I missed Rhinebeck because of the show last year. So I decided, hell they are going to work around my schedule this year and I'm going to Rhinebeck and the Renn Faire next weekend. They will just have to deal with it. I'm going to live my life and enjoy the things I want to.

And so this pledge with my blogging. I'll blog when I can and not feel guilty about it. So there!

Now I'm gonna go and pull out my Halloween decorations and then sit on my arse and knit on my ballet wrap cardigan while watching tv rot.

Chilly and damp

That's what it is now. The cooler temperatures are just wonderful but the wet isn't. I'm glad for the rain. We really need it (I was beginning to worry about my trees) but it makes the paint take forever to dry.

Everyone else went out for lunch today so I have a chance to write. I have a ton of painting pictures and some others to post when I am home and conscious long enough to do so. I finished my Flame boot socks, so now I am without a traveling project. I think I may make a pair of leg warmers out of junk yarn to wear when I am painting in my socks. I'm actually hunting (rather passively, I must admit) for the Elizabeth Zimmerman sock pattern where you knit the top and then pick up around to do the bottom of the foot and the heel so that if they wear out you can unravel that part and reknit it. I would do some painting socks with something cushier on the bottom to save my poor little feet.

I'm rather tired lately. I'm trying to stick to a healthy diet but this busy schedule really kinda kills that. Hey at least I am drinking cans of V-8 instead of Red Bull.

I had dental work today and some Novocaine. I have to say I totally love my dentist. He is the only one who can give me a shot and I don't feel a thing.

I haven't even put up my Halloween decorations yet. I'm really slacking this year. I may tonight...I still have to paint at the high school but with this humidity I think I'll be done for the night once I get the coat of primer on.

Sorry for the really boring post. Love won't be home till past midnight so I'll try to post pictures this evening.

A few hours respite

I've got a few hours break today. Floor tiles can't be recoated until later and the head must dry. The eye is waiting on its flat...so here I sit at home. (wondering what the hell I'm talking about??? Read this)

Love is at strike today. 8 am to 7pm. Then tomorrow (work weeks run Monday through Sunday there) starts his 88 hour week. The number just seems unreal. What really is unreal is that upper management actually signed off on this! I swear they are trying to kill him. In situations like this I do my best to keep him in food and pain killers. Dinner is currently cooking in the crock-pot and smells delicious.

I've been doing a fair amount of thinking and soul searching this week. Boring painting will do that to you. Miles and miles of painting both sides of clapboard, board by board, twice on once side, once on the other, don't forget the edges will defintely get you turning inward. I've come to a decision on something. It is amazing how resigned to it I am, once I had finally made this decision. And yes, I'm being cryptic for a reason. I really need to tell the powers that be involved before I start shouting it from the roof tops.

On another note have you seen this:

Sweeny Todd Trailer

I can't wait for this! One of my favorite musicals (if not the very favorite) with some of my most favorite people. Everyone else will be waiting for Santa this christmas...I'll be waiting for Mr. Todd.

note

Just a little note...I won't be around much. I'm full swing into painting, plus I haven't been sleeping so I'm morphing into an overworked cranky bitch. I've had very little contact with my computer this week and I expect it to continue for a while. I'll try to update when I can. Wish me luck and sedatives.

Woohoo to my PIF people. I'll need your emails, if I don't already. Don't forget to post on your own blogs. I'll be contacting you guys when I get a moment to breathe.

Pantone strikes again!

After once having to match individual grains of sand to Pantone colors, I found this hysterical.

Pantone cup

Maybe I should take one of those to Dunkin' Donuts and they would learn what a "spot of cream" is. I will tell you, the half gallon they tend to add, it is not.

PIF

Now I remember....I'm now a part of the Pay It Forward Exchange. I got it from Roxtarchicknits.

Here's how it works:
This is based on the concept of the movie Pay It Forward. I've not seen the movie but here's the gist. It's kind of a twist on the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do to you). You do something nice for someone randomly with the idea that they will go and do something for other people and it expands from there. If everyone followed this the world would be a nicer place.

So the knitter's exchange twist on this is that I will begift the first three people to comment on this post with something handmade. They will in turn write a similar post and gift their first three commenters. Get it?? Small print...this is a good exchange for those who don't work on deadlines well. We have six months to get our gifts out.

So comment away.

Busy Bee

I've been a crazy busy bee lately.

Last weekend was The Painted Sheep debut at the Fiber Twist. I helped Kris with the set up and painted her a sign for the booth. Check out her blog, she tells the tale better than I can. Check her stuff out. It's lovely. She graciously let me have a skein for my help. I took this beauty.

Mmmm...sock yarn. Can you tell my color mood is yearning for fall? I had little cash on hand for the market. I had to limit myself to some shallots, fruit chutney, and organic garlic butter.

This week it has been mostly about Macbeth. Check out Footprints in the Sky for more details. Monday was our production meeting and the first time I saw designs. Since then it has been trying to get started despite some disasters. And the first person who says its the curse of the play will get stabbed. There has been a bit of sleuthing going on to get the whole story but here's a run down. When we set up for the meeting Monday we noticed it smelled a bit musty in the basement. We noticed some water stains on a big box down there, which is not all that uncommon. I also noticed all my buckets had been stacked weird. No big deal...on with the meeting. At one point we were discussing materials and the muslin required for the show was mentioned. The Technical Director reminded us of the big box of it in the basement. OH CRAP! Down we go and sure enough...something like 500-600 yards of muslin was mildewed. Like get the hazmat suits nasty mildew. No one has any clue what happened....until now. Apparently some one working at the school set off the sprinkler system in the basement and attempted to clean it up themselves. They didn't tell anyone. Now mind you the basement is where we store all our lighting equipment not in the air, all my paint supplies, some past drops, carpet runners for the winter, and our new (wall mounted) dimmer racks. We have yet to determine the complete extent of the damage. I salvaged some muslin to get started on projects but I had to wash it. I should have ironed the eye drop before putting it down. The starch didn't get rid of all the wrinkles.

I'm still plugging away on my second red boot sock. I had some books to finish reading before taking them back to the library.

I guess that's all for now. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Oh we bought our new fridge today but the sexy beast won't be here till next week. Well I'm off to knit and watch a movie with the boy.

Quiet

sorry for the quiet period. Our internet has been down. I have much to tell but not right now. It's the full moon and I have a boy to go and ravage.
*insert evil grin*

Socks n Knucks

Here you go



Not twins this time but that's ok. Still love the color and they will be toasty warm.



Here's the Knucks. Done in black Silky Wool. Hope the monkey likes them. I had to reknit the last one twice and then the cuffs on both. They stretched a little when I was sewing the gaps between the fingers



I'm already at the heel of the first sock on the next pair of boot socks.

Steal this!

Click me!

Just one more reason to throw myself naked at Trent Reznor's feet.

Two FO's

Yep two...no pictures yet. But I finished my boot socks and the black knucks. I decided to forgo the embroidery on these. They are a gift for a 15 year old boy...enough said. If he wants it, I'll add it later. That's easier than ripping it out or him not wearing them. The sweater is still waiting for some good sit down pay attention time. I'm not sure what the next projects will be. I have more Foliage for another pair of socks...I think I'll make those just to kill time during lunch until I plan out and swatch the next batch of projects. Nothing like chilly weather to get one knitting again.

blah blah blah

Life has been plugging along as usual. I tried blogging this weekend but it was so damn slow...Don't mind me...I had a gin and juice and I'm fairly tipsy.

So knitting update.

Ballet wrap: started last side...now I'm to the "must pay attention" part and haven't been in the mindset.

Black knucks: I had to reknit the second glove (again). It was too loose and noticeably so. Now all that remains is the grafting of the holes between the fingers and the embroidery.

Autumn socks: First sock done. Doing the foot on the second. I should get to the toes during lunch tomorrow.

I'll have to find another project to knit at lunch.

I was going to write more but typing coherently is not working well. Gin and blogging do not mix.

Caught!

HA! We got her. She was in the cage this morning. I went down to give the lot second breakfast and there she was with her siblings. Love didn't even tell me he got her. She fwoomped on her side and begged to be petted. She had a few melted whiskers and what we think are minor burns on her ears from when she crawled into the hot car engine. Well at least that adventure is over.

On the plate for today...going to the doctor and not sure if I'm still insured and finishing the damn opera. I hope to have pictures on the painting blog of that tonight.

cursed!

Ha! Guess what Love caught in the trap! Yep, a skunk...it was there last night. He threw a towel over the trap and opened the door. Today something managed to eat the food in there without setting it off. Hopefully we get her tonight...little bugger.

I'm sleepy...I'll tell you more about life and knitting another time.

Kitty sighted

I saw her out front when I got home from working late last night. We got so excited and tried to coax her with treats but she took off again. If I see her tonight I'm just going to leave her alone. We put more food out and some water, so who knows...we may have a trapped kitty today. One can only hope its the one we want. When we originally trapped the kittens we got two neighborhood cats as well. Lets pray the skunks stay away...how does one safely let a trapped skunk out of a cage???

Weekend at a glance

I made fair knitting progress this weekend. I finished the first foliage sock. The second black Knuck is nearly done. I had spaced a little at SnB on Wednesday and did 10 more rows than I needed to. So I frogged it back and got it to the cuff last night. I'll keep working on the socks at lunch. I still need to cast on the right front of the Ballet Wrap Cardigan. I'll probably do that after here.

I've been spending some time on Ravelry as well. I put in my needles and discovered a bunch of oddballs. I'll find an artistic use for them somewhere. I joined a bunch of groups and found some of my friends. I haven't posted at any of the groups yet. I need to pace myself...especially since we have only the one computer.

Today is Sunday...therefore cooking day. I made a pot of homemade sauce and meatballs to get us through the week. We both have a few late working days and this will make for easy fend for ourselves dinners. I'm also making cream of cauliflower soup. Its a great recipe with a nice blend of the vegetable and curry.

The big adventure happened today. One of the cats from the basement made her escape. Love was just far too trusting and she got out. We ran right out and found her under someone's car...which she promptly climbed into the engine. We tracked down the owner to pop the hood to coax/force her out. Then she took off on us...and has yet to be seen. We've set up the trap with some food hoping hunger and longing for her siblings will bring her back. Love is beside himself. She is his favorite and the most sociable out of the bunch. He's really beating himself up for this, claiming that he's as good as killed her. I scolded him for the stupid move at first but he's so upset with himself that I had to apologize and try to reassure him as much as I can. It's not doing much good. Hopefully I'll have some good news on this front soon...I hope we find her before the coyote does.

Now if I could only score Colin Firth

You scored as Elizabeth Bennet,As one of Austen's most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet represents what most women would like to become: strong, independent, and loyal. Of course, she has her faults including a stubborn will of iron and a clinging to first impressions. Overall, Lizzie is bright and lovable...something to admire and aspire to.

Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!!
created with QuizFarm.com

Rated

I think I'm a little disappointed. This is what I found odd...

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

• hell (3x)
• pain (2x)
• zombie (1x)

Um...OK. I'm sure I've swear a lot more on here than that. Pain??? I find that a little weird. And zombies....I'm surprised it was only one. I guess I have things to work towards.

I got in!

I got my invite to Ravelry!!! Woo Hoo!!! I haven't had a chance to do anything yet but I'm on the user name Gothknits. Go figure.

I made it through my first day of work. Details of such things will now be on my Footprints blog. I forgot how physical the job can be. Especially since being on physical restrictions lately. Man I slept last night. Well must be off. Not sure the traffic I have to face to the new job.

Knitting has been prolific lately. Much to show soon.

Moving on

Tomorrow is the big day. I start my new job. I'm both excited and nervous as hell.

I finally finished the left front of the Ballet Wrap Cardigan. I'm a tad frustrated with this pattern. I found the directions rather confusing...so confusing that I had to rip back 3 times. I'm also a bit miffed with the sizing. The bust size jumps from a 34 to a 40. That's a huge jump! I am going with the smaller size hoping that it won't look too horrible.

Today's mantra: The words "at the same time" should always be in bold lettering. Always. And a larger font or colored text wouldn't hurt either.

Knitting update

I actually have some knitting to show you. I've been a busy little bee...


These are my purple Knucks. I still haven't decided on embroidery yet so they'll stay plain for now. The yarn is Silky Wool. One skein with a fair amount left over. I lengthened the cuffs to 2 inches since I like my gloves to come up higher. Yes, these are actually for ME! I'm halfway through a pair for my little brother. I'll have those done soon enough.


Then there is my Ballet Wrap Cardigan from Interweave Knits. The yarn is from a sweater I got at Goodwill. I don't remember the content but I'll find the tag when I post the completed project. The back is finished and this is the left front. I'm loving how fast the bulky yarn is knitting up.


This lovely little creature is my Foliage boot sock. You may remember the blue ones I made my mum or the green ones I made myself. These are for me. I fear the warehouse that I will be working in at my new job will be quite chilly in the winter, so warm socks for me. I love, love, LOVE the colorway. It reminds me of Autumn, my favorite time of year. This was the project I took to the hospital with me. They got a kick out of my knitting in pre-op. Good I had it too, the doctor was held up and I went in for surgery about an hour late. It helped (somewhat) to keep my mind off how hungry I was. (No eating after midnight and surgery scheduled for 2pm. When asked if I needed anything my reply was "a cheeseburger')

As for me. I'm doing better. Glad to have gotten through my last few days in retail hell. Physically I am recovering; still a little pain, but getting better day by day. Emotionally I'm...I really don't know. I have to say my husband has been the greatest through all of this. After he brought me home from the hospital he went and bought all the foods I couldn't eat while pregnant (smoked salmon, smoked salmon spread, and a wheel of brie as big as my head). He also bought me Gone with the Wind. My all time favorite movie. I knit the whole back of the ballet cardigan while watching that.

I'M FREE!!!

Ding dong the apron's gone!

I've even avoided taking my painkillers today so I could have a drink and celebrate. And only 245 people ahead of me on Ravelry...is life getting better or what?

The final countdown

I have 6 remaining hours of retail hell!!!!

(i'll be able to dye my hair purple again!)

Back to the daily grind

I go back to work today. I'm not looking forward to it. But I only have 22 hours of work left at this place. Hopefully I can keep it together today. I have SnB to look forward to tonight, and a bunch of knitting to post.

Aftermath...

I made it through surgery ok. I'm home and in an expected amount of pain. I'm not allowed back to work until Wednesday, so if anyone feels like hanging out with me Mon. and Tues. I would welcome the company.

An to round out the strangeness of it all. Something that cheered me yesterday...I had a cameo in The Devil's Panties. I'm the one in the pig tails. You may remember that ensemble from this post.

Well I'm off to recover on the couch with some needles, wool, and movies galore.

The Bitter and the Sweet

Ok, I'll start with a few FO pics. First of all I did finish my knucks, but don't have pictures yet. It is quite impossible to get a good picture of gloves on your own hands. When I have my love at my disposal I'll get him to do it.
These are of the baby blanket I made for one of our contract workers at the store. She's due in September. We just found out the other day that their house burned to the ground this week. People, please check your dryers...make sure you have the proper duct work and clean out all the fuzzy crap. I don't want to hear about this happening to anyone else.

Specs are garter miter squares done in Sugar and Cream kitchen cotton (yellow) and random mystery kitchen cotton from stash (green).

On to the fabulous news. Friday, August 31st is my last day at my retail job!!! I got the job painting scenery for the University!!! I am so completely excited. The story of the job and the work I will be doing there will be followed more closely in my painting blog Footprints in the Sky.

Ok the sucky news: they had to put down my little brother's dog this week. He's taking it hard, but anyone would. She had lost a back toe nail to cancer about a year or so ago. This time it was in a front toe and her tail. After the surgery to have those amputated, she was unable to keep food down, and was partially paralyzed on one side. She had a small upswing last weekend but then went down hill this week. I'm not a dog person by any means but she was the best dog. Sweet and loving. I'll have to hunt around for a picture of her....

And for the worst news of all. I debated about writing this, but this blog is about me and the influence in my artistic life. I had hoped to have some uber-fabulous news for you all in about a month or so...but it's not to be. I had an ultrasound yesterday and it confirmed our worst fears. At 9 weeks into my pregnancy there was no heartbeat and I am beginning to miscarry. The baby made it to 6 weeks and stopped growing. Nothing we did, just a chromosomal issue and nature did what was best. I understand all that but it still sucks.
I'm having a D&C today. Which means I had to stop all eating and drinking at midnight. My surgery isn't until this afternoon. So mixed in with my grief is the fact that I am starving and thirsty as all hell.
We are dealing with it the best we can. I know I'll work through this with my art. Its how I do this. My mind keeps going to Freida Khalo's painting Henry Ford Hospital and that whole scene in the movie Freida. Not that I am comparing my pain to hers, but I know mine will show through my work.

So that's been my life in a nutshell. Some good some bad. Thanks for listening. I'll be ok, I promise. I'm not sure how much I will be blogging this weekend, it all depends on how I feel physically.

news to follow

Sorry for the silence. There's been a whole lot going on. Some good and some truly awful. I will write soon...I promise.

There's No Place Like Home

We got back Tuesday night and yesterday was a recovery day. It's so nice to be back in my own bed, even with cats waking me up at 4 am for scritchies. A lot is going on. I'm currently playing telephone tag about the job. Love is about to head into a disaster of a load in, and today is my first day back to work in almost 2 weeks. I'm afraid of what I will find. I'm not even sure I will have a job when I get back. I am widening my job search though. It's tough finding something that isn't retail though.
I have some knitting progress to show. The green and yellow blanket is done. My knucks are all but done themselves. I'm not sure if I am going to embroider them or not. I'm also plotting out my next project. I always have a hard time figuring out what to do next. Especially since I hate swatching.
Well I better get my day started. I have to be to work at 1pm (yuk!). Missed you all.

blogging break

Yeah, I've taken a little break from blogging. Been on vacation this week so my time has been spent with my adoring and very sexy husband. And then we're off on the road for a few days...with very limited internet access. I'll have tales and picture when I return. Have fun and keep cool.

Happy Lizzie Borden Day!

Yes, today is the day back in 1892 when Lizzie Borden hacked her parents to death...or did she? This was the first unsolved true crime story that I became fascinated with. I think it was about 5th grade and we had our RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) thingy where we were given the chance to get a free book. I took one on true crime. There were maybe 6 or 7 stories in it; the Lindbergh baby, D. B. Cooper, and others that I don't quite remember. But the one that stuck in my mind was Lizzie Borden. Even my Mom recited the poem from heart when I told her what I was reading about:

Lizzie Borden took and ax
and gave her mother forty whacks.
And when she saw what she had done,
she gave her father forty one.

To read up on Lizzie and the story try here at the Crime Library. Be careful...a very addictive site. I'm also quite a Jack the Ripper buff. I know this all makes me sound rather twisted. I just love a good mystery and forensics have fascinated me for a long time. That was a potential career path of mine, once upon a time. So read up and enjoy!

Do you know who did it??

Finished knitting

I'm doing better today. There's just a lot going on, and the heat isn't helping. My vacation starts when I leave work on Friday...I can't wait. At least I have tomorrow off.

I do have a knitting photo to show. This little sweater is the one I was struggling with. Not enough yarn in a discontinued color to finish it as the pattern dictates. So I made up a lace on the sleeves and voila!


It is from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I'm becoming quite enamored of this yarn. Too bad it costs so much. The buttons are from my collection.

The yellow and green blanket is still on the go...I'm not going to take a picture until its done...squares are rather boring to document.

I haven't been knitting much. We're doing a lot of work on the house and it's time to start weeding through things and do a purge. I'm not sure if we are going to attempt a garage sale or just donate it all. Ebay is an option on some things. And when not doing all of that, or working, I've been reading.

Well, I best be getting ready for work (yuk!)

Muggy

I'm irritated and lonely tonight. It's too hot and the AC still isn't functional. There is a lot going on that I can't talk about and I'm frustrated as all hell.

How are you?

ConnectiCon pictures...at last

We finally got the pictures of ConnectiCon off of my love's phone. Sorry for the quality.

When we got there we did a quick spin around to see where everything was and then wandered into the Webcomic Auction that was raising funds for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Being an artist myself, copyright and trademark issues are really important to me. Actually a friend of mine is currently going through some trademark issues.
Anywho...there we are watching the auction and my favorite artist Jennie Breeden of The Devil's Panties, Geebas on Parade and various others (damn this girl is prolific) went up. I looked at love as cute and pitifully as I could and he said go ahead and bid. So I did. Another dude and I got into a bit of a bidding war... my wonderful, generous and fabulous husband let me keep going. I won't say how much I paid but I won! This became my 30th birthday present...remember my birthday back in January that went uncelebrated? Yeah, well this totally made up for it. I had actually come to the Con to meet Jennie. I even emailed her to see what I could bring her. I came armed with fruit, candy and sandwiches.

So the goodies I won were a deck of her playing cards, a Men in Kilts...with a leaf blower calendar (as she states if you wear underwear it's a skirt. These are men in kilts) , signed issues of her comic book and an original signed cthulu geshia drawing done there at the con. Actually we ending up hanging out with her and a bunch of other artist all night. She gave the choice of two out of three geshia drawings. We went to dinner with them and an after party. Jennie did I tell you that you rock? Well you do! I had so much fun and it was a real inspiration being around all these artist doing their thing. Plus it was total bonus being refered to as "the hot goth chick who bought me".


I forgot to get an empty art journal at work to have sketches done by the artist for me...so I had them draw on me instead.

This was done by Hawk from Applegeeks. The pic of him drawing it didn't come out. This is version of Hawk from Applegeeks Lite.

Tim Buckley of Ctl+Alt+Del didn't have a booth there but that didn't stop me from asking for a sketch. I asked for a doodle of Zeke, my favorite sentient X-box.

Jennie did her little devil girl of course.

This is Jamie of In His Likeness. He did the Internet from his comic. I hadn't known of his before this and it now has a place in my regular comics. For some reason I failed to get one from Chrisiti from In the Puddle. Next time...

I did get Choo Choo Bear from Randy Milholland's Something Positive. We commiserated about Emerson students. I also got a paper sketch that will be framed and put in my studio.I spent all my money buying Jennie so I was unable to get the books and shirts I wanted to. Oh and this...I really really wanted to buy this. Even my love gave his approval. hehehe . In case you are wondering my shirt say Talk Nerdy to Me. It was quite a hit. To sum up it was absolutely wonderful...it was like coming home. It was quite inspiring as an artist and fun for the freak in me. Next year I will be there and in costume. I will also pull some extra jobs to make some just-for-the-con-money. I'm actually anxious to hit a few others, but then love may kill me.

A big thank you to all the artist that let us hang out with them.

Back in the open...

I finished the 7th Harry Potter book last night...at 11:59. I acquired it around 3 pm Saturday before a previous engagement. I won't talk about it here, not yet at least. But it is nice to listen to the news again and read the paper, or talk to people. Now I have freed up some knitting time.

In the dark

Here's fair warning: I'm going underground until I read the new Harry Potter. I've come this far without it being ruined for me...So see you in a day or two.

Thursdays

Thursdays are weird days for me. It's my night to close the store, so I usually don't go in until 2pm or sometimes 1pm. That gives me the morning to myself. There are two types of Thursday mornings that I will typically have. The productive one and a non-productive one. The first I get up at a decent hour, later than I normally do, but still early enough to get things done before I have to leave. On these days I can usually get a load of laundry done start to finish, clean the bathroom, and accomplish a number of tasks. The latter is like today. I sleep in late. Get a slow start and really don't have time to do much before I go in. I don't like these Thursdays very much, but when my body demands sleep, sleep it gets.

I'm working 6 days this week. I'm not going to tell the tale of the hellish week that has transpired in that place. It started when I went in last Thursday...and in the course of the week I've nearly walked out no less than 3 times, got close to being fired, been lied to and stabbed in the back, and generally have reached the end with this company. What remaining time I am there is merely to tie up loose ends and set up for my next employment adventure. I have too much talent to be wasting there.

I have several projects on the go right now. Once I get things sorted out I can say more. Lots of my free time has been reading. I've got to get through book 6 before 7 comes out on Saturday. Its sort of a tradition with us. Actually when one of them came out (5, I think) my sweet love went to the bookstore at midnight to get it for me. I had to leave in the am for a job out of town and he made sure I had it with me. He's definitely a keeper. I just want to read it before someone spoils it for me.

When the Sopranos ended NPR had an article about how if you didn't watch it the night it aired you would have to crawl under a rock to avoid spoilers...and then ten minutes later they reported how it ended with NO spoiler warning!!!! (It wasn't a horrible blow though. I don't watch the show. We don't have cable. *gasp*) I don't want that to happen with Harry Potter. I'm not the kind of person who reads ahead to see what happens.

Post-Con

The con was FAB*U*LOUS!!! I bought a webcomic artist...yes, you read that right. I was drawn on by several of my favorite artists. I have pics galore, but they are on love's phone camera, so it may be a day or two before I do a full post about it.

Today is all about cleaning the house and re hydration.

break

We've thankfully had a break in the weather. It was getting so oppressive. And our A/C ended up having a problem that dumped water all over the innards of our furnace. So now its very likely we need a new furnace. If that is true then here are the stats and winners of the appliance game:

Round 1: no one....dryer went
Round 2: me...stove went
If the furnace goes then round three goes to my love. That was his guess. Mine has been the washer and/or the fridge which have been running neck and neck with each other.

Yesterday was my first day off in a week...and without the A/C I was totally useless. I nearly died after I mowed the lawn. I thought I would come in and turn on the air before my shower. The house would be cool enough to let me get some housework done. Then I realized the full extent of the incident the night before. No turning on the air. I had no where cool to go. I wasn't going to go to the mall myself. So I just sat around....melting. I did get some knitting done. I've also decided to forgo the costume this convention. I'm just lacking the time to complete the one I really wanted to do. And I just can't toss together something right now.

A lot of my time lately is going to rereading the Harry Potter books before the new one comes out on the 21st. I was going to start with the fourth one and just read the last three. But then there was a conversation on whether or not Harry is going to die, and someone said that he thought he would until he reread the first one. Damn! So I started from the beginning again. I'm halfway through 4 at the moment.

So that's life at the moment. Lots o crap at work where its just as hot. for some reason its 10 to 15 degrees hotter in my shop than in the rest of the store. Its even worse if I have to turn the drymount machine on (which operate at temperatures between 175 and 215 Fahrenheit). I spend as little time in there as possible.

I will have pictures eventually....just haven't been knitting much. I have spent so much time at work lately.

I apologize for the lack of coherent statements today. Trouble kick starting the brain this morning.

uh oh!

oh crap...Connecticon is only a few days away...and I still don't have a costume yet. hrm.....

I'm still about just working...a lot...I'm in the middle of a 7 day stretch of hell.

instead of sleeping

getting better with a mouse. I'd love to try with a tablet.



Learn how to draw cartoons, comics, and anime at Sketchfu!

My hand at sketchfu

Lisa turned me onto Sketchfu. I thought I would try my hand at it. My mouse drawing definitely needs some work. Enjoy. (click on it to see it larger)




Learn how to draw cartoons, comics, and anime at Sketchfu!