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.