When Good Things Happen to Crazy People

It's so nice to have nothing to really complain about. I mean, this week has been strangely awesome. Really! It seems that here lately everything has been either Wrong, Harder Than It Has To Be, Out of Whack or at the very least Just A Bit Off. So it's very nice to be able to say nothing but good things.

First, there's the current Star of the Blog, Maya. She went to play with her friends on Friday night and was SO happy to see them. And when the dogs all came indoors, Maya wandered around and said hello to all the People there, instead of pacing anxiously and then deciding to sit by the door, far away from Everyone. The changes in her are noticeable to other people too! It makes me feel sort of validated, like I'm not just making up improvements in my head to keep from being nuts about her costly medication. She's having a lazy Sunday under the afghan her grandma made a long long time ago.

In knitting news, I am back to knitting for my favorite recipient me. I finished the Hat Fit For A Boyfriend for BF. I tried it on and it fits me great, so hopefully since it's stretchy it should fit his slightly-larger-yet-seemingly-sometimes-empty head. I should not say that his head is empty, because he has possibly firmly planted himself on the Knitworthy list. When I asked him what else he wanted (since he treated himself to the fancy headphones I was going to get him. Grr) he said, "The hat's plenty! Besides, you MADE it, so it's great." It was like the heavens opened up and angels sang because of that comment. I think that's what we call Appreciation of Things Handmade, and obviously Very Important.
And then on Saturday morning, I got up Very Early to be at the local yarn store when it opened. It was Annual Sale day! I felt all self-righteous when I left because I only spent $70 and did what I set out to do- I bought local, I bought Better rather than More, and also I made a list ahead of time and bought only what I needed for specific projects. And there's something thrilling about sales, although let me tell ya: there are sales, and then there are Sales At A Yarn Store. I had to judo chop an old lady to get to the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, and I'd do it again if I had to. While fondling some other yarn I thought one woman was going to pull a knife on me. The moral of the story is don't cross a knitter on sale day, folks. You could easily lose an eye or worse. Here's the Miski Baby Llama yarn I bought for a capelet (it's just disgustingly soft and I love it so much I want to marry it)
and here's the Alpaca With A Twist Highlander tweedy yarn that is also super soft, squishy, and will be next winter's hat, mittens, and cowl set. I won't be caught off guard by all the random cold snaps, and I will probably wear the set in August because although that would be terribly silly, there's something just so very right about purple tweed alpaca No Matter What. It's the little things, people.

And here is the very best thing, the thing that matters more than yarn and hats and dogs, even. This week a big huge wonderful thing happened, and there was a Change of Plans. I have been working up the nerve to announce to you that I was moving 750 miles away to live with BF. This was to happen at the end of March. It's been in the works for months and I wasn't fully prepared emotionally to handle leaving my job during a recession, and leaving my Whole Life behind. Well, it seems I don't have to because he is moving here! Soon we won't have to cry at airports, or have massive cell phone bills, or do any of that stuff. It's very exciting. And the yarn came about as a result of me figuring that things would be tight for us while he searched for jobs and both moved (his dog is coming with so we need to move to a house with a yard for the sake of all of us). I rationalized that while all the fancy yarn was on sale, I should grab some and then it will keep me occupied and offer some stress relief while we get used to seeing each other every day and not having any money to do stuff (I realize that the logic there is a bit wonky, but I am going with it and you can't stop me.). This is just so exciting. I can't stand it. Really, I can't.

And now here it is, Sunday, and I have lots of sewing projects that need to be sewn (finally). I hope that the week and weekend has been just as busy, exciting, productive, and whatever else for all of you.

Never Let It Be Said That I Was Bested By A Hat.

Hello!

I hope you're all having a wonderful week. I know I sure am! A new President, a mind-blowing premiere of LOST, and some finished projects. I'm also throwing caution to the wind and eating some Peanut Butter Cup ice cream. I like to live dangerously, and I figure that if it's my time then there is no better way to go than in the arms of my lovers, Ben & Jerry.

Moving right along.

I re-covered my mouse pad this week, but figured that what with the dawning of new eras and Destiny Calling, it couldn't really carry a post of its own. So, here you have it, my mousepad. It coordinates with my wall tile pocket thing, and has cheered up my desk a good bit. All you need to do is use just a good spray adhesive and smack the fabric right on top. Mine is one of those soft topped mouse pads, and it was filthy, had been drawn on, and was provided by the Real Yellow Pages. Glad to say I spiffed it up. I also put a bit of Fray Check on the ends of the fabric after cutting the extra away. Not a bad way to use up some scraps. I plan to a few more desk spiffying things here soon- I'm loving the green and orange. I realize that the easiest thing to do would be to just clean it up, but what fun is that?

Now, I finished this hat last night while watching Lost. I was so enthralled in the whole crazyness of it all that I felt like I could have snapped those DPNs right in half at times. You may recall a few days ago that this hat didn't look so hot. Well, I guess I showed you, Hat! You're going on my head and you can't come down to my chin! So there! And just so you know I am serious, I am sewing a big green button to the side of you. Take THAT! The pic is pretty blurry because I was trying to take it of myself in the last few seconds of daylight. I also did not put on shoes or socks for this event, and was not pleased with the lack of preparation that went into this little photo shoot. But here you have it.

And I finished this purse FINALLY. I swear, this stupid little bag was all knit up in about one movie and two episodes of Deadliest Catch. But damn if the finishing didn't take forever. This is the Christine Bag and I used Lion Ease Thick n Quick that I already had on hand. Go me, using what I got! So, I did buy the handles, but whatever. I sewed a liner, and once again used what I had on hand. Then I stitched the liner to the bag body, sewed up the sides, stitched the handles to the bag, added the ribbon, some Fray Check, and it was done. Just like that. Only the finishing took about as long as the bag itself did. I'm still very glad that I took the time to line it though.
I think it's so cute. It really makes me miss my black wool peacoat that lost last year. Damn, I miss that coat. It would be so cute with this bag. This bag is almost gag inducing, it's so cute. So not like me at all, but in the unlikely event that I want to go out, it will be nice to have this. It's also the project that made me realise that I really enjoy hand sewing. I stitched the lining to the bag and it was really relaxing (when I wasn't furiously impatient). It's got me thinking that I would like to do some stitching some time. I can't even decide where to start, so that idea will just have to go into the One Day I'll Do That file. Right next to laundry.

And lastly, here's some yarn that I photographed to stash on Ravelry. It's going to be bunny slippers. I have been trying to be more monogamous with my projects, and finish what I already have going on, but it will not be long (like about 10 seconds after I hit Publish Post) before I start these slippers. I am dying to wear them, especially since they will be made out of Malabrigo, the Crack Cocaine of the Yarn World. It's so flipping soft and wonderful.

Anyway, I hope to be back soon with more finished things, dubiously photographed. Or more Shelter News. Oh! I checked the website yesterday and Schroder has been adopted! I'm so happy. I am so glad he has a home now, and really glad that he has a home for some reason other than I couldn't bear it anymore and adopted him. But lo and behold, there are two new little hounds, just dying to come home with me. Geez.

Bow Chicka Wow Wow

OH hurray.

This is all the yarn I dyed up over the weekend. First of all, here is the blue from the Kool-Aid dyed yarn from frogged sweaters. It was doing nothing for me.
Here it is in the dyepot:
And here it is all wound up nice and pretty:



Now here's the one that I did on Friday night. this one the skein got all tangly when I was trying to get it ready and I spent a LOOOOONG time getting it all straightened out. Well, remember on Friday night when I said that I was worried about how it turned out? I actually like it a whole lot. It looked nothing like this in my head whatsoever. I set out for it to be something totally different. Thank goodness it wound up looking like this because I already have yarn that looks like what I wanted this to look like, and well- I think that is plenty. I had a hard enough time finding something to do with that yarn, this will make a nice.....something. Anyway here it is:



this one was next. In my head I was using the haindpainting method to get something sort of tweedy. I wanted it to be burgundy with little pops of color all over. Well, it didn't work out that way at all. It wound up being just burgundy but it isn't totally hideous and I may find some use for it someday. Matter of fact I sort of love it and I am going to try this trick again, just with less dye maybe.



now this- this one I am really pleased with. I went shopping this weekend for stuff to wear to a wedding coming up and fall stuff is out and it made me wish for fall so badly. It's still in the 90's here and it makes me so miserable I could puke. Anyway, I think that this totally cliche fall colors are really disappointing. These are not the colors I aimed for at all, but hey live and learn and make really ugly armwarmers or fingerless gloves or mitts or something fun. I tried to do this from a self striping yarn tutorial, so I really want to see if it actually worked, and I think that some mitts would work out good for that. I should have gone with my gut and used the amazing pine-y color green I came up with before I got to what was supposed to be a deep chestnut brown. Argh. Always go with your gut. One thing that I do like about our winters here is that until probably January or so, you are okay with stuff like scarves and hats and t-shirts and fleeces. I would rather be covered head to toe in a t-shirt with an annoying saying, ill fitting jeans and hand knits than hiding under my big old ski jacket which I fear will be even more snug this year that it was last year. Eeep.



Okay well I have decided that I love dying yarn and now that I know that I should put it away for a while because my cabinet is overflowing and I really should be knitting out of it instead of adding to it.

Another Mail Call

I haven't checked the mail in a while. I don't know why I have this aversion to it, I just do. And I have been doing a bit of (okay fine, a TON of) online shopping lately, so I thought I would share the bounty.

Here's some fabric from J. Caroline Creative, and I realized when I opened the package that I was then attacked by a moment of premature senility. I bought the one fabric that clearly does not go with the others to make a simple skirt. The others? I think I wanted to make an ironing board cover with one, but I don't know which. the rest, I think I was gonna make either a purse or some fabric boxy type things. I have no fucking idea.
Next is something I am quite proud of. It is a destashing of yarn made from frogged sweaters! I bought it on Etsy, and I feel like it was a steal of a deal. It is like a pound and a quarter of wool. Neato!
Well the colors of the above yarn do not do one single thing for me, (well the dark green is okay and so is one skein of the dark purple you can't really see), and I had money burning a hole in my PayPal and I have REEEEEEEALLY been wanting to learn how to dye yarn, so I bought this:
Then I bought these two fat quarter sets and also this scrap pack. I thought the FQ sets would be fun for aprons, or maybe placemats, or something fun and small. The scraps too. Plus it was a fun way to try out some fabrics that I just don't have access to here in my sometimes style-deprived little town.

And look! A kitty! He didn't really come in the mail, sillies.

Dear Scarf, I Think I Hate You

Argh. I am so fucking frustrated I could crap. I never knew that yarn could inspire this sort of rage in me. I really thought that the thousand fiery suns' worth of anger I feel was reserved strictly for Christian fundamentalists and women that wear Mom Jeans.

So, here's this really pretty yarn that I bought at the half off sale I mentioned a month or so ago. I would link to the post but really- you don't need me to. Things were on sale, I bought them. The end. So yeah, among my treasures was this terrific yarn, two skeins worth. Pretty, huh?



Anyway, two hundred something yards isn't good for much more than a scarf, and I thought that would be nice. It's lightweight enough to not be super hot, and the colors are fun. So I thought that a open looking, not really lacy, but lightweight, I have no idea how to describe it type thing might work. Three patterns later, I settled on this one:

I think I might hate it. I ended up casting on like 4 times for it because I read the pattern wrong because I am a moron, and just kept scratching my head like a stupid ogre because I hadn't put on my thinking cap. Well anyway, it is just not working up the way I want it to. The colors aren't doing exactly what I want and it makes me mad. What makes me maddest is that looking at the picture, I like it much more than in person.

Should I just take a picture of the scarf and wear that instead?

today gets a gold star

Today was a great day!

I got my half day at work that would make up for the half day off on Friday (its a paid holiday, but I only work till 11:30 on Fridays so I would have missed out on half a paid day. Nevermind. It's confusing.) so I left work on a beautiful day and set out for the yarn store.

Well, I had the very very best of intentions. I really did. I told myself that I could spend $25, and that was IT. Since i got the email about their big huge sale with tons of stuff being half off, i decided to go and get a little treat, namely something cheap and nice for the calorimeter for this month's knitalong. Well, as you can see above I got a bit carried away. I only shopped the sale, but I really shopped it out. that is $150 worth of yarn for like $73. I cleaned them out of both colorways of the Needful Yarns, and those two GLORIOUS skeins of Prism Lotus yarn in Peacock. I wish the pic showed how beautiful they are. And the are a wool, bamboo, and silk blend, so they feel amazing. Those were the last two in that colorway, and I am do glad I got them. They were too spendy for me even on sale, but I can honestly say that it will be a long time before I spend that much regular price on a skein of yarn. or two. Oh and that little orange ball at the bottom is my greatest triumph. It is Debbie Bliss cashmerino and it was in the orphan bin for $3! Sigh. I just love sales!

then, the best part of the day happened: I got a call from Kerry, who I haven't talked to in ages and needed to desperately catch up with. It was great talking to her and catching up on what the two of us have been up too. And although she is quite the glass artist, she is also a knitter too and so it was fun to squeal about my three dollar debbie bliss find and have someone react with appropriate shock and awe. Hi Kerry!

then after that I took Maya to a friend's house for some play time. She was so cute; when we go over the speed humps on his street, she sits up and knows that it is party time. I could hardly turn off the car and get her out for all her jumping around. She actually got very excited, which i rarely see from her, but pleases me to no end. Such a serious little dog. Anyway, she got to run and play with Wilson for a bit, and is consequently snoring on the couch now. I love to see her having fun.

that's it on a stick. Goodnight!

When the Going Gets Tough

the tough go window shopping on Etsy.

I am so bored at work today. I have very little to do, and although I should be doing it, I just don't want to. Recent (and hopefully temporary) changes at work have morale somewhere down around none whatsoever for me. So, on a beautiful and hot summer day I would rather be either at the pool in my new swimmy suit, or hiding in the AC under a pile of wool. Anyway, when I feel like I hate everything and want to projectile vomit on someone, I just go to The Magic That Is Etsy and just window shopping cheers me right up. Anyway, I have always been a fan of all things handmade (except for cozies for things- I think that is strange, oh and doilies too) I obviously spend a lot of time looking at the handspun, hand dyed, beautiful yarn. Cue the cheesy 70's porn music please!



That beautiful pic is from jocelyngermany's shop and her beautiful hand painted recycled yarn. Good for her! I just think her yarn is beautiful and I love that it was once an ugly sweater that has been upcycled. I want!



::in best Homer Simpson voice::MMMM. Yaaaaaaaarn. From WildFireFibres' Shop.



And finally, some handspun yarn, because it is soft, squishy, irregular, and beautiful and I love love love it. This seller, HandSpunandDyedToo, is one of my faves and I adore her yarn. I can't wait to get some of it. It's beautiful and whatever I make I am sure I will be the only one that deserves it. Yum.

I feel better now.

Solitary Saturday

I love Solitary Saturdays. I am sure they are a foreign concept to a lot of people, but i really love having a day all to my self where i only have to do what I want to do, and that includes limiting human interaction to check out people.

I hit the new Goodwill with yesterday's four dollars, and left with them too. Saw a few wooly things, but they either weren't sewn right, the yarn was painful thin, or they were just so awful i couldn't even over dye them to make them useful. On the upside, I may have to go back some day and actually....gasp....shop there. Everything was color coded (I just love organization) and the store didn't have that Used Things smell to it. You know the one. ANNNNND, i didn't even go back for the sewer stapler thingy.

I almost bought a sewing machine today at Wal-Mart. I didn't though, thank God. I almost bought it because i have wanted to learn to sew for a while but I didn't have a sewing machine. This one was $40 too. I even picked it up and carried it around for a bit because it was the last one and I HATE when other people take the last of something, thereby precluding me from the one thing that matters in life- Getting A Good Deal. So as I am debating, I got to the question: "Well, what will I sew?" When I realized I didn't have a fucking clue, I put the damn thing back and resolved not to think of it again till after I win the powerball.

In shit I knit news, I am still working on that blasted purse. It is easy, but jesus i must be the slowest knitter alive. I am glad that I started now on Christmas presents....for Christmas 2010. I sure do love me some wool though, and purses are small enough to not feel miserable while sitting underneath a pile of wool in June. That does seem silly doesn't it? Oh and naturally, I am still gazing at all the handspun, hand dyed, sometimes hand painted beautiful yarn on Etsy. It's like yarn porn. Bow chicka wow wow.

Okay, this internet interaction with the outside world is making me uncomfortable. I want my solitude back. I really enjoy my own company, and my this the third blog post it should be no secret why. I do believe that I will nap with either the dog or the cat, contemplate shaving my legs and then decide against it, and maybe go work out. Or watch a movie. Or all of them in an as of yet undetermined order.

One more thing! MAYA POOPED! Hooray! Good work, hound dog. Mom is very proud.