Let's go back . . . way back

In case you've not read your email or blogs lately, I'm posting a link to the funniest post I've read in a long time. It's been circulating in one form or another via email for the last month or so. I got it in an email from my sis, then decided to try to find the source. After much hunting, I found Johnny Virgil, an extremely funny guy. His post made me have to hunt down my inhaler from laughing so hard, I could hardly breathe!

So, get ready to step into the Wayback Machine, and check this out!

Need a laugh?

No, don’t look at my latest knitting fiasco – suffice it to say that I’ve frogged back 12 rows! Check out these hee-larious clips from my favorite clip-site, Clipmarks.

Don’t blame me if you laugh till you cry!


Newspaper Cuts

Yay for Moms everywhere!

Thank you, Faithful Chick, for pointing me to this! A shout out to all the mom's out there who empathize with every single word!

Get along, little cable doggie!

I love cables. There, I've said it. There's something about the twists and turns that is provoking and grounding - I want to follow them! But, they are soothing at the same time. I'm loving working on my Great American Aran Afghan; still plugging away at this square, but almost ready to bind off.

I'm thinking of making this beauty soon out of the Araucania Nature Wool that I got to make the Afghan in the first place. Maybe I should get some new Malabrigo, though. It would be incredibly soft, wouldn't it?

Or, maybe I should take this workshop from a pro, and bring along my copy of her Figheadh Aran Hat Pattern to work on. Then, I could take this class from Nichole to finish the hat for a Christmas present! Choices, choices...

Maybe I should just follow the cable square I'm already working on to its end and start the next square first, huh? I've got enough WIPS as it is, other presents to make, as Christmas is coming!

I'm baa-aack . . .

Can't believe that I'm really here, back at my own keyboard in my own home! Seems like the last thing I remember, I was kidnapped by a bunch of kids trying to put on a musical. Yeah, and it was lots of hard work and sleepless nights, but it was a huge success! Then, they let me go home!

Now, it's back to the day-to-day life that I left behind for a while. I've been knitting a bit for friends during my hiatus from this life, and looking up dog sweater patterns for the new Chihuahua boys in my sister's life, Heffie and Picolino. I'm doing a keyhole scarf as a gift for her, and working on my squares for my Great American Afghan. I miss my knitting buddies! I'll have to stop in at Knot Another Hat for a fix!

Until I can get some pics loaded, here's the coolest quiz I've taken in a long time! Being a total nerd and geek for sci-fi, I was very pleased with the scoring. It was right on, as I so loved Stargate SG-1, that my family not-so-lovingly referred to the night it was on as, "Stargate Friday." They knew better than to ask me for anything beyond a bowl of soup while I watched that week's episode. Here's how much I loved that show: I still haven't been able to make myself watch the final episode on the DVR. That is just sad, isn't it?

More soon!

Which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? v1.0 created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as SG-1 (from Stargate) You are versatile and diverse in your thinking. You have an open mind to that which seems highly unlikely and accept it with a bit of humor. Now if only aliens would stop trying to take over your body. SG-1 (from Stargate) 100% Moya (from Farscape) 94% Serenity (from Firefly) 81% Nebuchadnezzar (from The Matrix) 81% Millennium Falcon (from Star Wars) 75% Galactica (from Battlestar: Galactica) 69% Enterprise D (from Star Trek) 44% Bebop (from Cowboy Bebop) 44%

Moving like Greased Lightning

I've been busy - with volunteering in our performing arts group for "Grease" this fall (actually, in 5 weeks!!!), and with knitting.

I'm assistant to the director - my sis, Suzanne - for this production. It's a nice change from the costuming that I've done in previous productions. Lots of running around and doing things in the community. Very interesting and fun! If you're anywhere near The Dalles, OR the last two weeks of September, be sure to get tickets at Klindt's Booksellers or at the door to see us!

In other news, I've been knitting a square for a woman on one of my groups who's facing a difficult illness. The listmom of the group is going to join all our squares into an afghan for her. Absolutely love the pattern, and I might actually make an afghan for someone out of it! It was great to see it appear from the needles, like magic!

I tried to get the Lotus Blossom Tank going for an event I attended last weekend, but, alas, it was not meant to be. I kept getting messed up on the count, and the Lotus Blossoms looked more like a mess of blackberry vines! I did love the Bamboo, though. I won't give up, just put it in time-out until the snows drag me down and make me want to knit for summer!

Gotta get going - must deliver the tickets to the bookstores today, so we can begin selling out! ;o)

LIfe Path?

Here's a fun little time-waster from Blogthings.com:

Your Life Path Number is 8

Your purpose in life is to help others succeed You are both a natural leader and a natural success. You are also a great judge of character. You have a head for business and finance. You know how to make money. A great visionary, you can see gold where other people see nothing. In love, you are very generous - with gifts, time, and guidance. You love to inspire people, but it can be frustrating when they don't understand your vision. Great success comes easily for you. But so does great failure, as you are very reckless. You are confident, and sometimes this confidence borders on arrogance.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

Salvation for the sock from Lavender Sheep

Well, back on track with Sugar-Free Socks due entirely to help from Yvonne, who totally rocks! So, now I can finish the wonderful cables, complete the second sock, block and wear my first pair of socks!

Ever hear the phrase, "When it rains, it pours?" I don't mean to complain, but this year, we've replaced a fridge, a washer, a water bed (with a regular bed. *sigh*), and now, a car??? I did not get the memo that said 2007 was to be the "year of replacement!" My husband called from town this morning to relate his adventure with the skid plate "skidding off" on our '91 Suburban. Granted, that's old for a Suburban, especially one with 270,000 miles. But, dang. We just got the bed. And the washer. Dang. This could seriously cut into my yarn habit if we have to replace much more. Looks like it's beans for a few more nights this month.

On a much more fun note, two evenings ago, while Yvonne was helping me, I found some terrific colors of Fixation for my next project - socks for my big sons! Of course, I had to get a bit of something for me, too. I wound up with some (a cone!) Peaches & Creme in the Sour Green Apple colorway for more dishcloths. Plus, a pattern that I'd been searching for: figheadh basic aran cap. All in all, a fabulous visit!

Sock woes may affect your DNA.

Things were progressing so well on the Sugar-Free Socks, and then, disaster: Somehow one of the two circulars that I'm using pulled out of it's snug little row. I love this Heirloom for it's springi-ness, but as soon as that needle was gone, whamm-o, so were the stitches. Running away, down row after row, looking for the party at the toes, I guess. This is a woeful situation.

So, I did the only thing I could: gathered up the ones that I could, and stuck the whole thing in "time-out" until further notice. I just can't face fixing it right now.

This might not have been the best time to take an internet test. But I did it anyway, so here's what my personal DNA looks like:


It took about 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire, and it was interesting. Not sure if the answers would be the same the second time around, when the sock will be hopefully back to its former glory. We shall see.

Things are hoppin'

Wow! I've been so crazy busy! I've had a great time in the last little march of days:
Started to learn a new thing: socks!
Went to Powell's for a brush with greatness - look for me about halfway down the post in my lovely coral sweater
Saw Harry in concert - be still my heart!
Watched a lovely young woman (and many, many of her closest friends and homies) graduate from high school - pictures will follow
Had an as always great massage in my friend's yurt - call her if your back is complaining, and remember to ask for a "corkscrew"

So, I'm actually looking forward to some down-time to get some knitting done. Hope it happens. I will keep you posted.

I have a blog?

Oh, yeah. I do have a blog, and while that doesn't mean that I'm supposed to post every day, it does mean (to me, at least) that if I'm gonna do it right, I need to pay it more attention than once a month! How was that for a run-on sentence?!?! So, back at it!

I've been busy with many things. To name a few: shower gifts, afghan squares, reading, seeing Pirates 3 - excellent, by the way, dying yarn, sewing 2 prom dresses (what was I thinking???), buying a new bed (what an ordeal!), and agreeing to work with my sis on Encore Performing Arts production of, "Grease." Not that all of that excuses my absences, but it does seem that I've been kind of busy, doesn't it? A little?

I've been really enjoying the knitting. I knitted a bib and washcloth for Sarah K., loomed 2 hats and a blanket for a nephew plus started a onesie for him, another washcloth for a friend expecting her third, finished Seraphina and sent it off, finished 2 Esther shawls for VT Shawl ministry and sent them off, finished another afghan square - I'm only one behind now! - and started the 4th, started a Sunny washcloth for my niece. Notice there is no mention of Forest Canopy or the Civil War Shawl. They are both in time-out. The next group starts on Civil War June 1, and I'm hoping to be "in that number." I've had a bit more experience knitting lace since March, so I'm hoping that helps. Yvonne is perplexed at my lack of progress on Forest Canopy. She has been chugging right along. Maybe if I bring my sorry 10 inches in and let it sit next to hers, some of her mojo will rub off on mine. Maybe spark it to behave? Oh, well. A time and place for everything.

I decided to not do costumes for this fall's musical, "Grease." I think it's time for other members of the community to dive into that great adventure! I had a blast doing "Annie" and "Into the Woods," but it's a lot of commitment. I'm ready to do something a little less intense - like be assistant to the director. Who just happens to be my blog-less sis. Hey, she has a life! No time for blogging. Anywhoo, I'm excited to work on this production, and things are coming together. Stay tuned!

About the new bed, last week I awoke to wet feet. No, I didn't have an accident, but our waterbed did. Hey, waterbeds are still around! Just not ours, alas. It went to that great american waterbed clearance in the sky dump. We were obligated to drive into the big city and lay on beds all over town for hours. It was not as restful as it sounds. Actually kind of embarrassing, and annoying as the salespeople try to carry on conversations with you as you are trying out the left side for 5 minutes, the right side for 5 minutes, then your back side - I mean, laying on your back for 5 minutes. Couldn't they see that we were trying to rest? We finally decide, plunk down way to much money, only to be told that the bed wouldn't be ready for a week! Arghh! So, back to our little town, to our house in the forest, and our slowly draining bed (it took 3 days!) to await our new place of rest. Guess where we rested that night? On the floor! It just isn't as fun now as it was when I was 9. My hips, with all their padding, still complained loudly! What is all that padding good for anyway? Hopefully, the new mattress won't give me such grief. It darned well better not!

Again, back to the work at hand. I will try to post again very soon!

P.S. - Thanks, Destiny, for finding me!

Finally some progress on the Civil War!

--- Shawl, that is. I'm pretty happy to say that I've gotten to row 10 without too much drama. It is tiny. Very, very tiny. One might even say, ~wispy~. As I told a fellow Civil War Shawl devotee, it feels like I'm knitting spiderwebs! But, it's also kind of fun. Something new!

Also have about 121-ish stitches of the 195-ish I'm headed toward on Forest Canopy. It's very pretty, but I really nead to pay attention. Lots of tinking, trying to find missing yo's. It will be worn for everyday, so, I'll see those missing stitches. Every day. Must tink to correct count. This, too can be fun. Just wish it wasn't every dang row!

Jewelry is on hiatus until next week.

Mood: Interwoven. Just, interwoven.

Busy, Busy, but not on what I should be

First, I am working on both knitting and jewelry. That said, none of it is what I'm supposed to be working on right now. Meaning, the Great Am. Afg., or Jayne Hats, or anything else over there in my WIP's.

What I am working very industriously on is the Forest Canopy Shawl - not terribly successfully - only had to completely frog it once, but numerous small fixes. Dang! If I could only learn to count!

Also, once again cleaning my jewelry bench up. This time in prep for picture day! Finally found my missing camera, the misplacing of which was really making me whine. So, now I can start taking photos of all my cool pieces to upload to the new website, which is still under construction. Whew!

So, until then, I leave you with this.



Really. I thought I looked more like Meryl Streep.



Well, maybe not.

A Plethora of Knitting, and Jewelry to come!

Well, I've done it again. My greedy knitting-eyes
have made me commit to not one, not two, but thr33 (that's 3 for you folks who don't read leet) KAL's. What was I thinking? This in addition to committing to do a jewelry trunk show in two weeks, and the continuing drama of website construction! Can you say, "overextended?" Better yet, will I ever be able to say, "Maybe soon, but right now I have other commitments. Yeah. I'd better work on that one.

To describe my new commitments:

1. Seraphina: Yes, she's chugging along, tho' still not even to row 20! Crocheting in Caron Simply Soft
   
2. 
   Great American Aran Afghan
   knitting this in Araucania Nature Wool. Just 40-ish rows into it.
   
3. The Civil War Shawl by Suzanne Pufpaff - just purchased the pattern (thanks for fast shipping and great instructions, Suzanne!) and 2 different yarns: Ornaghi Felati in Deep Sage from my lys, Knot Another Hat; and Jaggerspun Zephyr 2/18 lace weight in Indigo from Sarah's Yarns. Having never done lace before, I just couldn't decide on the yarn, so I guess I'll make 2!

So, what to do? Petition the Good Lord for more hours in the day? Expect my loving husband to give up one of his free days to do housework, so I can follow through on my commitments? Alas, these and other miracles (waking up 30 pounds lighter, etc.) will not occur. I must simply quit obsessing about the layout of my blog, quit eating HotTamales, and do KNIT! At least 3 hours a day! So, get knitting, Sarahcita!

Mood: kinda inspired ^_^

Cute, huh? Found this on another's blog, so I just had to try it on for size. It actually sounds very quite appropriate.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Lady Sarah in the Middle of Goosnargh Leering Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Goosnargh. Leering. (hee!)

Almost done with Yorick. Had to fiddle with the eye areas as they just weren't lining up for some reason (couldn't be that I read the pattern wrong!?!?) , but it's looking fine now. My only concern is the amount of edge curling going on. Never having felted before, I'm a little nervous that I'll wind up with a nice round rope with 2 skulls at the ends, instead of the beautifully blocked Yoricks in the pics at knitty.

Have to mention my stash enhancement expedition last Saturday. I needed a, um, well, I needed something at the yarn store Saturday - don't ask me what as I don't need any excuse to see Sarah, she's a gem! What did I just happen to happen-upon? Store-wide sale! Plus a gumball bonus! I wound up with 40% off of these gems:
Yeah, that's some Noro Silk Garden you see (for the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole in Scarf Style), a ball of Rowan Soft Baby for the Baby Cardigan in One Skein Wonders, and a cone - yes, I said a cone! - of Peaches and Cream for my Monthly Dishcloth group goodies! Oh, and that absolutely gorgeous hank at the bottom right? That was just a little alpaca. I couldn't leave it. A true jewel, an orphan left to flounder in the basket of plenty at Knot Another Hat. A wonderfully touchable skein of Prime Alpaca Fiber from Miner Creek in elderberry, grown right down the road from me! Not sure what I'll make yet, but it's bound to be gorgeous out of that beauty!

You know, it sounds a bit like I might be somewhat compulsive about acquisition of beautiful bits of string. Possibly a stash-along is in order . . .

Well, enough about knitting. (did I really just say that?!) On to jewelry! Still plugging away at increasing the inventory. Found a great massage wand for a friend out of a terrific bit of chalcedonny called bloodstone. I know, it sounds gross, but it's a terrifically healing stone, and she does wonderful things with her hands - she's a massage therapist! I hope she likes it. If you're ever near Hood River, OR, look up Karen Hoffman at Mt. Adams Wellness Massage Therapy Studio!
And stop saying that it looks phallic! It's a healing wand for therapeutic massage, you perv!

Thanks for the meme-ories . . .

Here's a meme, with thanks to Progressive Purls

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.

"I think metal is so beautiful." - "Knitting in America," Melanie Falick, Chris Hartlove
Great book; fascinating quote.

Lame way for me to jump back in to blogging for a new year!

No excuse. I will not attempt to explain the why's and wherefore's, I'll just blog.


Jewelry business is picking up steam. Made this ----->
while I've been not-blogging. Yummy pearls!
Busy building inventory and a website! More to come . . .



Knitting is still in overdrive. OTN:

• Yorick from Knitty for a special young woman in Chicago;
• Ski-bum-ski - a hat of my own design out of Nashua for my 19 y.o. son. Almost done, but needs sewing and felting.
• Seraphina CAL with my yahoo group - through row 15, yay!
• Estelle shawl for a greiving friend
• Pocket scarf for my gram
• January 07 KAL Dishcloth with another yahoo group

OTN, but not active: Witches poncho, Jayne hats
I did finish all of my Christmas presents, so, to quote Carl Spackler (Bill Murray's character in "Caddyshack") "I got that goin' for me."

Soon to begin:

• The Great American Aran Afghan, an 18-month odyssey with a brave group of knitters down at my lys, Knot Another Hat. Hopefully, peer pressure will make me stay on track with this one!
• Baby Feet Washcloth, Skywatcher Socks, and Bib overalls for my niece and her husband - their baby boy is due in March -- do you think I can finish them by then? Wish me luck.
  

That's it for now. Back to the needles and beads...

Mother's Bracelets

So, I jumped on the bandwagon and did a mother's bracelet for a friend with two little boys. It turned out sparkly, just the way she wanted it to. She had wanted it to wear all of the time. The Swarovski's will be great for that. She liked the silver set of alphabet cubes, but I'm thinking of doing one in mixed silver and gold to make it more versatile. What do you think?

This was a bracelet I did last winter when the snows were deep. Swarovski's sparkle so great on the snow!

NEW to the blogosphere! Sarah takes the plunge!

I'm finally here ~ after zooming around for months, admiring everyone else's work, creativity and humor, I've gotten my feet wet and set up my own little spot. Here's to fun!

This blog is more than just rambling about myself; it aspires (- it?) to be a place to share my trials and successes in jewelry-making, knitting, and whatever other trouble I can get myself into.

Be back soon ~