Either I'm planning on being busy for the next century, or I have a serious problem...

I'm going with the latter. Is there a support group for this?

Here's a "little" stash enhancement that jumped into several of my bags on the latest trip to the Bay area; a very dangerous place for a crafter and someone trying to walk on the path to financial freedom!

I have lots of goodies to report back on, mostly for my other blog - the groundwork blog - because it is more "work" related. Anyway... stay posted for little tidbits from the trip. In typical me fashion, you know there are a ton of pictures that I have to edit, research and label. A feat I'm not looking forward to, but is necessary! Do it right, or don't do it at all, is what I say!

I'm also going to try to tweak my format and not fill so much space with text. The art of succinctness has never been a strong point, so bear with me and try to be patient as I detox.

Less... pt. 2

Apparently that last post included LESS BLOGGING.
There is a draft for "More..." but yeah... I'll have to revisit that at a later date!

So, uh... what to fill you in on. Not much I really care to share.
I really don't know what the intention of this whole blogging thing is. For me at least. I guess it really is just an outlet to share some of my home life with my buds. Maybe it will inspire you... maybe you will smile at some of the stuff I post... who knows. Actually, I take back the "inspire" comment. It's hard to inspire others, when you are not inspired yourself [or regularly posting]!

This year got off to a very uninspired start. Craft-wise, that is :P I'm highly inspired in other areas of life [thank god!)].
I was completely lacking motivation in the knitting/sewing/crafting, hell, ALL departments! So there was no activity going on for a couple months. A lot of "damn... I should knit something", but this thought always got trumped by more 'ctrl+t' on the internet browser and a lot more meaningless, completely useless? strings of online research [Black holes? Extinct animals? Plant physiology? Expressing a dogs anal glands? Citrus rootstock? Yeah... this is how my brain works]. So I decided to kick myself in the arse, hard, and get something going. Something for me [finally], that I could wear and [hopefully] be proud of. Something that is challenging and different from the instant gratification projects that I normally lean towards [hats, baby stuff, swatches, scarves] because I'm pretty impatient. Ok... that is a severe understatement. Whatever.

So this leads to my current project.
One which is getting 70% of my attention. I'm almost working solely on this project when I have free time, which is a total contrast to the norm - working on a handful of small things that will NEVER be completed. The other 30% goes to reading, sitting outside in the sun on the patio staring off, watching and recording [for future laughs] the dogs fight/wrestle, random Google research, and editing/organizing my external hard drives.

This will be my FIRST official sweater.
I'm working on the rib pattern at the bottom *sigh* yes, I have a LONG way to go!!! Keep on chugging... one row at a time, on the TINIEST YARN with the TINIEST NEEDLES I have ever used! Glutton for punishment? Absolutely!



Here is my ittie bittie swatch. I blocked it and all that good stuff... yeah... I don't know what the blocking was supposed to prove other than wool (with little to no agitation) can be hand-washed. Got it. I'm not THAT experienced yet to know what to look for, other than, my stitches per inch. I've never blocked before, but it's good to know that... uh, my ittie bittie swatch was nice looking after washing - no fading, etc. I will probably still be reluctant to block the actual sweater once it's done *yikes* What if it shrinks! hahahaaa After all this work! *sigh*



This is where I'm at. This sad, small piece of sweater that looks like a headband straight out of the 80's *sigh* The good news is that the front AND back of the sweater are the same, so I am able to work on them BOTH at the same time :D Oh, and the color of the yarn I'm using is closer to the swatch picture...



So there you have it, in a nutshell.
I'll try to finish up that other blog, as I suspect it was full of snark, and therefore has to be shared ;) Nah, I'll post it (after I edit)...

Carry on...

Prattle...

Nothing really interesting to report back on.

This after Thanksgiving blog is not going to be injected with things that I'm grateful for. I know what I'm grateful for... you readers don't care. I will say that my list of grateful's finally annihilates my list of pet peeves, and for that I am truly thankful.

Ok, so... because my attention pulls me in many directions, I don't blog when I should. When I do blog, it's usually too late, and the moment has passed me. But here are a few things from the past couple of months, that I had the chance to enjoy/and indulge in.

The first was the Vintage Fashion Expo that takes place 4x a year. I wanted so desperately to find some article(s) of clothing to come home with me, but nothing really floored me. There were a couple of items that were museum quality that were stunners (mainly heavily beaded 1920's gowns and hats), but I wasn't willing to drop $2k on any of them.

My approach to shopping...
If the item doesn't knock the wind out of me on first glance, I keep it moving.

Needless to say, I got the spit knocked out of me when I tried this on - 1940's felted wool, military pill box hat w/ mink trim in chocolate brown. SOLD!



Very strange, as I was "just looking" and on my way out. I was trying on hats, because they were so cute and loudly calling my name, and the next thing I know, this little number jumped into my bag, and you know... I couldn't tell it no...

I was so inspired by the clothing I saw, and all the drool-worthy hats that I HAD to sketch when I got back to the car, and I HAD to find a millinery supply shop STAT to start replicating/creating some of the gorgeous hats I'd seen.

So that led me to California Millinery Supply, Co. *gasp* A mess of a store (in a good way), dripping with goodies from floor to ceiling. The kind of shop where you think you're pulling one item off the shelf and one-hundred things (and a pile of dust) end up falling on you. This little gem has been around for decades, and one of the dopest things about this shop is that there are still TONS of vintage supplies stocked for costumers and/or hobbyists to replicate period accurate pieces. LOTS of feathers (which we LOVE!!!)...

Including bird wings -
Which as distasteful as they might seem, I could not walk away without them...

 

They affect me the same way glitter, mirror balls, trim, sequins or sparkly confetti does where I CAN'T stop starting at them. I can't stop touching them!!! Sometimes it's too much for me to handle in one glimpse, but I can't get enough of it. Kind of like the huge car accident on the side of the freeway - you want to drive past it, but you can't help but look. And look. And STARE until you almost cause another accident.

But come on, we've all seen stranger things then bird wings. Get over it.

A few more feathers I loved...
You can never go wrong with ostrich ;)
Unfortunately, no peacock. Booooooo!!!

 

I bought several hat forms and feather pads as well ;)

Oh, and then file this under 'found items'...
After about 2 years of wondering where my wannabe "Almost Famous" rock star, furry hippie jacket was, it appeared out of nowhere as I was looking for stuffing to put in my dogs pillow. Still in great condition, and it FITS!!!

 

I can't believe it's almost Christmas! #@%%!!!!!
Wanted to knit gifts... but realized I don't like you all enough to make you things this year. You wouldn't appreciate it anyway ;) So I'm going to be a scrooge about that type of thing.

I always think of projects to make for others, but I know I'll never get the reaction/response from them that I want (as in... holy $hit, that's genius, YOU are a genius, or the person wearing the item until it falls apart, the person washing the item properly or dry cleaning it! And one or two, or ten others that I feel are totally inappropriate to post!), so I equate that with a project not being worth my time. Next year I will be devoting my energy to completely selfish projects. But for now, I guess I'll finish the gifts that I've started cause I'm nice like that *sucker* :\ Yeah... I'm too nice, but that is seasonal as well.

Right now I'm working on fingerless gloves for me and the hubby.
I make him stuff, cause I know I can smother him in his sleep encourage him nicely if he doesn't wear it or appreciate it the way I think he should ;)

If this didn't bore you enough, peep the knitting projects on the left side of the page and flickr photos! Or hell, leave a comment! What a concept!? I won't hold my breath waiting.

Defining Moments...

Side Note #1:
This is definitely a Miss Hyde week...
I don't think I need to elaborate. I'll just quickly change the subject.

Side Note #2:
After being in a state of impasse for far too long, I would have to say, one of the main things that keeps me from going off the deep end are my hobbies. Crafting is the ultimate remedy to keep a wandering mind on the straight and narrow. Even if only temporarily.

Side Note #3:
The problem... well, dilemma I am having with blogging is that fact that I really don't like to talk much about myself/what I'm doing/what my plans are, etc. Call me superstitious, but honestly it's just that I'm a private person, and I really don't feel like I have anything that groundbreaking to share. I don't reveal much... I don't divulge a lot of information freely (although, don't be fooled, I have lots of information stirring around in my head), unless asked. So this is hard and invasive and totally awkward, because honestly, a blog about myself feels pretty narcissistic. Nonetheless, maybe this is a bit therapeutic for me. It allows me the chance to show/share myself with others. And I've always been a pretty good sharer.


This blog also lets me show off share my thousands handful of projects ;)




For an instant gratification project, this slouchy hat was definitely something mindless effortless for me to get into quickly. It gave me a break from the other boring and under-stimulating knitting projects that I started (and have to drag myself to finish).

Plus, I love small projects that I can work on while watching Y & R.



A squishy headband that I made out of the yumminess I got on my birthday yarn crawl. It's WAY too big, so I'm going to unravel the whole thing, start it over and make it much, much smaller.



My chunky cable sweater. Still a work in progress.
I can't bear to work on this right now. It's been 100 degrees lately, and there is no way in hell I want this heavy heap of wool on my lap! As with the project below, since I'm in no hurry to finish it, it will be done by the time it is actually cold enough outside to use it.



This granny square blanket is something that has been in hibernation for far too long. But since it is now "technically" Fall, I figured I should bring it back to life, and try to finish it off. My next blanket/afghan will HAVE to be more challenging (actually ALL of my future projects will have to be more challenging). And of course, I already have the next pattern(s) ready to go!

I'm also working on a few of other things that I haven't gotten around to taking pictures of. These include needle cases (because things are getting out of control), a couple of costumes, and a sweater that I'm going to attempt to design myself. More on that later.

Birthday Crawl

So I'm still in recovery mode [haven't gotten off the couch today and I've been awake since 7am!!!], but I will say the d.h. and I had a GREAT day yesterday on our little day trip to Solvang! We also managed a 5 store yarn crawl [initially supposed to be a 7 store crawl]. Not too shabby!

ETA: I got off the couch... moved around, and now I'm back on the couch ;)

I feel weird (to put it mildly) about taking photos off all the places I visit... Unless of course, I'm actually being a tourist. But I did come back bearing lots of goodies :D

Here is the yarn crawl for 8/21:
[Crawl including 3 other shops, but we were dead tired after a long day of walking, shopping and sitting in major traffic coming home!] I know the image below might be a little too tiny to see much detail, but if you look at the map, and see the rough distance traveled... well, you'll get the idea.



So...
Below are the results of my top 3 favorite stops on this trip.

Anacapa Fine Yarns [Ventura]


This color is called "Roanoke Gold"


VAA 51, no color name


Village Spinning & Weaving [Solvang]

So...
I told myself I wouldn't do this. That is, start another hobby. But, with as much free time as I have, this was simply irresistible. Once I was in the shop, the owners husband and wife John and Marsha were SOOOOO nice and helpful. I even got a lesson on fiber and spinning :D Glad I made the trip!


4 oz Jacob Top


4oz of Blue Face Leicester [Black]


4 oz of Finn Top


And of course, a spindle!

If I can stick to this, and learn it well, then I'll work my way up to a wheel. Rapunzel? But for now, this is a very economical way to start my new hobby.

Loop & Leaf [Santa Barbara]


Madeline Tosh Worsted in Sequoia...I don't get the name :\


Madeline Tosh Worsted in Chamomile...a.k.a. A little taste of Sunshine!


Fleece Artist - BFL Socks in 'Peacock'...Of course, with a name like that...


Schoppel Wolle - Zauberball in '(?)' :D isn't it obvious?!


Rio de la Plata - Sock in 'Sparkling Grape'

Loop & Leaf is awesome by the way. Lots of great stuff here. Some stuff I recognized, but I'd say about 95% of the store was brand new to me. I hadn't heard of many of the brands there, so that's always fun finding new things to touch and [eventually] knit up!

Of course,
After a long day of not being home, I can always look forward to coming home to very unhappy, bitter terriers! Some "genius" decided it would be a good idea to toss the phone book into the yard, and the dogs [of course] took that as an invitation for a game of 'let's see how quick we can shred it all over the lawn'. Riley then proceeded to attack a lost roll of t.p. when she came in the house. Guess someone was really mad LOL

Cables...

Almost done!!!

I'm pretty excited about this sweater even though I won't be able to wear it until next January hahhaaa :\ Yeah... I'm laughing on the outside. But you know me... I'm not afraid to rock wool in the summer. I'm crazy enough to do it...

Anywho... I digress.
Here is a little peek at where I am on the sweater.
If you need a refresher click here... and I'm at the bottom 1/4.

And the anatomy of a cable...
They look more complicated than they really are. Granted this particular pattern is great for a beginner to get their feet wet, but I'm sure there are more advanced techniques. Essentially, you are just slipping said # if stitches off your needle and knitting in front or back of them, and then you knit them back on your needles. You end up with 'stacked' stitches that end up switching your knitting direction.

Ok... who cares.
All we (and when I say 'we' I mean you readers) care about is the finished product :)

So here's that peek:



AND a little Mr. Tinsley action for you... just because ;)

I know, I know...

What happened to all the enthusiasm?
I've been a bit drained under the circumstances.
I'm still knitting and will post new projects soon, I promise.

But for now, I'll leave with my last (as in, just finished on Monday) completed project- "The Diagonal Comfort Blanket"...
Free Lion Brand knitting pattern available here. Finished measurements come out to 2.5' x 2.5'.

 

Process...

Wow.
My new craft of the week is definitely something for someone who is a bit neurotic, a bit obsessive/compulsive, and clearly it's a good match for a multi-tasker who needs something to do while watching tv.

No wonder I eventually gravitated towards crocheting granny squares. It was gonna happen sooner or later. I just decided to give in after I came home from class on Saturday and Michael's [the craft store silly!] was calling my name, coaxing me to park my car, hop out in the rain and make this ridiculous (and might I add, completely unecessary) purchase. Like I don't have enough projects going on?!

So... this is what I did while watching Season 2, Disc 2 of Carnivale on Saturday and during parts of the Grammy's on Sunday. Um... did I just confess to watching the Crappy's on Sunday? *doh* I knocked most of it out on Saturday. But yes... what a process this will be.

Anywho, now I have 49 +/- tiny little squares that will eventually get sewn together to make one fabulously WARM blanket.
The swatch [below, left] is ultimately what each granny square will look like (just differnt color variations). And as the magazine says... this project is 'Real Simple'. *sigh* and I am really corny. And I will NOT apologize.

The squares [below, right] are round one.
Pattern is here and FREE!!! [You might need an account to access it].

Will [of course] post my progress...

 

And by the way... this is TOTALLY the perfect way to spend a rainy weekend - chillin' on the couch, sippin' on tea, dogs resting on my legs keeping me warm and crocheting or knitting, while vegging out in front of the tv. Pure bliss, you don't even understand. That's a little piece of my heaven.

Oh...
And new toys! Yay.
Who doesn't love bright, shiny new toys. ESPECIALLY when they end up saving you a lot of time and money in the long run. So these are interchangeable knitting needles. Basically... you just change the tips out depending on the gauge you need for a project, but it saves you the headache of not only coughing up $$$ every time a project asks for a needle you typically would NEVER use BUT it also kills any excuse of why you can't start a new project ('Oh, well I don't have the right needles...').

Oh, and for the non-knitter, Circs are good for pieces that need to be done in the round (body of a garment, sleeves, hats, cowls, socks...) or large pieces that end up weighing a lot and become uncomfortable/awkward to hold on straight needles (think blankets).

Observe...


So these are the nickle-plated interchangeable circs from Knit Picks. I know, I know...it's a bit sacrilegious for someone who is a self-proclaimed, avid wooden needle user [say that 5x fast], but I found that these needles are quicker/easier to use rather than the wooden varieties I've come across.
[left < >right: Needle Tips, Additional Tips + Interchangeable Cords, What it looks like all Attached.]