Sunday, October 22, 2006

My weekend...

I ALMOST have the Jumping dress finished- Just need to sew in one more end!

I worked a bit on the ribbed scarf made out of the neat super chunky variegated yarn my last intern got me. I am using lantern moon straight needles. They are so pretty to knit with but I still love my circulars!

Speaking of circulars- I organized all of mine in a neat-o needle organizer I got months ago from my LYS! I even used my labeler to mark the needle sizes and lengths! I now know what I have - and don't! ;)

I made a teeny bit more progress at organizing my house. I am trying to get rid of lots of magazines, books and other random stuff that is just hanging around. I did organize all of my makeup! Yippee!

Saw an interesting film - Jesus Camp

Ate yummy healthy Indian food with my cooking club!

Did TONS of laundry- Oh why won't it just fold itself!!!

Overall a good weekend!

I promise pictures soon of said knitting content!

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Help Still Needed

Although it's not in the news as much New Orleans is still struggling greatly from hurricane Katrina.

This article was interesting to me and made me wish I could take some more time off work to go help again. Unfortunately I can't but I thought maybe someone else out there would be looking for a volunteer opportunity and I might as well pass the info along. The holidays are coming up and you just might have some vacation time you are itching to use for a good cause!

There is no way you can comprehend this disaster unless you have seen it for yourself. It would mean so much to the people of New Orleans if you can take any time to help... a month, a week or a few days...

Check out some of the ways you can get involved:
New Orleans Home for the Holidays
Acorn.org

Friday, October 13, 2006

How Could I?

Lose an ENTIRE SKEIN of DARK PURPLE Wool Pak yarn? The thing is HUGE!!!!

Where I have put it is beyond me!

Grrrrr!!!!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

What to knit???

I am basically finished with my Jumping dress (need to attach the button and the loop) and have been lamenting for quite some time over what to knit next. Awhile ago I had this great idea that I would knit things for people for Christmas... Now I'm not so sure if that is a good one! I have a friend who wants socks - but really I think that would take me UNTIL Christmas to finish... hmmm what to make next????

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Planning begins....

So this post won't be so knitting related - I realized that I am wanting to ramble about something else for a bit and have a space where I can keep track of my --- Trip Planning!!!! I am really really hoping to go to Mardi Gras this year and thought that I would keep you all up to date with those plans - and who knows maybe someone will even give me some good lodging suggestions or Mardi Gras hints!

I've never done Mardi Gras before - and I have great excitement but also some fears about it I guess. I am not sure that I can even imagine what the crowds are like.... but I've been to many crowded events in DC and NYC before so I suppose if I could survive them I will be fine!

On the other hand - I am just SO excited to experience the whole thing! The people, the parades and floats, yummy drinks, beads beads and more beads and just to be back to the New Orleans culture in general. I really miss Nola and hope that some day I actually have the chance to live there or at least stay for an extended time.

The first task at the moment for this trip is finding a place to stay.... It is INSANE to me how much rooms are costing! Looking on Orbitz right now even staying at the Holiday Inn (not my favorite) is $204 a night.... the Ramada is $299 - based on those quotes - and the fact that it would be more fun - I'll be looking into B&B's! Anyone have any suggestions? :)

Sunday, October 01, 2006

SP 9 Questions and Answers!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Colorful and soft! I really really am a natural fiber girl! I enjoy wool (mmm alpaca especially) and cotton - I have some bamboo in my stash but I haven't tried it yet. I like blends with natural fibers (ie silk garden) and am interested in trying more natural fibers (soy, corn, hemp...) that I haven't yet experimented with. I REALLY REALLY DON'T like synthetic fibers and even hesitate if a fiber such as wool is blended with it. I am not big on novelty yarns lately and also seem to be preferring dk weight to things that are more chunky. I would love to try something that has cashmere in it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I am still developing a system. Now I have a variety of things including some tins, a plastic bin and a soft binder with plastic pouches to store the circulars.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I think that I have been knitting for about five years although somehow I have kind of lost track. My paternal grandmother taught me long ago but I really picked up the skill when I took a class at my LYS. I would consider myself an intermediate knitter but working toward advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I had both but have not updated forever.... I will try to do that soon and let you know when/if I do!

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

This might sound silly but I have to say I have been not big on scents lately. Lots of things seem to give me headaches so I really prefer things that are mild and made with natural products. That said - I prefer vanilla and citrus scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

hehe - I wish I didn't but I do! I love marzipan and tend to be a person who likes gummy and fruity things (jelly belly's) but not big on chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I want to spin! Just took up scrap-booking!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Folk, bluegrass, jazz, world music, country.... I like quite a variety... I can play MP3's

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like purples the most- also blues and pink! Not a big orange fan!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Two cats - Cider and Dickens. Single but in a relationship.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to scarves, hats and mittens. NO to ponchos!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

hmmm this is a hard one... I think I am still searching. I have to say I loved clapotis and have been enjoying some of the little kid clothes I made recently. I also like felted items.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Sort of in between projects- I am working on a dishcolth from Mason Dixon knitting - I have at least one pair of socks that the first sock needs it's mate. Just finished a project and looking for a new one to start - likely it will be a Christmas gift of some sort.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circular. Addi turbos or bamboo. Not so into plastic but curious about these new ones with the light up tips!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I have a yarn winder - but can you please influence someone close to me to buy me that nice wooden swift! ;)

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Mmmmm maybe three or four years!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I like Christmas. I am also now looking VERY forward to Mardi Gras as I am planning a trip to Nola for it this year!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

This is a funny question as I am trying to NOT collect so much stuff. I am trying to declutter and purge!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Hmm now I can use this as a place for friends and family to know what I am dying for too! My high price item would be those new needles that knitpicks is selling (I think they are called Options). I also really want to try something with Cashmere - maybe "Pure Cashmere" by Debbie Bliss. I like Rowan yarns but haven't tried many of them. Cash Iroha, Cashmere Island and Iro (all new from Noro I think) look very interesting. I'd also love to try something from Briar Rose Fibers. I'd also like to have the books Knit Fix and Knitting Without Tears. I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I wish I could refresh my brain on the crochet... it seems hard for me to remember most of it. I am interested in learning to spin.. but a bit hesitant that it is super complicated!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I wear a size 10 or 11 shoe and can't seem to knit a sock to save my life that fits me! I also don't seem to have the patience to finish a whole pair!

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

4/28