Fiber Kitten's Tangled Skeins

Long Time

2005-09-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

So it's been over a month since I've posted. I have no excuse except laziness. I have been knitting and crocheting a lot in preparation for a craft faire that I am going to be selling items at. I hope to make some money with my crocheted shawls. I love making them and everyone that has seen them likes them a lot.

I got a giftie from my Secret Pal. I received some Aracuna Wool yarn in a peachy color, a green and a purple. A set of stitch markers, some chocolate that was a little melty when it got here and the most divine smelling candle. I also received a neat book called Knitting Pretty. I haven't started anything with the wool yet, but it will probably become some sort of felted bag. Thanks so much Eyeleen

I should get around to pictures of my stuff in the next century. I hope. All for now.

Back Tack Arrived

2005-07-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I finally recieved my back tack giftie. I have no camera currently so you will have to use your imagination. I got a notions holder made out of toile blue fabric and some folding scissors and floss and variegated thread. Then she sent me four fat quarters and a flower pin made of mohair. And two balls of wool yarn that will be perfect for a hat. Pictures will be forthcoming. I'll take pics of the stuff my secret pal gave me at the same time. I claim amnesia. I use the items but forgot to take the picture duh.

In other news, I am trying to start on Christmas stuff. I'm crafting at twice my normal speed, normal is about sloth speed. Now it's Ninja Sloth speed which is much quicker. I've been making hats and some other easy projects, because I know that by the time it gets to Christmas I will have forgotten someone and that way I'll have a backup. After the spate of small presents I will move on to bigger stuff, like kids and husbands. They always warrant things like...sewing. I'll probably spend more making everything than if I bought it and I don't care. I love giving things that I've put an effort into.

Back Tack

2005-07-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

I finished my back tack project and sent it off to its eager recipient Absinthe Knits this last week. I made my own unique version of a notions holder.

Say Hello to the Craft Monster!

This little guy holds needles, stitch markers, pins and any other assortment of small notions items. I had so much fun creating him for this. The fabric I recieved was just wonderful for what I had in mind. I have to make a few more of these for Christmas. I need to make my own little buddy soon too.

I also finished the haversack for my husband. Here are a couple of pre-felting pics.

Even after felting it hangs to just past his hip. I knit the strap way too long. It will get a nip and tuck in the future. Before the boy has to use it again.

I also whipped out a crocheted shawl and 3 hats this last weekend. I will hopefully have pics of them soon.

Secret Pal: What would you recommend I make out of the yarn you sent me. I haven't found anything that I think would suit it well. I love it but I want something other than a hat or scarf that is easy to knit and useful.

More later.

Giftie in the Mail

2005-06-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

I got the most unexpected package just this weekend. My secret pal had sent out a gift to me. I was so excited when I saw a package sitting on the desk when I came home from work. I got 3 skeins of Koigu in a gorgeous purple mixed color. I have to figure out what to make with it now. I feel some insane urge to maybe try to make socks out of it. I don't even know if I could make socks, but they seem like that's what they should be. I also got the coolest mints, those new altoids fruit ones and some neato Burts's Bees stuff. I would have a picture but the computer is currently in the shop and I'm using a different one that isn't mine. As soon as I have it back I'll post a picture of my loot and some of the stuff I've been working on lately.

2005-06-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I am getting to the point that I prefer natural fibers for the most part. I have kids though and ease of care for some items is what I need. I love most yarn, but I do avoid scratchy yarn, if it would make me itch I don't buy it.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I own a drop spindle and quite a bit of roving. I haven't done anything with it in quite a while though. Crochet, yep. I actually learned to crochet before I learned to knit. It has it's merits also so I am prone to switching back and forth to suit my needs.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Nothing that would cause me an issue. I don't think you'll be sending me mold or alder trees, they don't make yarn out of those things yet.

4. How long have you been knitting?
Probably about 4 years. I can't remember for sure. I know I wasn't knitting when I had my first baby, but I think I started picking it up around the time of the second one.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do but it is horribly old and I should probably just make a new one.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Clove. I got the most delicious soap, a clove and mint ZUM ZUM Bar from an exchange this year that I love to death.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
All of them are sweet. I like chocolate in any form. Sour candy is my weakness currently and the more sour the better.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I sew, dabble in jewlery making, and am just getting into some clay work.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My tastes vary widely and I'm open to checking out whatever you might like. I could find something new that I never would have found on my own.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'm drawn to reds and purples. Autumn colors, though I can't wear them. I am not very fond of yellow or baby shades.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a husband, 2 kids, 2 cats and one dog.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To be able to not worry about every little thing and spend more time doing what I want with the people that I love. I would love to work for myself someday.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I am fond of Lamb's Pride for felting. I like Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, it is a lovely cotton and I love Paton's Cha Cha since it is such a soft novelty yarn. I have a love affair with silk yarn and I have a bit of quivit that I have to spin up. I like my fibers touchable and not rough.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Anything rough. I also don't like paper yarn and most flag or railroad yarns are just itchy.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I want to make a sweater but am only about 4 inches into it. I am also committed to making my husband a bag. I love things I can knit in the round because I don't have to concentrate too hard to make anything.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like making felted bags, hats, scarves with unique yarns, and stuffed toys.

17. What are you knitting right now?
I am knitting a bag for my husband, 2 different sweaters and a care bear.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Not for me.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I prefer circualr needles. I also prefer metal over any other material they can be made out of.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Addi turbos are my favs. They all have a use, but I prefer metal.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
No

22. How did you learn to knit?
My mother and my best friend both taught me.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
4 years I think.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love the pink panther and I collect sheep things.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn, fabric, sheep.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any but I keep thinking I should just subscribe to them since I always end up buying them anyway.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Can't think of any. I am a prolific book purchaser and usually buy the ones I want as soon as I see them.

So there you go. A little bit of info about me. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Now off to work and fighting my cold some more.

Pictures

2005-05-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

So here are all of my current projects, I think. I'm suffering from more startitis.
This pile of raw goods is my starting point for backtrack which I am so looking forward to working on. I'm currently forming ideas.

This is my mother in laws' backpack. I may use this pattern again. It works out really well. Visions of this bag made out of cherry fabric or the cool pin-up cowgirls keep going through my head.

I made a buttonhole bag...and altered the pattern to suit my knitting quirks. I used my rusty skill of picking up stitches, note to self...you knit too tight loosen up.

Yet another felted bag, still missing it's zipper. It's a gift for a good friend. This bag and the buttonhole one are Lamb's Pride. Felting your knitting in the shower is next to impossible by the way.

This is the Cotton Ease sweater, which may be done by next year. I couldn't make it in just one color...noooo. I'm going to have a million ends to work in.

This is the abandoned sweater. I keep trying to like boucle yarn. Too bad that it hates my knitting and crochet style. I think this will become a shawl worked on big needles. Note the very cute llama and sheep stitch markers my mommy got me for Christmas.

These are Peruvian Highland Wool from Elann in a lovely burnt orange and twilight blue. I also indulged in the vogue knitting book and now must make a sheepy backpack. These things were courtesy of my secret pal, Allie.

This is going to be my new carebear. I am excited to make these for the kids. I even took them to the yarn store to pick out their own yarn. It is currently on hold since I'm devoting all of my time to R's haversack.

And these are my soon to be stitch markers. I am having more fun making markers. I'll probably never need them all. But these called to me, I especially like the little kitty heads and the eye beads. Quirky stitch markers are my type of thing.

Within the next couple of days I'll post more pictures. I forgot some things and now I'm too tired to take more pics, load them up, copy them over, type more. It will wait for another day. Maybe a finished haversack if I keep knitting it, and the stitch markers from the exchange which I forgot to photograph.

Silly test

2005-05-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Freya
Indeed, you are 83% erudite, 91% sensual, 50% martial, and 66% saturnine. Freya, twin sister of Frey, is a member of the Vanir family, the Norse clan of Fertility Gods. Like her counterparts, Aphrodite, Isis, Venus, and Ishtar (Greek, Egyptian, Roman and Indian mythology), she concerned herself with sex and all that goes with it.

She was quite fond of cats, by the way. In fact, she was said to travel
about in a magnificent chariot drawn by her two regal black cats named
Bygul and Trjegul (Pronunciation? You're on your own...) that were
rumoured to be possessed. After serving Freya for 7 years, the cats
were rewarded by being turned into witches, disguised as black cats.
Even many of her personal traits seem cat-like. For instance, she
always wore a brilliant jewel studded collar symbolizing her authority
over the fiery aspect of sexuality.

Besides being the Goddess of love, cats, the moon, magic, and
of course sex, Freya was also skilled in a form of magic called
"seithr" (meaning "sayer" or "seer") which consisted of putting oneself
into a deep meditative trance so that the secrets of the future might
be revealed. She also owned a feather coat which she could use to fly
between the worlds.

Isn't that amusing. I'm a fertility goddess. I always knew that was what I was, now someone's silly test thinks I am too. On another note I am taking pictures tonight. I received my fabric for BACK TRACK and now need to get started on that. Haversack is a pattern of my own making ie, I'm freeballing it. We'll see how it works.

Long Time No Post

2005-05-17T00:50:00.000-07:00

Right now the camera is charging. I have stuff to take pictures of like my cute little stitch markers from the exchange. The yarn and book I got from Elann courtesy of my secret pal and a buttonhole bag that I made in the interim. I have currently laid aside all of my knitting projects to make my husband a felted haversack for a historical recreation event. I'm also working on a backpack for my mother in law and an army of choo-choo kitties for various people. So tommorow pictures of all my crafting mayhem.

I've been working and knitting.

2005-04-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy little girl. This last week I finished a scarf on large needles to prove to my mom that I could do it in an evening. It only took me about 3 and a half hours. I used some lovely Patons yarn called Bohemian. I am thinking about using it for a pattern from Vogue Knittings' Winter issue. The yarn they use is Takhi's Ghost Print, which I love but the price is prohibitive.

I also cast on for my first sweater. I only had to swatch about a dozen times. I'm still off a little and I'm hoping it works out. I'm making the largest size using a Boucle yarn that Jo-Anns came out with recently. It will probably take me a year to make a sweater. That's why my eyes are already straying to other projects. Oh well, I will make a sweater this year. It's my goal.

Argh!

2005-03-18T11:25:00.000-08:00

I said I would post Wednesday. I am now posting Friday. Only two days worth of delay. I've been busy at work again. It looks like our inventory score will be good though. We busted our asses over it this year since we failed last year.
I have been knitting like mad. In the last week and a half I've finished 4 scarves, started a fifth and started a bag. I still have to finish my secret pal gift. It needs hand sewing to finish it and I have been into the knitting not the sewing lately.

Here are the pictures of new stuff.

The Knit Picks yarn as a Seaman's Scarf. If I ever do this pattern again I will add more stitches on either end. It ends up short and only suited for a woman at this length.

This is what my husband calls the martian moss scarf. It's bright green homespun and confetti fun fur.

These are two left over balls of yarn from scarves I made. Currently my MIL has the scarves at work trying to sell them. I already sold one that I don't have a second ball of to show you. I knit all 3 scarves in an evening each. It makes me feel industrious.

This is the Mardi Gras scarf. I have a friend who loves purple and extra long scarves. I think it will be for her birthday. I'm using Paton's Cha Cha and Lions' Microspun.

Two skeins of Paton's Up Country joined my stash. They were on sale at Michaels and I figured they were highly feltable. Don't know what it will be yet, but I couldn't resist.

Clicky, clicky. I've wanted one of these for a while but they are always too expensive. I used a coupon on it at Michaels and it ended up like 3.50. My local yarn store sells them for 12.00 each.

I think I've been knitting so many scarves since I can either sell them or give them as gifts. They are also instant gratification. I don't have the time to knit anything big at the present. I did get a new book for knit purses that I am hoping to use soon. I'm also still hoping to knit the ruffles scarf from the borrowed Scarf Style book I have at the moment. I want to knit a sweater or a top, something big, but I need to be more settled in my new position first. Sometimes I hate that life gets in the way of my knitting.

I have a cool secret pal.

2005-03-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

I was gone most of last week with work and family related stuff. I know I don't update this blog often enough. I keep working on projects, they just never seem to make it onto this page. My mom even gave me a knitting journal to keep track of the things I make and I just haven't managed to put anything in it. So here it goes... the recent FO and my new project.

I cast on last night for a Short Row Seamans Scarf using the brand spanking new yarn that I can home to from my Secret Pal. Yes there was a packing slip and no I didn't look at it, but my husband knows your name and promised not to tell me. I love this yarn. It is the first Knit Picks yarn I have used and now I'm trying to decide what else from their line to buy. It knits up quickly on my needles and feels so good in my hands.

My finished object is a Twisted Rib Watch Cap which I also took from this blog. I made this from Noro's Silk Garden. I altered the pattern some so it didn't have a fold up brim and is just a skull cap and it only took one skein. This is color 39 which R bought me for my birthday this last November. It took me a while to figure out what it was going to be. Since I have two more skeins I may have to make a scarf to match it.

As soon as I finish the Knit Picks scarf I need to start on R's felted clogs. The reason the yarn was so expensive is because I bought 40$ in Lambs Pride and another 30$ worth of Paintbox yarn for the top section. He wanted two colors and they didn't have a Lamb's Pride to match the green I picked out in a color he would have liked. I hope they are easy. I am getting better but I still haven't fixed my last mess up.

Poncho power.

2005-02-13T00:59:00.000-08:00

I finished the poncho I was crocheting. It became a care bear poncho. All the chic care bears have ponchos these days. Here is my daughter and "Lollipop bear" with her brand new outfit.

Here is a gratuitous picture of RM with a hat I made her and the scarf that Mouse made her for Christmas.

Now I have to finish my secret pal gift, I'm about half way done and didn't touch it at all today. Then on to my husband's 70$ felted clogs. I let him pick out the yarn, that means I can justify buying it. This will be my first attempt at footwear. I'm going to make it out of Lamb's Pride, my fav felting wool. I'm thinking they may take me a while but I'm really looking forward to trying these out. Everyone who has made these in blogland seems so happy with them.

Current projects

2005-02-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

I've been tired lately. I just quit smoking and I'm edgy most of the time. The kids keep getting up early when I have to go to bed late. I need to get a set schedule that doesn't tire me out so much.

I have been knitting and crocheting in my spare moments.
I actually started a crocheted item that will most likely become a poncho for my daughters's much loved carebear.
I started helping a customer with this particular pattern and couldn't figure out what she was doing wrong so I decided to make my own. Sadly it is sized for a baby and I don't have any of those now. Hence the Carebear gets a poncho.

I also bought myself a knit stitch calendar. I'm hoping it will inspire me to try something more complicated than knit and purl rows. I'm going to try a broken rib stitch with some of the alpaca I have on hand for a scarf.

I'm busily knitting away on a secret pal gift. I'm altering a pattern slightly from the previous item I made from this pattern. I am enjoying knitting this since it's knit in the round and then felted. I like the felting thing. It's fun to see what becomes of all my hard work. I have only ever felted with Lamb's Pride and am kinda set in sticking to it. It's inexpensive and if I were to completely destroy something I was felting I wouldn't be heartbroken.

Secret Pal Survey

2005-02-01T01:19:00.000-08:00

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Definitely not all the same. I like most everything but lately I've been particulary attracted to alpaca, mohair, silk and high-end wools.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I do a teensy tiny bit of spinning. I started out crocheting and still go back to it for a number of things like afghans.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Not that I know of.
4. How long have you been knitting?
About 2 years and crocheting 6 years.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do but it needs to be updated. When I update it I'll post a link.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Black Alchemy Lab's Dragon's Milk and O. Clove scented stuff.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
All of them are sweet.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I work in a fabric and craft store so dabble in sewing, beading and the occasional craft that catches my eye.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like most music. Not too fond of jazz or rap.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
I like lots of colors. Lately I've been working with a lot of jewel tones and autumnal colors.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married, 2 toddlers, 2 cats and 1 dog
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To be happy and own my own home and space.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I like soft, squishy yarn. Wool and alpaca are good. I also like unique yarns and a lot of the hand dyed fibers out there.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Rough yarn. If it doesn't feel good against my skin I probably won't buy it.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Getting things done one at a time. I have been knitting scarves lately since they make nice gifts.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Things in the round ie hats, bags.
17. What are you knitting right now?
A multi-directional scarf and an enterlac pouch.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
I think I should finish the one I started for my daughter before Christmas.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like Addi Turbos and wood
21. Are you a sock knitter?
I have a sock pattern and the yarn for it, I just haven't done it.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mom taught me the basic knit stitch and Mouse has filled in other gaps. I am still learning a lot about knitting.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
About a year and a half old.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I like sheep. Animated...I like cartoons, Jimmy Neutron, the Pink panther, Atomic Betty.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloweeen
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn and fabric, sheep and books.

My neato stuff

2005-01-31T23:50:00.002-08:00

I've been busy...knitting and making stuff to hold my knitting. I have my startitis under control for now. I've been trucking away at my multi-directional scarf. I realized last week that I was adding stitches and had to rip out over a skeins worth of work. Now I'm back on track with that and almost done.

I made myself a knitting bag large enough to hold a small child. It started out as a Butterick pattern but it didn't have enough pockets for my taste. I added 3 extra pockets and found a use for my multi-colored sheepy fabric as a lining.

Then I took an enterlac class at my local yarn store, Alamitos Bay Yarn Co. This was my first class and I dug it. I learned how to make an enterlac pattern, a brioche stitch and that I was purling wrong. I have since fixed my purl. It goes so much quicker now that I'm not screwing it up. I am looking forward to signing up for more classes. Now I just have to wait till their next set of classes. I also did some shopping and picked up some more luscious alpaca yarn and Noro like I used for the enterlac project.

I'm a joiner

2005-01-27T01:29:00.000-08:00

I had to join Secret Pal 4. I had so much fun last time with giving gifts. I enjoyed getting too. So I have to start updating my blog again. I've been knitting, but not writing about it. Part of it is due to the fact that the digital camera will not hold a charge. I like pics with anything I write.

I finished my MIL's scarf and had to rip out the one I'm currently working on. I was knitting on it at two in the morning and the next thing I knew it had gotten wider than it was supposed to be. I pulled out a whole skeins worth of short row work. Really no fun. It made me think that maybe I just wasn't cut out for knitting. After getting Mouses help over the phone I am back to knitting on it again.

I will post my questionaire tommorow night. I have 3 days in a row off coming to me. I'll have time to do things I actually want to do, like sewing a new knitting bag!

My projects

2005-01-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

I have been gone. Christmas is the crazy season in the craft store. I was working 6 day weeks and still am to a certain extent. I've been knitting, but sure not taking pictures. That takes thought and I'm on autopilot and have been for a while. I don't look forward to doing this again next year.

As for knitting I really have been doing it. I knit one of my coworkers a hat in 2 days, which is like a record for me. I am not a fast knitter but I was determined to get it done for her quick. I finished 2 scarves and gave them as gifts this Christmas.

Currently I am knitting my mother in law a scarf, which matches a jacket she made herself. I didn't even realize the yarn I had picked out for this particular scarf was destined to be someones. I was just knitting to knit. Now that it has an owner I am set in getting it done.

My new years resolution as far as knitting is that everything I currently have on knitting needles has to be finished before I start anything else. It is killing me, but I find myself knitting more when I'm just sitting. I have tons of things I want to start.

I signed up to take my first knitting class at the end of January. I'm going to learn enterlac knitting. It takes a ball of Noro Silk Garden and you make a little bag. We'll see if I can play with others while knitting. I also found a local Stitch N Bitch group. I'm hoping to make it to one of their meetings but they only do them the first and third wednesdays of the month. I may never actually make it to one, but now I know there is one in my area.

That's all for now. Maybe I can get the camera to take a charge later and I'll show you some of the things I've been working on. Or maybe it will die again in the middle of picture taking never know around here.

Startitis

2004-12-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

That's right. I have startitis. I have way too many things started and not much finished. I'm having winter angst. I get angsty and start a new project. Currently there are 4 different scarves on needles, a hat, 2 afghans that I just want to forget about and I still yearn to start more.

I have the yarn for a shrug out of Cast On's winter issue. I bought enough Boa in a red and black that I should even have extra. And I bought a 3 pound cone of yarn to make a knit tank top, which will probably take me forever. I think I knit faster in my mind than in reality. So I am now trying to concentrate on one project at a time. I hope to finish my scarves soon. After the first of January I will throw myself into making one thing at a time. I will concentrate on one project at a time. It should be my resolution. I wonder how long I'll stick to that, there are so many things I want to make.

My life as a corporate whore.

2004-11-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

Needless to say, I've been absent from my blog and computer and life in general for a while. As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach I am spending a lot of my time at work, and the time I'm not there I am dealing with kids while thinking about work. I am going to be so happy when the holidays are over and I don't have to train new people or deal with bitchy customers all day (usually complaining about the new workers).

I have been knitting, mostly small stuff. Lots of scarves, because I make them brainless and I can work on them when I'm tired. I abandoned the ribbed hat, because it was frustrating me and instead am making a cell phone cozy.

I went to the FiberFest in Torrance with Mouse. I came home with a load of yarn. I bought rug yarn that will eventually be a felted gift, it softens up nicely when washed. I'm making a multi-directional scarf out of Crystal Palace Roman, which is a gorgeous rayon/cotton blend, which must be a discontinued yarn because I can't find it anywhere on the net. I have also picked up my drop spindle again and am trying futilely to spin something out of Seamus, whom I won at the raffle table.
I always forget that I am better at the drop part than the spin part. I need another lesson.

I also had a birthday, I'm now 26 and don't feel any different. I had Mouse and her DH over for a combined birthday (R's bday is the day before mine). It was great because I got money and went out and spent all of it in a day. I bought some long overdue clothes, a sqooshy turquoise pillow for my legs(side sleeper), the new Stitch & Bitch Nation book and the Sew Easy Knitting Machine. The last was an experiment and I figured for twenty bucks it couldn't be that bad. It's a zippy little knitting machine and RM is fascinated by it.

I also got a present from my Secret Pal, a little pincushion of felted wool, a felted handbag, a sheepy ornament and the coolest Pink Panther CD which is currently in the car stereo. I'll post pics this week. I hate the digital camera, it's too much work when I'm tired. I hope I get one of my own for Christmas. Thats all for now. Back soon I promise.

No pics that I took.

2004-11-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Need to hunt down the camera and load pictures up. I'm a procrastinator, so sue me. I won't apologize but I will tell you about all the stuff I'm doing. I finshed Halloween sewing and now I tackle Christmas. Only two people on my list are undecided. I probably have close to 20 items to sew. Mostly nightshirts, they seem to be requested by quite a few folks. I make big cuddly snuggly ones out of flannel. Some kids items and a couple of Hawaiin shirts round out the list. And I'm knitting a few things.

I decided to knit one hat and I decided yesterday at the Michaels to knit a couple of easy scarves out of sqooshy yarn. I picked up 2 skeins of Cozi in the Fire Brick color. I also gave in and bought 2 skeins of Fancy Fur in the Stained Glass color.
I'll knit them up as last minute gifts, for anyone I might overlook. It never fails that I am scrambling for a present at the last minute. If I have pre-knit scarves I can just bag them up and go. I now have an excuse to play with easy care fun yarn.

Halloween

2004-10-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

So I've been away from the computer for a week. I am sewing Halloween costumes. I am currently making a dinosaur, a fairy and have already finished a Sally dress. If I finish the other costumes I'll keep working on my costume, a belly dancer, that I started last year.

Knitting Info: Not much knitting going on. I am working on a ribbed hat and a garter stitch scarf. I finished my secret pal gift and just need to put one final touch on it. Then it's off in the mail. I'll post on Halloween with pictures of all my finished costumes.

My suck ass weekend.

2004-10-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

So as you all know I've been frantically sewing and trying to finish lots of projects for the craft faire I was doing on the 16th. Long story short I didn't sell one fucking thing. Not one. The only thing that was good was I bartered with another vendor. She wanted one of my purses, I got a neat handmade necklace for my mom for Christmas.

Of course the fact that I didn't sell one thing did not make me happy. I now have a huge bucket of completed stuff, that is still taking up space in my house. Some of it will be given out for Christmas, the rest will wait until friends start breeding again, since a lot of the items are baby things. The bright spot in my day was that Mouse came to hang out with me. She didn't sell anything either. Annie, the woman I work with sold 2 $2 items. We were a bunch of losers at the craft faire. One reassuring thing though was that people said that they liked my stuff. The lady across from us sold almost nothing, same with the lady next to us. Annie and I have decided we will submit our stuff to the Wally World craft faire. They get an amazing amount of foot traffic and hopefully we will sell something there.

Saturday evening, the boy got a head wound. A fell off of the couch and gouged his head. I freaked out, which made RM freak out. Luckily R kept it together and we took care of my copiously bleeding baby. So glad that R is the medical professional and not me. I mean I didn't faint or anything, but panicking is more of what I do. Two upset toddlers at once is too much when my heart is trying to burst out of my chest.

Sunday...Disneyland. It rained Saturday night which usually makes for a good day at the Mouses house. I was right. Not too crowded. Nothing like a 15 minute wait to put you in a good mood. That is like practically walking onto a ride. Note to those with toddlers, Haunted Mansion= baby meltdown. I left after waiting in line for 15 minutes and stepping into the elevator. The dark and screaming had A climbing me trying to get away. I'm just glad this wasn't my first trip or anything.
That was the end of rides for one baby for the day. Next time we'll try again, but with his much loved flashlight. I believe in conquering fears.

I am also blithely knitting along on my Secret Pal 3 gift. I got a good chunk of time to knit at the craft faire and now that I don't have "make stuff" stress, I am finding my knitting enjoyable again. Of course I do have 3 Halloween costumes to make in like a week. Oh well, here comes more stress.

I'm a cat!

2004-10-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Found this neat quiz on one of the blogs that I read. Amazingly enough the results fit.

You are a "Neko" (cat)

What Japanese Smiley Are You?

Quizzes always crack me up. They are usually really random and the results are strange. But I am a cat, ask anyone who knows me well.

Cool stuff.

2004-10-10T23:48:00.000-07:00

So I'm still hard at work on craft faire sellables, but this week I got the coolest gift. My secret pal sent me a box that looked like this...

I was of course excited. Tea right, wrong. I got a neato sock knitting kit.

And the yarn to go with it which looks like this...

Now I've never attempted to knit socks, but I'm willing to try it out. I love that she included the bamboo needles with my kit. As soon as I finish some of my christmas crafting and my own secret pals gift I'm hopping right on these socks. Cool stuff for me to work on. How great is that.

Pictures finally.

2004-10-01T01:03:00.000-07:00

Okay not a lot of content, but lots of pictures. I'm trying to make stuff, but life keeps getting in the way. When I have time most days I'm just too tired. Have to get my butt in gear if I expect to make any money at this craft faire. So here submitted for your approval...stuff I have made.