So, I have managed to find myself a place to rest my head, which I will be able to move into August 1. I'm very excited, it's a cute little place, I can see the ocean from it and there's a very cute little back porch/balcony thing that I plan to spend a lot of time on. :)
The job search is in progress.... not much news there, I'm just interviewing and applying like crazy, and hopefully one of these days something will come of it.
That's about it, I don't really have picture capabilities at this point, but soon I hope.
Today we're finally getting a nice little break from the heat so it's at least bearable....well, I think I'm off to go sit by the ocean for awhile. Have a good one!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Well, I'm here
So, I guess I'm a resident Massachusetts now, for about a week. I still sort of feel like I don't exist, however, as I don't have a job or an address. I'm currently working on both of those things, fear not.
Thus far my time here has been well spent... when not looking for a job or a place to live I have been experiencing what Boston has to offer (which is quite a bit). I am quite enjoying that on any day it's not raining I can walk about 5 minutes and sit by the ocean and just look at the water and enjoy the scenery. I am also enjoying that the actual city of Boston is a 10 minute subway ride away, which should come in handy for when I actually get a job.
It did rain here today, quite hard. In fact, I'm not sure I remember seeing rain quite like that in my time here on this planet. It was like an instant flood. We walked into a store and 10 minutes later we walked out into a giant storm and flooding all over. We did manage to make it home safely so don't worry yourselves on that count, but MAN. That was some rain.
Now, as long as I can manage not to get trapped under a falling tunnel or be involved in a major subway derailment, I'll keep putting every day in the win column. :)
I hope everyone in Michigan is doing well, and I hope you miss me as much as I miss you!
Thus far my time here has been well spent... when not looking for a job or a place to live I have been experiencing what Boston has to offer (which is quite a bit). I am quite enjoying that on any day it's not raining I can walk about 5 minutes and sit by the ocean and just look at the water and enjoy the scenery. I am also enjoying that the actual city of Boston is a 10 minute subway ride away, which should come in handy for when I actually get a job.
It did rain here today, quite hard. In fact, I'm not sure I remember seeing rain quite like that in my time here on this planet. It was like an instant flood. We walked into a store and 10 minutes later we walked out into a giant storm and flooding all over. We did manage to make it home safely so don't worry yourselves on that count, but MAN. That was some rain.
Now, as long as I can manage not to get trapped under a falling tunnel or be involved in a major subway derailment, I'll keep putting every day in the win column. :)
I hope everyone in Michigan is doing well, and I hope you miss me as much as I miss you!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Pictures!
The camera cord has been located! It was put away, which is a clear indication as to why I had trouble finding it. :)
Anyway, here are pictures of the socks (well, one of the socks). Now the recipient's foot is a little bigger than mine so if the toes look a little funny, that's why.
Also, I finished my dad's vest today, after much seaming and end-sewing. The finished result was well-received and it looks excellent! He'll be very stylish this fall on the golf course.
That's all for now, I'm leaving pretty early tomorrow so I need to see to some last minute packing details. Happy 4th of July!!
Anyway, here are pictures of the socks (well, one of the socks). Now the recipient's foot is a little bigger than mine so if the toes look a little funny, that's why.
Also, I finished my dad's vest today, after much seaming and end-sewing. The finished result was well-received and it looks excellent! He'll be very stylish this fall on the golf course.
That's all for now, I'm leaving pretty early tomorrow so I need to see to some last minute packing details. Happy 4th of July!!
Sunday, July 02, 2006
The success of JessFest
My birthday last weekend was a rousing success... I would say that I managed to ring in 25 with a bang (or at least some really really terrible karaoke). We went to Crunchy's here in E.L. and a birthday is just not a birthday without matching t-shirts. Here are a couple photos for ya, and then a little game:
The shirts, as you may or may not be able to tell, contained some movie quotes that I really like or that seemed particularly good for the occasion. I will put them here for you, and see how many of them you know. Any non-pg words have been abbreviated or substituted so as not to offend anyone's sensitivities. :)
If anyone gets all 10 I will be hugely impressed (and if you were there and I told you what they all came from, it doesn't count):
“Austin? Austin, Massachusetts?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’m kind of a big deal. People know me.”
“This one time, at band camp….”
“Earmuffs!”
“Goonies never say die!!”
“Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m a schizophrenic, and so am I”
“There’s no crying in baseball!!”
“Erroneous! Erroneous on both counts!!”
“Yippee-kay-yay, mother-f*&^*r”
“Every now and then say, ‘WTF.’ ‘WTF’ gives you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future.”
On the knitting front, I just finished a pair of CMU socks that I was asked to knit for a woman whose daughter is going there right now. I really liked the way the striping went along the socks, I just hope she does too. I would like to point out, however, that it's quite difficult to take a picture of one's own foot while getting the proper angle and lighting, etc. Either that or I just made it harder than it needed to be. Which is probably much more accurate. And on that note, a picture will have to wait because my camera cord seems to have wandered off somewhere...I can't find it. Oh well, a picture will be forthcoming.
Finally, the move date approaches. I am leaving Michigan on Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day....irony? coincidence?), I got a one-way ticket to Massachusetts and some of the most wonderful friends imaginable who are allowing me to stay with them for a short time until I find a place of my own and so I say farewell to all of you in Michigan, I will do my best to keep in touch and hope you will do the same. Check ya later. :)
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
So THIS is where I left my blog....
Would you believe I've been looking for this darn thing for 4 months? It was my unicorn, the thing in my life I simply could not grasp. Always slightly out of my reach. But I persevered, I pulled through and in the end I am able to savor the sweet flavor my victory.
Okay.
I admit it.
Absolutely none of that is true. In reality I had a mental block about this, I didn't have anything ineteresting to say, I didn't have anything interesting to show, I was simply not interesting.
Suddenly, today, it all changed. Who knows why these things happen really, but today I feel really REALLY interesting. Hugely, in fact.
First, a quick recap: In the last few months I decided to move to Boston with nothing but my smile and stunning personality, sooo I left my job and am now furiously looking for employment out yonder in Beantown, as well as a place to rest my head at the end of the day in order to leave on my scheduled date of July 1. Does this crazy move scare me at all? Oh, I'm freakin' terrified, but it seems that to me a thing just isn't worth doing unless you can procrastinate it long enough to put yourself into fits of anxiety wondering what the heck you were thinking in the first place. It'll all turn out fine, I'm sure. Like they say in Shakespeare In Love:
"It will all turn out well in the end"
"How do you know?"
"I don't! It's a mystery!"
Words to live by. Words that will probably give my parents strokes, but what are children for if not to add to the number of gray hairs on their parents' heads, right?
Anyhow, I appreciate all thew well-wishes and tips/tricks/contacts I've gotten from people everywhere since the news that I'm going and I'll surely keep you posted on what happens to me on my adventures out East.
Moving along, I'll throw in a couple of pictures here, since if it was me and I came across a post with no pictures I'd keep right on moving, because what's the fun in that? Exactly. There is none.
First: I made a pair of socks for my good friend Jessica awhile back...it might be hard to tell from the picture but there's a cabled fabric on the top to make them a little more interesting. The second pair of feet in the picture are her son Cameron's, sporting a pair of socks made for him by their neighbor Kathy. The color may not be that true, but alas...it was the color or the pattern.
And next, a picture of a cow. :) Last weekend I was in Boston (I know, who decides to move somewhere and then takes a vacation there two weeks beforehand? Some crazy person, surely) there were these cows everywhere, and it was never fully explained to me as to what their purpose was. However, this obliging little friend set a nice little scene for a picture (from L to R, me, Toni, Mihai).
And I'll leave you with that... as well as a question, I'm sure, as to how long it will take me to post next time????
Okay.
I admit it.
Absolutely none of that is true. In reality I had a mental block about this, I didn't have anything ineteresting to say, I didn't have anything interesting to show, I was simply not interesting.
Suddenly, today, it all changed. Who knows why these things happen really, but today I feel really REALLY interesting. Hugely, in fact.
First, a quick recap: In the last few months I decided to move to Boston with nothing but my smile and stunning personality, sooo I left my job and am now furiously looking for employment out yonder in Beantown, as well as a place to rest my head at the end of the day in order to leave on my scheduled date of July 1. Does this crazy move scare me at all? Oh, I'm freakin' terrified, but it seems that to me a thing just isn't worth doing unless you can procrastinate it long enough to put yourself into fits of anxiety wondering what the heck you were thinking in the first place. It'll all turn out fine, I'm sure. Like they say in Shakespeare In Love:
"It will all turn out well in the end"
"How do you know?"
"I don't! It's a mystery!"
Words to live by. Words that will probably give my parents strokes, but what are children for if not to add to the number of gray hairs on their parents' heads, right?
Anyhow, I appreciate all thew well-wishes and tips/tricks/contacts I've gotten from people everywhere since the news that I'm going and I'll surely keep you posted on what happens to me on my adventures out East.
Moving along, I'll throw in a couple of pictures here, since if it was me and I came across a post with no pictures I'd keep right on moving, because what's the fun in that? Exactly. There is none.
First: I made a pair of socks for my good friend Jessica awhile back...it might be hard to tell from the picture but there's a cabled fabric on the top to make them a little more interesting. The second pair of feet in the picture are her son Cameron's, sporting a pair of socks made for him by their neighbor Kathy. The color may not be that true, but alas...it was the color or the pattern.
And next, a picture of a cow. :) Last weekend I was in Boston (I know, who decides to move somewhere and then takes a vacation there two weeks beforehand? Some crazy person, surely) there were these cows everywhere, and it was never fully explained to me as to what their purpose was. However, this obliging little friend set a nice little scene for a picture (from L to R, me, Toni, Mihai).
And I'll leave you with that... as well as a question, I'm sure, as to how long it will take me to post next time????
Monday, February 13, 2006
Update
Not that anyone has actually read this in the last 45 minutes or so, but lest you think I spent an extended period of time tearing apart my apartment searching like a crazy person for my camera, rest assured. I found it. Not before going through my bedroom on my hands and knees, searching my car, my roommate's bedroom and a couple of the kitchen cupboards. Where did it finally turn up? Well, it's funny you should ask. It was here:
Yep, sitting right at the corner of my bed. However, in my defense, my comforter was completely covering it until my mania reached a new level and I started just tossing it around. Although I still had to leave the room and come back in to ACTUALLY find it. Long story short, I got it back.
And now, the picture show!
First, we have a new member of our apartment. Introducing Harvey/Marcus/Lewis/Jerome/Bob. Yea, so far we can't come up with a name that sticks. All we know for sure is that he's a boy. He's a very pretty shade of purple, which is a little hard to capture through the bowl. He lives in a margarita pitcher in the kitchen, I think he likes it here. And you know, it's only the coolest fish who live in margarita pitchers.
Next, I've been working on a pair of socks. I'm "virtually" through with Sarah's Toe Up Sock class (haha - see, because I'm taking it as a virtual class and I'm almost finished) The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Glenwood. I love love love the colors, I would knit everything in these colors if I could. And you know, if it wouldn't eventually get really boring. Grace is modeling them because they're gigantic and my feet just look ridiculous in them, but they're actually for my sister-in-law. You may be thinking, "Jessie, you crazy person, why don't you knit them for yourself if you love the color so much??" and my reply to you is this: I do love the colors, and I enjoy knitting socks, but I really don't like to wear knitted socks. I don't like to wear ANY socks. So there you go. I'll keep knitting socks but they will always be for other people.
And now my newest project. The Barclay Vest from Simply Shetland. My dad has been wanting a vest or a sweater for quite a few years. Pretty much since my mom started knitting when I was still in high school. However, my mom has very little to no interest in knitting sweaters. So here we are. I'm knitting it with Jo Sharp DK. It's very gorgeous and lovely to knit and so far it's going pretty fast. We'll see how I feel about it once I've finished the back and have moved on to the front. :)
Welp, that's it for now, catch ya later! And I'll be keeping EXTRA close tabs on my camera. Rest assured.
Yep, sitting right at the corner of my bed. However, in my defense, my comforter was completely covering it until my mania reached a new level and I started just tossing it around. Although I still had to leave the room and come back in to ACTUALLY find it. Long story short, I got it back.
And now, the picture show!
First, we have a new member of our apartment. Introducing Harvey/Marcus/Lewis/Jerome/Bob. Yea, so far we can't come up with a name that sticks. All we know for sure is that he's a boy. He's a very pretty shade of purple, which is a little hard to capture through the bowl. He lives in a margarita pitcher in the kitchen, I think he likes it here. And you know, it's only the coolest fish who live in margarita pitchers.
Next, I've been working on a pair of socks. I'm "virtually" through with Sarah's Toe Up Sock class (haha - see, because I'm taking it as a virtual class and I'm almost finished) The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Glenwood. I love love love the colors, I would knit everything in these colors if I could. And you know, if it wouldn't eventually get really boring. Grace is modeling them because they're gigantic and my feet just look ridiculous in them, but they're actually for my sister-in-law. You may be thinking, "Jessie, you crazy person, why don't you knit them for yourself if you love the color so much??" and my reply to you is this: I do love the colors, and I enjoy knitting socks, but I really don't like to wear knitted socks. I don't like to wear ANY socks. So there you go. I'll keep knitting socks but they will always be for other people.
And now my newest project. The Barclay Vest from Simply Shetland. My dad has been wanting a vest or a sweater for quite a few years. Pretty much since my mom started knitting when I was still in high school. However, my mom has very little to no interest in knitting sweaters. So here we are. I'm knitting it with Jo Sharp DK. It's very gorgeous and lovely to knit and so far it's going pretty fast. We'll see how I feel about it once I've finished the back and have moved on to the front. :)
Welp, that's it for now, catch ya later! And I'll be keeping EXTRA close tabs on my camera. Rest assured.
melt-down
It's question/answer time:
Have you, Jessie, been EXTREMELY neglectful in your blogging?
Yes, Blog, I sure have.
Have you been pretty much an all around slacker for the last month or so?
Yes, Blog, I sure have.
Have you actually done ANY knitting or ANYTHING worth showing?
YES!! Yes I have!!!!
So, what's the deal, you big slacker?!?!?!!?
WELL.
All this time I thought that I hadn't posted because I just didn't really feel like it, I couldn't think of anything clever to say, all the things I was working on were actually top secret and therefore I couldn't show you pictures.
However, it turns out that was incorrect. This evening I find myself feeling rather verbose and ready to sit down and compose a good, long entry. Complete with photos. I go to the top shelf of my handy yarn bookshelf to grab my camera....only there is no camera there. Or in my armoire. Or on the coffee table or the kitchen or the dining room or any other surface I can find. Now, my apartment is NOT that big and yes, I'll admit my room is less than spotless and there are clothes covering most of the floor but I'm officially FREAKING OUT.
Where is it???!?!??!?! Has anyone seen it? Little Coolpix, my handsome friend... I will not rest until you have been recovered!!!!
And now, off on my quest to find my little buddy. Send positive thoughts my way so karma will be on my side to find him soon.
Have you, Jessie, been EXTREMELY neglectful in your blogging?
Yes, Blog, I sure have.
Have you been pretty much an all around slacker for the last month or so?
Yes, Blog, I sure have.
Have you actually done ANY knitting or ANYTHING worth showing?
YES!! Yes I have!!!!
So, what's the deal, you big slacker?!?!?!!?
WELL.
All this time I thought that I hadn't posted because I just didn't really feel like it, I couldn't think of anything clever to say, all the things I was working on were actually top secret and therefore I couldn't show you pictures.
However, it turns out that was incorrect. This evening I find myself feeling rather verbose and ready to sit down and compose a good, long entry. Complete with photos. I go to the top shelf of my handy yarn bookshelf to grab my camera....only there is no camera there. Or in my armoire. Or on the coffee table or the kitchen or the dining room or any other surface I can find. Now, my apartment is NOT that big and yes, I'll admit my room is less than spotless and there are clothes covering most of the floor but I'm officially FREAKING OUT.
Where is it???!?!??!?! Has anyone seen it? Little Coolpix, my handsome friend... I will not rest until you have been recovered!!!!
And now, off on my quest to find my little buddy. Send positive thoughts my way so karma will be on my side to find him soon.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Phew! I just FINALLY finished the baby blanket I was test knitting for Lynn ( www.colorjoy.com/weblog ), who has been waiting EXTREMELY patiently for it. Way more patiently than I would have been, that's for sure. But I finished. See, you're thinking "baby blanket. Babies are small... why are you so slow???!?!" but in reality a blanket is still a blanket which is a lot of stitches and a lot of time. However, I can tell you now that it's finished that it is a luscioius, gorgeous blanket, and I really really love the yarn! Hand dyed by Lynn herself, and machine washable. Do yourself a favor, go over to her website and look at all her great patterns and yarn. Wait, what's that? You want to actually SEE this blanket? Yes, I thought you might, so I took the liberty of taking a picture. The color is FAIRLY true, it just took me awhile to realize that I need to take all my pictures in my bedroom on the white comforter with the overhead light and a small lamp turned on with no flash. Very delicate conditions, let me assure you.
So the next question becomes, what did I do in celebration of completing the ONLY project I had on needles? (wait, did I just say that I only had ONE project on needles? I can't even remember the last time that happened) The answer to this question is that I immediately started two new projects and planned two more after that. Because that makes total sense, right? In my defense the two I've started look to be fairly short and I like to be prepared.
New project #1 should look fairly familiar (if it doesn't go check out archives...November I think):
New project #2 is a teaser:
What's in the bag?? What's in the bag?? This is the yarn for my super secret bag exchange buddy for Guild. Go ahead, try and figure out what's in there. I dare ya. The secret shall not be unveiled until May. So you'll just have to be patient. But I'm confident that the wait will be worth it.
And now to settle in for my first weekend with nothing to do (except for going to work this morning) since Thanksgiving I think. I'm going to do nothing but watch football and knit and be lazy for the next 2 days. It'll be GREAT.
So the next question becomes, what did I do in celebration of completing the ONLY project I had on needles? (wait, did I just say that I only had ONE project on needles? I can't even remember the last time that happened) The answer to this question is that I immediately started two new projects and planned two more after that. Because that makes total sense, right? In my defense the two I've started look to be fairly short and I like to be prepared.
New project #1 should look fairly familiar (if it doesn't go check out archives...November I think):
New project #2 is a teaser:
What's in the bag?? What's in the bag?? This is the yarn for my super secret bag exchange buddy for Guild. Go ahead, try and figure out what's in there. I dare ya. The secret shall not be unveiled until May. So you'll just have to be patient. But I'm confident that the wait will be worth it.
And now to settle in for my first weekend with nothing to do (except for going to work this morning) since Thanksgiving I think. I'm going to do nothing but watch football and knit and be lazy for the next 2 days. It'll be GREAT.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
New year, thank goodness!!
Happy 2006, and good riddance to 2005, at least as far as I'm concerned. I have to say that on the whole, with the exception of a couple really great things (getting my braces off, my nephew being born) it wasn't my favorite year. But I have a good feeling about 2006, and I'm looking forward to whatever might happen.
The year started off the right way, with a trip to Boston and a rockin' NYE party at Sacha's house. Toni and I found the COOLEST balloons on the planet and managed to get the last set. We bought the display and while we were waiting for it to be reinflated, two other people came up and asked for them. But we won! They were ours! It was a great party and a great (but short) trip.
The year started off the right way, with a trip to Boston and a rockin' NYE party at Sacha's house. Toni and I found the COOLEST balloons on the planet and managed to get the last set. We bought the display and while we were waiting for it to be reinflated, two other people came up and asked for them. But we won! They were ours! It was a great party and a great (but short) trip.
Now back in Lansing, I decided to look into some organization for the new year. We'll do a photo progression here:
1. My stash of yarn as it was this morning. Not very pleasing to the eye, and not very conducive to seeing what I have.
2. The new bookshelf I got on clearance at Target Friday night that maimed me Saturday morning when I bent over and caught the corner of it with my head (it was in a different location than it is now)
3. Stash + bookshelf = way prettier and less space consuming way to display what I have spent probably far too much money on in the first place.
Now I know that according to some yarn buying professionals this is merely a weak attempt at a stash but what can I say? I'm young and I have limited space and money. :)
Anyway, here's to a good year!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas!
Man, December has sure flown by...what have I been doing with my time? Oh yea, frantically trying to get caught up for Christmas, spend time with loved ones, and get into gear for our busiest time of year at work. Work work work work work.
Here is a little cutie that I made for my nephew for Christmas...from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book again, I seriously love that book. I think he's a very cute little elephant.
Exciting news for the day: In a generous showing of Christmas spirit to myself, I just purchased a plane ticket to spend New Year's in Boston with Sacha and Toni! I am SO EXCITED, I love love love Boston! As many of you probably already know!
I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday (whichever holiday you celebrate) full of friends, family and lots of good food!
Here is a little cutie that I made for my nephew for Christmas...from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book again, I seriously love that book. I think he's a very cute little elephant.
Exciting news for the day: In a generous showing of Christmas spirit to myself, I just purchased a plane ticket to spend New Year's in Boston with Sacha and Toni! I am SO EXCITED, I love love love Boston! As many of you probably already know!
I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday (whichever holiday you celebrate) full of friends, family and lots of good food!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
No rest for the wicked
Well, I've been a busy girl the last couple of weeks, that's for sure.
Thanksgiving weekend was out of control, with family everywhere. My dad's sister, two brothers and one sister-in-law, my brother, sister-in-law and nephew, and a cousin and his girlfriend. It was great to see everyone, but that's a lot of people. Never a dull moment, as they say.
On the plus side, hanging out with family gave me lots of time to knit, and I got quite a nice chunk done on the baby blanket I'm test knitting for Lynn ( http://www.colorjoy.com/weblog/ ). It's gorgeous, this yarn is totally to die for. I'm having great fun knitting it, it's so soft! Not to mention machine washable. Fabulous.
Thanksgiving weekend was out of control, with family everywhere. My dad's sister, two brothers and one sister-in-law, my brother, sister-in-law and nephew, and a cousin and his girlfriend. It was great to see everyone, but that's a lot of people. Never a dull moment, as they say.
On the plus side, hanging out with family gave me lots of time to knit, and I got quite a nice chunk done on the baby blanket I'm test knitting for Lynn ( http://www.colorjoy.com/weblog/ ). It's gorgeous, this yarn is totally to die for. I'm having great fun knitting it, it's so soft! Not to mention machine washable. Fabulous.
Also, I finished my Aran bag from Sarah's class ( www.handknitter.sarahpeasley.com ), well, all except for the actualy stitching of the lining to the bag. Let me just tell you how it's practically a miracle that I managed to get the lining sewn together with the interfacing and all that jazz to get the bag to stand up. Sewing is not my strong point. Still, it was a fun bag to do and now I feel as though I've expanded my bag creating horizons, now that I don't necessarily have to felt a bag for it to be practical to carry. At any rate, here's my almost finished bag:
Next, Grace and I have a friend, Leo, who is gearing up for his first winter in Michigan after having grown up in Costa Rica. Needless to say he'll be quite cold. So in an effort to keep him from running as fast as possible away from here in about mid-January, I'm in the process of making him a hat and scarf to stay warm. I'm using Lion Brand Wool-Ease chunky knit on size 10 needles, and this stuff is like armor. If wind gets through this hat, you should go inside immediately because it's probably dangerous outside. :) The hat is a pattern I found on the internet a couple of years ago, I'm not even sure it has a name, and the scarf is called Men's Rustic Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, which is probably the best investment in a book I've made. If you don't have it, I most definitely recommend looking into it. Someday I would like to knit everything in it. And that's saying a lot (I'm very picky).
And now I'm going to settle in for a cozy evening of watching the old Disney animated Robin Hood which just arrived from Amazon.com. Possibly followed by Pete's Dragon... I seriously think it's been about 2 and a half weeks since I've had an evening to myself to just sit and do whatever I want. I'm going to relish it and completely hermit myself in here (yes, I just turned hermit into a verb)
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Trying to compensate for being a slacker...
So I'm taking this Intro to Aran class, and I'm diggin' the cables and all is going well and then... I messed up. I ripped out 16 rows and started over. Now I realize that 16 doesn't sound like a lot, but cables are TIME CONSUMING.
So, to cut to the point, I was unprepared for Wednesday's class. Lucky for me, I was not the only unprepared one, but still. As a lifetime brownnoser and overall goody-goody, it was stressful not to have my homework done. :)
So I worked really hard to make up for it and finished all the knitting for my bag today. Straps are done and attached and everything. All it requires now is washing and blocking (along with the washing of the lining). Phew. So that's a load off.
And here is a picture of the finished product. Actually, 2 pictures. One of the bag as a whole, and one close up of the cables. I'm not sure if I've mentioned before on here or not that I was also difficult in that I wanted to do a different cable in the middle of the bag. The original had diamonds in the center, but I have a fascination with braided/Celtic looking cables, so I found one that fit the chart and used that instead. I'm really happy with how it turned out, even though the bag turned out smaller than i anticipated and I have an entire skein of yarn left. Too bad I already wound it and therefore can't return it. Oh well, I'm pretty sure I'll find a use for it.
I am also about to start knitting a blanket as a test for LynnH ( www.colorjoy.com/weblog/ ) once I go out tomorrow and get needles for it. I find it completely hard to believe that after 2 and a half years of knitting, working at a yarn shop for 10 months and acquiring more stuff than I can even think about, I still don't have size 9 needles. It's unfathomable to me. Anyway. It will be started tomorrow, mark my words.
Last but not least, at this past Tuesday's Guild meeting, we did a program in which we had a sort of mini- knitalong. We all knit little stars that will be strung together in a garland ( thank you thank you thank you Tamsyn for agreeing to crochet them on a chain) and given away in a drawing at our December meeting. I heard pretty positive things about the program, I think a lot of people left feeling excited about knitting more stars. And that makes me happy, I love seeing people excited. Here is the collection of stars we had by the end of the meeting, aren't they great? There are still a couple seams to sew and some ends to weave, but such a great variety, I can't wait to see it all put together!
Ok the for real last thing. My dad and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie today. It was the first one I didn't make it to on opening night, but last night I was at a party with my friend Jenny which was SO much fun! I loved the movie, obviously, and I'm sure I'll be seeing it again before too long... maybe IMAX next time? We'll see.
So, to cut to the point, I was unprepared for Wednesday's class. Lucky for me, I was not the only unprepared one, but still. As a lifetime brownnoser and overall goody-goody, it was stressful not to have my homework done. :)
So I worked really hard to make up for it and finished all the knitting for my bag today. Straps are done and attached and everything. All it requires now is washing and blocking (along with the washing of the lining). Phew. So that's a load off.
And here is a picture of the finished product. Actually, 2 pictures. One of the bag as a whole, and one close up of the cables. I'm not sure if I've mentioned before on here or not that I was also difficult in that I wanted to do a different cable in the middle of the bag. The original had diamonds in the center, but I have a fascination with braided/Celtic looking cables, so I found one that fit the chart and used that instead. I'm really happy with how it turned out, even though the bag turned out smaller than i anticipated and I have an entire skein of yarn left. Too bad I already wound it and therefore can't return it. Oh well, I'm pretty sure I'll find a use for it.
Now it's time to move on to new and interesting things. There's the charity hat knitting for the Mid Michigan Knitting Guild (of which I am a member and an officer...now how did that happen?) and these are the colors I got in my grab bags... the gray and camo goes together and the red/white/blue goes together. I'll have to try and come up with something creative to do with them.
I am also about to start knitting a blanket as a test for LynnH ( www.colorjoy.com/weblog/ ) once I go out tomorrow and get needles for it. I find it completely hard to believe that after 2 and a half years of knitting, working at a yarn shop for 10 months and acquiring more stuff than I can even think about, I still don't have size 9 needles. It's unfathomable to me. Anyway. It will be started tomorrow, mark my words.
Last but not least, at this past Tuesday's Guild meeting, we did a program in which we had a sort of mini- knitalong. We all knit little stars that will be strung together in a garland ( thank you thank you thank you Tamsyn for agreeing to crochet them on a chain) and given away in a drawing at our December meeting. I heard pretty positive things about the program, I think a lot of people left feeling excited about knitting more stars. And that makes me happy, I love seeing people excited. Here is the collection of stars we had by the end of the meeting, aren't they great? There are still a couple seams to sew and some ends to weave, but such a great variety, I can't wait to see it all put together!
Ok the for real last thing. My dad and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie today. It was the first one I didn't make it to on opening night, but last night I was at a party with my friend Jenny which was SO much fun! I loved the movie, obviously, and I'm sure I'll be seeing it again before too long... maybe IMAX next time? We'll see.
Friday, November 18, 2005
My promise to you
So I just made a quick decision that I'm going to try and go no more than 10 days without posting. I'd like to say it'll be more frequent than that, but I can't make any guarantees.
So phew, I'm getting in just under the wire.
I don't have new pictures to show just yet, but my bag for Sarah's Intro to Aran class is coming along, now that I decided to change the cable pattern in the middle about 5 rows after where I decided to start changing it. With Sarah's help and a lot of handholding I managed to get things to where they should be and I SHOULD be up to where I need to be for the next class (3 cheers for a 4 day weekend next week).
Tonight I'm going to the PwC holiday party with my friend Jenny as her date. An excuse to get all dressed up and go to a party sounds good to me. Especially with how disgusting it's been this week weather-wise.
Tomorrow I see Harry Potter with my dad! This is the first one I haven't made it to on opening night, but I'm working on being ok with that. Really, I'll be ok. It's not going to matter if I don't see it RIGHT when it comes out. Right? OK stop thinking about it.
Oh geez! I better get to work!
So phew, I'm getting in just under the wire.
I don't have new pictures to show just yet, but my bag for Sarah's Intro to Aran class is coming along, now that I decided to change the cable pattern in the middle about 5 rows after where I decided to start changing it. With Sarah's help and a lot of handholding I managed to get things to where they should be and I SHOULD be up to where I need to be for the next class (3 cheers for a 4 day weekend next week).
Tonight I'm going to the PwC holiday party with my friend Jenny as her date. An excuse to get all dressed up and go to a party sounds good to me. Especially with how disgusting it's been this week weather-wise.
Tomorrow I see Harry Potter with my dad! This is the first one I haven't made it to on opening night, but I'm working on being ok with that. Really, I'll be ok. It's not going to matter if I don't see it RIGHT when it comes out. Right? OK stop thinking about it.
Oh geez! I better get to work!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Quack attack!
daaaaa na
daaaaa na
daa na daa na daaa na
(ok that was my lame attempt at shark music. Just play along)
Attack!
No, silly, they're not really going to attack you...these are the baby booties I made for my friend Sarah whose baby shower Grace and I will be attending on Saturday. Aren't they so cute?
I believe this now makes the 3rd pair of these I've made...because seriously, can you think of a baby that DOESN'T deserve a pair of cute and adorable duck feet booties? Neither can I. So as long as people keep having babies, I'll keep making booties. Since I'm in approximately my mid-20's I figure I'll be pretty busy on the baby knitting front for about the next 5-7 years.
The pattern is called "Duck Feet" (very clever) and it's from the book 50 Baby Bootees (Booties? I'm not sure how they spelled it) to Knit. It can be found at your local yarn store. I should just buy the whole book. I love booties. Hint, hint, anyone out there looking for Christmas shopping ideas for me. ;) just kidding
(but you know, not really)
daaaaa na
daa na daa na daaa na
(ok that was my lame attempt at shark music. Just play along)
Attack!
No, silly, they're not really going to attack you...these are the baby booties I made for my friend Sarah whose baby shower Grace and I will be attending on Saturday. Aren't they so cute?
I believe this now makes the 3rd pair of these I've made...because seriously, can you think of a baby that DOESN'T deserve a pair of cute and adorable duck feet booties? Neither can I. So as long as people keep having babies, I'll keep making booties. Since I'm in approximately my mid-20's I figure I'll be pretty busy on the baby knitting front for about the next 5-7 years.
The pattern is called "Duck Feet" (very clever) and it's from the book 50 Baby Bootees (Booties? I'm not sure how they spelled it) to Knit. It can be found at your local yarn store. I should just buy the whole book. I love booties. Hint, hint, anyone out there looking for Christmas shopping ideas for me. ;) just kidding
(but you know, not really)
Saturday, November 05, 2005
they say the first step is admitting you have an addiction...
Well, I've got one. A big one. For Target. It's like some sort of sickness. And I find that a lot of my activities these days take place in the Okemos/Haslett area, which is close to where I work. I live in South Lansing, so when I have activities after work, I tend to just try and kill time between work and said activity. The problem with this, of course, is the Target across from the Meridian Mall. It just sucks me in. For example, this past Tuesday I was wandering around Target because I needed to buy a couple birthday cards. CARDS. Well, after about 40 minutes I walked out with some hair products, some body wash, the cards I went in for, a gift, and these:
Yes, feeding my Target addiction has a nasty habit of feeding my movie addiction. I had to really cut myself off from buying more than just those three, too. I spend a good 3 minutes arguing with myself over whether or not to buy myself the complete Sex and the City dvd set. My checkbook won in the end, but I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold out.
On the knitting front, progress is being made, sort of. Here's a picture of my bag for Intro to Aran class...although we'll call it the "after" picture. I was actually pretty far when I decided that I could use a little more practice (translation: I messed up and it was far more satisfying to rip it out than to spend the time trying to figure out where I messed up and how to fix it) so I'm starting the sides again. I like it a lot, I'm excited to have a finished bag soon! Of course I had to be a little bit of a problem child and change Sarah's pattern a little, but she didn't seem to mind and it makes me so much more excited to work on it!
Close up of the cables on the bottom:
And for now I'll leave you with this:
"I could think of things I never thought before. And then I'd sit and think some more..... if I only had a brain..."
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Eureka!!
Phew! Just when I thought I was DEFINITELY going crazy (any comments about that can be kept to yourselves) I located the cord to my camera. For a reason that will probably remain a mystery to me, it was in the front pocket of the bag I take when I go somewhere overnight. Why would I have ever thought it necessary to pack the USB cable to my camera overnight? Your guess is as good as mine. But at least I found my cord...yay!
And now for the long-awaited slide show of knitted wonders....:)
I'm going to go in order of importance, least being first and best being last. You know what I mean.
I am (slowly but surely) knitting a dishcloth out of your typical Sugar N Spice or whatever it's called (cream n sugar? I don't know, it doesn't matter). Anyway, Andrea gave me these dishcloth patterns that I think are kind of interesting...this one is called Columns, and I think it's pretty (and we badly, badly need the dishcloths around here...it's lousy not having a dishwasher)
This is a little blurry, but I wanted to show an up close picture of the stitches and how pretty the colors looked together with the way they pooled.
So there you have it...coming soon, duck feet baby booties for baby Allan, a pair (maybe) of socklets (what are they? you'll just have to wait and see), and whatever catches my attention to start next!
And now for the long-awaited slide show of knitted wonders....:)
I'm going to go in order of importance, least being first and best being last. You know what I mean.
I am (slowly but surely) knitting a dishcloth out of your typical Sugar N Spice or whatever it's called (cream n sugar? I don't know, it doesn't matter). Anyway, Andrea gave me these dishcloth patterns that I think are kind of interesting...this one is called Columns, and I think it's pretty (and we badly, badly need the dishcloths around here...it's lousy not having a dishwasher)
Next, are a pair of socks that started out with the intention of going to one friend, but Grace looked at them when I was halfway through and said, "I really like those. When are you going to knit something for me?" I politely reminded her of the ridiculous lacy shawl that took me SIX MONTHS to knit, but then she got pouty and said, "but that was a long time ago and you just finished knitting a blanket for Corene, so I should get the socks." What can I say, at the time it was a persuasive argument. Grace got the socks. Corene will get the next pair.
Now, I have no attention span for knitting one sock at a time, so I shelled out one day for 4 addi turbos in size 1 in order to knit them in pairs...however, the yarn (Opal handpaints, maybe? Opal something self-striping. Clearly I'm not too with it today on remembering what yarn I'm using) comes in 100g sizes (one ball= one pair of socks). So I took the two ends of the ball and wound them until they met in the middle. The result? The socks are mirror images of each other, which I think makes them look kind of cool and Grace didn't seem to mind. This was also a first attempt at the after thought heel, which I think looks about a hundred times better when the sock is actually on a foot (which is, of course, the best time to look at it). Next time I'll get really daring and go toe-up so whenever I get tired of them I can just stop and call it a day. Now if only I could figure out how to make the kitchener on the heel look a little neater at the ends...
Mirror images:
Finished product, modeled by the new owner:
And last but not least, the long awaited wedding afghan. The pattern for this is called "Pleated Afghan," which I got from my mother, and the yarn is Patons Decor (this one I'm sure of). It's a pretty simple pattern, but I think it makes a gorgeous blanket and I did I-cord edging along the sides, which looks nice and is easy to do as you go along, not to mention way easier for tucking ends in. And the Decor is so soft! It was VERY hard to give away. But I know Corene and Dan will like it and *hopefully* get lots of good use out of it.
This is a little blurry, but I wanted to show an up close picture of the stitches and how pretty the colors looked together with the way they pooled.So there you have it...coming soon, duck feet baby booties for baby Allan, a pair (maybe) of socklets (what are they? you'll just have to wait and see), and whatever catches my attention to start next!
Monday, October 24, 2005
ahhhhhhh!
I STILL CAN'T FIND MY CAMERA CORD. I'M ABOUT TWO STEPS AWAY FROM FREAKING OUT.
But really, I'm ok. No, really.
But really, I'm ok. No, really.
Friday, October 21, 2005
I know, I know...
Yes, I know. It's been forever. You thought I deserted you. Several of you have yelled at me for it. But hey, I've been busy!
On October 8, my brother and his wife (well, more his wife, obviously) had their baby! Carter Allan finally showed up at 12:31am weighing 8lbs, 14oz. He's the cutest baby on the planet, of course, and I can't wait to see him again!
Work is busy because I don't know anything, but I'm learning!
Last weekend I went to see Amy's new house, which is incredibly cute and awesome and grownup. And it freaks me out a little, but then again I get a little more freaked out everytime someone I know buys a house, gets married, has a baby, etc.
Speaking of getting married, Corene's wedding is tomorrow! Her blanket was actually finished with like 3 weeks to spare, which is practically a miracle. :)
And lastly, I had all these pictures to show that I just took, of the blanket, the socks I'm making for Grace, this dishcloth I'm doing that's a cool looking pattern (I think) and the bottom of the bag I'm making in Sarah's Intro to Aran class...
...but I can't find the cord that connects the camera to the computer!!! aaaaahh. It's probably got something to do with the fact that my room is a total disaster area, but it's getting cleaned up by tonight, I swear. So pictures by the end of the weekend. I PROMISE.
Signing off :)
On October 8, my brother and his wife (well, more his wife, obviously) had their baby! Carter Allan finally showed up at 12:31am weighing 8lbs, 14oz. He's the cutest baby on the planet, of course, and I can't wait to see him again!
Work is busy because I don't know anything, but I'm learning!
Last weekend I went to see Amy's new house, which is incredibly cute and awesome and grownup. And it freaks me out a little, but then again I get a little more freaked out everytime someone I know buys a house, gets married, has a baby, etc.
Speaking of getting married, Corene's wedding is tomorrow! Her blanket was actually finished with like 3 weeks to spare, which is practically a miracle. :)
And lastly, I had all these pictures to show that I just took, of the blanket, the socks I'm making for Grace, this dishcloth I'm doing that's a cool looking pattern (I think) and the bottom of the bag I'm making in Sarah's Intro to Aran class...
...but I can't find the cord that connects the camera to the computer!!! aaaaahh. It's probably got something to do with the fact that my room is a total disaster area, but it's getting cleaned up by tonight, I swear. So pictures by the end of the weekend. I PROMISE.
Signing off :)
Thursday, September 29, 2005
A satisfying sense of accomplishment
This week I did what I thought just a short time ago was impossible. I finished not one but TWO major projects this week. Major.
First, I finished the blanket for Corene and Dan's wedding next month. No pictures until after the wedding, however. Take my word that it's fan-freakin-tastic and a part of me wants to keep it for myself. People I know better stop getting married for awhile because after a little break I want the next afghan I knit to be for myself.
The second thing I finished (just minutes ago, actually) was my wallaby! It was, in fact, the second time I knit it. I got almost all the way through it once and decided that I didn't like the very bottom of the sweater so I ripped the whole thing out and started over. I then did a little knit along with Jessica, who was making a wallaby for Cameron (who is almost 3). It was a bit of a struggle at times, as I have a very short attention span and Jessica's was about 4 times smaller and therefore faster. But I persevered and I finally finished!
*Technically I used the pattern from Cottage Creations, but I change the bottom, the sleeves, the top and I didn't do the hood or the collar. It was, however, extremely helpful as far as the pocket goes.
Now it's time to get back to knitting baby things, assuming the baby ever decides to SHOW. (He was due the 25th, it is now the 29th. Patience is not my best virtue) :)
First, I finished the blanket for Corene and Dan's wedding next month. No pictures until after the wedding, however. Take my word that it's fan-freakin-tastic and a part of me wants to keep it for myself. People I know better stop getting married for awhile because after a little break I want the next afghan I knit to be for myself.
The second thing I finished (just minutes ago, actually) was my wallaby! It was, in fact, the second time I knit it. I got almost all the way through it once and decided that I didn't like the very bottom of the sweater so I ripped the whole thing out and started over. I then did a little knit along with Jessica, who was making a wallaby for Cameron (who is almost 3). It was a bit of a struggle at times, as I have a very short attention span and Jessica's was about 4 times smaller and therefore faster. But I persevered and I finally finished!
*Technically I used the pattern from Cottage Creations, but I change the bottom, the sleeves, the top and I didn't do the hood or the collar. It was, however, extremely helpful as far as the pocket goes.
Now it's time to get back to knitting baby things, assuming the baby ever decides to SHOW. (He was due the 25th, it is now the 29th. Patience is not my best virtue) :)
Friday, September 23, 2005
Go Cubs!
Hello to Stephanie, who found my blog through someone else and asked for the pattern that it came from.... and never let it be said that I don't take direction well:
As many know, I'm about to be an aunt (any day now, the due date is Sunday) and I've been knitting things like crazy...there was the sweater in July, a pair of booties that I made before I even started the blog, and I have about 12 more ideas. Basically, I'm completely out of control. But in a good way. Moving on...
First, here is a picture of said hat (it looks much bigger than it is, my little brother is holding it more in front than to the side. It's very small.)
The pattern is called "Ball Cap" by Pick Up Sticks! (I would imagine it can be found at www.pickupsticksonline.com I did things a little differently, however. Instead of knitting the cap and the brim separately, felting them separately and sewing them together, I picked up stitches and felted it as one piece. So, I didn't get the ridged effect you see in the picture on the pattern. Also, I thought the brim was a little too pointy (and I wanted a more rounded look, like a baseball cap) so after I felted the hat the first time, I trimmed the edge and felted it again. And that is how it became the hat it is today.
As for the letter, I just graphed a little gameplan to try and get as rounded of a "C" as possible (so it would look as Cubs-ish as possible) and the pattern said to double strand using a stem or outlining stitch. But since I'm garbage at embroidery and that phrase basically meant nothing to me no matter how many times I tried to figure out how to do it. So I took a single strand of the red and just duplicate stitched the "C". I don't really notice a huge difference after felting between the way my hat looked and the way the picture looked as far as the letter was concerned.
So that's that, the story of the hat. Oh, and I made the 2nd size. It gets pretty small and I definitely recommend finding a bowl or a pitcher or something to stretch it back out a little and get the shape you want.
And that's all, folks.
As many know, I'm about to be an aunt (any day now, the due date is Sunday) and I've been knitting things like crazy...there was the sweater in July, a pair of booties that I made before I even started the blog, and I have about 12 more ideas. Basically, I'm completely out of control. But in a good way. Moving on...
First, here is a picture of said hat (it looks much bigger than it is, my little brother is holding it more in front than to the side. It's very small.)
The pattern is called "Ball Cap" by Pick Up Sticks! (I would imagine it can be found at www.pickupsticksonline.com I did things a little differently, however. Instead of knitting the cap and the brim separately, felting them separately and sewing them together, I picked up stitches and felted it as one piece. So, I didn't get the ridged effect you see in the picture on the pattern. Also, I thought the brim was a little too pointy (and I wanted a more rounded look, like a baseball cap) so after I felted the hat the first time, I trimmed the edge and felted it again. And that is how it became the hat it is today.
As for the letter, I just graphed a little gameplan to try and get as rounded of a "C" as possible (so it would look as Cubs-ish as possible) and the pattern said to double strand using a stem or outlining stitch. But since I'm garbage at embroidery and that phrase basically meant nothing to me no matter how many times I tried to figure out how to do it. So I took a single strand of the red and just duplicate stitched the "C". I don't really notice a huge difference after felting between the way my hat looked and the way the picture looked as far as the letter was concerned.
So that's that, the story of the hat. Oh, and I made the 2nd size. It gets pretty small and I definitely recommend finding a bowl or a pitcher or something to stretch it back out a little and get the shape you want.
And that's all, folks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
