Amy in da hoooooouse!

Wednesday night's DKC meeting was aweome! Amy R. Singer shared her no-wool knitterly knowledge and gave a trunk show of the beautiful garments that grace the No Sheep For You pages. Amy covered the meeting quite nicely in her blog.

For me, it was one of the best meeting because she's someone who really opened up knitting for me. If Knitty didn't exist I wouldn't be knitting today and I'm sure I can say that for a lot of knitters who've picked up the craft in the last few years. What's nice is I think Amy and I have become friends. See what good friends we've become??!

Hee-hee! I've got more silly and non-silly photos here. Seriously, thanks Amy for rawking the house!

Amy R Singer! DKC! Tonight!

I have all the bleachers out and and extra row of chairs on standby at the YMCA. There's a place for YOUR tushey so come on out and hear Amy talk about her new book, No Sheep For You!

I'm back!

It took a week to get over my flu. Luckily for me I still had a week and a half left of my vacation to enjoy. I mostly saw friends and ate lots of yummy food and did a few touristy things while out and about. I took some pictures. Check 'em out if you're interested. Unfortunately I am so swamped with work and life that I don't have much time to blog. But it was a perfect trip and I even came back with a slight tan.

California dreaming...

As happy I am being back in SF, I'm not happy that I have been bedridden for the last 5 days with a very nasty cold/flu thing. Seriously. The weather has been perfect, but my head has been too full of snot to want to venture far from a box of kleenex. All my favourite restaurants are calling me, but my taste buds are dead and I can't taste a freakin' thing. Plans have been canceled because I just couldn't function with the cold/hot body temperature.

I finally venturing out today even though I'm not 100%. Wish me luck that by the time I get on the plane to Seattle that I'll have my wits back.

Just because...

I felt it was time for a gratuitous cat picture!

Anyways, blog will be silent for a bit as I'm traveling for most of the month of March. A business trip to Dayton, Ohio from March 1st through the 4th. Then a vacation to San Francisco, Seattle (hopefully) and Portland (probably) from the 7th until the 25th.

See you March 28th at the DKC when the fabulous Amy will be talking about her new book, No Sheep For You!

I'm not worthy!

Seriously.

Yesterday I got my Not-So-Secret-Secret-Pal Exchange package from Ms. Snark. And holey-moley, do I feel spoiled!!


Let's see... I received Sweetwater's Good Morning Gainesville Full City Roast coffee beans, Numi Toasted Rice Green Tea, locally made honey, 2 CDs filled to the brim with music (almost 14 hours!), Dagoba organic extra dark chocolate (87% cacoa. Yes, I've already busted it open), Zum Body lavender-lemon body lotion (can't wait to slather myself in it this morning), 2 bars of her own handmade soap (my house smells deeeee-vine), a skein of Colinette Jitterbug (in the stunning colourway Toscana), a skein of her very own handspun (70% merino, 30% mohair. Can't. Stop. Squeezing. Do I really deserve it??).

In my opinion, she could have stopped with half this list and I would have been in heaven, but she went one step beyond (youtube link) that totally added in the hog part. Stitch markers! Of Sheep! Three are white and one is black! Teh cuteness!


Ms. Snark, you totally rock the NSSSPE! Thanks for making my first exchange so much fun. I know I've learned a thing or two about spoiling from you. And thanks for including extra bars for Paul's Suzanne. I think she will go mad for them.

BTW - I totally think meeting up at Rhinebeck is an exxxxcellent idea. How many more days??

Not So-Secret-Secret Pal Exchange!

Not too long ago, Sophie introduced me to a blog that made her giggle. She said that I must check it out. After I read a post of her talking with her house I was hooked! (Unfortunately I couldn't find the post in the short amount of time I had this morning to share.)

Before the winter holidays Ms. Snark offered up her homemade soap and I could not pass that opportunity up. Not too long following, the idea of the Not-So-Secret-Secret Pal emerged. Gifts needed to be mailed by February 14th. I got the package out with one day to spare. Not knowing how long Canada Post would take to get the package across the border, I expected to hear that it arrived in a week or two. But no!! I'm so excited that my Not-So-Secret-Secret Pal received her package this past weekend.

Ms. Snark, you were a pleasure to shop for! We should do it again sometime!

I've turned paranoid

Any body out there have an extra ball or two of Noro Silk Garden in colourway 245, lot #A? I'm paranoid I don't have enough to finish a sweater.

Booooooties!

I love knitting baby booties. Especially these made out of angora. They are just toooooo darn cute. I made them this weekend with the intention of giving to the expecting parents last night, but started feeling weird about gifting them since I was unsure about the gender of the wee one. Especially since Paul insisted they were pink. I bought the yarn thinking it was more of a neutral, peachy tone

I found out last night that they're 85% sure its going to be a girl. I should have brought them. The baby is due in four days. I may have to pop them in the mail.

Project Update

Yesterday I was kinda farting around. Had a hard time working. So I thought a lot about knitting. I thought about the Kitty Hat and how I still haven't finished it. I think I will finish it soon, though. At least that's what I thought. I also thought about my stash. Stash Bash Night didn't do much to lighten my load, as I did get a few balls of interesting stuff. But at least I didn't leave with more than I showed up with. While looking for things to bring, I discovered an Interweave Knits that I had hidden away. I looked at my 5 skeins of Wooly Bully and thought that the Portland Pullover would be a good match for it.

I also thought how the Huggable Toy from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts doesn't look very huggable. Once I looked at the picture, I felt a little better about it. I think I see some hugable-ness there.

I did think very hard about three little words. Because on Wednesday I was doubting them. And trust me when I say, I couldn't have been more wrong. Those three words: Trust. The. Noro.

I'm off to watch a movie, drink some wine and eat some dinner with my honey-pie. I won't think about the baby booties I need to have done by Sunday.

Stash Bash Success!

38 knitters showed up at the Second Cup tonight for the stash bash. It was pretty amazing and a whooooole lotta fun. My stitch'n'bitch rocks. W00t!

Lé Sigh...

Took part in the DKC's Winter Workshops over the weekend. They were great! I learn how to fibre blend with hand carders, deciphered charts, mastered the YO, upgraded my finishing techniques and created a soft sculptor with needle felting. The attendance was incredibly low. So low, in fact, that classes had to be canceled. (Oh knitting community, where were thou??!) I really enjoyed the hand carding. Does anyone have a pair of carders they want to get rid of cheaply?

In knitting news, I don't have much to offer. Lé Slouch is still finished but the matching scarf isn't really happening (although I tried to knit a dickie-like object, but I cast on too many stitches and it was a bit big). I did finish Paul's arm warmers (which he seems to love). I finished the ears for the finished hat part of Kitty Hat (now I just need to attach them). And I ripped out the sleeves for Tithe and restarted them on the correct sized needles (yes I was using the wrong needle size).

Now I must go back to running around like a chicken so I can join a few ladies out for drinking and knitting.

Cucumber Cool

Last night at the pub, Rick Mercer popped in for few pints.

PS: It's snowing right now. Will it stick? Or will it be a fond memory by tomorrow? I'm almost tempted to take bets.

A tad of a headache ( for two reasons)

This past week has seen me fail in trying to get many a things done. With work, things that are like work and bouts of The Blahs I did find time to appreciate the knit-tastic golden moments.

Wednesday I defected from my regular SnB to head over to Lettuce Knit. Amy and I went for dinner at the delicious King's Cafe where I was able to see her beautiful new book, No Sheep For You, up close and in person. (There are some very gorgeous patterns in there that will make you use your sleeve to wipe the drool from your gaping mouth.) In addition, we were hassled by a crazy, homeless lady with meth mouth in the restaurant. Ode to urban life! It was nice to get a change of scenery and see Michelle's engagement ring. I have to say there is something magical about being surrounded by beautiful yarns as one knits. Unfortunately though, I picked a space that not only allowed me to look at the yarn but peoples' tookuses as they were rung at the cash. *teehee*

Thursday I had my monthly executive meeting for the DKC and I decided that it was time to let them know that I won't be able to continue the VP Programme role next year. Considering I hadn't got much feedback from them up until now, I wasn't surprised when the only response I got was, "We're not surprised." And of course that only amped up all these 15 year old self-conscious feelings of inadequacies, etc. that I have been feeling all week. Anyways, the truth of the matter is that I don't know what my life is going to be like next year. If it's anything like it is now I won't be able to focus on myself, much less the DKC. Especially since I don't feel rewarded in this position. That's why we do things, right? Because one hope to be rewarded with either money or praise or something that will make one feel complete. I don't think people work hard for much less. Well, I can at least speak for myself.

My favourite part of the week came Friday night, when after I waited for a 6:00pm conference call that didn't happen (I don't blame the other participants. It was one of Those Days for them too.) I rushed off to The Spotted Dick to join those Drunken Knitters. Oh, what bliss it is to be with these ladies. I had missed the last two (or was it three??!) and I desperately needed to let loose and the Trapiche always seems to do the trick. I think Jenn's post best sums up the night.

I did get some knitting done and I don't have to undo all of it. I finished Lé Slouch (pictures after I make a scarf with the remaining yarn). I made good progress on the sleeves for Tithe until I realized I somehow picked up a stitch and didn't notice and kept knitting (oops). I departed after 11:00pm so I could escort Rocket Bride to the Go Bus so she wouldn't be waiting all alone, in the dark, in the rain. Unfortunately, we didn't get to the 11:45 bus on time, so she had to wait for the 12:30am one. I hope her family isn't mad. If they are I hope she blames it all on me.

The weekend continues with knitting goodness as my husband and I are meeting up with the lovely Fiona and her husband for a few bevvies (and no knitting) this evening. Tomorrow I'm meeting up with Sophie and Sandi at Alterknit for snacking and knitting. I kinda don't want this weekend to end.

FRAY at the Textile Museum

Late Saturday morning, I enjoyed the FRAY exhibit at the Textile Museum of Canada with a few of my fellow Wednesday Night Knitters. The exhibit was fantastic and I really enjoyed the landscapes of Kim Ouellette, so simple but yet really transported you to a snowy, secluded area (I wanted a hot chocolate and a warm fire). I also enjoyed Kathryn Ruppert-Dazal's two large pieces pictured here. Allyson Mitchell's Sass-things and Luanne Martineau's drawings on cotton (I think the titles were Panorama of a Flood I & II). Plus the CLOTH THAT GROWS ON TREES exhibit is not to be missed either. Who knew you could make cloth from tree bark by pounding the crap out of it? Definitely an amazing art form -- from the creation of the actual cloth, to the varied way it's used, to how it is decorated. Such a wonderful contrast to the modern pieces of FRAY!

After the museum we went to Lettuce Knit to meet up with Sophie and to cop a yarn feel, but no one felt like buying as we were all starving. So off to the Red Room we went for cheap eats, drinks and knitting.

All-in-all I think it was a very nice afternoon as I got to hang with a few of the regulars outside the 2nd Cup and meet a few newbies to the group. I hope to do this more often!

Knitting From Your Stash 2007

Even though I have the laughably small stash, I still thought it would be a good idea to have a few ground rules now as opposed to trying to have them after I've clearly gone mad.

The Guidelines I will follow:

1. This exercise will start January 4, 2007 and run through July 3, 2007 -- a period of 6 months (with the option of extending 3 more months resulting in an end date of November 3, 2007).

2. I will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

- Yarn for baby gifts does not count.

- If I cannot knit a specific gift from my current stash, then I'm allowed to scour bargain bins to complete the project.

- TTC Knit-A-Longs do not count, but I must show serious discipline and have restraint.

3. I am allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

4. I am allowed to do yarn swaps.

Thanks Not An Artist for bringing the challenge to my attention. Thanks Wendy Knits for starting it!

Just Stuff...

I "updated" my layout because blogger asked me to but unfortunately I lost some links and stuff in the process. I guess I didn't read the fine print before clicking okay. I didn't even notice if there was fine print. I don't have time to fix things now. If you notice that your link is no longer there, don't take it personally! I promise to bring you back. As soon as I figure out all the new bells and whistles that have been installed. *grumble, grumble*

Tonight I got some good knittings done with a group of awesome gals. Have I told you how much I love having a house? A space to call my own? A place that I can say, "Hey Knitters, come on by!" and then they do (even on incredibly short notice) and flop on the couch and chat and giggle and say silly stuff and eat chips and dip? Thank you, ladies, for making my dream home even dreamier.

Just for the record, even with all the flopping and giggling and eating I made very good progress on a few projects. The body of the Huggable Toy Bear is now starting to look body-ish as opposed to a pair of "Ken Pants." I cast on for Lé Slouch, although I will have to riiiiipppp (used the wrong size needle for the cast on). And I touched Paul's arm warmers. If I keep this up maybe I'll get more than nine projects done this year.

Oh, and my sweet husband was like, "Nine sounds like a lot." And then I felt good. For about 10 seconds. Until I saw Ms. Snark's list. And then I was humbled. I hope for 2007 I gain the strength, knowledge and time to complete a third of her list. *bows down* That doesn't sound like a New Year's resolution, does it?!

Egads!

Anti-Theme for 2006

LadyLungDoc did a nice little "Roundup of 2006" and since finishing projects was not my theme for 2006 I thought it would still be fun to list out what I've completed.

1. Angora Baby Booties (finished January 8th), 2. & 3. Paul's Socks (finished January 29th), 4. Blackberry Sweater (finished May 17th), 5. Clapotis (finished September 19th), 6. Tit-Bit (finished October 7th)

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Geez, what a lame list! This doesn't include a second Tit-Bit (that I finished a week after the first), two sets of arm warmers (the only Xmas gifts) and the Gypsy Shawl. A total of nine items. Blah!

Maybe I can take a look to see what my "2007 Roundup" could possibly include.... let's see... Tithe Sweater, Huggable Toy Bear, arm warmers (for Paul!), 2 pairs of Angora Baby Booties, Lace Wings (for Kyra!), Very Cherry, Orangina, Hell Socks, Kitty Hat, Clapotis Hat, Lé Slouch, Fitzgerald Sweater (for Paul!), Wooly Bully sweater, Ubernatural, two sets of mittens and 4 pairs of socks. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. And not too ambitious of a goal. I don't think. (I want my mommy.