Wednesday, January 30, 2008

That's my girl!!

Yesterday, I decided to disregard all things work related and play in the mud with Scarlett. What a blast. I have to admit, I was a bit teary eyed at one point watching her work. I've been hand building with Scarlett since she's 2, and I figured since she's putting 100 piece puzzles together and trying to read, she's probably ready for some wheel throwing. Well, I was right!! I sat behind her for a few minutes, and together we threw a cute little piece as I went over the basics on how to position you hands and what not.

I figured she would dabble for a little while in the clay, not thinking that she would take it so seriously and actually concentrate. I was amazed! She was incredible. She worked diligently and looked so confident as her tiny little fingers pushed and pulled just as they should. I know tomorrow she will want to throw some more, and that's fine by me. I can hardly wait to fire and glaze them. How sweet and special, my baby shares the same love and enthusiasm as I do for this wonderful art form. I guess she'll be knitting soon too :)

Monday, January 28, 2008

Hi Margaret!!

Well, I'm still on the iphone, our camera has yet to be recovered (arr)! I think about running over to Best Buy to buy a new camera, but I'm really to trying my best not to buy on impulse. I really rather do a little research on which Canon I want. So for now, I'll have to rely on my phone, which is okay.
Hi Margaret, hope you like my new hat, and look, you didn't have to wait a whole week to read about it. This is the "3 Tams" hat pattern from Knitty. It is ADORABLE!! However, I blocked it and kept it as a beanie instead of stretching it over a plate for a tam. I'm starting another one this week for my brother- it was super quick and easy, and yes, I did wind up pulling some of it out (I know I said I didn't have time to pull things out- but in this case you have to obviously).


I really enjoyed this pattern..

I got the SOFTEST yarn EVER today from Jade Sapphire. Lacey Lamb!!! 10 beautiful colors (so far)- 850 yards for what? $20 a ball. I am doubling this tonight and knitting something delicious for myself.

We also got some new 2-ply in to replenish the stash. Tourmaline is oh boy, and Everglades? Oh dear... What to choose, what to knit? How do I decide?

Lastly, I wanted to share a picture or two of the "man" who drives me absolutely bonkers. He is making me totally insane lately with flipping my kitchen chairs- and oh you name it. Still, he remains one of the sweetest guys I know. He sits by my side all night, every night while I knit to keep me company. I guess I am a lucky girl :).

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

No camera means no blogging..

Please excuse the photos if they aren't the clearest pictures you've ever seen. I took them with my iphone. Our camera is on the loose again! I do love this phone though, it's like having the world in my pocket. It takes pretty great photos too. I finally started working on some needle felting again. It's so nice to get back into the groove. I missed it, and I didn't even realize it-maybe that's why I have been so mopey lately, no felting. I did a workshop this morning that was just as inspiring for me as it was for the students. Some of the girls are itching for felted flowers, so I'll be going over those techniques next Wednesday around 10:30.

These came from Namaste today-

I have 1 left, they completely sold out, right out of the box. The needle cases are so adorable. They look like old school change purses. I feel so passionately about this company. They are animal friendly!! I love the tags- "Cows are hard to keep clean... this isn't". That means so much to me, I feel so good carrying and supporting this line. I took the Hollywood Pink Malibu bag, sooooo cool!! But seriously, they all sold out faster than I could take them out of the box. I reordered every bag in every color though- so no worries, there will be more to come for all.

Have you seen the "3 Tams" pattern from Knitty? How fun are these? I started it last night out of that new Noro Silk Garden color that I love with Debbie Bliss cashmerino in cream. I screwed up the first the first row, but whatever. I don't have that kind of time on my hands (to go back that is). It's cute nonetheless. Seems a bit small though, this one might be for the poopidoo, and I'll make a mom version next. Now I get to transfer everything out of my Namaste messenger bag and into my new fabu Malibu bag, Tonight, I will do my best to find my camera and work on being a better blogger.

Oh before I forget, Annie Modesitt is definitely coming by (yeah) to teach us "Directional Knitting with Color" on Feb 27 6-9. The cost for the class is 50$.

Friday, January 11, 2008

it's spaghetti time...

A big box of delicious silk was delivered to me today. I'm cracking my knuckles and rolling up the sleeves, it's dye time. This is a buttery soft 50 silk/50 merino blend- 4 stitches to the inch. If you've knit with Lion and Lamb from Lorna's Laces, then you're familiar with this luxurious yarn. Perhaps you've knit the famous Clapotis from Knitty? Anyway, I haven't dyed yarn in a while, and this one is a true favorite of mine. It really absorbs the dye nicely due to the silk and I'm looking forward to a little dye party in my kitchen. That's what I call me time.

Bummer - I forgot to have someone take a picture of my sweater today, I was a bit distracted when Joanne stopped over to show me the wire bracelets that she finished over this past weekend. I have yet to finish one! I have to say, I really love needle felting little marble beads for necklaces and bracelets. It probably stems from my love of stippling. I spent an entire semester at Pratt just working on stipple drawings, I'll have to bring one in for show and tell. Let's take a look at her bracelets, shall we?Notice the needle felted marble on the right side that matches the lamp worked bead on the left. I love that, and the purple bracelet above is really sweet. I have been felting here and there, in between the knitting projects, however, I think I need to take a private lesson from Joanne on felting over wire, she has it down. Oh and here is my sweater. I wound up taking a picture of myself, head chopped off and all. At least you can appreciate the color and get an idea of what the sweater looks like finished. I love it. The yarn is super soft and cozy, and I'm diggin' the cowl neck.I hope I don't drop any spaghetti on my new sweater tonight.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

what have i been doing lately?

Why haven't I posted anything lately, oh I don't know. Just obsessed with this hat from the Fall issue of Knit Simple (thanks to Dawn), I can't even get enough. I kid you not, it is completely finished in under 2 hours!! I knit this one - which my babe is modeling for me... And then this one for myself with a matching scarf out of Blue Sky worsted. Cast on 160 stitches on a us11 and knit 30 rows. Alternate the colors however your heart desires. Can I just tell you how soft and cushy this scarf is. Just what the doctor ordered, it makes me very happy. I love the way Colinette Point 5 accents the edge of hat, but of course I favor the Ozark Handspun- it's just a little funkier. I decided that my Wednesday afternoon girls each need a hat. Allyssa LOVED her hat, and it looked great on, of course it was 62 degrees when I gave it to her, but she wore it anyway. That a girl..Scarlett also needed one, which I knit out of Big Wool to get a slightly smaller gage. Too cute.I'm not the only though, who has Hat Scratch Fever. Christina brought in her skull magic masterpiece. After hours of work, here it is. Nice work girlfriend and thanks for the latte yesterday.I also finished my Rowan Hermia sweater, which I would love to share with you, unfortunately, I can't photograph myself. I'll wear it tomorrow to work, and have someone take a picture of it. It came out quite nice, I think you'll like it. Tonight, I am going to crochet (boy do I ever have the crochet itch- enough with this knitting thing, you know - for a week). I want to crochet cool funky pillows for my store out of Silk Garden and Cash Iroha. There is a new Silk Garden color in, which I love... Hopefully I will have something to post by tomorrow. I feel like such a blog slacker...

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Happy New Year!!

Here's the latest knitting and crochet schedule:
Learn to Knit - Jan 14, 21, and 28 7-9 pm
Learn to Knit 2 - Feb 4 7-9 pm
Crochet for beginners - Jan 16 & 23 7-9 pm
Crocheted Necklace - Jan 30 7-9 pm
Wet Felted bracelets - Jan 16 10-12 or Feb 20 10-12
Intro to needle felting - Jan 30 10-12
Mastering short rows - Feb 6 7-9 pm
Sock 101 - Feb 13 & 20 7-9 pm
The Mobius - Feb 27 7-9 pm
My First Top Down Sweater - Jan 29, Feb 12 &26 7-9 pm
Carol Cypher's Nuno Felting workshop - Sunday Feb 17 12-5 pm
Ferragamo Fake-o-gamo - Feb 18, 25 & March 3 7-9 pm

For more information and pictures, check out the knitting and crochet schedule.