Hmmm...

I find myself searching desperately for new blog reads, only to get upset when folks are too busy to post. Then I realized, I haven't been posting either. Not that anyone is actually reading this blog.

Anyway, lots of knits and a couple woven items have been completed since my last post. I need to be better at taking and posting photos.

Crazy Busy

I desperately wanted to post everyday, however life certainly got in the way. What with all the work due for school and commitments I had, it just didn't happen.

Back to Work

Tuesday is my all day work day at school. I do office-y type stuff, filing, answering phone, etc. It usually makes me crazy.

Yesterday was the crazy day though. Classes in the morning, work in the slide library, rehearsal for the dinner theater, and finished up with a student employment banquet. At the banquet I got a case of the giggles, normally this is fairly manageable, but last night I almost couldn't make it out of it. Typically not a huge deal, but our table was near the front of the room. Oh well, today's another day.

I still haven't finished my cardigan, but it is progressing really fast and I'll be able to pick up the buttons for it on Thursday. I took Sunday off from homework in order to work on the cardigan, but still I couldn't finish it.

Speaking of homework, I did more writing on the book I'm working on so I feel like I'm making progress there. I just need to find out when the printing lab shuts down for the semester and make sure the book is ready to go before that. I'm planning on binding that book the week of finals because I won't have any finals that week. I've placed a due date of May 6 on the book, it's creeping up.

School Blues

The end of the semester crunch time is fast making itself known. I have a lot of writing to accomplish before the end of the semester and at the moment it seems completely overwhelming. However, one of my essays is partially complete, I have the sources all set up, and I am writing about a topic that I am interested in. So with any luck that essay will go quickly. I am writing about how the Art Nouveau movement deals with tradition in the modern age. While I love the Art Nouveau style, I'll be happy to put this essay behind me.

The other writing project that I need to complete is the Franco American artist book. This involves a bit of writing, but also translating the interviews into a coherent storyline. I am more excited about this project because I will be hand binding two copies of the book and publishing a pdf version as well.

I managed to sign up for classes for the fall. I am taking more studio classes. This feels so good I almost can't wait till fall. I'll be taking a 2d design class and 3d as well. I'm looking forward to making stuff again.

Friday

I made it to Friday. The crazy bright background didn't, I liked it, but it was too distracting. Work yesterday was great, I'm very excited about teaching knitting classes. There will be a whole bunch of classes lined up for the summer, we've scheduled through the second weekend in July. I'll be teaching basic beginner classes up to more detailed classes, we'll be covering lace and cables and a sweater this summer. We'll even be doing a knit-a-long. After we set up the class schedule, I made some one ounce batts. I love doing this! I just love playing with color and texture and it really just makes me want to spin more. Which is completely okay with me. I finished the cotton hat yesterday in no time flat. I'm still working on the cardi.

Jumper Cables

In an effort to improve my writing skills I've decided to revive this blog. It now has a swanky bright and distracting background, we'll see how long that lasts.

So much has happened since the last post here. I am now working on a degree of the art persuasion. I am working a ton of jobs that I love. I am also knitting for money on occasion.

Currently I am knitting an organic cotton hat, my own pattern, it has a bill to it to keep out the sun. I am also working on a cap sleeve cardigan it is based on the Jewel pattern by Amy King. I love all of Amy's patterns, and her yarn and fiber too. I'm knitting it in the Malabrigo yarn I received for Valentine's Day a couple years ago.

My current school work includes writing a research paper, writing a book on Franco-American artists and making sure I study for Archaeology and Math. I've done some writing already on those so I'm taking a break to write here and knit a bit.

Up this afternoon is my newest and, let's face it, my dream job. I work at a local fiber artists studio, of which the downstairs has just been converted to a yarn and fiber store. Pretty soon I'll be teaching knitting classes. Like I said, Heaven.

That's it for today, but I'm not planning on being a stranger.

Summer?

Well it's that time again, time for my monthly post.

A lot of things have happened in the past four weeks - not all of it worth mentioning. I did finish Lady A's birthday gift. I'm mostly positive she likes it. Still need to upload those photos, hopefully I'll get one of her wearing IT

I've been working on socks, didn't finish those. I picked up my Sprout again. I'd really like to finish it so I can take it with me to Bar Harbor for my long awaited vacation. I still need to figure out what I should take with me for knitting. Perhaps some short socks in Wick

It's warm here, but not really warm. I can still work with wool without passing out from heat stroke. The ceiling fans work just peachy to cool down the apartment.

Ah yes, a friend of mine is knitting me some "toe" socks. Not all individual toes, but just to "pockets". One for the big toe and one for the rest of the piggies. They are to wear with thong sandals. They are just about the coolest thing ever. I really want that pattern.

I might put some more birthday deadlines on myself this summer too. A couple of cousins and of course my dad turns 60 this year and I have to knit him something super-ultra-wicked-special :)

Holy Cow!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted. The days have been moving incredibly slow, but oddly enough when I look at the week as a whole they fly by.

I really dislike bitching on a blog, but I feel I need to say I am sick and tired of listening to uninformed people arguing politics. I know that there is still months more to go, but I can't stand it. It makes my brain want to explode. Whew, glad that's out of the way.

I have re-re-started my Sprout. The cotton-ease was crap, so last week I bought some Cascade Sierra and it is awesome. It is so smooth and silky, I think it will be perfect for the summer. 80% cotton and 20% wool. I finished a sleeve this week and I'm just delighted. The ladies from TKE are wearing their Sprouts for KIP day June 14 so I'd like to have mine done for that.

Lately I have been feeling guilty about not knitting gifts for folks. I have this great ability to make truly fantastic handmade items for people and I just feel awful if I don't make things, but I haven't really knit myself anything since November. I'm trying to take it easy on the knit list for others by throwing in some stuff for me. I've got one birthday present due in June and one Big one in August otherwise I plan on knitting myself tons of socks. I bought some excellent sock yarn this winter and I'm more than ready to knit it up.

Ahhh, Spring

It's pretty much spring here in the midcoast and I'm loving it. The sun, the warmer temps, the flowers its about time :)


I didn't quite make the second Sprout before the birthday/holiday knitting list came around again.

I'm making a really special garment for the BF's youngest sister. She loves going out with friends, so I'm knitting her something cute that she can wear in Florida where she lives.

Mum's birthday, Mother's Day, and Father's Day all TBD.

Sprout Redux

I finished the super cute cropped sweater for the KAL I'm in. Ja, finished Sunday and realized that although I had knitted it to gauge it was stretching uncontrollably. Like a parachute. So I frogged it this morning then started all over again. I'm about halfway on the second sleeve now.




Also, I have a photo that never got posted to the Yarn Harlot's "International Freestyle" group. Trout vs. Sock, thank goodness for the viewing bubble otherwise my sock would get pwned.

Real Life

Real life has come with a vengeance.

After my recorded death in the Battle of the Soxes, I realized it was probably a good thing. I had what seemed like millions of birthday presents to finish.

There was a flash beret:









A Calorimetry


Also my first shawl for a VIP's 60th who received a first grandchild as an early b-day present. Very special year for her :) Finished pics to follow.


I managed a couple baby hats, a hat for myself, income taxes, and now I joined my first KAL for Sprout. I am knitting the bottom up version and I'm almost done. I think it'll be a great summer sweater since I'm using cotton.

Lastly I would like to give a big Happy Birthday to Chesley. She is a wonderful woman who made her dream come true. She always has a smile on her face for friends old and new. She is a woman of endless patience. Thank you Chesley for moving in next door to me, you have enriched my life.

My Death

I thought I may have been able to get two kills, but along halfway through the second pair of socks they arrived. My demise in wool. Clever packaging and a sweet little needle case.

And the question is finally answered, I do bleed yarn.

My First Kill

My first kill was recorded on February 6.

Even if this is my only kill I'm happy I got one under my belt.


Knitting PvP at its finest.

Buffalo Bob's Bobcat Rodeo

My Neighbor. As if he would ever let one get away :)

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Well I finished them. Ready to kill my first target. I'll mail them as soon as the post office opens.



This one is a wee bit out of focus, but it shows the texture really well.

What now?

I am almost up to the first lace panel in birthday gift #3. For the record this is the last birthday gift for February. Just finish this and I'm done.

I must finish a second pair of mittens by Saturday - in reality by Friday evening.

I'm really nervous and really excited about the sock battle. I keep having these doubts, "Why did I get involved in this?" I am proud of myself for doing something different. I am one to be perfectly happy to live under a rock for the rest of my life.

I'm pretty sure I've decided on my yarn, I'll just have to get the BF to wake me up at midnight Friday :)

My Target

I received my target last night at 9:30 pm est.

We have even been provided with yarn requirements and suggested gauge.

I now have to choose a yarn weight: fingering, sport, or worsted.

I may go for worsted, I need all the edge I can get, some of the other participants must be retired- right?. Besides it is Maine in winter.

Until Friday at 11:59 pm est... start swatching!

In an Effort to Enrich my Life

My neighbor- we shall call him "The Outdoorsman" has generously lent me some movies. Some Westerns. I haven't seen many westerns in my days, so I am totally willing to indulge in a new genre.

The Outdoorsman brought me Lonesome Dove and Open Range.

I started with Open Range, it was alright. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and it is well acted. I feel that there is some personality missing from the movie though.

I began Lonesome Dove last night and I'm halfway through. So far this is a much better movie even though it is about 10 years older than Open Range. This really shouldn't surprise me most new movies are sub-par in my book.

All in all I'm enjoying the westerns. They are pleasant in their own quiet way. Lots of beautiful landscapes, crusty old cowboys, and plenty of whiskey.

They are the perfect movie to knit to. They remind me of the days when friends and family would gather round the radio in the evenings.

Battle

I got my approval today, I'm in the Battle of the Soxes. With any luck I'll be able to hold my own in the game. Now, how much time do I have left to finish some projects before the madness ensues? Eleven days. I can do it.

The best Christmas present ever

The BF made a swift for me! I love it so much. It works very well in conjunction with my ball winder.

By the way that is the yarn for his birthday present #2. I love Malabrigo.