Reality is the Only Obstacle
to Happiness! :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
I feel like C - R - A - P
Y?
Beacuse of P - M - S
If I don't open a vein at lunch, I hope to have a more uplifting post this afternoon or tonight - but don't count on it. It's been a week and a half already. Sigh.
South Park!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Something else I can cross off my list of "things to do"! LOL!
Thanks Karen!
Secret Agent Janey Bond 007
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Stage 1 of your mission successfully completed! (My SP7 has an ALIAS!!)
My first SP7 package has arrived! Woo Hoo! Check out this loot! I am being treated very well here!First - and I didn't get the best picture of it - the envelope the gifties came in was covered in Teddy Bears - too cute! How nice to see that bright package waiting for me! And, and, and... the card that came with the gifties has a DOGGIE on it! Double yea! She also sent, now pay attention, a cute little note pad and pen set in the grooviest flower pattern, a little tin of mints that says "Crafty Girl" (I think - they are not in front of me as I write this), a plastic card with knitting abbriviations on it (very WISE! I am always needing help with deciphering patterns!), there's a book on how to knit cables & a set of INOX cable needles!! I see you were paying attention Ms. Bond! Look out Knit Olympics - I can't miss with these goodies in my corner!
And also -no, I'm not done yet- a darling little purse/clutch that I will use to carry my treasured knitting tools ((OK - how did my Fiber Goldmother AND my SP7 know I was a Bag Ho? - LOL))
And one last thing that I just *love* is a little stich marker/zipper pull thingy on the bag. I tried about 5 times to take a close-up pic of it without much luck - but it's just so pretty! It has beautiful little glass and pearl-like beads on it and hanging from the bottom is a silver ball of yarn with needles! I will keep it with the bag so I will have it with me whenever I knit!
This was a wonderful package 007!! Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!
http://freetostitchfreetobitch.org/
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
SFSE is losing customers & potential customers because of this insanity. And I am one of them - I live in NY. It would be easy for me to make a trip to their shop - but I guess a strong business and good customer relations are secondary to them.
BOYCOTT SEW FAST, SEW EASY!!
Updated Book List
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
My Fiber Godmother asked me to update book lists and stuff. I was supposed to have that done by the weekend, but alas, I am starting to raise procrastination to an ART FORM!!!
Here is the list of books I have acquired between Christmas gifts and redirected yarn buying tendencies: (in no particular order)
Knitting On The Edge
Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits
Simply Felt
Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments
Dyeing to Knit
Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques
Textured Knits
Stitch n Bitch Nation
The Gift Knitter (for babies & dogs)
Scarves: A Knitters Dozen
Knitting Stitch Bible
Yarn Harlot
And 2 knitting calendars (bringing my total to 4 if you count the perpetual one!)
Ugh - what an obnoxious list!
Hot Plate
Monday, January 23, 2006
I went antiquing this weekend! Yea me! This was not the greatest show, I've been to better (and worse!) But I did manage to buy something - I always do or I consider it a waste - what a terrible way of thinking!Anyway, this is what I bought. It's a hot plate that plugs in and keeps your food or drink warm. The picture is of a hot air balloon and it was designed by George Briard who had his name on a bunch of home decor type items. (I own a set of glasses by him as well). It matches the vintage blue/green styling of my kitchen quite nicely. Things are getting a bit crowded in there, but that's another story!
I got some knitting done on Embrace as well. Train rides are good for knitting. And thank goodness for that as I completely passed out when I got home. No knitting, no nothing, just flopped on the couch for some tube and early to bed. I love living on my own!
Post #2 For Saturday! - Wow
Saturday, January 21, 2006
I also wanted to take a minute to update about my current UFO - Embrace. I am really enjoying knitting this little scarf. I think it must the yarn. I am using the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan (see a couple of posts down) and I really like it! I was a bit concerned about the boucle - I thought it would get hung up on itself, which is exactly what happened when I used a cheap acrylic boucle. But it seems when you buy good yarn, it REALLY DOES make a difference!The long part with the needle attached to it needs to be about 18" long (8" more to go) and then the other side with the stitch holder is knitted the same so it becomes a "U". You make two "U" shapes and seam them together on the long side so it resembles an "H" - and that's it! I think this will be more of a 'dress' scarf when it is done. Nice for a lovely evening out on the town - lol! :)
Post #1 - Fiber Godmother Strikes!
My very first Secret Pal type giftie has arrived! This is from my awesome Fiber Godmother! Check out the card she sent - she was obviously drinking coffee at the time of writting it as evidenced by the tiny coffee stains on the envelope, which she Outlined!!! I laughed so hard when I saw that! 
And the gifties themselves are so awesome, I am very pleased! She sent me 2 balls of beautiful Wedgwood blue DK yarn in a merino, alpaca, and silk blend! Yea! New scrumptous yarn that I didn't have to buy (Stashalong... no buying!) She also sent the clicky row counter gadget I had been wanting. It killed me to leave it in the package long enough to take the pic - I wanted to play with it right away :) There were also some beautiful blue beads that, as it turns out, I had been eyeing at the store (same color, no joke) and this great new knitting bag too! It was even chosen for it's retro-esque pattern, which is way cool! I am going to use it today to carry the project I am currently working on.
Thank you Fiber Godmother! I already feel VERY SPOILED!
PS - I updated my Amazon list and removed two books which I had gifted to myself! (If I can't buy yarn, I might as well buy books!) I also keep a list of books I currently own on the sidebar of my blog - this has not yet been updated. I will take care of that this weekend.
Meme by 4's
Friday, January 20, 2006
I was tagged by KIM for this MEME! I love these things - anybody can tag me at anytime! I'm such a goof!
4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life
- Cashier
- Maker of handmade invitations
- AP clerk
- Admin (read as: Secretary)
4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over
- Jaws
- The Red Violin
- Undercover Brother...!?
- Most slasher flicks
4 Places You Have Lived
(each of these are in Nassau County, NY - I just bounce around like a pinball)
- Plainview
- Roslyn
- Greenvale
- Farmingdale
4 TV Shows You Love to Watch
- Law & Order (all)
- CSI (just Vegas)
- Family Guy
- South Park
4 Places You Have Been on Vacation
- Puerto Rico
- Bahamas
- Disney (both)
- Cleveland (RnR HoF!!)
4 Websites You Visit Daily
- eBay
- You Knit What?!
- Schiffer Books ('cause my book is up there now!)
- The STITCH N BITCH Yahoo group where my knitting buds hang.... Yo!
4 of Your Favorite Foods
- Cookies
- French Fries
- Pizza
- Beef & Broccoli
4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now
- Home (I'm at work right now)
- On vacation just about anywhere
- In a LYS with a big, fat gift certificate!
- At SnB with my friends
4 Bloggers You Are Tagging
- Oh no, not this time, LOL! If you want to steal it - go ahead!
Card from my FG!
Isn't this cute!! It's an ecard that came from my Fiber Godmother! (By the way, I just got it today even though it looks like it was sent on the 16th!) I just LOVE the doggie - I'm crazy about dogs!!
Although, it does look like the poor pup is being held prisoner by those dpns!! LOL
Thank you Fiber Godmother!
Knitting Olympics
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Shall I join..........?
Knitting Olympics by The Yarn Harlot
I think I shall...!!
Now, to decide on a pattern (without buying new yarn!)
I am thinking about doing something cabled... Of course, I don't know how to do cables yet, but, why worry about such trivial things!
PS - What's with all the "shall" crap? LOL
LISnB - where art thou?
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Um. Hello. What happened to the Long Island Stitch N Bitch website?? It's gone!
Used to be HERE
Now, nothing.
I know there was talk of changing the group name, did that happen? Was an email sent that I didn't get? You know the same thing happened to the Felted Bag SP site and an email was sent and I never got it. I think I am signed up to receive group notifications, but frankly, I don't know any more :(
So, somebody, help me out here......
Yum!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Check out this delicious bit of lovelyness... Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan in off-white (my digicam is so crappy). I think I had this down for a different pattern but I just came accross this - Embrace - on Knitty and destiny was changed!Casting on to commence as soon as this post is finished!
Special shout out to my SP7 who has made me feel spoiled already with just few emails and comments. You are already succeding quite well in your "mission"!
Booties done - whew!
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Glad they're totally done - I've been working on them too long. These were started in mid-Dec but I couldn't finish them then because "Christmas knitting" got in the way. (Somebody smack me if I do that again next year, OK?) Add the holiday delay to my naturally slow knit pace and here we are 1 month later with a completed weekend project. Actually, for a fast knitter, I could see these easily being completed in an evening.On another note, I received the name of my Felted SP (or whatever it's called) today. Yea - another person to spoil!! I spent the remainder of the weekend hanging out and shopping for my other pals of the secret type. Got some good stuff so far, and more is coming in the mail. I hope they will all be pleased :) I would *love* to spill about some of the goodies, but, alas, if I don't keep my mouth shut - I'll give EVERYTHING away!!
Bootie Progress
Friday, January 13, 2006
Hey - A bootie and 3/4 of another one! This must be a REALLY easy pattern since I was able to knit the whole second bootie at SnB with all the hullaballo that goes on there. I could have woven in the ends too, but I just didn't feel like it. (A lot of ends to weave in on this little knit cutie-bootie.) Then all I have to do is make an I-Cord for each and I'm done! (Now that I know the I-Cord secret - thanks Dani!)I think I will secure the cords to the booties so they don't slip out - just to protect the baby.
All of this and the Mom these are intended for (I work with her) - who by the way isn't due until Feb 24th (my B-Day!!!!) - left work on Wednesday with early contractions and I don't think she will be back! sigh.... Maybe I will mail them to her (?)
Progress Bar
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Hey knitting friends - check out the cool percent-complete-knitting-progress-bars I've just installed on the side of the blog!! I've seen a few other blogs with similar percentages and I've always thought it was cool. So last night I decided to flip a few blogs to see if I could figure out the code - and voila! - not only did I find the perfect code, but it is free and used with permission!
I've put a link in the "Credits" section at the bottom, but here it is in case you're interested: Unlikely Words. You can modify the colors and length, etc.
There are only three UFOs listed there, and one isn't even started, but they are all being knit with yarn from the CURRENT STASH! Yea me!
I'm gonna cast on the felted tote this weekend after I move my Stationary Bike (yes, you heard me - I'm going to start a workout!) into my apartment (easier said than done). I figure with such large, loose stitches and I'm gonna felt it anyway, that tote would be the perfect project to knit while I'm bicycling!!
Wish me luck - with the knitting and the bicycle!! LOL :)
Have You Ever? ...Meme
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
I found this MEME while out on a blogging adventure - don't remember whose blog is came from but she tagged all various and sundry people, so I'm playing along!
Have you ever...?
Smoked a cigar: No
Crashed a friend's car: No
Stolen a car: No
Been in love: Er, no
Been dumped: Yes
Dumped someone: Yes (way too often)
Taken shots of alcohol: No
Been fired: yes
Been in a fist fight: No
Snuck out of a/your house: No
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back: Yes, ugh
Been arrested: No
Made out with a stranger: Yes
Gone on a blind date: No
Lied to a friend: Um, Yes, more like an aquaintance who I didn't want to hang with
Had a crush on a teacher: not really
Seen someone die: No
Been on a plane: Yes
Thrown up in a bar: No (never even been drunk!)
Miss someone right now: Of course
Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by: Yup
Made a snow angel: Yes, but not in a while, I should do that again this year
Played dress up: YES - Still do!
Cheated while playing a game: no
Been lonely: yes
Fallen asleep at work/school: Almost!
Used a fake id: no
Felt an earthquake: Yes - 5.2
Touched a snake: no
Run a red light: Yes, accidentally, officer
Had detention: Yes
Been in a car accident: Fender bender
Hated the way you look: Yes, but not recently
Been lost: Momentarily
Been to the opposite side of the country: yes
Felt like dying: eh, not really
Cried yourself to sleep: yes
Played cops and robbers: no
Karaoke: I would never!
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't: Yes
Laughed till some kind of beverage came out of your nose: No
Caught a snowflake on your tongue: Yes, frequently
Kissed in the rain: No, not yet anyway
Sang in the shower: Yes, all the time
Made love in a park: No
Had a dream that you married someone: More like a nightmare, just kidding - no
Glued your hand to something: No
Got your tongue stuck to a flag pole: No
Worn the opposite sex's clothes: No, I like being a girl
Been a cheerleader: No
Sat on a roof top: yes
Talked on the phone all night: no
Ever too scared to watch scary movies alone: Never - I love it!
Played chicken fight: No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on: Not pushed, but I've done it
Been told you're hot by a complete stranger: yes
Broken a bone: Not really, just cracked a bit
Dipped snuff: no
Lived overseas: no
Ever passed out/fainted: For heaven's sake, no
On the other hand, I'm specifically tagging Charisse, Mary & Rebecca (who seriously needs to update her blog!)
SP7 Questionnaire
Monday, January 09, 2006
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Yes, I'm quite quickly becoming a yarn snob. (and I said it would NEVER happen to me!)
2. Do you spin? Crochet? Neither, But I have all the trappings (hooks, instructions) to learn crochet once I put my mind to it.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I use a clear, plastic envelope, which works OK. I should get a proper needle holder, but most of them are too long since I mostly use the 10" needles.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I guess I am probably only "intermediate beginner". There are MANY skills I need to learn: cables, intarsia, fair isle....
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes: Amazon Wish List
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Orange or citrus. Fruity or food-like scents - NOTHING FLORAL
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I sure do have a sweet tooth - but I can only eat Sugar Free!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I like painting, I'm working on some painted knitting needles now. It's not going too well though - lol! I also make my own stitch markers.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Mostly oldies and 80s metal - yes, all MP3 compatible.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? Blues/Greens and Pinks/Oranges are faves, also red. I'm not too big on neutrals.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live alone and still like it quite a bit! No pets :(
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, yes, and NO (to the poncho!!)
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I don't have a favorite, as long as it's natural.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Acrylic (most of them anyway) I find I don't like anything with bits and pieces hanging hanging off or sticking out.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Don't really have a specific obsession
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I like felted bags since I'm a real "Bag Lady" LOL (I change my handbag everyday!)
17. What are you knitting right now? Baby Booties
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Of course!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Both really
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes! And I LOVE them!
22. How did you learn to knit? Paid-for lessons, can you believe it?!
23. How old is your oldest UFO? More than 6 months...
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? I am a HUGE dog lover! All breeds.
25. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
26. Is there anything that you collect? Memorabilia & vintage knitting magazines from the 1960s
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None yet!
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? I like handmade needles for the workmanship. I have a small collection.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Yes! Cables, Intarsia, & Fair Isle - in no particular order.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Not a sock knitter. I think the measurement is 10" heel to toe...
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) Feb 24th
SP7 is HERE!
Wow - I can't believe I already have the name of my SP7! And I am so happy about where she lives - no hints for now.
Here we go SP7 - YOU shall be spoiled!
And so will my Fiber Goddaughter (who I already have the first package picked out for) and my Felted SP II, but I don't know who she is yet... That's THREE SPs this time around... :) I must be crazy! :)
The questionnaire is on it's way very soon - I will post a link on the sidebar in the "About Me" section.
Hi Fiber Godmother!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Thank you so much for the Cards!!! They are really cute! Answers to your questions are on their way. You already seem to be a great Godmother - you must have ACED your training!
This is going to be a fun swap!
Stashalong begins
In order to comfort myself over not being able to buy any new yarn for the next three months (what was I thinking?!) I decided to put together a list of all the projects I've been meaning to start and which I already have yarn for. That way, when I whine that I need more wool, I can remember this list and get started on something that's already in my stash. Don't know if it will stop the craving to buy more yarn, but at least it will keep my hands busy.... LOL
Poni Tail Hat/Scarf set
Felted Sheep - pattern from Fiber Trends
Felted tote - from Pursenalities
Do Be Do Scarf - from Scarves, A Knitter's Dozen
Waterfall Scarf - from Scarves, A Knitter's Dozen
Purl Scarf - from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Headband with leftover Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk (what a nice yarn this is!)
Teeny Weeny Cashmere scarf (unless I can think of something else to do with this)
Cigar gloves - from Knitty
Baby Booties (2 pair) - 1 already in progress
(is it me or are there WAY too many scarves in this list??)
And there is a bunch more yarn that is not accounted for here. So I certainly have enough to do, but I will always want more. I just hope the Fiber Goddesses will be kind and not lead me to any more patterns that I don't already have yarn for!!
Belated Christmas Haul & More
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Merry Christmas! Oh, wait - we did that already.... Well, I'm finally ready to post about it. Christmas knitting (which was well received, by the way) had me so backed up with chores, etc. that blogging was barely a possibility and it took me two whole days to clean and straighten my apartment - which is really only 4 rooms! But it's all done and here I am, back on a semi-regular basis I hope.
Christmas, in terms of knitting, was beyond my expectations! Yarn, books, AND a swift/ball winder combo - finally a hobby people can keep up with! Some recived as gifts on Christmas day and others purchased with gift certificates.
See the pics:
The 2 pinkish balls in front are 100% cashmere! That's why they are so tiny. From top left - 2 skeins Manos (multi); 3 Loft merino (vari-gray); 3 Classic Elite Miracle, 50% Alpaca/50%Tencel (black); 3 Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk dk; 3 Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan; and 3 Debbie Bliss Maya direct from the UK (OK, that was my gift to me, prior to 1/1/06) in lovely muted greens and tans.And now the books:
Yarn Harlot; The Knitting Stitch Bible; Scarves, A Knitter's Dozen; The Yarn Girl's Guide to Simple Knits; Last-Minute Knitted Gifts; Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments; Dyeing to Knit. Whew...
After re-doing my apartment, I managed to create a little knitting corner for myself!! It isn't much, but it's a nice little spot with good lighting, a comfortable chair, and places to hold the stash as I'm knitting it up. If I ever get back to knitting, that is. I have so much yarn (new and old) and patterns that I want to knit - I don't know where to start.... Anyway, on the table is a little three-tier box that holds scissors, tape measure, stitch markers, etc. and the vase is holding my new collection of hand made knitting needles! More about that in another post.
Well, back to work tomorrow - not really looking forward to it, but I miss my co-workers. Thank goodness for them! Talk to y'all later!
Words of Wisdom for a New Year
Sunday, January 01, 2006
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." [Emerson]
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." [Unknown]
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." [Kahlil Gibran]
"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination." [Souza]
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens: but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." [Helen Keller]
"There is no such thing as a self-made man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the makeup of our character and our thoughts, as well as our success." [George Matthew Adams]
"If you're going through hell, keep going..." [Winston Churchill]
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! [-Valerie]
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