Diva

Three seems to be the inevitable age of precious, pink cheeked, cooing babies turning into monstrous, out of control, I’m-gonna-hold-my-breath-until-I-pass-out toddlers. Ah, these will be the years to remember.

Ever since coming home with only a three-quarter finished dress I’ve gotten nothing but grief from my precocious (and questioning) little angel. I suppose the “gimme now” concept is something I’ve instilled upon her. After all, I can’t take credit for being patient. I’m the meaning of impatient.

And I guess that’s a good thing.

I’ve had quite a bit of a good thing lately. And that feels, well, good.

{She was saying “I miss Gramma”.}

{“I love daddy”.}

{“Easter Bunny, gimme chocolate.”}

Yeah. It’s all good.

Where’ve You Been?

If I wanted to lie to you (and I would never do that) I would tell you that I’ve been travelling Europe. Or maybe I took an extended vacation and just forgot to put up the “Gone Fishin’” sign. The truth is that life has a way of creating chaos just when you think you’ve gotten things in order.

School has been going along just fine. We are well into our fifth week and I had my first real exam for Western Civilization yesterday. I wrote about 3 1/2 pages for two essay questions and ended up leaving that class early. Only to sit in the cold winds, waiting on a bench, catching up for next weeks History reading. Who knew there’d be so much reading? (Chuckles.)

And, true to my word, I’ve been hanging in there when it comes to the gym. I’ve had five personal training sessions and guess what? Since mid-January I’ve lost a whopping fourteen pounds! There, I said it. Fourteen. And it feels great. Though the downside is that all the clothes I recently bought are already hanging a bit loose, especially in the waist and thighs. The upside is that I’ll just have to force myself to buy some new clothes soon. (Insert evil laugh.)

I am also continuing my sewing classes. In fact, I finished a dress (for myself) two weeks ago but since our normally everything-is-so-lovely-type weather hasn’t been so lovely I haven’t had time to get any pictures of me in it. (Truth be told, today is the first time I’ve picked up my camera in a few weeks. I don’t know why.) Anyhow, for all you non believers out there, I do have a photo (a teaser if you will) of Scout’s Easter dress for this year. I just need to finish the neckline and hem the ruffle. I might even add a black satin bow to it (because everyone in my sewing class told me it would be “sew cute”, get it?).

My knitting has been quite minimal, which I guess could be an indication to the name of my pattern: The Minimalist Cardigan. I haven’t had as much free time as I thought I would. You wouldn’t believe how busy three college classs can really make you. I’m proud to say, though, that I am working on my second sleeve and I’m really looking forward to start the finishing. My Ravelry queue is looking rather dreary. My yarn bins are starting to flood over into the rest of the closet. (Sshhh, don’t tell Shawn. He might think I don’t need yarn.)

But don’t worry, life isn’t all homework, twelve page papers, studying til 2 a.m., and running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. I am currently working on two swaps, one for embroidery and another for Easter. I am also finding my place at the embroidery shop (I even went so far as to buy my second canvas though I’m not done with my first). I’ve had a couple chances to catch up on my fully loaded DVR and watch some good old classics that TCM has been playing and we’ve watched a few horror flicks from Blockbuster.

And I’ve even made time to welcome this little guy to my new collection:

So that’s where I’ve been in my life. Everywhere and anywhere, you name it. But I’ll be back. Don’t you worry. I’ve got a lot in the works, behind the curtains.

Two Cool Cats

Meet Steve and Bob.

They are cats.

Cats of a different fur (or feather, if you will.)

That’s Bob the Cat. He has pretty blue eyes.

And this is Steve the Cat.

They are two cool kitties.

You, too,  can win yourself your own customized kitty by leaving a comment on this post. I will leave pick a winner on Thursday, January 28th. (Which, coincidentally, is Shawn’s 30th birthday!) Good luck!

Loss For Words

The past couple of days I’ve been at a loss for words. I’ve been waking up with these hideous headaches and absolutely no motivation to do anything. Of course, the dishes get washed and the laundry gets folded. But for the most part the wonderful wet rain has gotten me in a lazy mood.

It takes a little bit longer to wake up in the morning. I lay in bed, under cover, and listen to the drip, drip, drip of the rain as it hits the puddles outside our bedroom window.

I find that my afternoons have been filled with warming up in an oversized blanket and laying around the couch. I’ve even been known to fall asleep with Scout laying in my arms. Her light snoring is like a metronome. Spellbinding. Rythmic.

In the evenings I tend to come to life. It’s dinner time and the household is on edge. What will it be tonight? Chicken Parmigiano Strips with Spaghetti. Brown Butter and Balsamic Tortellini. Or maybe some Navy Bean Soup. It all depends.

And then for no known reason I’m off to bed at 8:30. I get back under cover and flick on the table lamp and I begin reading. Right now it’s Daphne. I slowly fall asleep thinking of Morgan and Luna, characters in a short story that I’ve been formulating.

Next thing I know it’s morning all over again.

But with this laziness comes a bit of a hidden depression. Maybe because the rain inhibits me from getting all the things done that I need to do. Like walk Rogue. She’s completely and utterly afraid of falling water. Or getting to the library to pick up some books for Scout (we read two to three at nap time and I’d completely ran out for three days straight). Or even getting to the grocery store because I completely forgot to buy some flat parsley.

Whatever it is I believe Shawn saw through it. So he treated me to a drive in the rain and I small shopping spree at the not so local LYS.

I’d decided to get some yarn for the Cedar Leaf Shawlette that I fell in love with. I mean, look at those little leaves!

{Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend}

I’d also perused the shop to see if there was anything I could do about substituting yarn for the Sabbatical Cardigan in this issue of Twist Collective. I didn’t quite find what I was looking for so I’m going to keep searching until I find the most perfect yarn for this gorgeous sweater. So instead, I decided on just one more skein of SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock because…well, because. I also snuck in a copy of the new KnitScene and the new Debbie Bliss Magazine because…well, again, because.

{SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock in Mist}

And just to prove to you that I haven’t been completely lazy, I have been using my sewing machine.

You’ll just have to wait to see what this is all about.

Til then: Stay Dry and Stay Warm.

All In A Day’s Work

I got a lot done when the internet was done, (server somewhere went down and we were without internet for the past two days), and having the flu, (again, though not as bad as the first time in November). In between the boredom and chills I decided to whip up a little something for my greedy little self the house.

The reason she looks so unhappy is that I was watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and we both got a little sad when poor Charlie Brown was misunderstood with his pathetic delightful and unique Christmas tree for the pageant.

So serious, she is.

But she’s a sweetheart.

Bag It Up

During last week’s Thanksgiving sales I took advantage of $6 per yard corduroy and 33% off your final purchase coupons. How could I not? I found this uber soft blue cord and a few yards of fabric here and there. I decided to buckle down and try my hand at sewing a zipper, among other techniques. Months ago I bought Sew Liberated’s Messenger Bag. Forget that I was hardly what you would call a “novice” at the sewing machine. Forget how easy I thought zippers could be.

But the cord called out and it was time to make this bag. With a little push from Meg herself and a zipper tutorial that she recommended, I was on my way. On day one I did cut all the pattern pieces and ironed on the interfacing. Then I took a day or two off because I could not understand the instructions for the zipper. On day two, (yesterday), I jumped in with both feet and did the sewing while Scout slept.

Success!!! I finished the bag during her two hour nap, (good thing she took a full nap, right).

That’s the front sans the button closure, (I still have to find the “right” button.)

The paisley fabric is by Marcus Brothers. The white is Kona cotton. The cord? Well it was a designer cut. I actually went back to buy more for a pair of pants, that’s how much I love the cord, but there wasn’t enough.

Anyway, getting over the beginning of the obstacle course proved the hardest. But once I got that zipper in the bag was a breeze. I absolutely love it. It’s perfect to take to French class. It’s perfect to use as a knitting bag. It’s perfect as an everyday throw-as-much-as-you-need-in-it type bag.

I’ll have to make another. Another six. One for each day of the week.

Don’t forget the contest.

Project Overload

I don’t know if it’s because the holidays are approaching so fastly but I feel like one of Santa’s not so little elves. There are stocking, advent calendars, ornaments. There will be candy making, Chex mix making, cookies to bake. There are turkey dinners with all the trimmings, pumpkin pies, dishes to clean. There are gifts to buy, packages to wrap, birthday cake to make. There is a never ending list of things to do that normally would get me depressed and lazy. I’d leave things to the last minute. Nevermind anything handmade.

But this year is somehow different. Maybe it’s because Scout is two and it’s time for the magic of the holidays to come and make her eyes shine with delight. Or maybe I’m finally ahead of the game and not as stressed as I normally would be if I left things to the last minute.

With each new ornament I’m inspired to make something new. In fact after making the gingerbread men using a cookie cutter as a template I realized I had another perfect cookie cutter that I could use. A Heart.

I made a blue and a red heart but I liked them so much that I want to do green, yellow and white. I’ll work on those this weekend.

Then last night I got an itch and decided to scratch it.

I decided to work on a double pointed needle cozy because my needles are everywhere they shouldn’t be.

I used Sandi Henderson’s Farmers Market line. I love the green apples and I love the red apples.

There was a lot of crafting last night. And there will be a lot today. In fact, I’m off to take a beading class in about 30 minutes. Four and a half hours of no children. Four and a half hours of counting tiny size 15 beads. Four and a half hours of a beautiful bracelet.

Oh yeah, I’m on overload and I’m loving every minute of it!

Home for the Holidays

Excuse my absence. It’s hard to believe that I haven’t blogged in two weeks, but it’s true. I have been spending my time getting well, both physically and mentally. I went to the hospital due to exhaustion and a long, drawn out bout of depression. I am home now, but not 100%. I’m taking some new meds as an experiment since the Dr. doesn’t know why I’m having certain symptoms after so many years. Needless to say I’m glad to be home but it all seems so foreign to me. I’m anxious and I feel overwhelmed but I’m getting through this. Slowly. Very slowly.

Since being home I haven’t spent any time on the computer. A message here and there. I feel less overwhelmed. There’s something about the internet that is often too stimulating. Maybe it’s all the information that can be accessed with a few keystrokes. Truth be told, though, I’ve missed blogging. I’ve missed reading about the lives that I’ve so closely followed the past few years. I’m dipping my toes in the information highway, though not completely. Baby steps.

So what have I been doing with my “free” time?

I’ve been hand sewing the binding onto the Easy Lap Quilt.

I’ve been trying my hand at hand sewing and embroidery, totally not my forte, but I have to say that I’m really enjoying it. Especially since I haven’t knit in a week. Plus, I had to get started on the package for my Backtack partner. I’ll post more once it gets closer to the sending date. She might be peeking!

I’ve spent some time making funky, ecclectic Christmas stockings. This is just a hint because I’ve decided to make a few more, in different colors, and add them to the shop in about two weeks. This particular one is for Scout. Originally my mom was supposed to have made one for Scout. But when Scout was born she didn’t have time to make it in 4 days. (She handsews hers and does a lot of blanket stitching.) Last year I couldn’t motivate her to get it done. This year I asked her to start working on it, in July! Instead, I chose to make it myself last year and I really like it. It’s different and eco friendly, (felt has come a long way in the past 20 years).

There’s been some package opening too. I finally got my greedy little paws on some Mama Blue yarns. I traded my Sundara Deadly Nightshade, (it was too plum purple), and received a skein of Urchin in exchange.

I was also lucky enough to get my hands on a skein of Troika sock in Trifle:

I did a little early birthday shopping, (for myself), and picked up a yarn swift and ball winder which I am in ♥ with. Three lovely skeins of Socks that Rock lightweight yarns. A bit of fabric, (I don’t dare say how much). I also had my  hair done so I could donate it to Locks of Love. They were able to get 10 1/2″ and leave me a little!

Sorry for the crappy picture, but if I had the boys do it they’d get a most disgusting shot of that extra skin that seems to have found a home under my chin/neck. The joys of getting old. Fifteen more days and I turn 28 years old. Lately I’ve spent a lot of time wondering how those years went so quick when I have memories that are so vivid that it seems like it was 20 years ago all over again.

Instead of saying I’m 28 I’m going to say that I’m 21 for the 7th time.

A Little Something Else

I wanted to share two projects that I’ve been working on. One is completely finished, the other is underway. First is the Amy Butler Nappy Bag for a custom Etsy order. This was made using Joel Dewberry fabrics:

The nifty little cell phone pocket:

And look at all the room inside:

Overall I’m happy with the pattern and would most definitely make a bag like this for myself. It would make quite the roomy knitting bag.

And I wanted to give you a preview of my first sock design called the Hepburn Socks, named after the great Katherine Hepburn:

Let me know what you think.

I’m off to get some rest before the surgery. In about 12 hours I’ll be sitting in the hospital admissions office waiting for my turn under the knife!

Bag Lady

Two nights ago I decided to do a little sewing. Nothing fancy. I needed wanted a new knitting bag. I love my Namaste Messenger Bag but the poor thing has been abused. The cord is actually tearing away from the straps because I’ve packed so much useless crap knitting projects in there. It simply can’t take anymore. I just wanted something simplistic. Something deep that I can cram a sweater and pattern in. So I made yet another market bag, though this one is much deeper than the kitty cat carry all I use on a daily basis. I am quite happy with the results though I had issues with the straps. Such issues nearly causes my Singer to meet her demise, though by no fault of her own. It was all user error. But once it was finished I was quite happy and I vow to be not so harsh on my machine. She did nothing wrong.

I am glad to say that I also used some stash fabric. Remember way back in September when I started to stew about becoming a serious seamstress with no sewing skills at all? I had about 2-3 yards of dark brown cord and it’s been gathering dust, (not literally), from sitting in my stash. You can only use so much brown cord, right?

Wrong.

For the pocket and lining fabric I used

Ginger Blossom fabrics by Sandi Henderson, for Michael Miller. (How interesting that her last post is all about Market Bag patterns she’s just made and will soon be released with a new line of fabric.) The colors were perfect for complementing the brown cord.

I love the inside but looking back, (a whole two days, I know), I think I should have used the pocket fabric and used that for the lining. I’m thinking there’s a bit too much brown.

Either way I’m happy that I have a new bag. I was never much of purse whore, but the past few years I’ve accumulated many more bags than I thought possible. I blame the knitting. Needles, yarn, patterns – it’s their fault.

My migraine has subsided a bit, with the help of Aleve. I wasn’t expecting much but I heard that Naproxen is a good pain reliever when it comes to headaches. I still seem to have a bit of a tension headache, which usually introduces himself, (notice that headaches are masculine when sewing machines are feminine?), midday. But I’m so sick of laying in bed with no light. The meds even helped yesterday once I got out of the house and went to the LYS. I ran into Jody and we had a few laughs about braids, (as in your hair), pubic hair, (don’t ask, it was her friend), alphabetizing books at the bookstore, (an employee had the nerve to ask her if she put her book back in alphabetical order), and the latest gossip that she’s missed out on. I ended up being sucked into the “you gotta have this new book right this second or you will never have an opportunity to buy it again” syndrome and grabbed me a copy of this:

Aprons are the thing now. It’s totally ok to walk out your front door wearing one, you know? I was enticed by Emmaline and then I just had to buy Lola. What would I need a whole book about aprons for? Because I can’t seem to say no to glossy covers and pretty pictures. Yeah, I’m a big fat sucker! I had a chance to delve into the patterns last night while watching Shawn at his last r/c race for the season and there are at least 6 aprons I want. Not just want. But want now. I even know what fabrics I want. Can’t wait.

But then there was some bad news. And then some good news. But I’m gonna throw the bad news in here because when you see the good news you may think that things have balanced. This morning I took the photos of my bag and something else, (you’ll see in a moment). I loaded the photos. The computer stalled twice. I restarted twice. But when I got online the second time every single one of my bookmarks, (favorites), was completely and utterly gone into computer hell oblivion!!! I’m sure you can call envision me thumping my head against the computer. Literally. Yes I thumped my head against the computer. I envisioned taking my PC and drowning it in the middle of the 7 ft. deep pool. Where they went? Couldn’t tell you. Who is using them? Don’t know that either. I did have three days of history so I went through every page I visited in the past three days and had to re-bookmark things. The problem? I don’t visit all my links every day. I’m missing a good 80% and have no idea how to go about retrieving them. I sense that my ass is going to be getting bigger and getting stuck in the chair while I sit here for hours trying to play detective. Ay yi yi.

But for the good news? Well, I’ll show you rather than tell you:

Sundara Silk Lace for the Winter Seasons club. Nuff said.